Volume 76, Number 5 May/June 2010
WESTERN
TANAGER
a publication of Los Angeles Audubon
Los Angeles Audubon Celebrates Centennial with Birdathon!
L
os Angeles Audubon is gearing up for our
Centennial Celebration with a Birdathon
Extravaganza!
Several of our Los Angeles County birding
Super Stars have volunteered their time and
talents creating five tours that are guaranteed to
enthrall and astound all birding enthusiasts!
Tours to be conducted May 1 st and May 8 th .
● Kimball Garrett is heading to the Malibu Coast to look
for migrating sea, shore, and inland birds with his
Parrots and Warblers and Loons, Oh My! tour!
● Dan Cooper is conducting the Slauson Smackdown!,
which will lead participants from Augustus Hawkins
Park to Ladera Park and on to Ballona Wetlands and
Marina del Rey!
● Robb Hamilton, is leading his Songbird Chasin' in the
Basin! hike through Sepulveda Basin to seek vireos,
warblers, orioles, and chats!
● Mike San Miguel, is touring the Antelope Valley and
the north slope of the San Gabriels with his
Not so Far Beyond the Wild Blue Yonder!
● Jon Feenstra’s, Ragin' in The Valley!, will scout the LA
River headwaters for mountain and foothill birds, before
heading to the ponds and thickets of Hansen Dam.
www.laaudubon.org
Please help us celebrate our Centennial and support
our conservation work by joining one of these exciting
Centennial Birdathon Teams! Complete details of each
tour can be found on pages 2 & 3. Space is limited so
be sure to call Audubon House, (323) 876-0202 to
reserve your spot today!
Can’t join a team? Then support one! Select a team
and make a species pledge of $.50, $1, $5, or $100 per
species! Fill out the pledge card and mail it to :
Los Angeles Audubon - Birdathon
PO Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
Or,
Make a Centennial Donation! Your $25, $50, or
$100 contribution will be greatly appreciated and will
support the protection and restoration of the birds you
love!
Los Angeles Audubon will be hosting a Centennial
Reception for Birdathon participants, Saturday Evening,
May 8th, so, join in the Birthday fun today! Reception
details will be announced with receipt of your pledge.
The mission of Los Angeles Audubon Society is to
promote the enjoyment and protection of birds and
other wildlife through recreation, education,
conservation and restoration.

Los Angeles Audubon is a non-profit volunteer Centennial Birdathon Tours

organization of people with a common interest in
birding and natural history. Los Angeles Audubon Saturday, May 1 st far away from the madness of
maintains offices, a library, and bookstore, the
proceeds of which benefit all of its programs. Robb Hamilton – the big city, we will start the
Los Angeles Audubon Society
Songbird Chasin' in the day at Piute Ponds on
Audubon House Basin! Edwards Air Force Base, look
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., A massive green island in the at some sewer ponds, ranch
W. Hollywood, CA 90046-6694
Valley, the Sepulveda Basin yards, parks and the north
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
Wildlife Reserve is an amaz- slopes of the San Gabriel
ing collection of restored na- Mountains. The transition
(323) 876-0202 (voice/messages)
(323) 876-7609 (fax) tive habitats served by trails from the floor of the Antelope
LAAS@laaudubon.org (general email) well-suited to group birding. Valley to higher elevations
www.losangelesaudubon.org
Riparian woodlands, pothole gives us a chance for a large
Board Officers
President David De Lange ponds, scrubby slopes, and variety of birds. We should
1st Vice President Garry George
2nd Vice President Paul Fox
even the famed LA River will see good concentrations of
Executive Secretary
Recording Secretary
Linda Oberholtzer
Eleanor Osgood
provide the setting for our shorebirds and wading birds,
Treasurer
Executive Past President
Lisa Fimiani
Dexter Kelly
Birdathon adventure. Expect breeding desert specialties
color, movement, and sur- with a shot at Roadrunners,
Programs & Activities
Conservation Garry George prises, as we will be exploring Le Conte’s Thrasher and
Field Trips Nick Freeman
Bird Walks Eleanor Osgood this well-known hotspot just Lawrence’s Goldfinches. 7:00
Pelagic Trips Phil Sayre
Membership Meetings Mary Freeman as spring landbird migration a.m. start time. Meeting
Ornithology Consultant
Rare Bird Alert
Kimball Garrett
Jon Fisher
reaches its crescendo. We'll location provided upon
Report Rare Birds
Volunteer Coordinator
(323) 874-1318
Eleanor Osgood
be visiting vireos, worshiping signup. $50/person
Library Dorothy Schwarz warblers, ogling orioles, and
Staff chillin' with chats! This will Saturday, May 8 th
Executive Director Mary Loquvam
Director of Interpretation Stacey Vigallon not be a challenging hike, but Kimball Garrett –
Audubon House Administrator Martha Balkan
Membership Services Susan Castor the sun may be out and the Parrots and warblers and
Audubon House Bookstore
wind may pick up, so dress loons, oh my!
Orders
Fax
(888) 522-7428
(323) 876-7609
appropriately. 8:00 a.m. start With spring migration of
Bookstore Manager
Hours Mon-Thurs
(323) 876-0202
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
time. Meeting location provided landbirds at its peak and the
1st Sat. ea. month 10 a.m.-3 p.m. upon signup. $50/person spring movement of seabirds
Online Nature Store just offshore still going
www.losangelesaudubon.org/store
Saturday, May 8 th strong, the Malibu coast can
Mike San Miguel – offer great birding in early
WESTERN TANAGER Not so far beyond the wild May. We’ll explore a lush
Published by
Los Angeles Audubon Society blue yonder! canyon just inland from Zuma
Western Tanager is published bi-monthly. For address changes or On May 8 th, join me for a day Beach for migrants, a variety
subscription problems call (323) 876-0202, or write to Member
Services, Los Angeles Audubon, PO Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA looking at lingering ducks, of breeding birds (including
90093-1057. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months
before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft birds that stick their beaks in sea-level populations of Dark-
Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Linda Oberholtzer at
westerntanager@laaudubon.org. the mud, pretty little eyed Juncos and Purple
Editor Linda Oberholtzer chickadees and migrants and Finches), and cacophonous
Layout Susan Castor
Proofreaders Hanna Hayman, Kimball Garrett even flowers aplenty. Not so congregations of parrots.
Printed on Recycled Paper

E2 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5

 Then, we’ll switch gears and there, and we will start with Saturday, May 8 th
watch brant, scoters, loons, migrants and Spotted Doves at Jon Feenstra –
and other seabirds moving up an urban oasis, Augustus Ragin' in The Valley!
the coast on their long Hawkins Natural Park, located From tree-lined valleys
migration to Arctic and sub- just southeast of Downtown through the brushy foothills,
Arctic regions. Expect L.A. From here we'll head and dense willowy basins, the
upwards of 100 species and west, dropping in on the northeast San Fernando Valley
great views, with moderate sycamore grove at another is where it's at for bird
walking distances. 8:00 a.m. spring migrant trap, Ladera diversity at this peak of spring
start time. Meeting location Park, and finishing up with migration. We’ll begin in the
provided upon signup. 100 waterbirds at the Ballona hilly upper reaches of the
species! $50/person Wetlands and Playa del Rey. Valley for some mountain and
8:00 a.m. start time. Meeting foothill birds before heading
Saturday, May 8 th location provided upon to the ponds and thickets of
Dan Cooper – signup. 70 species! Hansen Dam for a robust
Slauson Smack-Down! $50/person. riparian bird mixture. 8:00
Poor Slauson Blvd. — no a.m. start time. Meeting
Sunset Strip, or even a location provided upon
highway like Imperial. Yet, signup. 75 species.
great birding spots are out $50/person.

2010 CENTENNIAL BIRDATHON PLEDGE FORM, Week of May 1 - 8, 2010

PLEDGED BY: (Name, Address, Phone, e-Mail)

Join Super Star Team: Participant Name(s) $50.00 Total

Per Person

Species Pledge This pledge can be designated for: Per Species Total
Pledge Amt.
Team _____________________

Individual __________________ $ ___ X ____

Flat Birdathon Pledge Total

RSVP to Centennial Birdathon Reception,  I WILL attend.

Sat. May 8, 2010
Venue: To be announced.
 I will NOT attend.
TOTAL Total

Los Angeles Audubon - Birdathon

To make a pledge or to make your tax-deductible donation, PO Box 931057
return this form with your check made out to: Los Angeles CA 90093-1057
Note: Visa, MasterCard, & Visa accepted!
Call (323) 876-0202

Western Tanager May/June 2010 E3

 Conservation Conversation
A REPORT ON CONSERVATION EFFORTS BY LOS ANGELES AUDUBON
LADWP DROPS GREEN PATH
NORTH
Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power announced that it has
dropped plans to build an 85-mile-
long "green" power transmission
line across desert wilderness pre-
serves and scenic ridgelines in-
cluding Big Morongo Canyon
Preserve, a favorite birding spot
for Los Angeles Audubon birders
and an Audubon California Impor-
tant Bird Area. This follows three
years of opposition from environ-
mental groups including Los An-
geles Audubon, San Bernardino
Valley Audubon, California Desert
Coalition and Wildlands Conser-
vancy.
While supporting renewable en-
ergy, the environmental groups ad-
vocated that LADWP use
transmission lines that already
exist rather than build new ones
through pristine habitat. The
Green Path was planned to go
through Pioneertown near Yucca
Valley, Pipes Canyon Wilderness
Preserve as well as Morongo.
Los Angeles Audubon celebrates
this victory.
E4 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
SUPPORTS DESERT
PROTECTION ACT
Senator Feinstein’s legislation to
create a Mojave desert national
monument and protect over 1 mil-
lion acres of habitat got support
from the Obama administration.
Secretary of the Interior, Ken
Salazar, testified in Congress that
the bill would not interfere with the
52 solar energy projects proposed
for Southern California deserts.
"We've come to understand that your
legislation is exactly the right ap-
proach," Salazar told Feinstein, D-
Ca., during a hearing before a
Senate subcommittee. "There are
right places for there to be develop-
ment, there are places that we ought
not have development and I think, in
working closely with you and the
stakeholders in Southern California,
we have achieved that balance."
The legislation, called the California
Desert Protection Act of 2010, was
introduced late last year and has
been referred to the Senate Commit-
tee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources for consideration. The panel
has yet to schedule a hearing on the
bill.
Audubon joined other environmental
groups in helping define criteria for
siting of renewable energy projects
in the Mojave and Colorado desert.
—Garry George
SNOWY PLOVER
MONITORING HAS BEGUN
Los Angeles Audubon’s Snowy Plover
monitoring program has begun and
volunteers are combing the beaches to
count and locate our plovers. Special
attention is being paid to beaches
which now have enclosures on them
including Dockweiler, Santa Monica
and Malibu Lagoon.
A nest has not been recorded on an LA
County beach since 1949, so volun-
teers are paying special attention to the
plovers using the enclosure for signs
of breeding behavior. This is the
fourth year of the Snowy Plover pro-
gram. Los Angeles Audubon will
launch a docent program at the enclo-
sure on Dockweiler Beach in the near
future that will inform beachgoers why
the enclosure is there, give information
about the plovers, and a peek in binoc-
ulars or ‘scope at the bird we are pro-
tecting. This outreach to the beach
going community is in cooperation
with Los Angeles County Beaches and
Harbors, and funded by grants and do-
nations. To get involved email
tern@laaudubon.org.
Don’t forget to check the Conservation
blog for up to date news on our Con-
servation efforts! To get there go to
the www.losangelesaudubon.org site
and on the MAIN MENU click Con-
servation & Restoration, then click
Conservation blog.
Los Angeles Audubon Wins
Pennies for the Planet Grant!
Local kids help protect a threatened
shorebird!
Camouflaged shorebirds along
California’s coast need our help. So
do the coastal marshes of Louisiana
and wetland habitat near the Gulf
Coast of Florida. And– school kids
across the country are pitching in to
help by joining TogetherGreen’s
Pennies for the Planet campaign!
Pennies for the Planet is a
successful nationwide campaign to
help critical conservation projects.
It’s powered by kids collecting
pennies (and nickels, dimes,
quarters, and dollars, too!) to help
save wild places and wildlife in the
United States. Working in
classrooms, clubs, Scout troops,
other groups, with their families, and
on their own, kids have turned
pennies into a gold mine for wild
spaces and wild species needing
protection. By raising thousands of
dollars for conservation, kids have
proven that they care about making
the planet cleaner, greener, and
wilder.
Los Angeles Audubon has just
won a $4,000 grant from the Pennies
for the Planet campaign to protect
habitat of the threatened Snowy
Plover on beaches in Los Angeles
County! The grant funds an art
contest that engages two inner city
Los Angeles elementary schools in
the creation of signs that ask
beachgoers to Share the Shore with
wildlife!
Students from Leo Politi and
Weemes Elementary Schools are
learning about the Snowy Plover’s
life cycle, behavior, history and
habitats, through in-class visits and a
field trip to the Snowy Plover roost
at Malibu Lagoon. They are also
participating in a science illustration
afterschool program taught by Los
Angeles Audubon’s Director of
Interpretation, Stacey Vigallon!
Students will draw posters alerting
Western Tanager
people to the plight of the Snowy
Plover and ask them to stay out of
fenced-off areas on our beaches.
The culmination for all this
activity will be our Share the Shore
Art Exhibit at Leo Politi Elementary
School on Friday, May 21st, showing
the students’ artwork. On that
evening, ten posters will be selected
to be made into signs and hung at
Snowy Plover enclosures on beaches
in Los Angeles County!
Please, save the date (May 21st
from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and join
in the fun at Leo Politi Elementary
as these kids display their art work
and impart new-found knowledge of
and enthusiasm for some of the
cutest creatures on the face of the
earth! While you are there, visit Leo
Politi’s new school yard habitat and
ask any Leo Politi student about the
birds that now call that habitat home!
Please see our invitation below.
May/June 2010 5
 Interpreting Nature
—Stacey Vigallon, Director of Interpretation

Students participate in science illustration as a way to learn about wildlife

A
nyone who’s ever thumbed through a Sibley Guide or admired a
John James Audubon print can attest to the usefulness of science
illustration and the hard work that typically goes into creating
accurate illustrations. The field of science illustration emphasizes the
intersection of art and science, demonstrating what both fields have in
common - creativity, careful observation, and a commitment to accuracy. A
science illustrator can take you places a camera could never reach, showing
you the respiratory system of an in-flight bumblebee, or a concise visual
model of photosynthesis. Before cameras, science illustration was the only
way to visually represent scientific knowledge and was an essential
component to the advancement of the sciences.

At the time this article was written, students at Leo Politi and Weemes
Elementary Schools were hard at work on science illustrations of their own.
As part of the Share The Shore Program, these students participated in an
intensive four-session science illustration workshop, with the goal of getting

E6 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5

 each student to create a poster for Snowy Plover conservation. Like any
good science illustrator, these students
headed out to the field to meet their
study subject in person, visiting
Malibu Lagoon to view plovers in
their natural habitat. This trip was
followed by after-school illustration
sessions where students learned to
compare and contrast bird field
marks to figure out what makes a
snowy plover unique, and they
learned the fundamentals of
landscape composition in order to
better understand and draw snowy plover habitat. Their work will be exhibited
in an online gallery at the Los Angeles Audubon website as well as at the Share
the Shore Art Exhibit on May 21st, 2010 at Leo Politi Elementary School (see invitation on page 5). The
illustrations you see in this article are some of the preliminary drawings students created before starting on their
official posters.

Leo Hernandez, one of Los Angeles Audubon’s Greenhouse Interns, is also incorporating science illustration in
his research project on pollinators at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park.

“I expected the science illustration component to be hard, and I was right,” says Leo. “It’s hard but very
informative and interesting.”

In addition to surveying the park for pollinator species

and monitoring the use of native bee nest boxes, Leo is also
creating a small, illustrated brochure about the pollinators
park visitors might see. The illustration component helped
him to better understand the details of the species he is
studying. He hopes that the combination of scientific
research and public outreach will lead to greater interest in
conserving native pollinators. Leo examined the work of
several illustrators before getting started and did some
reading on their working process.

“I was impressed in seeing how people have spent their

life studying,” Leo explains. “It inspired me to work hard.”

Science illustration has offered opportunities for

students of all ages to get to know their wildlife subjects on
a more detailed level. Like reading or math, drawing is a
skill that requires commitment and practice, but it’s also one
that can help students communicate their knowledge to the rest of the world.

Western Tanager May/June 2010 E7

 birds of the season
S
pring in coastal southern
California arrives in Febru-
ary. The change from win-
ter seems to take place almost
overnight with lush new growth
at every turn and a dramatic in-
crease in bird activity. Aside
from the always early swallows,
a few other passerine migrants
had turned up on schedule by the
first week of March. It’s a fa-
miliar progression for birders
here and a world away from the
snow and cold still dominating
other parts of the country.
An element of our avifauna
are the birds that have adapted to
altered and artificial environ-
ments. Each winter a variety of
normally absent songbirds take
advantage of mild temperatures
coupled with resources provided
by exotic and non-native plant-
ings in parks and elsewhere.
Other birds that have benefitted
from man-created environments
include our many introduced par-
rots and parakeets and also
Allen’s Hummingbirds, which
now seem to be everywhere on
the coastal slope. Many water-
birds have taken relatively well
to our channeled rivers, man-
made lakes and ponds. Winter
birding in particular is made
more interesting because of the
birds these ‘unnatural’ habitats
attract. The Black-throated
Green Warbler in front of the
E8 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5
Panda Inn in Pasadena was par-
ticularly amusing.
The appearance of rarities
slowed in January and February,
with many reports being of con-
tinuing birds. Still, some great
finds were made. With the
county encompassing everything
from coastal habitats to interior
deserts, notable birds were in
great variety.
Single Snow Geese were
along the San Gabriel River in
Long Beach on January 11 (John
Willis) and continuing in Wil-
lowbrook through February 16.
On the desert, at least seventy-
five continued in the agricultural
fields near Lancaster. Two
Brant were at the Ballona Creek
mouth on February 18 (David
Bell) and a handful of Cackling
Geese were also reported.
Eurasian Wigeons were at
Silver Lake Reservoir on January
9 (Jon Feenstra), along the San
Gabriel River in Long Beach on
January 11 (John Willis) and
continuing on the LA River in
Glendale through February 27.
Always rare on the coastal
slope was a female Greater Scaup
at MacArthur Park that was seen
through January 9 (Jon Feenstra).
A presumably continuing
—by Jon Fisher
Common Goldeneye was along
Ballona Creek on January 29 (Ed
Griffin) and another was at
Bonelli Park in San Dimas on
February 8 (Ron Ketcham).
At an expected location but
worth mentioning were counts of
seventy-four Canvasback and
ninety-one Common Mergansers
at Lake Hughes on January 29
(Jim Moore). While the coastal
slope and county’s interior are
geographically quite close, there
are remarkable differences in the
numbers of diving ducks that
each region supports. Larger,
deeper bodies of water are key to
their distribution.
A continuing Long-tailed
Duck was seen off the Malibu
Pier through February 7 and an-
other was off Santa Monica from
February 7-12 (Richard Barth).
At least one White-winged
Scoter remained at Quail Lake
through January 16 and another
was along Ballona Creek near
Playa del Rey the same day
(Martin Myers). Small numbers
of White-winged Scoters and
Black Scoters continued off
Dockweiler State Beach in El Se-
gundo and off Santa Monica
Beach through most of the period
(Richard Barth) and a single
Black Scoter was off Malibu
Pier on January 23 (Tom Miko).
 While having drawn many previously in Pico Rivera Otherwise, aside from our
birders in the first couple of continuing through March 6. most common species, larids
weeks following its discovery, were generally quite scarce this
there have been no reports of the An adult Bald Eagle was at winter. Even so, several good
King Eider at Cabrillo Beach Bonelli Park through the period ones were discovered. A first
since January 20, though it is and was joined by an sub-adult on year Laughing Gull, very rare
very likely still in the area. March 8 (Rod Higbie). Another anywhere in the county, was
one was observed over both Quail found at Bonelli Regional Park
Rare away from the coast Lake and Lake Elizabeth on on January 17. Subsequently, an
were Red-throated Loons at January 16 (Jon Feenstra). adult Heermann’s Gull was
Quail Lake on January 10 (Cal present there from February 10-
Yorke) and at Legg Lake in Extremely rare in winter was 11 (both Andrew Lee). While
South El Monte from January 23- a Swainson’s Hawk in the Ante- common coastally, Heermann’s
30 (Ed Stonick). A Pacific Loon lope Valley on January 24 (Mark are highly unusual inland. A
was also at Quail Lake on & Janet Scheel). It’s possible this Franklin’s Gull at the Pico
January 16 (Jon Feenstra). bird was a very early migrant, Rivera spreading basins on Janu-
though early February is typically ary 9 was likely the same contin-
The highlight however was a the earliest expected date for uing bird seen at Legg Lake
Yellow-billed Loon found at spring birds. The first undoubted through January 11.
Castaic Lake from March 8-14 reports of migrant Swainson’s
(Jim Abernathy, et al). This con- were a single bird over Bonelli Reports of alcids were almost
stitutes only the second ever oc- Park on February 28 (Rod Hig- nil, with a Common Murre and
currence of this species in the bie), a flock of about fifty above a Rhinoceros Auklet off Leo
county, with the first record Claremont on March 3 (Martha Carillo Beach on January 23
being a coastal one from 1977. Estus) and eighteen over Altadena being the only ones reported
on March 7 (Judy Bass). (Kimball Garrett).
Unexpected numbers of
Brown Pelicans began turning up While Ferruginous Hawks A Lewis’s Woodpecker was at
inland about the middle of Janu- were reported in good numbers King Gillette Ranch near Cal-
ary, and unusual numbers of dead in the Antelope Valley, the only abasas on January 9 (Terence Kite)
pelicans were reported along the report away from that area was and several more were subse-
coast. This phenomenon may of a continuing bird in the Playa quently reported in this area. A
have been related to the effects del Rey area. continuing bird was in San Gabriel
of El Nino which redistributes through the period and others were
food resources in the eastern Pa- Shorebirds of note included found in Claremont on January 29
cific. Indeed, some birds were an impressive flock of 223 (Dan Guthrie) and in Arcadia on
suffering from starvation, but Mountain Plovers in the Ante- February 17 (Tom Miko).
other factors appear to have been lope Valley on January 25 (Mike
in play as many experienced hy- San Miguel) and a good winter Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
pothermia linked to exposure to concentration of fifty Dunlin continued at Veteran’s Park in
an as yet unknown substance. also in that area on January 23 Sylmar, at Lindberg Park in Cul-
(Larry Schmahl). ver City and at Ed Vincent Park
The American Bittern in Inglewood, while a Red-
continued at Legg Lake and was Of interest was a large naped Sapsucker was at North
the only one reported this winter concentration of 2800 Hollywood Park on February 13
on the coastal slope. Very few Bonaparte’s Gulls that (Richard Barth).
White-faced Ibis were reported congregated during inclement
with one at El Dorado Golf weather on the Ballona salt pan in Rounding out the genus
Course in Long Beach on Playa del Rey on January 18 (Roy Sphyrapicus were continuing
February 6 (Steve Meert) and van de Hoek). Williamson’s Sapsuckers: one
one of three birds found at Veteran’s Park in Sylmar

Western Tanager May/June 2010 E9

through March 6 and the other at few Mountain Bluebirds were Los Angeles National Cemetery
Mt. Sinai near Burbank through also present on the coastal slope. from January 12-February 27, at
February 3. Eight were along the San Gabriel Ed Vincent Park in Inglewood
River below Valley on January from February 19-March 7 (both
Away from expected areas were 28 (Mike San Miguel) and a Richard Barth) and at Oak Park
Hairy Woodpeckers at Malibu group of up to two dozen were at Cemetery in Claremont on March
Creek State Park on January 17 Brackett Field in La Verne 7 (Cathy McFadden, Paul
(Art Langton) and at Veteran’s Park through the period (Rod Higbie). Clarke). Reports of one at Legg
in Sylmar from February 20-March They are undoubtedly more com- Lake in South El Monte contin-
6 (Roy Van de Hoek). mon than observations suggest ued through January 24.
with many open areas where they
A few Empidonax were pres- could easily go undetected. There were few notable spar-
ent, with a Hammond’s Fly- rows, but a very good find was a
catcher at South Gate Park on Unusual away from the Grasshopper Sparrow in the
February 8 and another continu- mountains were two Townsend’s Santa Monica Mountains on Feb-
ing at Elysian Park through Feb- Solitaires at Veteran’s Park in ruary 14 (Tom Wurster, Liga
ruary 18 (both Richard Barth). A Sylmar on January 30 (Matthew Auzins). This was undoubtedly a
returning Gray Flycatcher at Page, Nick & Mary Freeman). wintering bird as migrants are
Bonelli Park remained through On February 11 another was in not expected until mid March.
the period and another was at Acton where somewhat more ex- This species is rarely observed
Augustus Hawkins Natural Park pected (Mike Clark). away from breeding areas. Other
in South Central Los Angeles sparrows of note included a rare
from January 17 into March California Gnatcatchers winter dark-lored White-
(Richard Barth). continue to persist in the valleys crowned Sparrow– presumably
where remnant patches of habitat oriantha- in Westchester on Jan-
Other flycatchers included still exists. As might be ex- uary 16 (Kevin Larson) and a
the continuing Dusky-capped pected most of these areas are in ‘Pink-sided’ Junco at Legg Lake
Flycatcher at Creek Park in La undeveloped hilly areas. Four on January 25 (Bob Kaufman).
Mirada and a Tropical Kingbird were reported at Bonelli Park on
at Legg Lake which was reported February 28 (Rod Higbie) and Good numbers of Tricolored
through January 29. New how- they can also be found in the Blackbirds were in the Antelope
ever was a Scissor-tailed Fly- Montebello Hills, Puente Hills Valley this winter, with flocks of
catcher near Hacienda Heights and rarely at Santa Fe Dam. 450 and 750 observed on January
on January 11 (Dan Cooper). 25 in the vicinity of 110 th Street
Also of interest was an Ash- Unusual wintering warblers East between Avenue I and K
throated Flycatcher in Baldwin were in short supply, but did in- (Mike San Miguel). While these
Hills on March 9 (Richard clude a Nashville Warbler at birds have a patchy distribution
Barth). This bird likely spent the Sand Dune Park in Manhattan in the region, they are rather gre-
winter locally, as it was over a Beach on February 2 (Kathi garious in winter and flocks can
week ahead of the earliest spring Ellsworth) and a Black-throated be significant in size.
record for the county. Green Warbler in Pasadena on
January 13-30 which drew many
Four Sage Thrashers in the spectators (Brian Daniels). A An excellent find among a
Antelope Valley on January 24 Painted Redstart was at Loyola flock of Great-tailed Grackles at
(Larry Schmahl) and two at the Marymount University from Jan- El Dorado Park was a Common
Piute Ponds on January 30 (Mark uary 23-March 7 (Russ & Grackle present from March 1-7
& Janet Scheel) had to be early Dorothy Stone) and another con- (Joyce Waterman). It’s been six
migrants right at the edge of this tinued at Monrovia Canyon Park years since one was recorded in
species spring migration window. through the period. the county and it’s obviously a
good idea to check any such
Though a much easier bird to Scarce but regular in winter, flocks carefully.
find in the Antelope Valley, a Summer Tanagers were at the
E 10 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5
 Wintering orioles included an
adult male Baltimore Oriole at
the Los Angeles National Ceme-
tery in Westwood from January
30-March 12 and second one
there on February 21 (both
Richard Barth). A female
Hooded Oriole was at the ceme-
tery on February 7 (Don Sterba).
Thus ends the winter birding
season, and an excellent one it
was. King Eider, Wood Stork and
Yellow-billed Loon were the stand-
out birds among a myriad of lesser
rarities.
There’s a lot of territory to
cover in spring as birds are every-
where. We’re now approaching
the peak of passerine migration
which is always an enjoyable time
to be in the field.
With thanks to Kimball Garrett
for reminding us of this each year,
an oft overlooked aspect of spring
birding takes place after dark.
Many passerines migrate after
sunset and large numbers can often
be heard and even seen at night.
Although not offering the aesthetic
appeal of daytime birding,
listening at night can be very
productive. If your ear is good and
the area quiet, many can be
identified by call. Migrating birds
can also be observed on or near
full moon nights as they pass in
front of the moon’s face.
Outside the county, but of great
interest to many LA County
birders, is the situation at the
Silver Saddle Ranch (aka
‘Galileo’) in eastern Kern County.
A Mecca for both vagrants and
birders, trying economic times
have taken their toll here and the
complex is now up for sale.
Though late news is that it will
remain open to both guests and
birders, its final status remains
uncertain. This potential loss
would be significant, at least as far
as spring and fall birding
itineraries are concerned, but there
is a point worth remembering- the
migrants and vagrants that turned
up here will still be passing
through the deserts. Also consider
that Galileo is a mere twenty-five
air miles north of LA County. The
birds are still out there, and the
end result may be that ‘new’ desert
hotspots are discovered and
current ones get better coverage.
As it is with everything, change is
a constant in the birding world.
Los Angeles Audubon Pelagic Trips
on the Condor Express
Saturday, May 1, 2010
A deep water trip toward the San Juan
Seamount, $195
Saturday, July 31, 2010
A deep water trip to the San Juan Seamount and Santa Rosa Ridge, $195
International Birding Tours
Sponsored by Los Angeles
Audubon, I have been leading
exciting birding and wildlife tours
for the Society to many places in the
natural world for over two decades.
Each tour offers superb birding and
natural history experiences. We
have excellent local tour guides in
each of the countries we visit,
offering exceptional
accommodations, good food, and
our friendly tours are appropriate for
experienced and new birders. Watch
for upcoming information about our
adventures to far away places. –
Olga Clarke
For information and itinerary on Los
Angeles Audubon’s International
Birding Tours contact:
Olga Clarke
oclarketravel@earthlink.net
Los Angeles Audubon,
Travel Director
2027 El Arbolita Dr.
Glendale, CA 91208-1805
Ph/Fax: (818) 249-9511

Mountain birding is good from Saturday, September 18, 2010

May through the summer and
something most of us very much
look forward to. Unfortunately most
of the Angeles National Forest
remains closed due to the Station
Fire and now storm damage and
current information indicates that it
will remain so until October. It
seems birding in much of the San
Gabriels will have to wait.
Around the Northern Channel Islands for rare Shearwaters, $125
Complete details are available on our website: losangelesaudubon.org
Reservations for Condor Express trips:
Contact: Sea Landing in Santa Barbara at:
(805) 882-0088 or (888) 779-4253 for your reservations and trip status.
Address: 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara 93101-3886
E-mail: info@sealanding.net
Western Tanager May/June 2010 E 11
 Field Trips
May 8-9 Weekend Saturday, May 22
Field trips often require more
Mojave Desert out of Baker Tejon Ranch
time or effort than do bird
Leaders: Nick & Mary Freeman. Your Leader: Jim Moore. Los Angeles
walks. They delve more deeply
intrepid leaders will lead 12 durable Audubon has never before visited this
into identification, natural
birders in search of migrating working ranch that was off limits to
histories and interactions
passerines, as well as Scott's Oriole visitation until just recently. This will
observed in the field. No pets
and other desert birds. Should also be be a joint venture with our neighbors
or small children, please.
an excellent time for herps like to the north, San Fernando Audubon.
Contact information will be
Chuckwalla, Desert Iguana, Desert It is still by special arrangement with
released for carpooling unless
Tortoise, Horned Lizard. Some rock- escort only, as one could easily get lost
requested otherwise.
hoping and hiking, and lots of driving on the web of dirt roads covering this
on paved and dirt roads, so a driving huge property. We will visit Big
Before setting out on any event,
please call the LAAS bird tape at partner is advisable. Likely spots we Sycamore Canyon and Los Alamos
(323) 874-1318, Option #4. will visit include Tecopa, China Creek, probably amounting to a few
For a recorded message with Ranch, Horsethief Springs, Kelso miles of easy hiking up the future re-
special instructions or possible Station, Zzyzx, and Baker sewage alignment of the Pacific Crest Trail
cancellations that may have ponds. Meet in Baker at 7:00 a.m. through the south-central portion of
occurred. Updates will also be Tejon Ranch. We will see magnificent
Saturday, 6:30 a.m. Sunday, at Pike’s
posted on our website. oak woodlands, stunning sycamore ri-
www.laaudubon.org Family Restaurant (formerly
Denny’s). Reserve your own room in parian woodlands, late wildflowers,
Baker for both nights (motel list in and diverse chaparral vegetation com-
Sunday, May 2
mailer). High clearance strongly munities, as well as the birds that call
Hansen Dam Riparian Birds
recommended. Bring enough gas, these canyons their home. Take Inter-
Leader: Kimball Garrett. An
food, a spare tire (check the air), and state 5 north to Quail Lake Rd. (Hwy
exploration of one of our region's
water for the weekend. To reserve, 138). Continue east for 8.7 miles to
premier "Important Bird Areas".
mail $20 per person to Los Angeles 300th Street West. Turn north and
Expect Bell's Vireos, Yellow-breasted
Audubon, PO Box 931057, Los continue on the paved road until it
Chats, Blue Grosbeaks and a variety
Angeles 90093-1057. Provide phone curves to the left. At this point, leave
of other birds of willow woodlands
#, state if you have or don’t have a the paved road and continue on the
and mulefat scrub, along with
high clearance vehicle, and provide a dirt road until you come to the Tejon
numerous landbird migrants,
SASE or your e-mail address for the Ranch gate. Registered participants
waterbirds and marsh birds. We will
confirmation mailer. Contact meet here at 7:30 a.m. Bring lunch, as
be walking up to three miles,
Audubon House (323) 876-0202 for we will be out most of the day. Those
sometimes on narrow trails. Meet at
possible carpool / roomie information. wishing to carpool can meet at the
7:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the
McDonald’s on the east side of Inter-
Hansen Dam Recreation Center along
May 14-17 Long Weekend state 5 at Lake Hughes Road at 6:45
Foothill Blvd. just west of the
Kern River Valley Spring Migrants a.m. High clearance vehicles recom-
Osborne/Lake View Terrace exit off
Leader: Bob Barnes. This trip will be mended; we will carpool into these at
the 210 Fwy. For those coming from
devoted to experiencing the waves of the ranch. Rain cancels. Limit: 30
the 5 Fwy, exit at Osborne and go
Spring migrants that push up through participants only. Everyone please
north on Osborne to Foothill Blvd.;
the mountains this time of year, as register with Los Angeles Audubon by
turn right (east) on Foothill Blvd. and
well as searching out vagrants that fre- phone (323) 876-0202.
go about half a mile to the entrance to
the Recreation Center. (Note: Our quently show up with them. Reserva-
tions needed. This joint field trip is Sunday, May 23
meeting area is NOT the main Hansen
being organized by Sea and Sage Santa Anita Canyon
Dam Park that is reached off
Audubon. $15 per person per day. Leader: Mary Freeman. Take the 210
Dronfield Avenue). We should finish
For more information and to reserve, Fwy toward Arcadia, and take Santa
up around 11:00 a.m. No reservation,
see: www.seaandsageaudubon.org. Anita Avenue N to the parking lot at
no limit.

E 12 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5


the very end of the road. Meet at the
Gabrielino Trail trailhead at the bot-
tom of the lot. 4 mile RT moderately
strenuous walk through oak and chap-
arral canyons. This area was spared
by the recent Station Fire. Good se-
lection of breeding and migrating
birds including warblers, Olive-sided
Flycatcher, Western Tanager, and
Band-tailed Pigeon. Dipper possible.
Pack in a lunch and water. Meeting
time 7:00 a.m. No sign up. Nominal
donation suggested. A Forest Service
Adventure Pass is necessary.
June 11-14 Long Weekend
High Sierra Breeding Birds
Leader: Bob Barnes. High deserts to
High Sierra. The most diverse,
species-rich region in the state. Meet
early in Inyokern for Friday morning's
start. All other days start early in
Kernville. Likely: Goshawk, Yellow-
billed Cuckoo, Pileated Woodpecker
and owls. 150 species likely in 4 days.
Joint trip with our good neighbors in
Sea & Sage AS. To reserve, and
receive trip information including
lodging, send phone number and $15
for each day attended ($60 for 4
days), and your e-mail address or
SASE. Mail to Los Angeles Audubon,
PO Box 931057, Los Angeles 90093-
1057. Lots of driving, so bring a
friend, and we will carpool when
possible. Contact info will be released
for carpooling. Dawn to dusk (and
more) birding ideal for enthusiastic
beginning to advanced birders. Meet
Friday at Union 76 station in
Inyokern. Reserve Fri-Sat-Sun night
rooms in Kernville area early, and
Thursday in Inyokern (all listed in
flyer). Maximum 15.
Field Trips
Saturday, June 26
Mt. Pinos
Leader: Barbara Johnson. Hopeful
Calliope Hummingbird, mountain
woodpeckers, Hermit Warbler, Moun-
tain Quail. Anticipate the elements,
and bring a lunch. Take Hwy 5 N past
Tejon Pass to the Frazier Park off ramp,
turn left, and follow Frazier Mountain
Park Rd. bearing right onto Cuddy Val-
ley Rd. Meet promptly at the "Y"
formed by the junction of Cuddy Valley
Rd. and Mil Potrero Hwy at 8:00 a.m.,
and park in the obvious dirt clearing.
No reservation needed.
Friday through Monday, July 2-5
Quaking Aspen Cabin Trip for Owls
Leaders: Mary and Nick Freeman. Quak-
ing Aspen is above Springville, near Pon-
derosa in the southwest Sierras. Owling
by night, bird walks by day! Must be a
night owl. We may also look at some but-
terflies and wildflowers! Hopeful birds:
Flammulated, Saw-whet, Spotted and
other owls, Pileated Woodpecker, Winter
Wren, Goshawk, Hammond’s & Dusky
Flycatchers and more. Some are difficult,
but all have been seen on this trip! The
only cabin at the campsite is reserved, but
only sleeps 6. Late sign-ups, and frugal or
rustic birders will want to reserve their
own campsites at reserveamerica.com
(soon!). For all: our first dinner will be
potluck, others provided or eat out. Tenta-
tively meet Thursday 3:00 p.m. at Quak-
ing Aspen Campground (by entrance).
More details in flyer. To reserve, send to
Los Angeles Audubon, PO Box 931057,
Los Angeles, 90093-1057, your phone
number, $95 check for cabin (included) /
$20 for campers (site not included), and
your e-mail address or SASE (for flyer). 4
sign-ups max. for the cabin, 3 min. 6 ad-
ditional sign-ups max. for campers. No
small children or pets, please.
Western Tanager
Saturday, July 17
Big Bear Lake Vicinity Field Trip
Leaders: Nick and Mary Freeman.
Meet in the Aspen Glen Picnic Area
parking lot in Big Bear at 7:30 a.m.
Take Hwy 18 or 38 to Big Bear Lake,
then proceed about half way along the
south side of the lake on Hwy 18 (Big
Bear Blvd.) and turn south on Tulip
Lane. The lot will be on the south
side of this short street. Target birds
include Wm. Sapsucker, Calliope and
Rufous Hummers, mountain finches
and White-headed Woodpecker. We
may go to Arrastre Creek (east) or
Upper Santa Ana River (south). It
should be warm and there may be
bugs, so come prepared. Bring lunch
for a full day, and a Forest Service Ad-
venture Pass. Those wishing to go
owling with Mary in the evening
(probably near Bluff Lake or Hart Bar
Campground), plan to eat with us, and
get a room for Saturday night as well.
Sunday, August 15
Sweltering Salton Sea
Leaders: Nick and Mary Freeman.
Anticipate 95-115°F. This is the
gauntlet of SoCal birding. We should
see Yellow-footed and Laughing gulls,
Wood Stork, Black Tern, Lesser
Nighthawk, Stilt Sandpiper, Abert's
Towhee, Gila Woodpecker. Very slim
but real possibility of boobies, frigate-
bird, etc. Limit 8 paid cars with two
or more in each. Find a friend, as sin-
gles will be bumped if we fill up the
trip. Send $15 per person with your e-
mail address or SASE to Los Angeles
Audubon, PO Box 931057, Los Ange-
les 90093-1057, to reserve, and for the
information mailer. Too hot to camp.
Meet at Cattle Call Park at 5:30 a.m.,
and bird until 2 - 3 p.m. More infor-
mation next newsletter, and in mailer.
May/June 2010 E 13

Bird Walks are geared for the begin-
ner/intermediate bird watcher look-
ing for an introduction to local birds
or a less strenuous excursion. Appro-
priate for young bird watchers age 6
years and older. Carpooling is en-
couraged. Binoculars are provided
on some walks as noted below. NO
sign-up, NO fees, just show up!
Topanga State Park
(Topanga, CA 90290)
1st Sunday of every month
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Leaders: Ken Wheeland and
Chris Tosdevin
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ken and Chris will lead participants
through this beautiful and diverse
coastal mountain area. An ideal trip
for a beginning birder or someone
new to the area. Directions: From
Pacific Coast Hwy, take Topanga
Canyon Blvd. 5 miles to Entrada.
From Ventura Blvd, take Topanga
Canyon Blvd 7 miles S. Turn E
uphill on Entrada Rd. Follow the
signs and turn left into Trippet
Ranch parking lot. Rd. Parking fee.
Contacts: Ken: (310) 455-1401,
ksafarri@aol.com;
Chris: (310) 455-1270
Franklin Canyon
Sooky Goldman Nature Center
(2600 Franklin Canyon Drive,
Beverly Hills, California, 90210)
Second Sunday of the month
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Time: 8:30 – 11:30
Leader: Eleanor Osgood
Join us as we take a casual walk
around the ponds and trails of this
urban oak woodland nature
preserve. This canyon of native
oaks and a creek is a hidden treasure
where the surrounding urban
E 14 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 5
Bird Walks
residences of Sherman Oaks and
Beverly Hills disappear from view.
We are likely to see the resident
Wood Ducks as well chaparral bird
species such as California Quail,
Spotted and California Towhees and
California Thrasher. In March and
April, many resident birds will have
begun courtship and nest building;
we will look for migrating warblers,
flycatchers, vireos, orioles and
tanagers. In May and June, resident
and early migrant birds should be
actively raising their young.
Directions from Sunset: Take
Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland
Dr. Turn left on Mulholland. Make
left turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr.
Franklin Canyon Drive is directly
across from the entrance to
TreePeople at a somewhat
complicated intersection (a 5 way
signal). At the signal make a 90
degree left turn. Drive down the
residential road to the first stop sign;
turn left into the parking lot. We
will be birding the area around the
parking lot for the first 15 minutes.
Participants who are lost may call
(424) 298-1376 after 8:00 a.m.
If you wish to carpool, or for
more information, contact Eleanor
Osgood at
volunteer@laaudubon.org or call
(310) 839-5420. Binoculars
provided.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation
Area
3rd Saturday of the month except
July and August
Saturday, May, 15, 2010
Saturday, June, 19 2010
Leaders: Eric and Ann Brooks;
Eleanor Osgood
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This trip covers landscaped
parkland, a lake and natural coastal
scrub habitats and is paced for
beginning birders. We will look for
wintering birds such as Merlin,
Hermit Thrush, White-crowned, Fox
and Golden-crowned sparrows and
various ducks, as well as resident
birds such as Song Sparrows,
California and Spotted Towhees,
Red-tailed Hawks and herons and
egrets among others. Directions:
The park entrance is off of La
Cienega Blvd. between Rodeo Rd.
and Stocker St. After passing the
entrance kiosk ($6.00 parking fee)
turn left (leading to the “Olympic
Forest”) and park in the first
available spaces.
If you wish to carpool, or for more
information, contact Eleanor
Osgood at
volunteer@laaudubon.org or (310)
839-5420. Binoculars provided.
Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk
3rd Sunday of the month August
through May with the exception of
December
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Leaders: Bob Shanman and Friends
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk through L.A.’s
only remaining saltwater marsh and
the adjacent rocky jetty. Wintering
shorebirds and terns should be
present, plus the resident Black
Oystercatchers frequent the rocky
shores of Ballona Creek.
Directions: Meet at the Del Rey
Lagoon parking lot. Take the
Marina Fwy (90) to Culver Blvd
and turn left for a mile. Turn right
on Pacific Ave. The lot is on the
right. Lot or street parking is
usually not a problem. Three hour
walk. ‘scopes helpful.
Contact: Bob (310) 326-2473;
wbutorrance@gmail.com
 Pelagic Trips
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Los Angeles Area Pelagic Trip:
Land on Santa Cruz Island for the Island Scrub-Jay
& out to Sea. This 8 hour trip departs from Island Packers
dock in the Oxnard Harbor at 8:00 a.m. on the m/v
Vanguard. We will land at Prisoner’s Cove where the
endemic Island Scrub-Jay is easily seen. Then, we go out to
sea and return by Anacapa Island. Birds expected: Northern
Fulmar; Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters; rocky
shorebirds; South Polar Skua, Pomarine & Parasitic Jaegers;
Sabine’s Gull; Royal Tern; Pigeon Guillemot. Xantus’s
Murrelet. Uncommon birds seen on prior trips: Flesh-footed
Shearwater and Tufted Puffin. Leaders: Jon Feenstra, Terry
Hunefeld, Todd McGrath and Dave Pereksta. $95 Credit
Card Payment or $90 for a cash discount price.
Reservation for this trip: Send payment, a SASE (Self
Addressed Stamped Envelope), include complete contact
information to:
Los Angeles Audubon - Pelagics, PO Box 931057,
Los Angeles CA 90093-1057. Or pay with a credit
card (MC, Visa, Discover) by calling Los Angeles
Audubon at (323) 876-0202.
Note: Destinations may be changed to maximize bird
sightings, or minimize rough seas. With increased fuel
costs there can be an energy surcharge per person.
Los Angeles Audubon Refund policy: You may receive a
refund less a $5.00 handling charge if you cancel 31 days
prior to departure, or if a paid replacement can be found.

Thank You for sUPPORTING lOS ANGELES AUDUBON!

Larry Allen Anthony Friscia Michael McLaughlin
Edna Alvarez Julie Gonella Kasi McMurray John Thomlinson &
Todd Battey Charles & Marjorie Goodwin Mary Ann Meyers Brynne Bryan
Marianne & Rob Bender Ola Jane Gow Cherie Miller Harry & Shirley Tow
Newton Bernstein Gayle Hackamack Amanda Mintz Wilson Vallet
William Bishop Lynne Haigh Jim Moore G N Van Essen
Nancy Blaine Elwood Hain Emily Mostad & Stacey Vigallon &
Pamela Blanc Fred Heath Marcus England Robert Jeffers
Abe Bloom Dannie Hoffman Jo O'Connell Charles Walker
Ruth Borun Christopher Holabird Eleanor Osgood & Paul Weers
Beth Bowles Emiko Horne Rich Waters Jan Weisbart
Allison Brandin Nancy Hoskins Robert Perry Geoffry White
Ann & Eric Brooks Carol Hyman Bud Plochere
Paul Butler Susan Kaveggia Colleen Rooney Lore Hilburg,
Tori Collender Danielle Kelly Victoria Rosenfield Lifetime Member
Wanda Dameron Dexter Kelly & Elizabeth R. Judith & John Rothman
David De Lange Susan Krebs Bradley Rumble The Johnny Mercer
Stephen Dexter Walter Lamb Rusty Scalf *Donor Foundation
Julian & Kathy Donahue Richard Laursen Dorothy & John Schwarz
Gabrielle du Verglas John & Irma Levine Susan Seeck The Estate of Joan Taylor
Brack Duker Mary Anne Lower Melvin Sigman
Darl Dumont Gerald Maisel Janet Sporleder Morrisey Family
Janice Feinstein Anthony Maranville Stephen Tabor Foundation
Judith Forrest JoAnne McKenzie

Western Tanager May/June 2010 E 15

 mONTHLY pROGRAMS
Meet at 7:30 P.M. in the Community Building in Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Kurt Leuschner presents: Photo Night! Everyone is invited to bring in their

The Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail favorite top five bird photos.

Kurt Leuschner, Associate

Professor of Natural Resources at
College of the Desert in Palm
Desert, California, has completed
“The Palms to Pines Birding and
Nature Trail” map.

Almost two years in the

making, the “Palms to Pines
Birding and Nature Trail” map was
made possible by a grant from
Southern California Edison to the
Friends of the Desert Mountains. It
highlights ten of the best-known
birding sites and natural wonders
that make this area unique.
From digiscoping to point and shoot photography
All 10 stops are within a relatively short drive from to serious SLR shots, we all have our favorite photos
the trails starting point at the Santa Rosa and San that we would love to share. Birders enjoy hearing
Jacinto Mountains National Monument visitor center in tales of adventure, and tonight is your chance to come
Palm Desert. in and share fond memories illustrated by your own
photos.
AUDUBON HOUSE , P LUMMER PARK We will also have a photo ID quiz by Mary and Nick
Los Angeles Audubon
Headquarters and Bookstore Freeman. If you'd like to participate, please bring five of
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., at Martel Ave, your favorite bird photos. All levels are welcome.
W. Hollywood, 90046
P.O. Box 931057, Los Angeles 90093-1057 Bring your photos on a thumb drive or CD to show
www.losangelesaudubon.org on a laptop. Be prepared to say a little something on
(323) 876-0202 each photo, such as species, time of year, location and
photo equipment. All photographers, please email us of
your intent to participate to: fldtrip@laaudubon.org.

Regular Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:30a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Regularly Closed:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Open Extended Hours Program Night:

2nd Wednesday of each month 9:30 a.m until 9:45 p.m

Open 1st Saturday of the month:

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.