A publication of

Pomona Valley Audubon Society

www.pomonavalleyaudubon.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Volume 48, No. 2

Birding Along by Pat Higbie

Magee Marsh Boardwalk

Twenty miles east of Toledo, in northwestern Ohio, Crane Rod and I visited here
Creek flows into Lake Erie. In 1951, the State of Ohio May 6 th thru the 11th .
purchased from private landowners seventy-two acres Every day, except the
of shoreline, and two thousand acres of surrounding 10th, was overcast, which
marshlands, which included a swamp forest. The made bird sighting easier.
shoreline is now Crane Creek State Park, managed by We were amazed by the
the Division of Parks and Recreation. The Division of number of birders, and
Wildlife manages the marshlands and swamp forest, warbler species that we saw
which is now Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Accessible along the boardwalk. At the
off Ohio 2, between Toledo and Port Clinton, the marsh entrance to the Bird Trail
and swamp forest are a resting place for many species of is an informational panel,
birds, waiting for favorable conditions to cross Lake Erie picturing the many species of
on the way to their northern breeding grounds. warblers seen in the area. We would encounter a group
of people, stopped in one area, excitedly pointing out a
In 1989, the Ohio Division of Wildlife built the Magee
Cape May or Golden-winged Warbler. We saw Prairie,
Marsh Boardwalk, within the swamp forest. This nearly
Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blues, and Nashvilles.
mile long Bird Trail has guiderails, and is wheelchair
Magnolia Warblers, Yellow-rumps, Orange-crowns,
accessible. Visitors can wind their way through the
American Redstarts, and Yellow Warblers were numerous.
woodlands and swampy areas, without damaging the
Northern Parula and Ovenbirds were calling. We could
vegetation below.
hear the melodious song of the Northern Waterthrush,
Cont'd on page 2

In this issue...
Birding Magee Marsh Boardwalk............................Pg. 1
PVAS Calendars.........................................................Pg. 2
Christmas Bird Count................................................Pg. 3
Project Feederwatch.................................................Pg. 4
Field Trips...................................................................Pg. 5
Announcements........................................................Pg. 7
Upcoming Programs.................................................Pg. 8
Magee Marsh (Cont'd. from page 1)
and the “witchety, witchety” call of the Common
Yellow Throat. There were Blackpoll's, Wilsons,
Black-throated Greens, Chestnut-sided, Tennessee,
and a Black and White Warbler, making its way up a
tree branch. A Yellow-throated Warbler caught our
eye. Never had we seen so many warbler species in
one day.
Saturday, May 10th, was clear and sunny, but cold
enough to warrant a jacket, knit cap, and gloves for
some of us. This is International Migratory Bird Day.
A parking lane had been blocked off and booths set up
to sell birding related item, demonstrate bird banding,
and optics. There was, also, a snack stand. Birders
from many states and Canada came to observe and photograph their sightings. As we made our way through the throngs
of people crowding the boardwalk, somebody spotted a Blackburnian Warbler high in the upper branches. Leaning
against the guiderail, we caught a glimpse of the orange throat. Soon, it worked itself down to all to get a better look.
Another person pointed out an Eastern Screech Owl. I spotted a Winter Wren below the boardwalk, foraging under
and around a large uprooted tree. Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes were rustling in the leaf litter. Further along the
trail, a young man asked if we had seen an American Woodcock. He pointed to a brushy area, and there, we could
see it moving. So well, was it camouflaged by its plummage. We thanked the young man, and I watched the bird for
a few minutes, as Rod took some video footage. Because we had seen most of the warblers on the previous days, this
sighting made the day truly special.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area has an education building, known as the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center, which is
well worth visiting.

2009 PVAS Desk Calendars

Now Available! Out-of-State Field Trips
PVAS Desk calendars are Over the last year, your local chapter has
now available - just in time sponsored highly successful trips to the Rio
for holiday gift giving! This Grande Valley in Texas and Southeastern
calendar makes a great
gift and money raised will
Arizona. What places would you like to visit
help fund our Audubon with PVAS? Possible destinations are Alaska
Adventures program and (May/June); Florida; a spring migration trip to
other worthy outreach
Bay
Western Gull, Morro

©2008 Marcyn Clemen

ts

January 2009
Texas or the mid-west; San Blas, Mexico; North
S M T W T
F S
2 3
programs. For a donation Dakota; etc. Let us know by contacting Dan
1
of only $7 with holder or $5

9 10
4 5 6 7 8


11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22
16
23
17
24
without holder, calendars
Guthrie, Pam Kling, or any of your PVAS board
30 31
25 26 27 28 29

members. This is an excellent opportunity to

are available at meetings

explore new birding destinations and enjoy the
dar
Pom ona Val
ley Aud ubo
n 20 09 Ca len
or by calling Pam Kling at
909-596-7604. camaraderie of your fellow PVAS members.

2
 109 th

Christmas
Bird Count
by Neil Gilbert

Mark your calendars for this year’s Christmas Bird Count. It will be held on Saturday, December 20,
2008, the first Saturday of the Count period. Plan now to join in the fun.
Contact Neil Gilbert (contact information below) or Dan Guthrie if you are able to help with the count.
We can use your help in a number of ways. The teams cover only a small percentage of the circle. They
cover all the important parts or hot spots, but much of the circle is not visited at all, especially the more
urban areas. We are looking for volunteers to do their back yards, their city block, their neighborhood, the
local park down the street. We are looking for people who will volunteer for the whole day, for half of the
day, or just one hour.
If you are willing to help out with this very important project, let us know. Hand me a note at the monthly
meeting; send me a note by mail (Neil Gilbert, 183 E. Miramar Ave., Claremont, CA 91711); or (preferred)
send an e-mail to: Neil.Gilbert@verizon.net

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Happy New Year

to all our members!
Don't forget
to pick up your
PVAS 2009 calendars!
3
Connection with nature promotes wellness
Project FeederWatch Benefits
Birds and People
Ithaca, NY-­More than 100 studies have shown that
getting closer to nature reduces stress and promotes a
feeling of well-being in children and adults. So, filling
feeders and counting the birds that visit may be just
what the doctor ordered! For more than 20 years, that’s
what participants in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s
Project FeederWatch have been
doing-­benefitting themselves
and the birds.
"It is a great winter time
activity for the whole family,"
says Alaska FeederWatcher
Nancy Darnell. "If you have
children, they will come to love
watching the birds. All of this is
fun and a chance to contribute
to scientific studies, too!"
The 2008-09 season of Project
FeederWatch gets underway
November 8 and runs through
April 3. Participants count the
numbers and kinds of birds
at their feeders each week
and send the information to the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Participants submitted more than 115,000 checklists
during the 2007-08 FeederWatch season, documenting
unusual bird sightings, winter movements, and shifting
ranges-­a treasure-trove of information that scientists
use to monitor the health of the birds and of the
environment.
“Being a FeederWatcher is easy and fun, and at the
same time helps generate the world’s largest database
on feeder-bird populations,” says project leader David
Bonter. “We are grateful for the contributions our
participants have made for the birds and are proud of
the joy they say it brings to their busy lives. Since we
started in 1987, more than 40,000 people have submitted
observations, engaging with the wildlife beyond their
windows.”
Scientists learn something new from the data each
year, too, whether it’s about the movements of common
backyard birds or unusual sightings of rarely-seen
4
species. Highlights of the most recent season include the
largest southward movement of Red-breasted Nuthatches
in the history of the project­-part of an expected influx
of northern birds that fly farther south when their food
supplies run short. Among the rare birds reported was a
Streak-backed Oriole in Loveland, Colorado-­the state’s
first report of this bird, native to Mexico.
Long-term data show some species increasing in
number, such as the Lesser Goldfinch in the Southwest.
Other populations continue a downward trend, such
as the Evening Grosbeak throughout
their range. Once one of the most
common species seen at feeders in
the northern half of the continent, the
grosbeaks are declining for unknown
reasons.
Beyond the benefits to birds and
science, however, is the benefit
to participants. “Nature is not
merely an amenity; it is critical to
healthy human development and
functioning,” says Nancy Wells,
Cornell University assistant professor
of design and environmental analysis.
Her studies find that a view of nature
through the window or access to the
environment in any way improves
a child’s cognitive functioning and
reduces the negative effects of stress
on the child’s psychological well-
being. Wells also notes that when children spent time
with nature early in life it carries over to their adult
attitudes and behavior toward the environment.
Project FeederWatch welcomes participants of all
ages and skill levels, from scout troops and retirees to
classrooms and nature center visitors. To learn more
and to sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or call
the Lab toll-free at (800) 843-2473. In return for the
$15 fee ($12 for Lab members) participants receive the
FeederWatcher’s Handbook, an identification poster of
the most common feeder birds in their area, a calendar,
complete instructions, and the FeederWatch annual
report, Winter Bird Highlights.
Many FeederWatchers echo this comment from Mary
Strasser of Wisconsin: “The greatest reward for me as
a participant in Project FeederWatch these many years
has been observing birds and behavior that I might have
missed had I not been part of this project.”
 Field Trips
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Beginner’s Bird Walk
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Join us for our monthly (first Sunday, Sept. through June)
bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children
welcome. The walk is flat and slow and takes about two
hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north
end of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N.
College Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-
6451. cemeteries. Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836
Wednesday, November, 12, 2008
Baldy Village and Vicinity
Meet at Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m. for resident wintering
birds. Bring a lunch. Leader: Dan Gregory 909-944-
2259
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Bonelli Park Bird Walk
Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Bonelli Park headquarters on Via
Verde near the 57 freeway. Leader: Rod Higbie 909-
599-6526
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Beginner’s Bird Walk
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Join us for our monthly (first Sunday, Sept. through June)
bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children
welcome. The walk is flat and slow and takes about two
hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north
end of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N.
College Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-
6451.
Saturday & Sunday,
December 13-14, 2008
Morro Bay Weekend Field Trip
Meet at the base of Morro Rock in Morro Bay at 8:00
a.m. on Saturday for a weekend of birding to the north.
Saturday will be the highest and lowest tides of the year
providing a great chance for shorebirds and the sharp-
tailed sparrow. We will do coastal birding on Saturday
and on Sunday bird down the coast at Oceano and other
areas. Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Bonelli Park Pre-Christmas Trip
Meet at the Picnic Valley area on Via Verde at 8:00 a.m.
for a half day pre-Christmas count search or rarities.
Leaders: Bruce and Nancy Strang 626-339-6984
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Claremont Parks Pre-Christmas trip
Meet at Memorial Park at 7:00 a.m. for a half day search
of our local area, including Moreno Ponds and various
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Annual Christmas Census
Help out and join a count group. It's fun and the more
eyes we have, the more birds we'll see! Contact Neil
Gilbert 909-626-0334 or Dan Guthrie 909-607-
2836.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Bonelli Park Bird Walk
Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Bonelli Park headquarters on Via
Verde near the 57 freeway. Leader: Rod Higbie 909-
599-6526
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Beginner’s Bird Walk
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Join us for our monthly (first Sunday, Sept. through June)
bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children
welcome. The walk is flat and slow and takes about two
hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north
end of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N.
College Ave.) Leader: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-
6451.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Dan's Big Day Trip to Orange County
Meet at Memorial Park at 7:00 a.m. Leader: Dan
Guthrie 909-607-2836
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Santa Fe Dam
Meet at Memorial Park at 8:00 a.m.
5
 National Public Lands Day
Saturday, September 27, 2008 was National Public
Lands Day. It was originally established in 1994 with
the following purposes:
To educate about critical and natural resource issues, and
the need for shared stewardship of valued irreplaceable
lands.
Build partnerships between the public sector and
local community based on mutual interests in the
enhancement and restoration of public lands.
Improve public lands for outdoor use and recreation with
volunteers assisting land managers in hands on work.
Locally, this day was celebrated at Bonelli Regional
Park. Under the direction of David Jallo, the park’s
whom they encouraged to help dig the hole or shovel on
assistant superintendant, volunteers from the community
more dirt. They now have bragging rights to say, “See
came that morning to help plant trees. About twenty-
that tree. I helped plant it.” It will be a lasting memory.
five people joined David to plant 20 Chitalpa trees,
A good time was had by all, despite the heat and dirt
which will offer shade and beautiful pink blossoms,
under our fingernails. A very nice lunch was provided
3 Coastal Live Oaks, and 2 Buckeye trees. All will
by the Bonelli Park Support Foundation.
hopefully provide some habitat for the birds. Among
the volunteers were Karlene Campo, Rod and Pat Higbie We are hoping that next year will bring more
from PVAS. There were parents with young children, volunteers.

PVAS Fall/winter field trips 2008-09

November
Sunday, November 2, 2008 - Beginner’s Bird Walk
- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November, 12, 2008 - Baldy Village
and Vicinity, 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Bonelli Park Bird
Walk - 8:00 a.m.
December
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - Beginner’s Bird Walk
- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.
Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14, 2008 -
Morro Bay Weekend Field Trip, 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - Bonelli Park Pre-
Christmas Trip, 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 - Claremont Parks
Pre-Christmas trip, 7:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2008 - Annual Christmas
Census
Sunday, December 28, 2008 - Bonelli Park Pre-
Christmas Trip, 8:00 a.m.
January 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Beginner’s Bird Walk
- Rancho Santa Ana, 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Dan's Big Day Trip to
Orange County - Meet at Memorial Park 7:00
a.m.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - Sante Fe Dam -
Meet at Memorial Park 8:00 a.m.
One day and half day trips start at Memorial
Park, Indian Hill Blvd at 10th Street, Claremont.
Weekend trips usually meet at the destination on
Saturday morning. Bonelli Park trips meet at park
headquarters on Via Verde, just off the 57 freeway.
It is recommended for all trips to bring a snack and
plenty of water, lunch if recommended.

6
Come Celebrate Our 13th Annual Festival!
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival,
January 16-19, 2009
MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA – Come to where the
birds are and join Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS)
for our 12th Annual  Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival.  Board Member.............Rod Higbie......... 909-599-6526
Located on California’s scenic Central Coast, Morro
Bay is an important stop on the Pacific Flyway and one
of the country’s pre-eminent birding spots. The area is
recognized worldwide for its diversity of both resident
and wintering birds, and at last year’s festival, over 200
species of birds were identified!  Publications..................Neil Gilbert......... 909-626-0334
The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival is sponsored by
MCAS and gives you the chance to join local and national
birding experts on a variety of field trips and workshops.
Field trip group sizes are limited to maximize spotting
and identification opportunities.  The Festival also offers
workshops aimed at sharpening your birding skills, as well
as evening programs with outstanding speakers.
For more information about the Festival, check out our
website at www.morrobaybirdfestival.org, or call (805)
772-4677. You can request that your name be added to
the mailing list for our 2009 brochure, or register online.
Both the brochure and online registration will be available
in October 2008. The registration deadline is January 5,
2009 but early signups are encouraged as the most popular
events fill up quickly.
PVAS OFFICERS 2008-2009
President.......................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
Vice-President..............Bruce Strang...... 626-339-6984
Secretary......................Pam Kling............909-596-7604
Treasurer.......................Neil Gilbert......... 909-626-0334
Board Member ............Nancy Strang..... 626-339-6984
Board Member.............Dick Moore.......... 909-626-1127.
Board Member.............Pat Higbie........... 909-599-6526.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Conservation................Dick Moore.......... 909-626-1127
Education......................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
Field Trips.....................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
Membership.................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
Publicity........................Shirley Harris.......909-982-9727
Door Prizes...................Karlene Campo... 909-627-8191
Hospitality.....................Gloria Slosberg...909-626-4754
Website.........................Mike Klein............909-625-5510
CHAPARRAL NATURALIST
Editor.............................Pam Kling............909-596-7604
The Chaparral Naturalist is published bimonthly,
except July and August by the Pomona Valley
Audubon Society. Copy deadline is the last
Thursday of the month. Articles may be reprinted
without permission, but please give credit to
the author and the Chaparral Naturalist. We
encourage members to submit articles and photos
by email at pamtone@verizon.net. Acceptable
file formats are jpg, Word and Excel.
Subscriptions to the newsletter are available for
$10 per year to non-members. Make checks
payable to PVAS and mail to W. M. Keck
Science Center, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont,
CA 91711.

National Audubon Membership / Membership Information Update

Annual membership in the National Audubon Society is $30 per year. New membership dues are $20. Members receive the Audubon
Magazine and Chaparral Naturalist newsletter. Renewals of membership are computerized by National Audubon and should not be sent
to PVAS. However, a new membership may be sent directly to PVAS. Checks should be made payable to National Audubon Society. Mail
payment with membership form below and mail to: PVAS, W. M. Keck Science Center, 925 North Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA
91711. (Please note Pomona Valley Audubon on your check.)
Information such as mailing address, email address and telephone numbers are used for sending email notifications, electronic versions
of the newsletter, and are published in our membership directory. Membership information may be updated by filling out this form and
turning it in to any board member. This information will be distributed only to members and will not be sold to other organizations.
o Yes, please send me the Chaparall Naturalist electronically. o Do not publish my information in the chapter directory.

Name_____________________________________________________ Telephone_____________________________
Address___________________________________________________ Mobile_____________________________
City, State, Zip__________________________________________________________
Email_______________________________________________________________________________________

7
 Membership Meetings
Thursday, November 6, 2008 Thursday, December 4, 2008
Nick and Mary Freeman Lance Benner
"Saw-whet Owls of the San Gabriel's" "Birding in
Nick and Mary Freeman Guatemala"
of Los Angeles Audubon Lance Benner will present
set out over the past eight a program on neotropical
years to study the status and birds and sights. An excellent
distribution of this little- photographer, this should be
understood owl in the San a good introduction to our
Gabriel mountains. Come neighbor to the south (once
and listen as Mary gives an removed) and its wildlife and
overview of her findings archeological sites.
relating to Saw-whets, other owls and wildlife
encountered during the project.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monthly meetings are held in Bauer Forum of New Date!
Claremont McKenna College. Evenings begin with Rod Higbie
a bird identification session at 7:00 p.m., followed
by refreshments, a short business meeting, and our
"Travels in Nova Scotia"
evening program. Our member and specialist on Bonelli Park, Rod
Higbee, will present a program on his recent summer
travels to Nova Scotia by motor home and show us
some of the wildlife along the way.

PERMIT NO. 240

CLAREMONT, CA. Claremont, CA 91711
PAID www.pomonavalleyaudubon.org 925 North Mills Avenue
U.S .POSTAGE W.M. Keck Science Center
NON-PROFIT ORG. Return Service Requested Pomona Valley Audubon Society

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