SEQUOIA NEEDLESBulletin of the Sequoia Audubon Society, San Mateo CountyFounded 1949SEQUOIA AUDUBONRECEIVES GRANTFROM AUDUBONCALIFORNIABYGARY DEGHISAS has been selected to receive a grantof 11,000 from Audubon Californiarelated to the California State Parks/Audubon California Partnership. Thefunds became available through theAudubon Endowment for State Parks,which is intended to fund joint projectsbetween Audubon chapters andCalifornia State Parks. The fundedprojects must have an emphasis on StateParks that fall within designatedImportant Bird Areas (IBAs) andbenefit species of special concern. TheAño Nuevo State Reserve is an IBAwithin the area served by SAS.Supervising Ranger Gary Strachan,State Environmental Scientist ChrisSpohrer, and Gary Deghi of SASdeveloped an idea for a riparian habitatrestoration project along Cascade Creekwithin the State Reserve. AudubonCalifornia selected the SAS projectfrom four proposals received fromvarious Audubon chapters in California.The quality of habitat within CascadeCreek has been impacted in the lastcentury by placement of dams,outdated agricultural practices, use ofpesticides, and a proliferation ofexotic, non-native species. CurrentState Park policy encourages removalof exotic species and restoration ofwetlands and riparian areas. Withinthe State Park jurisdiction of CascadeCreek, there are four stands of nonnative eucalyptus and plantedMonterey cypress within the ripariancorridor. These non-native standsimpact the quality of the habitat fornative bird species by displacing nativeriparian tree species that would providemore optimal habitat.The project funded through the grant is arestoration project for Cascade Creek thatinvolves removal of at least a portion ofthe non-native eucalyptus trees from oneof these stands and replacement withnative riparian species such as arroyowillow. Watchlist species that couldbenefit from such restoration include theSan Francisco Common Yellowthroat,which nests in riparian habitats nearwetlands on the San Mateo County coast,and possibly Allen’s Hummingbird andBelted Kingfisher. Volunteers from SAScompleted a breeding bird survey withinthe chosen eucalyptus stand in the springof 2009, and this information will becompared to breeding bird data taken inyears after the restoration. Species foundto be breeding in the grove this springincluded Chestnut-Backed Chickadee,Wilson’s Warbler, and Purple Finch,among others.The money from the grant will be used tohire treecutters to remove the non-nativeeucalyptus trees. The tree removal isplanned for late August, after the nestingseason, to ensure that this work does notimpact nesting birds. One of the goals ofthe project is to foster good workingrelationships between Audubon chaptersand State Parks, and restoration work isplanned along the creek this winter usingvolunteers from both organizations.Replanting of the riparian corridor isexpected to be done with cuttings takenfrom willows onsite, and this work isscheduled for January 9, 2010.Anyone wishing to help out with thisactivity should contact Sue Cossins at 650347-9358 or sas-sue@earthlink.netVolume 60, No. 1September-October 2009Monthly MeetingsSan Mateo Garden CenterSeptemberThursday, 10th, 7:00 PMProgram: Resources for Wildlife inthe Urban LandscapeOctoberThursday, 8th, 7:00 PMProgram: Images of Bhutan, Landof the Thunder Dragon(See program details on page 2)Upcoming Field Trips(See trip details beginning on page 3)SeptemberSunday, 6thPescadero Marsh*Saturday, TBD Urban HabitatImprovementSunday, 20thPescadero Marsh*OctoberSunday, 4thSunday, 4thSunday, 18thSaturday, 24thFitzgerald MarineReservePescadero Marsh*Pescadero Marsh*Filoli EstateNovemberSunday, 1stPescadero Marsh*Sunday, 15thPescadero Marsh** Beginner/Family TripCheck the field trip descriptions forany special information orrequirements. Late comers may bedisappointed. For all field trips bringyour binoculars, water, sturdywalking shoes or boots, sun block,and hat, and always dress in layersfor hot sunny weather to cool windy(Continued on page 3)
Sequoia AudubonSocietyOFFICERS650-726-1340Michael Roche408-2496791DIRECTORSLaurie Graham, Nelle Lyons, SonnyMencher, Nancy Arbuckle, GeorgeChrisman, Rita Jennings, JenniferRycenga, Kris OlsonSTANDING COMMITTEESAudubon Canyon Ranch HostLaurie Graham650-589-2133Audubon Canyon RanchRepresentativeFrancis Toldi650-344-1919OpenBluebird RecoverySusan Kritzik650-851-4529BookkeeperFred McElhany650-343-3219Christmas CountAl Demartini650-345-6988Leslie Flint650-573-6279Conservation BaysideNancy Arbuckle 650-366-0750650-589-2133Conservation CoastsideGary Deghi650-726-1340EducationNelle Lyons650-726-8819Field TripsOpenHospitalityEileen Kay650-592-4626Membership DatabaseSteven Russell650-306-9598Needles EditorJustine Carson650-560-9776ProgramsSue Cossins650-347-9358Sonny Mencher650-814-8028PO Box 620292Woodside, CA w.sequoia-audubon.orgSend comments and contributionsto:sas editor@yahoo.comPrinted on recycled paper2Sequoia NeedlesBYSUE COSSINSANDSONNY MENCHERBirding-related class: Resources forWildlife in the Urban LandscapeBy Josiah ClarkThursday, September 10, 7:00 PMPresidentOpenVice PresidentGary DeghiSecretaryOpenTreasurerLaurie GrahamMEETING PROGRAMSThis presentation will offer informationabout how to improve local urban wildlifehabitats. The first step in improving habitatis identifying the resources that localwildlife need and use. In this talk Josiahwill discuss wildlife resources and willcompare and contrast native and non-Monthly MeetingsSan Mateo Garden Center605 Parkside Way, San MateoParkside Way is west of Alamedade las Pulgas, between 26th and28th Avenues.native plants and their uses by wildlife. Hewill also address the importance of water,dead wood, and dense cover.Josiah Clark leads international birdingtours and environmental stewardshipprograms for urban youth and writes onenvironmental issues. He started HabitatPotential in 2002 and has worked as aconsulting ecologist for a wide range ofclients including the Golden Gate NationalRecreation Area, San Francisco Park andRecreation Department, and the GoldenGate Audubon Society. He is an expert inthe urban-wildlife interface, and hasinvestigated natural processes and thespecific needs of wildlife in the urbansetting for the past 15 years.Accompanying Field Work for thebirding class. Free & open to everyone.Exact Date and time not confirmed, butwill be one weekend day in midSeptember -- possibly Saturday,September 12 or 19.Assist Habitat Potential with plantinghabitat for the declining, breeding Whitecrowned Sparrows.Location: Bison Paddock, Golden GatePark, San FranciscoAccompanied by a free bird walk for thosewho participate.September-October 2009Leader: Josiah Clark:Josiah@habitatpotential.comFor information updates check ourwebsite: www.sequoia-audubon.orgImages of Bhutan, Land of theThunder DragonBy Doug CheesemanThursday, October 8, 7:00 PMJoin Doug Cheeseman on an amazingvirtual journey to Bhutan over the prayer-flag laden high passes, through valleysfilled with rivers of Himalayan meltwater, past overlooks of vividrhododendrons, and among forest treeshome to intriguing birds and mammals.This pastoral country has protected 70%of its forests, providing abundant habitatfor birds that have been eliminatedelsewhere. Travel in the springtime whenbirds are busy with courting, nestbuilding, and mating. Attend a colorfulBuddhist festival where the gods anddemons come to life in a swirl of colorand song. Come on this photo safari to aunique and mysterious countrynicknamed Land of the Thunder Dragon.Doug and Gail Cheeseman have foundleading safaris to be a fresh way ofblending a desire to observe nature with awish to inspire travelers towards thevalues of conservation and education.Doug inspired biology majors in hiszoology and ecology classes at De AnzaCollege during his long teaching career.Retired from teaching, he now devotesall his time to leading tours to soughtafter places such as Africa, Antarctica,and South America. Doug has acontagious passion for observing wildlifebehavior and capturing it in hisphotography. Cheesemans’ EcologySafaris is celebrating its 30th year ofsafaris to the best wildlife viewing areasin the world.
FIELD TRIPSBYUpcoming Field TripsCAROL MASTERSON(Continued from page 1)Accompanying Field Work for thebirding class. Free & open toeveryone.Date and time TBD, but will be oneweekend day in mid-September,possibly Saturday, September 12th or19thAssist Habitat Potential with plantinghabitat for the declining, breeding Whitecrowned Sparrows. Accompanied by afree bird walk for those who participate.Location: Bison Paddock, Golden GatePark, San FranciscoLeader: Josiah ClarkJosiah@habitatpotential.comFor information updates check ourwebsite: www.sequoia-audubon.orgPescadero Marsh – State Park DocentNature WalksFirst Sunday of each month is amorning walk from 10:00 AM —12:00 NoonThird Sunday of each month is anafternoon walk from 1:00 PM — 3:00PMSeptember walks are on September 6thand 20thOctober walks are on October 4th and18thNovember walks are on November 1stand November 15thDecember walks are on December 6thand 20th.Come and discover Pescadero Marsh.The California State Park Docents willlead a field trip to learn about the marsh.This beautiful park has a mile-longshoreline, rocky cliffs, and of course, aworld-famous marsh. The docents willpoint out the plants and animals thatinhabit this San Mateo County treasure.If it is not raining, meet in the parking lotjust over the bridge at Pescadero StateBeach. Wear clothing in layers for coldand windy to sunny weather. Heavy raincancels.Contact: The park ranger station forvoice mail information (650) 879-2170or Rita Jennings at 650-728-2254.Directions: From Half Moon Bay, gosouth about 12 miles on Hwy 1. Just pastthe bridge over Pescadero Creek, lookfor the south parking lot. If you get tothe intersection of Pescadero Road andHwy 1 you have gone too far.http://www.greenfoothills.org/news/2001/082001 PescaderoButano.htmlBeginner/Family Nature HikeFitzgerald Marine Reserve Family FunDay: What Bird Is That?Sunday, October 4th, 9:00 AM – NoonVeteran birder Shannon Lyday from theGulf of the Farallones National MarineSanctuary will lead a bird-spottingexpedition through the southern part ofthe reserve. She will start at the PillarPoint Marsh and work her way along theharbor beach to the famous Maverick’sBeach to look for fall migrants. Bringbinoculars and a bird guide if you havethem. (If you don’t, mention you’d like toborrow some for the tour when youregister, and they’ll try to accommodateyou with loaners.) Meet at theMaverick’s parking lot. Space is limitedto 20 so register early. Heavy raincancels. For information:www.fitzgeraldreserve.org(Not an official SAS field trip.)Filoli Estate Bird WalkSaturday, October 24, 8:30 AMThe Filoli Estate is a property of theNational Trust for Historic Preservation.We have been invited for a morning ofbirding at this beautiful site on the edgeof the San Francisco watershed land. Thegrounds of Filoli have a planted gardensurrounded by large oaks and trailsleading to riparian, redwood, and farmhabitats. Over 96 species of birds havebeen found there. Reservationsrequired. This trip is limited to 20 peoplemaximum (Sorry, no children under 14).No food or picnicking is allowed but allwill be welcome after the walk to buylight food and beverages at the Café andvisit the gift shop.Directions: Take Hwy 280 to theEdgewood Road exit and go west. Turnright/north on Cañada Road and driveapproximately ½ mile to the entrance ofFiloli. We will meet in front of theVisitors Center. If you want to remainafter the field trip to walk through theconditions. While we make everyattempt to stay on schedule,circumstances may dictate changes tofield trip leaders, dates, or times.For the latest schedule and updatesalways check the Sequoia Audubonweb site or contact the trip leaderSequoia Audubonon the WebRemember to check out our web sitefor updates on field trips,conservation news, and links to greatbirding sites.www.sequoia-audubon.orgNature Within Reach –A New Bay Area License PlateThe application period has beenextended to July 2010 for a new,nature-oriented license plate. Theimage on these yet-to-be-issuedplates will be the Golden GateBridge and will feature the tagline"Nature Within Reach." Moneyreceived for this new plate will fundthe San Francisco Bay AreaConservancy Program (under theauspices of the California CoastalCommission - the folks who work sohard to preserve healthy open spacealong our stunning northernCalifornia coast). Only 7500 pledgesare needed to bring this license plateinto the public arena. Go to http://bayarealicenseplate.org to view theimage and for details on ordering.(Continued on page 4)September-October 2009 Sequoia Needles3
(Field Trips, continued from page 3)house and /or gardens, there is a 12.00 entrance fee. Heavy raincancels.Call leader Sue James (650) 348-0315 to reserve your spot.2009 Special Discounted Pelagic TripsDebra Shearwater has again offered Sequoia Audubon somegreat discounts on California Coast boat trips. Please don’t waitto sign up for these discounted trips. Follow the registrationinformation below.Audubon for the discounted rates; don't miss out on this greatdeal. For more information check out MER MUSINGSBYSUE COSSINSThe Northern MockingbirdBodega Canyon and Cordell BankWednesday, September 16thSpecial Sequoia Discounted Price 145 – regular price 185Historically we have seen Ashy Storm-Petrels, Wilson’s StormPetrels, Northern Fulmars, Pomarine and Long-Tailed Jaegers,Tufted Puffins, Cassin’s and Rhinoceros Auklet, PigeonGuillemots, and possibly, Layson, and Black-footedAlbatrosses. We may see Artic Terns. Buller’s, Pink-Footed, andSooty Shearwaters are all possible. At low tide Bodega Harbor canbe teeming with shorebirds. Don’t miss this trip at a great price.Fort Bragg – Mega-Rarities OffshoreFriday, September 18Special Sequoia Discount Price 145 -regular Price 185Some real rarities have been seen on this always exciting trip.Buller’s Shearwaters, Laysan Albatross, Pomarine, Parasitic, andLong-Tailed Jaegers are all possible. On past trips we have seensome exciting birds such as a Streaked Shearwater, a South PolarSkua, Dark-Rumped and Hawaiian Petrel. We will always be onthe look out for Blue Whales.Monterey Bay Pelagic Trip with Shearwater Journeys - FallSeabird ClassicSunday, September 27Saturday, October 3Saturday, November 28Special Sequoia Discount Price 100 – regular price 138This fun all-day pelagic trip is organized by Debra Love Shearwateran expert in seabird identification. This is an excellent time of yearto see Southern Hemisphere seabird rarities with possible sightingsof Black-Footed, Laysan, and Short-tailed Albatrosses, andBulwer's Petrel. This is also a good time for terns and Long-TailedJaegers. We will also be on the lookout for Blue Whales and othermarine mammals.Reservations are made on a first come, first serve basis, and manytrips sell out months in advance. Please indicate a second choicetrip, in case your first choice is sold out. If making reservations formore than one person, include each person's name, address, phone/email. The USCG requires this. Please note these trips are some ofthe most popular trips of the year and fill up very quickly. Sign upASAP.To make your reservation send a check or money order to:Shearwater Journeys, PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024. A returnconfirmation letter will be sent to you. This discounted rate is nonrefundable for any reason. Because of changing fuel costs theremay be a fuel surcharge. Please mention that you are with Sequoia4Sequoia NeedlesSeptember-October 2009In late May 2009, I stayed for a week in Manteca in the Central Valley. There was a male Northern Mockingbird singingloudly and flying among the tops of four trees in theneighborhood, claiming his territory of about an acre or so.I was interested in hearing his song and watching his behavior. I recognized many other birds’ songs that he was imitating – American Robin, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Woodpecker species, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Steller’s Jay, andWestern Scrub Jay. The most accurate imitations he did wereKilldeer and Budgerigar (parakeet). With short breaks of ahalf to one hour, the songs were repeated all day and muchof the night. I often could hear another male Mockingbird inthe distance claiming his territory also and this seemed tomake my bird sing in response. He would occasionally do aloop-flight starting from an exposed perch, displaying hiswhite wing patches before settling back onto the perch. Occasionally a non-vocal Mockingbird flew through the yardand he would chase her. I learned that this is the typical matechase believed to be part of courtship.When I returned to the house in mid-June, the bird was stillsinging loudly. He probably hadn’t found a mate yet.I researched the Northern Mockingbird song and found out abit more.The mockingbird is limited to imitating short units of sound,which it repeats three to six times before moving on to a newsound. Species with repetitive songs, such as the CarolinaWren, are effectively copied, but species with long, complexsongs, such as the Song Sparrow, cannot be effectively imitated by the mockingbird. As a result, the mockingbirdsounds much better to a human ear when imitating somespecies more than others. It imitates birds and incorporates avariety of sounds such as barking dogs and car alarms into itsrepertoire.The Northern Mockingbird, in addition to being a goodmimic, is one of the loudest and most constantly vocal ofbirds. It often sings through the night, especially unmatedmales, or when the moon is full. Individual males have repertoires of 50 to 200 songs. Mockingbirds usually sing loudestin the twilight of the early morning when the sun is on thehorizon. Both sexes sing in the fall, claiming feeding territories.
(Summer Musings, continued from page 4)The meaning of the vast majority of songs is essentially thesame: a call, first of all, from male to male, proclaiming territory and warning other males away; secondarily to females,advertising his maleness to any prospective mate. Singing becomes more frequent and more aggressive when another maleis within hearing. Should the interloper cross the invisible linethat defines the territory, he is attacked, but usually a song isenough to send him on his way.Is song innate or acquired? Certain gifted musicians, such asnightingales and mockingbirds,must learn their art from olderbirds, even though as untutoredyoungsters they may have asong of a sort, formless butapparently innate.While the ability to mimic isinnate, the songs mimicked areundoubtedly acquired. Mockingbirds in California specialize in imitations of Californiatree frogs, California woodpeckers and Scrub Jays,whereas mockingbirds in Kentucky or Maryland, who do nothear these sounds, never include them in their repertoire.This species was often captured for sale as a pet from the late1700s to the early 1900s, and thus it became scarce along muchof the northern edge of its range. Thomas Jefferson kept acaged mockingbird. After the cagebird trade was stopped, theMockingbird again became common in many areas. Its successin the northeast may also be due to widespread planting of multiflora rose, a source of favorite berries, and good nest sites.Sources:WikipediaKenn Kaufman’s, Birds of North America and Lives of NorthAmerican BirdsDonald and Lillian Stokes’, A Guide to Bird BehaviorThe Nature Companion’s Backyard Birding, Fog City Press:Life Nature Library, The BirdsYUBA PASS BIRDINGBYSONNY MENCHERA group of 20 birders spent the weekend of June 26-29 birding the Yuba Pass/Sierra Valley area. Overall we logged 118species, including birds seen by individuals on the drive up,near lodgings, or on side trips. The entire group saw approximately 100 of these. Most o
of 11,000 from Audubon California related to the California State Parks/ Audubon California Partnership. The . impact nesting birds. One of the goals of the project is to foster good working . zoology and ecology classes at De Anza College during his long t
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Sept. 20 Georgia Sept. 27 at Mississippi St. Oct. 11 Florida Oct. 18 at South Carolina Oct. 25 Auburn Nov. 1 Louisiana Tech Nov. 15 at Alabama Nov. 22 at Ole Miss Nov. 29 Arkansas 2004 Schedule Sept. 4 Virginia Tech Sept. 11 UL-Monroe Sept. 18 at Auburn Oct. 2 at Georgia Oct. 9 at Florida O
Georgia Bulldogs DATE OPPONENT Sept. 7 (Mon.) vs. Virginia (Atlanta) Sept. 12 EAST TENNESSEE STATE Sept. 19 at Alabama Sept. 26 UL-MONROE Oct. 3 VANDERBILT Oct. 10 AUBURN Oct. 17 at Missouri Oct. 24 Open Date Oct. 31 vs. FLORIDA (Jacksonville) Nov. 7 at South Carolina Nov. 14 TENNESSEE Nov. 21 at Kentucky Nov. 28 GEORGIA TECH Kentucky Wildcats
Sept 8 Sept 10 Sept 12 Sept 15 Sept 17 Sept 19 Sept 22-26 Love and Desire Bernard Cooper, "A Clack of Tiny Sparks," Lit, pp. 339-346 Updike, "Sum.mer," (handout)
Football 2016 Football Schedule Sept. 3 vs. UCLA Sept. 10 vs. Prarie View A&M Sept. 17 at Auburn Sept. 24 vs. Arkansas* Oct. 1 at South Carolina Oct. 8 vs. Tennessee Oct. 22 at Alabama Oct. 29 vs. New Mexico State Nov. 5 at Mississippi State Nov. 12 vs. Ole Miss Nov. 19 vs. UTSA
Old Dominion Game Notes 2016 ODU Schedule Date Opponent Time Sept. 4 Hampton W, 54-21 Sept. 10 at Appalachian State L, 31-7 Sept. 17 at NC State L, 49-22 Sept. 24 UTSA* W, 33-19 Oct. 1 at Charlotte W, 52-17 Oct. 7 UMass W, 36-16 Oct. 22 at WKU L, 59-24 Oct. 29 at UTEP W, 31-21 Nov. 5 Marshall W, 38-14
One -Step Equations, Two -Step Equations, and Word Problems PRACTICE: #16-20 4 Wednesday Sept. 7 Thursday Sept. 8 Variables on Both Sides PRACTICE: #21-25 5 Friday Sept. 9 Early Rel. Monday Sept. 12 Consecutive Integers PRACTICE: #26-30 6 Tuesday Sept. 13 Wednesday Sept. 14 Literal Equat
10 Oct 19 Bora Bora, French Polynesia 8:00 18:00 11 Oct 19 Tahiti (Papeete), French Polynesia 7:00 17:00 12 Oct 19 Day at Sea - - 13 Oct 19 Day at Sea - - 14 Oct 19 Pago Pago, American Samoa 8:00 17:00 15 Oct 19 Day at Sea - - 16 Oct 19 Day at Sea (Cross International Date Line) - - 18 Oct 19 Day at Sea - - 19 Oct 19 Auckland, New Zealand 7:00 .