Enjoy this winter by getting outside with Golden Gate Audubon’s Birding the Bay Trail Docents along the bay.  Docents will be providing information on the wonderful waterbirds and shorebirds along the Bay Trail in Richmond.  The schedule for February is as follows…

• Wednesday Feb. 1 from 8am-10am at Meeker Slough
• Thursday, Feb. 9 from 2:30pm-4:30pm at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park
• Thursday, Feb. 16 from 8:30am-10:30am at Meeker Slough
• Saturday Feb. 18 from 10:30am-12:30pm at Barbara and Jay Vincent Park
• Wednesday Feb. 22 from 2:00-3:00pm at Meeker Slough

Here is a link to a map of the area 

Driving directions from 580- For Meeker Slough, you need to park in Bayside (off Marina Bay Parkway) and walk a short path to the slough then turn right, then left at the bridge. 

For Vincent Park, you continue on Marina Bay Parkway onto Promenade which deadends at Vincent Park – look for docents on the Bay side of the park.

BIRDS OF THE SACRAMENTO DELTA This cruise is a winter highlight for birders and provides a specialized look at the richness and history of the California Delta. This species rich area includes a variety of raptors such as Swainson’s hawk, peregrine falcon and great-horned owl, large numbers of shorebirds, sandhill cranes and white-faced ibis, huge rafts and flocks of waterfowl including tundra swans, snow, Canada and greater white-fronted geese. Ducks of many species as well as numerous other birds including gulls, terns, bitterns, passerines and woodpeckers call this area home in the winter. Depart and return from the Antioch Marina.
Trip is limited to 32 participants. Cost is $85 for GGAS members, $95 for non-members. Deadline for reserving space and making payment is Friday, January 13, 2012.

Contact the GGAS Office at 510.843.2222 or ggas@goldengateaudubon.org. Those confirmed on the trip will receive directions to the marina and other instructions.

Dolphin Charters

Read it here  2012 January February Gull

This legislation which was sponsored by Supervisor Avalos was supported by 36 community and environmental groups and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Read Bay Citizen coverage of this veto : Lee Sides with Golfers

Golden Gate Audubon supports legislation to restore the wetlands and Sharp Park and to transfer the long term management of the Park to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.   This is the best solution in terms of the endangered species protection while meeting the current recreational needs of San Franciscans. 

1) Today send an email or call each of the supervisors on the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee:

Supervisor John Avalos email John.Avalos@sfgov (415) 554-6975
Supervisor Eric Mar email Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org (415) 554-7410
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd email Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org (415) 554-6516
 
2) Attend the hearing on Monday, December 5, 2011 starts at 10:00 a.m.
SF City Hall, City Operations & Neighborhood Services Committee – Legislative Chamber Room 250
 

Why restore the Sharp Park wetlands and create a new public park in San Francisco?
·    To protect, recover, and ensure the long term survival of two federally-listed endangered species, the San Francisco garter and the California red-legged frog in the area.
·     Since 2004 Sharp Park has lost an average of $162,000 each year on a park that continues to inflict harm on wildlife.
·     Closing the course will save additional millions of dollars by eliminating the obligation for costly infrastructure projects needed to protect the park against sea level rise, costs from failing to comply with federal environmental laws.
·      The money saved would allow San Francisco to improve currently underfunded neighborhood parks, community centers, education programs, local jobs, and/or social services within the community. 
·       Resources for more popular recreational activities, such as hiking and biking, would benefit more people, rather than investing additional money to improve this golf course.  Sharp Park Golf Course has received failing reviews in nearly every category the National Golf Foundation measures.
 
What will the Sharp Park legislation do?
·      The legislation directs the Recreation & Park Department to partner and create a long-term management agreement with the National Park Service including a financial roadmap, and address urgent environmental and infrastructure needs. ·        Sharp Park would be transformed from golf to a new public park emphasizing trail-based recreation and would be managed by the National Park Service.
·      Protection of the endangered wildlife would be ensured by the National Park Service.  The Recreation and Park Department does not have the expertise or the financial resources to provide the required protections.

For more information contact Mike Lynes, Conservation Director mlynes@goldengateaudubon.org

The art exhibition CELEBRATION is  focused exclusively on the SUCCESSES of conservation and will illustrate species of plants, animals, birds, etc. thatare now at SAFE POPULATION LEVELS due to conservation.  Click here for a PDF with details.

Calendars, puzzles, plush birds, field guides, books on backyard birding and an array of stocking stuffers (as well as the new Alameda County Breeding Bird Atlas) are all available in the GGAS Nature Store for holiday giving.  Stop in during our open hours (Mon-Fri, 1-5PM) and see what’s in store!

You can learn from the docents about the birds on these dates:

• Thursday, December 8th from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Hoffman Marsh in Richmond, CA.
• Saturday, December 10th from 2:00pm -4:00pm at Vincent Park in Richmond, CA