Golden Gate Audubon Society

North Richmond Shoreline Report

GGAS — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:15:22 +0000

Observers recorded 138,155 birds comprised of 93 species using the mudflats and wetlands along the Shoreline. The most common waterfowl were scaup (with significantly more Greater Scaup than Lesser Scaup). The most common shorebirds were small sandpipers (Western and Least Sandpipers) and Willets. Western Gulls were the most common gull species. Data indicate that birds use different parts of the Shoreline during different tides and seasons, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds, indicating a need to protect and restore a diverse mosaic of habitats to be used by birds and other wildlife.

Click here to read this newly released North Richmond Shoreline report.

Summer Birding in the Sierras!

GGAS — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:18:40 +0000

The Sierra in late spring is a wonderful place for birds, with meadows alive with Wilson’s Snipe, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Wilson’s Phalaropes; the mountains buzzing with nesting woodpeckers (Black-backed, White-headed, Hairy, and Williamson’s and Red-breasted Sapsuckers), Mountain Chickadees, Cassin’s Finches, warblers and flycatchers (Dusky, Hammond’s, Gray and Olive-sided); and the calls of bittern, snipe and Sandhill Cranes carry through the night. We’ll offer two classes. All activities are in the Sierra, both classes are limited to 35 students. Plan ahead!

Initial meeting place for both classes is the Yuba Pass parking lot on highway 49 between Sierraville and Bassetts. Additional details will be provided upon registration. For old hands at this class, the Sierra Valley Lodge has changed hands and room availability there is uncertain (we’ll update info on the GGAS webpage as it develops). Students will be responsible for their own lodging reservations, but suggestions include

Golden West Saloon Restaurant & Motel in Loyalton (530) 993-4467
Canyon Ranch Resort in Sierraville (530) 994-1033
Sierra Hot Springs Resort and Retreat in Sierraville (530) 994-3773
Sierraville Motel & RV Park, Hwy 89 (530) 994-3751

Birds of the Sierra – I

Bob Lewis (Bob@wingbeats.org) and

Rusty Scalf (RScalf@sonic.net)

Thursday, June 10, 3 p.m. through Sunday, June 13 at noon.

Fee: $99 for GGA members, $109 for non-members, including one unforgettable dinner at SF State’s campus in Bassetts on the 11^th.

Birds of the Sierra – II

Bob Lewis (Bob@wingbeats.org) and

Eddie Bartley (eddie@naturetrip.com )

Thursday, June 17, 3 p.m. through Sunday, June 20 at noon.

Fee: $85 for GGA members, $95 for non-members, does not include any meals.

Lights Out for Birds spring 2010

GGAS — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:47:40 +0000

Lights Out for Birds asks participants to turn off building lights during the bird migration (February through May and August though November each year). “Participants in the Lights Out for Birds program can save natural resources, money, and birds by turning off lighting after dusk each evening and leaving lights off until dawn,” said Mike Lynes, Conservation Director for Golden Gate Audubon. “Over 250 species of birds migrate through San Francisco Bay in the spring and fall, and many that migrate at night can become confused by the City’s lights and collide with tall buildings and towers. The Lights Out for Birds program can reduce bird deaths while cutting energy costs and saving participants thousands of dollars each year.”
Collisions kill hundreds of millions of birds each year. Last year, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative—a joint effort of federal agencies and non-profit conservation organizations—released the “2009 State of the Birds” in which it reported that the majority of migratory birds in North America are suffering significant population declines due to human-induced causes, including habitat loss and collisions. Effective Lights Out programs can help stem these population declines. Participants in the Lights Out for Birds program also gain significant financial benefits. Building operators and tenants have reported significant savings on energy bills as a result of participation—one business in Toronto reported a savings of $200,000 in 2006. Last week Mayor Gavin Newsom announced energy efficient retrofit funding for 2,000 small to mid-sized businesses and 500 homes. By installing timers or motion detectors and turning off unnecessary lights, building owners and operators can significantly reduce their energy bill. Reduced energy consumption decreases overall greenhouse gas emissions, which is essential in the effort to combat climate change. San Francisco was one of the first cities to implement a Lights Out program in 2008. Now over 21 cities in the US and Canada have a Lights Out program. Conservationists hope that the program extends to every major city in North America, to save birds, energy and money. Building owners, managers and tenants that are interested in participating should contact the San Francisco Department of the Environment or a PG&E representative to learn about how to participate in this program. For more information about local bird populations and how to help, contact us at 650-843-6551.

Here is a flyer to print and post : click here

Join us on March 27 for Earth Hour

February Field Trips

GGAS — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:16:01 +0000

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, February 19, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com

Meet in front of the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, at the end of Museum Way off Roosevelt. We will enjoy views of the city and bay as we circle Corona Heights, checking the east canyon woodland and north forest for residents and migrants, as well as monitoring the hilltop scrub and south cliff.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, February 24, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@earthlink.net

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. This should be another peak winter month at Lake Merritt. Come see all our regular visitors and, with luck, a few surprise wanderers, too.

Take the 12, N, or NL bus to Grand and Perkins, and walk into the park on Perkins. Best parking is at the boathouse lot near the spherical cage. Entry (via Bellevue near Children’s Fairyland) is free on weekdays.

Bike Trip: Eastshore State Park – CANCELLED

Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Saturday, February 27

Kathy Jarrett, 510-547-1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet the leaders at 9 a.m. at the Emeryville City Marina. Shorebirds and ducks should be seen on this one-way trip birding the Eastshore State Park from Emeryville to Richmond. High tide in Berkeley is at 10:21 a.m. Options for returning include bicycling, taking BART from Richmond or El Cerrito Del Norte, or taking Amtrak from Richmond. Reservations are not necessary, but an email or phone call is appreciated. Please indicate how you plan to arrive and return.

Bring sunscreen, lunch, and liquids. Food and drink may be purchased at Amini’s store/café at Richmond Marina Bay. Bicycle helmet required. Participants must have the stamina to dismount frequently and have the ability and experience to bicycle safely on city streets. Rain cancels.

From Ashby BART, bicycle west on Woolsey, which becomes 66th St. after crossing Sacramento St. At San Pablo Ave., jog left to 65th St. and continue west to Shellmound and then turn left to Powell St. Cross to the south side of Powell and follow the sidewalk west, passing under freeway. Cross back to the bicycle lane and continue to the end at the Emeryville City Marina. Take extreme care crossing freeway exits and entrances. Go to www.transitinfo.org for BART schedule.

Pinnacles National Monument
San Benito County
Sunday, February 28, 9 a.m.
Rusty Scalf, 510.666.9936, rscalf@sonic.net
Pinnacles National Monument is a release site for the endangered California Condor, and the birds can sometimes be seen from hiking trails throughout the park. Meet at the Visitor’s Center in the first parking lot on the left after you enter the east side of the park from Hwy. 25. Email leader for more information or go to www.nps.gov/pinn.

March Field Trips

GGAS — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:15:39 +0000

Merced and San Luis National Wildlife Refuges

Merced County

Tuesday, March 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bob Lewis, Bob@wingbeats.org, 510.845.5001

We will meet at Merced National Wildlife Refuge and continue on to San Luis National Refuge, looking for Sandhill Cranes, Snow and Ross’s Geese and other waterfowl, and raptors, along with Tule Elk. We may make other stops in the area. Bring lunch and a walkie-talkie if you have one. Allow about 2.5 hours’ driving time from Berkeley. Trip is limited to 30 participants; contact the leader to reserve a space. Carpooling is advisable.

From I-5, exit at Los Banos/Hwy. 152 east and take Hwy. 152 into Los Banos. Turn left on Mercey Springs Rd., go about 3 miles, and turn right on Henry Miller Rd. Continue for about 7 miles to Turner Island Rd. (four-way stop) and turn left. After 5.25 miles, turn right onto Sand Slough Rd., which curves to the left and becomes Nickel Rd. After about 1 mile, the road makes a sharp right and becomes Sandy Mush Rd. Continue for about 3.5 miles to refuge entrance on right (south) side of road.

Jewel Lake

Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley

Friday, March 5, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Phila Rogers, 510.848.9156, philajane6@yahoo.com

We continue our monthly first Friday trips at Tilden. Meet at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Dr. for a 1-mile, 2-hour-plus stroll through this lush riparian area. Winter birds are still present, and resident birds are beginning to sing their spring songs.

Golden Gate Park and Lands End

San Francisco

Saturday, March 6, 8 a.m.

Harry Fuller, anzatowhee@yahoo.com

Meet at the north end of North Lake in Golden Gate Park, accessed where 45th Ave. enters the park at Fulton. We’ll bird the park’s western end and also the Lands End area. We should find plenty of wintering birds and year-round residents, as well as some early spring returnees such as Allen’s Hummingbird.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline

Richmond, Contra Costa County

Sunday March 7, 9 a.m. – noon

Rusty Scalf, rscalf@sonic.net

Point Isabel provides rich birding opportunities, particularly when year-round residents are joined by migrating field birds and shorebirds.

From I-580 or I-80, take Central Ave. west to Rydin Rd. Turn right on Rydin and continue to the parking lot.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Golden Gate Park

Sunday, March 7, 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Alan Ridley, allanrid@pacbell.net; Helen McKenna, 415.566.3241; Ginny Marshall; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com

Meet at the front gate of the garden, 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way. This delightful section of the park has several micro-habitats that attract an array of resident, migrant, and vagrant birds. This monthly trip is oriented toward helping beginning birders develop their skills in spotting and identifying birds.

Las Gallinas Water Treatment Facility

Marin County

Wednesday, March 10, 9 a.m. – noon

Bob Lewis, Bob@wingbeats.org, 510.845.5001

Waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and passerines—Las Gallinas is always an interesting place, with chances to see otters and coyotes as well as birds. The walk is level, along the pond levees, and many birds are close and easily seen. This is a good beginning walk and also offers a wide variety of species.

Take Hwy. 101 north through San Rafael and exit at Smith Ranch Rd. (also marked for Lucas Valley Rd.). Turn right (east) onto Smith Ranch Rd. and continue toward the park at end of road. Turn left at the small sign for Las Gallinas and wildlife viewing and go to the end to the parking lot and restrooms.

Bike Trip: Quarry Lakes, Alameda Creek, and Coyote Hills

Fremont, Alameda County

Saturday, March 13

Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at 9 a.m. on the east side of the Fremont BART station in the parking lot. Trip ends at BART between 3 and 4 p.m. We will see birds from the time we step off the BART train and will experience various habitats: riparian, marsh, and bayside. Total distance is 24–30 miles, mostly on paved bike trails. Bicycle helmet required. Bring lunch and liquids for a picnic at Coyote Hills. Dress for variable weather. Rain cancels. Reservations are not necessary, but an email or phone call is appreciated.

From I-880, take the Mowry Ave. exit east for 2.3 miles toward central Fremont. The Fremont BART parking lot is on the east side of the station past Civic Center Dr.

Corona Heights

San Francisco

Friday, March 19, 8 – 10 a.m.

Charles Hibbard; Brian Fitch; Dominik Mosur, polskatata@yahoo.com

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Fremont, Alameda County

Sunday, March 21, 9 a.m. – noon

Anne Hoff, anne2210@sbcglobal.net

Catch the wintering waterfowl and shorebirds before they depart for the summer and see whether some early spring migrants are back and staking out their territories. Will the Great Horned Owls again nest in Hoot Hollow? Will the Rock Wrens hang around? Will we see more than 10 species of ducks? We’ll go find out. Heavy rain cancels.

From I-880, take Hwy. 84 toward the Dumbarton Bridge. Exit on Paseo Padre Pkwy. and go north 1.1 miles to Patterson Ranch Rd. Turn left, drive into the park, and stop at the farthest parking lot next to the visitor’s center. Parking is $5; bring exact change.

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park

Oakland, Alameda County

Wednesday, March 24, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Hilary Powers, 510.834.1066, hilary@powersedit.com; Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093, ruthtobey@earthlink.net

Meet at the large spherical cage near the Nature Center at Perkins and Bellevue. We will bird around there, then go up the garden path toward Children’s Fairyland or walk down the lake toward Embarcadero, after which we will cover what we missed. This is the beginning of spring at Lake Merritt. Come see the regular visitors and, with luck, a few surprises, too.

Bike Trip: American River Trail

Saturday – Sunday, March 27 – 28
Kathy Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

This trip follows the fairly flat, 23-mile American River Trail between Sacramento and Folsom, which is rich in birdlife. Many birds can also be seen from the train, especially through Suisun Marsh. Meet on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at the Emeryville Amtrak Station; the train arrives in Sacramento at 9:20 a.m. The trail begins at Discovery Park, about 2 miles from the Sacramento station. Trail access is easy from the station through Old Sacramento to the river and then to the park. We will stay overnight at the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Folsom (participants must make their own reservations). On Sunday, we’ll start from the Iron Point Light Rail Station in Folsom at 8:30 a.m. and return to the Bay Area via Amtrak from Sacramento at about 3:30 p.m., arriving in Emeryville at about 5:15 p.m. It is possible to make a one-day trip by driving to Folsom and using the Sacramento Light Rail system. Allow 2.5 hours to drive from the East Bay to Folsom. Recent riding experience is a must to ensure the stamina necessary for such a long ride. Trip is limited to 12 participants. Reservations are required; contact the leader.

April and Beyond

GGAS — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:13:55 +0000

Bike Trip: Big Break and Marsh Creek Regional Trails

Contra Costa County

Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m.

Kathy and Blair Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Meet at Fetzer Ln. and Jordan Ln. in Oakley. Each year, nearly half of the waterfowl and shorebirds migrating along the Pacific Flyway pass through the Sacramento Delta. A paved trail with views of freshwater marsh is an excellent place to see many species. Bring lunch and liquids. Dress in layers. Bicycle helmet required. Rain cancels. If you have room in your vehicle for an extra bicycle or if you need a ride, contact the leaders at the earliest opportunity. Reservations are not necessary, but an email or phone is appreciated. The leaders will not take public transit on this trip.

Take Hwy. 24 east toward Walnut Creek, then I-680 north to Hwy. 242 north. From Hwy. 242, take Hwy. 4 east toward Stockton/Pittsburg. Stay to the right and follow the lanes signed for Rio Vista/Oakley/Hwy. 160; do not follow the Brentwood Bypass. Take the first exit, Hwy. 4/Main St. in Oakley; do not continue on Hwy. 160 to the Antioch Bridge. Go 1.1 mile and turn left at Big Break Rd. Go .2 mile and turn right on Vintage Pkwy. Go .8 mile and turn left onto Walnut Meadows Dr. After .5 mile, turn left onto Jordan Ln., which ends at Fetzer Ln. and entrance to the trail. Parking is on the street. For a map of the area, go to www.ebparks.org/parks/big_break.

Mines Road

Alameda County

Saturday, April 24, 8 a.m.

Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, davequady@att.net

We can expect to see Lewis’s Woodpecker, Phainopepla, and Bullock’s Oriole, and possibly Wild Turkey, Greater Roadrunner, and Golden Eagle. Trip begins in Livermore and finishes there in the early evening, with opportunities to end earlier. This trip is limited to the first 20 participants who sign up with the leader, beginning at noon on Tuesday, March 23. Carpooling is encouraged to and from Livermore, and is essential during the day because of limited parking along the route. Directions and carpooling information will be provided to those confirmed on the trip. Bring food and liquids.

Yosemite National Park

Friday – Sunday, June 4 – 6

Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, davequady@att.net; Dave Cornman

The lower and middle elevations of Yosemite National Park are alive with singing birds in late May and early June. A variety of habitats supports a rich diversity of birdlife, typically including seven flycatchers (three Empidonax), three vireos, seven warblers, and many other species in full song and breeding plumage. This trip is limited to the first 20 participants who sign up with the leader.

Past participants have camped at Hodgdon Meadow in the park (reservations necessary, as the campground fills up fast) or stayed in campgrounds or commercial lodgings outside the park’s Big Oak Flat entrance. Detailed information, including meeting times and locations as well as lodging suggestions, will be provided to those confirmed on the trip. Confirmed participants should bring warm clothes, rainwear, and rubber boots for wet meadows, as well as lunches for Saturday and Sunday. Be prepared to walk about 3 miles each day. Carpooling is encouraged.

Travel with Golden Gate Audubon

GGAS — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:00:29 +0000

If you’re thinking about birding outside the Bay Area, consider one of the upcoming trips designed especially for Golden Gate Audubon members. For applications and detailed information on these trips, please contact Ruth Tobey, 510.528.2093 or ruthtobey@gmail.com.

River of Raptors in Veracruz

In partnership with ProNatura, a Mexican conservation group, we will offer a trip to Veracruz for the “River of Raptors” migration, October 2–10, 2010. The 540 bird species in central Veracruz include 25 endemics. During fall migration, on a good day, more than 100,000 migrant vultures and raptors are seen; on a Big Day, over 500,000 have been counted. An estimated 10 million passerines and waterbirds pass by each day, along with migrating butterflies and dragonflies. Our tour will also go to local archaeological sites and include side trips to lowland forests and coastal lagoons, as well as spend two nights in the capital city of Xalapa, a short ride into the mountains and cloud forest. We will have the option of a basic 9-day tour for $2,100 (with 8–10 participants) or an extended tour, through October 13, to include Los Tuxtlas rain forest (if 6 participants elect to stay) for $2,650. Prices include a $150 donation to GGA.

Bike Trip: Big Break and Marsh Creek Regional Trails – Contra Costa County

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:15:48 +0000

Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m.

Kathy and Blair Jarrett, 510.547.1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com

Mines Road – Alameda County

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:14:41 +0000

Saturday, April 24, 8 a.m.

Dave Quady, 510.704.9353, davequady@att.net

The March Gull is Now On-Line!

GGAS — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:46:09 +0000

And you can read it here.