the

Lahontan Audubon Society •

Pelican
P.O. Box 2304 • Reno, Nevada 89505 • www.nevadaaudubon.org • 775-324-BIRD

Mission statement: To preserve and improve the remaining habitat of birds and other wildlife, restore historical habitat, and educate
the public, with emphasis on children, providing vision to all about our unique Nevada environments.

MONTHLY MEETINGS
MARCH/APRIL Date: Fourth Tuesday of the month
2009 Time: Social at 6:30 p.m. Program starts at 7 p.m.
Location: South Valleys Library
15650A Wedge Parkway, Reno
vol. 46, no. 4 Exterior door, west side of building
Directions to South Valleys Library: Take Hwy 395 to the Mt. Rose Hwy. Head west
Inside This Issue on the Mt. Rose Hwy and take the first right turn onto Wedge Parkway, just past Raley’s
shopping center. Go about one mile on Wedge Parkway and look for the boldly
1 Monthly Meetings designed, mustard yellow library on the right. For carpooling see page 9.

2 Birds and More March 24 - Bird Identification Panel - Round 2

They’re baaaaaaack - by popular demand! If you missed the Bird ID Panel last March
3 Backyard Habitat you missed one of the highlights of the season. Our panel of experts (Greg Scyphers,
Martin Meyers, Will Richardson, Kirk Hardie, and Jim Eidel) have agreed to return
to try and identify those photos of birds submitted by you, our LAS members. Alan
4 Field Trips Gubanich will prepare a Powerpoint presentation and show your photos to the panel one
by one. Then we will all sit back and once again see if our local “experts” can agree on
5 Important Bird Areas the species identification, and explain why they think as they do. Here is another chance
for all of us to learn some of the secrets of bird ID.
8 Of Note from the NOTE: If you have any decent (or even just relatively decent) photos of birds that you
President would like to submit (either digital or 35 mm slides), send them to Alan Gubanich at
aag@unr.nevada.edu (or call 857-0191). If you submit any photos, please accompany
9 The Avid Birder them with your name and a date and location for each photo. If you don’t know exact
details, approximations are okay (e.g., late April on the northern CA coast; or, early
10 Birds In Town February about 30 miles north of Las Vegas; etc.).

April 28 - Jim Stamates - The Theory of Rhythms: A Wildlife Photographer’s View

11 LAS Sales/
Membership
Submissions for the May/June issue are
due April 1, 2009
The Pelican may be viewed on the LAS
website at www.nevadaaudubon.org,
click on the Newsletter tab.
on Our Relationship with Nature
Jim Stamates, a wildlife photographer from Lake Tahoe, will share his “Theory of
Rhythms”, which is based on his 30-year career as a photographer, along with his
personal observations and a little quantum mechanics thrown in for good measure.
Jim focuses on our relationship to the natural world defining, with humor, the
difference between natural and unnatural rhythms. His presentation highlights
spectacular wildlife and scenic photographs from North America, including bears,
birds, wolves, and Sierra landscapes. His message: slow down, get in tune with nature,
and amazing things happen.

The Pelican 1
BIRDS AND MORE
Kathy Oakes 775-747-5446 oakesy@sbcglobal.net

This new feature is in response
to our members’ request for more
information about the lives and natural
history of birds. Our bird of the month
is the Western Scrub-Jay, familiar
to many of us because it visits feeders
and happily accepts peanut handouts.
Western Scrub-Jays have a varied
diet that includes insects, fruits,
acorns, and seeds. Like many other
members of the Corvid family (ravens,
crows, jays, and nutcrackers), they are
known to “cache” or store food for
later consumption. Western Scrub-Jays
bury food shallowly or wedge it into
crevices in rocks or behind tree bark.
Studies have shown that birds (even
chickadees) that store food remember
where the cache site is based on its
position to local landmarks and can
retrieve the food many weeks later.
Western Scrub-Jays have been shown
to “take it to another level” in that
they remember not only where, but
what type of food was cached and
when. Because some of their food
items are perishable (such as insect
larvae), Western Scrub-Jays appear to
keep track of what items were stored
and when they were stored. They will
retrieve perishables before they spoil,
leaving more durable items like seeds
in other caches for later. Thus, Western
Scrub-Jays demonstrate a memory of
“what,” “where,” and “when” recall,
the first demonstration of this type of
memory in non-human animals.
Western Scrub-Jays live in social
groups much of the year. Young
remain in the parents’ territory after
fledging, forming family groups that
may include young from previous
years. In fall, neighboring groups may
join to form larger foraging groups.
Within these mixed groups, Western
Scrub-Jays appear to know individuals
from neighboring groups and have a
clearly established “pecking” order.
Higher ranking individuals may
steal food from the caches of lower
ranking individuals, as will individuals
of the same rank. Western Scrub-
Jays try to cache food unobserved
by others. Studies have shown that
a bird caching food takes note of
any observers and defends its hoard
accordingly. If the observing bird is
a known “thief”, the storing bird is
more likely to return later to re-bury
its treasure unobserved. This suggests
that Western Scrub-Jays are able to
figure out what another individual is
thinking and act accordingly. Even
more remarkable is that recent studies
Photo of Western Scrub-Jay by Ed Oakes.
have shown that birds who themselves
have stolen others’ caches are more
likely to return to re-bury food after
being observed than are “innocent”
birds who have not pilfered before.
Thus they seem to be attributing intent
to other individuals based on their
own experiences, blurring the
“thought” boundary between people
and other animals even more. So,
the next time you feed peanuts to
your Western Scrub-Jays, you may
have more respect for their mental
capacities and wonder what they are
thinking about you!!
Please share your thoughts and
suggestions for this column at
oakesy@sbcglobal.net.
The following will take you to an
interesting (but a bit technical)
article summarizing much of
the above research: http://www.
pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.
fcgi?artid=2346514.

SUBSCRIPTIONS WHERE TO WRITE:

The Pelican is the official newsletter of the Lahontan Audubon
Society and is published six times annually. Subscriptions are
paid for as part of the dues of LAS or the National Audubon
Society. LAS welcomes gifts, donations, and bequests in gen-
eral, or gifts in honor or memory of relatives and friends. Such
donations will be used as specified or, if unspecified, will be
used to support LAS education and conservation projects. All
donations are tax deductible.
Keep conservation to the forefront. Write your elected officials and
tell them how you feel:
Senator Harry Reid Senator John Ensign
400 S. Virginia St. #902 400 S. Virginia St. #738
Reno, NV 89501 Reno, NV 89501
Toll-free: 1-866-736-7343 Reno phone: 775-686-5770
Representative Dean Heller Governor Jim Gibbons
400 S. Virginia St. #502 101 N. Carson St.
Reno, NV 89501 Carson City, NV 89710
Reno phone: 775-686-5760 775-684-5670

2 The Pelican
BACKYARD HABITAT
The Harbingers of Spring
As the days warm, trees start to
bloom, and the beauty of spring
begins to shine, many people begin
the cultivating season and birds the
breeding season. Spring brings a great
change of faces, colors, and songs in
birds as well as a great bloom of life in
the garden. With the coming of spring,
new opportunities arrive for wildlife
gardeners to enhance their yards and
entice wild creatures to visit. Spring
tasks include the removal of last year’s
growth, the addition of some hardy
plants, and the creation of nesting
sites, or even the preparation for
entirely new gardens.
A great place to start is the removal
of waste materials (e.g., last year’s
growth, dead plants, leaves, etc.).
Instead of sending these materials
to the landfill, better uses include
composting or adding them to a brush
pile. If your yard has an unused area,
you can simply dump this garden
waste there. These materials will
eventually decompose and be used
for mulch, but in the meantime they
can provide a friendly foraging area
for birds.
Some other beneficial activities
are creating natural nesting sites,
providing nesting material, or erecting
artificial nesting sites, including nest
boxes. Natural nesting sites will be
preferred by the birds but are often
in short supply, especially for cavity
nesters. A natural nesting site can
be as mundane as a brush pile or as
extravagant as a coast redwood tree
planted in the yard. Popular nesting
plants that do well in our climate
include blackberry and raspberry
brambles, willow, cottonwood, pines,
and junipers.
Providing nesting material is yet
another great way to attract birds to
your yard. Nesting material can range
in variety from mud, feathers, and
lichen, to string and tissue paper. Mud
The Pelican 3
might not be the most beautiful part of
a backyard habitat, but it will attract
an array of guests. The easiest way to
do this is to thoroughly soak an area of
soil. However, I have found that birds
typically will return to the same area
day after day, year after year, in search
of this necessity. With this in mind, it
would be a good idea to make a more
long-lasting solution. This can be
done by taking a pie tin and filling it
with dirt and then adding water. Birds
prefer a thick slurry, so make sure not
to add too much water. In the spring,
in partial shade, this will typically last
several days; in the summer heat it
may last for one or two days. String
can be another great nesting material
for birds, or it can be a complete
nightmare. A simple way of providing
string would be by cutting it into short
strands, no more than three inches
in length, and stuffing them inside a
suet cage. String that is too long can
entangle the birds. There is by no
means a guarantee that these methods
will work in your yard, and they are
only a few of many available.
Nest boxes and artificial nesting
sites have become an integral part
of any backyard habitat, as humans
have destroyed many of their natural
counterparts. Nest boxes can be so
small as to house a Bewick’s Wren,
or large enough to host a Barn Owl.
Nest boxes can be purchased at a store
or built at home. Different species of
birds prefer different nest boxes, so
you should consider the birds that you
are trying to attract when purchasing
or building. Building a nest box is easy
with the right materials available. I
personally prefer one inch-thick-pine,
but this is purely a matter of choice.
Following are nest box dimensions for
some local species:
• Mountain Chickadee: interior
height 10-12”, interior floor 4 x
4”, entrance hole diameter 1½”.
• Western Bluebird: interior height
12”, interior floor 5 x 5”, entrance
hole diameter 1½”.
• House Finch: interior height 10”,
interior floor 5 x 5”, entrance hole
diameter 1½”
• Downy Woodpecker: interior
height 10”, interior floor 4 x 4”,
entrance hole diameter 1½”.
• Northern Flicker: interior height
18-24”, interior floor 7 x 7”,
entrance hole diameter 2½”.
• American Kestrel: interior height
18”, interior floor 9 x 9”, entrance
hole diameter 3”.
The roof of a nest box should extend
2-3” beyond the face panel; perches
are not necessary nor wanted by many
birds.
As the ground slowly begins to thaw,
it is also time to start preparing for
any new gardens. Many people begin
gardening for wildlife with a small
patch of land but soon come to realize
that they need much more space.
Preparation is simple and involves
few steps. However, each step often
requires an amount of physical labor.
The first step is to clear the desired
area of any lawn, weeds, or large
obstacles. Then you can either use a
Roto-Tiller, or hand till using a shovel
or pitchfork. Once this is done, you
are ready for plants. It is still early for
most purchased annuals, but many
perennials are hardy enough for the
cold spring snaps typical of our area.
Wildflower seed can also be spread at
this date, but be sure to cover it with a
thin layer of mulch to prevent it from
blowing away or being eaten by the
birds.
As winter turns to spring, and the
garden truly comes alive for the
season, birds with their great songs
and joyous personalities are the “the
harbingers of spring”.
Jonathan Heywood, who is fourteen
years old, has been birding for four
years. He began creating bird habitat
at his home three years ago and has
done extensive research on the topic.
FIELD TRIPS
Christiane Omer 775-354-2634 happycpo@aol.com
Saturday, March 28
Susanville Sage-Grouse Lek and
Honey Lake, CA
Time: 4:30 a.m.
Leader: Dave Jickling,
775-329-8959
This is a great chance to see nature in
action! Observe male Greater Sage-
Grouse perform to attract females
onto their lekking grounds. This
tour also includes a visit to Honey
Lake wetlands with good potential
for numerous waterfowl and raptor
species. Participants should meet at
the McDonald’s on Oddie Blvd, two
blocks east of Highway 395 at 4:30
a.m. in Sparks. Depending upon road
conditions, only four-wheel drive or
high clearance vehicles will be able
to drive to the lek. Bring food, water,
and a scope if you have one.
Saturday, April 4
Sierra Valley Expedition
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Alan Gubanich, 775-857-
0191, aag@unr.nevada.edu
For those who didn’t get to the Sierra
Valley trip last fall, here’s your
chance! We’ll spend both the morning
and part of the afternoon looking for
any late winter raptors (Red-tailed,
Rough-legged, and Ferruginous
Hawks) and waterfowl (swans, ducks,
and geese), plus any early migrants,
Sandhill Cranes and White-fronted
Geese are always possibilities. We
can brown-bag our lunch, or enjoy
a great little restaurant in Sierraville
(let me know your preference when
you register). If time and weather
permits, we may also visit Yuba
Pass or Plumas-Eureka State Park.
In the eastern Sierra, chickadees,
nuthatches, jays, woodpeckers, and
sapsuckers are always possibilities.
Please register with Alan if you
plan to attend. We will meet in the
4 The Pelican
McDonald’s parking lot, Lemmon
Valley exit (Exit 74), north of Reno,
off Hwy 395.
Saturday, April 11
Damonte Ranch Wetlands
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Kathy Oakes, 775-747-
5446, oakesy@sbcglobal.net
This is an easy walk on paved trails
and birders of all experience levels
are welcome. Hopefully, we will
see some early spring migrants and
resident birds of wetlands and open
meadows. Past trips have offered
great close-up views of several
waterfowl species (they are fairly
tame and used to people in this area),
and good views of Northern Harriers
are possible. Bring binoculars and
a spotting scope if you have one,
and extra clothes for unpredictable
weather. Prepare to be out until about
noon. The group size is limited;
please contact Kathy to reserve
your space. Meet at the RC Willey
furniture store at 1201 Steamboat
Pkwy in south Reno. We will carpool
from there to the wetlands.
Saturday, April 18
Swan Lake
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Leader: Bob Goodman, 775-972-
7848, pandion36@aol.com
Meet Bob (look for his van) at 8:30
a.m. in the McDonald’s parking
lot, Lemmon Valley Exit (Exit 74),
North of Reno, off Hwy 395. We will
carpool the short distance to Lemmon
Valley Marsh. Bring a spotting scope
if you can, and prepare to be out
until mid-day. This is a good time
to see early spring migrants and
winter resident birds on the marsh
and wetlands. This is an easy bird
walk and birders of all experience are
welcome.
Saturday, April 25
Wandering the Carson Valley
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Leader: Jim Woods, 775-265-3914,
woobib@charter.net
Here is a great opportunity to see
the numerous birds and habitats of
the Carson Valley. We’ll take a 1½
mile walk at the IVGID wetlands
to look for waterfowl and wading
birds. Next, it’s off to a local ranch to
explore the riparian lands along the
mighty Carson River. Given we will
be on private land, the tour is limited
to 12, contact Jim to reserve your
spot. Meet at the In-N-Out Burger at
957 Topsy Lane in Carson City. Look
for a red mid-size pick-up with a red
camper shell. Bring a bag lunch and
plenty of water, a scope if possible,
and expect to wrap up around 1:30 p.m..
Donors
American White Pelican $100 - $499
Bob Shields
James H. Thompson
Mountain Bluebird $20 - 49
Ann Keniston
Lorraine Giurlani
Ron and Judy Daly
Charles George Griffith
Carol Colip
Ruby Crowned Kinglet $10 - $19
Nancy Humphries
Kris Hanneman
IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM
Robin Powell 775-247-2798 rpowell@audubon.org
Recognizing the Walker Lake
Important Bird Area
Walker Lake was recognized as
one of Nevada’s Important Bird
Areas (IBA) through the National
Audubon Society’s Important Bird
Area Program, which is a partnership
between BirdLife, International
and National Audubon Society. The
Important Bird Area Program of
Nevada is focused on identifying and
conserving sites that are important to
bird species of conservation concern
or priority.
The following are some facts about
the Walker Lake Important Bird Area
and why it is important to conserve
this site:
Avocet, and American White
Pelican. Snowy Plover has been
reported to nest at the south end
of the lake.
• Walker Lake was also recognized
for the assemblage of species
that are characteristic of this
threatened habitat. Walker Lake is
one of a few remaining terminal
freshwater lakes in the world.
Species of waterfowl, shorebirds,
and gulls are drawn to this large
open body of water.
• Approximately 7,000 waterfowl
birds are seen annually during the
winter months with peak numbers
during migration. Northern
Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead,
Ruddy Duck, Snow Goose, and
Greater Scaup are typically seen
at Walker Lake.
• The Common Loon migration
is the largest known inland
congregation west of the
Mississippi River. The highest
recorded migration was 1,400
individuals during migration.
Common Loons are piscivorous
(fish-eating) and rely upon the
fish production of the lake, which
has been on the decline due to
water quantity and quality issues.

• Walker Lake’s open water habitat

supports species identified as
high conservation priorities such
as Clark’s Grebe, White-faced
Ibis, Snowy Plover, American
Photo of Walker Lake, courtesy of Robin Powell.

Important Bird Area May Be Lost Without Influx of Water

Prolonged efforts to get a secure supply of water for Walker Lake, Nevada, has brought the freshwater fishery
dangerously close to collapse. Upstream water diversions for agriculture in the last century have resulted in a 75 percent
decrease in volume for the lake in western Nevada and a rise in alkalinity to a level that is interrupting native fish
reproduction.
Because Walker Lake has no water rights of its own, anything short of a Walker River Basin flood year in 2009
would produce little or no water for the lake. The result will cause the lake to drop at least another four feet this year and
leave an uncertain fate for the two remaining native fish species that provide food for thousands of migratory birds on
the Pacific Flyway. Walker Lake is a stopover for up to 1,400 Common Loons during their migration to Canadian nesting
grounds. Other birds that rely on the lake include the American White Pelican, Snowy Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Double-
crested Cormorant, and White-faced Ibis.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is leading the effort to purchase and lease water for Walker Lake from willing sellers,
while insuring the least possible disruption to the economies of upstream communities. Karen Grillo is project coordinator
for the Walker Basin Project that was inspired by Sen. Reid through a $70 million congressional appropriation. Grillo said
her phone was “ringing off the hook” with calls from people who wanted to sell their water to the project. Even so, Sen.
Reid’s efforts are still drawing much opposition from upstream water users.
Nevada’s congressional delegates need to hear of the widespread public support to save this ecological gem.
Immediate action is essential to obtain an interim water supply for the lake, because the first water deliveries from
Sen. Reid’s efforts may not reach the lake for three to five years. During this time total collapse of the lake’s ecosystem
could occur.
(continued on page 7)

The Pelican 5
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Education Committee
With spring just around the corner,
the Education Committee will
soon be busy leading field trips
again for local elementary school
kids at Washoe Lake. In the last
three years, with the help of
several volunteers and some staff
from the Washoe Lake State Park,
LAS led 35 birding and natural
history field trips for hundreds of
Washoe County school children
and teachers. With anywhere from
25 to sometimes 60 children per
trip, one person can not do it all.
If you have any available time, we
would welcome your help either as
an assistant or a trip leader. You do
not need to be a birding or natural
history expert, just a willing and
enthusiastic worker. Most trips
will be held on Mondays and
Wednesdays, from mid-April
through late May.
LAS will provide binoculars and
spotting scopes, but feel free to
bring your own.
The Education Committee
also visits classrooms and runs
information booths at various
events to teach school kids and
adults about the birds of Nevada
and their habitats. The next event
will be the Tune In To Kids Fair
at Idlewild Park on Saturday,
April 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00
pm. We will need volunteers to
work shifts at the LAS table - even
just an hour of your time will be
appreciated.
Please contact Alan Gubanich
at 857-0191 or aag@unr.nevada.
edu if you are interested in any
of these volunteer opportunities.
You will quickly realize what a
difference you can make for many
6 The Pelican
of these bright young kids - and
you will have lots of fun too!
Looking forward to working with
you!
Sheldon National Wildlife
Refuge Workday and Field Trip
Come join us for a little work
and a little play at the Sheldon
National Wildlife Refuge on June
20-21. Saturday, June 20 will be
a work day and include removing
fence on the refuge. We will camp
at Catnip Reservoir campground
and tour the refuge on Sunday,
June 21. If you are interested,
contact Mike Goddard for more
details and to register, 775-423-
5128, Mike_Goddard@fws.gov.
Breeding Bird Survey Volunteer
The Breeding Bird Survey is
a cooperative effort between
the U.S. Geological Survey’s
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
(Maryland) and the Canadian
Wildlife Service’s National
Wildlife Research Centre to
monitor the status and trends of
North American bird populations.
It is conducted in the spring
along a route consisting of 50
stops along local roads, for a
driving distance of 25 miles. For
several years, Connie Douglas has
conducted a route of the survey
near Reno, and she has decided
that it’s time to pass it along to
another willing volunteer bird
counter. This particular route
starts north of Nixon and heads
south, ending along the S-Bar-S
Ranch road. It is an annual survey,
and should be conducted in May
or June when the most breeding
birds can be seen and heard.
Contact Connie at 775-425-1305
or nevadaconnie@sbcglobal.net;
she’d be happy to scout the route
and/or run it with you the first
time.
• • • • •
Important Bird Areas
Volunteer Days
Through the funding of the
National Audubon Society’s
TogetherGreen Volunteerism
Grant, the Nevada Important
Bird Area (IBA) Program will
be implementing numerous
conservation related projects
throughout Northern Nevada
during Spring 2009. There
are plenty of opportunities to
protect the habitat, learn new
conservation skills, plant some
trees, and network with like-
minded individuals. Each event
will have various “tokens of
appreciation” for the volunteers
and include refreshments. All ages
are welcome and encouraged!
Cottonwood Tree Planting Along
the Carson River
Location: River Fork Ranch-
Carson Valley IBA
Date: March 29, 2009 (tentative)
Goal: Plant up to 48 cottonwood
trees along the Carson River as
part of the ongoing streambank
restoration at the River Fork
Ranch in Genoa. The River Fork
Ranch, owned by The Nature
Conservancy, has been undergoing
weed abatement, seed gathering,
wetland restoration, and pasture
rehabilitation activities.
(continued on page 7)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
(continued from page 6)
The restoration of the cottonwood
gallery along the Carson River
is critical to the protection of the
riparian corridor to provide habitat
for various bird species such as
Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret,
Bald Eagle, and other raptors. In
addition, there is documentation
of Sandhill Cranes nesting on a
portion of the ranch.
Swan Lake Clean-up Day and
Thistle Pull
Location: Swan Lake Nature
Study Area and IBA
Date: May 2, 2009 (confirmed)
Goal: Clean up debris and garbage
throughout the IBA and dig all
musk thistle rosettes along the
trail, pastures, and boardwalk.
Noxious weeds are a serious threat
to the sensitive habitats at Swan
Lake.
Noxious weeds such as tall
whitetop and musk thistle have
infested large portions of the
upland, riparian, and playa
habitats, which reduces the habitat
quality for wildlife and displaces
native vegetation. Musk thistle is
easy to remove during the rosette
stage, thereby preventing the
spread of the plant species and
protecting the habitat.
Washoe Valley Citizen Science
Day
Location: Winters Ranch-Washoe
Valley IBA
Date: TBD
Goal: To improve the community
residents’ understanding of the
importance of monitoring for
new invasive plant species in the
valley. Part of the training will
include working with GPS units,
The Pelican 7
Festivals and Celebrations
Walker Lake Education Day
Saturday, April 25
Walker Lake Education Day, formerly known as Walker Lake Loon Festival,
will be held at Walker Lake Recreation Area, 11 miles north of Hawthorne,
Nevada, on U.S. Hwy 95. Free wildlife viewing boat rides will be held
throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free exhibits, demonstrations, and
children’s activities will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will highlight
the multi-organization/agency efforts to prevent the imminent collapse of the
Walker Lake unique freshwater fishery. Food will be available for purchase at
the beach. For information call 775-573-2581.
Swan Lake NSA Celebration
Saturday May 2
Please save the date. Plans are being made to celebrate the 10th anniversary
of the dedication of Swan Lake Nature Study Area. The ceremony and
celebration will follow the Annual Swan Lake NSA Cleanup scheduled for
Saturday May 2. For further information contact Bob Goodman at 775-972-
7848 or Pandion@aol.com.
proper weed identification, and
(Walker Lake continued from page 5)
how to be an effective citizen
scientist. One of the greatest Contact Sen. Reid at www.reid.
habitat threats to this IBA is senate.gov/contact; Sen. John Ensign,
noxious weeds. It is critical to R-Nev., at www.ensign.senate.gov;
identify new weed species and and Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., at
eradicate them immediately, which www.heller.house.gov/zipauth.shtml.
requires active volunteers! To learn more about other efforts
to save Walker Lake, don’t miss the
Within two weeks of each new Walker Lake Education Day
(formerly the Walker Lake Loon
event, I will be distributing
Festival) on April 25, 2009, from 9
more information (i.e., times,
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Walker Lake
meeting locations, supplies, etc.) Recreation Area. The event will
and posting to the LAS website feature free wildlife viewing boat
at www.nevadaaudubon.org/ rides, exhibits, and demonstrations.
iba. If you have any interest in Volunteers are needed for event
volunteering at the events or planning and logistics. Call 775-573-
would like more information, 2581 for more information.
please feel free to contact Robin
Powell at 775-247-2798 or By Lorna Weaver
rpowell@audubon.org Walker Lake Working Group
weaver@gbis.com
Happy Volunteering!
OF NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
• Salute to CBC Leaders: We extend a special thanks
to the 2008 Christmas Bird Count leaders. They were
Dave McNinch, Truckee Meadows; Greg Scyphers,
Carson City/Carson Valley; Dennis and Becca
Serdehely, Pyramid Lake; and Amy Leist, Fallon. These
leaders help sustain what is a venerable tradition and
a valuable citizen science activity. And, of course, the
annual CBC would not be possible without the cadre of
volunteers for each area.
• Birding Activities in South Lake Tahoe: Among the
comments received in last spring’s Member Survey, we
received a request for information on birding activities
in the South Lake Tahoe area. In addition to the Taylor
Creek field trips sponsored by LAS, there is an active
group of birders in South Lake Tahoe. If you wish
further information, please contact LAS member Sue
Stevenson at grif0711@aol.com.
• Silver Saddle Ranch Status: Silver Saddle Ranch in
Carson City has been an area of longstanding interest
and involvement for LAS. On January 15, a federal
lands bill was passed by the U.S. Senate and, at this
writing, is expected to pass the U.S. House. The bill
includes a land exchange between Carson City and the
U.S. Forest Service. Included in that is a conveyance
of more than 3,500 acres of the Silver Saddle Ranch,
Prison Hill, and areas along the Carson River to Carson
City on condition that the area continue in public use
and not be developed. Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch
(FOSSR), under the leadership of Nancy Santos,
FOSSR President and LAS Silver Saddle Ranch
Conservation subcommittee, provided the impetus for
this outcome, a testament to the strength of individual
and small group efforts.
• Wind Turbines: In the face of rapidly emerging wind
turbine projects in our immediate area, Program Chair
Alan Gubanich has arranged for a representative from
National Audubon Society to speak at our May 26th
meeting on “Renewable Energy and Wildlife Protection:
How to Promote Both.” Details will follow in our
May/June issue.
– Karen L. Kish
8 The Pelican
FUND DRIVE 2008 DONORS
Thank you for your generous donations to support our
conservation, education, and birding activities! Your donations
are always a great encouragement. We will do our best to uphold
your trust in Lahontan Audubon Society. — The LAS Board of
Trustees
Golden Eagle $500 or More: Dave & Pam Straley
American White Pelican $100 - $499: Linda Badzioch,
Debra Brus, Peter & Trudy Brussard, John F. Gardner, Gene
& Sue Hansel, Karen L. Kish, Kathryn E. Landreth, Juleen
Marcuerquiaga, Penny McClary, Marianne Morgan, Leontine
Nappe, Dr. Fredric & Gail Petersen, Dale & Linda Sanderson,
JoAnne Sharigian Gould, Jacque Spacek, John & Faith Spencer,
Alan R. Wallace
American Avocet $50 - $99: Merrie Benesch, James Black,
Louis Bubala, Allison Chaney, Gini Cooper Watts, Judith G.
Eisele, Michael Fondi, William Frey, Dennis Ghiglieri & Rose
Strickland, Juan & Rosa Gonzales, Bob Goodman, Elwood
Hill, John Lane, Anna Lindberg, Tim & Sandy McFarren, Dan
Mende, Richard Palcanis, Judy Phoenix, Catherine Robinson,
Phillip & Susan Stevenson, Carole Terry, Valerie J. Truce, Myra
& William Ulvang, Bonnie & Rusty Wagner, James & Diane
Weishaupt, Linda Wycoff
Mountain Bluebird $20 - $49: John & Kulwadee Axtell,
Hershel & Lois Baker, Thomas & Marilyn Beard, Constance
Biba, Karla Sue Brune, Jane Burnham, Paul & Jeannine Clark,
Vickie Clay & Bert Young, Carol Colip, John G. Currie, Philip
Daly, Margie Edgington, Jeffrey & Brenda Erdoes, Joseph &
Sheila Erlac, William & Julie Frame, Allen & Judy Frederick,
Steven Gilbert, Jacqueline Gotelli, Susan Grobman, Sonia Hem,
Thomas Hendrycks, Jeanne Harrah Johnson, Cynthia Joyce,
Donal & Carol Lauer, Edith Loes, Margaret McCafferty, Gary
McCalla, Carol Noble, Annaliese Odencrantz, Dorothy O’Hearn,
Ruth Patreck, Margaret Patzner, Rich & Patricia Peacock, John
Pierce, Deborah & Randall Pontius, C.L. Reimer, Christopher
Ross, Stephanie Sander, Phyllis Schmidt, H.E. Sealey, John T.
Shonard, Barbara Simons, James Supple, Kristin Szabo, Julie
U’Ren, Ronald & Celeste Waddell, Norman & Evelyn Whisler,
Theodore Williams, Glee & John Ton Willis
Ruby-crowned Kinglet $10 - $19: Vasil & Anita Eftimoff,
Peter Fairley, Helen Foster, Sharon Hay, Edward & Charlotte
Hartley, Mechthild Hultin, Debby & Johnny Klingelhoets, Ralda
Lindstrom, Glenda Mahin, John Mitchell, Jennifer Skelton,
Heidrun Winter
THE AVID BIRDER
Kenn Rohrs 775-849-9530 karohrs@charter.net

In this space, Kenn Rohrs will discuss
books and other resources for the avid
birder.
Book Review
Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory
Peterson by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
(2008)
On April 27, 1934,
Roger Tory Peterson
(1908-1996)
published his first
book, A Field Guide
to the Birds, which
sold out its first
printing. He was 25
when he published
this unique, user-friendly guide to
identifying birds in the field, not in the
lab. Seventy-five years ago, Peterson
created the first modern birding field
guide for the general public, a bird
identification system that can be used by
everyone of every age. It is the standard
to which all field guides aspire to and try
to improve on. In this superb biography,
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal tells the life story
of this remarkable and interesting man.
Rosenthal, herself an avid birder,
writes with the ease and clarity of
one who has done her research and
understands her subject. Her ability to
capture the persona of this complex
man, including his quirks and flaws,
helps us get to know Peterson - his
enthusiasm for birds, life, and all things
wild. She shows us how Peterson used
his love of birds, his artistic talents,
and his passion for teaching to create
his Guide and to expand interest in bird
watching and the environment. Her
storytelling ability pulls us in and her
engaging writing style makes Peterson
come alive. Rosenthal has included 26
fascinating photographs. And, for those
of us interested in where the author
got her information, she includes her
numerous sources and provides helpful
chapter notes. The Table of Contents
and the Index are extremely helpful.
This is an excellent biography. I highly
recommend this compelling book.
For more by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal, go
to Bird Watcher’s Digest, July/August
2008, for her thoughtful article, Birding
with Roger.
Resources
All Things Reconsidered: My Birding
Adventures by Roger Tory Peterson,
edited by Bill Thompson III (2007),
editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, which
collects 42 of Peterson’s columns from
that magazine.
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North
America published in 2008, while larger
than most field guides, is easy to use
and provides connections to 35 video
podcasts. Check out this book and
many other birding books at the Washoe
County Library at http://libwww.
washoecounty.us/
Apple has a new product/application
for iTunes­–the iBird Explorer Backyard.
There is a cost to download to iTunes,
but then it can by synced to your iPod
for field trips. Also on the net are two of
my favorite websites, http://www.birds.
cornell.edu/ and http://www.birdnote.
org/. Bird Note podcasts are really good.
Please share your thoughts about
Rosenthal’s Birdwatcher, this column,
and suggestions for books and resources
at karohrs@charter.net.For March 2009
Pelican
Birds & Books
LAS Birds & Books is a flock of readers
interested in nature, especially birds and
birding. The group meets in Reno on the
third Tuesday of the month from 7:00-
8:30 p.m. at Sundance Bookstore, 1155
W. 4th Street, #106-Keystone Square
Shopping Center. You are encouraged
to attend a meeting to see if this group
is for you, or contact Kenn Rohrs at
karohrs@charter.net or 775-849-9530
for more information. For a complete
schedule and brief description of the
selected books, go to the LAS website
www.nevadaaudubon.org and check the
Birds & Books section of the Meetings
page.
March 17
Bird Song: A Natural History
by Don Stap
April 21
Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the
World’s Most Revered and Reviled
Bird by Andrew D. Blechman

Carpooling

Schedule of General Meetings If you are interested in carpooling to LAS

March 24 – Bird Identification Panel – Round 2
April 28 – Jim Stamates – The Theory of Rhythms: A Wildlife
Photographer’s View on Our Relationship with Nature
May 26 – Julia Levin, National Audubon Society – Renewable
Energy and Wildlife Protection: How to Promote Both
General Meetings, please contact Board
Trustee Linda Badzioch at 775-851-8353
or lbadzioch@pyramid.net, who will share
your information with others in your area
who have expressed interest in carpooling.
Please provide (a) your name(s), (b) telephone
and e-mail (if you have it) contacts, (c) area
where you live, and (d) your choice of riding,
driving, or either.

The Pelican 9
Birds in Town
Alan Wallace wallacealan@sbcglobal.net
If you ask birders what times of the year are best for seeing
unusual birds, the quick answer usually is spring and fall. The
dead of winter typically isn’t anyone’s first response, but this
December and January proved the exception to tradition. In
the gull world, the question was not what was seen, but rather
what hadn’t been seen. Nine species seen on Reno-area lakes
saved Nevada birders from traveling the world, including Slaty-
backed (normally in Asia), Lesser Black-backed (typically
east coast), and Glaucous (both coasts); Glaucous-winged,
Thayer’s, and Mew (all west coast); and Herring, plus the
regular Ring-billed and California Gulls. A Yellow-billed
Loon, which normally winters along the northern Pacific coast,
spent a few weeks at the Sparks Marina. The Carson City
Christmas Bird Count had a Northern Parula, which should
have been in Central America by that time. A Rusty Blackbird,
normally found in the southeastern U.S. in winter, joined the
now-regular Great-tailed Grackles at the Raley’s parking lot
in Winnemucca. A few coastal Red-breasted Mergansers,
along with a male Eurasian Wigeon, drifted inland to Reno-
area lakes from the west coast, and two
Northern Shrikes - one in Spring Creek
near Elko and a probable one in Unionville
- extended their more northerly winter
range into our state. Rosy-Finches usually
are hard to find in Nevada, but several
hundred Gray-crowned and two Black
Rosy-Finches descended on feeders in
Spring Creek. A few Cackling, Ross’s,
Snow, and Greater White-fronted Geese
rewarded local birders for scanning the
endless oceans of Canada Geese that were
feeding in fields.
Even more common birds provided some
interesting highlights. Pine Siskins are
Ring-billed Gull photo by Steve Ting.
common in Baker every winter but are very For more of Steve’s images visit
erratic in the western part of the state. This www.sting.photography.com.
winter, though, many western birders have
had them in their yards and neighborhoods. John Anderson in
Mogul, and Steve Ting at his parents’ house in Verdi, noted at
one point that siskins outnumbered the combined Lesser and
American Goldfinches at their feeders. Several feeder watchers
in both near-town wooded areas and more urban settings
commented on the scarcity of Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers
and Northern Flickers at suet feeders this winter. Conversely,
reports of Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers in the
same areas were much more common in December and January.
Most flycatchers head south as their insect food source dies
off in the fall, but hatches still occur throughout the winter,
especially near water. These fed a few wintering Black and
Say’s Phoebe’s and one Western Kingbird that lingered well
into December. One Black Phoebe along the Truckee River had
a near-death experience at the hands (or talons) of a Merlin, who
missed having fresh phoebe for lunch by a few inches.
Winter brought greater numbers of raptors to northern
Nevada, from the Northern Harriers and Rough-legged and
10 The Pelican
Ferruginous Hawks in the fields to the Bald Eagles along
the rivers. A Peregrine Falcon, which possibly nests at the
Peppermill tower, terrorized the waterfowl at Virginia Lake in
Reno. Debbie and Randy Pontius’ raptor count in the Lovelock
area, however, indicated another lean year for raptor numbers
in that area. The greatest decline was in the resident Red-
tailed Hawk numbers, with slightly lower Ferruginous Hawk
numbers; Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Harrier numbers
seemed to be holding steady. Mike Yates, who bands raptors
for work as a raptor biologist, plies his craft in his backyard,
and nary a Cooper’s Hawk has flown away without a band.
He captured one adult female in December of 2000 and didn’t
see her again until November of this year. A quick calculation
indicates that she was 9½ years old in November, which is a
minimum age since she was banded as an adult.
Otherwise, this winter’s birds were not much different than
in past winters. Despite the dry conditions, most waterbodies
contained water and were filled with the usual ducks, geese,
and, yes, gulls. Green-winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers,
Ring-necked Ducks, swirling eddies of
Northern Shovelers, and many Common
Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes,
and Ruddy Ducks joined the year-round
Mallards and American Coots on ponds
and lakes. More Barrow’s Goldeneyes
than normal were spotted, and a few
Cinnamon Teal provided some splashy
color to the otherwise drab waterfowl
population. On land, a single Harris’s
Sparrow mingled with White-crowned
Sparrows in greater downtown Baker, and
a Savannah Sparrow joined other birds at
Mary Anderson’s Washoe Valley feeders.
A Canyon Wren bounced through the
rocks behind John Anderson’s Mogul house,
and small, kinetic flocks of Bushtits visited
several yards, in one place partaking of the
suet. American Robins and Cedar Waxwings have devoured
much of last summer’s berry and fruit crop. Competition is high
for the remainder, causing one robin to apparently guard “his”
remaining pyracantha berries.
Northern Nevada birders reported 131 species from northern
Nevada towns during December and January. Contributors to
this total included John Anderson, Mary Anderson, Alan de
Queiroz, Bill Frey, Dennis Ghiglieri, Juan Gonzales, Bob
Goodman, Kirk Hardie, Nancy Hoffman, Ed Kurtz, Tim
Lenz, Sue Anne Marshall, Diane McAllister, Dave McNinch,
Martin Meyers, Larry Neel, Kathy Oakes, Fred Petersen,
Debbie & Randy Pontius, Bob Power, Melissa Renfro &
John Free, Georgia & Kenn Rohrs, Greg Scyphers, Dennis
Serdehely, Jean Sherman, Tom Stille, Rose Strickland, Jane
Thompson, Steve Ting, Dave Worley, Mike Yates, and me.
The deadline for the next column is March 25. Send reports to
1050 Sumac St., Reno, NV 89509 or wallacealan@sbcglobal.
net, or post sightings on the Nevada bird listserv. Good birding!
 LAS MEMBERSHIP/DONATION FORM
Lahontan Audubon Society Membership: All funds remain in the community. Members receive The Pelican
newsletter and may elect to receive e-mail activities notices. Please complete and mail this form with payment.

1. o LAS Renewal o New Membership o Send me a National Audubon application

2. o Individual/Family - $20/year o Full Time Student/Senior (over 62) - $15/year

LAS Donations: Please select level:

o Ruby-crowned Kinglet - $10 o Mountain Bluebird - $20 o American Avocet - $50
o American White Pelican - $100 o Golden Eagle - $500 or more

NAME (please print)______________________________________________________

ADDRESS_ ____________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________ STATE_ ________ ZIP CODE_____________
PHONE________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL_______________________________________ o Include on LAS-only e-mail list

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $__________ March/April 2009 issue

Make check payable to Lahontan Audubon Society and mail this form to:
Kathy Oakes, LAS Membership, 4120 Plateau Road, Reno, NV 89519

LAS SALES FORM

Price Postage TOTAL

Important Bird Areas of Nevada $19.95 $4.60 _____

Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2005

A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond--Second Edition $10 $2 _____

Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2007

Nevada Birding Map--Second Edition $ 4 $1 _____

Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2007

TOTAL ORDER _____

NAME (please print)______________________________________________________

ADDRESS_ ____________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________ STATE_ ________ ZIP CODE_____________
PHONE________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL_______________________________________________________________(in case of a question regarding your order)

Make checks payable to Lahontan Audubon Society and mail with this form to:
Jane Burnham, LAS Sales, 8071 Big River Drive, Reno, NV 89506

The Pelican 11
 Printed on Recycled Paper
THE PELICAN NonProfit org.
Lahontan Audubon Society U.S. Postage
P.O. Box 2304 paid
Reno, Nevada 89505 reno, nevada
permit no. 181

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

If your mailing label is highlighted, please

renew your local LAS membership now.

LAHONTAN AUDUBON SOCIETY

Officers President Karen Kish klkish@pyramid.net 841-1180

Vice President Alan Gubanich aag@unr.nevada.edu 857-0191
Treasurer Jane Burnham jane.burnham@sbcglobal.net 677-4178
Recording Secretary Bonnie Wagner bwagner@hyattclassic.com 829-6311
Trustees Seat #1 to 2011 Dave Straley dstraley@nvbell.net 832-9222
Seat #2 to 2011 Gene Hansel renohansel@hotmail.com 354-2150
Seat #3 to 2009 Ali Chaney ali_chaney@hotmtail.com 813-3494
Seat #4 to 2011 Kathy Oakes oakesy@sbcglobal.net 747-5446
Seat #5 to 2009 Jacque Lowery wbureno@sbcglobal.net 853-1302
Seat #6 to 2010 Linda Badzioch lbadzioch@pyramid.net 851-8353
Seat #7 to 2010 Kenn Rohrs karohrs@charter.net 849-9530

IBA Director Robin Powell rpowell@audubon.org 247-2798

Committee Activity/Program Alan Gubanich aag@unr.nevada.edu 857-0191

Chairs Birding Classes Bob Goodman pandion36@aol..com 972-7848
Birds & Books Reading Group Kenn Rohrs karhors@charter.net 849-9530
Communications Karen Kish klkish@pyramid.net 841-1180
Conservation Ali Chaney ali_chaney@hotmail.com 813-3494
Education Alan Gubanich aag@unr.nevada.edu 857-0191
Field Trips Christiane Omer happycpo@aol.com 354-2634
Hospitality Linda Badzioch lbadzioch@pyramid.net 851-8353
LAS Sales Jane Burnham jane.burnham@sbcglobal.net 677-4178
Membership Kathy Oakes oakesy@sbcglobal.net 747-5446

Publication and The Pelican Editor Jen Martin jensieb@gmail.com 742-2582
Information The Pelican Distribution Connie Douglas nevadaconnie@sbcglobal.net 425-1305
“Birds in Town” Alan Wallace wallacealan@sbcglobal.net 786-5755
LAS Info Line Jacque Lowery 324-BIRD
Web Master Steve Ting scting@charter.net 849-3725