Volume 76, Number 3 January/February 2010

WESTERN
TANAGER
a publication of Los Angeles Audubon www.laaudubon.org

Yellow-rumped Warblers and Titans of American Culture

Or, How Los Angeles Audubon Helped an Elementary School Install a Native Habitat

—by Mary Loquvam, Exec. Director, Los Angeles Audubon

wo titans of American culture they can explore all the wonders of months of planning, study, and site

T crossed paths on Saturday,

November 7th, their spirits and
joy of life blessing an historic Los
the natural world.

Recently, Los Angeles Audubon

Angeles Audubon event. Johnny
Mercer, iconic American songwriter, is
known and loved for hundreds of
songs including “Satin Doll”, “Black
Magic”, “Autumn Leaves”, and
“Blues in the Night”. Leo Politi,
beloved for his children’s books
embracing Los Angeles’
multiculturalism, children, history,
flora and fauna, wrote the 1950
Caldecott Medal winner, The Song of
the Swallows. Both men, I am sure,
looked down upon the events
unfolding in a school yard deep in our
urban core, and smiled.
formed a partnership with Leo Politi
Elementary School to expand the
scope of science-based nature
activities it offers its students. As a first
step, we successfully applied for a
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Grant to
install a native habitat on 6,000 square
feet of underutilized school yard.
What followed the award of the
$18,000 F&WS grant was several
preparation: Dorsey High School
students, participating in Los Angeles
Audubon’s Restoration Leader
Program, developed a restoration
curriculum and spent three afternoons
engaging Leo Politi students in soil
and native plant analysis, slope,
direction, and hydrology; Leo Politi
teacher, Linda Dowell, spent
afternoons exploring topics such as
JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, the water
cycle, and native plants with GATE
(Gifted and Talented Education)
students, so that they could mentor

Leo Politi Elementary School is

located in the midst of the Pico-
Union neighborhood, one of the
densest and most park poor in all of
Los Angeles. Yet since its
construction in 1991, the school has
emerged as an urban oasis for its 818
K-5 students, their families, the
community, and hundreds of birds—
some resident, some migratory. The
school’s vision seeks to fulfill Leo’s
dream of making this city a peaceful,
safe and happy place for its youngest
citizens—a place where their
imaginations can run wild and where
Over 300 volunteers turned out to help.
 other students; Principal Brad Rumble,
coordinated the school’s baseline bird
count; dozens of Leo Politi families
and teachers spent many a Saturday
morning removing Bermuda grass and
The mission of Los Angeles Audubon Society is to tilling the soil in preparation for the
promote the enjoyment and protection of birds and
other wildlife through recreation, education,
installation; and, Dr. Margot Griswold,
conservation and restoration. gave of her time and expertise
Los Angeles Audubon is a non-profit volunteer designing the habitat and procuring a
organization of people with a common interest in
birding and natural history. Los Angeles Audubon palette of native plants and trees.
maintains offices, a library, and bookstore, the
proceeds of which benefit all of its programs.
Then, on the cool and dewy
Los Angeles Audubon Society morning of November 7th, over 300
Audubon House
7377 Santa Monica Blvd.,
students, teachers, families and friends
The community pitches in.
W. Hollywood, CA 90046-6694 of Leo Politi Elementary School turned
Mailing Address
out to assist with the installation.
P.O. Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057 Dorsey Restoration Leaders guided
(323) 876-0202 (voice/messages)
teams of community volunteers with
(323) 876-7609 (fax) the planting and watering of over 500
LAAS@laaudubon.org (general email)
www.laaudubon.org
trees and plants. It was magical,
marvelous creative chaos!
Board Officers
President David De Lange
1st Vice President Garry George
2nd Vice President Paul Fox
At eleven, everyone took a break
Executive Secretary
Recording Secretary
Linda Oberholtzer
Eleanor Osgood
to celebrate, gathering in the school’s
Treasurer Lisa Fimiani courtyard. City Council Member Ed
Executive Past President Dexter Kelly
Reyes, in whose district Leo Politi
Programs & Activities Leo Politi choir sings Johnny Mercer.
Conservation Garry George ElementarySchool resides,
Field Trips
Bird Walks
Nick Freeman
Eleanor Osgood
commended the community for the
Pelagic Trips Phil Sayre restoration and gave the school and
Membership Meetings Mary Freeman
Ornithology Consultant Kimball Garrett Los Angeles Audubon a proclamation
Rare Bird Alert Jon Fisher
Report Rare Birds (323) 874-1318 from the City honoring our
Volunteer Coordinator Eleanor Osgood
Library Dorothy Schwarz
collaboration. Leo Politi fifth grader
Staff
Kevin Martinez, gave a speech
Executive Director Mary Loquvam describing how this project had
Director of Interpretation Stacey Vigallon
Audubon House Administrator Martha Balkan changed his life (please see text on
Membership Services Susan Castor
next page). Los Angeles Audubon
Audubon House Bookstore
Orders (888) 522-7428
then dedicated the habitat to its angel
Fax (323) 876-7609 patron, Johnny Mercer, to celebrate the
Bookstore Manager (323) 876-0202 Dorsey Restoration Leaders hard at work.
Hours Mon-Thurs 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. centennial of his birth and the Leo
1st Sat. ea. month 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Politi choir sang Johnny’s “Ac-cent-
Online Nature Store
www.losangelesaudubon.org/store
tchu-ate The Positive” and “Moon
River” as the grand finale!
WESTERN TANAGER
Published by Then it was over— the plants were
Los Angeles Audubon Society
in, the cookies were eaten, and the
Western Tanager is published bi-monthly. For address changes or
subscription problems call (323) 876-0202, or write to Member
crowds had gone home. Just a few
Services, Los Angeles Audubon, PO Box 931057, Los Angeles, CA
90093-1057. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months
lingered on, giving a final douse of
before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft
Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Linda Oberholtzer at
water to the plants, when suddenly, out
westerntanager@laaudubon.org. of nowhere, two Yellow-rumped
Editor Linda Oberholtzer
Layout Susan Castor
Warblers lit on two of the newly
Principal Rumbel and Los Angeles Audubon Exec.Dir.,
Proofreaders Hanna Hayman, Kimball Garrett planted oak trees! It was then I was Mary Loquvam receive commendation from
Printed on Recycled Paper sure that Johnny Mercer and Leo Politi City Councilman Ed Reyes.
were smiling on the new habitat!
2 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
 Transcript of speech by Leo
Politi Elementary School fifth
grader, Kevin Martinez, at
dedication of schoolyard habitat.
Good morning.
I have attended this fantastic school
since kindergarten, and every year has
been memorable.
But the only word I can think of to
describe this year, my final year here at
Leo Politi, is unforgettable. And that
is because I never expected I would
get to learn so much about nature.
My friends and I—and when I say
friends, I mean the nearly 800
students of Leo Politi—my friends—
and I are proud to be part of a project
which restores a portion of our campus
to how it might have looked before Los
Angeles even existed as a city.
We have learned how native plants
and trees can help the native birds,
insects and wildlife—even the
arachnids. Our schoolyard habitat will
be a very lovely home for all of them,
and a place where we kids can learn
about them.
I will leave Leo Politi at the end of this
school year. I cannot be like the Black
Phoebe or Northern Mockingbird who
are residents here all their lives. But,
like the Yellow-rumped Warblers who
migrate here, I will return to see the
garden grow. And as a big brother of
Kenny in grade 3 and Leslie in first
grade, I am thrilled that they will grow
up in a school with a native California
schoolyard habitat.
We appreciate the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
service for giving us this grant. Mary
and the people of L. A. Audubon—you
changed our lives. Dorsey High
School, thank you for teaching us more
about nature, and making us laugh at
the same time. Council member
Reyes...LAPD Olympic Division: we
know you care a lot about what
happens to us. That means a lot.
At Leo Politi, we are surrounded by
really awesome people—and birds.
Thank you.
Conservation Conversation
A REPORT ON CONSERVATION EFFORTS BY LOS ANGELES AUDUBON
MONTEBELLO HILLS
BACKGROUND:
An Audubon California “Important
Bird Area” located west of Whittier
Narrows, is slated for a suggested
housing development by its owner.
The site contains approximately
480 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat
and has California Gnatcatcher and
Cactus Wren populations. Plains
Exploration and Production Company’s
(PBX) real estate development arm,
wants to develop half of it with
housing and turn the other half of it
into a “gnatcatcher reserve.”
The owner of the property is Plains
Exploration and Production Company,
the Texas and Bakersfield oil and gas
company currently drilling in the
Baldwin Hills. The company also wants
to drill off the Coast of California.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS:
We wrote comments on the The
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Notice of Preparation (NOP),
to focus the City of Montebello (lead
agency) on Gnatcatchers and Cactus
Wrens. We partnered with Sierra Club,
Endangered Habitats League and the
Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) on strategy, and contributed fi-
nancially to an extensive biological sur-
vey and comment letter filed on behalf
of Endangered Habitats League.
LATEST REPORT:
The development lost its support in
the Montebello City Council as the
Mayor was ousted and two new City
Council members have been elected that
give a majority on the Council that does
not support the development, according
to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_13714891
Western Tanager
—By gARRY gEORGE
ELEPHANT HILLS (EL SERENO)
BACKGROUND:
Big developer, Monterey Hills
Investors, planned to build homes on
a hillside in El Sereno in the NE hills
of Los Angeles near Debs Park using
an EIR approved over twenty years
ago. Local residents, led by former
Audubon Center at Debs Park
Director, Elva Yañez, protested the
development to the City of Los
Angeles Planning Commission and
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose
Huizar. The city demanded an
updated EIR from the developer, the
developer sued, and the city just
settled the lawsuit and bought the
land for around 12 million dollars to
be 20 acres of open space.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS :
We wrote letters and met with Los
Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar
and testified publicly at the City of Los
Angeles Planning Commission and City
Council meetings.
LOS ANGELES RIVER
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has invited Los Angeles
Audubon to be one of a small group
of participants in a workshop on the
Los Angeles River Ecosystem
Restoration Study to be held on
December 2, 3, & 4, 2009. This is
because of our five year participation
on the Los Angeles River
Stakeholders Committee. We will be
briefed by the Army Corps on their
restoration alternatives from Verdugo
Wash downstream to 1st Street, and
discuss and provide ecosystem
restoration alternatives in the three
day session.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS :
January/February 2010 3
 We have been on the Los Angeles
River Stakeholders Committee since
around 2004, and have provided the
Los Angeles River Revitalization
Master Plan with comments, and
testified twice before the Los Angeles
City Council Ad Hoc River
Committee, chaired by
Councilmember Ed Reyes. We
discussed the importance of water
flow in the Los Angeles River to
migratory shorebirds that feed and
congregate on the lower Los Angeles
River, the impacts of the river
revitalization on birds in general, and
opportunities that might be available
for nature education and public bird
watching on the Los Angeles River.
ANTELOPE VALLEY
Los Angeles Audubon is
considering partnering with San
Fernando Valley Audubon on a study
and confidential mapping of sensitive
species including: Swainson’s Hawk,
Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover,
Burrowing Owl, Le Conte’s Thrasher
and other species of birds from our
article “Los Angeles County Sensitive
Bird Species” which appeared in the
Western Tanager Vol. 75 No. 3, Jan/Feb 2009.
This study could inform
permitting and wildlife agencies on
applications for large and small scale
solar and wind projects in the
Antelope Valley. This would add
another layer to the GIS layers of
other environmental groups on plants,
animals and other resources in the
desert that should be avoided by solar
projects, and hopefully direct them to
areas where environmental permits
may be easier to obtain. We hope.
SNOWY PLOVER ON
LOS ANGELES COUNTY BEACHES
Los Angeles Audubon held the
third conference for beach managers
and interested parties to present the
results and recommendations of the
2009 surveys of Snowy Plovers on
Los Angeles County Beaches. The
conference was held at Los Angeles
County Museum of Natural History.
Kimball Garrett welcomed the group.
4 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
Tom Ryan and Stacey Vigallon, led
the meeting attended by beach
managers from Los Angeles County
Beaches and Harbors, Hermosa
Beach, program partners from Palos
Verdes/South Bay Audubon, Santa
Monica Bay Audubon, potential
partners Heal the Bay, Cabrillo
Marine Aquarium, CalCoast, and by
representatives from California
Department of Fish & Game and U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service.
Protection of the Plovers on
Dockweiler Beach with symbolic
fencing and a permitted docent
program run by Los Angeles
Audubon, will hopefully be
completed in the near future, pursuant
to a Memorandum of Understanding
between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service and the Los Angeles County
Beaches & Harbors.
Attending for Los Angeles
Audubon were Mary Loquvam, Garry
George, and Stacey Vigallon. Tom
Ryan’s Power Point presentation is
available upon request. Email
requests to:
snowyplover@laaudubon.org
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS :
Los Angeles Audubon, in
partnership with Tom Ryan, initiated
this program in 2005, funded by
grants. Stacey Vigallon first joined
Los Angeles Audubon as Volunteer
Coordinator and biologist for this
project, replacing Jenny Jones when
she moved. This is a citizen science
project with data provided mostly by
volunteers from the three chapters of
Audubon that are partnered. The first
surveys found a freshly killed Snowy
Plover in a tire track at Zuma, which
added a sense of urgency to the work.
The project hopes to find the first
breeding record of Snowy Plover on
Los Angeles County beaches since
1949, and has already recorded pre-
breeding behaviors. Western Snowy
Plover, is a threatened species under
the Endangered Species Act.
TNR ORDINANCE AT CITY OF
BEVERLY HILLS
The City of Beverly Hills, Los
Angeles Audubon, Urban Wildlands
Group, Endangered Habitats League,
and American Bird Conservancy have
entered into an agreement which
extends the deadline under the
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) for filing of a lawsuit on the
City’s adoption of an ordinance
allowing Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)
of feral and domestic cats without
environmental review. This gives the
coalition of environmentalists the
opportunity to work with the City of
Beverly Hills on the enactment of the
ordinance to address our concerns for
the welfare of birds and other
wildlife. The city concluded that an
environmental review was not
necessary in adopting the ordinance,
an opinion which the coalition of
environmentalists does not share.
OUR CONTRIBUTIONS :
Los Angeles Audubon joined the
coalition of environmental groups in
opposing the ordinance publicly and
in written comments, and has joined
the coalition in a lawsuit against the
City of Los Angeles for adopting a
TNR policy without environmental
review. Los Angeles Audubon and
National Audubon Society do not
support TNR as we do not support the
release of domestic or feral cats into
the natural environment. Scientific
evidence shows that TNR does not
reduce the number of cats in a colony
and may actually increase them, and
the impacts on native wildlife is not
considered in TNR programs.
Predation by cats is one of the biggest
reasons for the decline of migratory
and resident songbirds in North
America after habitat loss and
collision with man made structures.
Follow Los Angeles Audubon’s
conservation efforts on our
Conservation Blog.
Go to our website
www.laaudubon.org,
under MAIN MENU, click
CONSERVATION & RESTORATION,
click CONSERVATION BLOG.
 Interpreting Nature
Students Teaching Students:
Creating Opportunities for
Environmental Mentorship
“I expected it to be a piece of
cake, but I was really nervous being a
teacher,” explained June Blassingame
about his experience teaching
elementary school students about
habitat and wildlife.
June is one of more that 20 high
school students in Los Angeles
Audubon’s Baldwin Hills Greenhouse
Program who developed
environmental curriculum and taught
dozens of students in first through fifth
grade at Leo Politi Elementary School
during the 2009-2010 school year. The
goal of the curriculum was not only to
place high school students in a
mentorship role, but also to give the
elementary school students the
knowledge and skills they needed to
convert 6000 square feet of their
school yard into native habitat for
wildlife. Beginning in the summer of
2009, Greenhouse Interns and
Restoration Leaders spent several
afternoons writing their environmental
curriculum. They studied California
State Education Science Standards,
elementary school science textbooks,
and used the information they
themselves learned at Greenhouse
Boot Camp to craft lessons that
addressed how to use a compass, how
to sample soil, the differences between
native and invasive plants, and the
concept of biodiversity.
“We wanted to make sure they
were equipped with the knowledge
they needed,” June explains again,
“but in a fun, interesting way.”
Danya Ruiz added, “We needed to
make sure that we could fit important
information in small activities.”
Most students found the
challenges of writing the curriculum
manageable, but actually
implementing that curriculum with
younger students was a different story.
“Writing the curriculum was a lot
more organized than teaching the
kids!” said Joyce Realegeno.
Kimberly Garcia agreed. “Writing
and teaching are way different.”
Greenhouse Program students, all
from Dorsey High School, visited Leo
Politi Elementary School three times
in the fall of 2009. For all three visits,
high school students found themselves
coordinating over 40 enthusiastic
elementary school students eager to
learn and thrilled to be outside the
classroom. High school students had
to implement their curriculum
outdoors, without chairs and
chalkboards, engaging younger
students in hands-on learning
experiences, a daring feat for any
teacher. Everyone got their hands in
the soil. Everyone ran around for
“Foxes Through the City,” a version
of “tag” that taught young students
about the challenges that urban
wildlife species face. Though it
wasn’t easy, Greenhouse Program
students found the process extremely
rewarding and felt they had a big
impact on the younger students.
“It was very exciting when I
would ask them a question on what I
taught them and they answered it,”
described Jessica Sosa, “I was like,
‘Yeah, I did my job.’”
“You get inspired because they
look up to you and you want to help
more,” said Emily Cobar.
Both Dorsey High and Leo Politi
Elementary face many of the
Western Tanager
—By Stacey Vigallon,
Director of Interpretation
obstacles common among inner-city
Los Angeles public schools, from
extreme budget shortfalls to student
populations that come from
economically challenged
communities. In bringing these
students together, we hoped to
create an opportunity for students to
find common ground in the cause of
environmental stewardship. That
commitment to habitat restoration
was made abundantly clear on
November 7th, 2009, when students
from both schools, parents, teachers,
and members of the local
community worked together to
install the 6000 square foot native
plant garden during one of Los
Angeles Audubon’s TogetherGreen
Volunteer Day’s events.
“It makes me feel like I’m doing
something important,” summed up
Hana Kim, “Creating those bonds and
being somewhat of a role model is
like leaving footprints in their hearts.”
Greenhouse Program students
will return to Leo Politi in March
2010 to teach younger students about
birds and pollinators in the new
native plant garden.
The Baldwin Hills Greenhouse
Program is the result of a partnership
between Los Angeles Audubon and
NewFields, with funding from the
Baldwin Hills Conservancy and
TogetherGreen. This is the program’s
second year. A huge THANK YOU! is
extended to the faculty and staff of Leo
Politi for their support and faith in this
mentorship project, as well as to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for
providing funding for the new native
plant garden.
January/February 2010 5
 birds of the season
id-September through
M early November encom-
passes the second half of
fall passerine migration, the arrival
of increasing numbers of waterfowl
and the end of ‘shorebird season’.
Thus autumn always presents bird-
ers with the challenge of how to go
everywhere we’d like to with a fi-
nite amount of time.
Things quieted down on the
lower LA River after August and
September, but passerines picked up
the slack. As expected, the period
produced a wide variety of vagrants.
Reports ranged from waterfowl to
buntings and orioles and included
nearly everything in between.
There was a notable movement
of Greater White-fronted Geese in
early October. In the San Gabriel
Valley at least one flock of up to
twenty birds was at both Peck Park
and Santa Fe Dam between October
1-3 (Andrew Lee, John Garrett).
Smaller numbers were found at
Hansen Dam, Peck Park in Arcadia,
Bonelli Park, Harbor Regional Park
and along the lower LA River. In
the desert, twenty-seven were at the
Piute Ponds on October 1 (Mike
San Miguel).
Three White-winged Scoters
were at Quail Lake near Gorman
on November 8 where small
numbers were present last winter
(Jon Fisher).
6 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
Other waterfowl included two
rather early Bufflehead at the
Ballona Creek mouth on
September 26 (Roy Van de Hoek).
Always unusual inland was an
immature Brown Pelican at
Bonelli Park in San Dimas from
October 1-9 (Rod Higbie).
Increasing along the southern
California coast but still quite rare
in LA County was a Brown
Booby seen well offshore on
September 7 (Terry Hunefeld).
Of much less regular occurrence
was a Red-footed Booby which
rode into Santa Monica Bay
aboard a ship it alighted on near
Anacapa Island on September 20.
It departed the ship the following
morning near Point Dume
(Michael Force).
There were a number of
coastal slope reports of White-
faced Ibis including an
impressive flock of over 400 birds
above Pasadena on September 17
(Dan Cooper).
Raptors of note included a
flock of sixty-three Swainson’s
Hawks over Westchester on
October 17 (Kevin Larson) and a
rather early Ferruginous Hawk
in the Ballona area on October 1
(Dan Cooper). Away from the
deserts, a Prairie Falcon was at
Hansen Dam on October 11
—by Jon Fisher
(Kimball Garrett) and one was
seen flying over Calabasas on
November 1 (Jon Fisher).
Two adult Sabine’s Gulls
were at the Piute Ponds on
Edwards AFB on September 14
(Jim Abernathy, Jim Hardesty).
Pectoral Sandpipers,
typically uncommon but regular
migrants in fall, moved through
the area in good numbers in late
September. Sixteen were seen on
the lower LA River on September
24 and nineteen were still there
on October 5 (Richard Barth,
Andrew Lee).
Elsewhere, a half dozen
Pectorals were at the Piute Ponds
from September 26-October 1
(Mike San Miguel) and three were
at Bonelli Park in San Dimas from
September 27-October 4 (Sister
Mary Colombiere).
The last report of Baird’s
Sandpipers was of two on the
lower LA River on September 24
(Richard Barth).
A Dunlin was at an odd
location- Polliwog Park in
Manhattan Beach- on September
25 (Don Sterba), and unusual
inland were two at the gravel pits
near Irwindale on September 26
(Ed Stonick).
 Columbids included a White-
winged Dove in Pico Rivera on
October 3 (Larry Schmahl) and a
Common Ground-Dove-
surprisingly scarce in the county-
along the lower San Gabriel River
on October 10 (John Garrett).
Burrowing Owls are always
scarce on the coastal slope even
as transients. Two reports
included a bird returning to the
Ballona area- likely for another
winter- present from September
28-October 19 (Jonathan Coffin)
and one was found dead in
Exposition Park on 25 October
(Kimball Garrett).
A Lewis’s Woodpecker at
Jackson Lake near Wrightwood on
October 24 was the first in the
county this fall (Ron Cyger), and
by November 7 eight were there
(Mark Scheel). On the coastal
slope one was in San Gabriel
(Tom Wurster) and seven were in
La Verne on November 5 (Dan
Gregory). In addition, a number
of others have already been
reported in southern California.
Other unusual woodpecker
reports included a Nuttall’s
Woodpecker away from expected
locales, and a male Northern
“Yellow-shafted” Flicker, both at
Harbor Park in Wilmington on
October 25 (Martin Byhower).
Another Yellow-shafted was at
Mountain View Cemetery in
Altadena on October 31 (Rick
Swartzentrover), and one was at
Quail Lake on November 11
(Kimball Garrett).
Away from normal areas of
occurrence were Hairy
Woodpeckers in Calabasas on
November 1 (Jon Fisher) and at
Veteran’s Park in Sylmar on
November 3 (Richard Barth).
Tropical Kingbirds, rare but
regular in fall, were along the
lower LA River on October 6, at
El Dorado Park in Long Beach on
October 15 (Karen Gilbert, Jeff
Boyd), and at Lindberg Park in
Culver City on November 5 (Don
Sterba). A probable Tropical was
heard but never seen at Banning
Park in Wilmington on October 11
(Tom Wurster).
A somewhat late Western
Kingbird was at Legg Lake in
South El Monte on October 10
(Andrew Lee) and still later birds
were at Banning Park on October
11 (Tom Wurster) and at Forest
Lawn in Glendale on October 26
(Richard Barth). The most recent
report was from Hansen Dam on
November 7 (Kimball Garrett).
While Westerns were once
virtually unheard of after
September, these days no kingbird
in late fall and winter can be
assumed to be Cassin’s.
Also running late were Ash-
throated Flycatchers at Hansen
Dam on October 4 (Kimball
Garrett), on the lower LA River
on October 5 (Richard Barth) and
at Peck Park in Arcadia on
October 9 (Jon Fisher).
Remarkable was an Eastern
Phoebe found at the Ballona
Freshwater Marsh on September
22 (Don Sterba). This is an
unprecedented early date for this
species in the county.
The returning Gray
Flycatcher continued at Bonelli
Park in San Dimas and others
were at Santa Fe Dam on
September 3 and at Lacy Park in
San Marino from October 30-
Western Tanager
November 3 (both John Garrett).
Plumbeous Vireos seem to
increase every year. There were a
number of reports of fall migrants
and these will inevitably be
followed by the usual slew of
wintering birds on the coastal
slope. This species now far
outnumbers Cassin’s in winter.
The only vireo of note was a
very good one— a White-eyed
Vireo was at DeForest Park in
Long Beach from September 22-
27 (Karen Gilbert, Jeff Boyd).
With this year’s late spring bird
also at DeForest, the number of
LA County records of this species
has nearly doubled in the span of
three months.
A Northern Rough-winged
Swallow at Holiday Lake in the
Antelope Valley on November 2 was
late for the high desert (Cal Yorke).
Several reports from last
summer foreshadowed a
movement of White-breasted
Nuthatches, and small numbers
of birds did appear in the
lowlands this fall, with reports
scattered across the coastal slope,
generally close to the foothills.
Infrequent away from
breeding areas was a Brown
Creeper at Lacy Park in San
Marino on October 23. By early
November several were present
there (John Garrett).
A Winter Wren near Chantry
Flat above Arcadia on November
8 was the only one reported thus
far (Mark & Janet Scheel).
An influx of Golden-crowned
Kinglets was evident in southern
California in October and early
January/February 2010 7
November, but as yet reports from
LA County have been sparse.
The first Varied Thrush
report was a bird in Evey Canyon
north of Claremont on November
8 (Brian Elliott), while another
unusual thrush was a Townsend’s
Solitaire at Veteran’s Park in
Sylmar on October 20 (Richard
Barth). Solitaires are remarkably
scarce on the coastal slope.
A Gray Catbird, a regular
vagrant in Kern but quite rare in
LA County, was at Holiday Lake
in the western Antelope Valley on
October 15 (Cal Yorke). This
locality has proven its potential as
a vagrant trap over the years and
could definitely benefit from
more regular coverage.
The Claremont Colleges
Campus hosted a Sage Thrasher
on October 25 (Cathy McFadden,
Paul Clarke).
While birders know that most
anything is possible when it
comes to vagrants, some birds
still inspire a double-take. One
such example was a LA County’s
first ever Curve-billed Thrasher
discovered by a consultant
working on private property in the
San Gabriel Valley on September
1 (Kimball Garrett); there are a
handful of records from the
eastern deserts, but not even an
optimistic birder would have
expected this bird at this locale.
Two Horned Larks,
typically hard to find on the
coastal plain, were at Santa Fe
Dam in Irwindale on October 3
(Andrew Lee).
Wood warblers were well
represented during the period. In
8 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
addition to our regular western
migrants, a Tennessee Warbler
was on the USC Campus in Los
Angeles on October 1 (Kimball
Garrett) and Lucy’s Warblers
were at Peck Park in Arcadia on
September 20 (Andrew Lee) and
at Creek Park in La Mirada on
September 22-October 3
(Jonathan Rowley).
A female Northern Parula
was at Apollo Park in Lancaster
on September 19 (Nick & Mary
Freeman) and two left over from
last spring’s nesting attempt were
at the Village Green Condos in
Los Angeles through October 6
(Don Sterba). Another parula was
at Oak Park Cemetery in
Claremont from September 4-26
(Mike San Miguel Jr.).
Also at Oak Park Cemetery
was a Chestnut-sided Warbler
seen from October 11-13 (Mike
San Miguel Jr.) while another
was in Pico Rivera from
November 6-8 (Larry Schmahl).
Other wood warblers included
a Magnolia Warbler at El
Dorado Park in Long Beach on
October 15 (Karen Gilbert, Jeff
Boyd), a Blackburnian Warbler
at Creek Park in La Mirada on
September 25 (Donna Bray) and
a rare Yellow-throated Warbler
at DeForest Park in Long Beach
on October 29 (Karen Gilbert,
Jeff Boyd).
Palm Warblers were at
Harbor Park in Wilmington on
October 25 (Martin Byhower) and
at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh
on November 6 (Chris Lord).
A handful of Blackpoll
Warblers included birds at Peck
Park in Arcadia on September 20,
at Banning Park in Wilmington
on September 27 (both Andrew
Lee) and again at Peck Park in
Arcadia from September 29-
October 1 (Mike San Miguel).
Finally, two were at Legg Lake in
South El Monte on October 10
(Andrew Lee).
American Redstarts were at
Sand Dune Park in Manhattan
Beach on September 12 (Lori &
Mark Conrad) and at Creek Park
in La Mirada on September 22
(Jonathan Rowley).
Also at Creek Park was a rare
Prothonotary Warbler on
September 23 (Jonathan Rowley).
The only Northern
Waterthrush was one at Peck
Park in Arcadia on September 29
(Mike San Miguel).
Black-and-white Warblers
were at Ladera Park in Ladera
Heights on September 25
(Richard Barth), at Sand Dune
Park in Manhattan Beach on
October 4 (Lori & Mark Conrad),
near Whittier Narrows on October
24 (Andrew Lee), at Charles
Wilson Park in Torrance on
October 30 (Richard Barth) and at
Neff Park in La Mirada on
October 31 (Jonathan Rowley).
A female Summer Tanager
was at Creek Park in La Mirada
on October 3 (Jonathan Rowley),
while another was at the
Arboretum in Arcadia on October
4 (Mary Jane Macy). One that
appeared to be of the western
cooperi race- expected as a
breeding bird in the interior but
not coastally- was at Woodlawn
Cemetery in Santa Monica on
October 6 (Richard Barth).
 Green-tailed Towhees were at
Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont
on September 18 (Tom Miko) and
again on October 11 (Cathy
McFadden, Paul Clarke). Another
was at a feeder in Malibu in late
September (Scott King) while the
latest was at Sepulveda Basin on
November 7 (Hiroshi Kano).
A Black-throated Sparrow at
Peck Park in Arcadia on October
1 was the only one reported
during the period (John Kelly).
Several Vesper Sparrows
were found, with birds at Creek
Park in La Mirada on September
23 (Jonathan Rowley), at Santa Fe
Dam from October 3-9 (Andrew
Lee), at Hansen Dam on October
4-24 (Kimball Garrett) and one
near Balboa Lake in Van Nuys on
October 11 (Jon Fisher).
A few Clay-colored
Sparrows turned up, with birds
at Ladera Park in Ladera Heights
on October 3 (Richard Barth), at
the Huntington Gardens in San
Marino on October 31 (Ron
Cyger), at Valhalla Cemetery in
Burbank on November 4 and at
Los Angeles State Historical
Park on November 7 (both
Richard Barth).
There were few reports of
Brewer’s Sparrows, but singles
were at Hansen Dam on
September 24 and October 4
(Kimball Garrett) and four were
at Santa Fe Dam on October 3
along with a rarely recorded
migrant Grasshopper Sparrow
(Andrew Lee).
One and possibly two
Dickcissels were at Malibu Lagoon
on September 13 (Dan Cooper).
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak
was at Bonelli Park in San Dimas
on September 29 (Rod Higbie),
while Indigo Buntings included
one at Peck Park in Arcadia on
September 20 (Andrew Lee) and
another at Oak Park Cemetery in
Claremont on October 11 (Cathy
McFadden, Paul Clarke).
Only a few Bobolinks were
reported, with up to three at
Hansen Dam from September 20
- October 11 (Kimball Garrett)
and one at Bonelli Park in San
Dimas from October 4-10
(Andrew Lee). Population
declines are undoubtedly
affecting the numbers of birds
appearing in California.
Orchard Orioles were at Peck
Park in Arcadia on September 26
(Jon Fisher) and at DeForest Park
in Long Beach on September 29
(Jeff Boyd, Richard Barth) and a
Baltimore Oriole was at the LA
National Cemetery on October 1.
A female oriole, presumed to be a
Hooded Oriole, was at Lacy Park
in San Marino on November 2
(John Garrett).
The only Yellow-headed
Blackbirds reported were along
the lower LA River in Paramount
on September 20 (Richard Barth).
A review of these reports
reveals that many vagrants are
found in just a few prime
locations. Clearly these are
productive birding spots and
well worth covering, but how
many other unknown patches are
out there? The county is loaded
with parks, cemeteries, riparian
corridors and miscellaneous
patches that get little to no
attention. The comparatively
slow winter season is a good
Western Tanager
time to check out these ‘new’
and under-birded areas.
On another front, the Station
Fire has resulted in the closure
of a good chunk of the Angeles
National Forest, supposedly
through September of 2010.
This puts a number of birding
locations off limits, but there is
still access to that portion of the
San Gabriels east of Highway
39, and to the ANF north and
west of the 14 Freeway.
If you’re looking for
something to do, Christmas Bird
Counts are nearly upon us and
most of them can benefit from
additional help. If you don’t
already participate in one or
more CBCs, it’s a worthwhile
endeavor and quite a lot of fun to
boot.
Otherwise, the Antelope
Valley offers good- though often
cold and windy- winter birding,
and checking the northwest
county’s lakes and reservoirs can
also pay off. These often
produce unusual gulls and
waterbirds. There’s an awful lot
of territory in this part of the
county and it makes for a nice
quiet change from birding the
crowded LA basin.
Also worthwhile are Pt.
Vicente, Pt. Dume and Leo
Carrillo which are often good in
winter for pelagics close to
shore— tubenoses, jaegers, alcids
and others. Patience is required
though, as some days are fruitless.
But not knowing what you’re
going to find is one of the most
intriguing aspects of birding.
January/February 2010 9

Field trips often require more
time or effort than do bird
walks. They delve more deeply
into identification, natural
histories and interactions
observed in the field. No pets
or small children, please.
Contact information will be
released for carpooling unless
requested otherwise.
Before setting out on any event,
please call the LAAS bird tape at
(323) 874-1318, Option #4.
For a recorded message with
special instructions or possible
cancellations that may have
occurred.
Same will be posted on our
website.
www.laaudubon.org
Saturday, January 9
East Antelope Valley
Leader: Stan Gray. We will be birding
beyond 50th Street East for much of the
day, in areas sometimes neglected by
birders. However, Stan birds this area
regularly, and knows that Mountain
Plover, raptors, Le Conte’s Thrasher and
other AV specialties are sometimes
easier to find in the far eastern reaches
of the Valley. Take Hwy 14 N to Avenue
S (next to Lake Palmdale). Drive into
the Park-and-Ride just to the east of the
off-ramp. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the W end
of the main lot. Bring lunch and a full
tank of gas for a full day of splendor in
the alfalfa. No fee, no reservation.
‘Scopes and FRS radios helpful.
Saturday, January 16
Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area
Leader: Kris Ohlenkamp. “Freeway
close” morning of birding. Kris has led
this walk on-and-off for over 30 years,
noting 240 species, and averaging 60-65
per walk. Take the 405 Fwy N into the
San Fernando Valley, turn W on
Burbank Blvd. and N (Rt.) on Woodley
Ave. to the second Rt., which is marked
“Wildlife Reserve”. Turn here and park
in the lot at the end. Meet at 8:00 a.m.,
and bird until about 11:30 a.m.
10 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
Field Trips
January 23 & 24 Weekend
Salton Sea
Leaders: Nick & Mary Freeman.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. Saturday at the
Wister Unit parking lot, 5 miles north
of Niland. Calipatria Inn (800) 830-
1113 (leader’s preference) and
Brawley Inn (760) 344-1199 are
recommended. Yellow-footed Gull,
Snow & Ross's Geese, Sandhill
Cranes, Stilt Sandpiper, and Gila
Woodpecker all hopeful to certain.
No limit, but sign up with $15 check,
phone number, your email address (or
SASE for confirmation and more
details. Meet at 7:00 a.m. Saturday at
the Wister Unit parking lot by the
port-a-potty. This is 5 miles north of
Niland where Davis Road joins Hwy
111. FRS radios & 'scopes helpful.
Arrive fed and gassed up, bring
lunches, those who wish will dine
together in Brawley.
Saturday, January 30
Newport Back Bay
Leader: Mary Freeman. Meet at 8:00
a.m. for the 6.8’ high tide, and a full day
of birding. High tide at the mouth of the
bay is 8:37. Nelson’s Sparrow and
Short-eared Owl (both rare), California
Gnatcatcher, three rails, and American
Bittern will be target birds. Take the 405
Fwy. S to the 73 Toll Road (free this far)
to the Campus Dr. exit, which becomes
Bristol St. Turn right on Irvine Ave.,
drive 1.4 miles, then turn left on a small
street called University Drive. Park at the
end, walk down the hill, over the bridge,
and to the end of the boardwalk. No sign
up or fee. Bring lunch.
February 6 & 7 Weekend
Carrizo Plain
Leaders: Mary & Nick Freeman. Meet
at 8 a.m. in Maricopa. Spectacular
scenery. We will see Ferruginous
Hawks, Golden Eagles, Le Conte’s
Thrasher, and pronghorn; with likely
Rough-legged Hawk, Mountain Plover
and possible Sandhill Crane. We will
meet in Maricopa, drive around the
Plain all weekend (exact route
depending on road conditions), then
leave the Plain heading north via
Bitterwater Road on Sunday before we
away to L.A. If possible, please carpool
or avail your vehicle to others when you
reserve. Your phone number will be
released for carpooling unless you
request otherwise. Send name, phone
number, email address SASE, and $15
per person to sign up. Reserve a room
in Buttonwillow for Saturday night.
Motel 6 is one option here. FRS radios
& ‘scopes helpful. Limit 14.
Friday, February 19
Gull Study Workshop Lecture
Speaker Larry Allen will discuss most
gulls that have appeared in North
America –most of which have made it to
California. Larry will specifically
address general aspects of gull
topography, the confusing logic of molt
sequences, and the finer aspects of
identification to age and species. Slides,
study skins and handouts will be used.
Meet at Audubon House, 7-10 p.m., with
one break. 20 maximum. Provide $15
fee, phone number, your email address
and a SASE to Los Angeles Audubon,
which reserves you for the lecture & field
trip. We will send your confirmation and
directions in the SASE (or to your email
address). Lecture and Field Trip NOT
offered separately. Park in the south lot,
so you don't get locked in.
Sunday, February 21
Gull Study Workshop Field Trip.
Leader: Larry Allen. Put your new
knowledge to use in the field, perhaps even
identifying California & Ring-billed Gulls
as they fly overhead! Meet at 7:45 a.m. at
Doheny State Beach in Orange County, and
ogle the gulls until we’re all gull
identification experts! Doheny is a drive,
but we have seen large numbers of gulls on
our workshops here, including a Glaucous
and a Lesser Black-backed! 20 maximum.
See above instructions to reserve. Lecture
and Field Trip NOT offerred separately
Parking fee. Usual start time 8:00
a.m.(details in confirmation) Bring a lunch.

Sunday, February 28
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge staff, volunteer John Nieto, and
Nick Freeman will drive up to 24 lucky
participants around this prime limited-
access wetlands site where wintering
birds such as Pacific Golden-Plover,
Mountain Plover, Sage Thrasher,
numerous raptors, and often Nelson's
(Sharp-tailed) Sparrow are sighted.
The refuge is part of the Naval
Weapons Station. Send SASE, with
your email address and phone number
(phone # required) by February 18.
Only SASE-confirmed U.S. citizens
with photo ID are allowed on base. No
cameras or weapons. Meet at the main
public lot at 800 Seal Beach Blvd. at
7:30 a.m., and bird until noon. Take
Seal Beach Blvd. S from the 405 Fwy,
pass Westminster Blvd., turn left onto
the base at the Forrestal Lane light, and
left again into the lot. No fee, but
SASE sign-up required.
Sunday, March 7
Ventura County Game Preserve
Leader: Irwin Woldman. The private duck
hunting club in Ventura has a long history
of producing the kinds of birds that most
rich, well-birded and disappearing habitats
can lay claim to, including Sora and
Virginia Rails, American Bittern, Eurasian
Wigeon, dark morph Red-tailed Hawk,
Golden Eagle, and one Lesser Sand-
Plover. Emphasis on shorebirds for this
date. Get to the preserve by taking the 101
Fwy W to Rice Avenue S, following the
Rice Ave. prompts to the T-intersection,
then take Hueneme Rd. west just past the
buildings on the right. Meet on the side of
the road at 7:30 a.m. Free. No sign-up
required. We will walk the property, so
good hiking/mud shoes with energetic legs
inside a plus. We may have one car.
‘Scopes & FRS radios helpful.
March 20 & 21 Weekend
Anza Borrego Birds, Butterflies
and Beyond
Leader: Fred Heath. High points
over the years: blooming desert
evening-primrose and indigo bush,
chuckwalla, collared lizard, desert
bighorn (annual), Swainson’s Hawks
Field Trips
Le Conte’s Thrasher, Long-eared Owl
(hopeful). Suggested
accommodations: Tamarisk Grove
Campground (reserve through
www.reserveamerica.com), or
Stanlund Motel in Borrego Springs
(760) 767-5501. Anticipate a busy
weekend, and reserve camping (up to
3 months early) and motels very
early. Meet at 7a.m. at Yaqui Wells
across from Tamarisk Grove
Campground. Limit 20 people.
Reserve with phone number, your
email address, SASE and $15 fee to
Los Angeles Audubon to learn more
details. Pleasant to warm days, cool
to cold nights (30-100°F!).
April 10 & 11 Weekend
Owens Valley Grouse Trip
Mary and Nick Freeman lead.
Greater Sage Grouse on the lek,
breathtaking scenery. Meet early
Saturday and Sunday mornings in
Bishop. Limited to 20. To sign up,
send $55 (Schreiber Grant
fundraiser), phone number, your
email address and SASE to Los
Angeles Audubon. More details in
confirmation mailer/emailer. Reserve
rooms early. Motel 6, Mountain
View Inn, Bishop Elms are some of
many hotels in Bishop.
May 1-2 Weekend
16th Annual Kern River Valley
Spring Nature Festival
Come visit "America's Birdiest Inland
County" ’04 -‘07. Over 200 bird species
seen during the festival! Trips spanning
Central Valley/Giant Sequoias/Kern
River Valley/Mojave Desert/Owens
Valley. Check the Audubon California
Kern River Preserve website for
complete details and instructions on how
to participate.
www.kern.audubon.org/KRVSNF.htm
May 14-17 Long Weekend
Kern River Valley Spring
Migrants and Vagrants
Leader: Bob Barnes. This trip will
be devoted to experiencing the
waves of Spring migrants that push
up through the mountains this time
Western Tanager
of year, as well as searching out
vagrants that frequently show up
with them. Reservations needed.
This joint field trip is being
organized by Sea and Sage
Audubon. For more information
and to reserve visit
www.seaandsageaudubon.org.
June 11-14 Long Weekend
High Sierra Breeding Birds
Leader: Bob Barnes. 150 species
likely in 4 days. Meet in Inyokern
for Friday morning's start. All other
days start early in Kernville. Joint
trip with our good neighbors in Sea
& Sage Audubon Society. To
reserve, and receive trip
information including lodging, send
SASE, email address, phone number
and $15 for each day attended ($60
for 4 days), to Los Angeles
Audubon. Maximum 15. Lots of
driving, so bring a friend, and we
will carpool. Contact information.
will be released for carpooling.
More information in March/April,
2010 Western Tanager.
TO RESERVE FIELD TRIPS BY MAIL–
Send check, complete contact
information for each
participant, and a Self-
Addressed Stamped Envelope
(SASE) (for your confirmation
and detailed information
mailer) to:
Los Angeles Audubon
PO Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
TO RESERVE BY PHONE–
When phone sign-up is
requested, but no fee is
necessary:
Call (323) 876-0202, M-Thur.
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
January/February 2010 11
 Bird Walks
Bird Walks are geared for the beginner/intermediate bird watcher looking for an introduction to local birds or a less
strenous excursion. Appropriate for young bird watchers age 6 years and older. Carpooling is encouraged. Binoculars
are provided on some walks as noted below. NO sign-up, NO fees, just show up!

Topanga State Park Birdwalk Franklin Canyon Dr is directly across

(Topanga, CA 90290)
1st Sunday of every month
Sunday, January 3
Sunday, February 7
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: Ken Wheeland and Chris
Tosdevin
Ken and Chris will lead participants
through this beautiful and diverse coastal
mountain area. An ideal trip for a
beginning birder or someone new to the
area. Directions: From Pacific Coast
Hwy, take Topanga Canyon Blvd. 5
miles to Entrada. From Ventura Blvd,
take Topanga Canyon Blvd 7 miles S.
Turn E uphill on Entrada Rd. Follow the
signs and turn left into Trippet Ranch
parking lot. Rd. Parking fee.
Contacts: Ken: (310) 455-1401,
ksafarri@aol.com;
Chris: (310) 455-1270
Franklin Canyon
Sooky Goldman Nature Center
(2600 Franklin Canyon Dr.,
Beverly Hills, CA 90210)
Second Sunday of the month
Sunday, January 10
Sunday, February 14
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Leader: Eleanor Osgood
This canyon is a hidden treasure where
the surrounding urban residences of
Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills
disappear from view. We expect to see
wintering birds such as Hermit Thrush,
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-
crowned Kinglets, White-crowned
Sparrows as well as the resident birds
such as Spotted Towhee, California
Thrasher and Acorn Woodpecker.
Directions from Sunset: Take
Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland Dr.
Turn left on Mulholland. Make left
turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr.
12 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
from the entrance to TreePeople at a
somewhat complicated intersection (a
5 way signal). At the signal make a 90
degree left turn. Drive down the
residential road to the first stop sign;
turn left into the parking lot. We will
be birding the area around the parking
lot for the first 15 minutes. Participants
who are lost may call (424) 298-1376
after 8:00 a.m.
If you wish to carpool, or for more
information, contact Eleanor Osgood at
volunteer@laaudubon.org or call (310)
839-5420. Binoculars provided.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
(Los Angeles, CA 90056) in Baldwin Hills.
3rd Saturday of the month
Saturday, January 16
Saturday, February 13
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: Eric and Ann Brooks;
Eleanor Osgood
This trip covers landscaped parkland,
a lake and natural coastal scrub
habitats and is paced for beginning
birders. We will look for wintering
birds such as Merlin, Hermit Thrush,
White-crowned, Fox and Golden-
crowned Sparrows, various ducks, as
well as resident birds such as Song
Sparrows, California and Spotted
Towhees, Red-tailed Hawks, herons
and egrets among others. Directions:
The park entrance is off of La Cienega
Blvd. between Rodeo Rd. and Stocker
St. After passing the entrance kiosk
($6.00 parking fee) turn left (leading
to the “Olympic Forest”) and park in
the first available spaces.
If you wish to carpool, or for more
information, contact Eleanor Osgood
at volunteer@laaudubon.org or
(310) 839-5420.
Binoculars provided.
Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk
3rd Sunday of the month August
through May, with the exception of
December.
Sunday, January 17
Sunday, February 21
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: Bob Shanman and Friends
Join us for a walk through L.A.’s
only remaining saltwater marsh and
the adjacent rocky jetty. Wintering
shorebirds and terns should be
present, plus the resident Black
Oystercatchers frequent the rocky
shores of Ballona Creek.
Directions: Meet at the Del Rey
Lagoon
(6660 Esplanade Place, Playa Del
Rey, CA 90293) parking lot. Take
the Marina Fwy (90) to Culver Blvd
and turn left for a mile. Turn right
on Pacific Ave. The lot is on the
right. Lot or street parking is
usually not a problem. Three hour
walk. ‘scopes helpful.
Contact: Bob 310-326-2473;
wbutorrance@gmail.com
 International Birding Tours

Two Exceptional Countries, One Outstanding Journey

Join Olga Clarke, Los Angeles Audubon Travel director

COSTA RICA PANAMA

March 5 to 15, 2010 March 15 to 22, 2010

Two of the world's premier natural history
destinations. Well known by birders throughout
the world for their natural riches, offering
numerous species of colorful birds and other
wildlife. This action packed itinerary for
incredible neotropical birding will excite the
novice and enthrall the expert.
Drake Bay in the south Pacific with miles of
pristine beaches and tropical rainforest;
Excursion to Cano Island.
You may wish to extend your visit with an
extension to Panama, or you can do
Panama separately.

We'll be birding new areas on this Costa
Rica trip. Spectacular scenery from the
Caribbean slopes of the Talamanca Mountains
at Rancho Naturalista for both Atlantic and
Pacific birds; Piedras Blancas N.P., in humid
tropical primary rainforest; Las Cruces
Biological Station and Wilson Botanical
Gardens in the southwestern pre-montane range
near the Panama border; Corcovado N.P. and
With a short flight from Costa Rica to
Panama, we will visit many of the world-
famous birding areas such as Soberania N.P.;
Pipeline Road and Achiote Road; Chagres N.P.
Rainforest and a brief visit to the Embera native
tribe; Enjoy a partial transit to experience the
historic passage through the Panama Canal;
ending with birding in the Metropolitan N.P.

For information and itinerary on

Los Angeles Audubon’s International Birding Tours
contact: Olga Clarke oclarketravel@earthlink.net
Los Angeles Audubon, Travel Director
2027 El Arbolita Dr.
Glendale, CA 91208-1805
Ph/Fax: (818) 249-9511

Western Tanager January/February 2010 13

 Pelagic Trips with Los Angeles Audubon
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Los Angeles Area Pelagic Trip
Palos Verdes Escarpment and
Redondo Canyon
This 8 hour trip departs from Ports
of Call in San Pedro at 8:00 a.m.
on the m/v Pacific Adventure.
Leaders: Jon Feenstra and Todd McGrath
Birds seen on prior trips:
Northern Fulmar; Short-tailed,
Black-vented, Sooty and possibly
Pink-footed Shearwaters; rocky
shorebirds; Pomarine and Parasitic
Jaegers; Common Murre; Xantus's
Murrelet; Cassin's and Rhinoceros
Auklets. Occasionally: Ancient
Murrelet. Rarity: Manx Shearwater.
Gray Whales and several species of
dolphins are often seen.
There is a galley on board, please restrict
your carry-ons due to limited cabin space.
$85 credit card payment or
$80 for a cash discount.
Reservations for this trip: Send check and a
SASE (self address stamped envelope) to:
Los Angeles Audubon - Pelagic
PO Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
Or, pay with Visa, MC or Discover, by
calling Audubon House (323) 876-0202
(Mon.- Thur.) from 9.30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Include complete contact information
for each participant. Name, Address,
Phone number(s), and email address.
Note: Destinations may be changed to
maximize bird sightings, or minimize
rough seas. With an increase in fuel
costs there can be an energy surcharge
per person.
Refund Policy: You may receive a
refund less a $5.00 handling charge if
you cancel 31 days in advance or if a
paid replacement can be found.
14 Western Tanager Vol. 76, No. 3
Saturday, May 1, 2010
“Condor Express” Trip:
A deep water trip toward the
San Juan Seamount
This trip departs from the Santa
Barbara Harbor on the fast
catamaran Condor Express at 8:00
a.m. and will return approximately
by 8:00 p.m.
Leaders: Jon Feenstra, Todd McGrath
and Terry Hunefeld
We will cruise along the deep
water shelf by the San Juan Seamount.
Birds seen previously: Black-footed
Albatross; Northern Fulmar; Sooty
and Pink-footed Shearwaters; Ashy
and Leach's Storm-Petrels; Pomarine,
Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers;
Pigeon Guillemot; Xantus's Murrelet;
Cassins and Rhinoceros Auklets.
Uncommon species seen on prior trips:
Laysan Albatross; Fork-tailed Storm-
Petrel; Red-billed Tropicbird; and
Tufted Puffin: Rarity: Murphy's Petrel.
There is a complete galley on board
that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
$195 cash or credit card
Reservations for the trip:
For reservations and trip status,
contact Sea Landing in Santa
Barbara (805) 963-3564.
(Please do not call Audubon House
for this pelagic trip.)
Visit our website for changes or
additions to
Los Angeles Audubon sponsored
Pelagic Trips.
www.laaudubon.org
The Great
Backyard Bird
Count
This year’s GBBC is scheduled for
Presidents Day Weekend
(February 12 - 15th).
Please save these dates!
The Great Backyard Bird
Count (GBBC) is a great activity
for families that’s both free and
educational, while also getting
kids outside. Led by the National
Audubon Society and the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology, the GBBC
provides an opportunity for
people of all ages to learn about
birds and the environment we
share. Start by exploring the
GBBC website at
www.birdcount.org. The
website has photos from last
year’s count, a game, and other
materials, including a
downloadable PowerPoint
presentation, a voice narrated
tutorial, and regional bird lists.
Los Angeles Audubon’s
Baldwin Hills Greenhouse Program
will be hosting an opportunity to
participate in the Great Backyard
Bird Count (GBBC) on Saturday,
February 13th, 2010, 9 a.m. to noon.
Join students and the local
community to count birds at the
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
State Park.
Thank You for sUPPORTING lOS ANGELES AUDUBON!
41 Pounds.org Patty Garland
Michael L. Sandler
Larry W. Allen Garry George
Dr. Raymond A. Schep
Jonathan Armstrong Vernon & Winona Howe
John & Dorothy Schwarz
Kenneth & Marlene Abel Allen & Carol Goldstein
Sempra Energy Foundation
Marvin & Gloria Baker David Haake
Mark L. Serrano
Katheryn & David Barton Steven & Leslie Hartman
Phillip Skonieczki
Tracy Berge Winona & Vernon Howe
Jane Stavert
Lorna Bitensky June Inai
Timothy R. Steele
E. Waters Bjornen Linda D. Jaramillo
Dorothy Steiner
Peter H. Bloom Carol Louise Johnson
Martine Tomczyk
Barbara & Jay Boland Laurence M. Kaplan
Dr. Joshua Trabulus
Lorna Brown John A. Kirchner
Robert Roy Van de Hoek
Dr. Francis F. & Ande Chen Saran Kirschbaum
Marie Vester
Olga L. Clarke Muriel & Allan Kotin
Edith Weiner
Sydney Cortwright Jody M. Lawler
Liza C. White
Kathleen Crandall Martha Lesser
Billy Youdelman
Buford Crites Phoebe S. Liebig
Thomas E. Duque Mary Loquvam
D ONATIONS I N H ONOR O F :
Denver Museum of Margaret A. Maw
Nature & Science Katherine MacQueen
Ron & Beth Saul,
Mary Deutsche Jeanne McConnell
In honor of
Belinda Dombrowski Marilyn Morgan
Dr. Paul Fox
Thomas L. Drouet David & Joyce Oppenheim
Thomas E. Duque M. Louise Owens
Michele Schroeder,
Jon Dunn Robert W. Pann
In honor of
Lisa M. Fimiani Donald Pilling
Laurel Scott & Vic Warren
Michael Fishbein Paula K. Reynosa
Christine S. Francis Bradley J. Rumble

Los Angeles Audubon Centennial Bird-a-thon

Los Angeles Audubon is moving into its
Centennial Year!

To celebrate our first 100 years and to celebrate the birds of Los Angeles County,
Los Angeles Audubon is sponsoring a

Centennial Bird-a-Thon!

Save time the week of

May 1-8, 2010,
and get ready to join a team!

Watch the next Western Tanager for details!

Western Tanager January/February 2010 15

 Volume 76, Number 3 January/February 2010

PO Box 931057
Los Angeles, CA 90093-1057
www.laaudubon.org

AUDUBON HOUSE HOURS

7377 Santa Monica Blvd@ Martel Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Regular Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:30a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Regularly Closed:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Open: 2nd Wednesday of each month

9:30 a.m until 9:45 p.m.
for those attending the monthly
membership Program.

The office and store will NOT be open any

Saturday in January.

We WILL be open Sat., Feb. 6, 2010 from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Immature California Condor, Tejon Ranch, June 2009, Photo by Mary Freeman

mONTHLY pROGRAMS
Meet at 7:30 PM in the Community Building in Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Muriel Horacek presents Blake Massey presents
“Earthwatch Institute Adventures” "The California Condor Recovery Program Update"

Muriel Horacek has traveled the globe, volunteering
for Earthwatch Institute on many diverse projects:
to re-establish a non-migratory flock of whooping
cranes into Florida, describe the mating dance of Long-
tailed Manakins in Costa Rica, tally and mist-net birds
at the International Birding and Research Center Eilat in
Israel and Jordan, mist-net birds in Kenya with local
ornithologists, and to study hummingbirds and other
tropical birds caught in mist nets in Manu National
Park, Peru for flight research by a scientist from
Caltech, Pasadena.
Blake Massey is a US Fish and Wildlife Service
California Condor Biologist. He will discuss the
status, management, and the research effort of the
California Condor Recovery Program. Blake will
provide a perspective on the wild and captive
population of the past 25 years, and the status of the
species today. He will show information about the
current nest guarding program and share video footage
of first-hand account of nest entries. Blake will
provide up to date GPS transmitter data and illustrate
insights into the seasonal reproductive and foraging
patterns of this species. Lastly, Blake will talk about
the Program's ongoing research and challenges of
recovering such a unique and amazing bird in a
changing landscape.