http://www.sfvaudubon.org/">San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

“Pelagic Birding off Southern California:
What You See When You Go to Sea”

by David Pereksta

The waters offshore of southern California are one of the last birding frontiers in the state. An exciting mix of local breeders, arctic nesting migrants, an austral migrants that are rarely if ever seen from land can be found at sea if you know when, where, and how to look for them. A limited number of trips, unpredictable weather, and challenging viewing conditions make pelagic birding trips an adventurous way to explore this frontier. Birders wishing to see these special birds must find some of the few scheduled trips each year, get a reservation before they sell out, and hope that the weather and birds cooperate. David Pereksta will show us what experiences southern California pelagic birding trips offer. David has spent over 100 days at sea off southern California and will describe the species that occur off our coast, where local pelagic trips go and how they operate, and how to best schedule a trip to see the birds (and marine mammals) you are looking for. Bring your soda crackers, Dramamine, and binoculars for this program that is richly illustrated with the best of the thousands of photos of birds and marine mammals David has taken at sea.

David is an Avian Biologist with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, where he studies and analyzes the effects of offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy development on birds off the Pacific coast. Throughout his career with various Federal and State agencies, he has studied several imperiled bird species including Snowy Plovers, Piping Plovers, Least Terns, Ospreys, Northern Goshawks, Brown Pelicans, Spotted Owls, and Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. An avid birder for over 30 years, he has birded throughout North America and the American tropics, including leading trips to Belize, Costa Rica, and Peru. He is also a regular pelagic trip leader for Los Angeles Audubon, Buena Vista Audubon, and Shearwater Journeys. He has seen over 1,500 species in his travels in the Americas; photographing nearly 1,000 species along the way.

See the calendar link for directions to the meeting.

Our photo of the month was submitted by SFVAS member Bob Thille. He spotted this Wood Duck at the National Fish Hatchery in Spearfish, South Dakota in October 2011. Bob, who has birded on and off for about 15 years, spotted this male and his mate in a hatchery pond holding rainbow trout of up to six lbs. He and his wife were in the Black Hills on their way home after a two-month wander through the Upper Midwest. Bob used a Lumix FZ100 to zoom in and fill the frame.

Please submit your photos to gro.nobuduavfsnull@xoddaM.nnyL. Only one picture per photographer per month please! Ideally, the picture will be taken within our area and the information will include the location and the date it was taken, what camera and lens was used, a short account of how the picture was taken, and profile of the photographer. Good shooting! Thanks, Lynn. 

Audubon and other bird-themed merchandise will be for sale at the General Membership meeting on December 22, 2011. Bring your gift list and finish your holiday shopping!

Audubon Calendars for 2012 make great gifts! In addition to the popular Songbirds Calendar, calendars featuring butterflies, wildflowers, natural parks, and other wildlife scenes will be available while supplies last. ($14 each)

Microfiber Lens Cloths in two styles will also be featured:

1. Spudz Lens Cloths safely clean glasses and other optics and make a welcome gift for any birder. The cleaning cloth stays attached to a neoprene pouch with a handy clip. Just tuck the cloth into the pouch when not in use and clip it where you want it. ($8 each)

2. Lens Cloths printed with images by wildlife photographer Laura Osteen are sure to please! They come neatly folded in a plastic case—handy for tucking into a pocket, purse, or console. Choose from several vibrant bird or nature scenes and tuck it inside a card for a thoughtful gift. ($6 each)

One-of-a kind items will round out the Sales Table. Come early for the best selection!

All proceeds from this sale will benefit the conservation and education programs of San Fernando Valley Audubon Society.

Papua New Guinea: Birds and People
with Chuck and Lillian Almdale

Papua New Guinea is a land of huge diversity, in terrain, birds and people. Almost half of its 750 avian species are endemic. Of its 830 indigenous languages, half have fewer than 1,000 speakers. In 2008, the Almdales visited six locales in three weeks. Their multimedia presentation features many endemic birds, especially the birds-of-paradise as well as the fascinating people of New Guinea, including the Huli Wigmen of the central highlands and the Yukoim cannibal-headhunters of Konmei village on the Karawiri River in the east Sepik lowlands. Come and remind yourself why you really want to go there.

Chuck & Lillian Almdale have been active in the Audubon Society for over 25 years. When not birding internationally, they lead local field trips, maintain records of Malibu Lagoon birds, census Snowy Plovers, comment on local and national bird blogs and chat lines, and have been on the board of Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society for over 20 years. They both are retired accountants.

(Photos: Huli Wigman and a Blyth’s Hornbill)

See the Calendar link for meeting directions.

Common Peafowl, male

Our photo of the month is by Bruce Simen. The peacock was shot at the Leo Carillo Ranch on July 1, 2011 @ F3.5 for 1/200th sec. The zoom lens was set to a focal length of 44mm. It was taken with a Canon Power Shot S3IS.

Please submit your photos to gro.nobuduavfsnull@xoddaM.nnyL. Only one picture per photographer per month please! Ideally, the picture will be taken within our area and the information will include the location and the date it was taken, what camera and lens was used, a short account of how the picture was taken, and profile of the photographer. Good shooting!

Thanks, Lynn.