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

Sunday, December 18, 2011

In place of the Chapter’s usual monthly field trip, The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society will once again join chapters across the country and in North and South America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean and take part in the National Audubon Society’s 112th annual Christmas Bird Count. Count totals and data collected are forwarded to and analyzed by interested researchers in cooperation with the NAS and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

The bird count provides a measure of the nation’s early winter bird populations including species composition, distribution, and population trends. Bird count numbers are often the only long-term, comprehensive information regarding local wintering bird populations. As this chapter continues into its second half century of bird counts, some trends are clearly evident. While the skill level of counters continues to improve and field guides are upgraded, some of our once common birds continue to decline in numbers while others, once considered rarities, are now common.

Members and friends of the chapter are encouraged to save the 18th and join one of the count groups listed below as numbers of participants are crucial to the success of our count. The more eyes that take to the field, the more birds will be seen in both variety and number. Several of our count areas are underserved and can use all the help they can get. Extensive birding experience is not a prerequisite, only a willingness to come out and count—wind, rain, or shine.Those unable to join one of the count groups may assist by noting species and numbers of birds at backyard feeders, local parks and neighborhoods provided such counts take place within a 7.5 mile radius circle from the count center at the intersection of Balboa and Nordhoff. Please report all such counts along with the time spent observing to the compiler by post, phone, or e-mail (Art.Langton@sfvaudubon.org) no later than and preferably before December 31, 2011.

While count participation is free and open to all, a $5/person donation to offset the chapter’s payment to NAS will be greatly appreciated and accepted.

Hansen Dam and Vicinity — Meeting time: 7:00 a.m.

From the intersection of Osborne and Glenoaks, go north on Osborne to Dronfield (signal), turn right on Dronfield and enter park. Proceed downhill to large parking lot. Look for counters with binoculars. Bring lunch, drink, and be prepared to walk. Leader: Jim Moore

Bee Canyon and O’Melveney Park — Meeting time: 1:00 p.m.

From the intersection of Balboa and Rinaldi, go north to Balboa and Sesnon. Turn left (west) on Sesnon and continue .5 miles. Park is on the right. Meet in the parking lot. Leader: Ron Melin

Sepulveda Wildlife Basin & Lake Balboa — Meeting time: 7:30 a.m.

Meet in the parking lot east of Woodley Avenue, north of Burbank Blvd. and south of the Tillman Water Treatment Plant. Bring lunch, drink. Leader: Kris Ohlenkamp

LA Pierce College — Meeting time: 8:00 a.m.

Enter the campus from Winnetka Avenue and meet by the flagpole in front of the Administration Building. Bring drinks, snacks. This large area needs several counters. Leader: Aurelio Albasisa

Limekiln and Aliso Canyons, Porter Valley Country Club — Meeting time: 8:00 a.m.

Meet at the sign for “Limekiln Canyon Lower Trail” on the south side of Chatsworth Street one-half block west of Tampa Ave. Leaders: Donna Timlin and Carolyn Oppenheimer

Chatsworth Nature Preserve

A part of our count circle since the beginning of the Valley Christmas bird count, this area may no longer be open and available to us due to changes in DWP personnel, policies, and management goals. Check with the compiler before even thinking about counting this area.

—Arthur Langton, compiler, 818-887-0973

Friday, November 4, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology

The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, (WFVZ), sometimes referred to as “The Camarillo Bird Museum,” hosts a natural history collection specializing in eggs and nests of birds in addition to 56,000 bird study skins from around the world and a good number of mounted specimens. The Western Foundation is a research and education institution dedicated to bird conservation. SFVAS participants have the opportunity to come early (at 6:30 pm) to be treated to a brief private introduction to the collection and a chance to view some of the wonders contained therein. At 7:30 pm the evening’s program will begin.

The WFVZ’s Executive Director, Dr. Linnea Hall, will present a seminar on the Foundation’s long-term research project in Guatemala. Guatemala has been little-studied ornithologically, and was especially neglected during the country’s 30 plus years of civil war, which only ended in the late 1990s. As a consequence, Rene Corado, the WFVZ’s Collection’s Manager, started working in the country in 2001 with two primary objectives: to document and describe breeding by resident Guatemalan birds, and to describe the distribution of species throughout the country. Starting in 2005, Dr. Hall expanded the project to include monitoring birds in central Guatemala, and to describe breeding and population changes in an area that is ravaged by severe environmental degradation. Results from both the first and second phases of the project will be presented and discussed with lots of birds and egg pictures to ensure that everyone comes away knowing something about the birds of this small country.

Dr. Hall has been studying habitat use and population dynamics of wildlife, especially bird, since 1989. She has directed and conducted fieldwork on more than 50 original studies of wildlife of the western U.S. and now Guatemala, and has mentored more than 20 graduate students on their own projects, both as Assistant Professor of Avian Ecology at CSU Sacramento (1996-2000), and as Director of the WFVZ. She co-edited two books on birds (on condors and cowbirds), and is the sole or co-author of over 35 journal articles on wildlife, as well as numerous reports. She also recently co-authored the book, Egg and Nest with Rene Corado. She has been working at the WFVZ since 2002, teaching bird ID and other ornithology classes, conducting research, coordinating staff and volunteers, and fundraising to run the WFVZ.

If you have never been to the Western Foundation, you are in for a treat. First time visitors are always amazed and delighted! For information on carpools to the Western Foundation for this program, please contact: Heather Medvitz at gro.nobuduavfsnull@ztivdeM.rehtaeH or (818) 222-4430.

See the Calendar posting for directions. See the Photo Album for some sample pictures.

See page two of the October 2011 issue of the Phainopepla for more information about this event

Directions: From the San Fernando Valley, take Hwy. 101 to Pleasant Valley/Santa Rosa Road exit in Camarillo, turn left at the end of the off-ramp, going back over the freeway. Follow Pleasant Valley west for 2 miles to where it crosses Lewis Road (at a signal). Move to the right lane and continue heading west on Pleasant Valley to the second street on the right, Calle San Pablo. (If you cross the railroad tracks, you have gone too far.) Turn right on Calle San Pablo. The foundation is the fifth building on the left (439 Calle San Pablo).

Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve    (FREE)

The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society will lead FREE bird walks for families and beginners on the second Saturday of the month, October 2011—March 2012.(Saturdays: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, and Mar. 10.)

Stroll through the lovely Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, enjoying its trails and lake. Many birds come here in winter. Learn about the birds and why they come here.

These Walks are for

• People trying their first bird walk
• Beginning birdwatchers
• Families with school-age children.

Time and Meeting Place: The Wildlife Area entrance and amphitheater are in the southeast part of Woodley Park. Meet at the amphitheater at 9:00 a.m.

Directions: Turn north from Burbank Blvd. onto Woodley Ave., which is ½ mile west of the San Diego Freeway (I-405). Travel about ½ mile to the second possible right turn and turn east (right) at the sign for the Wildlife Reserve. Bear right at the fork in the road and go east ½ mile to the Wildlife Area parking. Walk south past the monumental rocks and restroom building to the amphitheater.

Equipment and Clothing: Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. A cap or hat with a brim is suggested. We have binoculars to loan or you can use your own.

More Information: Muriel Kotin at 310.457.5796 or Linda Jones at 818.831.6061.  Reservations are not needed except for large groups. Rain cancels. Please visit our website www.sfvaudubon.org.