A publication of

Pomona Valley Audubon Society

http://faculty.jsd.claremont.edu/dguthrie/pvas/

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Volume 47, No. 1

Birding the Northern Plains

by Beryl Williams
Fall generally has predictable, fine weather. My preference to Castle Trail in Badlands National Park. We could see
is to travel in spring because of the renewal of life found activity next to and underneath a jumble of boulders. We
among birds and mammals. We visited Prairie Homestead couldn't make out the nature of the activity, even using
in Philip, South Dakota and were intrigued by a Say's binoculars. Leaving the raised wooden trail, we made
Phoebe who never strayed far from the front porch of the our way closer to the action and could identify a family
Visitor's Center. Finally we saw her fly to a nest in the eaves of Rock Wrens, darting under and on top of, as well as
of the porch and settle on it. We proceeded on so as not to behind a large boulder. We watched them for a period of
stress her. My grandparents homesteaded North Dakota time, being careful not to approach so close as to impact
land at the dawn of the twentieth century and this is a finely their behavior.
restored homestead dating from that time period.
The northern plains have been in the grip of a multi-year
We spent one night in Kadoka, South Dakota and had to drought, according to residents with whom we talked.
walk a wide arc through the motel parking lot because of This year the drought broke and everywhere faces were
House Finches who nested in the eaves of the porch roof wreathed in smiles. Ranchers have been able to grow
that provided shelter from wind and sun. If one walked enough feed for their cattle. Everywhere one looked were
directly beneath the nest, the House Finch would fly away, green fields. Badlands National Park receives 16 inches
returning minutes later. It was a pleasure to walk a circular of rain annually; their rain year is computed from January
path, watching the bird on the nest. 1 to December 31. When we visited in late June, they had
registered 9 inches thus far. The fields were alive with
Walking through the town of Kadoka
Western Meadowlarks and their melodic songs. I've seen
in the early morning, an
Meadowlarks in the past, perched on a split-rail fence.
American Robin was spied
This time, I heard them long before spying them. I would
feeding two juveniles on
search in vain for the bird and finally realized the reason
one of the lawns dotting
the residential area. I've (Cont'd. on page 2)
seen hundreds of Robins,
but never before saw
maternal behavior. In this issue...
Birding the Northern Plains..............................................Pg. 1
Ou r most exciting New Members...................................................................Pg. 2
sighting was a family Conservation.....................................................................Pg. 3
of Ro ck Wr e n s Field Trips..........................................................................Pg. 6
feedi ng babies Announcements................................................................Pg. 7
at the back of a Upcoming Programs.........................................................Pg. 8
wash adjacent
 Santiago Oaks
by Richard Moore Birding the Northern Plains
(Cont'd. from page 1)
There were a total of five persons on the
field trip ably led by Valerie Wheeler for my difficulty. Their coloration, yellow underparts accented by a
to Santiago Oaks Regional Park on black chevron, are perfectly matched for their environment in fields of
Saturday, April 28, and the group listed wild sunflowers. Only dumb luck enabled me to spot a Meadowlark
over 50 species of birds. On the list singing his heart out in the middle of such a field. Their predators,
were TEN Warblers: Orange-crowned, soaring raptors, would be equally disadvantaged by the Meadowlarks'
Nashville, Yellow, Black-throated Gray, perfect camouflage. I hadn't realized how perfect their colors are
Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s, Hermit, because I'd never before seen them in their native habitat.
Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s, and
I hope that you were able to bird this spring and enjoy the renewal
wasn’t Nancy excited to find a life bird
that is inherent in the season.
hiding in the shadows: a MacGillivray’s
Warbler! Valerie had scouted the
territory and knew what we might see
both within and on the edges of the
park. (She found a Yellow-breasted Chat Bluebird Trail
the very next day at Carbon Canyon by Dick Moore
Regional Park.) Among the flycatchers
were the Hammond’s, Pacific-slope, and In the 2007 spring and summer season
the Ash-throated, not to be confused I installed 17 bluebird houses at Bonelli
with the Cassin’s, Warbling, and Regional County Park, 3 at Sailboat Cove,
Hutton’s Vireos, or the Wrentits which and the rest in the East and West Picnic areas. A
not only sang their "ping-pong" song, total of 50 bluebird nestlings fledged, the first in May
but jumped around in a small tree right and the last in early August. This compares with a total
in front of us. So the next time you are of 44 which fledged last year. One birdhouse was occupied by house wrens
invited to go on a Spring-time bird walk, from which five nestlings fledged. I thank Rod and Pat Higbee who assisted
don’t turn it down! with the installation of the birdhouses and helped obtained permission for
the project from the park administration.

Welcome New Members

We extend a warm welcome to all new members. Subscribers to Audubon Magazine from our area are automatically
enrolled in our chapter and receive the Chaparral Naturalist at no additional charge. You are welcome to all our
events.
Alta Loma: Sharon Griffith La Verne: Catherine Fugitt, Elise Rieke, Mary Swann
Baldwin Park: Mary Lehman Mira Loma: Ellen McMullen, Debbie Rice,
Chino: Robert Guillen, Donna Hobbs, Karla Kyle, Eva Rzepecki
Bradon Morad Norco: Mary Dowell
Claremont: Edward Babcock, Marianne Burch, Daniel Ontario: Walt and Margie Benson, Charles Towle
Detwiler, Linda Elderkin, Michael Erlinger, David Pomona: James Hales, Ray Mateo, Sanford Newton,
Kajtaniak, David Nemer, Elizabeth Pinter, Hans Ed Westerdale
Rindisbacher, Fred Sontag, Eudora Tharp, Susan Rancho Cucamonga: Bobby Fox, Ricarda Graham,
Thompson, Jennifer Young Rulian Robledo, Linda Zach
Corona: Marjorie Shenton, Austin Tiffany San Dimas: Donna Petrokowitz, Mary Seay
Covina; George Graves, Jennie Green, John Shubin Upland: Gordon Kane, Albert Tucker
Diamond Bar: K.O. Bresnan, Juliana Van Dorsten, Walnut: Donald Hale
William Silver West Covina: Thomas Huntress, Polung Kao, Andrew
Glendora: Margaret Bunis, Dean Lee, James Overturf, Lee, Brenda Newbold, Jose Reynoso
Deni York

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 Conservation by Richard Moore, Conservation Chair

CASM: Update On The Mining Issue

– The Battle Continues!
Vulcan Minerals, at the time of this notice, has not filed a formal
application with the City of Claremont to mine the area zoned open
space in East Claremont. Vulcan has not done anything to push forward
their pending lawsuit against the City.
CASM continues to get good support from almost all of the Claremont Mountains and River
City Council Members, especially new Council Members, Linda
Elderkin and Sam Pedroza. These Council Members were supported
Campaign
by CASM in the last election. ouncilman Cory Calaycay has been most Taking advantage of the federal Wilderness
aggressive in protecting the City from proposed mining operations. Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act the Sierra
Club launched the San Gabriel Mountains
Pomona Valley Protection Association, PVPA, that owns the property
Wilderness and Living Rivers Campaign
leased to Vulcan Minerals in East Claremont and West Upland, is in
in May of this year. Representatives of the
the process of selling the property to a developer. This probably will
Audubon Society, the Friends of the River, and
not stop Vulcan's attempts to mine in East Claremont.
the National Hispanic Environmental Council
Holiday Rock, who mines in West Upland, has filed an application to as well as a wide representation of the Sierra
mine significantly deeper in the area they presently lease and mine. Club and even City Council members have
CASM is concerned that if Holiday Rock is allowed to increase the scope indicated their support. This campaign is a
of their mining operations, that water and air quality will be affected. part of the wider Southern California Forests
Unapproved mining in the past has resulted in the loss of water meant Campaign bringing people together to protect
for ground water recharging by PVPA. CASM has enjoyed the support the Los Padres, Angeles, Cleveland and San
of many Upland residents that are becoming more vocal about miningin Bernardino National Forests.
their community.
The goals of the campaign are to improve the
CASM is concerned that Dirk Cole, who was hired by the City's Attorney health of the mountains and rivers, to expand
has resigned to go to work for mining interests. We do not know what the opportunities for adults, children, and
impact this will have in the City's attempt to defend the pending lawsuit families to enjoy scenic areas, to add wilderness
filed by Vulcan Minerals against the City of Claremont. areas and wild and scenic rivers to the Angeles,
San Bernardino and other National Forests,
The Claremonters Against Strip Mining (casm) wishes to thank you and to enhance water quality and recreational
for your continued interest and support to stop mining in Claremont! opportunities along the San Gabriel River.
Charmaine Dumont and Dr. Steven Shin are the latest new members Opportunities will be offered to all interested
to join the CASM Board of Directors. If you have interest in joining persons to join in such volunteer opportunities
our board or would like to help an hour or two each month with various as to help remove litter from river and forest
projects, please contact Dr. Ivan Misner, [email protected]. If you would areas, and to advocate for increasing the
like a yard sign "No Strip Mines" please e-mail Mike Kunce, mkunce@ number of trails, trash cans for liter and rest
armstronggardencenters.com or call at 626-252-5536. room facilities in nearby forests. There will
be a concentrated effort over the next several
years to educate the public about the campaign
and to encourage letter writing and visits with
elected representatives and senators. Expanding
wilderness protection is very important
before pristine back country areas fall victim
to housing development, massive power
transmission lines, illegal off-road vehicle use,
and even toll roads.
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 A Scary Story by Neil Gilbert

Many people, birders and non-birders alike, can tell stories of having
been “attacked” by one species of bird or another, usually a
mockingbird or a swallow defending its nest. Or it may have been
a Cooper’s Hawk, which can be a frightening experience. But very
few people in the world can match the experience 5 year old Elias
Gilbert had.
Eli, grandson of PVAS member, Neil Gilbert, spends a part of every year in
Gamboa, Panama, with his research-scientist parents. Eli and his friend
Mig uel, and thei r respective nannies, went for a walk along a forested road on the property of the
Gamboa Rainforest Resort. They have walked this road before; it leads to an observation tower that is a
lot of fun for the two boys. But this time, about half way up the hill, they were attacked by a Harpy Eagle. A Harpy Eagle
(Harpia harpyja) is one of the world’s largest (up to 40 inches long with a 7 foot wing span) and most powerful eagles.
This one was apparently protecting a near-by nest and really meant business. The way Eli described it was, “It was like
we were a magnet; every where we ran to, the eagle went there, too.”
They protected themselves with branches and sticks that they found close by, but the eagle was still able to take one of the
nannie’s hats, which it punctured with its 5-inch long talons. No one was injured, but any strike with those talons could
have been serious.
The four terrified people were able to find a little protection under a roof projection on an abandoned building, which kept
them safe until the police arrived to rescue them and take them home. (Aren’t cell phones wonderful?) What a story Eli
will have to tell his friends when he gets back to his home in Santa Cruz, CA.

PVAS FALL/WINTER field trips 2007-08

September Tuesday, November 13 – Bolsa Chica Preserve.
Saturday, September 15 – Bolsa Chica Preserve Leader to be announced.
Leader: Dan Guthrie Sunday, November 25 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.
Sunday, September 23 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike. Leader: Rod Higbie
Leader: Rod Higbie
December
October Sunday, December 2 – Beginner’s Bird Walk,
Tuesday, October 2 – Prado Regional Park. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Leader: Dan Guthrie Wedsnesday, December 12 – Bonelli Park Pre-
Sunday, October 7 – Beginner’s Bird Walk, Rancho Christmas Trip. Leaders: Strangs
Santa Ana Botanic Garden Thursday, December 13 – Claremont Parks Pre-
Saturday, October 13 – Galileo Hill. Christmas Trip. Leader: Dan Guthrie
Leader: Dan Guthrie Saturday, December 15 – Annual Christmas Census
Saturday-Sunday, October 27-28 – Morro Bay Sunday, December 23 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.
Week-end Field Trip. Leader: Dan Guthrie Leader: Rod Higbie
leader
Check out your Chapter’s Web page for more
Sunday, October 28 – Bonelli Park Monthy Hike.
information!
Leader: Rod Higbie

November
Sunday, November 4 – Beginner’s Bird Walk, One day and half day trips start at Memorial
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Park, Indian Hill Blvd at 10th Street, Claremont.
Tuesday, November 6 – Baldy Village and Vicinity, Weekend trips usually meet at the destination on
Half day trip. Leader: Dan Guthrie Saturday morning. Bonelli Park trips meet at park
headquarters on Via Verde, just off the 57 freeway.

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 Local
Membership
Dues
Now Due!

If you are a Local Member (not a member of

National Audubon) or are a member of another
chapter, it is time to pay for your subscription We Have A New Website!
to the Chaparral Naturalist. Rate is $10/year. We have redesigned our web page, which is now at
Remember that you can become a member of www.pomonavalleyaudubon.org. Hopefully, we will
National Audubon for only $20/year. If you are keep it updated with current events and color copies of
already a member of National Audubon, your our newsletter. Let us know what additional information
membership in our local chapter is already paid. you would like to see on this page!

South Texas at Christmas

Anyone?
Pam Kling, our editor and a few other members went
to North Dakota in June. The trip was a follow up to the
sparrow identification course they had participated in
through Sea and Sage Audubon. The trip had a guide, but
each participant was responsible for their own accommoda-
tions, car renta and food. The trip was such a success, both in
birds and pleasure (except for a few mosquitos) that we are
considering doing similar trips to other spots.

Southern Most Texas boasts a collection of specialty birds (Chachalaca, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Mexican Crow, Long-
billed Thrasher, Pauraque, Hook-billed Kite) and occaisional rarities from Mexico. Also, the wintering population of
Whooping Cranes is on view not too far to the north along the coast. We are looking at the dates December 28 through
January 5, which should give us 7 full days of birding plus two travel days. We plan to visit the major birding sites in the
area, plus chase any rarities. We may even participate in a Christmas Census! If interested, we will provide suggested
flight and motel information. Contact Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836 or Pam Kling at 909-596-7604. For more information
on south Texas birding, visit Texas Audubon at www.audubon.org/chapter/tx/tx and the Rio Grande Valley Audubon at
www.riograndedeltaaudubon.org

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity!

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 Field Trips
Saturday, September 15, 2007 Saturday, October, 27, 2007
Bolsa Chica Preserve Village Venture
A trip to Orange County Come visit our booth at the Claremont Street Faire!
for migrant shorebirds.
We will also look for Saturday-Sunday, October 27-28, 2007
any good landbird Morro Bay Weekend Field Trip
migrants reported.
Meet at the base of Morro Rock in Morro Bay at 8 a.m.
Meet at Memorial Park
for a weekend of birding to the north. We will do coastal
at 7 a.m. and bring a lunch.
birding on Saturday and on Sunday bird down the coast
We should return around 3 p.m.
at Oceano and other areas. Leader: Dan Guthrie: 909-
Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-
607-2836
2836.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bonelli Park Monthy Hike Bonelli Park Monthy Hike
Join our monthly walk (4th Sunday, about 2 hours) at Join our monthly walk (4th Sunday, about 2 hours) at
Bonelli Park. Meet at the Bonelli Park headquarters on Bonelli Park. Meet at the Bonelli Park headquarters on
Via Verde near the 57 freeway at 8 a.m. Leader: Rod Via Verde near the 57 freeway at 8 a.m. Leader: Rod
Higbie Higbie

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Prado Regional Park
A half day trip to nearby Chino to
look for water birds, migrants and
vermillion f lycatchers. Meet at
Memorial Park in Claremont at
7:30 a.m. to carpool. Leader: Dan
Guthrie 909-607-2836.

Sunday, October 7, 2007 Sunday, November 4, 2007

Beginner’s Bird Walk Beginner’s Bird Walk,
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Join us for our monthly (first Sunday, Sept. through June) Join us for our monthly (first Sunday, Sept. through June)
bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens. bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children Bring binoculars if you have them. Adults and children
welcome. The walk is flat and slow and takes about two welcome. The walk is flat and slow and takes about two
hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north end hours. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the front entry gate (north end
of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N. College of College Ave. north of Foothill Blvd. 1500 N. College
Ave.) Leaders: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-6451. Ave.) Leaders: Fraser Pemberton 909-624-6451.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Galileo Hill Tuesday, November 6, 2007
A trip north to desert oases for late migrants, early
Santa Fe Dam, Half day Trip
wintering species, and possible eastern vagrants. Meet Meet at Memorial Park at 7:30 am for a half day trip to
at Memorial Park at 6 a.m. Bring a lunch. Leader: Dan Irwindale for wintering ducks, flycatchers and sparrows.
Guthrie 900-607-2836. Leader: Dan Guthrie 909-607-2836

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 CALIFORNIA AUDUBON PVAS OFFICERS 2007-2008
President.......................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
ASSEMBLY 2007 Vice-President..............Bruce Strang...... 626-339-6984
Secretary......................Pam Kling............909-596-7604
Every two years California Audubon hosts a state wide Treasurer.......................Neil Gilbert......... 909-626-0334
assembly of chapter members and representatives. This Board Member ............Nancy Strang..... 626-339-6984
year’s meeting is at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Board Member.............Dick Moore.......... 909-626-1127.
Pacific Grove October 7-9. The theme is Global Warming Board Member.............Pat Higbie........... 909-599-6526.
Board Member.............Rod Higbie......... 909-599-6526
and Wildlife, and the conference will involve daily
programs, field trips and social get togethers. Go to COMMITTEE CHAIRS
wwww.audubon-ca.org for up to date information on this Conservation................Dick Moore.......... 909-626-1127
gathering. It is an excellent chance to see what Audubon Education......................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
Field Trips.....................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
is doing at the state and national level and hear about the
Membership.................Dan Guthrie.........909-607-2836
programs of other chapters. Volunteers.....................Open! .........................................
Publications..................Neil Gilbert......... 909-626-0334
Publicity........................Shirley Harris.......909-982-9727
Door Prizes...................Karlene Campo... 909-627-8191
Hospitality.....................Gloria Slosberg...909-626-4754
Website.........................Open!
CHAPARRAL NATURALIST
Editor.............................Pam Kling....................596-7604
The Chaparral Naturalist is published bimonthly,
except July and August by the Pomona Valley
Audubon Society. Copy deadline is the last
Thursday of the month. Articles may be reprinted
without permission, but please give credit to
the author and the Chaparral Naturalist. We
encourage members to submit articles and photos
by email at [email protected].
Subscriptions to the newsletter are available for
San Diego Bird Festival $10 per year to non-members. Make checks
payable to PVAS and mail to W. M. Keck
February 6 -11, 2008 Science Center, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont,
Kenn Kaufman Keynote Speaker CA 91711.
Trip & Workshop leader National Audubon Membership
Last year 224 bird species were reported including Blue- Annual membership in the National Audubon Society is
footed Booby and Crested Caracara! This year there will $30 per year. New membership dues are $20. Members
be trips to the desert, mountains, coast, and chaparral, receive the Audubon Magazine and Chaparral Naturalist
newsletter. Renewals of membership are computerized by
pelagic and overnight to Baja CA Mexico. A special
National Audubon and should not be sent to PVAS. How-
addition will be an overnight trip to the Salton Sea. An ever, a new membership may be sent directly to PVAS.
all-day Digiscoping class with in the field experience
Make checks payable to National Audubon Society. Mail
sponsored by Swarovski Optik is one of the fourteen payment with membership form below and mail to PVAS,
workshops offered. The Festival includes three-day optics W. M. Keck Science Center, 925 North Mills Avenue,
and vendors fair! Claremont, CA 91711. (Please note chapter code number,
CO8, 7XCH on your check.)
For a Festival brochure and registration information
contact us at: sandiegoaudubon.org or 619-682-7200 Name__________________________________________
Attached is an announcement for your newsletter. We Address________________________________________
would appreciate your help spreading the word about the
San Diego Audubon 's Bird Festival. City, State, Zip___________________________________
Chapter Code: Pomona Valley Audubon CO8, 7XCH
If you need further assistance please contact Ann Hannon You may also join National Audubon via our website at:
[email protected] http://www.ca.audubon.org/chapters.html/

7
 Membership Meetings
Thursday, September 6, 2007 Thursday, November 1, 2007
Dan Guthrie Pamela Kling and Suzanne Chappell
“Birding the Outposts "Birding North Dakota"
of Asia, Mongolia and
the Moluccas"
Our esteemed Chapter President
will present a program about some
of his recent trips to Asia. This
will introduce us to Asian birding
as well as to two of the more remote
areas for a birding trip.

Thursday, October 11, 2007 New

John Moir Date!
“Return of the Condor:
The Race to Save Our Pictured from left to right:
Largest Bird from Pam Kling, Suzanne Chappell, Dawn Hutchinson, and Karlene Campo

Extinction”
Several members of our chapter signed on for Sylvia
Award-win ning Gallagher's course on the Sparrows of North America held
s c ie n c e w r it e r this last winter. Four even went so far as to travel to North
John Moir will Dakota in late June in search of sparrows and other northern
tell the riveting prarie specialties. Our Naturalist Editor, Pam Kling,
story of the California and past Board Member/Bird Class Instructor, Suzanne
Condor’s dramatic rescue from the brink Chappell, will present a program about this trip. It will be
of extinction. John is author of the new illustrated by Pam’s superb photos.
book by the same name. The presentation
includes rare photos that take you Meetings are held in Bauer Forum of Claremont McKenna
through the recovery effort. College. Evenings begin with a bird identification session
at 7:00 p.m., followed by refreshments, a short business
More information can be
meeting, and our evening program.
found on his web site www.
returnofthecondor.com.

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