THE

Drawing by
Guy Coheleach
WRENTIT
Pasadena Audubon Society
Founded 1904

A Chapter of National Audubon Society

To bring the excitement of birds to our community through birding, education
Volume 52 – No. 4 and the conservation of bird habitats. September-October 2004

September Program October Program November Program

Raptors An Alaskan Birding The Deserts of North
September 15, 2004 Adventure America
Jon Fisher and Mickey Long October 20, 2004 November 17, 2004
B irds of prey are one of the most
fascinating groups of birds and we
Roy Poucher Sylvia Ranney Gallagher
are indeed fortunate that Southern
California is rich in raptors. In fact,
T onight’s presentation is on six of the
most popular birding bio-regions
visited by Roy Poucher in May - June
F or many people the word DESERT
produces an image of desolate, barren
sand – or glorious carpets of spring
Los Angeles County boasts 22 spe- 1998, as a part of his ABA Big Year. wildflowers among towering green
cies, including rarities. Differences Places to be described: saguaros. Both images are correct, but
between adults and juveniles, various 1) Homer, Kenai Peninsula they are far from the whole picture. At
geographic races, male and female 2) Anchorage this month’s General Meeting, Sylvia
and mixing of residents and migrants 3) Gambell, St. Lawrence Island Gallagher will take you on a slide tour of
make many birds of prey an extra 4) Nome the deserts of North America. She will
challenge. 5) St. Paul, Pribilof Islands address such questions as: Why are the
Jon and Mickey will bring some 6) Inland Denali Highway Areas. deserts located where they are? How
order and clarity to the task of identi- The average Auduboner can design many deserts are there, and how do they
fying this diverse group of winged his own economical Alaskan birding differ from one another? What are some
hunters. See if you know all the adventure, just as Roy did for this trip. of the birds typical of each desert, and
differences between Cooper’s and Therefore, besides presenting slides of how are they adapted to life in their severe
Sharp-shinned Hawks, the best time of birds seen in Alaska, there will be a lot environments? Her talk will be illustrated
year to find a Golden Eagle over the of information on the “how” and “what” with slides from the Sea and Sage Audu-
San Gabriel foothills, or join in a the overall experience of Alaska birding bon Library of Nature Slides.
chorus of Red-tailed vs. Red-shoul- is like: the different modes of transporta- Sylvia received her Ph.D. in Chemis-
dered Hawk calls. tion required, the lodging available, the try and has taught at John Muir High
weather, the various landscapes and plant School here in Pasadena, Chaffey College
General Meetings held at: life, and the numerous different cultural and Cal Poly, Pomona. She is a past Vice-
Eaton Canyon Nature Center frameworks within which one birds there. President of Sea and Sage Audubon and is
1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena Roy Poucher has been a Sea and currently their Bird Information chair.
Sage Audubon trip leader and field trip
7:00 pm Social assistant in their introductory birding In this Issue
7:30 pm Program classes for 12 years. Conservation 2
Birdathon Results 2
Magpie Study Group 2
President’s Perch Our regular Hahamongna walk will be Centennial Dinner 3
September through April, except for Silent Auction Thanks 3
O ur Centennial Celebration was a
celebration to remember! There were
many presenters including Glenn Olson,
November and January. During those
two months, Ed Stonick will lead walks
Trip Reports
We’ve Got theRight Bird
4
4
at Peck Pit. And we are on the verge of
the new Director of Audubon California. adding a walk at the Huntington Gar- Mark Your Calendar 4
The food was wonderful and the Silent dens! This walk will be limited to PAS
Auction was successful. If you missed the
Field Trips 5
members only (is your membership up- Calendar 6
party, don’t worry; our bicentennial is only to-date?) and to signups. More informa-
99 years away! New Members 7
tion to follow.
The summer was great with a very Hope to see you on a walk or at a So Cal Birding Optics Event 7
successful adventure for the Five-striped meeting soon! Chapter Membership 7
Sparrow in Arizona. This fall will be shore Kid’s Corner 8
birds and deserts with trips to Piute Ponds,
the L.A. River and the Mojave Desert. Baking for Birds 8
Our monthly walks are changing also.
PAGE 2 The Wrentit

Conservation drill drainage holes in the bottoms of eating, or getting bitten by infected birds
or mammals, so take extra precautions.
things that collect water.
• Empty water from flowerpots, barrels, Use gloves when picking up a dead bird
West Nile swimming pool and boat covers, etc., or mammal, or grab the animal with a
Virus and change the water in birdbaths and plastic bag and then invert it to the inside
Editor’s Note: As pet dishes, at least every 3-4 days. of the bag. If local authorities don’t want
this article is being • Clean roof gutters regularly, keep the animal, double-bag it in plastic and
prepared, in mid- swimming pools clean and chlorinated, put it in the trash.
August, the West Nile and turn over wheelbarrows and plastic National Audubon Society
Virus continues to wading pools when not in use. WWW.AUDUBON.ORG/BIRD/WNV.
increase in Southern • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them
California. We’re all aware of the dangers with mosquito-eating fish. For areas on BIRDATHON Results
of West Nile and of the things we can do to your property from which standing
help ourselves, but this document from the
National Audubon Society warrants
water cannot easily be eliminated
consider using the larvicide known as W hat a banner year for
BIRDATHON. At the Centen-
nial Dinner Ana Garcia was de-
reading. (Edited for space constraints – “BTI,” which is a bacterium that
WEB address at end contains full text). specifically targets the digestive tracts lighted to present the first prize gift
of larval mosquitoes and keeps them certificate to John Garrett for
The Basics collecting a whopping $2,345.60.
from developing into adults. Talk with
V iruses aren’t technically “alive”
because they can’t make copies of
themselves, but they have genetic
neighbors about following these same
practices.
Ron Cyger came in second with
$619.50. Many other participants
and donors made up the balance.
Try to stay inside at peak mosquito
information that is encoded in the same THANK YOU all for this most
biting times (dawn, dusk, and at night).
way as that of living things. The genetic amazing amount of money!
When outside at these times, wear light-
message of an animal virus directs the cells
colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Our total: $3,949.10
of the “host” it infects to make copies of the
Use mosquito netting over baby carriers.
virus, which then leave those cells and go on
Make sure your windows and screen
to invade others within the same animal.
Magpie Bird
doors are “bug tight,” and replace your
Most animal viruses have small “host
outdoor bulbs with yellow “bug lights” to
Study Group
ranges” - they can only infect a single, or a
decrease mosquito presence.
small number of similar, species.
Use a repellent if you will be outside
West Nile virus has an unusually
when mosquitoes are active (or during the
large host range; it is primarily an avian
virus, but it can also infect some mammals
day in areas with weeds, tall grass, or
bushes–where mosquitoes rest), especially
T he group meets the third
Tuesday of each month. We
bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am,
and reptiles. Mosquito bites are the most
if you are over 50, and also especially if eat sack lunches and have a short
common route of transmission.
WNV transmission is occurring in your business meeting. All PAS mem-
Not all mosquito species are “compe-
neighborhood (as evidenced by the bers welcome.
tent vectors” – some can’t reproduce the
finding of dead birds).
virus inside of them and some can’t Tuesday, September 21, 2004
The most effective products contain
successfully pass it along. Several of the San Dimas Nature Center
the chemical known as DEET. READ
important vector species in North America Meet at the Nature Center
AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE
breed in wet, calm areas containing
INSTRUCTIONS ON PRODUCT Tuesday, October 19, 2004
decaying animal or plant material; there
LABELS. Other repellents [made from the Debs Park
doesn’t have to be much water and the
“essential oils” of plants] have been Meet at the Audubon Nature Center.
water doesn’t have to be around for very
shown to be less effective than those
long – in warm weather, 5-6 days to Tuesday, November 16, 2004
containing DEET. Personal ultrasonic
produce adult mosquitoes from eggs. Peck Road Park
wavelength emitters and wristbands have
Many mosquitoes don’t travel far from To get there, drive down Myrtle in
not proved effective. Mosquito traps may
where they hatched; those in your yard Monrovia, which becomes Peck
actually increase the density of mosqui-
probably hatched nearby. Road (about 2 miles). There is a
toes in your yard, and backyard bug
traffic light at Clark Ave. and the
What You Can Do “zappers” don’t kill many female mosqui-
park entrance is the first right after
Be realistic. The Centers for Disease toes but do kill billions of non-target,
the light.
Control (CDC) report that less than 1% of beneficial insects each year in the US.
Sid Heyman (626) 571-5991
people bitten by infected mosquitoes Protect your pets. Try to keep pets
Madeline West (626) 574-0429
develop West Nile meningitis or encepha- indoors when mosquitoes are active.
litis and four out of five infected people House cats should be kept inside at all
don’t even know they were exposed. But times, for many reasons, including the fact
for the one out of five that develops the that they may help spread WNV. PAS on the WEB
fever, it can be an unpleasant experience. Get horses vaccinated.
One of the best ways to decrease your Help your local birds. Keep your Website
chances of being bitten is to decrease the feeders filled and clean; there is no evidence HTTP:// WWW . PASADENAAUDUBON .ORG
number of mosquitoes in your neighbor- that providing birds with feeding opportuni-
hood. Decrease mosquito breeding ties contributes to the spread of WNV. ListServe
opportunities. Look around and eliminate Deal with potentially infected animals HTTP:// GROUPS.YAHOO. COM/GROUP/
sources of mosquito breeding habitat: carefully as it is not yet known if people PASADENAAUDUBON/
• Get rid of unwanted containers and can become infected through handling,
September-October 2004 PAGE 3

photo by Donald G. Rogers

Centennial Dinner
O n Saturday night, June 19, Pasadena
Audubon Society held a dinner to
celebrate its Centennial Year. And what
Denny’s Ale House provided more
delicious barbequed tri-tip, chicken and
fixin’s than we could eat – traffic to and
of Audubon California and then pre-
sented certificates of appreciation to the
past PAS Presidents in attendance —
a dinner it was! The weather was from the auction area increased in Mickey Long, Judy Johnson, Larry
beautiful, the food terrific, and the proportion to the amount of time left to Johnson, Bob Neuwirth and Karen
program just long enough. Almost bid. Two really hot items were the Rogers
eighty members and guests arrived birding trips. Then at 8:00 pm the Toward the end of the evening,
ready for a special evening and they had auction was closed and the “Did I get it while numbers were being drawn for
one! or not?” speculation became a prime door prizes, names of successful auction
Early in the afternoon, most of the table topic. A champagne toast and a bidders were also announced. Excited
Board gathered at Eaton Canyon Nature cake bearing our Centennial logo was voices could be heard saying, “I got the
Center to help Hospitality Chair Laura the finishing touch to dinner. sculpture” or “I got the dinner” or “I got
Garrett set tables, decorate, and arrange Ana Garcia proved to be a delight- the book” or “I got the painting” and on
the Silent Auction items. The wonderful ful lady with a sense of humor as she and on and on. And then it was time to
people from Eaton Canyon Nature told us a bit about herself and made go home.
Center made sure we had whatever was introductions. Don Rogers got the THANKS… to Laura Garrett and
needed to make everything just right and program off to a good start with a recap everyone else who worked hard to make
it was. Many thanks ECNC! of PAS’ first 100 years. The pictures this evening happen; to all who donated
By evening, the tables held beauti- and excerpts from old newspapers were auction items; to everyone who bid on
ful candle and ivy centerpieces, fairy humorous as well as informative. Dan the items, to everyone who came for
lights twinkled on the patio and live Lewis gave us an overview of birds 100 dinner; to PAS for evolving over these
guitar music played as we gathered to years ago and now. And Glenn Olson, first 100 years into our wonderful
enjoy drinks and snacks while sizing up Audubon California’s new Executive organization.
the auction items. During dinner – Matt Director, spoke briefly about the future

Silent Auction
T he auction would never have happened if it wasn’t for the Pasadena Audubon Society Board of Directors. They not only
donated auction items themselves, but took the time and effort to solicit items from businesses and individuals. Many thanks
to Norm Arnheim, Eileen Burton, Ron Cyger, Jon Feenstra, Lois Fulmer, Will Fulmer, Laura Garrett, Michael Graesser, Mark
Hunter, Priya Kumar, Dan Lewis, Jean O’Hagan and Don Rogers. This year we raised a total of $1,720.00 from the Silent
Auction to support PAS programs.
The following local businesses contributed generously to our fund-raising efforts. We hope you’ll reciprocate by patroniz-
ing them and letting them know you appreciate their support of PAS.
Amadeus Salon Jacob Maarse Florist
Audubon California Matt Denny’s Ale House Restaurant
Armstrong’s Nurseries 1 Cent CD
Brookside Golf Course Peet’s Coffee
Barkley on the Green The Stuffed Sandwich
The Huntington Library Catherine Waters Landscaping
Café Santorini Trader Joe’s
La Plata Cigar Company Yahaira’s Cafe
PAGE 4 The Wrentit
Field Trip Reports
Mt. Pinos Arizona/Five-striped
June 26, 2004
Sparrow
W e had a great trip to
the Mt. Pinos area. July 31/August 1, 2004
We arrived at Frazier Park
only to find that the
county park we meet at
O n Saturday, July 31, nine Auduboners
met guide/friend Andree Tarby in
Nogales, Arizona for a very intense day of
was being used as a fire birding. We left our hotel at 6:00 am and
staging area. While didn’t return until 11:00 pm. In between,
waiting for everyone, a we saw over 60 species of birds including
Red-shouldered Hawk the hope-for Five-striped Sparrow, and
serenaded us, and made a drove the tortuous road into California
brief appearance. The Gulch not once, but twice. Besides the
usual birds for a suburban sparrow, California Gulch produced
park were present, even Varied, Lazuli and Indigo Bunting,
with lots of firefighters Bronzed Cowbird, Blue Grosbeak and
around. Many immature Summer Tanager – a very colorful place!
American Coots swimming Less brightly-colored, but just as exciting,
beneath Violet-green and were a Gray Hawk and Common Black-
Northern Rough-winged Hawk passing each other in flight. In
Swallows. Al finally found PAS with local wildlife on Mt. Pinos other areas we heard, but didn’t see,
a Yellow Warbler that we had difficulty singing Cassin’s Sparrows and a Gray
identifying by song. but did have Brown Creepers, Fox Hawk being “ridden” by a Cassin’s
On the road from Frazier Park we Sparrows, Green-tailed Towhees and Kingbird. The only bird we hoped for but
found our third swallow, a Cliff. At the White-breasted Nuthatches. An American missed was the Buff-collared Nightjar,
turnoff up to Mt. Pinos we had both Purple Kestral flew over. Priya found a female which has apparently left the area.
and Cassin’s Finches, Western Wood- Calliope Hummingbird, our only one that Great thanks go to Andree Tarby, who
Pewee and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Chipping day. For our last bird, Mark heard a quiet helped plan the trip, scouted the area, and
Sparrow and Pygmy Nuthatches seemed to call. We tracked down a Dusky Fly- got us there and back safely.
be everywhere. catcher, our 48th species for the day. Judy Bass
Up on Mt. Pinos we hiked up to the Larry Johnson
Condor lookout. We didn’t find a condor, Ron Cyger

We’ve Got the Bird Right Mark Your Calendar

Here Audubon California Assembly Central Valley Bird Symposium
L adbrokes, the grand British book
maker, takes any and all action from
bettors around the world. But a 6,000-mile
November 17-18, 2004
Audubon California will host an
Audubon Assembly at the Radisson Hotel
November 18-21, 2004
The Central Valley Bird Club will
be hosting the Eighth Annual Central
race involving 18 young albatrosses has to in Stockton. The Assembly is a statewide Valley Birding Symposium at the
be one of a kind. The birds took off more meeting open to all members to discuss Radisson Hotel in Stockton, CA.
than two months ago from Australia, conservation challenges in California and There will be field trips, work-
heading for South Africa. Tagged with adopt a common set of priorities for shops, and a Birding Nature Fair and
satellite transponders, several competitors meeting them. It is an opportunity for Art Show with over 25 vendors selling
perished early: yes, including one named Audubon members to gather and learn nature-related items.
The Ancient Mariner. When Aphrodite’s more about the birds, wildlife and habitat Two of the many workshops are
signal disappeared, the field seemed to of California and what Audubon is doing “Flycatcher ID” by Jon Dunn and “Owls
narrow to Xanadu, Ocean Spirit, Demi to protect them. The Assembly will Demystified” by Joe Morlan.
and The Ecologist. (There was no include a range of practical workshops, The schedule, brochure, registration
Seabiscuit.) interesting speakers, and some great field form, etc. are on the website: HTTP://
Tens of thousands of dollars had been trips. CVBS.ORG The non-computer inclined
bet when Ladbrokes teamed up with the For more information contact Jill can contact Frances Oliver at (209) 369-
Conservation Foundation to raise money Shirley at (530) 795-0550 or 2010.
for research and preservation programs [email protected].
for the young Tasmanian shy albatrosses.
Committed punters, of course, will bet on seabirds each year.
anything that moves. But the glorious, Over the weekend, Aphrodite’s signal or two from the finish line. Still, victory
wave-hugging flight of the albatross is suddenly came alive again. There she appeared safely in hand.
truly special. loomed, beeping down the backstretch. But wait: under a technicality, the
And this contest, called the Big Bird Much to the surprise of race officials, bird’s two-week silence meant disqualifi-
Race, is a worthy new way to attract Aphrodite had flown far ahead of the cation. C’mon, no one accused Aphrodite
public attention to the dangers albatrosses field, having mastered the perils of the of taking steroids or a taxi, right? The
must overcome in their migration. Modern vast Southern Ocean. real-world word from Ladbrokes is that it
long-line fishing boats present a bigger The signal also indicated that she had will proudly pay off on Aphrodite once
threat than any natural predator along the paused to fish off the South African coast, she beeps across the line.
journey, killing hundreds of thousands of nonchalant as a grazing filly, a mere day Published: July 2, 2004 (NY Times)
September-October 2004 PAGE 5

Field Trips
day of birding. Bring a scope and meet in Peck Pit
the beach parking lot of Leo Carillo State Saturday, November 6, 2004
Beach (parking fee) at 7 am. 8:00 am – noon
Hahamongna Monthly Walk Jon Feenstra This field trip is in lieu of the regular
Saturday, September 4, 2004 (626) 792-4346 Hahamongna Monthly Walk. Contact
8:00 am – noon [email protected]
leader for meeting location..
This is monthly bird walk is for Ed Stonick (626)796-0595 or
birders of all ages and experience. A good Hahamongna Monthly Walk [email protected]
variety of resident and wintering species Saturday, October 2, 2004
should be in residence. 8:00 am – noon North Slope of the San
Exit the northbound 210 Freeway at See September 4, 2004 for details.
Berkshire and make a right, then a left at the
Gabriels
light. The park entrance is on the right at
Galileo Hills Saturday, November 13, 2004
the next stop light. Take the first left after Saturday, October 9, 2004 7:45 am – noon
entering Hahamongna Watershed Park and 8:00 am – 4 pm On this trip we’re going to visit some
park by the ballfield. This location is a migrant magnet and infrequently birded locations along the
Ron Cyger [email protected] (preferred) vagrant vortex. Songbirds, flycatchers, etc. northern slope of the San Gabriel Moun-
(626) 449-3625 (before 9:00 pm) Take Hwy 14 about 4 miles past tains. In winter, the North Slope is
Mojave, then turn right on California City excellent for finding birds that retreat
Huntington Beach Central Blvd. Drive through town about a mile from higher elevations. Additionally, this
Park & Bolsa Chica past the shops, turn left on Randsburg- area collects birds that wander in from the
Saturday, September 11, 2004 Mojave Rd. just past the Golf Course, and north and rarely occur in the LA basin. On
7:30 am – noon veer right on 20 Mule Team Rd. Turn left last year’s trip we saw a Yellow-bellied
at the Galileo Hills sign before the hill, Sapsucker and many Lewis’s Woodpeck-
This trip offers a chance to see a wide
take your first paved right, your first right ers. If we have time we’ll head out into
variety of land and water birds, from
again, into the Silver Saddle Country the Antelope Valley to look for wintering
migrant warblers and flycatchers, to exotics
Club, followed by two paved lefts into the raptors and longspurs.
(no, not that kind) and residents such as
lot. Park by the first pond. About 2 hrs Meet at the Park & Ride on Ave S in
mannikins, herons, egrets, terns, plovers and
driving time from L.A. Bring lunch, sun Palmdale. Dress warm.
sandpipers. Mid-September is a great time
block. Jon Feenstra
to be in the field and we’ll split our time
Sign up (12 max.) at (818) 247-6172 (626) 792-4346
between Central Park and Bolsa Chica.
or [email protected]. [email protected]
Take the 405 Freeway south to
Nick Freeman
Goldenwest and exit here, heading south. At Prado Regional Park
Slater, make a left and then a quick right Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk Saturday, November 20, 2004
into the parking area on the north side of Sunday, October 17, 2004 8:00 am – noon
Central Park. We’ll meet there. 8:00 am – noon Wintering waterfowl, marsh birds,
Ron Cyger–[email protected] (preferred) See September 19, 2004 for details. and gulls will be the main focus of
or (626) 449-3625 (before 9:00 pm) attention (last year Little Gull and Black-
Eaton Canyon East Mojave National Preserve legged Kittiwake were reported from this
Monthly Walk Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 23-24 site). However, the mature trees at the
8:00 am Saturday to mid-aft. Sunday park also support woodland birds.
Sunday, September 19, 2004 Suggestions for additional afternoon
8:00 am – noon The East Mojave desert encompasses a
wide range of habitats with a surprising birding will be entertained by the leader.
Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Take Route 71 south past Chino to
Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring diversity of birds. We will be looking for
resident (thrashers, Pinyon Jay, inland the Euclid Ave. exit, turn east on Euclid
monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The and the park entrance will be on your
walks are led by Hill Penfold who has subspecies) and wintering species (raptors,
Mountain Bluebird) in habitats ranging from right. There is a per-car entry fee; you
been leading them at ECNC for many may wish to carpool.
years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all desert scrub and desert oases to Joshua tree
and Pinyon-Juniper woodlands. Larry Allen
levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best (323) 221-2022
locations to learn the birds of the Pasa- Take I-210 east to I-15, thence north
[email protected]
dena area. to Baker (about a 2-1/2 to 3-hour drive).
The walks are held on the third Sunday Meet at the “world’s largest thermometer” Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring next to the Bun Boy restaurant. If you are
Sunday, November 21, 2004
water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs. late, look for us at the sewer ponds, off
8:00 am – noon
Hill Penfold (818) 352-4954 Kelbaker Rd. immediately south of the
See September 19, 2004 for details.
[email protected] freeway. We will be remote from civiliza-
tion most of the time, and will camp
Ventura County Saturday night somewhere in the Mid
Saturday, September 25, 2004 Hills. Recommend filling with fuel at
7:00 am – ? Baker. Bring camping gear, water, and
We’re going to start off by scoping food for two lunches, one breakfast, and
for seabirds then head into coastal one dinner.
Ventura County and bird through some of Larry Allen (323) 221-2022 or
the excellent migrant traps. We’ll hit [email protected]
Sycamore Canyon, the sod farms, and a Ed Stonick (626)796-0595 or Horned Lark
few other places that will give us a good [email protected]
PAGE 6 The Wrentit

Calendar

Submit material for the next Wrentit by October 2nd

September 2004
Date Day Time Event Location Leader *
4 Sat 8:00 am Field Trip Hahamongna Watershed Park Ron Cyger
9 Th 7:30 pm Board Meeting Pasadena Presbyterian Church
585 E. Colorado (at Madison)
11 Sat 7:30 am Field Trip Hunting Beach/Bolsa Chica Ron Cyger
15 Wed 7:00 pm General Meeting Eaton Canyon Nature Center Program: Raptors
19 Sun 8:00 am Field Trip Eaton Canyon Nature Center Hill Penfold
21 Tu 9:00 am Magpie Group San Dimas Nature Center Sid Heyman
Madeline West
25 Sat 7:00 am Field Trip Ventura County Jon Feenstra

October 2004
2 Sat 8:00 am Field Trip Hahamongna Watershed Park Ron Cyger
7 Th 7:30 pm Board Meeting Pasadena Presbyterian Church
585 E. Colorado (at Madison)
9 Sat 8:00 am Field Trip Galileo Hills Nick Freeman
10 Sun 2-4 pm Baking for Birds 711 S. Mentor, Pasadena The Garrett’s
17 Sun 8:00 am Field Trip Eaton Canyon Nature Center Hill Penfold
19 Tu 9:00 am Magpie Group Debs Park Sid Heyman
Madeline West
20 Wed 7:00 pm General Meeting Eaton Canyon Nature Center Program: Alaska
23/24 S/S 8:00 am Field Trip East Mojave National Preserve Larry Allen
Ed Stonick
23/24 S/S All Day Optics Field Day San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary Sea & Sage Audubon

November 2004
4 Th 7:30 pm Board Meeting Pasadena Presbyterian Church
585 E. Colorado (at Madison)
6 Sat 8:00 am Field Trip Peck Pit Ed Stonick
13 Sat 7:45 am Field Trip North Slope of San Gabriels Jon Feenstra
16 Tu 9:00 am Magpie Group Peck Road Park Sid Heyman
Madeline West
17 Wed 7:00 pm General Meeting Eaton Canyon Nature Center Program: Deserts
20 Sat 8:00 am Field Trip Prado Regional Park Larry Allen
21 Sun 8:00 am Field Trip Eaton Canyon Nature Center Hill Penfold

*Trip Leader Information

John Feenstra (Chair) (626) 792-4346 FEENSTRA @ITS . CALTECH . EDU
Larry Allen (323) 221-2022 LARRYALLEN @EARLYMUSICLA .ORG
Ron Cyger (626) 449-3625 (before 9 pm) RON @CYGER.ORG (preferred)
Josh Engel (909) 990-9203 JENGEL 5230 @ YAHOO . COM
Nick Freeman (818) 247-6172 [email protected]
Sid Heyman (626) 571-5991
Hill Penfold (626) 352-4954 HPENFOLD @BIGFOOT .COM
Ed Stonick (626) 796-0595 [email protected]
Madeline West (626) 574-0429 MADEBILL @EARTHLINK. NET
May-June 2004 PAGE 7
Nielsen, Wesley Wilkerson; El Monte:
New Members Ralph Shankland; La Cañada: Carol
Michael Rivera, S.S. Rubsamen, Ann
Scheid, Mary Ellen Schubel, Bill Seguine,
Brown, Kirk Dawson, Lisbeth Morris, Katherine Shiban, A.S. Solomon, Anne
PAS is pleased to welcome the Lorewe Samoska, Dan Voge, Anne Stewart, Ted Tang, Stanford Taylor,
following new members. We hope you will Wallace, Ben Williams, Mary Williams; Sharon Vaughan, Maria Venegas, Helen
get involved in our many activities. Monrovia: Shirley Kissel, Bonnie Williams, Roger Williams, Lucas
Alhambra: Dolores Armendariz, Pat Loveland, Laurel O’Reilly, S. Sims, the Zarebinski, Michael Zinzun; Rosemead:
Ellico, Barry Furvseth, Elvy Gustafsson, Wulfensmiths; Monterey Park: Val Melody Avila, Jean DeCocker, Karl
Sonia Menjivar, L.E. Moeller, Amanda Carlin, Harry Fong, Gabriel Gonzalez, Hjelm, Sheila Liwicki, Marianne
Perez, Jack Sera, Masaru Sonoda; George Hendry, Vernon Kahle, Roy McDonald, Jo Mitchell, Neil Motter,
Altadena: Laura Bluff, Serena Burris, Oshita, Joseph Rubin; Montrose: Thomas Evelyn Paul, Tina Wood; San Gabriel:
Cecil Cash, Wilda Coker, Ethel Engstrom, Petersmeyer; Pasadena: William Averill, Heide Carney, Sandi Cox, R.M.
Anna Graves, Barbara Hallman, Marie Richard Beland, Sandy Bradley, A. Brady, Hernandez, Emily Munro, George Yee;
Kelley, Wendy Price, Richard Rayburn, Clark Buswell, Gerald Chapman, Kenneth San Marino: Eric Buickians, Emmett
Jean Roberts, Gertrude Schuckert, Svend Chawkins, Susan Clarke, Cynthia Crass, Tompkins; Sierra Madre: Leopold
Sondergard, Constance Storey, L. James Creed, Alton Cullen, Nancy Borodovsky, Genevieve Collins, Jill
Ustinov, Ian White, Dabney Zorthian; Dunham, M.V. Faithorn, Mary Hearn, Emery, Nan Kaeser, Virginia Kathol,
Arcadia: Sylvia Bartlett, Adrienne Biggi, R.G. Hemann, Pamela Herma, Gilbert Margaret Koch, Luise Mejia, Robert
Ralph Bocchetti, Kenneth Bone, Shaun Herrera, Susan Hopkins, Claralyn Proctor, Jan Scalise, Nina Smith, Martha
Chen, Richard Curtis, Carl DeHaven, Howard, Pauline Hwang, Elaine Iasparro, Sprigs, Esther Stroh, Patty Van Zant;
Nikhil Jain, Mary Kellogg, Ying Lu, June Ralph Kavanagh, Kenneth Kemp, George South Pasadena: Jan Adams, Rachel
Sangwand, Marilynn Seif, Sonya Sidler, Kinney, Garo Kourjian, E. Kristensen, Alexander, Jane Ettinger, Eleanor
Joe & Joan Sintov, Mrs. Frank Sollet, Roger Krost, A. Livieson, J. Marshall, Fairchild, Don Golden, Nancy Gower,
Thomas Taquino, Kathryn Ward, Hazel Marilyn Maxwell, Jacquelyn McCoy & Mrs. L.G. Gustafson, Robert Knowles,
Williams, Vivian Williams; Azusa: Mark James Lare, Elizbeth McFee, Sally Ada Lu, Scott Markowitz, Janet Muff,
Blackshaw, Edith Cavallaro, Elizabeth Mosher, Alice Mueller, Taka Nomura, Scott Parker, Glenna Peters, John Sinclair,
Esqueda, R.A. James, Ruth Mitchell, Hilda Parks, Thomas Parrington, Denise Sinnott, Stan Thompson; Temple
Marjorie Moss, Madelyn Payne; Duarte: Philipson Inc., Elizabeth Pomeroy, Izzy City: Betty Hines, Deborah Snell, L.
the Buchanans, Barbara Miller, Ed Puluers, Sagar Raksit, William Ramseyer, Vennard; Van Nuys: Judy Howell.

So Cal Birding Optics Field welcome to attend. A full schedule of bird walks are scheduled to view the
Days activities planned, including 14 excellent abundant bird life at the ponds in the
October 23-24, 2004 fee workshops taught by leaders in birding sanctuary. Full information on this event

S ea & Sage Audubon is sponsoring the

Optics Field Days. They will be held at
the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
and optics. Representatives of major
optical manufacturers will be on hand to
show their equipment and answer your
can be found on the Sea & Sage Audubon
website at WWW.SEAANDSAGEAUDUBON.ORG.
For questions, contact Nancy Kenyon
Irvine, CA. They will offer birders the questions. at (949) 786-3160, [email protected] , or
opportunity to try out and use new birding A pancake breakfast will be held Cat Waters at (562) 869-6718,
optics in a field-type setting. The event is Saturday morning along with the sale of [email protected].
open to the public and everyone is used natural history books, and morning

Become A Chapter Member Membership Application

of Pasadena Audubon Name
Society Address
City
R ecent policy changes by the National
Audubon Society have severely
reduced and will soon eliminate the share
State
E-mail
Zip Code Phone
of NAS membership dues returned to
local chapters. The chapters have been Donor’s address for gift membership:
encouraged to offer Chapter Only mem- Name
berships. Address
Please fill out the application below. City State Zip Code
A PAS membership of $35 or more,
entitles you to a Pasadena Audubon Yearly Membership for Individudal or Family
Society tee shirt and pin. You can pick
them up at any of our general meetings! PAS Chapter Only [ ] $20 [ ] $35* [ ] Other _________
Pasadena Audubon Society is a 501 * Plus Chapter Pin and Tee Shirt (not Centennial shirt)
(c) (3) corporation, which entitles you to
deduct your contributions on your federal [ ] $15 Senior/Full-time Student
and state tax returns.
Ron Cyger NAS C06 [ ] $35
Make checks payable and mail to:
Pasadena Audubon Society, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107
PAGE 8 The Wrentit
Kid’s Corner abundant. But, as Jon explained, it was Juncos, Pygmy Nuthatches (or Pygnuts, as
Editor: John and his family were success- probably too late in the year for them, as Jon calls them), Mountain Chickadees,
ful bidders at the Silent Auction in June they are most likely to be seen in May. and Western Bluebirds. Soon, we found a
for a personal birding trip to be led by Although we neither heard nor saw any female Cassin’s Finch feeding on the
Jon Feenstra. This is the first section of Black-chinned Sparrows, we did see some ground, several Western Wood-Pewees,
John’s article about their adventure. interesting birds, including a Bewick’s some more Thick-billed Fox Sparrows,
Wren, a family of Black-headed Gros- and, as we expected, we bumped into the
Our Trip with Jon Feenstra beaks, and best of all, a juvenile Bell’s P.A.S. field trip group led by Ed Stonick.

A t the Centennial Dinner Silent

Auction, my family bid on and won a
personal birding trip with Jon Feenstra.
Sage Sparrow.
We continued on to Buckhorn, and
driving down the long driveway there, we
Although all these birds we saw at
Buckhorn were great, the best bird we had
was a Clark’s Nutcracker, eating some
The only problem was a simple one, thought we had a Dusky Flycatcher, but it seeds from a pinecone. There were two
deciding where and when to go. Of very well could have been a Western odd things about this individual Clark’s
course, being only 10, I just left that to the Wood-Pewee. Almost as soon as we got Nutcracker. First, it was the only one we
adults, although I did blurt out, “Let’s go out of the car, we heard lots of Thick- found at Buckhorn, and second, Buckhorn
to the Salton Sea!” every now and then. billed Fox Sparrows and MacGillivray’s is a low elevation for these birds. Then,
Finally we all agreed that we would go to Warblers singing, and I don’t think I’ll after enjoying both an adult and a juvenile
the local mountains on July 10th. ever forget their calls. Walking around a Red-breasted Sapsucker, we went to
Our first planned stop was Buckhorn little produced a couple of Orange- Cortelyou Springs. We didn’t see any
Campground, but when Jon learned that crowned Warblers and one female birds at the springs, but Jon said you
the Black-chinned Sparrow wasn’t on my MacGillivray’s Warbler, a few Thick- could find interesting birds there like
lifelist, he showed us some places by the billed Fox Sparrows, a Green-tailed Townsend’s Solitaires, which would have
side of the road where they’re often Towhee, and many juvenile Dark-eyed been a lifebird for me.

Baking for Birds!

rd
3 Annual Roots & Shoots Lemonade/Bake Sale Personal Ad
Help the California Condor, California Gnatcatcher, Whooping Crane
Wanted: m/f b (birder) any age,
Sunday, October 10, 2004
who loves birding, bird education
2:00 – 4:00 pm and/or the environment for meaning-
The Garretts
ful relationship on the PAS board.
711 S. Mentor Avenue, Pasadena Contact Ron at [email protected] or
(near intersection of Lake and California)
before 9 p.m. (626) 449-3625. no
Every cookie, brownie, cupcake or glass of lemonade helps these endangered birds. picture req’d.
Proceeds go directly to the Nature Conservancy, Peregrine Fund
and Operation Migration
For more information:
Laura Garrett: (626) 564-1890 or [email protected]

Pasadena Audubon Society Board

Publicity Priya Kumar (626) 793-8832
President Ron Cyger (626) 449-3625 Michael Graesser (626) 793-8832
Vice President Norm Arnheim (626) 405-0844 Youth Education Norm Arnheim (626) 405-0844
Secretary Jean O’Hagan (626) 792-4406
Treasurer Will Fulmer (626) 798-1606 The Wrentit is published by the Pasadena Audubon Society
Board Members at Large: 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena, CA, 91107
Eileen Burton, Dan Lewis, Brian Tomikawa, Madeline West
Editor Beverly McKenzie (626) 355-9842
Committee Chairs Desktop Publishing Donald G. Rogers (626) 286-2546
Conservation Silvia Vieyra (323) 266-5184 Printing Pasadena Print Stop (626) 577-0510
Field Trips Jon Feenstra (626) 792-4346 Wrentit Mailing Alex Strong (626) 799-3364
Hospitality Laura Garrett (626) 564-1890
Programs Ron Cyger/Bev McKenzie Pasadena Audubon Society Chapter only–$20. Wrentit subscription only–1 year
Magpie Bird Study Group Madeline West (626) 574-0429 $10. National Audubon Society membership fees–$35. National members receive
Sid Heyman (626) 571-5991 Audubon magazine and The Wrentit. Messages or queries for Pasadena Audubon
Membership Lois Fulmer (626) 798-1606 may be left at (626) 355-9412. For change of NAS address call: (800) 274-4201.

Pasadena Audubon Society Non-profit Organization

DATED MATERIAL U.S. Postage
1750 N. Altadena Drive
PAID
Pasadena, CA 91107 No. 1880
Pasadena, CA

Printed on
50% recycled paper