The Valley Habitat

February 2014
A Joint Publication of the Stanislaus Audubon Society and the Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club Program

7p.m. Friday, February 21, 2014

Adam Blauert : New and Future Hiking Opportunities in California

Adam Blauert is a correspondent to the Merced Sun-Star. He's an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, backpacking, and exploring the western states. His talk will center on new and future hiking opportunities in California. For those who want a sneak preview of what Adam could present, take a look at some of his columns in the Merced Sun-Star at mercedsunstar.com. His topics range from the dessert to the coast, the mountains to the Central Valley. Be sure to explore his galleries on Bodie, Death Valley and the Black Rock Dessert.
College Avenue Congregational Church 1341 College Avenue - Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:45 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. -Non-members are always welcome! The program is free and open to the public. The beautiful 2014 Sierra Club Engagement Calendars and Wall Calendars will be sold, discounted, at the Ferbruary 21st program or you can call Doug Hardie at (209) 524-6651 to order them.

Trimming the Carbon Footprint

by Steve Tomlinson, Yokuts Treasurer Hi folks. Needless to say there are several transportation options which help to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. In our area this would include Amtrak, bus services, hybrid vehicles, electric cars, or bicycles. Personally I have not driven a car for over eight years. My primary focus today will be on electric bikes or E-bikes. I recently spent a day in Sacramento and purchased my third E-bike. It was quite convenient as the bike shop is three blocks from the Amtrak station and close to good food as well as a Starbucks. I test drove a couple of bikes on an asphalt trail along the Sacramento River. After the first ride I said "It's FUN" when asked how the ride was. The bike is a "pedal assist" bicycle in that you can regulate how much the electric motor assists your pedaling. Or you can go with throttle only. The range of mileage

on a battery charge ranges from about 10 to 25 miles. Top speed is 20 m.p.h. There are lots of electric bikes available with a range in prices as well. I could talk for days about alternate transportation and E-bikes. I am more than open to anyone's questions. However the prevalent concern for me is whether individuals are willing to make a change or sacrifice to help save the planet. The bike shop owner tells me that environmental reasons account for about 5%-10% of E-bike purchases. The #1 reason is to have "fun". Behind fun are saving money and health. Of course change is not always easy, even when done for good reasons. Resistance, rationalizations and excuses are always easy and convenient. My experience is that cutting the carbon or making a lifestyle change is not really that hard. New habits can take the place of old ones. Valley Habitat 1

Stanislaus Audubon Society

RECENT SIGHTINGS OF RARE OR UNCOMMON BIRDS
MERCED COUNTY:

On November 30, Justin Bosler had a PALM WARBLER at Dinosaur Point in San Luis Reservoir; that is only the second Merced County record for this species. Kent van Vuren had three PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a RUFF at the restricted access Los Baos Water Treatment Plant on December 4. At that same location on December 18, Kent had a SAGEBRUSH SPARROW, a species which was split from the newly named Bells Sparrow last summer. Gary Woods saw six MOUNTAIN PLOVERS off Sandy Mush Road on December 7. On December 28, another RUFF was found by Al DeMartini and Peter Metropulos at the Los Baos Water Treatment Facility ponds. Dale Swanberg found a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL at Henderson Park near Snelling on December 30. Although not a county record, this was the first visual sighting of this species of owl in Merced County. On January 3, Kent van Vuren reported four BROWN PELICANS continuing at San Luis Reservoir. Also on January 3, Kent Johnson had a male adult VERMILION FLYCATCHER on Santa Fe Grade Road. This is possibly the same bird returning to that location over several previous winters.
STANISLAUS COUNTY:

Harold Reeve, Bill Amundsen, Eric Caine, and Ralph Baker had a female GREATER SCAUP on December 8 at the Modesto Water Quality Control Facility. On December 11, Sal Salerno had a TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE in Del Puerto Canyon. Harold Reeve found a HERMIT WARBLER associating with Townsends Warblers at Tuolumne River Regional Park on December 24. While re-finding this warbler at that park on December 28, Frances Oliver had a WESTERN TANAGER. The Hermit Warbler and tanager are apparently overwintering, which is possibly due to the warm, dry climate that our county had in December. Sherrie and Harold Reeve found a juvenile female YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER on Sonora Road, one mile west of Knights Ferry, on December 30. If this sapsucker is accepted by the S.B.R.C, it would be only the third record of this species since 1987. Jurgen Lehnert, a birder visiting California from Germany, found a BELLS SPARROW in Del Puerto Canyon on January 6. (NOTE: The LARK BUNTING found on November 1 was still seen by several observers on the Caswell-Westley Christmas Bird Count on January 5.)

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER John Harris

HERMIT WARBLER John Sterling

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Stanislaus Audubon Society

NOT LIKE THE ONE IN THE BOOK! (Part One)
All birdwatchers, from backyard enthusiasts to ornithologists, began as beginners. During that learning curve, each of them has wondered, Why doesnt that bird in the field look like this one in the book? Intermediates still get stumped, and even advanced birders have been known to retract their initial calls. In exploring some reasons for misidentification, I will have to state the obvious again. But if we remember how mistakes were made, we will not only make fewer of them, but also we will forgive ourselves, and each other, when we inevitably stumble. I would like to highlight three issues with misidentification: observers misinterpreting the bird, the birds themselves being abnormal, or books misaligning from actual birds. ITS NOT YOU, ITS ME! First, lets put observers on the spot. Our minds often gain an unfair advantage over our senses. What we actually see is often distorted by what we expect or wish to see. If we swiftly assume the bird we see is a particular common species, our minds will emphasize only marks that confirm our assumption, while overlooking other details that may actually be there. That bird we dismiss as just another Savannah Sparrow with a glance may really be an uncommon Vesper Sparrow with closer scrutiny. 1. This observer bias can run in the opposite direction, too. At times, we may wish to see a rare species so urgently that we may

by Salvatore Salerno
no, we cannot always trust our senses. Optical illusions abound in the field. Estimating a birds size is tough enough, but a dark background can make a pale bird appear larger than the others, while a light background can cause a dark bird to appear larger than the rest. A bird viewed near the horizon among trees, or seen flying through fog, or even spotted through a scope, may appear larger than a bird flying directly overhead or flying in a clear sky, or larger even than a bird seen closer to us with binoculars. One shorebird by itself is often more difficult to size than one that is foraging with Dunlins and Least Sandpipers, which can provide helpful reference sizes for comparison. Judging a birds shape may be made more difficult by its differing postures, not to mention its constantly altering feather arrangements. A perched bird facing the wind may have a sleeker shape than when foraging on the ground. A bird may fluff up its feathers when cold, pull its feathers down when frightened, or raise its feathers when annoyed, changing its shape from its neutral position. A bird in flight will be constantly moving its flight feathers and body, making its actual shape trickier to know. For example, one of the field marks by which a Common Raven can be known is a wedge-shaped tail, but often the mercurial flight of ravens wont reveal that feature.

temporarily turn a common bird into a rarity by bending what we see and hear to our wishes. We dont want to trust our senses because of what is at stakeso much traveling, so much searchingso we allow our imagination to run, like wild dogs rampant in the field. It would seem these

What Bird? Joe Devine

perceptual errors would be reduced with multiple observers, but there is often a collective hypnosis among like-minded birders. If a field trip leader (or someone who just acts confidently) makes the first call on a bird, nearly everyone may not only believe that call, but will choose to see what they have been told is there. Years ago, I tramped in the rain with birders in Humboldt County to see a Spotted Owl that was called in, and merely glanced at, by our leader, until an astute birder borrowed my binoculars and named it correctly as a Barred Owl. Yes, we should let our senses get ahead of our minds, but

(Continued on page 6) Valley Habitat 3

Stanislaus Audubon Society

AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS
February 2, Modesto Reservoir/Turlock Lake. In winter these lakes can attract scores of waterfowl, grebes and the occasional loon. The shoreline may have large numbers of shorebirds, while the surrounding grasslands can be superb for raptors. If there is water in the Turlock Lake outlet canal we may be lucky enough to find Barrows Goldeneye. We may also visit Joe Domecq Wilderness Area and Dawson Lake (time permitting). This is a combined trip with San Joaquin Audubon so the start time will be later than usual. Meet at the Stanislaus County Library parking lot (1500 I Street) at 8:00a.m. Bring lunch. We will return to Modesto mid-afternoon. Trip leader Ralph Baker. Please email Ralph at sharks_hockey_maniac@yahoo.com if you plan to go or if you have any questions. February 15 and March 16. San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge is huge and offers the most diverse habitats in the area, including mixed species transitional savannas, riparian forest, oak woodlands, grassland, and seasonal wetlands. Trip leader, Bill Amundsen ( 521-8256, birdscouter@prodigy.net), chooses the particular habitats to visit each month based on conditions and season. Meet at the Stanislaus Library parking lot at 1500 I Street. at 7:00 a.m. Bring lunch. We will return to Modesto early afternoon. March 1. Ideal Duck Club, Los Banos. Duck club owner, Dale Azevedo, is opening his duck club for us to bird after hunting season. After the season the water is drawn down, exposing large mud flats and attracting shore birds by the tens of thousands. We'll be there to watch. Don't miss this unique opportunity to bird an area seldom seen. Trip leader to be announced. For more information contact David Froba, froba@comcast.net, 521-7265. Meet at the Stanislaus County Library parking lot (1500 I Street, Modesto) at 7:00 a.m. Bring lunch. We will return to Modesto mid-afternoon.
EARLY BIRDERS CLASS, WINTER 2014

Audubon Field Trip Email List If you would like to be on a group email to advise you of all Audubon field trips, please email: Dave Froba at froba@comcast.net. Stanislaus Audubon Society
Board of Directors: Bill Amundsen, Ralph Baker, Eric Caine, Lori Franzman, Jody Hallstrom, David Froba, Jim Gain, Daniel Gilman, John Harris, Harold Reeve, Salvatore Salerno. Officers & Committee Chairs President: Sal Salerno 985-1232 (bees2@sbcglobal.net)

Vice President: Eric Caine 968-1302 (ericcaine@sbcglobal.net) Treasurer: David Froba Secretary: John Harris Membership: Revolving San Joaquin River Refuge Field Trips: Bill Amundsen 521-8256 (birdscouter@prodigy.net) Other Field Trips: David Froba 521-7265 (froba@comcast.net) Christmas Bird Counts Coordinator; Secretary, Stanislaus Birds Records Committee:
Harold Reeve 538-0885

521-7265 (froba@comcast.net) 848-1518 (johnh@mills.edu)

Salvatore Salerno is offering another Early Birders class through the M.J.C. Community Education Department. This course is designed for the beginning or intermediate bird watcher in the identification and enjoyment of birds. The classroom session is on Thursday, February 6. The first field trip is on February 8 to Merced National Wildlife Refuge. The second field trip is on February 15 to San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Look for Early Birders in the mailed class catalog or online at www.mjc4life.org. For further information, call 575-6063.

How to Join Audubon To become a member of the National Audubon Society, which entitles you to receive Valley Habitat and Audubon Magazine, send your check for $20.00 to: National Audubon Society Membership Data Center P.O. Box 422250 Palm Coast, FL 32142 Visit our web site: www.stanislausbirds.org

Valley Habitat 4

Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

Saturday, February 8, 2014 Dayhike 2B Las Trampas Wilderness. We will hike up from Bollinger Canyon to the Las Trampas (eastern) ridge of this East Bay Regional Park and continue on trails part-way down the other side to the Eugene ONeill historic site. The hike will be approximately 7-8 miles in length, and 900 ft in elevation gain. For further information, including the meet-up time and place, please contact Yokuts trip leader Randall Brown at 209 632-5994. Saturday, February 8, 2014 4-mile Dayhike 1A Winter Hike Along the Tuolumne River from Legion Park. Meet at the parking lot by American Legion Hall (1001 S.Santa Cruz Ave.) at 9:30 AM. Dogs and children welcome. No signup necessary. Info: Dorothy 549-9155

Happy 2014 and Thanks to all who attended the Yokuts Holiday Party this past December.
It was a GREAT party with wonderful food, happy friends, caroling and a raffle for special baskets. One basket was won by Dorothy Griggs! We had such a good time.lets do it again next year. Mark your calendars and watch the Habitat for the exact date. Kathy Weise

Thursdays: Midweek Hikes in the Groveland/Highway 120 Area (Tuolumne Group, Motherlode Chapter of the Sierra Club) Each Thursday meet at Mary Laveroni Park, Groveland at 9am for an approximate 6-mile hike. Bring a jacket, water, sunscreen and a snack in a daypack and wear hiking boots. The hike is generally followed by a YO sack lunch. Call Frank Oyung for further details, (209) 962-7585

Yokuts Sierra Club Joins Meetup

The Yokuts Sierra Club group, along with the Delta Sierra and Tuolumne groups have formed a Stockton-Modesto-Sonora Meetup group that includes Sierra Club outings and events. Its easy and free to join this Meetup, just go to the link below and sign up. Its not necessary to be a Sierra Club member to join. Once you sign up, you will automatically be sent announcements of new and upcoming Meetup events. Join the fun and get active in the Sierra Club. http://www.meetup.com/Stockton-Modesto-Sonora-SierraClub/

Valley Habitat 5

Stanislaus Audubon Society & Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

NOT LIKE THE ONE IN THE BOOK! (Part One) (Continued from page 3)

Recycle At the 7 p.m. Friday, February 21, Yokuts Program

College Avenue Congregational Church 1341 College Avenue - Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:45 p.m.

Judging a birds color is often complicated by the quality and direction of light on the subject. A bird that is backlit by sunlight will appear as a silhouette, with virtually all its colors dissolving to shades. Strong, direct sunlight will enable us to see the bird well, but surprisingly, only strongly contrasting colors will emerge, not the subtler tones of the feathers. The light on an overcast day, however, may enable you to see traces of yellow, olive, and green more readily. The slanting light of sunrise or sunset may lend red or orange shadings that really arent on the bird, or it may put highlights on a birds plumage, making it appear whiter than it really is. We must also be aware that the light shed onto a bird may have been reflected off a surface like snow, water, foliage in trees, thereby transferring some of its color onto that bird. Even the angle from which we see the bird can appear to alter its color; for one example, grayishbacked gulls appear darker as they turn away from our view. What can observers do to lessen these confusions? Look long and well at many individuals of the same bird, and at many different kinds of birds, under as many different field conditions as possible. (NEXT MONTH: ITS NOT ME, ITS YOU!)

Recycle receptacles will be available to capture your contributions of used household batteries, used CFL Lightbulbs, old eyeglasses, and old cellphones. Lets all do our bit to keep hazardous stuff out of the trash. Eyeglasses are turned in to The Lions Club for distribution to those who can use them. Used Cellphones are converted to Telephone Calling Cards for overseas military personnel. If you have too many magazines and books, you can bring those, too. They are distributed to local homebound Veterans.

ONLINE NEWSLETTER REQUEST CONTINUES Stanislaus Audubon Society is still collecting email addresses from S.A.S. members who wish to receive Valley Habitat online. You can email phalarope@sbcglobal.net with Online Newsletter as the subject. Put your membership name in the body of the text WITH YOUR POSTAL ZIP CODE.

Online Valley Habitat for Yokuts

Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club members who want to receive the color version of the Valley Habitat online can sent an email to this address to opt-in: Listserv@lists.sierraclub.org Type SUBSCRIBE MOTHERLODE-YOKUTS-NEWS first name last name in the body of the mesage.

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Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

Sierra Club Membership Enrollment Form
Yes, I want to be a member of the Sierra Club! Yes, I want to give a gift membership! ______________________________________________________________________

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Rim Fire Recovery and More: Tuolumne River Trust http://www.tuolumne.org/content/

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Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club Management Committee

Co-Chairs Treasurer Secretary Programs Conservation Membership Hospitality Anita Young & Candy Klaschus Steve Tomlinson 544-1617 (steve.tomlinson97@gmail,com) Maryann Hight 417-9114 (mhight@csustan.edu) Linda Lagace 863-9137 (linda.lagace@att.net) Brad Barker 526-5281 (braddbarker@gmail.com) Anita Young 529-2300 (ayyoungbooks2@gmail.com) Candy Klaschus 632-5473 (cklaschus@gmail.com) Dorothy Griggs 549-9155 (dorothygriggs@att.net) Randall Brown 632-5994 (rbrown@csustan.edu) Nancy Jewett 664-9422 (njewett@sbcglobal.net) Kathy Weise 545-5948 (kweise@ssica.com) Milt Trieweiler 535-1274 (magictrain@aol.com) Leonard Choate 524-3659 Jason Tyree (jason.tyree@gmail.com)

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Link to the Yokuts WebYokuts Group F94QN09051

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Check out our Website: http://motherlode.sierraclub.org/yokuts To send stories to the Habitat, e-mail: njewett@sbcglobal.net

Valley Habitat 7

Yokuts Group Mother Lode Chapter Sierra Club P.O. Box 855 Modesto, CA 95353

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Home Landscaping Ideas for Drought-Stricken California: Maybe take out the thirsty lawn? Above, lowwater-use home in Turlock, CA. with > 80% native plants: Left photo Summer 2013 (N. Jewett); Right photo January 2014. See http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/view-gardens for more ideas and pictures.

The Valley Habitat

http://motherlode.sierraclub.org/yokuts

February 2014
http://stanislausbirds.org