november-december 2008 pelican newsletter lahontan audubon society

8/9/2019 November-December 2008 Pelican Newsletter Lahontan Audubon Society

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2/12

2 The Pelican

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Pelican is the ofcial newsletter of the Lahontan AudubonSociety and is published six times annually. Subscriptions are

paid for as part of the dues of LAS or the National Audubon

Society. LAS welcomes gifts, donations, and bequests in

general, or gifts in honor or memory of relatives and friends.

Such donations will be used as specied or, if unspecied, will

be used to support LAS education and conservation projects.

All donations are tax deductible.

WHERE TO WRITE:Keep conservation to the forefront. Write your elected ofcials and

tell them how you feel:

Senator Harry Reid Senator John Ensign

400 S. Virginia St. #902 400 S. Virginia St. #738

Reno, NV 89501 Reno, NV 89501

Toll-free: 1-866-736-7343 Reno phone: 775-686-5770

Representative Dean Heller Governor Jim Gibbons

400 S. Virginia St. #502 101 N. Carson St.

Reno, NV 89501 Carson City, NV 89710

Reno phone: 775-686-5760 775-684-5670

FIELD TRIPSChristiane Omer 775-354-2634 [email protected]

LAS eld trips are free and open to the

public. Birders of all skill levels are

encouraged to participate. Please pre-register

with trip leaders so they can contact you in

the event of trip changes or cancellations.

Always dress for changing weather

conditions and bring something to eat and

drink. For additional information, visit the

LAS website at www.nevadaaudubon.org or

contact Field Trip Chair Christiane Omer.

Satrday, November 1

Damonte Ranch Wetlands

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Kathy Oakes, 775-747-5446,

[email protected]

This is an easy walk on paved trails and

birders of all experience levels are welcome.

It will be a good opportunity to see the

wetlands created as part of the subdivision

development in this area. Hopefully we will

see a few late fall migrants and residentbirds of wetlands and open meadows. Bring

binoculars and a spotting scope if you have

one and extra clothes for unpredictable

weather. Prepare to be out until mid-day. The

group size is limited; please contact Kathy

to reserve your space. Meet at the RC Willey

furniture store in south Reno. We will carpool

from there to the wetlands. From Reno,

go south on Hwy 395, take the Damonte

Ranch Parkway Exit and turn left (east) onto

Damonte Ranch Parkway. You will go back

under the freeway. From Carson, go north on

Hwy 395, take the Damonte Ranch Parkway

Exit and turn right (east) onto DamonteRanch Parkway. Take Damonte Ranch

Parkway to a T-intersection with Steamboat

Parkway. Turn left onto Steamboat Parkway

(the two left lanes have the right-of-way onto

Steamboat Parkway). Continue on Steamboat

Parkway to the next light at Marketplace

Drive. Turn left at Marketplace. The RC

Willey furniture store is on your right.

Satrday, November 08

Sierra Valley Expedition

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Alan Gbanich, 775-857-0191,

[email protected]

Fall migration is underway and that means

wintering hawks, among others, are arriving

every day. Well spend the morning and

part of the afternoon looking for any early

wintering raptors (Red-tailed, Rough-legged,

and Ferruginous Hawks) plus early winter

waterfowl (swans, ducks, and geese). We

can brown-bag our lunch or enjoy a great

little restaurant in Sierraville. You can let me

know your preference when you contact me.

If time and weather permits, we may also

visit Yuba Pass or Plumas-Eureka State Park.

Chickadees, nuthatches, jays, woodpeckers,

and sapsuckers are always possibilities in

the eastern Sierras. Meet in the McDonalds

parking lot, Lemmon Valley exit 74, north

of Reno off Hwy 395. Please contact Alan to

reserve your space.

Satrday, November 15

Sparks/Spanish Springs

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Leaders: Christiane Omer and Qentin

Browne, 775-354-2634, [email protected]

Well spend a few hours observing bird life

around the Red Hawk Golf Course. There

are usually large numbers of wintering ducks

in the wetlands and its a great place to learn

their eld marks or photograph them. The

golf course is also home to many other birds.

On last years trip we saw 37 species. Our

species list for the area is up to 119, which

is 15 more than in 2007 thanks in part to the

last trip! We can also get hot drinks and/or

lunch at Davids Grill after our walk. The

golf course is off limits to pedestrian trafc,

even on the cart trails. You will learn the

paths that are okay to walk anytime. Expect

a leisurely mile or two walk depending on

conditions and desires. Birders of all levels

are welcome, but grop size is limited.

Please call Christiane for reservations and

indicate if you would like to have lunch as

we need to make a reservation at the grill for

large groups. Meet Quentin and Christiane

in the parking lot of the Resort at Red Hawk

off Vista Boulevard in Sparks, and bring a

spotting scope if you have one.

Christmas Bird Cont

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the

annual census of wintering bird populations

that began in 1900. The results are used to

estimate the distribution and abundance of

wintering birds in North America. Each count

circle covers an area 15 miles in diameter.

Birders of all skill levels gather in teams

and identify and count all birds observedthroughout the day. The results of the

nation-wide census are compiled in the

journal North American Birds. Five CBCs

are conducted locally: Carson City, Fallon,

Pyramid Lake, South Lake Tahoe, and the

Truckee Meadows. Details are on page 4 of

this newsletter. For updated information

on CBCs please see the LAS website.

If you want to participate, contact the

count leader or show up the morning of

the count at the appointed location. Be sure

to dress appropriately, and bring binoculars,

eld guides, scopes, and food and drink for

the day. There is a $5 fee for each participantto cover compiling and publishing costs of

the North American Birds journal that reports

all count results. Ask your count leader for

details on how to receive the journal.

(CBCs continued on page 4)


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The Pelican 3

CONSERVATION CORNERAli Chaney 775-813-3494 [email protected]

As reported in the July/August issue

of the Pelican, the Public Lands

Committee did in fact vote in August

to use one of their Bill Draft Requests

for the mine claim marker legislation.

Wed like to thank the committee

for their support of this proposedlegislation. And, we look forward to

continuing to work with the Nevada

Department of Wildlife and the Nevada

Mining Association on this effort.

On the topic of legislation, we

are also part of a new initiative

called Conservation Priorities for a

Sustainable Nevada, organized by

the Nevada Conservation League

Education Fund. A coalition of

conservation organizations came

together earlier this year to discussbringing a collective voice to the next

legislature and to work to get important

environmental legislation passed.

This summer the coalition voted on

a set of proposals brought by various

members. Four priorities were selected

and will serve as the main focus

for the 2009 session. Kyle Davis,

the Policy Director for the Nevada

Conservation League and the Nevada

Conservation League Education Fund,

will serve as the lead lobbyist for thesepriorities during the 2009 session. The

four priorities address Off Highway

Vehicle reform, ground and surface

water, invasive species, and accurate

carbon accounting. The sponsoring

organizations for each priority are now

charged with seeking a sponsor for the

bill and working on draft language.

As the session nears, we will be

communicating with our membership

the details of the four proposed pieces

of legislation. We will also discuss withyou ways you can become involved

in the legislative process by speaking

to your representatives in support of

these priorities. We will do our best to

communicate with you through notices

on our conservation website page.

Ali Chaney

Blletin: Nancy Santos, President of Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch (FOSSR) and

LAS SSR Committee Chair, met with Senator Harry Reid at the SSR in July. A process

of grassroots involvement led by FOSSR and supported by LAS, among others, has

resulted in the introduction of the Carson City Vital Community Act of 2008 into theU.S. Senate by Senators Reid and John Ensign. The act is to protect and preserve

the SSR and the Carson River areas scenic and natural qualities. Photo by Juan

Guzman, Carson City Open Spaces Manager

Birds & Books

LAS Birds & Books is a ock of

readers interested in nature, especially

birds and birding. The group meets in

Reno on the third Tuesday of the month

from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at SundanceBookstore, 1155 W. 4th Street, #106 in

the Keystone Square Shopping Center.

You are encouraged to attend a meeting

to see if this group is for you. You can

also contact Kenn Rohrs at karohrs@

charter.net or 775-849-9530 for more

information. For a complete schedule

and brief description of the selected

books, go to the LAS website www.

nevadaaudubon.org and check the Birds

& Books section of the Meetings page.

November 18

The Botany of Desireby Michael

Pollan

Brushed by Feathers by Frances Wood,

November chapter

Donors

American White Pelican $100-$499

Alan Jones, in memory of

Hallie von Orde

Flora and Bill McCormick, in memory

of Hallie von Orde

Montain Blebird $20-$49

John and Michele Y. Currie

Jane Thompson

Deborah Fleisher and Thomas Currence

Carol NobleJane Tom Braziunas, in memory of

Rosemary Peterson

Rby Crowned Kinglet $10-$19

Cindy Joyce

December 16

Private Lives of Garden Birds by

Calvin Simonds

Brushed by Feathers by Frances Wood,

December chapter


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4 The Pelican

BACKYARD HABITATThe Changing of the Gard

This is the second in a series of articles

regarding the creation, maintenance, and

enhancement of a backyard habitat.

The changing leaves of fall often bring

thoughts of seasons past, but they also

bring an entirely new array of birds to the

garden. From the White-crowned Sparrows

and Dark-eyed Juncos to the Coopers

Hawks and Northern Flickers, many birds

will be appearing while many others have

already departed. There are many things

one can do to attract, house, and feed these

rambunctious little joys.

The garden can be a source of food and

place of rest for many a fatigued bird. Dead

seed heads will often drop seed on top of

freshly fallen snow, which is welcomed

by many sparrows. Chickadees, jays,

and nches love sunower heads. If your

sunower heads are not in a visible spot, you

may cut them off, leaving 6-12 inches of the

stem, and then tie them onto a feeder. For

the sake of the birds, it is best that you leave

your garden unchanged until you are sure the

seeds are gone or until it is time to prepare

for the next years crop. Other important

garden habitats are the conifers including

hemlocks, spruces, and pines, as well as

evergreen shrubs. These provide important

protection from snow, wind, and rain.

One of the primary foods used in attracting

birds in the winter is suet. While suet is inactuality fat trimmings from various meats,

there are also many store-purchased cubes,

blocks, etc., as well as many homemade

recipes. These various foods are attractive

to birds because of their high fat content.

In the winter, wild birds are coping with

freezing temperatures, snowfall, and other

harsh climatic conditions, which makes a

one-stop energy shop all the more attractive.

Simple suet or suet-like feeders can be made

using common household supplies. To make

an attractive peanut butter feeder, take a log

a minimum of three inches in diameter and

insert an eye hook on the top, then smearpeanut butter over the exterior bark. Be

careful to leave clean perching areas for

the birds, as they do not like to soil their

feathers. Another, even easier feeder can

be made by simply smearing peanut butter

on the bark of a tree; however, you should

beware that the oil in the peanut butter will

stain the tree for many years to come.

Another beloved winter food is black-oil

sunower seeds. They can be distributed

from hopper feeders, tray feeders, cage

feeders, and even mixed in with suet. A

simple sunower feeder can be made by

throwing seeds on dry ground. You should

always make sure that the seed you provide

is not spoiled, whether on the ground or

in a feeder.

Nuts are a favorite food of many birds,especially in the winter. They are, like

suet, a high-energy source of food. There

is an endless variety of nuts out there, the

most common being walnuts and acorns.

If you have an oak tree, the acorns can be

harvested or left for the birds. Peanuts are

also a favorite; they are loved in the shell,

cracked, or mashed. Peanuts in the shell are a

favorite of our local Western Scrub-Jays and

Stellers Jays. Last winter the peanuts we

provided were a real hit, and at one point our

south Reno yard, located at 4,500 feet, had

a population of over 30 Western Scrub-Jays

and 15 Stellers Jays. Many people dislikejays because they keep other species away;

however, opinions on these highly intelligent

birds are beginning to change. Chickadees,

nuthatches, and in appropriate areas, the

Juniper Titmouse enjoy cracked and mashed

peanuts. A peanut in the shell feeder can be

made by stringing multiple peanuts together.

This can be accomplished by using thread

connected to a sewing needle and piercing

through the center of each peanut. A washer,

stick, or other large item can be attached to

the bottom of the string to keep the nuts from

sliding off. This feeder is a lot of work to

make and is best made using more than 20

peanuts, as they will go fast.

Roosting boxes are a welcome sight

for many species of birds. More than 20

individual birds have been known to pile into

a single roosting box on bitter cold nights.

They can be made the same way as a nest

box; however, the entrance hole should be on

the bottom of the box so the warm air does

not escape.

As the seasons change, keep your eyes open

for a new cast of characters in your garden.

Fall is a beautiful reminder of natures

incredible change through the variousseasons.

Jonathan Heywood

Jonathan Heywood, who is 14 years old,

has been birding for four years. He began

creating bird habitats at his home two and

one-half years ago and has done extensive

research on the topic. He has documented

over 90 bird species in his south Reno yard.

(continued from page 2)

Local CBCs

Trckee Meadows

Satrday, December 20

Time: 7:00 a.m.

Leader: Dave McNinch, 775-747-7545

(please do not call after 9:00 p.m.)

Meet at the McDonalds on the corner of

Oddie and Silverada (two blocks east of Hwy

395) in Sparks at 7:00 a.m. All count areas

will be coordinated and teams dispersed

from this location. A potluck is planned for

the evening compiling session; time and

place to be determined. Call Dave for all the

exciting details.

Carson City

Snday, December 21

Time: 7:00 a.m.Leader: Greg Scyphers, 775-745-3156,

[email protected]

We are meeting at 7:00 a.m. at the

McDonalds located at 3344 N. Carson

Street at the north end of Carson. This is the

one by the Bullys Sports Bar just south of

W. College Parkway. The after-count wrap-

up spot is still to be determined. Changes

and updates will be posted to the list serve. I

hope everyone can join us and I look forward

to setting new records this year.

Pyramid Lake

Thrsday, Janary 1Time: 7:00 a.m.

Leaders:Dennis or Becca Serdehely, 775-

575-0319, [email protected] (please do

not call after 10:00 p.m.)

Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Crosbys Lodge in

Suttcliff. Bring warm clothes, water, and

lunch.

Fallon

Date: TBA

Time: TBA

Contact: Dan Rabbers, 775-423-4980,

[email protected]

We need someone to lead the count in Fallonthis year. Please contact Dan Rabbers if you

are able to help save this count!

Soth Lake Tahoe, CA

Date: TBA

Contact: Will Richardson, trichard@nr.

nevada.ed


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The Pelican 5

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAMRobin Powell 775-247-2798 [email protected]

The Important Bird Areas

of NevadaBy Robin Powell, Nevada Director of

Bird Conservation, Audubon Society

Introdction

The Important Bird Areas, or IBAs,

Program is a world-wide effort to

identify the most important places

for bird populations and to focus

conservation efforts. Within Nevada,

there are 39 recognized IBAs, which

are sites that provide essential

breeding, migration, or wintering

habitat for one or more species ofbirds. These sites contain threatened

or endangered species, endemic (i.e.,

native and only found at a specic

location) species representative of a

habitat type, or a high concentration

of species.

History

In 2001, the Nevada IBA Program

began facilitating the nomination and

recognition process to identify the

key IBAs within Nevada. All Nevada

IBAs have met at least one of the

following criteria to be recognized as

an IBA:

Sites important to Nevada

species of concern as listed by

the Nevada Partners in Flight

Conservation Plan

Sites harboring species restricted

to unique/threatened habitat types

Sites where signicant numbersof birds congregate

Sites supporting long-term avian

research

Sites providing outstanding

educational opportunities

The currently recognized Nevada

IBAs represent the broad spectrum

of habitats and avian species

found throughout the state, which

demonstrates the states enormous

oral and faunal diversity.

Important Bird Areas of Nevada

The following is a listing of the 39

IBAs in Nevada with information

on the avian species and associated

habitats (italicized) that make these

areas unique and important.

Northwestern Nevada

Bilk Creek-Montana Montains

(globally ranked IBA)Greater Sage-Grouse, Swainsons

Hawk, Gray Flycatcher, and

Vesper Sparrow

Intermountain big sagebrush

shrubland, montane sagebrush

steppe, semi-desert grassland,

aspen forest and woodland,

pinyon-juniper woodland,

and mahogany woodland and

shrubland

Carson Range

Flammulated Owl, Northern

Goshawk, Coopers Hawk,

MacGillivrays Warbler, Orange-

crowned Warbler, White-headed

Woodpecker, Olive-sided

Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher,

and Western Bluebird

Sierran conifer forest and

woodland, subalpine forest

and woodland, lower montane

shrubland, and riparian/wetmeadow

Carson River Delta

Bald Eagle, Coopers Hawk,

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow

Flycatcher, and Western Bluebird

Foothill shrubland, lower

montane cottonwood woodland,

semi-desert grassland, mixed

salt desert scrub, agriculture,

big sagebrush shrubland,

emergent marsh and wetland, and

greasewood at

Carson Valley

Tri-colored Blackbird, Bald

Eagle, White-faced Ibis, Bank

Swallow, Northern Harrier,

Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged

Hawk, and American Kestrel

Agriculture, emergent marsh,

wetland, semi-desert grassland,

and lower montane riparian

(cottonwood) forest and

woodland

Gridley Lake

Snowy Plover

Dry playa and open water

High Rock Canyon

(globally ranked IBA)

Greater Sage-Grouse, Gray

Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike,

Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, and

Vesper Sparrow

Big sagebrush shrubland, mixed

sagebrush shrubland, montane

sagebrush steppe, and cliff

Lahontan Valley Wetlands

White-faced Ibis, American

Avocet, Snowy Plover, Bald

Eagle, Eared Grebe, Clarks

Grebe, Canvasback, Redhead,

Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-

necked Stilt, and Wilsons

PhalaropeLake, emergent marsh, wetland,

playa, and agriculture

Pyramid Lake & Anaho Island

American White Pelican, Eared

Grebe, Snowy Plover, American

Avocet, and California Gull

Open water


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6 The Pelican

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM(continued from page 4)

Sheldon National Wildlife Refge

(globally ranked IBA)

Greater Sage-Grouse, Vesper

Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, Sage

Thrasher, and Gray Flycatcher

Big sagebrush shrubland, mixed

sagebrush shrubland, and

sagebrush montane steppe

Swan Lake Natre Stdy Area

American Avocet, Black-necked

Stilt, Burrowing Owl, White-

faced Ibis, and Tundra Swan

Dry playa, open water, emergent

marsh, wetland, greasewood

shrubland, and big sagebrush

shrubland

Washoe Valley

American White Pelican, Black-

necked Stilt, American Avocet,

Bald Eagle, White-faced Ibis, and

Clarks Grebe

Grassland, agriculture, emergent

marsh, upland mixed sagebrush

shrubland, open water, and

foothill and montane woodlands

Northeastern Nevada

Boyd-Hmboldt Wetlands

Long-billed Curlew, White-faced

Ibis, Bobolink, Yellow-breasted

Chat, Sandhill Crane, and Black

Tern

Agriculture, grassland, upland

sagebrush shrubland, and semi-

desert shrub steppe

Goshte Montains

Coopers Hawk, Northern

Goshawk, Swainsons Hawk,

Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie

Falcon, and Flammulated Owl

Pinyon-Juniper woodland, mixed

sagebrush shrubland, montane

sagebrush steppe, cliff and

canyon, mahogany woodland,

and limber/bristlecone pine

woodland

Jarbidge Montains & Marys

River

Greater Sage-Grouse, Northern


Prairie Falcon, Lewiss

Woodpecker, Bobolink, Red-

naped Sapsucker, MacGillivrays

Warbler, Black-throated Gray

Warbler, Orange-crowned

Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher,

Yellow-breasted Chat, Vesper

Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, Sage

Thrasher, Forsters Tern, WilsonPhalarope, and Sandhill Crane

Alpine tundra, subalpine

woodland, aspen woodland,

conifer forest, lower montane

woodland (mahogany woodland),

sagebrush shrubland, basin/

desert scrub, and wetland

North Rby Valley

Bald Eagle, Greater Sage-Grouse,

and Long-billed Curlew

Sagebrush shrubland, montane

sagebrush steppe, grassland,

greasewood, agriculture, lower

montane riparian, salt desert

scrub, and pinyon-juniper

woodland

Rby Lake

White-faced Ibis, Sandhill

Crane, Forsters Tern, Black

Tern, numerous waterfowl, and

Canvasback

Open water, emergent marsh,

greasewood, mixed sagebrush

shrubland, and grassland

Rby Montains

Northern Goshawk, WilsonsWarbler, Prairie Falcon, Black

Rosy-Finch, MacGillivrays

Warbler, Orange-crowned

Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker,

Lewiss Woodpecker, Vesper

Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, and Sage

Thrasher

Desert scrub, mixed sagebrush

shrubland, lower montane

woodland, subalpine woodland,

coniferous forest, riparian

woodland (aspen/cottonwood),

alpine, and tundra

Wheeler Peak at Great Basin National Parkby Robin Powell


7/12

The Pelican 7


Central Nevada

D.E. Moore Bird & Wildlife

Sanctary & Great Basin National

Park

Greater Sage-Grouse, Black

Rosy-Finch, Northern Goshawk,

Calliope Hummingbird, Olive-

sided Flycatcher, Vesper Sparrow,

Sage Sparrow, Virginias Warbler,

Black-throated Gray Warbler,

MacGillivrays Warbler, andPinyon Jay

Pinyon-juniper woodland, alpine,

montane woodland (mahogany),

coniferous woodland, aspen

woodland, subalpine limber/

bristlecone pine woodland,

spruce-fr woodland, and big

sagebrush shrubland

Monitor Valley

Greater Sage-Grouse, Northern


Ferruginous Hawk, Loggerhead

Shrike, MacGillivrays Warbler,

Red-naped Sapsucker, SageSparrow, Sage Thrasher, Gray

Flycatcher, Pinyon Jay, Western

Bluebird, and Long-billed Curlew

Coniferous forest, mixed

sagebrush shrubland, pinyon-

juniper woodland, greasewood

desert scrub, lower montane

woodland (mahogany), and

wetland

Northern Snake Range

Northern Goshawk, Coopers

Hawk, Juniper Titmouse, Three-

toed Woodpecker, Black-throated

Gray Warbler, MacGillivrays

Warbler, Pinyon Jay, Vesper

Sparrow, and Sage Sparrow

Montane sagebrush shrubland,

pinyon-juniper woodland, lower


subalpine limber/bristlecone pine

forest, and coniferous forest

Toiyabe Range

Greater Sage-Grouse, Sage

Sparrow, Sage Thrasher,

Orange-crowned Warbler, Gray


Wilsons Warbler, Black-throated

Gray Warbler, Ash-throated

Flycatcher, and Juniper Titmouse

Coniferous forest, mixed

sagebrush shrubland, pinyon-

juniper woodland, llower

montane woodland (mahogany),and wetland

Walker Lake

Common Loon, Clarks Grebe,

White-faced Ibis, Snowy Plover,

American Avocet, American

White Pelican, Northern

Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead,

Ruddy Duck, Snow Goose, and

Greater Scaup

Open water

Wellington-Pine Grove Hills

(globally ranked IBA) & MontGrant

Greater Sage-Grouse (distinct

Mono Basin subpopulation),

MacGillivrays Warbler, Vesper

Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Pinyon

Jay, and Western Bluebird

Mixed sagebrush shrubland,


montane sagebrush steppe, mixed

desert scrub, coniferous forest,

and meadow

Sothern Nevada

Ash Meadows National Wildlife

Refge

Phainopepla, Ash-throated


Vermillion Flycatcher, Verdin,

Bewicks Wren, Crissal Thrasher,

Lucys Warbler, Yellow-breasted

Chat, Bullocks Oriole, Wilsons

Warbler, and Blue GrosbeakEmergent marsh, creosote

mixed scrub, salt desert scrub,

desert playa, riparian mesquite

bosque, open water, grassland,

and invasive riparian woodland

(a.k.a. tamarisk or salt cedar

woodland)

Catclaw Washes



Western Bluebird, and ScottsOriole

Acacia (catclaw) shrubland,

willow complex, and dry basin

wash

Lake Mead

Bald Eagle, Southwestern

Willow Flycatcher, American

Snowy Egretby Robin Powell


8/12

8 The Pelican


White Pelican, American Avocet,

Peregrine Falcon, Clarks Grebe,

Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lucys

Warbler

Open water, emergent marsh,

and invasive riparian woodland(a.k.a. tamarisk or salt cedar

woodland)

Meadow Valley Wash

Ash-throated Flycatcher,

Phainopepla, Yellow-billed

Cuckoo, Western Bluebird,

Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue

Grosbeak, Loggerhead Shrike,

Coopers Hawk, and Prairie

Falcon

Creosote desert scrub, Mojave

salt desert scrub, invasive

riparian woodland (a.k.a.

tamarisk or salt cedar woodland),

semi-desert shrub steppe, lower

montane riparian woodland,

warm desert wash and playa,

sagebrush shrubland, emergent

marsh, mesquite bosque,

grassland, greasewood at,


agriculture, and open water

Moapa Valley & Virgin River

Yellow-billed Cuckoo,

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher,

Yuma Clapper Rail, and

American White Pelican

Invasive riparian woodland

(a.k.a. tamarisk or salt cedar

woodland), and mesquite bosque

Oasis Valley

Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Wilsons Warbler,

MacGillivrays Warbler,

Yellow Warbler, and Common

Yellowthroat

Creosote desert scrub, Mojave

salt desert scrub, semi-desert

shrub steppe, playa, invasive

riparian woodland (a.k.a.

tamarisk or salt cedar woodland),

volcanic rockland, and possesses

the rare habitat type which is the

transition zone between the Great

Basin and Mojave Deserts

Pahranagat Valley Complex

Willow Flycatcher, Sandhill

Crane, Northern Pintail, and

Canvasback

Emergent marsh, creosote desert

scrub, open water, agriculture,

mixed salt desert scrub

(intermountain and Mojave), and

dry wash

Sheep Range

Flammulated Owl, Gray

Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray

Warbler, and Graces Warbler

Pinyon-juniper woodland,

coniferous forest, subapline

limber/bristlecone pine

woodland, semi-desert chaparral

Spring Montains

Northern Goshawk, Gray

Vireo, Wilsons Warbler, Prairie

Falcon, Flammulated Owl, Red-naped Sapsucker, Olive-sided


Gray Flycatcher, Ash-throated


Virginias Warbler, Black-

throated Gray Warbler, Graces

Warbler, MacGillivrays Warbler,

Coopers Hawk, Orange-crownedWarbler, Scotts Oriole, Pinyon

Jay, Western Bluebird, Lewiss

Woodpecker, Juniper Titmouse,

Calliope Hummingbird, and

Phainopepla

Cliff, coniferous forest, lower


and Mojave desert scrub

Wee Thmp Josha Tree Forest


Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, ScottsOriole, Pinyon Jay, Juniper

Titmouse, Loggerhead Shrike,

Gray Flycatcher, LeContes

Thrasher, MacGillivrays

Warbler, and Wilsons Warbler

Blackbrush-Joshua tree forest

and Mojave desert scrub

If you would like more information

regarding any of the IBAs, please feel

free to visit www.nevadaaudubon.org/iba or contact Robin Powell at

[email protected].

Long-billed Curlewphoto by George Jamison


9/12

The Pelican 9

CarpoolingIf you are interested in carpooling to LAS

General Meetings, please contact BoardTrustee Linda Badzioch at 775-851-8353

or [email protected], who will share

your information with others in your area

who have expressed interest in carpooling.

Please provide (a) your name(s), (b) telephone

and e-mail (if you have it) contacts, (c) area

where you live, and (d) your choice of riding,

driving, or either.

Schedle of General Meetings

November 25 Amy Leist Laysan Life: Five Months in the

Northwestern Hawaiian IslandsJanuary 27 John Wenger New Nature Preserve in Bolivia

Birds Galore!

February 24 Jim Yoakum Pronghorn in the Silver State

A Success Story

March 24 Bird Identication Panel Round 2

April 28 Jim Stamates The Theory of Rhythms: A Wildlife

Photographers View on Our Relationship with Nature

May 26 Robin Powell The Audubon IBA Program in Nevada:

An Overview of a Habitat Conservation Approach

OF NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Volunteer Appreciation Day:Not

all has been work, work, work in the

last couple of months in the life of

LAS. Thirty LAS volunteers gathered

on a beautiful late September Sunday

afternoon to enjoy our Volunteer

Appreciation Day, organized by AlanGubanich. Volunteers from a variety of

our activities got to meet and mingle

over beverages, snacks, and cakes. Alan

presented a narrative PowerPoint photo

gallery about our volunteers, including

some decidedly candid camera shots

with captions that produced more than

a few guffaws. An Audubon Wild

Republic stuffed bird (Collect Them

All) was presented to each volunteer.

These thank-you gifts will also catch

up to those unable to attend. Thereis no truth to the rumor that species

presented were matched to individual

volunteers personal characteristics.

Thank you, volunteers! We could not

do it without you.

LAS Communications: To receive

up-to-date bulletins and reminders, sign

up for the LAS E-mail List, which is

limited to LAS-only communications

for Audubon members. Write to

Karen Kish at [email protected], check our website at www.

nevadaaudubon.org for a variety of

information, announcements, and photo

galleries of activities such as Volunteer

Appreciation Day.

Karen L. Kish

Volunteering for LAS has its rewards.

Mike Goddard, Fallon, with his Snowy

Plover. Photo by Alan Gubanich

Loss of Friends

We note with sadness the recentpassing of two longtime friends ofLAS, Hallie Von Orde and PalMngan. Better eld trip companionsI could never hope to nd! They bothhad such wide-ranging interests andcuriosity about the natural world andloved to get out and explore our localhills, meadows, and mountains. Pauland Hallie each enjoyed travelingabroad as well, seeing the world withfriends and family. Unfortunately,Hallies health had kept her home thelast few years. Speaking for those of us

who were fortunate enough to spendmany enjoyable outings together hikingand camping, birding and botanizing,we will truly miss them. We extend oursympathies to their families.

Connie Douglas

Just at press time, we learned of theloss of another longtime LAS friend,

Kirk Odencrantz. Many of our

current members have met Kirk and

his wife Annaliese at the many General

Meetings they have attended. Kirk

founded Friends of Peavine in 1993

and later became president of that non-

prot, created to preserve and enhance

Peavine Mountain. He was also the

key player in gaining the assistance

of the American Land Conservancyin purchasing nearly 8,000 acres of

private land on the mountain to be

transferred to the U.S. Forest Service.

In recent times, Kirk and Annaliese

donated funds to purchase eight

benches integrated into the Swan Lake

Nature Study Area boardwalk and were

honored guests at the August 2006

dedication of the enhanced boardwalk.

A friend, not only of the environment

but also of so many around him, Kirk

gave all of us the light of his twinklingeyes and sweet, impish smile.

Karen Kish


10/12

10 The Pelican

BIRDS IN TOwNby Alan Wallace

At some point, starting in July and continuing into the fall, various triggers go off in millions of little avian brains

telling the birds that its time to give up on the breeding routine and to begin the transition into the non-breeding cycle.

This can mean a whole new appearance thanks to molt, and, for many species, it also means migration to more favorable

wintering grounds. Here in northern Nevada, we see all of the permutations and combinations as breeding birds disappear,

migrating ones pass through or arrive for the winter, and every warbler, sandpiper, or sparrow seems to look exactly like

the next in their drab, post-breeding and rst-year plumages.Take, for instance, the various warblers and vireos that passed through northern Nevada towns in August and

September. The male American Redstart that appeared in Fernley in early August was pretty obvious, but an immature

redstart seen in Reno in mid-September would have looked, on just a quick inspection, nearly identical to all of the

very similar, newly arrived Yellow-rumped Warblers in their fall plumages. Yellow Warblers, which nally left in early

September, were fairly easy to identify, but then there were all of the little yellowish-orange things itting through the

trees. The actual ones seen included Nashville, MacGillivrays, and two races of Orange-crowned (just to complicate

things), not to mention the lingering Warbling Vireos, but all of their various fall and immature plumages made

identication less than easy. As Western Wood-Pewees lingered along rivers, other ycatchers, such as Olive-sided,

Willow, and Gray, passed through town, forcing birders to carefully look for vests on the breast, the color of the lower

mandible, and icked or non-icked tails. A few ycatchers were easier, though, including the larger and more distinct

Ash-throated Flycatchers, the striking black-and-white Black Phoebes that arrived for the winter, and the soft rusty-tan

Says Phoebes that frequented small towns and their margins. The Golden-crowned Sparrows arrived right on schedule

in late September, shortly following the more abundant White-crowned Sparrows. But the latter included the immatures,

with their brown-and-tan streaked heads, and both races were spotted during this transition period, told only by the subtle

differences in their head-stripe patterns.

Despite low water levels at most lakes and ponds, various waterfowl stopped on their way south. Decidedly

unspectacular plumages were in good evidence with the Pectoral and Solitary Sandpipers that joined the more common

Least and Western, and with both Dowitchers (Short- and Long-billed) and Yellowlegs (Lesser and Greater) as they poked

for food along the lake margins. Great numbers of Northern Shovelers stirred up bottom sediments in shallow ponds with

their group swirling behavior while Wilsons and Red-necked Phalaropes (both in their less-distinct winter plumages)

frenetically darted across the water surface.

Small rural towns had their share of migrants this season. Down in Tonopah, the somber but bird-friendly

cemetery had a Northern Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow, and possibly Nevadas rst recorded Bairds Sparrow(which, to the untrained eye, looks just like any other little brown sparrow in the weeds). Chukars came to the McDonalds

parking lot at the other end of town. A Greater Roadrunner, normally more of a southern Nevada bird, was seen in

Currant, and Black-capped Chickadees were found in what once was the small town of Deeth, between Wells and Elko.

Many yards saw the start of the normal winter season. Coveys of California Quail began to visit feeding areas,

joined by the new White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Spotted Towhees. Of course, this prompted the arrival

of Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks in many yards, setting up the annual food-chain bird feeding ritual. Northern

Mockingbirds were reported more frequently in September than before, attracted by what appears to have been a good

year for berries and grapes. Hummingbirds were still coming to feeders at the end of September, although their numbers

were rapidly diminishing. Black-chinneds seem to have left earlier than usual, but both Annas and a few Rufous, with

one or two Calliopes, stuck around longer than normal. The Rufous seemed to be a bit behind in their schedules, having

arrived later this summer (earliest August on average) than usual. A few Cedar Waxwings usually spend the summer in

town, but their numbers and high, piercing calls began to increase from the tops of trees as September passed.

Northern Nevada birders reported 128 species from northern Nevada towns during August and September.

Contributors to this total included John Anderson, Bob Barnes, Wendy Broadhead, Mary Jo Elpers, Dennis Ghiglieri,

Tanya Glennale, Kirk Hardie, Ed Kurtz, Jacque Lowery, Sue Anne Marshall, Jen Martin, Fred Petersen, Harold Peterson,

Christiane Omer, Alan de Queiroz, Melissa Renfro & John Free, Greg Scyphers, Dennis Serdehely, Jean Sherman, Susan

Stead, Tom Stille, Rose Strickland, Steve Ting, Carolyn Titus, Dave Worley, and me. The deadline for the next column is

November 25. Send reports to 1050 Sumac St., Reno, NV 89509 or wallacealan at sbcglobal.net, or post sightings on the

Nevada bird listserv. Good birding!


11/12

The Pelican 11

LAS SALES FORMPrice Postage TOTAL

Important Bird Areas of Nevada $19.95 $4.60 _____Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2005

A Birding Guide to Reno and Beyond--Second Edition $10 $2 _____Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2007

Nevada Birding Map--Second Edition $ 4 $1 _____Published by Lahontan Audubon Society, 2007

TOTAL ORDER _____

NAME (please print)_____________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________

CITY _________________________ STATE ________ ZIP CODE ____________

PHONE _______________________________________________________________

E-MAIL_______________________________________________________________(in case of a question regarding your order)

Make checks payable to Lahontan Audubon Society and mail with this form to:

Jane Burnham, LAS Sales, 8071 Big River Drive, Reno, NV 89506

LAS MEMBERSHIP/DONATION FORM

Lahontan Adbon Society Membership: All funds remain in the community. Members receive The Pelican

newsletter and may elect to receive e-mail activities notices. Please complete and mail this form with payment.

1. oLAS Renewal o New Membership o Send me a National Audubon application2. oIndividual/Family - $20/year oFull Time Student/Senior (over 62) - $15/year

LAS Donations: Please select level: oRuby-crowned Kinglet - $10 oMountain Bluebird - $20 oAmerican Avocet - $50 oAmerican White Pelican - $100 oGolden Eagle - $500 or moreNAME (please print)_____________________________________________________

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TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $__________ November/December 2008 issue

Make check payable to Lahontan Audubon Society and mail this form to:

Kathy Oakes, LAS Membership, 4120 Plateau Road, Reno, NV 89519


12/12

12 The Pelican

Printed on Recycled Paper

THE PELICANLahontan Audubon Society

P.O. Box 2304

Reno, Nevada 89505

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

RENO, NEVADA

PERMIT NO. 181

LAHONTAN AUDUBON SOCIETY

OFFICERS President Karen Kish [email protected] 841-1180Vice President Alan Gubanich [email protected] 857-0191

Treasurer Jane Burnham [email protected] 677-4178

Recording Secretary Bonnie Wagner [email protected] 829-6311

TRuSTEES Seat #1 to 2011 Dave Straley [email protected] 832-9222Seat #2 to 2011 Gene Hansel [email protected] 354-2150

Seat #3 to 2009 Ali Chaney ali_chaney@hotmtail .com 813-3494

Seat #4 to 2011 Kathy Oakes [email protected] 747-5446

Seat #5 to 2009 Jacque Lowery [email protected] 853-1302

Seat #6 to 2010 Linda Badzioch [email protected] 851-8353

Seat #7 to 2010 Kenn Rohrs [email protected] 849-9530

IBA Director Robin Powell [email protected] 247-2798

COMMITTEE Activity/Program Alan Gubanich [email protected] 857-0191CHAIRS Birding Classes Bob Goodman [email protected] 972-7848

Birds & Books Reading Group Kenn Rohrs [email protected] 849-9530

Communications Karen Kish [email protected] 841-1180Conservation Ali Chaney [email protected] 813-3494

Education Alan Gubanich [email protected] 857-0191

Field Trips Christiane Omer [email protected] 354-2634

Hospitality Linda Badzioch [email protected] 851-8353

LAS Sales Jane Burnham [email protected] 677-4178

Membership Kathy Oakes [email protected] 747-5446

PuBLICATION AND The Pelican Editor Jen Martin [email protected] 742-2582INFORMATION The Pelican Distribution Connie Douglas [email protected] 425-1305

Birds in Town Alan Wallace [email protected] 786-5755

LAS Info Line Jacque Lowery 324-BIRD

Web Master Steve Ting [email protected] 849-3725

Postmaster: Please send change of

address to The Pelican, P.O. Box

2304, Reno, NV 89505.

If your mailing label is highlighted, please

renew your local LAS membership now.

november-december 2008 pelican newsletter lahontan audubon society

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