OAKLAND CHOOSES ITS CITY BIRD: THE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON SOCIETY // VOL. 103 NO. 3 SUMMER 2019
OAKLAND
CHOOSES ITS
CITY BIRD: THE
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON
by ilana debare
O akland selected the Black-crowned Night-
Heron as its official City Bird in May, thanks
to a campaign initiated by third-graders who were
inspired by the heron rescue work of Golden Gate
Audubon Society. Students at Oakland’s Park Day
School lobbied for two years—an eternity for nine-
year-olds—to designate the night-heron as their
city’s official bird.
CONTINUED on page 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron.
Jerry Ting
bon activists were staunch suffragettes who
cared deeply about gender equity—and
about protecting colonial waterbirds.
This spring we learned that even politics
and government studies can be facilitated
by winged nocturnal squawking professors
with blood-red eyes. Those enthusiastic
Park Day School third-graders proved it
with the way they tirelessly manifested their
concern for so many herons striving to raise
their families in the heart of Oakland. Their
devotion to helping those doppleganger dino-
saur babies, who shriek like velociraptors
but, given the opportunity and habitat grow
to become so very distinctive, led the kids
to develop their own muscles of empower-
Cindy Margulis
ment, giving their campaign the finesse and
endurance to succeed. They made a mini
An excited student celebrates the City Council’s resolution. film, created a petition, wrote letters, made
art and produced a literal arcade of aware-
ness in their schoolyard. They lobbied and
BIRDS ARE NATURAL EDUCATORS advocated until, finally, their efforts were
crowned with success.
by cindy margulis, executive director What these remarkable young people
i
achieved is definitely valuable for the her-
t’s long been my premise that birds are SFBayOspreys are bringing in, and they’ll ons’ future, but it’s also invaluable for the
ideal educators. They’re attractive, fas- indulge in data analysis like hungry chicks young people themselves. Because Black-
cinating, charismatic, and capable of feats dig into a fresh fish meal. crowned Night-Herons inspired them, they
humans cannot quite muster. What about cultural history? Well, birds learned how to translate compassion into
Want to teach geography? Bird migra- have been admired in every human civili- legislation in their own community.
tion is just the ticket! Planning a lesson zation: appearing on countless coins, flags, In addition to these wonderful kids,
in ecological carrying capacity? Survey- and stamps, just for example. When you’re many people help us protect Bay Area birds
ing for birdlife will indicate the vitality of teaching art, feathered beings will be bril- and their habitats every day. It’s uplifting
almost any terrestrial ecosystem. Having liant in any medium. Want to learn music? to champion wildlife in a community that
a hard time motivating students to appre- Mozart drew inspiration from his pet Star- understands how much birds mean to the
ciate the relevance of math challenges? ling! Are you teaching social studies? It’s ecosystem, as well as how much they matter
Focus them on observing the fish that our worth emphasizing, that the earliest Audu- to all of us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Membership Meeting Coastal Cleanup Volunteer Opportunities: Travel with GGAS 2020
July 18, 6:30-7:00 p.m. September 21 Burrowing Owl Docent Training US, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica
Northbrae Community Church MLK Jr. Shoreline Park, Oakland Brown Pelican Survey and Mexico
941 The Alameda, Berkeley Join us for California’s largest September TBD See the birds of the world with us!
Annual Membership Meeting volunteer day. Coastal Cleanup Help introduce the public to the Trips help fund GGAS and our
to take place before the July Day is about more than picking up adorable Burrowing Owls that conservation and environmental
18 Speaker Series. Join us for trash. It’s a chance for Californians winter along the East Bay shoreline programs. Trips for every kind of
refreshments and to hear Executive to join people around the world in or join an important community birder and every level of budget.
Director Cindy Margulis discuss expressing their respect for oceans science project monitoring Brown Spaces are limited and trips fill
Golden Gate Audubon’s recent and waterways and to demonstrate Pelican populations. Watch quickly. Make your plans now.
accomplishments and plans for the our desire for clean water and healthy for updates or email Noreen at https://goldengateaudubon.org/
future. marine life. nweeden@goldengateaudubon.org travel-with-ggas-2020.
2 THE GULL SUMMER 2019
FEATURES
CIT Y BIRD CONTINUED from page 1
They launched their drive after learning
how Golden Gate Audubon had partnered
with the Oakland Zoo and International
Bird Rescue to save young herons that
tumbled onto city streets from downtown
nesting trees.
“The babies have been falling out of
trees, and we wanted to help them not fall
onto the concrete,” said Chase Taylor, 9, one
of the heron-loving students.
Oakland is home to a large rookery of
Black-crowned Night-Herons, wading birds
with dramatic midnight blue and white
adult plumage and bright red eyes. Colo-
nial nesters, they historically bred at Lake
Merritt and near the Oakland Estuary. But
in recent years they had begun nesting in
thick ficus trees in Oakland’s downtown
and Chinatown.
The street trees were a less-than-optimal
Cindy Margulis
choice. Without any cushioning understory,
unfledged chicks who fell risked broken
bones or death from exposure and traffic.
Black-crowned Night-Heron champions on the steps of City Hall.
Golden Gate Audubon took up their cause
in 2014 after a much-publicized incident
in which poorly timed tree trimming left The students launched an online petition, made a video,
young herons stranded on the ground.
The collaboration of GGAS, the Oakland and met with Oakland Council Member Dan Kalb.
Zoo and International Bird Rescue rescued
over 100 vulnerable young night-herons and
Snowy Egrets from Oakland’s streets in In fact, Golden Gate Audubon has played removed for new housing. The relocation
2016 and 2017. a lead role in convincing other Bay Area cit- effort—designed by heron experts with
The Park Day third graders were already ies to designate official birds, most recently BCNH decoys, recordings of night-heron
studying birds as part of their science cur- the Osprey in Richmond and the Barn Owl calls, and formerly-used nests as attractants
riculum when they heard about the rescues. in Berkeley. San Francisco chose the Cali- for the birds—remains a work in progress.
The school invited GGAS Executive Direc- fornia Quail and Alameda named the Snowy Finally, on May 21, the night-heron came
tor Cindy Margulis to explain the herons’ Egret as their official birds even earlier. up for a City Council vote. Both young and
plight. But like many democratic processes, old heron lovers gathered with signs and col-
“We asked the kids, ‘What can we do to naming an official bird takes time. Stu- orful paper heron puppets. When the vote
help?’” said their teacher Devin Homme. dents made repeated lobbying trips to City passed unanimously, puppets waved and
“They came up with ideas like, ‘What if it Hall. Third-graders became fourth-graders. voices cheered.
became a famous bird in Oakland?’ and Fourth-graders became fifth-graders. Their “The Black-crowned Night-Heron is
‘What if we talked to the government?’” petition grew to over 2,000 signatures. Art- a perfect bird for Oakland,” said GGAS’s
The students launched an online petition ist Lea Zalinskis, who’d already created a Margulis. “This gorgeous bird is celebrated
and made a video about Oakland’s night- new library card for Oakland featuring the in the art and culture of five continents
herons. They met with Oakland Council night-heron, taught the third-graders how where the species occurs. Yet this hardy
Member Dan Kalb. to make puppets to help their campaign. urban survivor now faces serious risks
“I’d heard of the bird before but didn’t Meanwhile, Golden Gate Audubon from climate change. It embodies the value
know it had special significance to Oak- worked with Oakland planners and two real of local wetlands and ongoing watershed
land,” Kalb recalled. “I asked them, ‘Do estate developers to attract night-herons to stewardship. The remarkable night-heron
other cities have official birds?’ It turns out nest in safer spots along Lake Merritt when inspired these students to take action, and
a lot of them do.” numerous rookery trees were going to be their activism should inspire all of us.”
SUMMER 2019 THE GULL 3
SPEAKER SERIES
MIDWAY’S LOCATION / DATE
ALBATROSSES San Francisco
Thursday, August 15
jd bergeron 6:30 p.m. refreshments,
7 p.m. program
Please note new San Francisco
venue at Sports Basement,
1590 Bryant Street.
Midway Atoll is the site of the
world’s largest albatross nesting
colony as well as endangered
Hawaiian monk seal and Lay-
san Duck. It is also the home of
Wisdom, the oldest known wild
JD Bergeron
bird in the Bird Banding Lab’s
database. Work conducted by
the census team provides vital information to researchers, manag-
ers, and conservation groups. The census of Laysan Albatrosses and
Bob Lewis
Black-footed Albatrosses on Midway Atoll provides precise and con-
sistent information regarding nesting albatross.
Ribbon-tailed-Astrapia.
JD brings a birder’s passion, a childlike delight in Nature, and
a deep commitment to solving world challenges in unconventional
SAHUL: A PARADISE
ways to his leadership as Executive Director of International Bird
LOCATION / DATE
Rescue. He has more than 20 years of experience in not-for-profit
FOR BIRDS Berkeley
Thursday, July 18
leadership, international development and organizational change.
bob lewis 6:30 p.m. refreshments
and Annual Membership
Meeting
7 p.m. program SF ESTUARY SPARTINA LOCATION / DATE
REMOVAL AND NATIVE Berkeley
Thursday, September 19
REVEGETATION
Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania are part of the Australian
6:30 p.m. refreshments,
geological plate, or Sahul. After a brief visit to O’Reilly’s, a wonder-
PROGRAM
7 p.m. program
ful jungle lodge near Brisbane, Australia, we’ll fly to Port Moresby,
the capital of Papua New Guinea. Our route will take us from
marilyn latta
the lowlands in the south of the island to the highlands on the
western border, and then on to Mount Hagen, a 12,000’ extinct vol-
cano. New Guinea has 708 species of birds, 5 endemic families, and The San Francisco Estuary
the most species of the spectacular Birds of Paradise and fascinat- Invasive Spartina Project’s
ing Bowerbirds. overarching goal is to eradicate
Bob’s second career is very avian. He served on the GGAS board invasive Spartina to enhance
where he led the Adult Education Committee. An award-winning overall ecosystem health for
photographer and world traveler, he frequently speaks publicly on tidal salt marsh–dependent fish,
avian topics at libraries and Audubon Societies. He co-teaches Mas- migratory birds, and wildlife.
ter Birding, Avian Evolution and Bay Area Birds, and his bird life Monitoring and treating inva-
list stands at 4992. He is hoping to reach 5000 on GGAS’ Namibia sive Spartina is key to protecting
tour in August. native coastal wetland habitat for CA Ridgway’s Rail and many other
native species in the bay. This presentation will cover the planning
and approach to eradicating Spartina while protecting CA Ridgway’s
San Francisco: New venue! Sports Basement, 1590 Bryant Street, San Rail and other native species.
Francisco. Marilyn Latta is a Project Manager at the California State
Berkeley: Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda (between Coastal Conservancy, managing the SF Estuary Invasive Spartina
Solano and Marin). Directions: Visit northbrae.org/contact--find-us.html. Project, SF Bay Living Shorelines Project, and SF Bay Creosote
Removal Projects.
4 THE GULL SUMMER 2019
FEATURES
BIRDATHON 2019:
EXPANDING OUR REACH
by leslie weir
g olden Gate Audubon’s popular participatory fundraiser,
Birdathon 2019, came to a close after eight months of care-
ful planning and eight weeks of action-packed birding.
Birdathon 2019 closed with a weekend of well-attended events.
Flights of Fancy, a concert celebrating bird-themed music from the
Middle Ages & Renaissance, received rave reviews. The following
After a one-year hiatus, Birdathon returned with a view to attract- day, despite the rain that threatened to “dampen” the festivities,
ing birders, non-birders and new birders alike. Some favorite trips attendees at the Birdathon Garden Party Celebration were treated
returned and many new experiences were added. Birdathon 2019 to stunning views of Chabot Regional Park as they sipped bubbly at
lasted a full eight weeks to accommodate the added activities with the beautiful home of board member Carol Baird and Alan Harper.
a total of 30 trips, 2 celebratory events, and 6 unique experiences During the party, Golden Gate Audubon honored Beth Huning with
available through our inaugural online auction. Despite threats of a special award for her years of dedication to the conservation of
heavy snowfall, road closures, and Bay Area spring storms, Birda- the San Francisco Bay. A longtime conservation professional, Beth
thon 2019 boasted a total of 521 trip registrations. served as the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture Coordinator from
But Birdathon is more than great field trips offered by this year’s 2001–2018. Her work has protected wetland and riparian areas
37 talented leaders. It is also an opportunity for GGAS members crucial for nesting, roosting, and migrating birds of all kinds—
to share their passion with friends and family through peer-to- especially waterfowl and shorebirds.
peer fundraising. This year, 21 individuals created personal pages
to fundraise for Golden Gate Audubon and Bay Area birds. GGAS
member Diane Winkler summed up her experience with a recent
email to the office: “This is the first time I’ve tried to do a fund-
raiser. The support I received from my friends warmed my heart
to no end. You all do such great work, and I am more than happy
to contribute in any way I possibly can.”
Through the efforts of peer-to-peer fundraisers, Birdathon trip
leaders, registered participants, corporate sponsors and commit-
tee members, Birdathon 2019 raised over $65,000. Maintaining his
championship streak, Dan Harris was the top individual fundraiser
for the fourth Birdathon in a row, raising $4,201 from a total of
62 donors! In a “photo finish,” Bob Lewis took second place with
$4,200. Our top fundraisers received vacation trips generously
donated by Jenner Inn and Sierra Hot Springs. Bob set a new record
Peter Meyer
by leading four Birdathon trips this year. And, not only was Alex
Smolyanskaya our top first-time Birdathon fundraiser, but she also
Top of page: Birdathoners to Pinnacles National Park were treated to close-up
planned and managed our first-ever online auction! For her prize, overhead views of the resident California Condors (photo by Julie Clark). Above:
she received binoculars donated by Out of this World Optics. Enthusiastic Birdathon participants on a trip to Mines Road.
SUMMER 2019 THE GULL 5
DONATIONS
Thank you for joining our donor community.
Donations from March 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019
With gratitude to every individual, business, and organization who made a recent donation. Large or small, the gifts you send
support our conservation, education, and member programs and benefit the birds you love.
Donations Carelle Karimimanesh, Art & Ellie Elphick, Jan 2019 Premium LEAST TERN & Johanna Mandel,
Catharine Keyes, Elvee, Susan Ensign, Brien Members MEMBERSHIPS Suzanne Masuret,
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($1000 and above) Kremer, Pat Krevey, Friedman, Sue Gallagher, GOLDEN EAGLE Chris & Gary Bard, Wendy Niles, Laurel
Chris & Gary Bard, Marquis Kuhn, Richard William Giddens, Loretta MEMBERSHIPS Christine A. Bolla, Lorna Przybylski, Marjorie
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Greene, Marilyn Kinch, Saundra Lormand, Craig Harris, Lenore Helen & Allan McKenna- Marianne Constable, Diane Ross-Leech,
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Foundation, Lehigh Gail MacDonald, Nelda Hayes, Michael Helm, Pam Cox, Lee Friedman, Sorrough, Inge Svoboda,
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Juan-Carlos Solis, Patricia Morales, Doug Mosher, Hoff, Chris Holman, Beth Barbara Anderson, Dorothy Gregor, Tracy Welty, Sara Wilson, Matt
Weeden, Worldwide Dan & Joan Murphy, Huning, M Kristin Johnsen, Carol Donohoe, Patricia Grubbs, Raphael & Joann Zlatunich
Small Change Foundation Amanda Nelson, Nancy Jay Joslin, Tom Kalinowski, Langenhahn, Nancy Guzman, Meghan Kelly, Richard L Zwaal
Overton, Patrick Owens, Sarah Kaplan, Erica Milliken, Sharon & Sandra Laframboise,
PEREGRINE FALCON PayPal Giving Fund, Kawata, Helen Keating, Shay Morris, Jay & Lisa Courtney Clarkson & RIDGWAY’S RAIL
($500 to $999) Piedmont Garden Club, Marilyn Kecso, Gwynne Pierrepont, Kathleen Roy Leggitt, Brooke MEMBERSHIPS
Don & Nancy Colberg, Madhav Puri, Sonja Raub, Kimurafong, Carolyn Raffel, Deldi Reyes, Tom Levin, David Loeb, Alice Abbott, Rubi
Alan Kaplan, Chris Lotz, Louise Richardson, Lisa Kleifgen, Gail Kurtz, Scott, Elizabeth Sojourner Diane Luders, Robert Abrams, Linda Agerter,
Dorothy & Thomas Rykert, David Ryugo, Judith Leash, Lannon
Mayer, Anne Rowe, Maria Sabatini, Rochelle Leiman, Leslie Lethridge,
Eric Schroeder & Susan Satter, Martha Saylor, Allison Levin, Mei Sun Li,
Palo, Steve Tom, Wendy David H Silberman, Paul Lifton, J. Lindquist,
Webster, Nancy Smith, Charles Sarah Linn, Claude Lyneis, GIFTS IN HONOR OF
Stanberry, Jenifer Steele, John MacLennan, Cindy Linda Avitan, in honor of Dan Harris
LEAST TERN Constance Sutton, Margulis, Suzanne Marr, Eugenia Caldwell, in honor Bob Lewis
($250 to $499) Christina Tarr, Glen Julie Marsh, Jeffery David Chaparro & Tim Anderson, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019
Johanna Baruch, Diane Tepke, Noreen Weeden, Martin, David Massen, Thomas Ewing, in honor of Dan Harris
& Tom Bennett, Holly Felicity Wohltman, Marsha Mather-Thrift, Justin Faggioli, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019
Bern, Julie Clark, WIlliam Stephanie Woods, Elizabeth Mathews, Dan Harris, in honor of David Assmann & Opal Saylor
Hudson, Bob Isaacson, Pam Young, Mitchell Patricia McGuire, Helen David Hirsch, in honor of Dan Harris
Stephen Murray, James Youngman McKinley, Pamela Judith Kneeter, in honor of Dan Harris
Roethe, Craig Spriggs, McKown, Katherine Ellen Lange, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019
Glen Tepke GIFTS Milan, Sue Morgan, Bruce Mast, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019
(To $99) Whitney Mortimer, Donna Old Firehouse School, in honor of Sharol Nelson-Embry
RIDGWAY’S RAIL Janet & Mark Alcorn, Neumark, Karyn Noel, Barbara Riper, in honor of Eric Schroeder’s Big Year 2019
($100 to $249) Amazon Smile Jenny Odell, Lorraine Steffi Tick, in honor of Stanley
Sue Adler, John Bacon, Foundation, David OHara, David Ortez, Carol Weldin, Rosie & Richmond
Yates Barreda, Bonnie Assmann, Sarah Frances Marilyn Paige, Denny Carol White, in honor of Dan Harris
Bell, Berkwood Hedge Aubert, Marilyn Bancel, Parker, Sarah Paul, Wendy
School, Cathy Bleier, Shirley Barker, Stella Portnuff, Bruce Powell, GIFTS IN MEMORY OF
Marion Brackett, Bates, Arnold Bernstein, Marjorie Powell, Sara Anonymous, in memory of Hazel Mersfelder
Madeline Brane, Crystal Elinor Blake, Robert Purcell, Donna Rand, Mike Donovan, in memory of Gamma
Brunzell, Arden Bucklin- & Barbara Brandriff, Mark Rauzon, Moshe Elaine Geffen, in memory of Mary Francis Anderson
Sporer, Rich Chambers, Anna-Marie Bratton, & Julia Reder, Patricia Charlotte Harbeson, in memory of Gamma
Carol Chetkovich, John Kurt Brombacher, Reese, Jean Reinys, Myra Kathryn Page, in memory of Genevieve Howe
Chetkovich, Kathy Emma Brown, Kathleen Reybear, David Rice, Gary Jan Wax, in memory of George Bing
Chetkovich, Mark Brown, Marilyn & Abel & Richard Winn, Ed
Chetkovich, Michelle Stephen Brown-Cornell, Rosen, John Rosenbaum, IN-KIND GIFTS
Clay, Diana Cohen, Kevin Deborah Bullock, Karen Eunice Rosenberg, Arizmendi Bakery, Bee Symmetry, Bruce Mast, Emilie Strauss, Farallon Island
Dankwardt, Nancy Evans, Butterfield, Charlene Joyce Rybandt, Susan Foundation, FarWest Sanitation & Storage, Jacqueline Craig, Kisutch Wildlife Art,
Facebook, Robin Flagg, Canger, Virginia Carder, Schermerhorn, Peter Patagonia, Sarah Nathe
Jon Franzen, Dianne Aimee Chang, Loretta Scholz, William Schweitzer,
Fristrom, Daryl Goldman, Chen, Nari Chong, Sandy Ann Shackelford, Steve EMPLOYEE GIFT MATCHES:
Breanne Goodell, Susan Cohen-Wynn, Barbara Singleton, Shirley AAA (Marianne Campbell)
Greef, Margaret Grosse, Coll, Everett Crook, Nash Smith, Alexandra Clorox Company Foundation (Rachel Watson-Clark)
Michele & Jerry Harrison, Julian Crook, Helen Smolyanskaya, Anna Salesforce.com Foundation (Tess Napili)
Christine Hayamizu, Carol Dake, Michael DAloisio, Sojourner, Muriel Sonne, Salesforce.com Foundation (Jeff Perkul)
Henry, John Hornor, Linda Deaktor, Ilana Michael Stevens, Don
Robert Hosemann, DeBare, Tina Detchon, & Ruth Stiver, Paula GRANTS
Evan Howe, Wen Hsu, Cathy Diamond, David Trossman, Linda Venis, National Audubon Society
Don & Ann Hughes, Donnenfield, Mike & Mary Wheeler, Chris
Merrill Jacobs, Hilma Karen Doyle, Mary Witt, Peretz & Becki
& Mark Jones, William Dumont, Joanne & Fred Wolf-Prusan, Katiann Please know that we work hard to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your name has been
Jones, Kathryn Jordan, Dykstra, Elise Eichhorn, Wong-Murillo omitted or misspelled, let us know at 510.843.2222.
6 THE GULL SUMMER 2019
ROSTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Treasurer
Benjamin Allen, Patty Ehrmann, Catherine Kruse, Patricia Lamborn, Roughton, Anne Rowe,
Linda Carloni Bruce Mast
Ames, Jane Anfinson Elliott, Leslie Farber, Carolyn Larabell, Lee Rudin, Carla
Vice President Secretary
& David Wick, Eileen Martha Fateman, Leora Wendy LaRiviere, Rugeroni, Verena
Carol Baird Eric Schroeder
Arbues, Jane Aronowicz, Feeney, Mary Sue Fisher, Tomas Latham, Robert Schelling, Lisa Ann
Stefanie Arthur, Carrie Holly Forbes, Beverly Lawrence, Shellye Schen, Valerie Schutz, Diane Bennett, Laura Cremin, William Hudson,
Austin, William Grant, Galloway, Alison Garvin, Lessing, Robert Lewis, T.M. Scruggs, Maggie Dominik Mosur, Dan Roth, Pam Young
Patricia Bacchetti, John Laurence Gathers, Elaine Barbara Loomis, Frank & Seely, Gloria Shaffer,
Bacon, Linda Bacon, Geffen, Angie Geiger, Sally Lopez, Doris Lopez, Pamela Shandrick, Dale STAFF
Ellen Barth, Debra Clara Gerdes, Valerie Christiana Macfarlane, Sickles, Marjorie Siegel, Executive Director
Bartling, Janet Beeler, Glass, Doreen Gluckin, John MacLennan, Henry David Joel Snippen, Cindy Margulis, 510.843.2222 ext. 1002
Wendy Beers, Bruce Rima Goldman, Janice Mally, Wanda Mar, Bruce Kathy Sprague, Malcolm cmargulis@goldengateaudubon.org
Bell, Rhonda Bennon, Gonsalves, Suzanne Mast, Jean Matsuno, Sproul, Hilary Staver,
Director of Volunteer Programs
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Bertges, Cathy Bleier, Jane & Tom Graly, Brian Theresa McGovern, Stenzel, Erica Stone, nweeden@goldengateaudubon.org
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Leslie Weir, 510.843.2222 ext. 1004
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lweir@goldengateaudubon.org
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Travel with GGAS Coordinators
De Lucchi, Wendy Del Kakimoto, Joanna Richard Price, Jeannene Viviana Wolinsky,
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Valle, John Domzalski, Kao, Alan Kaplan, Przyblyski, Russell Pauline Yeckley, Elaine travelprogram@goldengateaudubon.org
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Steve Eckert, Gerard Koch, Sue Korbel, John Rosenthal, Anne
MISSION STATEMENT
Golden Gate Audubon engages people to
experience the wonder of birds and to translate
that wonder into actions which protect native bird
populations and their habitats.
Thank You to our ABOUT GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON
Birdathon 2019 The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded
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Permit No.1702
www.goldengateaudubon.org The Gull is printed with soy-based inks on chlorine-free paper, 30% postconsumer waste content.
2 Birds are Natural Educators 4 Speaker Series 5 Birdathon 2019
Birds can teach us many things, from July: Sahul – A Paradise for Birds Peer fundraisers, trip leaders, participants,
geography to history to music and art— August: Midway’s Albatrosses corporate sponsors and committee members
and even politics and government studies. September: SF Estuary Spartina Removal raised over $65,000.
BACKYARD BIRDER
lar to females in coloration but have a bib and eyeline, though less
pronounced than the adult. Brightness notwithstanding, you may
hear them before you see them, their fast, scratchy monotone chat-
ter being easy to identify. You may also see females singing, a trait
shared with other species in the Icterid family.
Bullock’s Orioles consume mostly insects, gleaned from trees and
shrubs. They also eat flowers and buds, grain, fruit and nectar. Ori-
oles have long, relatively straight beaks with unique muscles that
allow them to pierce and forcefully open food (e.g., hanging fruit) or
foraging substrates (e.g., bark or soil). This is called “gaping.” Some
Peter Meyer
orioles have also learned to use hummingbird feeders and to enjoy a
cut orange or two.
Bullock’s Oriole.
For nesting, Bullock’s Orioles prefer cottonwoods, sycamores and
large willows, but may be found in our Coast Live Oaks, fruit trees
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE or Eucalyptus. The hanging nest is woven with plant fiber, grass, hair
and down. The species breeds throughout most of the western states
by cathy bleier and winters mostly in Mexico and some parts of southwest Arizona.
s
They are “molt migrants,” stopping south of their breeding grounds for
o, which species has turned the most heads on your bird walks about two months to molt, and then continuing on to winter grounds,
lately? Hands down, the Bullock’s Orioles (Icterus bullockii) where some take advantage of shade-grown coffee plantations.
have evoked the most “Oohs” and “Ahs” on mine since their arrival The range of the Bullock’s Oriole has expanded in some areas and
in April. Fortunately for us, these neotropical migrants will linger to contracted in others, including California, probably due to a com-
nest in our open woodlands, parks and suburbs. bination of factors, such as habitat loss and cowbird introductions.
The male Bullock’s Oriole has bright orange underparts, a black While the species is considered stable for now and its conservation
eye stripe, and a black bib below its beak. The crown, nape, upper status is “Least Concern,” bird lovers can support orioles by plant-
back and tail are black, and it has a large white patch on mostly ing native flowers and trees and by encouraging neighbors to avoid
black wings. The female is pale yellow with a white stomach, unlike pesticides and herbicides so that chemical contaminants don’t poison
the Hooded Oriole, and a greyish back. First year males are simi- the orioles or their young.
8 THE GULL SUMMER 2019
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