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 VOLUME 48 • NUMBER 2October 2010Newsletter of Fresno Audubon Society  A chapter of National Audubon Society Published monthly, September through May 
www.FresnoAudubon.org  Visit us on the Web!
by Jordan Wellwood •Audubon California 
If California voters support Prop-osition 21 – the State Parks AccessPass – we will have not only a stablefunding source for state parks, but amuch-needed boost of $35 millionannually for our state wildlife areasand ecological reserves. The measure would give every Californian free day use of state parks in exchange for anew $18 vehicle license fee, and sevenpercent of this revenue would go topublic lands managed by the Cali-fornia Department of Fish & Game(DFG). There are 240 of these propertiesscattered throughout California, to-taling almost a million acres and pro- viding habitat for more than 1,275species of birds, mammals, reptiles,amphibians, and sh, including many that are listed as threatened or endan-gered. These lands also provide Cali-fornians with excellent opportunitiesto enjoy the outdoors through wildlife viewing, shing, and hunting.If you have ever visited Mendota Wildlife Area, Los Banos Wildlife Area, or Yolo Wildlife Area, youhave witnessed the rich abundanceof wildlife that DFG works hardto preserve. In fact, DFG man-ages these lands to provide diversehabitats such as seasonal wetlands,permanent ponds, semi-permanentand standing grain, ooded riparian woodlands, and ooded pastures. At Shasta Valley Wildlife Area inSiskiyou County, managed grazing 
 
Inside This Issue
Fresno-Madera Birds ............ 2FAS Field Trips ......................... 3Birding Events ......................... 4Can You Help? ......................... 4Days at the Coast ................... 5Nice Finish to Summer ........ 6Mammal Trip ........................... 6Wastewater Management .. 8Board of Directors ................. 9
November 9
th
Program: ―San Joaquin Kit Fox― Conserving a Valley Native
Prop 21: Important forCalifornia State Parks
 The San Joa-quin kit fox isone of many endangered spe-cies inhabiting the San Joaquin Valley. Kit fox numbers have been re-duced to a fraction of their historiclevels, primarily due to the conver-sion of kit fox habitat to agricultural,urban, and industrial uses. Despiteits diminutive size, the kit fox is the
Continued on Page 8...
systems have created a diverse mixof shortgrass pasture habitats forboth geese and cranes. At UpperButte Basin Wildlife Area, restoredriparian habitat is beneting a hostlargest of the many listed species inthe Valley. Thus, it is an icon for en-dangered species conservation in the Valley and serves as an “umbrella”species in conservation efforts. Inthis talk, Brian Cypher will review thespecies’ life history and current sta-tus, and describe some of the recentefforts being conducted to conserveand recover this species. In additionto the efforts on the part of humans,he’ll describe how the kit fox may beusing its own adaptability to help it-self!Brian Cypher is the Associate Di-rector and a Research Ecologist withthe California State University – Stan-islaus, Endangered Species Recovery Program. His primary research inter-est is the ecology and conservation of  wild canids. His research experienceincludes work on wolves, coyotes,gray foxes, red foxes, kit foxes, andisland foxes. Since 1990, he has beeninvolved in research and conservationefforts for endangered San Joaquinkit foxes and other sensitive species inthe San Joaquin Valley of California. 
Programs held at the University of Cali-  fornia Center, 550 East Shaw Avenue,Fresno, at 7:30 PM.
San Joaquin kit fox by Greg Warrick
 
Page 2 The Yellowbill 48 (2) 2010
Fresno-Madera Birds
 August 16 to September 15, 2010
by Jeff Davis 
 
If you make an interest-ing observation, we wouldlove to hear about it. Weare especially interestedin birds listed as casualor rare on the
Fresno-Made- ra County Bird Checklist 
andthose found out of seasonor out of normal habitat.Submit reports to: Jeff Davis559-246-3272
 jndavis@ucsc.edu 
OR Fresno County BirdersEmail Group
(See Page 9)Cited Observers: 
 Helen ButtonLynn Hemink  Jim LomaxFrances OliverSteve SummersGary WoodsFWTP =
Fresno Wastewater Treatment Plant 
MWTP
= Madera Wastewater Treatment Plant 
m.ob.
= many observers 
 ph.
= photographed by 
 Area wastewater treatment ponds con-tinued to attract rare shorebirds. These in-cluded a
 Willet
at MWTP August 16 (LH,SS) and August 17 (JL), two
Sanderlings
 and a
Semipalmated Sandpiper
at theFWTP (GW) September 2 and likewise atthe MWTP September 8 (ph. GW), and a
Pectoral Sandpiper
and
Stilt Sandpiper
 at the MWTP August 18 (FO). The latter was originally found August 14 (LH) anddetected on every intervening day (m.ob.). The highlight of the period was MaderaCounty’s rst
Common Tern
, a bird insecond-summer plumage at the MWTP
 American Avocet by Gary Woods 
 August 16 (ph. LH, ph. SS, ph. GW). Re-markably, what was considered to be an-other individual based on plumage char-acteristics was found there September 2(LH).Headlining landbird migration were ahatch-year
Red-naped Sapsucker
nearOakhurst September 10 (HB), three
Bank Swallows
at the MWTP August 16 (LH,SS) and August 17 (JL), and Fresno Coun-ty’s second
Chestnut-sided Warbler
, ahatch-year bird that bought a one-way ticket with a picture window in northeastFresno August 30 (ph. LH).
FAS helps get an “A”
Beth Barnett, one of our Fresno Audu-bon Society Board members, took hergrandson, Michael, to Kay Barnes’ Begin-ners Bird Class and walk last spring. Hehad a science assignment that required himto identify and photograph ten local birds. With the help of Kay Barnes and otherFresno Audubon members, he got an “A”on his assignment! Kudos to all, and keepin mind that free events like Kay’s birdID class are open to kids of all ages - let’sbring nature to our young people whichmay even help then succeed in school!
See  page 3 for bird ID classes! 
Fresno Audubon partners withFresno State on NSF-funded project to study urban water useand bird diversity
Dr. Madhusudan Katti, Associate Pro-fessor of Biology at Fresno State, andFAS Board Member, was recently awardeda $300,000 grant from the National Sci-ence Foundation to study the connectionsbetween urban water policy, homeowner water use in the residential landscape, andplant and bird diversity in the Fresno Clo- vis Metro Area. FAS is a partner organiza-tion in this project, which brings togethersocial scientists and natural scientists tostudy the urgent question of urban wateruse even as Fresno is about to begin me-tering water use in our homes. Results areexpected to help local governments andcitizens become better stewards of ourimmediate environments in cities.
Fresno Bird Count seeks volun-teers for winter censuses
 The Fresno Bird Count (FBC), aftera highly successful third annual breeding bird count last spring, is now expanding its programs to include winter migrantsas well. The rst winter count of urbanbirds throughout Fresno-Clovis will beconducted during December 15-January 15, using the protocols established by theFBC. In addition, there will also be a wa-terfowl census at ponding basins and wa-ter bodies throughout Fresno-Clovis, alsoduring Dec 15-Jan 15. If you wish to vol-unteer for either/both counts - all you’llneed to do is spend one or two wintermornings counting birds - please contactDr. Madhusudan Katti ( 
mkatti@csufresno.edu 
or 559-278-2460) and visit the FBC website ( 
www.fresnobirds.org 
 ) for further in-formation.
 
Page 3 www.FresnoAudubon.org 
October 13:
Grant Grove with Jim Warner • 905-9563
 October 27:
Lost Lake with Ed Case299-1836
November 10:
 Yokohl Valley withFrank Gibson • 299-8452 • 593-2217
November 23:
Urban Birding (you’dbe surprised how good it can be!)Kay Barnes • 787-2985
December 8:
Parkeld with Ken &Betty Cornelisen • 439-2267
December 29:
 Waste Water Plant with Frank Gibson • 299-8452 • 593-2217
 January 12:
Madera Grasslands withIrene Moon • 664-1237
 January 26:
Merced National Wild-life Refuge with the Cornelisens•439-2267
February 9:
Kern & Pixley National
 Wednesday Walks
Fresno Audubon’s Field Trip Schedule
 All Wednesday Walk eldtrips leave from the Mervyns parking lot at Ashlan and Black- stone at 8:00 AM. Please call the eld trip coordinators (above) if you have questions.
 Wildlife Refuges with Darby & VickiSmith 787-2969
February 23:
Mendota Wildlife Area with Margaret Houck • 252-8548 &Frank Gibson • 299-8452 • 593-2217
March 9:
 Wellbarn Road with TomZimoski • 432-7441 • 978-2987
March 23:
 Watts Valley with Niña Williams • 229-4529
 April 13:
Mariposa County Foothills with Frank Gibson • 299-8452
November 6 & 13, 2010 April 9 & 16, 2011Lost Lake County Park 
(Park entrance fee required)
Starts 9:00 AM each day
Beginning Birding Classes
Contact:Kay Barnes, 559-787-2985Bring eld guide, binoculars,and a friend! Classes are onSaturdays. April 27:
Bravo Lake/Drumm Valley  with the Smiths • 787-2969
May 11:
 Wonder Valley & Reed AveRookery with Kay Barnes • 787-2985
May 25:
Shaver Lake area with theSmiths • 787-2969
 June 8:
Indian Basin & PrincessCampground with Tom Zimoski432-7441 • 978-2987
 June 22:
 Yosemite & Glacier PointRoad
 
 with Frank Gibson • 299-8452• 593-2217
 
Out of Town Trips
November 2-4:
Hawk Hill, San Francisco Area withthe Cornelisens, 439-2267 We will hope to catch the hawk migration over theMarin Headlands as well as visit other birding sites inthe bay area.
Lodging options: 
 Acqua Hotel, 415-380-0400555 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley 
www.jdvhotels.com 
 January 18-20:
Morro Bay and the Central Coast withKay Barnes, 787-2985
Lodging: 
La Serena Inn (the best deal on the coast)800-248-1511, 805-772-5665
www.laserenainn.com 
May 3-5:
Morongo Valley Desert birding at its best!Kay Barnes, 787-2985
Lodging: 
Best Western Gardens Inn & Suites800-528-1234/760-367-914171487 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
www.bestwestwestern.com 
29 Palms Inn,760-367-350573950 Inn Ave, Twentynine Palms
29palmsinn@eee.org 
Hotel Mill Valley, 415-332-5700160 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley 
www.larkspurhotelmillvalley.com 
 America Best Value Inn, 888-315-2378or 415-332-1732; 155 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley Super 8 Yucca Valley, 760-228-177357096 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley 
www.super8.com/yuccavalley  All above lodging serve breakfast and have room specials online.
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