The Valley Habitat

November 2012
A Joint Publication of the Stanislaus Audubon Society and the Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

Yokuts November 16, 2012 Program: Backcountry Horsemen

Vicki Morales and Dennis Serpa will join us to give us some insight on the great work that the Backcountry Horsemen are doing to in the arena of trail preservation, public land management and education. Backcountry Horsemen is a group of dedicated men and women working to preserve the historic use of trails with recreational pack and saddle stock. BCH members perform public service activities for numerous land management agencies and are continually working to educate other members and the general public on how to be Gentle Users.

Friday, November 16, 2012 at the Fellowship Hall of the College Ave. Church, 1341 College Ave. (at Orangeburg) in Modesto. Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:45 p.m. The program starts at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Opt-In To Help the Yokuts Group Reduce Its Carbon Footprint
by Anita Young, Yokuts Group Chair

Same thing goes for our Yokuts hikes. Apart from being IN nature, there is nothing like a color photo to rouse your appreciation for all the glory nature offers. Please send us an email at YokutsSierraClub@yahoo.com, subject line opt-in, with your email address in the message box. Youll be helping us reduce our carbon footprint while the group saves money. Thanks.

groundwater recharge. This is an environmental plus for our area. LAFCO approved a farmland protection policy that calls for 1:1 mitigation for any residential annexation onto productive farmland. While we would have preferred the mitigation to include industrial and commercial development as well, the new policy sends a message to all the cities in Stanislaus County that farmland protection is vital to our local economy. PCCP Westpark development plans were finally dumped by the County Board of Supervisors. We will wait to see what sort of plans are submitted as the RFP goes out to potential developers. The Yokuts Group participated in each of these issues by attending meetings and speaking out. These are just some examples of the work we do to protect the planet at least our own corner of it.

How do we speak to you? Do you read the Valley Habitat online by using a smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop computer? Or do you prefer to receive a paper copy in the mail?

Like many organizations, our costs to print and mail the Valley Habitat are Recent good news on the local envisoaring. We would prefer to spend that money on local activism, so we ronmental front: are giving Yokuts Sierra Club memMID will not sell our water to San bers a choice. If you respond to our Francisco. Stanislaus County call to opt-in, you will start receiving farmers will have some protecthe Valley Habitat electronically, tion of their water supply during possibly as early as the December drought years. 2012 edition. MIDs solar power plant on north McHenry Avenue is online. The The electronic version of the Valley October 6 Solar Tour featured the Habitat is gorgeous! Thanks to the new plant and the operations enStanislaus Audubon Society we feagineer answered questions about ture many color photographs of wild siting, panel orientation and birds and Audubon birding outings.

Valley Habitat 1

Stanislaus Audubon Society

RECENT SIGHTINGS OF RARE OR UNCOMMON BIRDS
MERCED COUNTY: Todd Easterla reported a LONG-TAILED JAEGER at the San Luis Reservoir on September 15. John Sterling found three COMMON TERNS on September 20 at the ONeill Forebay. STANISLAUS COUNTY: Jim Gain and Sal Salerno had a possible BLACKPOLL WARBLER at La Loma Park on September 16. Also on that day, Darren Rees, a British birder, found a female NORTHERN PARULA at Orange Blossom Recreation Area. The Northern Parula sighting was reviewed and accepted by the Stanislaus Bird Records Committee. Northern Parula is a first county record, bringing the total number of bird species in Stanislaus County to 312. The Blackpoll Warbler sighting is still under review by the SBRC. During a scheduled bird survey, Harold Reeve, Ralph Baker and David Froba saw a first winter FRANKLINS GULL at the restricted-access Modesto Water Quality Control Facility on September 23. Daniel Gilman and Sal Salerno had a HORNED GREBE on October 12 at Dawson Lake. Later that same day, John Harris, at his home four miles east of Oakdale, photographed several PINE SISKINS at his thistle feeder.

COMMON CUCKOO IN WATSONVILLE It began as an ordinary day. On Friday, September 28, Steve Gerow was leading seven other birders on their customary field trip to Watsonville Slough. Lois Goldfrank first spotted the odd bird that was subsequently verified as a COMMON CUCKOO. This extraordinary find, posted on the Internet, brought hundreds of birders to flock there through Tuesday, October 2, after which time the bird could no longer be found. This Eurasian species of cuckoo was a first record for California, and only the second sighting in the lower 48 states. Once again, a verity has been proven: you never know what uncommon bird you may find on any common day of birding.
Common Cuckoo Tom Grey

Three Christmas Bird Counts Sponsored by Stanislaus Audubon

La Grange-Waterford Christmas Bird Count Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 Meet at the Fruit Yard Restaurant, 7948 Yosemite Boulevard, Modesto at 6:30, earlier for breakfast. Contact: Jim Gain (phalarope@sbcglobal.net)

Los Banos Christmas Bird Count Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 Meet at Denney's Restaurant, 1491 West Pacheco (Badger Flat and Hwy 152), Los Banos at 6:30, earlier for breakfast. Contact: John Fulton (merced_birding@hotmail.com)

Caswell-Westley Christmas Bird Count Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 Meet at Denney's Restaurant, 2052 W. Orangeburg St., Modesto at 6:30 AM, earlier for breakfast. Contact: Harold Reeve (birder@sbcglobal.net)

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Stanislaus Audubon Society

RULERS OF THE NIGHT
by Salvatore Salerno

Wild creatures and civilized people bustle about during the day. There is so much turbulent activity beneath the sun that we may think of night as only a time for respite and sleep. But nature is ever restless, and darkness is never empty. After we turn indoors, creatures that have hidden all day come out to shift about. Supreme above their prey, phantoms emerge from their roosts, for nighttime is the domain of the mysterious owls. Most owls are nocturnal predators, often compared with diurnal raptors like falcons and hawks. The differences, though, are stark. A falcons eyesight is excellent, but insufficient past sunset. A hawks hearing is superb, but not keen enough for the graveyard shift. In fact, owls are more closely related to the nightjars and nighthawks. Special hunting conditions, such as moonlight or pitched darkness, require special adaptations that owls possess in full measure. Successful predators are neither seen nor heard by prey until it is too late for escape. Owls are adept at being invisible and silent. When perched, the camouflage of arboreal owls blends with the vegetation, except for the ghostly hue of Barn Owls. In flight, owls are less noticeable than the wind. The feathers on their legs and bodies are soft and long, acting as mufflers. Their wing feathers are long, and the leading edge of the first flight feather has wavy, soft edges, thus reducing air friction. Surely you can attest to the difficulty of seeing owls in low light, or of even hearing them as they glide right past you. The faces and ears of owls have adapted for their uncanny sense

of hearing. The shape of most owls faces resembles a disk, which aids in directing sounds into the ears. This disk is adjustable for focusing sounds. Dense feathers around the ear openings are cup-shaped in many species, in order to catch sounds better. Remarkably, the placement of ears in the skulls of many owls is asymmet-

eyes fit snugly into their skull sockets, so that instead of moving their bodies, which might alert prey, they swivel their heads to check the surroundings. Their eyes also possess many more motion detector rods on their retinas than even our own, so they notice the smallest movements of prey. Their talons and bills are specialized, too. Larger owls have long talons of massive size and power, with sharp and curving claws. Some talons have feathers that can feel prey in the dark, and their feet are covered with rough skin for better clinging. The short, curved bills act like scissors, and their downward shape maximizes vision and hearing. Apart from their predatory function, there is a mystique about owls. They have been affiliated with wisdom as far back as ancient Greek depictions of Athena holding an owl on her arm. Maybe its how they look at us. When an owl is staring at you, dont you feel it knows more than meets the eye?

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Joe Devine

rical, with one ear lower than the other. The owl benefits from the minute difference in the time it takes sound waves to penetrate each ear. With this displacement, an owl can pinpoint the location of a vole beneath several inches of leaf litter or snow. Then there are those arresting eyes. Owls have the most frontally placed eyes of birds, allowing for binocular vision. Their eyes are extremely large in proportion to their skulls. Furthermore, each of the pupils has an independent aperture that takes in the dimmest light. Owls

Owls also have folkloric associations with bad fortune, the supernatural, and death. This is due not only to their nocturnal habits, but also to their odd vocalizations. Their moans, whistles, screams, barks, screeches, whistles, and tremolos can make us believe in things that go bump in the night. There is even something askew in seeing an owl in broad daylight. It is as if a seam in the days fabric has torn, revealing its dark velvet underside. Our reason convinces us that owls are only birds, but our psyche dreams of phantoms. Isnt the night country richer for our sensing they are everywhere out there?

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Stanislaus Audubon Society

Audubon Field Trip Email List
November 10, Consumnes River Preserve. Trip leader, Sal Salerno, 5269832, bees2@sbcglobal.net. This area in southernmost Sacramento county has a magnificent diversity of beautiful habitats. You can count on seeing a wide selection of birds, and with Sal's keen ear at work, you can count on hearing them as well. Meet at the Stanislaus Library parking lot at 1500 I Street. at 7:00 a.m. We'll be back mid afternoon. November 11. San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (booklet page 31) is huge and offers the most diverse habitats in the area, including deep water lake, riparian forest, oak woodlands, grassland, and seasonal wetland. 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. We'll be back early afternoon.

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, Joe Devine, Lori Franzman, Jody Hallstrom, David Froba, Daniel Gilman, John Harris, Harold Reeve, Salvatore Salerno, Dale Swanberg. 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 Bird Records Committee: Harold Reeve 538-0885 Point Reyes, 10/6/2012 photo by Jim Gain How To Join Audubon: To become a member of 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 If you are a current member, please check the expiration date on the mailing label, so that you may rejoin in time to continue receiving our publications. Visit our website: www.stanislausbirds.org 521-7265 (froba@comcast.net) 848-1518 (johnh@mills.edu)

December 8. Cooperstown and Willms Roads (booklet, page 13) run north/ south and just west of the line with Tuolumne County, the beginnings of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. First, we'll be looking for a few species like Lewis' Woodpecker that are pushed by the cold weather into the lower elevations of our county. Second, we'll be looking for all the distinctive species of this relatively pristine grasslands habitat. (What's that bird that looks like a little Meadowlark?) Finally, our leader Dave Froba (521-7265, froba@comcast.net), who wrote the book on this area, says "This area is superb for raptors..." and it is indeed. We'll see one of the best selection of hawks and eagles that can be seen anywhere in the USA. Meet at the Stanislaus Library parking lot at 1500 I Street. at 7:00 a.m. We'll be back early to mid afternoon.

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Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

Midweek Hikes in the Groveland/Ywy 120 area (Tuolumne Group, Sierra Club) Each Thursday meet at Mary Laveroni Park, Groveland at 9:00 am for an approximate 6 mile hike. Bring a jacket, water, sunscreen and a snack in a daypack. Wear hiking boots. In fair weather the hike is generally followed by a picnic lunch near the trailhead. Leader: Frank Oyung, for details and to sign-up, (209) 962-7585, frank-oyung@sbcglobal.net Motherlode Chapter Hikes
The fall issue of the Bonanza newsletter is now available at: www.motherlode.sierraclub.org As we begin to enjoy the cooler weather, you'll also find the latest schedule of outings and trips for fall at: http:// www.motherlode.sierraclub.org/ outings.html

Paddle with the Salmon

Tuolumne River Trust Tuolumne Canoe Tours

A Chapter Committee for Climate Change Education is Forming

Concerned about climate change? Youre invited to participate in the Mother Lode Chapters new Global Warming & Climate Change Education Program. Surveys show much of the public is shockingly uninformed about the reality of climate change and its principle cause (the burning of fossil fuels). Myths and disinformation has been spread by climate change deniers that include the oil, gas & coal industries, the Koch Brothers, Fox News, and conservative think tanks. Thats left many Americans confused and uncertain about arguably the most daunting threat facing our world today. The chapters Climate Change Committee plans to begin a public education program targeting faith based groups, service organizations, educational groups, political groups and more. The goal will be to convince people to conserve energy and reduce their carbon footprints, while encouraging others to do the same. In addition, the committee hopes to build pressure on local and state government to take action to reduce fossil fuel consumption and encourage renewable energy.

Saturday, November 3, 2012 Sunday, November 4, 2012 Saturday, November 10, 2012 Sunday, November 11, 2012 Tickets: $55 (includes canoe, safety
gear, instruction & shuttle)

$45 Tuolumne River Trust Members, $35 Youth ages 7-17 Discounted rates for those with their own canoes, kayaks, or rafts Register Today Call Toll-free 1-888-994-3344 Or visit www.tuolumne.org
Its a three mile canoe in La Grange

Saturday, November 3, 2012 Salmon Festival, 10 am 3 pm

Knights Ferry Covered Bridge 17968 Covered Bridge Road, Knights Ferry, CA

Sierra Club Calendars

Doug Hardie, 2013 Sierra Club Calendar Chairman, reports 2013 Sierra Club Calendars will be for sale at the Fall meetings. There are two choices, Wilderness Wall Calendar, $14, and Engagement Calendar, $15. Calendars may be purchased by mailing an order to Sierra Club Calendars, P O Box 855, Modesto CA 95353, or by phoning Doug at 209-524-6651. These calendars make great gifts and are always appreciated the first of the year. This is a great fund raiser for the Yokuts. You are not limited to one calendar!!!!

Lear n about the life cycle of the Chinook Salmon in the Stanislaus River. Many fun activities for children and adults. Food and beverages will be on sale. Yokuts Group will be participat- If you are interested in possibly being ing. Contact Milt Trieweiler (209-535- part of this effort please contact Jerry Scott at jersusan@volcano.net . Jerry 1274) if you can help with the booth. is a member of the Maidu Group, founded Amador Citizens for Energy Conservation, and hopes to form a committee of Sierra Club members from the Mother Lode Chapters 24 counties who want to work together to make a difference.

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Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club

2012 Yokuts Garage Sale Results: $2,718 net!
Thank you to everyone who donated items and who helped at the pricing party Friday night: Kathy Weise, Candy Klaschus, Anita, Jim, Jerry, Sandy, Monica, Sylvan and Nancy And at the sale: Sandy, Jerry, Kathy, Steve Tomlinson, Leonard Choate, Milt and Candy And a huge thanks to Jerry Jackman and Sandy Wilson for letting us use their home again And thanks to everyone else who names have not been included.

Yokuts Group Election Official Ballot

Bring to the November 16, 2012 Yokuts Program (see November Habitat, p.1) or Mail to P.O. Box 855, Modesto, CA 95353 by November 30, 2012.

Membership Kathy Clarke Or write-in ________________________ Treasurer Steve Tomlinson Or write-in ________________________ Secretary Maryann Hight Or write-in ________________________

Central Valley Bird Symposium

On November 15th-18th, 2012, the Central Valley Bird Club will be hosting the 16th Annual Central Valley Birding Symposium at the Stockton Hilton Hotel, in Stockton, CA.
Thursday Nights keynote speaker is Ed Harper presenting a program on Appreciating the Birds of the Central Valley. Come sit back and watch as Ed takes us on a photographic journey t catch a glimpse of the avian world of the Central Valley. Friday Night's keynote program is by Sophie Webb on Seabirds & Marine Mammals of the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Sophie will give us a wonderful glimpse into the natural history of the fascinating birds and mammals she has encountered on research vessels over the deep seas, emphasizing those that venture close to the California coast, especially during migration. Saturday Night's keynote program is by Carlos Bethancourt on The Natural Splendor of Panam! From Toucans to hummingbirds, Mouse Opossums to tongue-wielding Orange Nectar Bats, Carlos will keep you spellbound with his stories of discovery and vivid images. Also on Saturday, Paul J. Baicich will present "Access Matters: Why Birders Should Care" Is access to birding locations important? Well, only if you want to see birds! Other events include a Century of Field Identification by Joe Morlan, Bird ID Workshop by Jon Dunn and a sketching workshop by Sophie Webb. Our field trips always turn up exciting birds. Add in the always entertaining and educational Bird ID Panel, the wonderful display of art and gifts for yourself or others at the Birder's Market and the camaraderie of hundreds of like-minded folks, and you know you'll have a good time! To look over the line-up of speakers, workshops, and field trips check out our website at: www.cvbs.org

Nominating Committee members:

Kathy Weise, Anita Young and Candy Klaschus

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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! ______________________________________________________________________

Yokuts Sierra Club joins Meetup

The Yokuts Sierra Club group, along with the Delta Sierra and Tuolumne Groups have formed a StocktonModesto-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/StocktonModesto-Sonora-Sierra-Club/

NEW MEMBER NAME(S)

________________________________________________________
ADRESS ______________________________________________________________ CITY STATE ZIP ______________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE (optional)

EMAIL (optional) Chair

From time to time, we make our mailing list available to other worthy organizations. If you prefer your name not be included, please check here.

Yokuts Group of the Sierra Club Management Committee

Anita Young 529-2300 (ayyoungbooks2@gmail.com) Sylvan Bupp (enbupp@yahoo.com) Maryann Hight (mhight@csustan.edu) 524-0074 417-9114

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES (check one) INDIVIDUAL JOINT

Special offer $15 Regular $39 Supporting $75 Contributing $150 Life $1000 Senior $25 Student $25 Limited Income $25 $49 $100 $175 $1250 $35 $35 $35

Link to the Yokuts website

Treasurer Secretary Programs Conservation Membership Hospitality

Alexandra Hoffmann 981-8985 (ahoffmann216@gmail.com) Brad Barker 526-5281 (braddbarker@gmail.com) Kathy Clarke 575-2174 (kathyclarke@prodigy.net) Candy Klaschus (cklaschus@gmail.com) Dorothy Griggs (dorothygriggs@att.net) Randall Brown (rbrown@csustan.edu) Nancy Jewett (njewett@sbcglobal.net) Kathy Weise (kweise@ssica.com) Milt Trieweiler (magictrain@aol.com) Leonard Choate Jason Tyree (jason.tyree@gmail.com) 632-5473 549-9155 632-5994 664-9422 545-5948 664-1181 524-3659

Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax-deductible; they support our effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to SIERRA magazine and $1 for your Chapter newsletter.

PAYMENT METHOD: (check one) CHECK VISA MASTERCARD AMEX

Publicity Outings Newsletter Mailing Population Fundraising Website

______________________________________________________________
CARDHOLDER NAME

___________________________________________________________
CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE _____________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE GIFT MEMBERSHIP: A gift card will be sent for your use. Enter your name and address below and the name and address of the gift recipient above. _____________________________________________________________________ YOUR NAME(S) _____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CITY STATE ZIP ______________________________________________________________________ TELEPHONE (optional) EMAIL (optional) Enclose payment information and mail to: P.O. Box 421041, Palm Coast, FL 32142-1041

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

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

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Modesto, CA Permit No. 139

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

The Sierra Club's official endorsements

Proposition 31. OPPOSE: State Budget. State and Local Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Proposition 32. OPPOSE: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates. Proposition 37. SUPPORT: Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Proposition 39. SUPPORT: Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding.

Jose Hernandez was interviewed by Yokuts Group members and has been endorsed by the Yokuts Group. His website is: http://joseforcongress.com/

Holiday Greetings!!
Come and join us for

The 2012 Yokuts Holiday Open House

7 pm on the 7th of December.
The party is held at 5424 Nanette Dr., Salida. Please call (209) 858-3332 for directions if you like. A fun evening and a great way to meet your fellow members!
The party is very casual with everyone contributing with a special snack or dessert. We will have coffee, tea, cider and usually there are bottles of wine to share. We have a special raffle of donated baskets and always lots of great food. Plan on joining your fellow Sierra Club members for a bit of Holiday Cheer! Hope to see you all there! Kathy Weise

United States President: Barack Obama

United States House of Representatives: CA District 9: Jerry McNerney CA District 10: Jose Hernandez CA District 11: George Miller
See: http://sierraclubcalifornia.org/ca-elections/ and http:// www.sierraclub.org/politics/endorsements/

The Valley Habitat

November 2012