PLEASE NOTE: OUR MAIL WAS STOLEN ON AUGUST 12. IF YOU SENT A CHECK FOR RENEWAL BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND AUGUST 12 AND YOUR NAME DOES NOT APPEAR BELOW, PLEASE STOP PAYMENT ON YOUR CHECK and let me know.
New and Renewing Members Ohlone sends a warm welcome and thank you to the following new and renewing chapter members: Lowell Ankrom, Art Carey Alex Chis and Claudette Begin, David Gill, Susan Hammer, Chuck Hazen, Michael and Andrea Mortensen, Nel O’Neil, Ernest Pacheco, Kate Ruddle, Jean-Marie Spoelman, Emily Stahl, Winifred W. Stribling, Barbara Van Slyke. We also would like to thank Michael and Andrea Mortensen for their donation. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Vote for the Birds! Remember to keep the environment in mind when casting your vote. |
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Contact Rich Cimino, Ohlone Audubon Conservation Chair at 925.462.6418 or email: rscimino@earthlink.net —RC |
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Join volunteers in the joy of gardening. |
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Calendar
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Wood Ducks at Sunol Regional Wilderness? |
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Erica Herron (925) 862-2605 or email svisit@ebparks.org. |
Sandy Ferreira (510) 790-5541 or aferreira@ci.fremont.ca.us. |
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Guest Speakers & Membership Meetings
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Special Events
OAS BIRD-A-THON 2008 Information: Click Here
S F Bay Salt Pond Restoration Milestone On July 20, 2004, seventy people gathered at the edge of salt ponds in the Sunnyvale area of the South Bay to watch as water was released from Pond 1A through Pond 3W to circulate from the salt ponds into San Francisco Bay. With that water release began the restoration project of 16,500 acres of salt ponds back to tidal action. This restoration is the largest undertaken on the west coast and is second only to the restoration of the Florida Everglades. After the five year planning process, depending on funding availability, more salt ponds will be returned to tidal marsh or other habitats as determined by the planning process. More information can be obtained from the website www.southbayrestoration.org, or desfbay.fws.gov. The area is not now open to the public, but Docent led tours of the salt ponds are scheduled. Reservations are required to join a tour. Call the refuge or email Carmen Minch at the refuge for reservations. Carmen is Carmen Leong Carmen Leong, phone 1- 510-792-0222 ext. 38. There are tours scheduled for Sept. 19, 2004, 1-3 PM, and October 10, 2004, 1-3 PM —Evelyn Cormier.
Festivals Birding Festivals
Return of the Swallows Festival Chabot Community College Hayward
10th ANNUAL ALEUTIAN GOOSE FESTIVAL
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SF Bay Area Nature Magazine |
BAY NATURE is a new quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area and the species that inhabit them. BAY NATURE articles interpret animal life, plant life, geology, weather, parklands, and all other aspects of the natural world around us-as it is now and as it was before. We'll also have photography, art, graphics and poetry from gifted local artists, as well as short news items and a calendar of the most important nature related events happening in the region. |
BAY NATURE baynature@baynature.com www.baynature.com |
Bird Watching Classes & Workshops
Alice Hoch's Birding Field Trips Class for September and November, 2008. Field identification, life styles, and ecology of local birds A Alice Hoch's next Birding Field Trips class begins Sept. 9th and continues on 9/16. 9/23. 10/7. & 10/14. NOTE; THERE WILL BE NO CLASS ON SEPT. 30TH. Be prepared to bird watch at the first class meeting. Alice Hoch's November Birding Field Trips class begins Nov. 4th and continues through Dec. 2nd. Contact Alice at 510-657-0475 or amhoch@aol.com.
Birds of the Bay Area Spring ensues, changes powered by shifting light*; The clock we hope, continues as verily right. Plumages of winter no longer true, Behavior goes to attack and woo! --Phil E. Gordon WHERE: Castro Valley Adult School. Classroom session meet on campus in the Main Center Bldg., Room 16. When meeting for trips away from campus, car pooling will be encouraged. Phil Gordon will teach a spring bird identification class, “Birds of the Bay Area”, through the Castro Valley Adult School, on Alma Street off Redwood Road. 4430 Alma Avenue, Castro Valley, 94546, Phone (510)-886-1000 Fax (510) 537-8537. WHEN: Phil Gordon is offering Birds of the Bay Area through the Castro Valley Adult School.
INSTRUCTOR: Phil Gordon, Naturalist, Ornithologist, Wildlife Photographer, Conservationist and State Credentialed Teacher. Member of: American Birding Assoc. & American Ornithologists Union; Ohlone Audubon Society; Calif. Academy of Science; Point Reyes and San Francisco Bay and Big Sur Bird Observatories; Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Over 45 years birding; over 25 years with Acalanes Adult Education. Field Trip Leader and Guide, incl.: Trinidad & Tobago, Canadian Arctic and Northwest Territories, Darien' Panama', Costa Rica, Florida, South & Central Texas, Arizona, Yucatan and Central to South Mexico, Guatemala; and much of Western U.S. Field Trip Leader and Guide. Tel.#: 1(510) 538-3550. For more information: Wild Wednesdays
Wild Wednesdays conducts ongoing leisurely explorations of diverse natural communities found in federal, regional, and city parks and wildlife refuges in southern Alameda County and beyond. Participants will learn to identify characteristic plants and wildlife occurring in salt marsh, freshwater pond, creek, grassland, chaparral, woodland, and urban habitats. Fall topics will include native and urban trees and shrubs, late-summer wildflowers and returning migrant and resident birds. Uses of plants for food and medicine and creation of backyard habitat for birds and butterflies will be discussed. Information gained will assist participants in making informed decisions about environmental legislation and policies. Bring binoculars, a hand lens, sun/rain protection, appropriate footwear, liquids, and a snack. You are responsible for your own transportation and entry fees, if applicable; there may be opportunities to carpool. Instructor: Lee Ellis, MS Meeting Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (510) 793-7383 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Meeting Place: contact instructor (510) 676-7283 Cell - Wednesday a.m.only Fee: $10/person/class attended. Previous Classes: Roadside Arboretum, Centerville District, Fremont. Meet at 9:30am in the parking lot of the Centerville Community Center at the corner of Hastings and Country Way (vic. Washington HS). We will take a leisurely walking tour of Centerville to observe a number of specimen, landmark, and heritage trees with origins in Asia, Australia, Europe and tropical regions. There will be opportunities for a restroom stop and cold/hot drinks or snacks. Urban birding along Mission Creek. The reach of Mission Creek downstream of Driscoll is a good area in which to observe a variety of urban birds due to the availability of water, a diversity of flowering plants, and a number of households with bird feeders. The resident red-shouldered hawk is often seen here at close range. Upon completion of the reconformation and meandering of the upstream reach between Driscoll and Palm, flow has been restored to Mission Creek. Meet at 9:30am under the large black walnut tree in the visitor parking lot of Hopkins Jr. HS on Driscoll. As usual, please let me know if you will attend so that I'll have enough handouts for everyone. I'd like your suggestions for future November classes. ** This class is held EVERY Wednesday - contact Lee for current schedule **
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West Nile Virus in the Bay Area |
West Nile Update: September 2005 West Nile Virus in Alameda County As of September 6, the California WNV information website http://www.westnile.ca.gov has reported 53 counties have reported WNV activity in California this year. · 521 individuals from 35 counties have been infected with WNV in 2005. To date in 2005, there have been nine human WNVrelated fatalities. · 321 horses have tested positive for WNV in 37 counties, of these 139 have died or been euthanized. · 1,968 dead birds in 50 counties have tested positive for WNV. · 1,002 mosquito pools from 28 counties have tested positive for WNV. · 571 sentinel chickens from 30 counties have tested positive for West Nile/Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE) antibodies. (The two antibodies are indistinguishable in preliminary testing.) Human WNV statistics: · To date in 2005, there have been 521 human WNV infections from 35 counties in California. · 65 of the 521 infections were first detected in asymptomatic individuals through screening done at blood banks - 26 later became symptomatic. · Three asymptomatic individuals were detected via local public health agencies. · Of the 479 WNV cases with symptoms, 150 are classified as West Nile neuroinvasive disease, 290 are classified as West Nile fever cases, and 39 are of unknown clinical presentation. · There have been nine West Nile virus-related fatalities to date in California this year from Butte, Fresno, Kings, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties. In Alameda County: (as of 8/26): The Alameda County mosquitoes.org site reveals that West Nile virus also has been confirmed in one horse, which was euthanized Aug. 7, as well as ten birds and one mosquito pool. A mild case in an Alameda County citizen was diagnosed in late August, and believed to have been contracted on a July trip to the northern Sacramento Valley. Although there have been no human cases with sources known to bein Alameda County, the numbers from neighboring counties should attract our attention. The Mosquito abatement District promises to take all minimal necessary steps to assure our safety. Their efforts are mainly concentrated on large bodies of water, thohe they can be very helpful to property owners. It is clear we can’t leave prevention to government. Mosquitoes can breed in very small containers of standing water. Emptying, frequent replacing, and adding pre-emergence agents are effective means of assuring that you don’t host a virulent strain. Take pity on your older neighbors (who are most likely to die from the disease). Monitor and reduce the chance you host the insects--DE. April 2005 Human infection with the West Nile Virus has mixed effects. Only about 1/150 of those infected notice more than the itchy bite. Adults over 50 and people with compromised immune systems are in increased peril of serious complications. Anyone who experiences flu symptoms, high fever, rash, convulsion, muscle weakness, severe headache or stiff neck, should seek medical care immediately. It behooves us all, therefore, in special consideration for our elder neighbors and recipients of transplants, to reduce the chances for mosquitoes to breed in our environs. At home, change the water in birdbaths frequently (three days in hot weather) and eliminate or treat standing water. Controls include screening, oiling, introduction of mosquitofish, reduction of organic matter in ponds and pools, such as leaves, fruit, or excess plants. Additional information and suggestions can be found at http://mosquitoes.org There is no immunization for humans against WNV infection. There are shots for other mosquito-borne infections. Travelers should consult their physicians and the Center for Disease Control for precautions appropriate for their destinations. Advice can be found at the CDC website: http://www.hhs.gov/safety/index.shtml#travel . —DE Fall 2004:: The Virus is upon us! Santa Clara County recorded the first Bay Area bird fatality and Orange County recorded California’s first fatal human case of diagnosed West Nile Virus in late July. By July 20, there had been 28 human cases diagnosed in California this year. Although a fatality is unlikely unless one is old or infirm, this landmark case underscores the necessity to take extra precautions to reduce mosquito reproduction and to avoid being bitten. To reduce mosquito reproduction, add Bacillis Thurengensis or light oil to the surface of standing water, or empty small containers weekly. Your county Mosquito Abatement District often will provide free mosquito fish for larger ponds. Their use is controlled so they won’t escape to the wild. The Alameda County district maintains a helpful website: www.mosquitoes.org. To avoid exposure, stay indoors, or keep covered and use DEET, especially in the morning and evening. Infected birds serve as vectors, ensuring the survival and spread of the virus. Mosquito agencies monitor flocks of “sentinel” chickens and ask that dead birds be reported (1-877-968- 2473) so they may be collected and tested. The death of a crow, a particularly susceptable bird, was witnessed and reported in late July by OAS member Rick Ellis, perhaps the Santa Clara WNV fatality. Alameda residents received a newspaper insert supplied by the county Mosquito Abatement District that merits careful study. It has additional protective measures you may take. —DE. |
Contacts |
Click here to Contact the Ohlone Audubon Society |
Web site: http://www.OhloneAudubon.org |
NAS California, 555 Audubon Place, Sacramento, 95825 1-916-481-5332 |
The Ohlone Audubon Society web site was last updated on September 5, 2008. |
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