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June, 2008
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
"Owls of Los Angeles County: Their Status and Distribution" will
be the topic presented by Lance Benner, Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at the
Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave., Whittier, Ca. The Community
Center is located on the corner of Mar Vista St. and Washington Ave. (not to be
confused with Washington Blvd.) near a softball field and across the street from
the Whittier Public Library.
Eleven species of owls have been recorded in Los Angeles County and nine species
breed here. The presentation will give an overview of owl biology and the
amazing adaptations that enable owls to survive. There will also be descriptions,
images and sound recordings of each species. Lance Benner will talk about the
geographic distribution of each species using results from the Los Angeles
County Breeding Bird Atlas (which is in preparation and nearing completion) and
specific locations where each species has been recorded.
Lance has contributed owl observations to the Los Angeles County Breeding Bird
Atlas and has conducted surveys for Northern Saw-whet and Flammulated Owls in
the San Gabriel Mountains. He also wrote a chapter on San Gabriel Mountain owls
for the "Pasadena Audubon Society's Birding Guide to the Greater Pasadena Area,"
which was published in 2005.
A research scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Benner
specializes in radar imaging of near-Earth asteroids. His research involves
frequent trips to the Arecibo Oberservatory in Puerto Rico, where he often hears
the gentle trilling and maniacal "laughter" of Puerto Rican Screech Owls.
You will remember Lance from last year's program on the "Birds of Puerto Rico,"
which you all enjoyed.
The Community Center is located on the Southeast corner of
Washington Ave. (not to be confused with Washington Blvd) and Mar Vista Sts. in
the City of Whittier. The Community Center is located across the street from the
Whittier Public Library. The parking lot for the library is next to a softball
field. The public is
always invited.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18
2007
A lively interactive program about Starr Ranch Bird Observatory will be given
by Justin Shew, Biologist/Educator at the Whittier Area Audubon meeting on
Thursday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m. in the Whittier Community Center, 7630
Washington Ave. in the City of Whittier (on the corner of Mar Vista St. and
Washington Ave., not to be confused with Washington Blvd.) near a softball
field and across the street from the Whittier Public Library.
Come and see an exciting "hands-on" demonstration of how birds are actually
banded, measured and weighed and how important data is collected and recorded.
Justin will also talk about radio tracking and other research involving
mammals big and small. Starr Ranch is the jewel of southern Orange County, a
preserve of 4,000 acres of imperiled habitat such as coastal sage scrub and
needlegrass grassland in mosaics with oak and riparian woodlands. This
presentation will be fun for the entire family!
Rare habitats provide foraging and nesting for a variety of endangered and
rare bird species and plants. Starr Ranch is tucked away in Trabuco Canyon and
is one of California's Important Bird Areas (IBA), encompassing some of the
last remaining expanses of California's southern coast wild lands. Starr Ranch
is host to a variety of rare and endangered bird species such as the Coastal
California Gnatcatcher and the Coastal Cactus Wren. Come and learn first hand
about the Starr Ranch Bird Observatory (SRBO)and its mission to connect people
with nature through participation in educational programs. Some of us will be
visiting Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary this Saturday for our field trip (now
full).
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15,
2007
Whittier Daily News Photojournalist Raul Roa will present some of his
stunning and action-packed candid photos of resident and migrating Southern
California birds at our meeting on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
at the Whittier Community Center 7630 Washington Ave., Whittier, CA. The
Community Center is located on the corner of Mar Vista St. and Washington Ave.
(not to be confused with Washington Blvd.) near a softball field and across
the street from the Whittier Public Library. Many of you know Raul and are
familiar with his work.
Seen through eyes of a photojournalist, he will give a slide show
presentation of these local birds, migrants, and vagrants that can easily be
seen in our backyards, local parks, wetlands and natural areas throughout the
year. Questions on the technical aspects and techniques of getting that
special photograph will also be discussed. Raul Roa is a professional
photojournalist and nature enthusiast who enjoys photographing birds and
nature. Raul works for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group which includes
the Pasadena Star News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and the Whittier Daily
News. He has traveled to the Galapagos Islands and throughout the
Southwestern USA.
Raul has written a book-on-CD about his Galapagos travels and is currently
working on a Southern California Birds coffee table book. If you love bird
photography, please come to our program.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007Our December 13th meeting will
provide a showcase for our talented Whittier Area Audubon photographers.
Please note that the meeting is one week earlier than usual on Thursday,
DECEMBER 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. We meet at the Whittier Community Center,7630
Washington Ave., Whittier, Ca. The Community Center is located on the corner
of Washington Ave.(not to be confused with Washington Blvd.) and Mar Vista
Sts., across the street from the Whittier Public Library and next to a
softball field. Photographers, please bring a CD with your favorite
recent bird photos in jpeg format on it. We will provide a laptop and
digital projector. This should be a fun evening!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE to go on an
Earthwatch Expedition? Now is your chance to find out! Please come to our
Whittier Area Audubon program on January 17th, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whittier
Community Center. The Community Center is located on the corner of Mar Vista St.
and Washington Ave. (not to be confused with Washington Blvd.) in the City of
Whittier, across the street from the Whittier Public Library and near a softball
field.
Whittier Area Audubon member Susana Guerrero will describe her
journey to the forests of Ecuador where she helped to capture birds in mist nets
and learned to identify them and band them. This experience was so exciting that
she wanted to learn more about birds and joined our chapter, thanks to Grace and
Yosh Nakamura.Susana will show her photographs of the colorful and unusual birds
she found there as well as to tell us stories of what it was like. This trip was
especially memorable for Susana because she is a native of Ecuador and she was
returning to learn more about the birds that reside there.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008
Wildlife of the Hills" will be the topic presented by Claire Schlotterbeck
from Hills for Everyone at the Whittier Area Audubon meeting on February 21 at
7:30 p.m. at the Whittier Community Center located at 7630 Washington Ave.,
Whittier, CA. The Community Center is located on the corner of Mar Vista St. and
Washington Ave. (not to be confused with Washington Blvd.) near a softball field
and across the street from the Whittier Public Library. Please bring your
questions about local wildlife and come prepared to enjoy an interesting
presentation. This program is good for whole family. The public is invited
(free).
Information: Linda Oberholtzer, (562) 699-9738. For more
information on the Whittier Area Audubon Society … field trips, etc., see our
web page: www.whittieraudubon.org
Also, here is the National Audubon web page: www.audubon.org
ANNUAL CONSERVATION DINNER, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008
A spectacular multi-media show by Tom
Getz, featuring the birds and culture of Manitoba and Winnipeg, Canada will be
presented at this year’s Whittier Area Audubon Conservation Dinner on Thursday,
March 20 starting with a social time at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of
Hillcrest Congregational Church, 2000 West Road, La Habra Heights, CA.
90631-8650.
Photos of some of the rare birds like the Smith’s Longspur, Ross’s Gull, the
Boreal Owl, Spruce Grouse, Bohemian Waxwing, and several Eastern Warblers will
be shown simultaneously with hearing the vocalizations of these birds . The
program will conclude with a cultural tour of SW Manitoba area and Winnipeg,
Canada. Tom’s trip was too late for the Polar Bear, but the snow fell
nevertheless. Tom and his wife, Carol have attended many of our Conservation
dinners as attendees.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a social time where you
can enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and mingle with old friends and
new. There will be a chance to purchase opportunity drawings for great door
prizes. At 7 p.m. a turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served. At 8
p.m. the program will begin. Come share an evening with friends and hopefully
bring home a door prize. You may remember Tom’s photographic program on
Iceland which everyone enjoyed.Our President, Cathy Walters, enjoyed his program
so much she felt like moving to Iceland!
Price is $25.00 per person and make your check payable to
“Whittier Area Audubon.”. Reservations are due by March 6th. Mail to P.O. Box
548, Whittier, CA. 90608-05448 or call Diana Jimenez at (562) 698-7010 and pay
at the door.
If traveling east on Whittier Blvd., it is past Colima Rd.
Drive east on Whittier Blvd. until you reach the intersection with Santa
Gertrudes. Turn left on Santa Gertrudes and it will turn into West Rd. Drive
uphill on West Rd. and you will see the Church on the righthand side. There is
plenty of parking. For further directions to the Church you can call the Church
office at (562) 947-3755.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2008
A controversial subject for all the wrong reasons, global
warming is the single most important and immediate challenge facing humanity.
National Audubon Director, Jess Morton, will address Global Warming at his talk
for Whittier Area Audubon on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the
Whittier Community Center 7630 Washington Ave., Whittier, CA. The Community
Center is located on the corner of Mar Vista St. and Washington Ave. (not to be
confused with Washington Blvd.) near a softball field and across the street from
the Whittier Public Library.
Jess will review why the scientific community and the general public have such
different perceptions of this issue, and will describe what needs to be done and
what solutions exist. Surprisingly, the technology needed is at hand, and we may
be able to avoid catastrophic change if we act decisively now!
Jess Morton is a naturalist who has been observing, writing about and
photographing flora and fauna since the early 1970s. His interests center on
native species, particularly those associated with coastal sage scrub. Birds,
butterflies and spiders have absorbed most of his attention, but a knowledge of
plants and other animals has been essential to their understanding.
Jess serves on National Audubon’s Board of Directors and was founding president
of Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon. He is Treasurer of the Endangered Habitats
League and is active with many other conservation organizations, including the
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
Jess is semi-retired, continuing his tax preparation and small business
consulting service for a few long-time friends. In addition to fine photography,
some of which will be included in this evening’s presentation, Jess’s pursuits
include writing poetry and commissioning new works of chamber music. You may
remember his wonderful program for our Conservation Dinner last year on a
“Safari to Your Backyard.”
Hope you will be able to join us to learn about this important subject.
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
Birding East vs. West—A Young Birder’s Perspective” will be
focus of a photographic presentation and talk given by 15-year-old Neil Gilbert
at our May meeting on Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whittier Community
Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave., Whittier, CA.. The Community Center is
located on the corner of Mar Vista St. and Washington Ave. (not to be confused
with Washington Blvd.) near a softball field and across the street from the
Whittier Public Library.
Neil moved to Southern California with his family in June 2007 from Michigan. He
will talk about the differences of birding in the East vs. birding in the West.
Neil is an accomplished photographer and and even has his own blog:
http://ocbirding.blogspot.com/. He
has given many presentations to various other groups. He has been birding avidly
since the age of five and was active in the Detroit Audubon Society, going on
many of their field trips.
Neil participated with us on the Northeast Sea and Sage Christmas Bird Count in
our assigned Peters Canyon area. He has been selected as part of the American
Birding Association (ABA) Leica Tropicbirds team. This team of four young
birders will be competing in the Great Texas Birding Classic, a twenty-four hour
bird-a-thon in southern Texas. The link to sponsorship for his birdathon is
http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/SpecialEvents/SupportNeilGilbert.htm
The Great Texas Birding Classic will have been completed by the time of his
presentation so you can hear first-hand how it felt to be part of such an
exciting event. He is raising funds for the ABA’s youth education program.
Donations to the education program provide scholarships for young birders to
attend birding camps and events, help finance young birder and young adult
birder conferences, subsidize student membership to the ABA, and help with
development of new programs. Two years ago Neil was awarded a scholarship to a
birding camp in Southeastern Arizona and this is his opportunity to give back
and support the program.
Last year Neil competed in the World Series of Birding in New Jersey on the
Tropicbirds team. There his team recorded an impressive 178 species in one day
and they raised nearly $600.00 for the ABA’s youth program. Neil is a member of
the Junior Naturalists at Sea and Sage Audubon Society and is a volunteer at
Starr Ranch Bird Observatory.
Please bring your whole family to enjoy this presentation. Neil Gilbert is a
remarkable young man and you will be enthralled listening to his birding
stories.
.THURSDAY, JUNE
19, 2008
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