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Feb. General Meeting & Program, Catalina Bird Life

By Hillory Hold

Located on the Pacific Flyway as well as the relatively warm California bight means that Catalina Island has a big swing in migratory birds, as well as local bird species that migrate in other parts of their range. The bird life of Catalina is a sub-set of the species that are found on the mainland. Some species have never made it to the Islands, and some that evolved into island sub-species. Biologists have learned much about breeding birds on Catalina, but there is so much more to find out!

Hillory Hold is the Interpretation and Outreach Specialist for the Catalina Island Conservancy.

We hope that you will join us for this interesting presentation on February 20, doors open at 7:00 and close at 9:00 pm. Parking is free. Light refreshments will be provided. El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach, Ca 90815

General Meeting & Program–Robb Hamilton: Colorado Lagoon

Our general meeting starts off with a few short announcements followed by a program by guest speaker Robb Hamilton, a local biologist active with the Colorado Lagoon. 

Robb will discuss the restoration and future open channel from the lagoon to Marine Stadium.    In addition Robb has been observing the birds that visit the lagoon throughout the various seasons and will share his observations and pictures. 

Join us for this interesting event on Thurs., Dec. 20th, at 7:30 p.m., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., LB. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities. Hope to see you there!  

General Meeting & Program by Charlie Collins:  It’s all up in the air; the ecology of Swifts

Dr. Charlie Collins will tell us about his long-term studies of swifts which have extended over many years and around the world.  Unlike southern California where there are only two locally breeding species, in some tropical areas four to six species may occur in the same foraging flock.  Swifts are the consummate aerialists catching all their food on the wing. They also make extended intercontinental migrations, and in some cases spend nearly a full year aloft.  Fascinating though they are, studying swifts presents some unique problems one does not encounter when working with terrestrial species.

Charlie is a retired professor of Biology at California State University, Long Beach where he taught ornithology and behavioral ecology for 35 years.  His other research interests include Least Terns, owls and the Island Scrub-Jay.

Join us for this interesting presentation at El Dorado Nature Center.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities.

General Meeting & Program by Luke Tiller–Panama: Birding on the edge of a continent

Though Panama only covers an area the size of South Carolina, it boasts a bird list well north of 900 species. This includes bird life that encompasses everything from the majestic Harpy Eagle to one of the globes smallest passerines: Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant. A wealth of great lodges and the fact that some of the region’s best birding is all easily accessible just a short ride from Panama City makes this a great country to explore for those delving into the world of tropical birding. Panama also promises some interesting regional endemics which means the country also has something to offer the more seasoned or adventurous birder. Join Pasadena based professional bird guide Luke Tiller to see some of the great places and birds that call this country on the border of two continents home.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities.

General Meeting & Program: Rob Mortensen, Saving the Birds of the Marianas

This month’s guest speaker is Rob Mortensen from Aquarium of the Pacific.  We’ll make a few very brief chapter announcements and get right to the program.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m.  Parking is free and light refreshments will be served.  Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities.

Program description:

Invasive species have caused widespread damage throughout the world.  Islands tend to be more at risk than other ecosystems. In one stunning example, the Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) devastated the ecosystem of the island of Guam.  In this case the snake caused the extinction of many of the islands native birds and put the remainder on the brink of extinction.  The last two species of birds were only saved from extinction due to the actions of US Fish and Wildlife and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums activities.  These birds were removed and placed in captive breeding situations.  Though the birds are gone, the snake persists and occurs in such large numbers on Guam that removing it completely is very unlikely though efforts are being made, such as poisoning the snakes with baited mice.  

The story of Guam served as a lesson for many other islands’ fragile ecosystems. Preventative measures are in place for many islands and include inspecting car-go with snake detecting dogs, providing educational programs for the residents, and creating safety populations of vulnerable animals. The Mariana Aviculture Conservation project that the Aquarium of the Pacific participates in, is designed to educate and set up such safety populations.

General Meeting & Program: A Year in the Life of a Magellanic Penguin

Sarah Mandel, Aquarium of the Pacific Aviculturist, will discuss what a full year is like when it comes to taking care of Penguins. Her presentation will include how the birds handle breeding season and molting season in a protected environment, care of new chicks and Penguin training.

Join us for this interesting presentation, Thursday October 18th at 7:30 pm., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Our program ends at 8:30 followed by a brief Q&A. Doors close at 9:00 pm. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclables, cans and plastic bottles with caps removed, to help support chapter activities. Looking forward to seeing you there!

September Program & Beginning of our New Fiscal Year!

We have a lot of great events and walks scheduled for our new year beginning in September.  You should be receiving our September newsletter in your mailbox soon.  Our first program of the year begins with Tom Ryan on Least Terns, details below.  At the refuge the September tour is a National Public Lands Day event, which you will find on our September calendar for your convenience along with all our regularly scheduled walks.  Note Colorado Lagoon walks will resume in October.  Also on September 15th we’ll be participating with El Dorado Nature Center for California Coastal Cleanup Day.  In October we are pleased to present our first birding class — many thanks to Anne Maben and Charlie Collins for putting this great resource together for all of us!  Finally, 2019 is our 50th Year Anniversary!  We hope you enjoy all the activities this year and look forward to seeing you soon!

September Program:

Tom Ryan — Studies of the California Least Terns: migration, dispersal and predicting the population trends

Our first general meeting of our new year kicks off with a few short announcements followed by a presentation on Least Terns by biological consultant and researcher Tom Ryan.

Mr. Ryan has been trapping and marking adult California Least Terns throughout colonies in Southern California since 2012. He has conducted studies of their movements using light-level geolocators and more recently has been attaching field readable alphanumeric bands in order to better understand movements between their colonies and to look at the population structure. Colony monitors have noted lower productivity at colonies for the past 10 years and there is fear of a population decline in the coming years. He will show how biologists are trying to study this issue and present the latest information that informs us of where their population is heading. He is also teaming with researchers in Baja California to try to determine the southern extent of the “California” least tern.

Join us for this interesting event on Thurs., Sept. 20th, at 7:30 p.m., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., LB. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities. Hope to see you there!

General Meeting & Program — South Bay Wildlife Rehab

Our general meeting starts off with a few short announcements followed by our monthly program, by South Bay Wildlife Rehab. 

Join us on Thurs., Feb. 21st, at 7:30 p.m., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., LB. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities. Hope to see you there!

 

General Meeting & Program — Tracy Drake: The Wonder of Eggs

Our general meeting starts off with a few short announcements followed by a program by guest speaker Tracy Drake. 

Tracy will present “The Wonder of Eggs”, providing an in depth look at the inside and the outside of a bird’s egg.  Bird’s eggs are amazing in their form and ability to house growing birds. This program will be an introduction to the amazing aspects of bird eggs, the historical research of collecting and studying eggs and will include why it is important to know about and understand how eggs work to protect developing young. 

Tracy currently serves as Park Services Manager, City of Torrance and holds a degree in Recreation from CSULB and a Master’s degree in Outdoor Resource Management from Indiana University.  She is active in Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon.

Join us for this interesting event on Thurs., Nov. 15th, at 7:30 p.m., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., LB. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities. Hope to see you there!

Gen Mtg & Program: Tom Ryan — Studies of the California Least Terns

Tom Ryan — Studies of the California Least Terns: migration, dispersal and predicting the population trends

Our first general meeting of our new year kicks off with a few short announcements followed by a presentation on Least Terns by biological consultant and researcher Tom Ryan.

Mr. Ryan has been trapping and marking adult California Least Terns throughout colonies in Southern California since 2012. He has conducted studies of their movements using light-level geolocators and more recently has been attaching field readable alphanumeric bands in order to better understand movements between their colonies and to look at the population structure. Colony monitors have noted lower productivity at colonies for the past 10 years and there is fear of a population decline in the coming years. He will show how biologists are trying to study this issue and present the latest information that informs us of where their population is heading. He is also teaming with researchers in Baja California to try to determine the southern extent of the “California” least tern.

Join us for this interesting event on Thurs., Sept. 20th, at 7:30 p.m., El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., LB. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., program ends 8:30 p.m. followed by a brief Q&A, doors close at 9:00 p.m. Parking is free and light refreshments will be served. Please bring recyclable cans/plastic bottles with caps removed to help support chapter activities. Hope to see you there!

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