Date: 9/4/24 7:32 pm From: England via groups.io <wdchkgsqrl...> Subject: [SJBirds] SJ Audubon Events for September: Resuming General Meetings, and Six Field Trips
*SEPTEMBER AUDUBON ACTIVITIES 2024*
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*See also "Events" on our Facebook page.*
*SEPTEMBER PROGRAM*
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*SURVIVING THE URBAN JUNGLE, A TALK ON HUMAN/WILDLIFE CONFLICT – PRESENTED BY MICHELE DODGE*
*Tuesday, September 10 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm*
As people continue to expand their territory, wild animals find themselves more and more impacted by people. This can result in difficult situations for the wild animals who don’t know how to navigate an increasingly urbanized landscape. Our presenter is a wildlife field rescuer with real life photos and stories about helping our wild neighbors. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes disturbing, sometimes funny, and sometimes heartwarming, we will hear about rescues of everything from squirrels to owls, from foxes to eagles, and discuss some of the dangers we unintentionally create in suburban America. Come learn about the urban jungle, and how we can become better friends to our wild neighbors.
Michele Dodge is a wildlife photographer and wildlife rescuer who lives in Granite Bay, California. She was an animal-crazy kid that grew up to be an animal-crazy adult; she has been involved with animals her entire life. Michele volunteers for several licensed wildlife rescue organizations, working their emergency call phone lines and helping people with complex or dangerous rescues. She also does workshops and trainings on wildlife, photography, and rescue for many organizations including rescue groups, community colleges, wildlife festivals, and conservation groups.
WHERE: Fireside Room, Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton. Lighted parking lot, refreshments.
Join leader Pat Paternostro at the north end of Laurel Ave. in Lodi (on the east side of Lodi Lake Park, off Turner Rd.) at 8:00 AM. Birders of all skill levels are welcome, but the focus will be on birding fundamentals. Extra binoculars and field guides will be available.
Location: Lodi Lake,1101 W Turner Rd, Lodi
*COSUMNES RIVER WALK*
*Saturday, September 14 @ 6:30 am - 11:30 am*
Join leader Jim Rowoth for the monthly River Walk bird count through the varied habitats of the CRP. Meet Jim at the visitor center on Franklin Blvd at 6:15 AM.
*MONTHLY CENSUS @ FISH HATCHERY*
*Sunday, September 15 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am*
Liz West will lead our monthly census of this lovely riparian area on the Mokelumne River below Camanche Dam. Meet the leaders in the fish hatchery parking lot below the dam at 8:00 AM.
Where: Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery Day Use Area, 25800 N Mcintire Rd, Clements, CA
*POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE TRIP*
*Saturday, September 21 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm*
*Guide* – Ralph Baker
Point Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County, offers some of the finest birding ( https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_birds.htm ) in the United States. The park’s coastal location and its wealth of unspoiled habitats, estuaries, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest attract many migrating and wintering birds.
The Point Reyes peninsula projects some 10 miles seaward from the “mainland” and acts as a sort of funnel. Many land birds travel south along the coast during fall migration; when they reach the end of the peninsula, they see open water ahead and tend to stop and rest before heading “out to sea”. Many vagrants (birds that may have made errors in navigation and thus are unexpected in this area) pass through during September and October and the number of birds seen on or over the water from the fish docks can be astonishing. According to eBird, over 73% of the naturally occurring bird species in California have been reported in Marin County! We’ll see how many we can find.
The precise locations we will bird will depend upon what is being reported in the days leading up to the trip. This will be an all-day trip, so dress in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable, and wear comfortable shoes, as we may do a considerable amount of walking. Bring water, lunch/snacks, a scope (if you have one) and don’t forget your binoculars. Mosquitoes are not usually a problem and there are restrooms available. For those who wish to do so, we will stop and have dinner on the way back.
*We will meet at Bear Valley Visitor Center ( https://goo.gl/maps/3s4qRAohEGZXWeV89 ) , 1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, at approximately 9:00.*
Direction to the visitor Center
The Bear Valley Visitor Center is located approximately 30 miles (50 km) north of San Francisco, less than 1 mile off of Highway 1 along Bear Valley Road. Travelers may approach the park via the winding scenic Highway 1, either from the north or the south. Visitors can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or the Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.
*BEGINNER BIRDING IN RIPON*
*Saturday, September 28 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am*
Join leader Henry Koertzen for a beginner birding walk for folks if all ages. We will start at the gravel parking lot located at the south end of Jack Tone Road. We’ll be walking the smooth dirt/paved path, accessible by stroller or wheelchair.
First we will look for water and shore birds on the ponds, and then we will follow the path along the Stanislaus River. If we still have time and energy we will drive over to Oak Grove Park.
Note: there are bathroom facilities on site.
Where: 1260 S Jack Tone Rd, Ripon, CA United States
*STATEN ISLAND FIELD TRIP*
*Sunday, September 29 @ 8:00 am*
Meet leaders Cavan and Amy at the grain silos at the start (North End) of Staten Island Road. We will be birding from the cars mostly along the road, stopping at points to get out. The road may still be in use by large trucks and farm equipment, so we need to be careful. A porta-potty might be available at the beginning of the road. Trip should finish before lunch, but bring snacks, water and binoculars. A spotting scope will come in handy if you have one. Some fields will be flooded, and we should have a variety of shorebirds, Dunlin, Least/West Sandpipers, Dowitchers, many duck species and perhaps a few early Sandhill Cranes.
Direction: Turn onto N Staten Island Road from W Walnut Grove Road. After 1000 feet there will be a gravel parking area on the left.
