I'd Rather Be Birding

Earth Day Birding Challenge

2011-03-04T06:09:00.001-08:00

On April 23rd the 2nd Annual Earth Day Birding Challenge will benefit the Friends of the Desert Mountains. The Birdathon is more fun and friendly than competitive. At 10:00 there will be kids activities at The Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center, the Whitewater Visitor Center and at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor’s Center. www.desertmountains.org

Date: Saturday, April 23, 2011, Midnight to Midnight
What is it? A friendly 24-hour birding competition/fundraiser to support Friends of the Desert Mountains to provide habitat for birds in the Coachella Valley.
What happens? Individuals or Teams compete to identify as many bird species as they can in a 24-hour period by sight or by sound in the four counties included in the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and San Diego. ABA “Big Day” rules apply.
Awards Presentation: The winning trophy will be presented at 10: 00 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center.
National Monument Visitor Center
51-500 Hwy 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
(4 miles south of Hwy. 111)
Fun for all ages! Novice or experienced bird watchers are encouraged to participate. There will be children’s activities going on at various locations.
Registration forms: www.desertmountains.org
Friends of the Desert Mountains
P.O. Box 1281, Palm Desert, CA 92261
Fax: 760-568-9908
More details? Contact Tammy Martin at the Friends of the Desert Mountains office at (760) 568-9918 or email at tmartin@desertmountains.org.

A literary note

2011-03-04T06:08:00.001-08:00

The second annual Earth Day Birding Challenge is April 23rd! April 23 is also the birthday of William Shakespeare. Mr. Shakespeare was pretty well acquainted with - among one or two other things - birds. From Blackbird to Wren more than forty strut, twitter, shriek, sing and soar throughout his works!

Stylish new Desert Cities Bird Club caps available!

2011-03-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

The new bird club caps are very high quality and really cool. Each features a very detailed embroidered bird on the front of the cap and the club name in small letters at the back.

Many species are available including the Barn Owl, Bals Eagle, Greater Roadrunner, California Condor, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Wood Duck, Gambel’s Quail and more. There is even a collared lizard!

Be the first on your block to sport a DCBC cap, now available for only $15 each.

Contact Kurt to order by emailing Kleuschner@collegeofthedesert.edu

Hummingbirds

2011-03-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

If you love hummingbirds, and who doesn't, don't miss Hummingbirds of the Southwest on March 18, Friday, 7-8 p.m. It is a free lecture by Kurt Leuschner on at Blackrock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

For more information and for driving directions see http://desertinstitute.homestead.com/lectures/brnc.html

News and notes - Spring 2011

2011-03-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

The Western Field Ornithologist meeting in Palm Desert was a big hit. The next meeting will be in Sierra Vista, Arizona August 17-21. Kurt will be coordinating field trips. www.westernfieldornithologists.org

ABA book sales are now at buteobooks.com. It is a great place to order bird books of all kinds.

Field Glasses Anyone? there is a super place in Irvine called Optics for Birders

Betty Zeller would like us to let everyone know that the Big Morongo bird walks change from 8am to 7am starting in April

Don’t miss the Morongo Valley Spring Festival March, 26, Saturday, 9-3, All kinds of nature activities and bird walks. Call the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for more information 760-363-7190

An American Dipper has been spotted in Tahquitz Canyon Kurt went out to see it and he says it is “The first one I have seen south of the Sierra!”

Inca Doves have been residing in Heather Hurley’s yard in Indio for the second year in a row.

If you liked the recently released Guide to Golf Course Wildlife, you are going to love the new S. Cal Coastal guide as well as the Guide to Wildlife at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. They are all available now at Barnes and Noble as well as various visitor’s centers in the area.

If you have used field guides, wildlife magazines or other bird related things to donate, call (760) 349-3515 and we will arrange pick up.

Check our blog for the latest birding updates.
http://www.dcbc.blogspot.com/

The Coachella Valley Preserve is home to the 2nd largest California Fan Palm oasis. Guided bird walks are ongoing through late Spring. Days vary, so call Mark Leggett at 760 699-5717 or CVP at 760 343-2733 for schedules and more. www.coachellavalleypreserve.org.

The San Diego Bird Festival March 3-6 features desert, mountain, seashore and pelagic adventures.
Info: 619-682-7200 or sandiegoaudubon.org

The Living Desert University has several classes that offer good birding this Spring:
The Bird Walk at Smoke Tree Ranch offers a kaleidoscope of wildflowers a wonderful opportunity to observe many of our special desert bird species as they go about

their daily activities. Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. FEE$$

The Big Morongo Canyon & Yucca Ridge Trek is a moderate 6 mile hike that promises numerous bird and reptile species as well as the native perennial wildflower shows. Tuesday, April 12, 2011 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. FEE$$ For Info and to sign up for either event call (760) 346-5694

San Bernardino Valley Audubon is sponsoring a visit to the Mojave National Preserve in early spring with the goal of seeing the sought after specialty breeding birds of the area. These include Gilded Flicker, Juniper Titmouse, and Bendire's, Crissal, and Le Conte's Thrashers. Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2011 call John Green (951) 686-2956

Other Audubon Society trips include Whitewater
Canyon, Big Morongo and the Salton Sea.
Information is listed at SBVAS.org

March 2011 Calendar

2011-03-03T06:27:00.001-08:00

March 2,9,16.23.30 Wednesday
8:00 a.m. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Bird Walk

March 5 Saturday
8:00 a.m. Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center Walk

March 3-6 Thursday-Sunday
All Day San Diego Bird Festival

March 10 Thursday
7:30 -9:30 a.m Living Desert Members Only Bird Walk

March 12,19,26 Saturday
8:00 a.m Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Bird Walk

March 18 Friday
7-8 p.m. Hummingbirds of the Southwest at JTNP

March 26 Saturday
9:00-3:00 Morongo Valley Spring Festival

Birding opportunities abound!

2011-03-03T06:24:00.000-08:00

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird and nature
walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first
Saturday of the month 8:00 a.m. (7:00 beginning in
April)

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk the
first Sat. each month at 8-10:00 a.m

The Living Desert members only bird walks on the
second Thursday of each month. October- May.
Joshua Tree National Park usually has bird walks at
Cottonwood Springs from Nov-May. For information call
JTNP (760) 367-5500

The Coachella Valley Preserve has weekly bird walks.
The days vary, so call (760) 343-2733 for information

Birdlife of the Eastern Mojave - Spring Migration

2011-03-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

Birdlife of the Eastern Mojave - Spring Migration is weekend birding course at the Zzyzx Desert Studies Center.
The weekend course begins with a Friday evening discussion on the diversity and natural history of birds in arid environments. On Saturday, participants visit oases at Baker, Salt Creek, Saratoga Springs (located in Death Valley National Park), and Tecopa Marsh. Casual hikes around the Desert Studies Center afford further opportunities to observe birds during early morning hours and at dusk. Beginners learn field observation and identification techniques. Experienced birders can expand their life lists.

This Spring it is offered April 15-17. Kurt Leuschner is the instructor. The course fee includes 2 nights
dormitory style lodging and 5 meals. It’s a great way to learn general desert natural history. All birding abilities are welcome.

Call UCR Extension at (800) 442-4990
or contact Kurt for non-credit enrollment at (760) 776-7285

San Diego Bird Festival

2011-02-21T07:24:00.001-08:00

The San Diego Bird Festival March 3-6 features desert,
mountain, seashore and pelagic adventures.
Info: 619-682-7200 or sandiegoaudubon.org

Birding Website

2010-07-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Birders
Check out these great websites:
www.birder.com
www.birdingonthenet.com
www.optics4birding.com
Condor

Ongoing Bird Events

2010-02-10T14:54:00.001-08:00

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Sat. of the month at 8:00 (earlier in summer)
Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk the first Sat. each month at 8-10:00 a.m
The Living Desert members only bird walks on the second Thursday of each month. October- May.
Joshua Tree National Park usually has bird walks at Cottonwood Springs from Nov-May For information call JTNP (760) 367-5500

Scenic Loop Bus Tour

2010-02-10T14:53:00.001-08:00

Explore nature’s majesty and escape the heat on a scenic loop bus tour of the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature trail. This “Naturalist’s Excursion by Luxury Coach” is led by Naturalist and Ornithologist Kurt Leuschner and benefits the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Sunday, March 28th, 2010 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For info or reservation call 760-862-9984 $$FEE

The Birds of Joshua Tree Park.

2010-02-10T14:52:00.001-08:00

The deceptively barren Mojave Desert landscape is home and resting grounds for numerous endemic migratory bird species. Joshua trees do not make a typical forest, the landscape is open, the climate dry and vegetation relatively sparse. Despite this, over 240 species of birds have been recorded in Joshua Tree National Park! Kurt Leuschner, Associate Professor of College of the Desert, Palm Desert, will guide a three-day field class through the Mojave and Colorado Deserts to identify common and rare birds. Contact the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park - 74485 National Park Dr., 29 Palms, CA 92277 (760) 367-5535 $$FEE

Contact Information for Desert Birding

2010-02-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

The Anza Borrego Foundation http://theabf.org

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley
for info call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190
www.bigmorongo.org

Coachella Valley Preserve
call Mark Leggett at 760 699-5717 www.coachellavalleypreserve.org

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center
46500 Van Buren St., Indio (760) 347-2647 www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org

College of the Desert birding & nature classes.
Call Kurt Leuschner at (760) 776-7285

The Desert Cities Bird Club
70065 Sonora Road #267, Mountain Center, CA 92561
(760) 349-3515 dcbc.blogspot.com

The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park (760) 367-5535
desertinstitute.homestead.com/classes/credit/birds.html

Earth Day Birding Challenge
call Tammy (760) 568-9918

Joshua Tree National Park (760) 367-5500
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

The Living Desert
members only bird walks on the second Thursday of each month. October- May.
Meet at gate at 7:30 a.m. for early admission.
47900 Portola Ave., P.D. call (760) 346-5694 ext. 82506

The Living Desert University,
47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert (760) 346-5694

Salton Sea Int’l Birding Festival (760) 344-5359
www.newriverwetlands.com/saltonsea2010.html

San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society (SBVAS) (909) 875-5358 www.sbvas.org/calendar.htm

San Diego Bird Festival (619) 682-7200
sandiegoaudubon.org

Bird Course set for Zzyzx

2010-02-10T14:43:00.001-08:00

Head out for Zzyzx on the weekend of April 9-11 for Birdlife of the Eastern Mojave—Spring Migration a weekend course taught by Kurt and offered by UCR extension. For information call Kurt at 760-776-7285, to sign up phone 800-442-4990 or email sciences@ucs.ucr.edu or via the web at www.extension.ucr.edu $$FEE

Coachella Valley Preserve Bird Walks

2010-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Enjoy birding on the 20,000 acre Coachella Valley Preserve home to the second largest
California Fan Palm oasis. Bird walks will occur every Tuesday in February and March an on the 1st and 3rd Tues at 8am in April and May. Meet at the visitor's center at 8am. More information about the Preserve may be found on www.coachellavalleypreserve.org.
Please contact Mark Leggett 760-699-5717 for additional information. Come join
us!

Desert Cities Bird Club to Host Major Birding Conference

2010-02-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

Attention, amateur ornithologists! The Desert Cities Bird Club (yes, that means you, too!) will be hosting the 2010 meeting of the Western Field
Ornithologists October 13-17th in Palm Desert.
Field trips include:

THE SALTON SEA
BIG MORONGO CANYON PRESERVE
DESERT OASES/MIGRANT TRAPS
THE LIVING DESERT
MT. SAN JACINTO VIA THE TRAM
IDYLLWILD/LAKE HEMET/GARNER VALLEY
WHITEWATER CANYON PRESERVE
COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE
DOS PALMAS PRESERVE

The rock stars of birding will be sure to attend, so bring your field guides for autographs. Call 760-349-3515 to ask how you can help with this amazing event.

Save the Date
October 13-17, 2010

Be sure to join the Western Field Ornithologists before our club hosts their annual event this fall. Here’s a hot tip—sign up for WFO for only $35 a year and receive their award winning journal “Western Birds” four times a year. Details at
http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/

Raptor Survey at Joshua Tree National Park

2010-02-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are needed at JTNP for a raptor survey March 1st - April 15th. Call Charlie (760) 367-5575. Volunteers will be searching for evidence of nesting and breeding behavior of raptors along climbing routes.

Borrego Valley Hawk Watch

2010-02-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

The hawk migration is beginning in the Borrego Valley. The hawkwatch officially starts February 15, however the hawks don't watch the calendar.

During the past year several folks have shown interest in volunteering to help count the hawks. Now is the time to set up a day or days of the week to join the watch. You do not have to be an experienced hawkwatcher to help. As a volunteer, you would get on the job training with the daily leader. So please let Hal at Anza Borrego know of your interest in helping. They have leaders present at the watch 7 days a week 8A-11a.m. and also monitor incoming hawks every evening beginning one hour before sunset. Of course you do not have to volunteer to watch the migration. Join anytime of the season, February 15-April 15. The peak migration occurs during the last 2 weeks of March.

The day site is located 2.8 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on DiGiorgio Rd. The evening site is located 1.5 miles north of Palm Canyon Drive on Borrego Valley Rd.

If you have interest in volunteering to help count the hawks, contact Hal at Raptorhal@cableusa.com

The Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail

2010-02-10T14:03:00.001-08:00

Pick up a guide to the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail available at various places around the valley including the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Visitors center for $1.00. You may also visit the Palms to Pines Nature Trail Website On the web site you can get all the information from the guide. It’s a great way to get prepped for the BIRDATHON! www.petroglyphbooks.com/birdmap.html

Audubon magazine now has the Palms to Pines birding trail up on their website. The Audubon website is:
http://www.audubonmagazine.org/features0811/birdTrails-webExclusives.html

Buy Cool Stuff - Support your club

2010-02-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

Please support the Desert Cities Bird Club by buying a patch, pin or bumpersticker.

The bumpersticker is $1.50 or two for $2.00

The Pin is $5.00

The patch is $5.00 (it is really much nicer than this weird picture shows)

Also available are Desert Cities Bird Club high quality caps for only $15 each or two for $25. Choose from Greater Roadrunner, California Condor, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Anna’s Hummingbird, Wood Duck and Gambel’s Quail. Contact Kurt to order by emailing Kleuschner@collegeofthedesert.edu

Golf Course Wildlife - Southern California Desert Region

2010-02-10T12:36:00.001-08:00

Whether you golf or just live near a golf course, you should definitely have a copy of the new pocket guide Golf Course Wildlife –Southern California Desert Region. It’s a great introduction to birds, reptiles, plants, mammals and insects likely to be found in our area. It is nice gift to give to guests or to share with kids.

Project Feederwatch

2010-02-10T12:34:00.001-08:00

Project FeederWatch collects data from thousands of sites across the country. Participants use a very specific protocol to collect data throughout the winter season. To join visit www.feederwatch.org

Great Backyard Bird Count

2010-02-10T12:33:00.001-08:00

Your feeder sightings can make a difference! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon are asking everyone to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12-15. Feeder watch data is being used to study the influence of climate change on birds. Anyone can participate. Information at www.birdcount.org

Get your handy checklist of California Birds

2010-02-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

Western Field Ornithologists publishes a handy Field List of California Birds. The cost is $2.50. You can have your own by contacting Kurt or by sending $2.75 to Western Field Ornithologists, 1359 Solano Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044

The San Diego Bird Festival March 4-7

2010-02-10T12:30:00.001-08:00

The San Diego Bird Festival features desert, mountain, seashore and pelagic adventures. Info: 619-682-7200 or sandiegoaudubon.org

Membership

2010-02-10T12:26:00.001-08:00

Thanks to our loyal members who helped the DCBC to promote birding and to support birding causes. Your membership fees allowed us to donate a feeder to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Visitor’s Center, donate a much needed hose and nozzle to the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center and continue our support of the American Bird Conservancy. Please remember to keep your dues up to date.

Tax Day Birdathon Up in the Air - Check before you head out on 4/15

2010-02-10T10:46:00.001-08:00

The word is at press time that the CV Wild Bird Center may or may not have a Tax Day Birdathon this year. So before you head to the Wild Bird Center you should call and check to see if it is happening.

Review - Alex and Me

2010-02-10T10:44:00.001-08:00

Alex and Me
How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence-And Formed a Deep Bond in the Process
Anyone who loves animals, especially birds, will be moved by the story of Dr. Pepperberg’s journey with Alex the Congo African Grey. For over thirty years this unusual couple worked and played together creating valuable information regarding animal intelligence. Through patience and persistence, Dr. Pepperberg revealed previously unseen behaviors in Alex such as reasoning, charm, mischief, joy, fear, boredom and cleverness. Alex could also be stubborn and show feelings of sorrow but more than that, Alex demonstrated feelings of love and friendship toward his human companion.
The death of Alex and the relatively young age of 31 was a personal tragedy to Dr. Pepperberg and the scientific community but he lives on through the story of his life. For more of Alex and Dr. Pepperberg you may find them on YouTube – just type in “Alex the Parrot”.

Review - Dr. Bird

2010-02-10T10:42:00.001-08:00

Reviews
Dr. Bird to the Rescue
A Tale From the Desert
Dr. Bird to the Rescue is an entertaining story that contains valuable information for children regarding the delicate ecosystem of our deserts. This delightful book was written by D.J. Smith, Illustrated by Kevin Kibsey and published in 2005 by Arizona Highways.
The story begins with a Saguaro Cactus named Sammy who begins to feel sick. Because he is rooted firmly in place, Sammy is unable to get the help he needs. He asks many of the desert creatures around him for assistance but they either can’t or won’t help him because he is “different”. One of these creatures is a wise Elf Owl who recognizes Sammy’s problem and calls for Dr. Bird to do a “house call”.
This story is charming but the real treasure is at the end of the book. A glossary at the back contains photographs and short biographies of the many desert characters featured. A “must read” to insure our little ones to love and respect the desert and its many inhabitants.

Make an Owl Mask or Puppet

2010-02-10T10:35:00.001-08:00

You too can have a fun and fashionable mask like the one pictured. We bought a base at JoAnn’s Crafts for $1.oo but it would be just as easy to draw the outline of an owl face on a piece of recycled cardboard or a paper plate.

We used a paint stirrer (free from Home Depot) for a handle, then we decorated our mask with crayons and felt pens, and glued on bits of yarn, sequins, copper foil candy wrappers and lots of glitter.

Youth Participation Encouraged at Earth Day Birdathon

2010-02-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Children are our future and we at the Desert Cities Bird Club really want to get kids involved in the Earth Day Birding Challenge on Saturday, April 24th.
Youth 12 and under may participate for free, and each will receive a gift bag just for participating from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Parents, you can help by getting the word out and by encouraging your kid’s teachers to contact Kurt Leuschner at kleuschner@collegeofthedesert.edu

Earth Day Birding Challenge - Recent Updates

2010-02-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

The excitement builds as we get ready for Saturday April 24, when our club will host a friendly 24-hour birding competition and fundraiser. The Earth Day Birding Challenge registration form is now available and can be requested by emailing kleuschner@collegeofthedesert.edu. A $20 contribution to the Friends of the Desert Mts. signs you up!!

Teams will compete to identify as many bird species as they can in a 24-hour period by sight or by sound in the four counties included in the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and San Diego. ABA “Big Day” rules apply.

All competing teams report to the finish line at the Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert between 6pm and midnight. Different competitive and non-competitive categories will be available such as: “sand to sea” (multiple counties – trophy category), “single county,” “single site,” “big sit” (one spot), “on foot”, “golf courses only”, and youth. Fun for all ages!

All participants (will pay a nominal entry fee and may choose to accept pledges to raise monies for conservation causes. The first $30 of pledges goes to the Friends of the Desert Mountains but any additional pledges can go to the conservation organization of your choice. Youth are free.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Desert Mountains (www.desertmountains.org or call Tammy (760) 568-9918) and the Desert Cities Bird Club

February 2010 Calendar

2010-02-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

February 2 ~ Tuesday
8:00 a.m. Coachella Valley Preserve Bird Walk

February 3, 10, 17, 24 ~ Wednesday
8:00 a.m. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Bird Walks

February 6 ~ Saturday
8:00 a.m. Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center Walk

February 11 ~ Thursday
7:30 a.m. Living Desert Members Only Bird Walk

February 12-15 ~ Friday-Monday
All day Great Backyard Bird Count

February 13, 20 & 27 ~ Saturday
8:00 Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Bird Walks

EARTH DAY BIRDING CHALLENGE!

2009-09-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Plan to participate in the first annual Earth Day Birding Challenge on April 24, 2010
Please spread the word to your local birding community. Visit www.desertmountains.org to sign up

1st Annual EARTH DAY BIRDING CHALLENGE
Save the Date: Saturday April 24, 2010
Midnight to Midnight
What is it?
- A friendly 24-hour birding competition/fundraiser to support the Friends of the Desert Mountains, various Audubon Societies and Bird Clubs, Preserves, Parks, Conservancies and other conservation organizations throughout southern California
- Teams compete to identify as many bird species as they can in a 24-hour period by sight or by sound in the four counties included in the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail: Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and San Diego. ABA “Big Day” rules apply.
- All competing teams report to the finish line at the Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert between 6pm and midnight.
- Different competitive and non-competitive categories will be available such as: “sand to sea” (multiple counties – trophy category), “single county,” “single site,” “big sit” (one spot), “on foot”, “golf courses only”, and youth. Fun for all ages!
- All participants will pay a nominal entry fee and accept pledges to raise monies for their selected causes - ultimately benefitting wild birds and the habitats they live in! Youth are free.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Desert Mountains (www.desertmountains.org or call Tammy to sign up @(760) 568-9918)
and the Desert Cities Bird Club (www.dcbc.blogspot.com)

Create your own Backyard Wildlife Habitat!

2009-09-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

To create a haven for wildlife in your own backyard you'll need to provide food (native plants preferable), water (a dripper is a must!) and shelter (birdhouses, shrubbery, brushpiles, etc). For lots of neat ideas contact the National Wildlife Federation who has certified thousands of backyard habitats throughout the United States.
go to: www.nwf.org and click on "Certify Your Backyard"
or call 800-822-9919 for more information

Other organizations that certify backyard habitats, campuses, golf courses, or corporate properties include:

Audubon International http://acsp.auduboninternational.org/

The United State Department of Agriculture www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/

The Humane Society of the United States www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_and_habitat_protection_programs/

spring 2009 newsletter is available

2009-01-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

January 19, 2009
The Spring 2009 Desert Cities Bird Club "I'd Rather Be Birding" newsletter is hot off the press - watch for it in your mailbox or through email. It will also be posted on this blogspot: www.dcbc.blogspot.com
happy birding!
Condor

Contact Information for various events

2009-01-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

The Living Desert 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert (760) 346-5694

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Sat. of the Month 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley for info call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190 Morning birding start time is usually 8:00, changing to 7:00 beginning in April.

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk on the first Saturday of each month from 8-10:00 a.m. www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org
46500 Van Buren St., Indio (760) 347-2647

College of the Desert birding and desert naturalist classes. Contact Kurt Leuschner at (760) 776-7285

The Desert Cities Bird Club 70065 Sonora Road #267, Mountain Center, CA 92561 (760) 349-3515 dcbc.blogspot.com

The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park (760) 367-5535 www.joshuatree.org

Joshua Tree National Park sometimes has bird walks at Cottonwood Springs from Nov-May. For information call JTNP (760) 367-5500

The Living Desert members only bird walks on the second Thursday of each month. October- May. Meet at the admissions gate at 7:30 a.m. for early admission. 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert call (760) 346-5694 ext. 82506

San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society (SBVAS) offers a full schedule of activities spanning the calendar from now through July fo 2009. Many of their field trips are held close to our area. Check out their website(s) http://www.sbvas.org/ and www.inlandplanet.org to find the event of interest to you. (909) 875-5358.

Ethiopia Study Tour November 2007 by Kurt Leuschner

2009-01-18T22:38:00.000-08:00

Since 1996 I have been involved with Audubon's Population and Habitat Campaign - an international effort to call attention to disappearing habitats for birds and other wildlife due to human expansion. And so it was that in November 2007 a group of 10 grass-roots advocates (including myself) from the National Audubon Society and the Sierra Club were selected to participate in a 10 day study tour of Ethiopia – one of the poorest and most over-populated countries in Africa and the world. During the tour we attended a three day conference on Population, Health, and the Environment (PHE) held at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa. A journalist and photographer from Sierra magazine also accompanied us to document the trip (see the July-Aug 2008 issue of Sierra magazine).
Study tour participants represented at least 8 different states and for many it was their first time in Africa. For me it was my 12th visit to Africa – but first to Ethiopia – a country that has always fascinated me. I had heard about the PHE issues facing Ethiopia, but now I had the opportunity to see things for myself.
After settling into our hotel, we spent the first week visiting a variety of community projects in and around Addis Ababa. All of the projects we visited provided some sort of family planning services (education, counseling, contraceptives, etc.) and some included basic health care and hygiene (one even had a public health clinic). Special emphasis was put on AIDS, which is prevalent in East Africa although declining somewhat in Ethiopia.
We also heard stories of female empowerment and testimonies from young women who no longer practice female circumcision. Opportunities for young girls to attend school were being provided through scholarships, and micro-credit schemes combined with basic computer skills were helping women supplement their income. In one particular project women were weaving used plastic bags into colorful earrings, purses, trivets, etc. to sell in a shop in town. Traditional pottery was being made from recycled clay. These women are literally turning trash into treasure! We bought as much as we could carry.
Still other women we met were being taught basic gardening skills including the use of drip irrigation to water an urban farm, composting, bee-keeping, and diversified gardening to provide a healthier, balanced diet for their families. Tree planting (desperately needed in Ethiopia – where over 90% of the country is deforested) was also being encouraged with seeds and seedlings that were provided to get things started.
Most of the projects we visited were funded by USAID (your tax dollars at work) or by other non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) working with USAID such as the Woodrow Wilson Foundation and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. As we learned at the PHE conference there are countless other NGO’s hard at work in Ethiopia and in East Africa in general. The scientists, researchers, staff and volunteers working for these NGO’s are involved in a variety of projects that are benefiting communities of people and the surrounding environment – including habitat for declining wildlife. The idea of PHE brings all the interested parties together in a synergistic way that individual projects (addressing only one issue at a time), cannot.
Ultimately the goal of each PHE project is to become self-sustaining (= “capacity building”) an/or have the Ethiopian government take over any necessary funding and management in order to free up donor funds for other, much-needed endeavors in the region. Unfortunately, funding for foreign aid programs such as these that support family planning, reproductive health, and PHE is being severely reduced (or cut altogether in the case of President Bush’s annual blockage of UNFPA funds). This is occurring at a time when even more help is desperately needed. Through awareness of the issues of overpopulation and its effects on people’s health and the environment, we can reverse this trend and help the PHE message spread to other parts of the world. Action is needed and your efforts can make a difference.

Contact Information for Fall 2007 Events

2007-10-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

Attracting Birds to Your Desert Backyard Habitat The Living Desert University, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert (760) 346-5694

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Sat. of the Month 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley for info call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190

The Central Valley Birding Symposium Nov. 15-18 in Stockton http://cvbs.org

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk on the first Saturday of each month from 8-10:00 a.m. www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org46500 Van Buren St., Indio (760) 347-2647
College of the Desert birding and desert naturalist classes. Contact Kurt Leuschner at (760) 776-7285

The Desert Cities Bird Club 70065 Sonora Road #267, Mountain Center, CA 92561 (760) 349-3515 dcbc.blogspot.com

The Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park (760) 367-5535 www.joshuatree.org

Joshua Tree National Park usually has bird walks at Cottonwood Springs from Nov-May. For information call JTNP (760) 367-5500

The Living Desert members only bird walks on the second Thursday of each month. October- May. Meet at the admissions gate at 7:30 a.m. for early admission. 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert call (760) 346-5694 ext. 82506

San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society (SBVAS)(909) 875-5358. http://www.sbvas.org/calendar.htm

SBVAS Salton Sea Goose & Crane Trip January 12, 2008 - 7:00 am Chet McGaugh (951) 781-3699 & John Green (951) 686-2956

Salton Sea International Bird Festival President's Day Weekend (760) 344-5359 www.newriverwetlands.com

DCBC Library

2007-10-04T22:43:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a hot tip from Dee, the DCBC now has a complete set of Bent’s Life Histories of North American Birds. Anyone needing to access our bird library please contact Kurt Leuschner at COD. 760-776-7285

Renew your membership

2007-10-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder where your Desert Cities Bird Club dues are going? Part of the money goes to our membership in The Bird Conservation Alliance and for other birding causes. We recently donated bird seed and supplies to the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and to the C V Wild Bird Center. Also, donated optics are often forwarded to help conservation efforts. So help support the club by purchasing a patch or pin for $5.00 each or a bumper sticker for $1.50. Send your money with your membership or purchase at the CVWBC or BMCP.

Membership Form
Name________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________

City, State, Zip_________________________________________

Email Address (optional) __________________________________

____Sign me up! Enclosed is my $5.00 donation.

____I want to renew my membership, enclosed is $5.00.
____I am enclosing an additional $5.00 for a club pin
____I am enclosing an additional $5.00 for a patch
____I am enclosing $1.50 for a bumper sticker

Newsletter Format _____Print ____Electronic

Mail to:
Desert Cities Bird Club70065 Sonora Road #267Mountain Center, CA 92561

Birds of the Mojave Desert: Natural History and Conservation.

2007-10-04T22:39:00.001-07:00

Oases in the Mojave Desert are used by a wide number and variety of bird species every fall as stopping points during southward migration. A class, taught by Kurt Leuschner is a great opportunity to spend a weekend observing both migrant and resident birds in their natural habitats. Over 175 bird species have been recorded at the Desert Studies Center. Course fee ($210.00) includes two night’s lodging and five meals beginning with a snack on Friday and breakfast on Saturday. As a bonus, an additional fee allows students to earn a couple of units at CSUSB. ZZYZX-Desert Studies Center October 19-21. Contact Cal State at 909-880-5975 for information and to register.

Birds of Anza Borrego.

2007-10-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

Join the fun. Car-caravan to various sites in and around Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – the largest state park in California. The park offers a wide variety of habitats where both Fall migrants and year-round resident species can be observed. Learn about the ecology, conservation, and taxonomy of the many different species encountered. The class will begin promptly at 7:00 P.M. Friday evening, October 12 and run through the weekend. There is a course fee which includes 1.5 quarter units from U.C. Riverside Extension. To sign up call U.C.R. Extension @ (909) 787-4105 or (800) 442-4990. For more information: www.UCRExtension.net and to register email:
register@ucx.ucr.edu. Instructor is Kurt Leuschner (760) 776-7285.

Not so trivial trivia

2007-10-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know? 54% of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are National Wildlife Refuges. One way to support these important areas is to purchase a $15.00 Duck Stamp at your local post office.

Attracting Birds to Your Desert Backyard Habitat

2007-10-04T22:34:00.000-07:00

The Living Desert University offers “Attracting Birds to Your Desert Backyard Habitat,” on Sat. Dec. 8th. Kurt is teaching the class. Also of special interest to birders are Salton Sea Birding trips in January (see calendar). For more call: 760-346-5694 ext. 2501 or email: education@livingdesert.org. Fee$$

The San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society

2007-10-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

The San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society usually meets at 7:30 P.M. on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. In November they are meeting on the 14th (a change) Visit their web site http://www.sbvas.org for news and announcements including a wide variety of activities such as classes, trips and bird walks. Their mailing address is: P.O. Box 10973, San Bernardino, CA 92423-0973 (909) 875-5358. Some upcoming Audubon activities include: Christmas bird counts planned for nine areas including Morongo Valley, Idyllwild and the Salton Sea. December 16 – Jan 2, $5 fee; and a Salton Sea Goose & Crane Trip, Saturday, January 12, 2007 - 7:00 am See our calendar for contact information.

Books for Birders

2007-10-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

LA Audubon Bookstore is a great resource. They are especially helpful when planning a foreign excursion. They always know just the book, checklist, bird finding guide or binoculars you need. Call 888-522-7428.

Vote for Linda

2007-10-04T22:31:00.002-07:00

Linda York of The Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center in Indio is up for the Animal Planets "Hero of the Year Award". Please vote at http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/poll/poll.html
Do you have time to spare? Phone for information about volunteering or visiting. They are open every day. (760) 347-2647.

Thanksgiving Bird Count

2007-10-04T22:31:00.001-07:00

The annual Thanksgiving Bird Count is almost upon us! To participate, write to Dr. John G. Hewston at the Natural Resources Building, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521. The count takes only one hour. Drop him a line, he’ll be happy to send you a form and a copy of his wonderful newsletter.

Locate Birding Hotspots Before Traveling

2007-10-04T22:29:00.001-07:00

Traveling? Before you hit the road check the web. Try http://www.mapmuse.com/ for information on birding hotspots and birding clubs. Also, the American Birding Association will provide you with just about everything you need for a memorable birding vacation. http://www.americanbirding.org/

Rare Bird Alert

2007-10-04T21:18:00.002-07:00

The Inland Counties Rare Bird Alert, moderated by Kirk and Linda Stitt, is a great way to find out about rare birds in our area. Email secalrba@earthlink.net. Also,
Inland Counties Birds is a great resource. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inlandcountybirds

Thanks

2007-10-04T21:18:00.001-07:00

Special thanks to these special people:Anne and Bernard Schmitt, Carin Berglars, Robert O’Neill, Bill and Gail Beardsley, Phyllis Schwartz and Marguerite Shwe

Web Links

2007-10-04T21:15:00.002-07:00

www.audubon.org/educate offers a variety of bird related leaning products Audubon Adventures classroom resource kits for teachers and nature educators.

Avian Knowledge Network aggregates bird data from a number of sources www.avianknowledge.net

Birders United is a political site dedicated to building a new American political force dedicated to preserving birds and their habitats. www.birdersunited.com
Ebird is a great place to report bird sightings www.ebird.com

Shade Grown Coffee

2007-10-04T21:15:00.001-07:00

Shade coffee plantations provide important habitats for migratory song birds. Many of these plantations are threatened by declining coffee prices. To buy Cerulean Warbler Conservation Coffee and help promote the continued existence of shade plantations call 800-648-6491. For more info about saving the cerulean warbler see www.abcbirds.org/international/cerw.htm

FOREST FRIENDLY LUMBER

2007-10-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is cooling down, you might be feeling the urge to do a little work around the house. Remember that not all 2x4’s are alike! Your next lumber purchase can:
-Protect old growth forests
-Save important wildlife habitat
-Keep our air and water clean
-Provide important jobs to logging communities
So buy lumber that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Find it at www.ForestFriendlyLumber.com

Help Save the Birds of Mount San Jacinto

2007-10-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Palm Springs Aerial Tram has a serious problem with bird strikes on the huge windows that surround the main building. Over the years countless birds have died at the base of these windows or in a nearby bush after attempting to fly through the glass. Many are scavenged by ravens before they can be noticed or counted by researchers studying this issue. We need your help to give us a better understanding of the problem. When you ride the tram, take a moment to walk around the building (especially the outdoor eating area and stairwell) and look for evidence of dead birds. Please report any findings directly to Kurt with as many details as you gather: Anything you can contribute will be helpful. Thanks for your time and efforts! Report findings to: Kurt Leuschner 760-776-7285

In the interest of science

2007-10-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

If you find any dead birds in good condition, Kurt Leuschner at College of the Desert would like to have them. No, he hasn’t suddenly gone Dracula on us; he is producing a collection of museum quality skins for the College of the Desert. When you find birds, note the date and location and freeze in a Ziploc bag. Call 776-7285 to arrange pickup.

The College of the Desert Classes

2007-10-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

The College of the Desert has a variety of natural science courses beginning in January. Learn about birds, native plants or insects for fun and earn your desert naturalist certificate. Look for the schedule in late December or call Kurt Leuschner at (760) 776-7285

If you want to find birds, it helps to know about their food. College of the Desert offers a class in Entomology in Spring Semester 2008. For more info. contact Kurt at 760-776-7285 or kleuschner@collegeofthe desert.edu

Living Desert Salton Sea Trips - January 2008

2007-10-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Living Desert is sponsoring four Salton Sea trips in January. Dates are
Sunday, January 6,
Friday, January 11,
Friday January 18th and
Saturday January 26.

For more information call the education department at 346-5694.

The Living Desert - 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert call (760) 346-5694 ext. 82506

Oriole Feeders

2007-10-04T14:28:00.002-07:00

Looking for the ideal oriole feeder? Kurt recommends the Fliteline Jr. #230. It includes 3 feeding stations, bee guards, and can be pole mounted or hung. To get one, call Wild Birds Unlimited in Torrance at (310) 326-2473 and ask for Bob Shanman. Tell him Kurt sent you.

Adopt a Banding Station

2007-10-04T14:28:00.001-07:00

Would you like to adopt a banding station? The Institute for Bird Populations offers an “Adopt a MoSI Station” program. Those who sponsor a station with at least $300.00 receive photographs and updates from that station. Contact Peter Pyle at ppyle@birdpop.org. You can check out the program’s website at www.bpbo.ca

Protect Wildlife from Barbed Wire

2007-10-04T14:26:00.001-07:00

Barbed wire fences can be virtually invisible to birds, wildlife and even people. The Sutton Avian Research Center has a web site that tells how to make these fences more visible. www.suttoncenter.org/fence_marking.html

Bird Songs:250 North American Birds in Song by Les Beletsky

2007-10-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

This is a combination of a beautifully illustrated book and an electronic device that plays birds songs. It is a great coffee table book and conversation piece. The size makes it easy and inviting to flip through and the addition of the bird songs makes it very entertaining as well as educational. The book covers 250 species which are divided into habitats such as water and shore birds or forest birds rather than arranged by taxonomy.
The pictures are outstanding and often include both a male and female of the species. The sound quality of the bird songs is so clear that we had to forbid playing hawk and owl sounds when we saw our poor bunny cowering in fear.
If you are thinking of taking 250 bird songs into the field, you had better hit the gym, because it is big and heavy. It is really not made to be a field guide but rather an interesting and enjoyable book to read and play.
I first saw this book at Borders last fall and spent a long time playing with it. I delighted to receive it as a gift last Christmas. The novelty of the bird songs hasn’t worn off. My daughter and I play the songs and try to quiz each other on them. It is really a lot of fun.

Feathers For Lunch by Lois Ehlert

2007-10-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

This brightly illustrated book for children has more than just pretty pages to look at – it is actually a unique learning experience for future birders! Composed in clever rhyme, this book is the tale of a pet cat who escapes the confines of its house only to encounter several birds in the backyard. His attempt to catch any of the birds featured is unsuccessful due to the bell attached to the collar he is wearing. Each “jingle-jingle” gives him away and he is only able to grab a few feathers, hence the title. Each bird featured is identified by both the type of bird and the sound it makes. In addition, all plants in the illustrations are labeled with their common names. The last pages of the book are titled: “The lunch that got away” and all statistics describing the birds featured are listed. In addition, the very back cover flap is a bird check list for little ones to use. A fun must read for children (and grown-ups!) of all ages!

Optic Recycling

2007-10-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

Reusing is the best form of recycling! Thanks to Buford Crites who donated (on behalf of the club) tripods, binoculars and scopes which were forwarded to the Birder’s Exchange. Do you have similar items to donate? We can help if you wish. Call (760) 349-3515.
Many organizations can make use of used binoculars or scopes in good condition. The American Birding Association operates The Birder’s Exchange see www.aba.org or call 800-850-2473 ext 237.
Optics for the Tropics supports bird conservation in the Caribbean and Latin America. American migratory birds often spend a significant part of the year in the tropics. To truly protect these species we need to partner with our counterparts south of the border. Besides donating optics, you may want to consider donating money to support a bird monitoring station. For information see www.opticsforthetropics.org
Another place to donate is the Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad. Their website www.asawright.org/support/gifts.html has a wish list that includes optics, computers and scientific equipment

Calendar for May

2007-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

May
2, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 Big Morongo Canyon Bird Walk 7a.m.
4-6 Birds of Joshua Tree National Park
5 Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center Bird Walk 8:00 a.m.
5 SBVAS trip to Big Morongo—call for details
10 Living Desert Members Only Bird Walk 7:30 a.m.
13 Cottonwood Springs Bird Walk 8:00 a.m

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Saturday of every month from 8-10:00 a.m. Beginning April 1st, the time changes to 7:00 a.m. 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley for info call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk on the first Saturday of each month from 8-10:00 a.m. www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org46500 Van Buren St., Indio (760) 347-2647

Calendar for June

2007-02-09T12:44:00.000-08:00

June
16 SBVAS Owling—call for details

San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society (SBVAS)(909) 875-5358. www.sbvas.org/calendar .htm

Join the blogging revolution!

2006-07-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

Blogging is sweeping the nation! I am sure that many of our members have something to contribute. So sign up! It's easy!

Members may post to this blog but must sign up first. So send me an email at heather@whispering-palms.net You will receive an invitation with instructions from Blogger. It just takes a few minutes and once you have signed up once you are ready to go.

You can post anything bird related, interesting sightings, photos, reviews of books, upcoming events, ideas for birding trips, etc. So take the plunge and send me an email :-) Heather

Support your club -- buy a patch, pin or bumper sticker.

2006-07-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Help support the Desert Cities Bird Club by purchasing a patch or pin for $5.00 each or a bumper sticker for $1.50. Send your money to the address above, or purchase at the CVWBC or Big Morongo Preserve.

Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad -- A few pictures

2006-07-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Crested Oropendola
The Asa Wright Nature Center
Green Honeycreeper at feeder
Bananaquit

Bald Eagle Watching at Lake Hemet

2006-02-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Interested in seeing and learning about Bald Eagles? Join the US Forest Service Wildlife Biologists for a morning of bald eagle watching at Lake Hemet.

Call Heidi Sellers at (909) 382-2945.

And remember, you can call the Desert Cities Bird Club any time you would like more information about Birding in the Palm Springs area or in the surrounding mountains.

The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival

2006-02-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

This nature festival offers “great birding in Central Arizona’s diverse habitats”
www.birdyverde.org
(928) 282-2202

ONGOING EVENTS

2006-02-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a bird walk on the first Saturday of each month from 8-10:00 a.m. 46500 Van Buren St., Indio (760) 347-2647

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Saturday of every month from 8-10:00 a.m. 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley for info call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190

The Living Desert members only bird walks are held on the second Thursday of each month from October through May. Remember to be at the admissions gate promptly at 7:30 a.m. for early admission. See you there! 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert call (760) 346-5694 ext. (8)2506

Book Review

2006-02-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

The Bedside Book of Birds ~An Avian Miscellany~By Graeme Gibson
Recommended by DCBC Member Donna DeClue
It is a delightful treat to have a copy of Graeme Gibson’s book, The Bedside Book of Birds on the nightstand next to your bed. It is exactly as the title proclaims – a pick up and put down volume to read before retiring for the night. The questions Mr. Graham has asked himself are “What is it about birds that calls to us?” and “Why do humans engage themselves with birds?” The response to his curiosity is the compilation of 369 pages filled with poems, folk talks, parables, legends and extracts from the works of naturalists and others who struggle with the very questions Gibson has asked. Some of the material reflects the joy many people feel on seeing or hearing a bird - but a number of the pieces reflect the human exploitation and cruelty that have been directed toward birds. This book provides a rare glimpse into avian-human relations that have existed for thousands of years. It is beautifully illustrated with more than 100 images of birds from folk art, ancient sculpture and works of artists such as Audubon, Lansdowne and Catesby.

Desert Cities Bird Club Supports Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

2006-02-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

Desert Cities Bird Club is supporting the Reserve Country Club in Palm Desert in its efforts to become certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Desert Naturalist Certificate

2006-02-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

The Desert Naturalist Certificate from College of the Desert can easily be earned in two semesters. The courses focus on the wildlife & plants native to the Coachella Valley desert area. It is fun! Call (760) 776-7285.

Roadrunner Kills Big Sidewinder

2005-10-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here is an item from the FRONT PAGE of the April 16, 1938 (Vol. V, No. 47) edition of the Palm Springs Limelight weekly paper. Thank you Jen Robinson, librarian extraordinaire for uncovering this hidden jewel.

ROAD RUNNER KILLS BIG SIDEWINDER
     An excited and breathless eyewitness to a rare desert tragedy on Monday was Mrs. Ralph Nesmith, as she stood on the back porch of her hacienda in Palm Canyon Mesa, south of the village. Mrs. Nesmith stepped out to look at the view and wind her alarm clock. Suddenly, from over the wall which surrounds the patio, hurtled a two-foot sidewinder (a member of the rattlesnake family).
     "Flying snakes!!" murmured Mrs. Nesmith as she followed the parabola described by the snake through the air.
     Scene two was a Road Runner (long tailed desert bird) which hopped up on the wall and made a dive for the thrashing snake. The two denizens of the desert jockeyed around for position for a few moments, the snake coiling and striking several times while the road runner adroitly sidestepped the onslaught. Suddenly the road runner got the opening he was waiting for and made a dart at the snake which he caught just back [sic] of the triangular head, where the neck is slender.
     A spellbound witness, Mrs. Nesmith at this moment glanced at the clock in her hand. The road runner shook the deadly head of the sidewinder for five full minutes. Mrs. Nesmith reported a thrashing and whipping around between snake and bird which at times obliterated them both in dust. At the end of five minutes the road runner relinquished his hold and stood back with beak partially open, panting. The snake showed signs of life and the bird again whipped in and renewed the violent shaking, this time only for a minute. Then the road runner stood back and peered at his victim inquiringly.
     When the snake showed no signs of life, the bird cautiously advanced and gingerly lifted the snake in its beak, inching up over the entire body which measured about two feet, twitching and tweeking at it. Satisfied that the snake was dead, the road runner the took the head in its beak and swallowed the entire snake inch by inch until only the rattles stuck out of its beak. These the road runner attempted to knock off - without success, so the rattles also disappeared down the bird's throat.
     It has long been a desert legend that the roadrunner kills rattlers -- but so far as is known here -- this is the first instance of an eye witness to the event.

Returned to the village for the spring season are Mrs. & Mrs. Clarence Beesemeyer.

Opening their hacienda for the first time this season this week are Mrs. and Mrs. Harold Lloyd and family, who will spend the spring season in the desert.

As Jen posted on her Blog:“We wouldn't need televisions if newspapers were still written like this. That is ACTION, people.” We at I’d Rather Be Birding heartily agree.

Desert Naturalist Certificate

2005-10-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Nature Enthusiasts who want a well-rounded introduction to the desert environment may be interested in the Desert Naturalist Certificate from College of the Desert. The certificate can easily be earned over two semesters. Courses focus on the study of wildlife and plants native to the Coachella Valley desert area. For info. call (760) 776-7285.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

2005-10-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

BMCP has bird & nature walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays except the first Saturday of every month from 8:00-10:00 a.m. The preserve is located at 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley for information call Dee Zeller at (760) 363-7190

The Living Desert

2005-10-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

Living Desert Members only bird walks are the second Thursday of every month. Members meet outside the gates around 7:30 a.m. It is located on, Portola Ave. in Palm Desert call (760) 346-5694 ext. (8)2506

March of the Penguins

2005-10-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Beautifully filmed and gently narrated by Morgan Freeman this awe-inspiring documentary will remain in your heart long after the film stops rolling. It is the story of the Emperor Penguins who occupy one of the most desolate and coldest places on earth, Antarctica. The 80 minutes cover the full life cycle of these animals and their ability to survive against the odds. It is not for the young or faint-hearted as you are drawn into their daily struggles including the obstacles of freezing storms, ice, leopard seals and an especially aggressive albatross. (Hard to explain to little ones why the big bad bird is eating the cute fluffy baby penguin!) But it is the firm determination of the Penguins that keeps you watching. The 70-mile journey from their feeding grounds to their nesting place is peppered with comic tobogganing and long single-file lines not unlike what you see at the market or post office. The relationship between the parents and their single chick is heartwarming with the added benefit of seeing “Dad” do most of the work! The narration by Mr. Freeman only adds to the vast and beautiful world we have the privilege to witness. This is a “must see” but be sure to bring a box of Kleenex!

Volunteers Needed

2005-10-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center in Indio is open every day. Do you have time to spare? They are always looking for volunteers. Phone Linda York for information (760) 347-2647

Sandy Swan

2005-10-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sandy Swan was the able leader at the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center's birdwalk on Saturday. Right of the bat we saw a Wood Duck! He was fabulous!

If you need t-shirts, caps and other items for your club, event, or organization, call Sandy at Swan Design and Screenprint in Palm Desert. (760) 836-0999

Do you need a specialized field guide?

2005-10-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

LA Audubon bookstore is a great resource. They are especially helpful when planning a foreign excursion. They always know just the book you need. Call toll free (888) 522-7428

Inland Counties Rare Bird Alert

2005-10-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

You may have heard that the Inland Counties Rare Bird Alert has undergone a change recently. John Green has retired after many years of service. Kirk and Linda Stitt are the new moderators. You can reach them by email at secalrba@earthlink.net or may leave or hear reports by calling (909) 793-5599.

Wild Parrots of Pasadena

2005-03-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

Wild Parrots squaked me awake mornings early enough to go outside to see if I could actually find the source of my very, very noisy friends and when I'd tell the locals on our swim team what I saw, they just did not realize that Parrots survived in the wild around town even though they grew up here and I was from the other side of the U.S. So I wonder if the "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" will lend credence to my experience. I'd best see the movie to find out... Thanks to Barbie for the potentially collaborating evidence.

Interesting Bird Sighting

2005-03-20T20:46:00.000-08:00

Mom in Boron called to say that this weekend was the bird count weekend and they were lucky enough to have a pair of hooded orioles and 3 eurasian collared doves in their backyard. Wow!

Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

2005-03-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

Barbie strongly recommends this movie. It is playing in Palm Springs at Camelot Theaters.
http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com

Grebe

2005-03-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

I saw a grebe and two coots and two black swans at the Palm Desert Civic Center park yesterday. I saw ducks, too.