Peregrine Audubon Society's chapter meetings and programs are generally held on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 7PM. Exceptions are the November and December meetings. The November 28 meeting is a Tuesday and the December 11 meeting is a Monday. We'll update details of our 2023-2024 schedule as they become available.
All programs except January and February will be held at 7PM in the City Council Chambers of the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah. The public is always welcome.
Our January and February programs will be held on Zoom. To receive links, subscribe to our mailing list on our home page.
| Board | Programs | Field Trips | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 | September 19 | Robert B. Douglas on What's Going on with Barred and Spotted Owls? | September 23 | Clear Lake State Park |
| October 3 | October 17 | Carrington Hilson on Elk in Coastal Northern California | October 21 | Willits WWTP and Mitigation Lands |
| November 7 | November 28 | Art Haschak on Peregrine Falconry | November 18 | Covelo and Round Valley |
| December 5 | December 11 | Get to Know Your Local Birds! | December 16 | Ukiah CBC |
| January 2 | January 16 | Karla Bloem on a Real Life Great Horned Owl Soap Opera | January 20 | Sacramento NWR |
| February 6 | February 20 | Leslie McGinnis on Monarch Caterpillar Predators | February 24 | Ukiah WWTP |
| March 5 | March 19 | Ashton Kluttz of the Sonoma Bird Rescue Center | March 23 | Lake Mendocino North Shore |
| April 2 | April 16 | Peter Van De Burgt on Salmon Habitat Restoration on the Ten Mile and Garcia Rivers | April 27 | Hopland Research and Extension Center |
| May 7 | May 21 | Dave Bengston on Attracting Birds to Your Yard | May 4 | Potter Valley and the Eel River |
Board meetings generally take place on the first Thursday of each month, September through May, at 7 PM. Contact a board member for details. Board meetings are open to the membership. You are always welcome and encouraged to participate.
Chapter Meetings and Programs
Robert B. Douglas on What's Going on with Barred and Spotted Owls?
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Robert B. Douglas with Northern Spotted Owls at Mitchell Creek and Caspar © 2023 Robert B. Doublas. Barred Owl © 2023 Blair Dudeck, Northern Spotted Owl © 2023 Logan Southall.
Tonight Robert B. Douglas will present a program about the participation of Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) in a barred owl removal study that was designed to address regional northern spotted owl population decline. Robert will speak about spotted owl population trends, societal views, conservation implications, and the future of barred owl management. He will be joined by Kyle Farmer, Community Education Specialist, U.C. Cooperative Extension, Mendocino County. He has a background in international development, sustainable agriculture, and prescribed fire, and is currently undecided on the barred owl question. Kyle will be sharing a brief history of the Barred Owl Stakeholders Group – a series of stakeholder meetings led by Clark University ethicist Bill Lynn to explore this challenging topic.
Robert is Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) working as the State Forest Biologist for Jackson Demonstration State Forest since 2021. He has a B.S. degree in Environmental Biology from Humboldt State University (1997) and a M.A. degree in Ecology and Systematics from San Francisco State University (2003). Prior to state service, Robert worked as a biologist to improve conservation and management of non-timber forest resources on industrial timberlands in Mendocino County. He has a broad interest in natural history, conservation biology, and forest ecology which has led him to work on diverse array of projects to better understand how disturbance and other environmental factors influence plant, fungal, and animal communities over time. Some of the projects he has been involved with during his career include research on belowground fungal communities in different forest stands, spotted owl nest-site characteristics, songbird habitat associations, salmonid population dynamics, carnivore distribution, tailed frog and giant salamander population genetics, and the post-fire response of redwood.
The focus of Robert’s position at JDSF is to provide technical expertise in the conservation and management of non-timber forest resources (fungi, plants, fish, herpetofauna, birds, mammals, and other wildlife) associated with disturbance activities that occur on the forest (e.g. timber harvesting, fire and fuels management, recreation, restoration, and research). His primary responsibility is to ensure that JDSF projects comply with the law (e.g. Forest Practice Rules, CEQA, and federal and state endangered species acts) and the forest management plan. He is also developing a plan to monitor the diversity and distribution of species across the forest to better understand how their populations change over time with habitat and other environmental changes. This involves collaborating with outside researchers, agency biologists, user groups, and conservation organizations to conduct experiments (e.g. invasive species control, fuel treatments, etc.) and/or restore habitat, the results of which will inform and guide future management across the forest in an adaptive management framework.
Carrington Hilson on Elk in Coastal Northern California
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Bull Tule Elk and calf and Tule Elk running © 2023 Marisela de Santa Anna
This evening Carrington Hilson will present on elk research and management in coastal northern California, including Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties.
Carrington is the Elk Research Biologist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in the Northern Region. She has a B.S. degree in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic and State University (2004) and a M.S. degree in Wildlife from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (2013). Prior to starting her work with elk in 2016, Carrington was the Wildlife Disease Biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, managing the statewide chronic wasting disease surveillance program and performing captures statewide. Some of the projects she has been involved with during her career include pronghorn and bighorn sheep relocations, disease in wildlife and livestock, ecology of sylvatic plaque, West Nile virus detection, and demography of small mammal, passerine, and raptors.
The focus of Carrington’s position is to obtain a comprehensive assessment of elk populations and their ecology in northern California. Obtaining an accurate estimate of Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) and tule elk (C. c. nannodes) populations in northwestern California is difficult because the species is wide-ranging, and most herds occupy locations that hinder traditional survey methods. This study is working to estimate abundance and compare several survey techniques and their usefulness to monitor elk populations. This study is also examining habitat use, resource selection, behavior, recruitment, disease, and cause-specific mortality. This information will allow the Department to develop a long-term elk monitoring program that allows for management and conservation of elk.
Art Haschak on Peregrine Falconry
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Photos of his Peregrine Falcons © 2023 Art Haschak
Join us this evening for a fascinating presentation by local falconer Art Haschak. Art grew up in Willits and has been flying falcons and hawks since he was 17 which means he's in his 51st year as a falconer. When Art last spoke to PAS about 10 years, he brought his female Peregrine “Sis-Sis” and discussed general raptor identification. This time he'll focusing on the various races of Peregrine with a little insight on the differences between Peregrines and Gyrfalcons, Prairie Falcons and Merlins. Art currently has a seven year old daughter of Sis-Sis, a six month old daughter, and a one and a half year old Red-Naped Peregrine, which is native to the Middle East and Africa. He hopes to bring at least one of these birds as we discuss the interesting differences in hunting styles between the different falcon species.
Get to Know Your Local Birds!
Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Acorn Woodpecker and Anna's Hummingbird by Kent Leland. Photos © 2023
This evening will be our annual Know Your Local Birds Slideshow and Christmas Bird Count Review with George Gibbs and Bob Keiffer. Bob will be presenting his excellent slideshow introduction to our local wintering birds. George will update us on signup details.
This year's Christmas Bird count in Ukiah will take place Saturday, December 16.
Karla Bloem on a Real Life Great Horned Owl Soap Opera
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7PM - Zoom Meeting
To receive a link, subscribe to our mailing list on our home page.
Details to follow
Leslie McGinnis on Monarch Caterpillar Predators
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7PM - Zoom Meeting
To receive a link, subscribe to our mailing list on our home page.
Details to follow
Ashton Kluttz of the Sonoma Bird Rescue Center
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Details to follow
Peter Van De Burgt on Salmon Habitat Restoration on the Ten Mile and Garcia Rivers
Tuesday, April 16, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Details to follow
Dave Bengston on Attracting Birds to Your Yard
Tuesday, May 21, 2023 at 7PM - Ukiah City Council Chambers
Details to follow
Field Trips
Field Trip Guidelines: Everyone is welcome! These guidelines apply to all Peregrine Field Trips. Please take a moment to read them if you are new, or use them to refresh your memory if you have birded with us before. The times listed are the departure times - not the assembly times. Please arrive early! Many of the trips are out of the area and require an hour or more of driving, so promptness is necessary.
Due to insurance requirements, Peregrine Audubon leaders are not allowed to organize carpools. Participants are, however, encouraged to voluntarily share rides. Any carpool arrangements are private arrangements between the driver and the passengers. Drivers must carry adequate insurance coverage. Please be courteous and share gas expenses with the driver
Most trips are all day affairs, but at times various people need to get back sooner. By arriving 15-20 minutes early such necessary travel arrangements can be made. You will probably want to take a pack with lunch, water, hat and appropriate clothing - coats, rain gear, etc. - , binoculars*, camera, and perhaps notepad and field guides.
*Binoculars are important, but loaner pairs may be available for newcomers. If you have some to loan, please bring them along.
Clear Lake State Park
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Join us for a morning of birding at Clear Lake State Park. This beautiful park has a variety of habitats that support a great diversity of birds, and it is a great time of year to be out in the oaks enjoying the fall colors. Expect to see some birds we seldom see in Ukiah- American White Pelicans, Bonaparte’s Gulls, and an abundance of water birds. We depart from the CVS parking lot at 8 am, and should arrive at the Visitor Center by 9 if you prefer to meet us there. Parking fee is $8 per vehicle. Be sure to bring a lunch and something to drink for a picnic in the park. For those wishing to continue birding in the afternoon, we will probably be visiting the Lakeside County Park and Rodman Slough areas on our way back to Ukiah.
Willits Mitigation Lands and Waste Water Treatment Plant
Saturday October 21, 2023
Peregrine Audubon in conjunction with MCRCD, Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, will be doing a bird focused field trip on the Willits Bypass Mitigation Lands along Outlet Creek. We hope to see early raptors migrating into the valley, White Tailed Kites and Early Northern Harriers, and see the tail end of the neotropical migration south along the riparian corridors. The Dogwood, poison oak, blackberry, and rose hips will be ripe and attracting may juvenile birds on their migration from north to south for the Fall and Winter. The tule Elk should have begun bugling so we should hear some of them too.
This trip will have limited space available so you must RSVP at: marisela@mcrcd.org We will meet at 8:30 at the Mendocino County Museum.
Covelo and Round Valley
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Join us for a fall visit to the Round Valley area, one of our favorite destinations. This beautiful valley with its open grasslands and large Valley Oaks is home to a number of winter visitors not commonly seen in the Ukiah area. In past years birds of note here have included Bald Eagles, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and Canyon Wrens. Time and weather permitting we will continue east to the Black Butte/Eel River campground for a picnic and more birding. Meet before our 8:00 am departure from the CVS parking lot, or at 8:30 at the parking lot in front of Willits High School. We should reach Covelo and Keith’s Market around 11:00.
Ukiah Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 16, 2023
The CBC itself is a good opportunity for birders of all experience levels to help us identify and count birds. For details, please attend our December 12 presentation at the Ukiah City Council Chambers or contact George at ggibbs@pacific.net. Check the website for updates.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Join us on a trip to the Sacramento Valley waterfowl refuges. These areas host tens of thousands of waterfowl during the winter, in numbers and diversity far beyond anything in Mendocino County. We can count on seeing such locally rare birds as Snow and Ross's Geese, Eurasian Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Sandhill Crane, Loggerhead Shrike, and others. This is a long drive and we will leave from the Ukiah CVS parking lot at 7:30 AM sharp! Dress in layers and bring food and drink for our picnic lunch.
Beginner’s Bird Walk at the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
At the Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant, or UWTP, you can probably see more species of birds in less time than anywhere else in the Ukiah valley. Its habitat range is outstanding: riparian areas adjacent to the Russian River, settling ponds, beautiful stands of mature valley oaks, blackberry thickets, and adjacent open grasslands. Meet at the UWTP office area at 8:30. The walk around the oxidation ponds is about one mile, all on level ground.
Lake Mendocino North Shore
Saturday, March 23, 2024
We will be birding the north end of Lake Mendocino this morning. We will be focusing on the stretch between the boat launch adjacent to the inlet, and along the Pomo A day-use area. There are great views of the lake from this location, so we will be searching through the water birds for wintering ducks and grebes. Loons are a possibility here as well. Other target birds will include wintering song birds and raptors along the lake shore. Bald Eagle is a good possibility. We will be leaving the CVS parking lot at 8:00 and expect to arrive at the parking area above the north boat launch at 8:30.
Hopland Research and Extension Center
Saturday, April 27, 2024
We will be birding this beautiful 5300-acre field station on a trip led by Chuck Vaughn. We will visit a variety of habitats including oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian areas, and will see and hear the diversity of birds that live there.We hope to see residents like Bell's and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. If our timing is good we might also see Golden Eagles, Grasshopper Sparrows, and a number of neotropical migrants. This trip requires short hikes. We will leave from the Ukiah CVS parking lot at 8:00 am, or you can meet us at the Hopland Center at 8:30. Bring your lunch, water, and binoculars. We will picnic lunch on the patio of Shippey Hall. RSVP is required for this field trip as there is limited space, and reservations will be made for Pereegrine members only on a first-come basis. Please send an email to Chuck Vaughn (cevaughn@pacific.net).
Potter Valley and the Eel River
Saturday, May 4, 2024
The primary birding on this trip is done along the scenic main stem of the Eel River with stops at the Pioneer Bridge, Trout Creek, and possibly Burris Lane. Both MacGillivray's and Hermit Warblers are usually seen on this trip, and they can be difficult to find elsewhere in the county. Other possible birds include Bald Eagle and American Dipper. We will leave from the Ukiah CVS parking lot at 8:00 am, or you can meet us at the old Potter Valley bridge site along the Russian River (1/4 mile north of Hwy 20 on Potter Valley Road) at 8:30. Bring your lunch, water, binoculars, and favorite field guides.
Last revised November 08, 2023.