The Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP), now being developed for Palos Verdes,  is closely linked to the mission of this Audubon chapter: the understanding and preservation of the natural heritage of our area. The NCCP working group is now looking at two principal configurations for a local nature reserve. Though they show some outward similarities, the power of the NCCP to preserve biodiversity may depend greatly on which of the two draft maps is chosen.

Although the PV Peninsula has been inhabited by humans for millennia, and intensively used for the past two centuries, we know there are unique natural resources still present. Unquestionably, the mix of birds here is unique, as is that of plants. If no one bird or plant is yet distinct from nearby populations of the same species, their isolation here suggests that some day they may become so--if they are given a chance to survive! However, plants and birds are relatively well known. It is in the smaller forms of life where the true richness of the Peninsula resides.

Of these small forms, though, we understand little. Take, for example, the best studied of them, the butterflies. We do know that three local forms, 7% of all our butterflies, are either endemic (found nowhere else) or restricted to a few nearby places. Yet, one of the three is so poorly known it has no scientific name. What can we say, then, about our beetle fauna? About our bees? And how does this tie in to the NCCP and the Audubon purpose?

The NCCP can preserve much of our natural history, if well implemented. That means many things: the nature reserve must be made large and fragmentation minimized, it must look to the future, it must be well thought out, and it must be funded. Failure in any of these factors can lead to loss of biodiversity. One of the NCCP's potential problems is that it is driven by the mandate to preserve a very small set of "target" species, even though it is theoretically meant to preserve many. If we construct a mini-reserve, which saves just those few, we jeopardize others. If, for example, we reduce the maximum extent of the reserve by a factor of two, we may lose upwards of a fifth of all species present! If some of those happen to be endemic, we will end by needlessly reducing the Earth's biological richness, something none of us want.

It is, then, Audubon's role to urge that we conserve as much as possible. We understand too little about local biodiversity to do less. Please talk to your local City Council members about the importance of the NCCP. Every City has an important part to play in the NCCP. Press your Congressional and State representatives to seek full funding for the NCCP reserve that most effectively preserves our natural resources. Finally, ask your local homeowner's or civic group to have an Audubon representative come talk about the NCCP. The NCCP is our chance to save something of our past for the future. Let's not waste it!

Well, it is that time of year again! Time for the "Changing of the Guard." In other words, the election of new officers. I have now served for two years and it is time to turn the leadership over to a younger person. I have enjoyed my stay at the helm, and the grand finale this term was the Awards Banquet at the Ports O'Call Restaurant, attended by over 100 people.

I want to especially thank Bob Carr, Lillian Light, Bart Tendick, and Jess Morton for all of the help they have given me. And of course, my thanks go also to the rest of the officers and members of the Board, who have contributed greatly to the success of my term

In April, we attended the Audubon Western Regional Conference at Asilomar near Monterey California where Bob Carr, Lillian and I all received Audubon Activist Awards from the National Audubon Society (Ed.- given for years of outstanding service to conservation).  The weather was beautiful and one of the highlights for me was a guided tour through Fort Ord. This former army base  has been preserved much in its natural state for the last hundred years. Now that the army no longer owns or controls the land, much of it will be used for housing and shopping centers. If you get a chance to visit Monterey, be sure to go birding at Fort Ord. It is now open to the public.

Our chapter has been growing under our capable membership chairperson, Corie Takasane. We are leading more bird walks and holding more activities for young people than ever. If you have not attended one of our monthly programs lately, held on the last Tuesday of each month, I suggest that you do so.

I still intend to help in many ways to build a strong Palos Verdes/South Bay chapter of the National Audubon Society. Hope to see you soon.

The relentless globalization of trade is increasingly threatening our domestic environmental laws and having negative impacts on wildlife and wild places all over the world. A most egregious example is the recent decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to undermine vital sea turtle protection.

In 1989 Congress passed a law requiring that all shrimp exported to the United States be caught in a manner which did not harm sea turtles. Four Asian countries challenged this law (Thailand, India, Pakistan & Malaysia) asserting that extending environmental laws beyond domestic borders is a violation of international trade rules. The WTO ruled that the US embargo to protect sea turtles is in violation of current trade rules, thus assuring that shrimping will continue to kill sea turtles in mass quantities worldwide.  Furthermore, any other steps we take to protect the environment could be ruled illegal if they interfere with WTO rules on free trade.

Another illustration of the imbalance between international trade and the environment is the implementation of the agenda to liberalize trade in wood products, adopted by the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and promoted by U S Trade Representative, Charlene Barshefsky. This APEC forest products initiative seeks to eliminate  tariffs on paper products by 2000 and on wood products by 2002. This deregulation is being carried out without considering the environmental impact and without public participation. Increasing the production and consumption of wood products will worsen pressure on already degraded forests that provide habitat for rare and endangered species. Your Audubon chapter has joined with other environmental groups in calling for an assessment of the environmental impact of forest trade liberalization and public input into decisions made.

The interplay of economic and environmental priorities is sharply etched in the proposals set forth in the pending Multilateral Agreement on Investments (MAI). The public has been largely excluded from MAI negotiations between the United States and other industrialized nations comprising the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

As currently written, the MAI poses serious threats to the health of our environment as well as safety and labor standards in the U.S. Under the MAI, foreign investors could demand payment to comply with any law limiting their ability to profit at the expense of public health, neighboring homeowners or the environment. Claims would be decided by overseas trade panels that claimants themselves would help select. These decisions could not be reviewed by US courts and could require that the US pay foreign investors and companies to comply with federal, state and local laws that a trade panel decides are in conflict with the MAI. Any federal state or local law having the effect of limiting the potential value of a factory, land development or investment scheme could be challenged by foreign investors and decided by overseas trade panels.

In February the National Wildlife Federation President and the CEOs of 19 other national environmental organizations wrote to President Clinton thanking him for his administration's consistent opposition to congressional takings bills and asking him "to ensure that the United States will oppose the MAI and any other international agreement that...undermines established substantive or procedural aspects of the constitutional takings provision" (NWF Enviroaction p.6). This article also states, "We should not hand foreign investors the tools to radically undermine fundamental protections for our citizens, property and the environment."

It is my sincere hope that every reader of this article will realize the importance of writing to President Clinton about these vital issues. He needs our input to balance that of the trade lobby which has so much money, influence and power. The WTO Shrimp/Turtle case is an opportunity for the President to help reform environmentally harmful trade rules as well as to uphold international endangered species conservation efforts. Ask President Clinton to advise our US Trade Representative that the environmental impacts of eliminating tariffs must be studied and shared with the public.

Let the administration know that you oppose "takings" bills that require taxpayers to pay foreign companies to comply with basic anti-pollution and zoning laws as well as other environmental regulations. Ask the President to oppose trade deals like the Multilateral Agreement on Investment because they restrict the government's ability to regulate foreign investment and hold corporations accountable.

President William Clinton

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington, D.C.  20500

Tel. 202-456-1111

Fax 202-456-2461

e-mail: president@whitehouse.gov

So far this year, it has been our chapter's privilege to present Audubon YES! Awards to 17 students. These young people have shown exceptional dedication to learning about and actively preserving their, and our, environment. Each award represents a minimum of 50 hours doing community service work to benefit the environment, and many of these students have worked twice that amount.

Ten high school students received their awards either at the April Conservation Awards Banquet or at our May annual meeting. They are: from Chadwick School, Kristina Adachi, Emily Sopp, Cynthia Sun, Jessica Tillson and Matt Weber; from Peninsula HS, Valerie Chan, Alicia Sanchez and Sarah Weiner; from Redondo Union HS, Rahil Patronas; and from South HS, Kevin Lai. Six of these youngsters are in this year's graduating class and are on their way to prestigious schools in the fall. However, the other four will be with us next year, and can be expected to provide true environmental leadership for their classmates. Rahil will be serving on our Board of Directors, along with Leann Ortmann, who received the YES! Award last year and Youth conservation Award this year. Cynthia Sun will also be taking an active role in chapter affairs.

In addition, seven YES! Awards went to students at Edison Middle School. These students all live in south-central Los Angeles and have been part of a group dedicated to learning about and preserving wildlife. If you came to our April meeting, you will remember the impressive Canada Goose program they put on and how they have been taking action to prevent the destruction of foraging habitat at Pierce College. The award winners are Julio Flores, Victor Flores, Danyel Garcia, Erica Gomez, Victor Leon, Ana Vasquez and William Rivas. They are ably led by Dr. Ellen Sachtjen. In addition to YES! Awards, several of the students received birding field guides from Audubon, which they have taken to with great enthusiasm.

Audubon YES! has begun a library program to collect field guides and books on natural history for use by schools and students. If you have books in reasonable condition that you wish to donate, please contact Jess Morton at 832-5601. We can also use donations of binoculars and scopes.

You don't have to be an expert to take part in the 18th annual Palos Verdes butterfly count, which will be held Saturday, July 25th. The count is intended to survey the summer butterflies found within a 15-mile diameter circle centered at the PV reservoir. We meet in the parking lot at the Rolling Hills Estates City Hall (north corner of Crenshaw and PV Drive North) at 8:30 a.m. for group assignments.

This event is sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association, which is dedicated to increasing knowledge of butterflies throughout the country. The PV count has led us to a greatly increased understanding of our own butterfly populations and their distribution, and has helped introduce many residents to the wonders of the butterfly world. A donation of $3 per person is requested to help support NABA in collating and publishing the data.

Call Jess Morton at 832-5601 or e-mail jmorton@igc.apc.org to take part.

Everyone is invited to come afterwards for the potluck picnic and count tally at 5:30 p.m., in Hesse Park.

We welcome the following new members to Audubon and invite each to come with family and friends to any of the Audubon meetings, walks and service projects listed in this issue.

HERMOSA BEACH: Tracy and Craig Scott;

LOMITA: Jack Lowinger and Sal Trupiano;

RANCHO PV: Samuel Bloom, Jr., Ms. Beatrice Fulwilder and Enrica Stuart;

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES: Carl Boland and Elizabeth Boyle;

PALOS VERDES ESTATES: Glenwood Balllinger;

PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Elizabeth Chidest, Michael Brennan, Rolando Fernando, MD, Nancy Friedfeld, Norman Nelson and D. Scholler;

SAN PEDRO: Brian McLean, Marian Mone and Helen Travis

TORRANCE: Dana Adams, Dalila Ades, Gaston Bornstein and Patricia Kirkwood.

Another year, gone by us!  For the 7th consecutive year, I saw over 250 species of birds in the PV Christmas count circle. That was out of a total of almost 300 species reported, about the expected number. And 10% of my total diversity was warblers!  What kind of fun do you want?  I mean, this is L.A. we're talking about here!

The year 1997 saw the retirement of Mark Kincheloe from his ever-popular Botanic Garden walks. For years it seemed he never missed a walk.  But he will be missed greatly by those friends he helped here. Mark, you have plenty of people to call should you want to come birding this-a-way! Thanks again for all the years of dedication and hard work, and for "turning on" so many  to birds here on PV.

The 32nd Christmas Bird Count has come and gone, without any earthshattering records being produced. But I think most would agree there was as much fun as one can stand in a day.  As the dust clears, it seems about 166 species were found 12/27 (count day)--not counting the Peafowl, Mitred and Yellow-chevroned Parakeets. Add those 3 to the 8 sps. recorded count week only and you have a total of 177. Not bad, though we've gotten spoiled in recent years by totals much closer to 200! Yet, 169 was the record for the first 12+ years of the CBC!

First we'll finish up November, and early Dec. birds, and then "do" the CBC...

The southbound Pacific Loon flights were spectacular. For instance, in 10 minutes I saw over 1000 going past PV Point on 11/30, and over 300 fishing in a troop together in Bluff Cove on 12/24.  Western Grebes were also common, with over 600 seen from King Harbor (KH) to Malaga Cove (MC) on 12/7.  Horned Grebes were everywhere too, including Harbor Park (HP). 

Kimball Garrett  (KG) reported that the LA Audubon Soc. pelagic trip toward Santa Barbara Is. encountered a Short-tailed Shearwater about mid-channel on 11/16, an expected fall arrival date.  On Thanksgiving, 11/27, my wife and I were treated to a real turkey of a bird, a Brown Booby, flying north, leisurely fishing just off Point Vicente (PtV)!!!  This was about the 6th California sighting this fall for a species normally occurring less than 1/yr. Remember, don't even think El Nino!!!

Another large aggregation of Brandt's Cormorants was on a bait-ball off Point Fermin (PtF) on 12/19, a single feeding flock of over 2000 birds!!! Kevin Larson (KL) reports that a White-faced Ibis stayed in the LA River (LAR), near Hill St., into late Dec.

The Canvasback flock that winters at Alondra Park (AP) was ejected last year by construction in Jan., and did not return this year. Of the 35+ birds, only 5 showed up, along with 1 Redhead, and none  stayed. It seems the clam population, their food, was wiped out during lake rehab. Offshore, Surf Scoters seemed up this year, with hundreds in LA Harbor. From KH north to Dockweiler, where many hundreds are, you can regularly find Black and White-winged Scoters mixed in the flock.

Kevin Larson had an Osprey at the LAR about 12/21.  The Dominguez Channel Lesser Yellowlegs is back for it's 8th winter.  A probable Red Knot was at the LAR in Dec. too (KL)!   Dave Moody (DM) saw a "half-hooded" gull, that he thought was probably a Franklin's Gull in Torrance 12/10. It's likely this was the one I saw flying across Torrance in Jan. The little bugger probably wintered undetected. A few Thayer's Gulls are around, with one regular at HP (daily) since mid-Dec. Elegant Terns were still offshore in Nov., and there was still one on 12/19, at PtF..

My wife and I watched a Common Murre swim north past PtV on 12/14.  An alcid reported in Marina Del Rey on 11/17 was identified on 11/23 as a Marbled Murrelet by Mike San Miguel. It remained a couple months!!  I saw a probable Craveri's Murrelet fly past Royal Palms on 12/9, and found a Rhinoceros Auklet in KH on 12/7. It's worth checking the harbors and coves and scanning offshore after every storm for birds like these!!!

A Poorwill was recovered from a hangar at LAX in late Nov. Late migrant or winterer?? I heard a Dusky-capped Flycatcher calling up Via Coronel (Barrow's Canyon) on 12/14, but  could never spot it. A Horned Lark flew over KL on the bluffs a week before the count. He also found a Brown Creeper on Via Tejon near the MC Post Office, on 12/7, which I probably saw 500+ yards away 12/14, but not again! 

The Bell's Vireo KL found in El Segundo in Sept. hasn't left, and is clearly wintering. Karen Gilbert (KG) found a Pine Warbler in El Dorado Park, Long Beach, 11/25, which  is wintering--a very rare bird here. A couple of PV's best (birders) went over to see it and found a bonus or two, as well. Bob Beckler located a Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and John Ivanov a Bell's Vireo--same area, but not known to the locals!  Good job guys! The Am. Redstart (MP) at Sand Dunes Park continued into late Nov., and may have wintered, but just outside our count circle, of course.

The only late warbler of note here  was the Northern Waterthrush seen by Brain Daniels in the willow forest at HP, just after the floods, on 12/5. A Lark Sparrow was at PtV on 11/21.

Now for the CBC news, stats and data. For me, it's as much a story of what we missed as what we got. Last year Ruddy Turnstone was our "silly" miss. This year, Rock Wren takes the (dis)honors. But it's not as silly. Scary is more like it, and I predict it will be the next species to disappear from our avifauna. Can there be as many as a dozen left on the Peninsula? Won't  inbreeding depression setting in? Now that cats have taken over the oceanfront cliffs, I doubt any still survive there. I saw but 2 in the Forrestal Quarry in early Dec.

Bernardo Alps (BA) got us a Northern Fulmar from a whale boat. The day before, also from a whale watch boat, he found a couple of count week (CW) birds, a Pink-footed Shearwater and a dark shearwater sp. (probably Short-tailed). He came up with a gaggle of Cassin's Auklets (14) on count day! I saw a Sooty Shearwater from PtV the day before the count. Special thanks to LA Harbor Sportfishing and Redondo Beach Marina, both of whom donated free spaces on their boats so we could have birders asea on count day! When considering whale watching or fishing trips in the future,  please remember these two outfits!!! They really helped us. In all, there were five trips count day, three from LA Harbor and two from King Harbor. We had observers on two boats, one each from each port, thanks to the generosity of these two businesses. It really helps us fill in the blanks! Thanks also to our observers BA and Katie Penland. 

A flock of 7 Black Brant flying past PtV made a CW showing the day before the count, as did a White-winged Scoter. An imm. Ross' Goose that I found at HP on 12/24, and is still there, gave us our second count record. The lone Canvasback at Alondra was a pitiful and depressing showing. Eric and Ann Brooks (E&AB) got us an imm. Ferruginous Hawk at the old dump site across from SCBG. A couple of Merlins and 3 Peregrines were seen. KL got us our single TV,  on Dominguez Channel (DC), as usual. An American Bittern was at MM!!

KL found a Lesser Yellowlegs, at DC again. MSM scanned us a Parasitic Jaeger on count day, and KL and I had an ad. Pomarine the day before, for CW, from PtV, and BA had Pommy's the day before from the whale boats, too. KL got us a CW Black-legged Kittiwake from PtV 12/26!  On count day, from PtF, Barney Schlinger and I saw what I presume to be the same Elegant Tern I saw 12/19!  We also saw a Black Skimmer at Cabrillo Beach at dawn. 

A Burrowing Owl was still hanging on at the CSUDH parking lot (KH). Barn Owl was missed.  As Rusty Scalf (RS) suggests, we should put up boxes for them--a great YES! or school project!  I believe the Great-Horned Owls are preying upon the Barns. Ross Landry (RL) suggests we should set up boxes for Burrowing Owls, too, since they are also prey to their larger kin.

A couple of Red-naped Sapsuckers were found (RL and KG). KL found and photographed a Northern Rough-winged Swallow at AP. Cassin's Kingbirds were the only non-phoebe Flycatchers around, with the usual 1 at Ernie Howlett Park, 1-2 at the old dump site, and BS and I found at least 5 on the Navy Fuel Depot! One Red-breasted Nuthatch was found (and I'm amazed at that!), in a pepper tree no less. Lots of Kinglets were around, but very few Robins and Waxwings. Amazing was the California Thrasher RS found in Purple Canyon. A male Phainopepla was at Averill Park (where a female has been, too). The HP Hutton's Vireo and another on the PV golf course were seen. The HP and Wilderness Park Plumbeous Vireos were seen count day, but the Peck Park (PP) Cassin's only CW, 12/25.   

Nine species of warblers is lower than we have had in recent years. The Wilson's at MC (KG) is probably a returnee (KL found it earlier), there for it's 4th year. The Palm Warbler at PP cooperated for the count. The only really exciting warbler was the Tennessee Warbler I found 12/24 at HP, which was seen count day, and I presume to be a returning winterer. Also around the PV golf course were a male Summer Tanager and a female Baltimore Oriole (KG). Boy, what an ace birder can do for you !!!!!

KG also found a red Fox Sparrow off the end of via Tejon in MC. This subspecies is very rare here. Prior to the count, I saw another subspecies, megaryncha, in George F Canyon. Most Fox Sparrows here are of the unaschlensis subspecies, with the occasional altivagens. Count day I found a tan-striped White-throated Sparrow at the upper end of Peck Canyon in the park.  Margaret Hoggan got us CW Vesper Sparrow at Friendship Park, which is probably a returnee (see last yrs. column).

Other birds missed on the count were Northern Harrier, Pheasant (are there any left?), Sora, Virginia Rail, Avocet, Rhinoceros Auklet, murre, Chipping and Lark Sparrows and Purple Finch. 

Nevertheless, it was a great count, and I want to thank everyone again for making it the success it was. You are the count, which is made great by your contributions.

KL found a wintering Red-necked Grebe in Marina Del Rey Harbor 1/10, that was seen by many.  Jan 4th, at HP, a few saw a Northern Waterthrush. This is our fifth winter record for the species. None have ever been seen during CW! I made over 20 trips looking for this bird, and I know of 20 other "birder trips" made as well--all to no avail! Yet there are some people who think that, when they go after a reported bird, but don't see it, refuse to believe the bird was present!?!? Well, we knew it was there, even though I never heard it!

A Feb. 15 trip to Madrona Marsh produced Red-necked and Red Phalaropes grounded by a storm (DM & Ron Melin). At Long Point on 2/21 there were a Peregrine, an Osprey and a Sharp-shinned Hawk, all north-bound migrants passing by. Also, the Rhinoceros Auklet present off the rocks there stayed to April!

Last year also saw the passing of several open areas we've known and loved for so long....... the Ocean Trails project area on the bluffs near San Pedro, the JN Peters site just north of  Point Vicente, the Northrup property and the fields across from it, on Crest Road. All open places--going, going, gone. Where will we go to find another Lark Bunting? Another Large-billed Sparrow? And what of all the cats these houses will bring, as they penetrate further into what little habitat is left neighboring the developments? Hardly worthy of mention in an environmental impact report! Where are we headed? Isn't Western Avenue clogged up enough yet as one tries to leave the hill??? 

This year will see my passing as this column's author, and as a co-compiler on the CBC. But not quite yet! Next issue, we'll cover spring migration--if we don't wash away. But it will be nice and green anyway, huh?  Don't forget to get those breeding bird records to the Atlas project at the LACNHM! Now is the time!!!!!

Until next time then,  think global, bird local.

On Saturday, May 16th, our stalwart Birdathon team broke all its past records, viewing 102 species in one day. We met at 6:30 A M., and the most dedicated of our group, Margaret Hoggan and Bob Carr, birded until 6:00 P M. Other lucky birdathoners included Ollie Coker (leader), Lillian Light, John and Ilona Ivanov, Anne Morris, Corie Takasane, Jorge Wong, and Lori Janey. John Small also joined us for a while.

At Ken Malloy Harbor Park we saw Downy Woodpecker, Swainson's Thrush, Ross's Goose, Warbling and Solitary Vireos, Marsh Wren and both kinds of Oriole. Another great birding spot was Banning Park where we saw Hermit, Townsend's, Yellow and Wilson's Warblers, as well as Western Tanager, Western Wood Pewee, Pacific Slope Flycatcher and Black-headed Grosbeak. A Blue Grosbeak was found at Friendship Park where we also saw Loggerhead Shrike, Cassin's  Kingbird and Lesser Goldfinch. The shorebirds, terns, and gulls were mainly seen at Ballona Creek, with some good sightings at Cabrillo Beach. Forrestal and the quarries enriched our day    with White-throated Swift, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Costa's Hummingbird, Bewick's Wren, California Gnatcatcher and California Quail.

We don't yet know how much money we raised for National Audubon and our chapter.  But we'll send the complete list of the birds we saw to anyone making a Birdathon donation. Just call Lillian at 545-1384.

Meanwhile, Martin Byhower and his birdathon group confined its fundraiser efforts  to Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange  County, where they saw  61 species. With  generous support from  Barbara Ailor and  the P V Land Conservancy Board, they raised close to $700  to help fund  environmental education for children and adults in our area.

A critical environmental issue for California birds (and birders) is what will be done to stop the dying of the Salton Sea. Two pieces of legislation are moving in Congress to address this. The Senate bill, sponsored by Senators Boxer and Feinstein, is supported by Audubon. The House bill (HR 3267) is not acceptable, as it makes haste the overriding factor, waiving Clean Water Act requirements and judicial review. Please write your legislative representatives, asking that they support the Senate bill.

In April, Audubon adopted the following policy statement. It was prepared by the National Audubon Society - California Task Force on the Salton Sea, chaired by San Diego State Univ. biologist Phil Pryde, President of the San Diego Audubon Society.

We believe that the Salton Sea, though largely an artificial feature, is a significant regional asset and a vital water body for resident, summer-breeding, migrating, post-breeding, and wintering avifauna. We concur in the opinion that efforts should be made to improve and maintain its viability as avian habitat.

Congressional legislation to resolve the Salton Sea's problems, and the studies that they embody, must include the entire basin of the Sea (and any other water bodies involved), and should embrace the entire regional ecosystem and all human activities that impact it (all forms of agriculture and aquaculture, forage animals, aquatic recreation, geothermal energy, hunting, etc.).

These human uses of the Sea include the many Native American and other people that subsistence fish from the sea. The levels of toxic materials in the fish are imprecisely known but feared to be high. The health of all those who utilize products from the Sea is important and must be safeguarded as part of any improvement plan.

We believe that, although several possible "cures" for the Salton Sea's problems have been put forth, it is too early to embrace any of these projects, singly or in combination. More study is needed as to the long-term efficacy of each of them.

We believe that the following considerations should be taken into account as these studies are carried out. We feel that these considerations must be embodied in these studies for their conclusions to be seen as credible.

1. The primary reason for undertaking a Salton Sea project is to maintain a viable inland lake suitable for use by a wide variety of wildlife that have greatly varying habitat needs. Goals that focus on regional development or other questions of the local economy, while important, should be compatible with, and not detract from, the primary goal.

2. The various problems being experienced by the Salton Sea are the result of continued human input of pollutants such as nutrients, pesticides, industrial waste, and microorganisms.  Future exacerbation of these problems is threatened by potential loss of fresh water inputs due to water transfers. Any proposed restoration plan for the Sea must address all of these pollutants and the situations that cause them, both individually and with regard to their interrelated effects.

3. It must not be forgotten that the Salton Sea is an interior, or terminal, drainage. All interior drainages are subject to severe fluctuations in both surface level and salinity. Although in theory both can be regulated by human intervention, the full costs, both monetary and ecological, of doing so should be carefully assessed.

4. Any proposals for reducing salinity must adequately deal with the question of the disposal of the surplus or extracted salt, including full study of the effects on the region of relocation of the excess salts. Such facilities must be designed and sited such that neither wildlife habitat nor human activities are destroyed or adversely altered.

5. Environmental studies of the harmful pollutants that enter the Sea should include as one alternative, and as an integral part of the solution, detailed plans for source reduction, and not just for removal or neutralization.

6. Clean-up of the Sea will involve considerable work on both sides of the border. How this work will be distributed, coordinated, paid for, and overseen must also be made clear. We urge coordination with the BECC (Border Environment Cooperation Commission) in formulating projects within the watershed.

7. No proposal for relieving the problems of the Salton Sea will be viewed as acceptable that in any way deteriorates the Gulf of California, especially its upper end. If possible, improvement in the quality of the upper Gulf of California, and restoration of the Colorado River delta should be incorporated into Salton Sea restoration plans.

8. All proposed solutions for all or part of the Sea's problems should undergo competent independent scientific review, including full NEPA/CEQA (National Environmental Policy Act / California Environmental Quality Act) review.

9. It seems clear that any plan that will adequately address the Salton Sea's problems will be very expensive. We want these costs to be fully identified in the economic feasibility studies.   Commitment from Congress to fund this entire endeavor, including the needed environmental studies, is essential.

10. Finally, there should be full public participation in the process from the start. Scoping sessions should be conducted. Proposed solutions are too important, and too complex, to be formulated without adequate citizen and organizational input.

In the interim period prior to full resolution of the Sea's problems, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should provide funds for rehabilitation work on sick and injured birds, as well as for immediately threatened local nesting and wintering habitats.

We call on all agencies involved in the study of the problems of the Salton Sea to give full consideration to all of the above points as they formulate their proposed solutions. We stand ready to help in any way we can.

This winter, rain has been heavy and frequent, due to what had been named El Niño. The name was originally applied because of the occurrence at about Christmas time. The start of any El Niño event is due to an increase in the temperature of a portion of the Pacific Ocean. At the tropical areas, the Pacific is much warmer in the western part than it is in the eastern part. The usual temperature in its tropical eastern area is about 71.6-75.2 degrees Fahrenheit;

and about 84.2-86 in its tropical western area. That western warm water area is known as the Pacific "warm pool". The higher western area water temperatures have a strong effect on the atmosphere, causing heavy rains and hot air, both of which can spread far. That area's water is warm to unusually far-down depths, even though it does gradually cool as depth increases to about 108.3-216.6 feet below the surface, the depth of the

thermocline, where cooling increases more rapidly. In parts of both the Atlantic and Pacific, cold water rises toward the surface, and that is the primary cause of the cooler eastern tropical area water temperature. Trade winds have a strong effect on that upwelling, and in most years help to stabilize the temperatures and other climatic conditions at a predictable level. It is now estimated that in periods of about 3-7 years, the stability changes to instability as water warmth increases from the west toward the east and a "warm pool" forms in the eastern tropical Pacific. Yep, that's an El Niño event.

The usual winds at the western "warm pool" are not too strong and are in a western direction, whereas during an El Niño event, the winds are quite strong and blow to the east. Thus, strong oceanic waves of great depth and length flow eastward. Those waves quell the rising of cold water in the eastern area and thus prevent the surface cooling effect, resulting in the warmed eastern tropical water.

As the "warm pool" forms in the tropical eastern region, rain increases in that area, which creates atmospheric disturbances that spread to the north, including California, resulting in heavy precipitation and strong winds here. It is often difficult for meteorologists to predict whether those conditions will last only during one winter season, or whether they will repeat for another year or more. In 1982-83, the strongest known 20th century El Niño happened. The one in 1986 lasted through 1987, and the one in 1992 lasted in some regions for two years.

A year or so after some El Niño event years, there is a reverse type of event named La Niña. That type is characterized by cooling, rather than warming, of the eastern tropical Pacific, and like El Niño, La Niña creates global or nearly global climate changes. Between El and La years, there is usually the regular type of climate here and elsewhere. Surprisingly, this winter there has been very little snow so far, compared to "normal" years, in Buffalo and many other northern U.S. cities. Also, of course, there has been a very great amount of rain in southern California compared to "normal" years here.

Some meteorologists now are speculating that global warming due to anthropogenic (human-caused) actions is an important factor in the increasing frequency of El Niño events. As global temperatures rise, and considering the relatively weak breezes that blow westward over the western "warm pool", there are continually less year-by-year atmospheric features which permit the stability or decrease of water temperature there. Thus, the temperature of the "warm pool" continues to rise until it triggers an El Niño event.

So, friends, be sure that you have an umbrella with you on many days of an El Niño year. Of course, some people believe that having an umbrella in hand will prevent precipitation. Ha ha!

The African wild dog, Lycaon pictus, hunts an average of about 3.5 hours per day.  While hunting, that dog expends energy at approximately 25 times its non-hunting basal metabolic rate.  Hence, its need for successful hunting is vital to its life.  With such high energy expenditure and without adequate resulting food, the dog would have to hunt more and more, and if repeatedly not successful it might die of weakness and/or of starvation because its need for food rises drastically with the high energy loss.  Recent population studies of the dog have shown that only about 5,000 of them presently exist in the wild, a sharp reduction leading to the decision that Lycaon pictus is now an endangered species.  Studies of the probable causes have been made.  It is now known that the greatest drop in population, other than where there has been habitat destruction, has been where there are many individuals of the spotted hyena species, Crocuta crocuta.  The result of the studies is the finding that the spotted hyena steals food from the wild dog, and thus is referred-to by some zoologists as a kleptoparasite, meaning a thieving parasite.  Additional studies, measuring the metabolic rate of numerous free-ranging dogs, after having gently captured them and having applied measuring instruments, showed that if a dog loses 25% of its daily food to a kleptoparasite, the dog must increase its hunting time to about 12 hours per day.  Such a big increase in hunting time, resulting in a dangerously high energy expenditure, raises its average daily metabolic rate to the physiologically incompatible level of 12 times the prior basal metabolic rate.  That indeed has led to a large drop in the Lycaon pictus population in areas where there are significant numbers of the Crocuta crocuta, the dog's kleptoparasite.

Please pack your mental valises, and we'll immediately travel together from Africa to the United Kingdom.  In that nation, there is a broad business activity known as the grouse-shooting industry.  That industry generates an annual gross revenue of more than 10 million pounds, roughly equivalent to more than 16 million dollars.  The hen harrier, Circus cyaneus, preys on birds which include chicks and adults of the red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus.  That harrier, which was quite abundant early in the 19th century, is now rather scarce because of habitat loss and human hunting which occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  It is now found primarily on the Scottish moors but also in some other parts of Britain.  Actually, there are now just about 600 breeding female hen harriers on the island of Great Britain, resulting from a spread of them from Orkney and Outer Hebrides 50-60 years ago.  There are people who are trying to establish habitats for the survival of hen harriers, and are also trying to enforce protection of those birds, especially on what are known as grouse moors where grouse are bred for the purpose of paid-for hunting.  The grouse breeders don't want hen harriers on those moors as a threat to the breeders' income, but surely those breeders, like all other persons, should not break the law and should not endanger species!  The U.K. does have a law banning the killing of birds of prey.  However, it is strongly believed that some grouse growers and some grouse hunters, which oppose the grouse-eating by hen harriers, might be anti-conservationally and illegally shooting the hen harriers as well as legally shooting the grouse.  Unlawful killing of the hen harriers can raise the grouse quantity in two ways:  fewer grouses will be eaten by their bird predators; and more grouses will be expressed to the government by environmental protectors of the hen harriers.  Let's protect our endangered species, and let's hope that all other parts of this country & all other countries do that.

The Los Angeles County Breeding Bird Atlas is now entering its fourth season.  By 1999, the project will be complete and from the data collected, maps of all breeding species within the county will be prepared.  These maps will prove an invaluable resource for land use and wildlife planning purposes.  It's not too late for you to become involved!  Website: www.lam.mus.ca.us/~lacbba

Time: 50 hours.

Duties: Survey assigned area within LA County to locate all nesting species.

How to volunteer: Call regional coordinator, Claudia Freitas, 310-420-2689 or Mark Wimer, 213-745-BIRD.

Experienced birders or naturalists are needed to lead one walk a month near home or elsewhere in southern California.

Time: 4 hours per month, various times and places.

Places: We host regularly scheduled bird walks at South Coast Botanic Gardens (1st Sunday and 3rd Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (2nd Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.). We will add regular monthly walks and school tours as leaders become available.  Birding trips can also be scheduled elsewhere in California at the leader's discretion.

Duties: Lead new members and other interested people on a birding tour of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay region. Familiarize new members with "birding hot - spots" through regular walks in locations not already on our monthly schedule.

How to volunteer: Call Corie Takasane at 310-793-7417.

This page is part of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society website.