Late fall is a wonderful time to be birding in Southern California. In addition to the arrival of many of our wintering species and the passage of other migrants southward into Latin America, it is the time when lost birds find their way to the coast. Birding diversity is terrific now, so it's time for you to take advantage of the many expert-led field trips Audubon offers.

At the South Coast Botanic Garden, on Crenshaw south of PCH, there are two monthly birdwalks for novice through knowledgeable birders. These walks have been sponsored by this Audubon Chapter since its inception 20 years ago and,.over the years, have produced more than 275 species of birds. Regular walk leaders are Ollie Coker, Georgene Foster, and Margaret Hoggan. Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot on either the first Sunday (Oct. 4 and Nov. 1) or third Wednesday (Oct. 21 and Nov. 18) of the month. The walks are free, but the Garden charges an entrance fee.

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park has an even greater diversity of birds than the South Coast Botanic Garden, 300+ species of birds! There is a monthly walk on the second Sunday of each month, which is offered at no charge. Walk leader Martin Byhower cites the incredible richness and importance of the area's wildlife as a motivating factor in conducting this walk for Audubon. Please come learn about this place where we expect to create a nature center in the near future.

Field Trip Chairman Tom Miko is offering walks on Oct. 4th and Nov. 22nd for more experienced birders. The first of these will be to Banning Park, on PCH, in Wilmington. Meet at 8 a.m. by the historic Banning Residence Museum. The Nov. 22 walk will be devoted to searching the Antelope Valley for wintering raptors, Mountain Plover, Leconte's Thrasher, swans, Bald Eagles, and waterfowl. Call Tom at (626) 793-2133 for carpool meeting point.

For those of you interested in more in-depth information about birds, two of our long-time stalwarts offer classes. Not only will you learn the whys and wherefors of birds, you get a chance to see them all in the field on the many field trips offered as class adjuncts. For full schedules and fees, call Eric Brooks at 839-7735 and Martin Byhower at 374-7473. Details are also available via e-mail at motmots@aol.com (Eric) and mjbbirds@aol.com (Martin).

Narbonne High School Senior Amy Yoon was presented with the first Audubon YES! Award of the school year at the Narbonne Key Club banquet in Gardena, Sept. 26. The presentation was made by Audubon YES! Director Jess Morton, who noted that it is always a pleasure to recognize the achievements of young people today--achievements which are so much more typical of young people than the degrading stereotypes foisted on us by the mass media.

Amy joined the YES! Program as a Freshman, and has dedicated countless hours to community service as part of her commitment to her Key Club. Not only has she more than completed the 50 hours of environmental service needed for the YES! Award, she has contributed to the community in many other ways. Hers is the second such award to go to the Narbonne Key Club, and others will follow.

One of the most interesting things about joining an organization such as Audubon is that the group's membership is widely diversified. Conservation seems to be an almost universal concern of members, but enthusiasm for it ranges from mild to "try me!", and commitment has a similar span. There are beginning birders, intermediates and a few so-called experts. There are those who look at the field guide at every sighting and those who don't even look at the bird, but just identify by sound. Some are interested only in very local issues and events, others are constantly thinking nationally and globally. There are members who come to meetings only to see and listen to our monthly programs, while some steep themselves in Chapter issues and others are up to their necks in all issues, local to global. What everyone must remember is that each and every one of our members is important, valuable, even vital to the health of the Chapter.

What all this means is that those of us who immerse ourselves in the operation of the Chapter are dedicated to serving each and every member to meet each and every variation of interest. To do that, we cover a great deal of ground. Local conservation issues are followed, as well as State, national and global ones. We are constantly seeking ways to expand the Chapter, not only in membership, but also in additional ways to serve our membership and the community in which we live. Your participation in Chapter activities is welcome at any level, from dues-paying to Board membership. In that vein, we would like you to know that the Board anticipates a great deal of growth in the near future, both in membership and in activities. As one part of that growth, we would like to know what your particular wishes and needs might be as a Chapter member, as well as what you might be able to contribute to that expected growth. So keep coming to our meetings to see and hear what the future holds for the Chapter and for the National Audubon Society.

CONSERVATION NOTES

By Jess Morton

The L.A. City Department of Water and Power (DWP) is considering the sale of some of its "surplus" land. Included is the Chatsworth Reservoir, a 1300 acre open space with outstanding natural values and even greater potential values in the future. The area is home to thousands of birds, mammals, reptiles and native plant species. However, there are those in DWP who would like to see this same parcel converted to cash by selling it on the open market. Such a sale would almost inevitably result in more sprawl for LA, with all the attendant environmental and social costs that involves.

At the suggestion of Council member Hal Bernson, the L.A. City Council officially designated the Chatsworth Reservoir as the Chatsworth Nature Preserve/Reservoir. Among its natural values, this Nature Preserve contains an astonishing variety and numbers of bird, animal and reptile species, varied grassland, oak woodland, marsh and riparian habitats as well as significant Native American and other archeological remains, plus early marine fossils.  It is an important stop on the Pacific Flyway for thousands of migrating birds. The facility has great value for young people's educational programs and guided tours for families, as an "open-air classroom."

If you are concerned about the sale of such land parcels, please call your LA City Council member if you live in the City. It is especially important that strong support be given to turning Chatsworth Reservoir into a park with significant wildlife values preserved and/or reintroduced. If you live outside LA City limits, you can still write to the DWP voicing your concerns.

Please call the following people: In San Pedro and Wilmington (District 15), call Committee Member Rudy Svorinich at 548-7586 and, for any LA resident, Mayor Richard Riordan at 213-485-5175. Or write L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Join us for the Sharing Nature With Children workshop on Saturday, October 24. Held in Redondo Beach's Wilderness Park from 9 to 3, this special training workshop will be conducted by Lou Palermo, a volunteer coordinator at Cabrillo Beach. She is skilled at captivating the interest of children and will share her knowledge of the strategies and activities that deepen a child's understanding and love of nature. While this workshop is being presented to train docents for the Sharing Nature With Children Program, it is open to any educator or parent who is interested in guiding children to more meaningful nature experiences.

The fee for this one-day program is only $12 ($10 if registered in advance). Since enrolment is limited to 28, please register early. To do so, call the Redondo Beach Dept of Recreation and Parks at 318-0610. For further information call Lillian Light at 545-1384. Reservations are advised to assure a place in the workshop.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

CBC '98! Our date with destiny is set for Saturday, Dec. 26, 1998. Come help make history with the Palos Verdes Peninsula CBC. Nationally, it is the 99th CBC, while, for us, it's number 33!

Once again, Ross Landry and Dave Bradley will handle the managerial duties and, as usual, in their efficient and practiced manner. To register to take part, call Ross (714-524-7701) or Dave (562-498-0370). If you have access to e-mail, you can reach them at: rosscoz@aol.com (Ross) or dbradley@csulb.edu (Dave). Or you can forward a message via birdfish@earthlink.net (where you should be sending your rare bird reports for inclusion in Hummin')!

In terms of the number of species seen, our count is usually in the top 25 in the nation, and we are almost always the top count in LA County. The PV CBC is well respected for the standards of excellence it has set in both reporting and documenting data. The results form the single largest running data base of PV Birds available. They are invaluable for documenting local population trends and fluctutations--sometimes, even local extinctions, such as Burrowing Owl and Roadrunner. Will Rock Wren be next in that category? On the other hand, who knows what great rarities will be discovered this year? We don't know which, only that some will be! 

IMPORTANT: Ross and Dave are looking for an intern or trainee to learn the CBC ropes. They need someone who can be a local contact for birders on the Peninsula. Since neither lives close by, a local person is needed as a phone contact, especially for last minute changes, and to help arrange, organize and scout territories. In short, a local (future) co-compiler, is needed.   Please apply to any of the above for this exciting position.

Sunday, October 18th, has been chosen as the date for the 6th Annual National BIG SIT!

Choose a spot anywhere within the state/country you wish to represent. Draw an imaginary 17-foot diameter circle at that spot and count how many birds you, or you and your teammates, can see or hear within 24 hrs while you are within that circle. Last year, 196 individuals in 48 circles, representing 32 states, counted 298 species. Those who felt competitive vied to see 1) the most birds seen within a single circle, and 2) the most birds seen from combined circles within a state.

Last year, CA came in first, with CT following and then TX.  "We need more people out there!" say the organizers. "Do your backyard. Do your favorite birding area. Bring a lawnchair, have a barbeque, fall asleep, but watch the patterns of nature from your stationary vantage point." Call John Himmelman at (860)663-3225 for more info and to register your spot. Or send e-mail to jhimmel@connix.com. You will receive the rules and regs sheet.

This time, we'll cover the nesting season, with a bit of seabirds and early fall migrants for some spice.....

We started with a cool June and July, but, in August, we paid for it with 100 degree temps. The nesting season seemed good overall, with lots of 'two-timers'--second broods if you will. The wet spring seemed to delay many first attempts, but good food availability inspired second attempts widely. Many of our local nesters could be seen with second broods in July/August.

This is the fourth year (of five) for the LA Co. Breeding Bird Atlas project, so next year will be the last to record data for this very important work. Please send reports to the Atlas project at the LACNHM, or to me for forwarding. We've got the majority of areas and species recorded, but there are still many holes to be filled. I'd like to see everyone really put forth some effort next year to fill those holes. Please let me know before winter is over if you can help. I'll direct you to some of the known misses so we won't look like bozos for missing silly stuff! On the bright side, we've already found a few species never recorded nesting in LA Co. before--right here in our circle! Below, I'll tell you about them and a couple of other exciting local breeding records.

A few Common and at least 1 Pacific Loon summered off the peninsula and in LA Harbor (LAH). Black-vented Shearwaters were back in 5-figure numbers (10,000+) by late July. That's a couple of months earlier than normal and usually indicative of nesting failure, not unusual during El Nino occurrences. Lots of Sooty and Pink-footeds also were visible from Pt. Vicente (PtV), June/August. Also, Storm-Petrels are more often seen from shore during these warm-water episodes, and Black, Ashy, and Least, were all seen in low numbers in August from Pt. Fermin (PtF) and PtV. A most unusual bird was among them, at PtF 8/8, which I think must have been a Bulwer's Petrel. A bird of that species was photographed in Monterey Bay a couple weeks earlier that will be the first irrefutable state record, although another was at the Salton Sea a couple years ago. What I saw was colored like a storm-petrel, but was twice as big, and flew like a shearwater!

A Brown Booby was seen flying north past PtV on 8/15 by Kevin Larson (KL). On the morning of 7/18 Mark Weimer (MW) saw a Magnificent Frigatebird at Alamitos Bay, while Kathy and I saw 2 juveniles together over Cabrillo Beach (CB) that afternoon. Molly Pollock, who was there 30 min. later, had 3 (!) together, probably MW's and my birds. One was seen at CB the next two days, but not thereafter. Multiples together is about a once-in-a-decade phenomenon here. They seem much rarer overall now than a few decades ago. Watching them soar effortlessly on that 7' wingspan, never flapping, is, well, MAGNIFICENT!

I saw 5 Northern Pintail at the LA River (LAR) and 2 at HP in late July, which must've summered. Did they nest? A couple of Blue-winged Teal were among the Cinnamons summering at LAR as well. A pair of Gadwall again summered at HP. They may have nested, too. At least 6 Surf Scoters summered off the peninsula. Ruddy Ducks produced very few young at HP this year. Was that because of those introduced water snakes? Or the grackles?

An Osprey was at LAR 9/7, a normal fall migrant date. I saw several juvenile Cooper's Hawks in July, likely from local nestings. Peregrine Falcons were at PtF 9/6 and LAR 9/7. Most exciting was the first confirmed recent nesting by California Quail in the Forrestal Quarry (FQ), in August, when Kathy and I found 4 adults with 5 young not 3" tall. These, as I've said before, are probably the last remnants of the true, wild PV quail, which may be biologically distinct from other mainland quail populations. This is the last stand for them, in the biggest last stand of coastal sage scrub here on the peninsula.

SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE THIS HABITAT!

Black Turnstones were back at PtF by 8/8 . Although the construction at the LAR has seemingly precluded weekday access, the area from Willow to Wardlow is still being used by the birds, with some 2000+ Western and over 1000 Least Sandpipers there in late August/early Sept. Two Baird's and one Pectoral, as well as 29 Wilson's Phalaropes, were there 9/7. Bernardo Alps had three Wilson's earlier, on 7/16. This is the ONLY place within hundreds of square miles for shorebirds to stop, rest and feed. It is a critical staging area for them on their journey of thousands of miles from the arctic nesting grounds.

Fair numbers of Pomarine and a few Parasitic Jaegers were visible from PtV, in August. Amazing was a juvenile Yellow-footed Gull sitting in the water right off Pt. Fermin rocks 8/30. Kathy and I scoped it for 10 minutes before it flew off toward the harbor and CB. The big news was the nesting of terns on the Pier 400 island under construction in LAH. The Bolsa Chica Ternery suffered heavy predation from crows, rats, and other things, so most of it moved onto this temporarily empty island and set up housekeeping. It shows the value even a few acre island could have in the harbor. Royal, Caspian, and Elegant Terns, plus Black Skimmer all nested here this year, for first county nesting records. For all the acres of past destruction and loss of habitat, is a keeping a couple of acres of this new habitat too much to ask? A Bridled Tern made a one-day stop at the Bolsa Chica ternery, in July. If accepted by the holy ones (Cal. Bird Records Committee), it will represent a new state record. Both Sandwich and Sooty Tern returned there this year, and it is likely they stopped in the LAH colony once that started.

Six juvenile Least Terns were feeding at HP on 7/25. Amazing was a number of Black Terns off Royal Palms, 8/16. There were at least 12--maybe as many as  20 birds--among a feeding frenzy of terns just offshore. This total exceeds all modern local records combined!

At least 6 Black-chinned Hummingbirds were at Madrona Marsh (MM) 9/8, indicating their migration window. An imm. Broad-tailed Hummer was at Peck Park (PP) 9/5-6 (seen by me, MH). More common than generally believed, I've seen, on average, one per year the last 9 years. People just don't look at their hummers hard enough--at least since Shirley Wells passed on 20 years ago. Downy Woodpeckers nested at HP, as usual, and the fall migrants, as usual, showed up widely in early Sept., with one each at PP, BP, MM, and Wilderness Park (WP), all between 9/5 and 9/8. Cassin's Kingbirds summered in Portuguese Bend, and probably nested. They were also at the 192nd St. Ditch (when else can you capitalize 'ditch?'), adjacent to the blimp field. A female Purple Martin was at CB 9/5, in with a Barn Swallow flock. The same day, at least 6 Bank Swallows flew over the carobs of the PP parking lot. It was the single largest flock recorded here since the species was extirpated as a nester, half-a-century ago.

The Scrub Jays at my house built nests, and failed THREE times in May and June before giving up without ANY success this year. Conversely, Crows were clearly more successful than need be. I couldn't find any Rock Wrens at FQ in July, their last known breeding site. There is still hope in the slide area up Klondike Cyn., which has harbored a pair or two in the past. We need to catch one of these birds,  measure it's bill, and pull a couple feathers for DNA analysis, before there isn't one to catch! There was a May report of a Cactus Wren on the east side of the crest in Purple Canyon. This is only the second such record in 15 years, and was probably of a bird displaced from the developments going on in their habitats on the ocean side of the crest. We should look for more of this in the future. Swainson's Thrush did NOT nest this year at HP. Robins on the other hand raised two or three broods at places like BP, HP, 192nd St. Ditch, etc. Shrikes seem to be in decline-disappearing with open fields-and, I saw fewer than normal this season.

Orange-crowned Warblers of the sordida race were nesting at BP, HP, and WP, as well as in their historical coastal sage scrub habitat in the canyons. This subspecies is clearly expanding its range and population. Yellow Warbler too did NOT nest at HP this season. Like Swainson's Thrush, it has skipped every other year this decade. A Black and White Warbler was at WP 9/8-10. A migrant Northern Waterthrush again was recorded at MM by Dave Moody  (DM), on 8/24-25. A different bird was there 9/8 (MH).

A male Western Tanager was here in Torrance 8/1, and at PP, on 9/5, over 40(!) were feeding on the ficus (is the plural fici?) fruits. An imm. Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at WP 9/8-10, with the B and W Warbler. For me, the most exciting breeding find was of the adult Chipping Sparrow attending two begging juveniles, at the spring in FQ, in late July. KL had heard one early in July on the Los Verdes Golf Course, indicating summering. Now it's confirmed. One more species breeding on the hill! Migrant Chippys were seen by 9/5, and a migrant (of course) Lark Sparrow was at LAR 9/7. Savannah Sparrow returned the first week of  Sept. as well.

A Bobolink was at MM 9/8 (MH). Both Red-wing and Tricolored Blackbirds seemed to have a good year at the normal spots--HP and LAR, where a few 'Trikes' nest. However, in May, many nesting Red-wings were again mowed out of their nests after laying eggs. Fire suppression! If it could be put off to June, the birds would be fine. Local populations of Red-wings and Western Meadowlarks have taken a beating due to this unnecessary hastiness. The cutting is done when the bushes are green and flowering, the prettiest the field will be all year! Male Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at HP 7/13 (Bob Beckler), and in the Wilmington Drain (WD) 9/8 (MH). Great-tailed Grackles were all too successful at HP. Fortunately, the birds singing and displaying in May at MM and Alondra Park did not stay to nest. But they probably will.

On the introduced bird front, both parrots and finches were conspicuous. Those black and flaming red Bishops from Africa have now nested at HP, with begging young and mom and dad all together in late July (MH & Neil Multack). More are in the WD, possibly nesting there too. The drain also hosts a small but growing colony of Nutmeg Manakins (a.k.a. Spicefinch). It was a single family four years ago, 7 birds 2 years ago, and now 10-12 birds, including fresh juveniles. In early Sept. I also had a family group in my bottlebrush at home, in Torrance! I saw my first flock (8) of Red-crowned Parrots in Torrance, on 7/10. They went down in some distant trees (may have been Brazilian Pepper) to eat (?) something. This species has long been common in the San Gabriel Valley, but other than the odd escapee, has been absent here. The Mitred Conure (parakeet) seems to be doing well, with flocks of 20+ around. Most birds are in trios at this time of year--a young one with it's two parents. In July, a 'flock' of (2) parakeets flew north past PtV, one each of the newly-split Canary-winged and Yellow-chevroned Parakeet species. Was this a true pair? All the other parrots are paired at this time of year.

It is worth pointing out how important the Forrestal Quarry bowl is, especially the little riparian area at the north end. While working on the LA Co. Breeding Bird Atlas, it quickly became apparent to me how many birds, often from far afield, come to this natural watering site, the only one within many square miles. It is an Oasis in a desert (with native Washington Fan Palms to prove it?!?).

To our wildlife, it is as critical as any oasis. It is their life blood. In this one place, I saw families of Hooded Orioles, California Quail, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Rufous-crowned, Chipping, and Song Sparrows, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch, all watering their young. A Great Horned-Owls' hoots occasionally echoed off the walls, and even a California Gnatcatcher was there. Just where else am I going to have a like opportunity? There is nothing else like the quarry bowl on the peninsula, and it deserves special protection. The birds' and all the other animals' lives depend on it!

Think global, bird local

Auduboners have been asked for assistance with tracking the migration routes of Golden and Black-bellied Plovers. Please look for birds wearing a combination of US Fish and Wildlife Service and colored bands or flags. Each pattern is unique and will allow researchers to identify specific birds. Observers are asked to note the colors and exact sequence of all bands or

flags on the bird.  It is important that we know which leg carries the particular color(s) and, where used together, whether the color band is above or below the metal band.  We are especially interested in migration routes and the locations of wintering grounds

Golden Plovers have been banded on Oahu, HI, Johnston Island, Pacific Ocean, and near Nome, AK.  Sightings are possible over vast areas including the insular Pacific, Pacific coast, and Argentina. Please send observations with as much information as possible to OSCAR JOHNSON, Dept. Biol., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717 (406-994-4548; fax 406-994-3190; e-mail owjplovers@montana.campus.mci.net) or PHILLIP BRUNER, Nat. Sci. Div., BYU-Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762 (808-293-3820; fax 808-293-3825) or ROBERT GILL, Alaska Research Center, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503 (907-786-3514; fax 907-786-3636).

Black-bellied Plovers have been banded near Nome, AK. Please send observations of marked birds, with as much information as possible to OSCAR JOHNSON, Dept. Biol., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717 (406-994-4548; fax 406-994-3190; e-mail: owjplovers@montana.campus.mci.net) or ROBERT GILL, Alaska Research Center, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503 (907-786-3514; fax 907-786-3636).

We take this opportunity to thank the many people who have given so generously to our Chapter in support of our programs. One of the most effective ways to help out is to give memberships to worthy students and others, such as Aileen Bevan and Fran Spicy-Weber did recently. We are always looking for reference materials for our YES! Program, so the dozens of nature books given by J.B. Kennedy, Bookseller, are especially welcome. When it came time to run our annual butterfly count this year, Fran contributed a dozen butterfly nets to the cause. They'll be useful for years to come, and our YES! students gave them all a fine baptism on count day. The family of Jim and Molly Fassero presented the Chapter with framed, historic photos of eagles nesting on Catalina Island, which we can display when the Harbor Park Nature Center is completed.

Somewhat belatedly, we also thank all the people who made the Conservation Awards Banquet a huge success. The Honorary Committee was made up of Jerry & Lydia Brady, Ellen Brubaker, Martin Byhower, Robert Carr, Ollie Coker & Lillian Light, Jess Morton, Neil Multack, Goldie Otters, Corie Takasane, Frances Spivy-Weber and Michael Weber. Patrons included Jerry & Lydia Brady, Shirley Borks, Bob Carr, Mitch & Kathy Heindel, Neil Multack & Sally Close, Goldie Otters, Bart & Kathy Tendick, Eugene & Shirley Turner, Mike Weber and Frances Spivy-Weber. Sponsors were Ollie Coker & Lillian Light, Hal Light, Roger Light & Lori Zaremski, Joe & Irene Slap and Renee Soiffer. YES! Student Sponsors were Sam Bloom, Martin Byhower, Bob Carr, Virgil & Cathy Hanson, Margaret Hoggan, Ron Melin, Goldie Otters, Pat Weimer and the Southern California Gas Company. Event Corporate Sponsors included The Nature Company, Rolling Hills Estates; Wild Birds Unlimited, Torrance; Borders Books; Office Depot and Torrance Crossroads. Finally, the Banquet Committee was made up of Shirley Borks, Bob Carr, Ollie Coker, Lillian Light, Jess Morton, Neil Multack, Goldie Otters, Frances Spivy-Weber, Corie Takasane and Bart Tendick, all of whom put on a fabulous show!

The current Congress has not been friendly to the environment. However, to date, not much anti-environmental legislation has been approved. Rather, Congress has resorted to loading down other bills with riders that do not receive the open-air debate that regular legislation gets. The Interior Appropriations bill is a case in point. Indeed, there has been so much vocal opposition from pro-environmental groups, like ours, that the Senate has been unable to muster the votes needed to pass its rider-laden spending bills. So, Congress has passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government until October 9. This will give legislators time to figure out what to do with the unfinished spending bills.

The Senate leadership has already begun negotiations with the House and probably the Administration over an Omnibus Appropriations bill that will wrap all the unfinished appropriations bills into one package. This process will most probably take place behind closed doors.  This is very problematic for us, as it will be easier for the anti-environmental riders to "hide" in a much larger bill. We know the congressional leadership, and others, will be itching to keep all the riders and probably add more, like Kempthorne's S. 1180 (see side-bar).

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1)  Call the White House at  (202) 456-1111 and urge President Clinton to veto every appropriations bill that contains anti-environmental riders.  Make sure the White House opposes the Kempthorne anti-ESA rider.  Remind the President of his multiple promises to veto the Interior Appropriations bill and remind him of his Statement of Administration Policy regarding the Interior Appropriations bill.

2)  Urge Senators Boxer and Feinstein to oppose Kempthorne's S. 1180 and to vote against appropriations bills, unless all anti-environmental riders have been removed. Their phone numbers are (202) 224-3553 and (202) 224-3841 respectively.

Conservationists and religious leaders are running television advertisements opposing Senator Kempthorne's (R-ID) Endangered Species Act bill, S. 1180. As noted in Hummin' before, this bill seriously weakens ESA protections and is far inferior to Rep. Miller's bill, HR 2351, which deserves our support. Unfortunately, the White House has shown a willingness to support the Kempthorne's bill.

The ad campaign is sponsored by the Endangered Species Coalition, of which Audubon is a part, and the Christian Environmental Council, and will be running on CNN and Headline News. In an ESC press release, the Christian Environmental Council's Dr. Calvin DeWitt called the ESA a "modern day Noah's ark," stating that people "are obligated to be proactive in protecting and sustaining God's creatures." The ads are being run to head off a threat that the Kempthorne bill will be attached to a senate appropriations bill as a rider.

Lots of new information about many aspects of nature has been developed over the past few years. In this article by your issue-by-issue author, Dear Reader, I'll cover not just one of the new items, but I'll give you a summary of three of the items in the latest developed information about one of life's favorite & most important topics--nature.

1. A recent scientific lecture specified that the name now used for a herd of pigs or boars is "sounder", & that such a herd is rarely not governed by a female. With the "oinks" & other noises from a sounder, the herd's name is comprehensible.

2. Phytoplankton are tiny plant organisms that serve as food for numerous marine animals. Many bits of phytoplankton are forms of algae. Tests of water samples along portions of our state's coastline have shown that the amount of iron in the water affects the quantity of phytoplankton, & thus affects the existence of marine animals that feed on it. What the scientists did was to add iron compounds to a low-phytoplankton coastal water area. After an appropriate wait, they analyzed the water & found a high increase in the phytoplankton & in its feeders, as well as changes in other chemicals such as the ratio of silicon to nitrogen compounds. Another big factor in the level of phytoplankton is that the higher the level, the more carbon is drawn into the water from the atmosphere & retained, thus lowering the atmospheric carbon, an important factor in improving the atmospheric environment. The causes of iron depletion in the water have been studied, & among the causes are oceanic upwelling, which occurs at times near Big Sur & other California offshore sites. The amounts & types of water that flows into a coastal marine location significantly affects the iron content there. Near Peru, where other tests have been made, it has been found that the lack of a continental shelf, resulting in much upwelling, plus minimal freshwater inflow due to the local environment, has greatly reduced the quantity of phytoplankton.

3. When insects eat parts of certain plants, those plants generate amounts of volatile substances from both the chewed-upon & the unchewed-upon plant tissues. The generated compounds are very special, in that they indicate where they were damaged & they also give strong clues as to the type of damaging insect. Those clues are used by certain parasitic wasps, known as parasitoids, which then know that a prey can soon be found at the plant. The species of one such wasp, which so well utilizes clues, is not S. holmes, but is C. nigriceps. Among the plants that produce the clues are tobacco, cotton & corn. There are others, too.

I recently installed a modem. I haven't yet tried the Web, but if I want Web information, I guess that I must use www.spider.com.

We take this opportunity to thank the many people who have given so generously to our Chapter in support of our programs. One of the most effective ways to help out is to give memberships to worthy students and others, such as Aileen Bevan and Fran Spicy-Weber did recently. We are always looking for reference materials for our YES! Program, so the dozens of nature books given by J.B. Kennedy, Bookseller, are especially welcome. When it came time to run our annual butterfly count this year, Fran contributed a dozen butterfly nets to the cause. They'll be useful for years to come, and our YES! students gave them all a fine baptism on count day. The family of Jim and Molly Fassero presented the Chapter with framed, historic photos of eagles nesting on Catalina Island, which we can display when the Harbor Park Nature Center is completed.

Somewhat belatedly, we also thank all the people who made the Conservation Awards Banquet a huge success. The Honorary Committee was made up of Jerry & Lydia Brady, Ellen Brubaker, Martin Byhower, Robert Carr, Ollie Coker & Lillian Light, Jess Morton, Neil Multack, Goldie Otters, Corie Takasane, Frances Spivy-Weber and Michael Weber. Patrons included Jerry & Lydia Brady, Shirley Borks, Bob Carr, Mitch & Kathy Heindel, Neil Multack & Sally Close, Goldie Otters, Bart & Kathy Tendick, Eugene & Shirley Turner, Mike Weber and Frances Spivy-Weber. Sponsors were Ollie Coker & Lillian Light, Hal Light, Roger Light & Lori Zaremski, Joe & Irene Slap and Renee Soiffer. YES! Student Sponsors were Sam Bloom, Martin Byhower, Bob Carr, Virgil & Cathy Hanson, Margaret Hoggan, Ron Melin, Goldie Otters, Pat Weimer and the Southern California Gas Company. Event Corporate Sponsors included The Nature Company, Rolling Hills Estates; Wild Birds Unlimited, Torrance; Borders Books; Office Depot and Torrance Crossroads. Finally, the Banquet Committee was made up of Shirley Borks, Bob Carr, Ollie Coker, Lillian Light, Jess Morton, Neil Multack, Goldie Otters, Frances Spivy-Weber, Corie Takasane and Bart Tendick, all of whom put on a fabulous show!

Cabrillo Beach, a collection of 17 nature poems by Jess Morton, is now available from Audubon as a fund raiser for the Audubon YES! Program. Bound in yellow leather-finish stock, and printed on marbleized paper, this 24-page book makes a handsome gift for those who enjoy poetry and/or the natural world. The cost is $6 each, ($7, including tax and mailing).

Many of these poems celebrating the natural wonders of our area have appeared in Hummin' over the last few years. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to support YES!, our youth environmental service program, which gives young people the opportunity to make a difference by improving environmental health here, where we all live.

Sharing Nature With Children:  A few people willing to spend a few hours one day a month working with high school students and children are wanted to help with our educational program at Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach. This monthly program introduces youngsters to a variety of aspects of the natural world around them in a setting which includes meadow, woodland, streamside and marsh habitats. Senior docents are wanted to oversee the work of the high school teaching teams as they lead the children through an exciting morning's activities.

If you like working with children, this is an excellent way to become involved with chapter activities. We want to expand this program to Torrance, San Pedro and other cities. High school and other students who volunteer receive Audubon YES! Award credits.

Join this exciting program by calling Lillian Light at 545-1384.

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