Natural History Wanderings | Sandy Steinman's Blog | Page 320

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 24, 2018

Trump’s Solar Imports Decision Endangers Climate, American Jobs

Center For Biological Diversity News Release

WASHINGTON— President Trump moved today to impose tariffs on solar panel imports to help two solar manufacturers that claimed imports are making their products uncompetitive.

The decision follows recommendations to levy tariffs on solar technology imported from China made by the International Trade Commission in late November 2017. The recommendations faced overwhelming opposition from the rest of the solar industry. Trump’s 30 percent tariff will drastically hamper American solar markets.

“This reckless decision will threaten tens of thousands of American jobs and hurt our climate,” said Howard Crystal, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. “If Trump really wants to put America first, he should reduce our reliance on polluting energy sources that fuel climate change. Instead, this profoundly political move will make solar power more expensive for everyday Americans while propping up two failing, foreign-owned companies.”

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Posted in Environment | Tags: Economy, Jobs, Solar energy

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 23, 2018

Mt. Burdell Early Blooms 1/22/18

The Marin CNPS Facebook page reports that early season blooms on Mt. Burdell include Peppergrass, Little Blenosperma, and Star Lily.

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Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Wildflowers, Mt. Burdell Wildflowers, Wildflower Bloom Reports

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 23, 2018

Birding North Berkeley 1/23/18

Today I did street birding in the North Berkeley flatlands. We went from Gilman St. to Strawberry Creek Park along the Ohlone Greenway, through Cedar Rose Park and included a number of side streets. We found 27 species. Unusual for this area was a Stellar Jay, which are usually found closer to the Berkeley Hills. Also of interest was a Western Bluebird pecking at itself in a car window and mirror and good looks at Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and Cedar Waxwings.

Click Read more to see bird list

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Posted in Birding Reports, Birds | Tags: Bird report, Birding North Berkeley, Birds

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 23, 2018

Australia’s Firehawks

National Geographic has a story entitled “Why These Birds Carry Flames In Their Beaks”

Australia’s indigenous peoples have long observed “firehawks” spreading wildfires throughout the country’s tropical savannas.

Australia is no stranger to fire: The hardy landscape is adapted to blazes, enduring many thanks to humans and lightning. But Australia’s Aboriginal peoples have long identified a third cause: birds.

In interviews, observations, and ceremonies dating back more than a century, the indigenous peoples of Australia’s Northern Territory maintain that a collective group of birds they call “firehawks” can control fire by carrying burning sticks to new locations in their beaks or talons.

Read full story at “Why These Birds Carry Flames In Their Beaks”

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Posted in Birds | Tags: Firehawks

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 22, 2018

Early Desert Wildflower Reports 1/22/18

DesertUSA reports

Anza- Borrego: A few wildflowers are starting to bloom in Anza Borrego. Rain is forecasted for central California later this week.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve reports: Currently, we are only up to 1.7 inches of rain at the reserve, all from the January storm. We are not expecting a big bloom this year because of the late start. The first leaves of a few wildflowers are just beginning to come up.

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Posted in Desert, Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Antelope Valley Wildflowers, Anza-Borrego Wildflowers, California Wildflowers, Desert Wildflowers

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 22, 2018

How Global Warming May Threaten Monarch Butterflies

The Washington Post reported on the delayed migration of Monarch Butterflies that is possibly created by climate change

This delayed migration is not normal, and it alarmed monarch researchers across the country. The Cape May stragglers were only a sliver of the record number of monarchs reported in the Northeast in November and December — news that sounded good initially to conservationists. But seeing butterflies so far north so late in the year suggested that few of these latecomers would reach their Mexican wintering grounds. Scientists fear that climate change is behind what they’re calling the latest monarch migration ev er recorded in the eastern United States, and they worry that rising temperatures pose a new threat to a species that saw its population hit record lows in recent years.

Read full story Monarch butterflies face possible threat from global warming – The Washington Post

Posted in Butterflies, Environment | Tags: Monarch Butterfly Migration Threats

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 21, 2018

Concern Over New Interpretation Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Center for Conservation Biology News Release

Center for Conservation Biology expresses concern over new interpretation of Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Bryan Watts, the director of the Center for Conservation Biology, has dedicated much of his professional life to keeping birds safe. Now, he’s worried that a new federal interpretation of a century-old law will result in the deaths of millions of birds.

A 41-page memo issued just before Christmas by Daniel Jorjani, a deputy solicitor in the U.S. Department of the Interior, essentially changes the focus of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) by stating the DOI will only prosecute in the event of birds killed purposefully.

Posted in Birds | Tags: Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 20, 2018

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Recognized Dark-Sky Park

Anza- Borrego News Release

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Recognized as an International Dark-Sky Park

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks proudly announces the designation of Anza- Borrego Desert State Park (Anza-Borrego) as an International Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

Located on the eastern side of San Diego County, with portions extending east into Imperial County and north into Riverside County, Anza-Borrego is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt road, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California Desert.

“This is exciting news for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to be recognized as a dark-sky park,” said Acting District Superintendent Norbert Ruhmke. “We made improvements to our light fixtures not only to better protect the wildlife, but also for our visitors to enjoy the beauty the desert has to offer at night.”

Long considered a premier site for stargazing, Anza-Borrego offers regular night sky interpretive programming. Monthly stargazing and moon-watching programs give visitors opportunities to learn about features of the night sky, the importance of darkness, and the steps the park is taking to protect dark skies. In recent years, Anza-Borrego has retrofitted light fixtures and replaced bright white lights with more dark-sky friendly amber lights. The new light fixtures create less light pollution, and have a smaller negative effect on wildlife.

Anza-Borrego’s commitment to protecting and interpreting its dark night skies was a factor in IDA’s official designation as a dark-sky park. The designation as a “Silver-Tier” park recognizes the very dark skies over most of the park, while acknowledging the presence of relatively small domes of light pollution near the horizon, from the surrounding urban areas of Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and El Centro.

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Posted in Astronomy, Park | Tags: Anza Borrego, Dark Sky Park

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 19, 2018

A New Major Threat To U.S. National Parks

The NY Times reports on a deceptive piece of legislation whose main intent is not to created park land but to take away protections from the National Parks

Members of Utah’s congressional caucus, not content with eviscerating two national monuments in the state, have unleashed a new assault on public lands, proposing legislation that hides an agenda of deregulation behind the shield of the National Park Service and the beloved park system it oversees.

Read article at A Trojan Horse Threatens the Nation’s Parks – The New York Times

Posted in Park, Uncategorized | Tags: Threat To U.S. National Parks

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 19, 2018

2018 Is Year Of The Bird

From Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Welcome to the Year of the Bird

We’ve joined with National Geographic, National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, and more than 100 organizations to declare 2018 the Year of the Bird. Coinciding with the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s ratification, it’s a great moment to pledge to do one thing per month to help birds. To kick off the year, we’ve collected six resolutions to help you #BirdYourWorld in 2018.

Why Birds Matter. That’s the topic of a National Geographic article by novelist and birder Jonathan Franzen. He joined Cornell Lab director John Fitzpatrick and Audubon’s David O’Neill for a conversation with NPR’s OnPoint radio show. Listen here.

Posted in Birds | Tags: Year Of The Bird

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 18, 2018

Waterbird Festival 1/27/18

Waterbird Festival

January 27th, 2018
Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
10:00 AM to 3:30PM

Celebrate scaups, scoters, cormorants and more at the Waterbird Festival. Join us for naturalist-led bird walks, exclusive field trips, and fun bird-themed activities. Bring a pair of binoculars or use our spotting scopes to see the waterbirds that call Richardson Bay home.

There’s so much to see and do at the festival. Check out the events below and RSVP today!

Review the event schedule below and then click here to register.

Off-Site

7:30 to 9:00 AM – Morning Bird Walk with Rich Cimino
Piper Park in Larkspur, Limited Space Available

9:00 to 11:00 AM – Bird Walk with Golden Gate Audubon Society
Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda, Limited Space Available

10:30 to 1:30 PM – Boat Trip in Richardson Bay with Outer Limits
Limited Space Available, $55 per person

At Richardson Bay Audubon Center – 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Spotting Scopes on Lyford Porch
Lyford House Open House
Art Exhibition in Lyford House

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Waterbird and Gull Identification with Peter Pyle Workshop
Limited Space Available, $20 per person

10:30 to 11:30 AM – Audubon Staff Led Bird Walks
Limited Space Available

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Birding Basics Class (Family and Youth Friendly) with Rich Cimino
Limited Space Available

Beginning at 11:00 AM Food truck, beer garden, and bluegrass music from Blue Summit!

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Exhibitors on Lyford Porch

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Bilingual (Spanish) Bird Walk with WildCare
Limited Space Available

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM — Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Limited Space Available

12:30 to 1:30 PM – Native Plant Nursery Work – Family-friendly and youth oriented

Festival Speaker Series – (Located in Blue Classroom)

1:00 – 1:40 PM	Max Tarjan – Waterbird Program Director San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory	Overview of SFBBO Waterbird Program
1:45 – 2:25 PM	Heather Robinson – Scientist, Farallon Institute	Seabird Monitoring on Alcatraz Island
2:30 – 3:15 PM	Bob Lewis, Bay Area Birder and Lecturer	Supper for Sandpipers – Where and How Shorebirds Dine

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Posted in Birds | Tags: Waterbird Festival

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 17, 2018

California Attorney General Confronts Offshore Drilling

The NY Times has an op-ed by the California Attorney General Xavier Becerra “Florida Isn’t the Only State That Will Be Hurt by Offshore Drilling” that discusses the Trump Administration’s decision to open up off shore drilling for oil and the arbitrary exemption given to Florida

One of the most brazen attacks on the rule of law by the Trump administration — and we’ve seen many — came last week after the Interior Department opened up 90 percent of America’s offshore waters to drilling for oil and gas, and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke arbitrarily gave Florida a free pass.

Read Full editorial at Florida Isn’t the Only State That Will Be Hurt by Offshore Drilling

Posted in Environment | Tags: Offshore Drilling

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 17, 2018

Mass Resignation At U.S. National Park Service Advisory Board

NPR reports

Three-quarters of the seats on the U.S. National Park Service advisory board are vacant following a mass resignation Monday night, citing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s unwillingness to meet with them.

Nine of the panel’s 12 members, led by former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles, handed in their resignations. The bipartisan panel was appointed by President Barack Obama and the terms of all members who quit were set to expire in May.

Read full article at Majority Of National Park Service Board Resigns, Citing Administration Indifference

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Posted in Park | Tags: U.S. National Park Service Advisory Board

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 17, 2018

2017 Backyard Bird Photo Contest Winners

See the winning photos from the 2017 BAckyard Bird Photo Contest at 2017 Photo Contest Winners | GBBC

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Posted in Birds, Photography | Tags: Bird Photography

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 16, 2018

Birding Green Cay Wetlands 1/15/18

Yesterday I was in South Florida and went birding at Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County. Green Cay Wetlands is the old Green Cay Farm that was owned by Ted and Trudy Winsberg. When the farms around them were being converted into housing developments they preferred to restore their land to open prairie with wetland similar to how it had been previous to farming.

There is a 1.5-mile elevated boardwalk through the wetland and a nature center. It is an excellent area to see birds, alligators, turtles, and rabbits. Here is the visitor’s center Bird Checklist and Bird Counts links (which include monthly and often weekly bird counts starting on April 2007 and going through 2010).

I identified 24 bird species, three Alligators and and several turtles

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Click read more to see bird list

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Posted in Birding Reports, Birds, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Birding Green Cay Wetlands

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 16, 2018

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 1/15/18

Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for January 15, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

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Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Wildflowers, Henry W. Coe State Park, Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 16, 2018

How Baby Owls Sleep Without Falling Out Of Trees

Audubon answers the question of “How Baby Owls Nap Without Falling From Their Trees” Find out at How Baby Owls Nap Without Falling From Their Trees | Audubon

Posted in Birds | Tags: How Owls Sleep Without Falling Out of Trees

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 15, 2018

Reminder Muir Woods Parking and Shuttle Reservations Required Starting Jan. 16

To better protect Muir Woods’ extraordinary natural resources and improve visitor experiences and safety, the National Park Service will require reservations for vehicle parking and shuttle seats, beginning Jan. 16, 2018.

A new reservation system—for parking and for seats on the Muir Woods Shuttle—will be in place starting Jan. 1, 2018 (see FAQs below). Beginning on Jan. 16, visitors who wish to park their private vehicle at Muir Woods or ride the shuttle will be required to have a reservation. Reservations can be made online or by phone starting Jan. 1. (visit gomuirwoods.com or call 1-800-410-2419).

Source: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. For more information go to NPS to Require Muir Woods Parking and Shuttle Reservations Starting Jan. 16

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Posted in Park | Tags: Muir Woods Requires Parking Reservations, Muir Woods Requires Shuttle Reservations

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 14, 2018

Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers 1/14/18

Homestead Valley Land Trust reports on January 14

NEW
– Fetid adder’s tongue, one of our most exotic blooms is showing its first flowers now.
– Green wattle acacia tree native to Australia is starting to bloom with its bright yellow puff flowers.

Forests
Starting
– Scotch broom, native to Western Europe, one of the most aggressive invaders of our meadows is blooming with its yellow pea flowers. Pull it before it goes to seed if you can.
– Tasmanian blue gum, is blooming white high in the huge eucalyptus trees.
– Coast live oak blooms with pink tassels.
– California bay laurel, our most common native tree’s blooms have a delicate vanilla scent.

See map and photos at Homestead Valley Land Trust

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Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Wildflowers, Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers, Wildflower Bloom Reports

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 14, 2018

Is Noise Pollution Giving Birds PTSD?

The Washington Post reports on the impact of noise pollution on birds

“Noise is causing birds to be in a situation where they’re chronically stressed . . . and that has really huge health consequences for birds and their offspring,” said Rob Guralnick, associate curator of biodiversity informatics at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

It would be a stretch to say noise hurts birds’ mental health — the animals have not been evaluated by an avian psychologist. But in a paper published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Guralnick and his colleagues say there is a clear connection between noise pollution, abnormal levels of stress hormones, and lower survival rates. This is the first time that link has been established in a population of wild animals, they argue, and it should make us all think hard about what our ruckus is doing to the Earth.

Read full story at Some birds are so stressed by noise pollution it looks like they have PTSD – The Washington Post

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Posted in Birds | Tags: Noise Pollution and Birds

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 13, 2018

Old-growth Forests May Protect Some Bird Species From Warming Climate

Oregon State University News Release

Complex, old-growth forests may protect some bird species in a warming climate

Old forests that contain large trees and a diversity of tree sizes and species may offer refuge to some types of birds facing threats in a warming climate, scientists have found.

In a paper published today in Diversity and Distributions, a professional journal, researchers in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University reported that the more sensitive a bird species is to rising temperatures during the breeding season, the more likely it is to be affected by being near old-growth forest.

Posted in Environment | Tags: Birds and Climate Change, Climate change, Old Growth Forests

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 12, 2018

Anza-Borrego $10 Day Use Fee

If you are going to Anza-Borrego this year be aware there is now a$10 day use fee on Friday through Sunday and holidays

California State Parks began collecting day use fees at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitor center on November 3, 2017. Day Use fee is $10 per vehicle and will be collected on Fridays through Sundays and holidays. The day use fee ticket is valid at any State Park in the Colorado Desert District or the State Park System for the date of purchase.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 12, 2018

Free Admission To Redwood Parks – 2nd Saturday Every Month In 2018

Save The Redwoods announces

Check out this great opportunity for the upcoming weekend and every second Saturday in 2018! #Stand4Redwoods#FreeRedwoodsDays

Happy Birthday to us – we’re turning 100 this year! To celebrate a century of saving California’s iconic redwood forest, the League and #CAStateParks are offering free day-use admission to more than 40 redwood state parks on the 2nd Saturday of each month in 2018. Get your free pass for this Sat., January 13 and take a #Stand4Redwoods! http://www.FreeRedwoodsDays.org #FreeRedwoodsDays

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Posted in Park | Tags: Free Admission To Redwood Parks

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 12, 2018

Feds Move to Strip Lynx of Endangered Species Act Protections

WildEarth Guardians News Release

Feds Move to Strip Lynx of Endangered Species Act Protections

MISSOULA, Mont. — Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its intent to begin the process to remove Endangered Species Act protections for imperiled Canada lynx in the contiguous U.S. This move by one of the most anti-wildlife, anti-science, climate-denying administrations in American history shows a vicious indifference toward this iconic North American big cat’s continued existence in the lower 48 states. Stripping protections would be extremely risky for the survival of Canada lynx in the contiguous U.S. in the face of ongoing and emerging threats. Scientists estimate the lynx population across the lower 48 states at a perilously low 2,000 individuals.

The species and its habitat are threatened by climate change, logging, development, motorized access and trapping, which disturb and fragment the snow cat’s habitat. Canada lynx rely heavily on snowshoe hare, and like their preferred prey, are specially adapted to living in mature boreal forests with dense cover and deep snowpack.

Posted in Animals | Tags: Canada Lynx, Endangered species

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 11, 2018

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 1/10/18

Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for January 10, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

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Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Wildflowers, Henry W. Coe State Park, Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 11, 2018

Endangered Species Act Success Story

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

Endangered Species Act Success: Oregon Fish Recovered, Proposed for Delisting

PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed removing Endangered Species Act protections from the Foskett speckled dace, a rare Oregon fish that has recovered with protection under the Act.

“The Endangered Species Act has saved Oregon’s unique Foskett speckled dace, just like it saved the bald eagle and hundreds of other species across the country,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I’m thrilled this little fish will be around for future generations, and I plan to go see it myself as soon as I can.”

Posted in Animals | Tags: Endangered Species Act

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2018

Death Valley Rainfall

Death Valley National Park reports

this weekend was the only rain we’ve gotten since July.

Altogether we’ve gotten .54 in in the last 2 days. This is very late rain, which means the flower forecast is not good 😦

Posted in Desert | Tags: Death Valley Rainfall

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2018

Anza-Borrego Rain Totals 1/9/18

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association reports on Jan. 9, 2018 Rain in Borrego Springs

The winter storm that brought heavy rainfall to the coastal areas and mountains has also given Borrego Springs the first rain of the winter season. Rainfall in January and February is the main driver of spring flowers.

According to data from the ABDSP weather station https://wrcc.dri.edu/weather/ucab.html .94 inches of rain were recorded in the past 24 hours. That’s a good January rainfall for Borrego Springs.

For comparison, the same weather station recorded a total of 2.53 inches of rain during all of January 2017 and another 1.99 inches in February of 2017. The flower season cannot be predicted from one rainfall, but the rain during the last 24 hours was a good start to the winter season.

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Posted in Desert | Tags: Anza Borrego State Park Rain Fall

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 10, 2018

Snowy Owl Classified Vulnerable For First time

Birdlife reports

One of the more eye-catching updates in the 2017 IUCN Red List paints a worrying picture for one of the world’s most familiar species. The Snowy Owl, an Arctic-nesting species with a range that spans the northern hemisphere, has been classed as Vulnerable for the first time.

Read more at Snowy Owl faces frosty future: classed as Vulnerable for the first time | BirdLife

Posted in Birds | Tags: Snowy Owls Classified Vulnerable

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 9, 2018

Blake Garden Photos

Today I went to Blake Garden to do photography. I decided to work more on composition and less on closeups so I did something unusual. I did not use my macro lens at all. However, I couldn’t resist one closeup when I saw the raindrops a flowers

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Blake Garden is in Kensington and is relatively unknown as it is only open to the public on weekdays. To learn more about Blake Garden read my posting A Secret Garden – Blake

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Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Blake Garden, Kensington California

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