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No salesman will call, at least not from us. Maybe from someone else.
We look for the local Great Horned Library-Owl, a most erudite fellow and friend of Pooh.
Huntington [Beach] Central Park is a well-known Autumn trap for all our western migrant songbirds.
But wait, there’s more! Every year the park hosts small numbers of stray flycatchers, vireos, sparrows and warblers from the eastern U.S.
And more! It also has resident exotics like Scaly-breasted Munia (aka Nutmeg Mannikin & Spice Finch) Lonchura punctulata, Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda, Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus, and Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura. Anything can happen!
NOTE: SIGNUP WITH LEADER IS NECESSARY. IN CASE OF NO SIGNUPS, THE TRIP IS CANCELLED.
Pin-tailed Whydah, normally found in Africa.
Leader: Liz Galton egalton[AT]ucla.edu
Family Guide: 1-2 miles of walking on paved & crushed granite pathways and on lawn.
Google Map to Huntington Central Park
Directions to Park [17775 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach 92647]
From Santa Monica – 42 miles, allow 1 hour.
Take SAN DIEGO FWY (I-405), exit on GOLDEN WEST ST. Go south about 3 miles to SLATER AVE. Turn left on SLATER AVE, then about 100 yds to parking lot on right. Meet in parking lot.
Theodore Payne Native Plant Sale: Thu-Sat, 25-27 October, 2018
Hummingbird Sage & Canyon Sunflower
(Jean Garrett May 2011)
Nearly all local aficionados of California native plants know that Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants is one of the best sources around. Stock up on now on stuff to replace your lawn. Their Open-to-All fall sale starts soon. You can join for $30/year and get additional discounts right away. This is from their email posting:
Just in time for planting season!
The region’s largest and most interesting selection of California flora.
Hundreds of different easy-to-grow plants and collector’s items, including manzanitas, sages and other fabulous natives – most grown onsite by TPF’s propagation crew – with expert advice from TPF staff and volunteers.
Look for many plants in large sizes, plus a wide array of native seed and bulbs.
Thursday-Saturday, October 25-27, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Member Discounts: 15% off plants, seeds and bulbs
Non-member Discounts: 10% off plants, seeds and bulbs
Not yet a member? Join at the door!
Summer Hours July 1 – October 31: Thursday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Winter Hours November 1 – June 30: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
[Chuck Almdale]
They may be dressed in black, but crow funerals aren’t the solemn events that we hold for our dead. These birds cause a ruckus around their fallen friend. Are they just scared, or is there something deeper going on?
This is another installment of the PBS Deep Look series; this installment is adapted from the “It’s OK to be Smart” series. If no film or link appears in this email, go to the blog to view it by clicking on the blog title above. If the film stops & starts in an annoying manner, press pause (lower left double bars ||) to let it buffer and get ahead of you. [Chuck Almdale]
We look for the local Great Horned Library-Owl, a most erudite fellow and friend of Pooh.
Huntington [Beach] Central Park is a well-known Autumn trap for all our western migrant songbirds.
But wait, there’s more! Every year the park hosts small numbers of stray flycatchers, vireos, sparrows and warblers from the eastern U.S.
And more! It also has resident exotics like Scaly-breasted Munia (aka Nutmeg Mannikin & Spice Finch) Lonchura punctulata, Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda, Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus, and Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura. Anything can happen!
NOTE: SIGNUP WITH LEADER IS NECESSARY. IN CASE OF NO SIGNUPS, THE TRIP IS CANCELLED.
Pin-tailed Whydah, normally found in Africa.
Leader: Liz Galton egalton[AT]ucla.edu
Family Guide: 1-2 miles of walking on paved & crushed granite pathways and on lawn.
Google Map to Huntington Central Park
Directions to Park [17775 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach 92647]
From Santa Monica – 42 miles, allow 1 hour.
Take SAN DIEGO FWY (I-405), exit on GOLDEN WEST ST. Go south about 3 miles to SLATER AVE. Turn left on SLATER AVE, then about 100 yds to parking lot on right. Meet in parking lot.
Native Plant Sale Reminder: 10am – 3pm, October 13-14, 2018
Here’s a message from the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society
Native Plant Celebration & Symposium, Wildflower Show & Plant Sale
Saturday-Sunday, October 13-14, 2018 – 10 am – 3 pm
Member Pre-Sale at 9:30 am -10 am Saturday only
All CNPS members get 10% off plants & books*
Sepulveda Garden Center
16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, CA 91436
Website: Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mtns. Chapter of California Native Plant Society
We will have an expanded selection this year – with a focus on species that can survive in our hot and dry climate – there is a plant that can fill your garden’s needs. Many native plants can survive quite well with natural rainfall once they get established. Items for sale include perennial wildflowers, irises, mints, sages, berries, hummingbird and butterfly plants, shrubs, perennials, and trees. A diverse selection of wildflower seeds will be available for purchase. Also for sale are new and used natural history and native gardening books, activity books for children, field guides, and posters. Refreshments and lunch will be available for purchase.
During the sale, experienced CNPSers can assist you in selecting plants that are suitable for your garden! Proceeds from the plant sale help support the activities of the Los Angeles / Santa Monica Mountains Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
*To receive member discount, CNPS members must show CNPS ID card*
Native insects and birds love native plants (Roxie Seider 10-29-16)
[Chuck Almdale]
Dance: and the Birds-of-Paradise | Cornell / National Geographic
The bizarre dances of birds-of-paradise aren’t mere flights of fancy. Young males inherit those dance steps from their fathers, then refine them through practice and watching adults. Less obvious but equally important are the watchful females—look for them in these video clips. It’s ultimately their choices that decide which dances reach the next generation. The Cornell Lab’s Ed Scholes explains. Filmed and photographed by Tim Laman.
There are currently seventy-two short films in the entire Birds-of-Paradise Project playlist, ranging from 26 seconds to 8:29. In the upcoming weeks, we will present some of our favorites.
A film from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If no film or link appears in this email, go to the blog to view it by clicking on the blog title above. If the film stops & starts in an annoying manner, press pause (lower left double bars ||) to let it buffer and get ahead of you. [Chuck Almdale]
