OCTOBER 2008 CALENDAR

GENERAL MEETING

*The pre-meeting dinner will be held at 5:15 PM at Ottavio's, 1620 Ventura Blvd in Camarillo. Ottavio's early bird menu, available from 5 to 6 PM, includes soup or salad, entree, dessert and coffee. The pre-meeting dinner is open to all who wish to attend. Please call Nobuko McClure, 805-482-0411, at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations for the pre-meeting dinner.

PROGRAM

Larry Arbanas, a bird and nature filmmaker living in Bishop, California, will present a program titled "California and Western Birds in Motion". Larry's passion for filming birds began in 1989 and has now become a full-time profession. He has shared these films at numerous California Audubon meetings and with other bird and nature-based groups. As a research associate for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, he has had access to the finest High-Definition television equipment to produce these bird movies. The resultant videos are vibrant, bright and the birds, at times, will be seen very close up. The audience will see birds filmed at Mono Lake, in Alaska, possibly birds of Florida and some close-up looks at the White-tailed kite.

The following are video links to Cornell Lab of Ornithology articles that describe Larry's recent Arizona/Mexico and Alaska expeditions:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/Birdscope/Summer2006/sky_islands.html

http://www.livingbird.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?srcid=-2&pid=271
Scroll down this page for some footage, then back up to "Features" and click on Tundra Trek and Unsafe Haven?

http://www.livingbird.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=267&srcid=315
Scroll down this page for additional footage on "Teshekpuk Lake Birds

BIRDWATCHING CLASS

Have you been frustrated trying to put a name on the small brown bird in your front yard? This class is for you! It is designed for beginners who want to recognize the birds in their own backyard, the neighborhood and many natural areas of Ventura County. The first class will be held at Conejo Valley Adult Education, the remaining classes will be field trips to the diverse habitats of Ventura County. During the first class you will be introduced to bird identification, field guides and binoculars.Binoculars will be available for your use. No need to bring a thing to class except a notebook if you wish to make notes.

Dee Lyon, Conejo Valley Audubon Society, will serve as course coordinator. She has traveled extensively in Russia, Bhutan, Africa, Brazil, Australia and beyond, even traversing the rugged terrain of Attu Island close to Russia in search of birds. In North America, she has sighted over 700 species placing her in the upper echelon of birders. Subsequent classes will be led by specialists from the Conejo Valley Audubon Society.

4 Saturdays September 27 – October18, 8:30-10:30am
Conejo Valley Adult School, Room 8,
Cost: $75 , #4931
For additional information, go to Conejo Valley Adult School's web site.

FIELD TRIPS

The public is welcome to attend any CVAS meeting or field trip. CVAS assumes no responsibility for injuries, personal or otherwise, incurred while attending a society sponsored activity and will not be held liable for such accidents. One attends at one's own risk. The times listed are departure times - please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Also, if you wish to join a carpool, please bring gas money to help defray the cost of the ride. Please call the trip leader in advance to learn of any changes to the field trip plans. Rain cancels.

October 4, Saturday, Malibu Lagoon
Leave from the Rancho Road Park & Ride at 8:00 am or meet at the Malibu Lagoon parking lot at 8:30 am (ocean side of Hwy 1). Shorebirds, herons, gulls, ducks, and marsh birds make this oasis a great spot for viewing. Rarities are often seen! Our leader is Thelma Williams @ 805-492-2796

October 9, Thursday, Beginners Bird Walk
Call Angie Kobabe @ 818-991-4055 between 9 am and 9 pm, to let her know you are coming and to learn where you are to meet. Rain cancels.

October 12,   Sunday, Cañada Larga Road 
Meet at the start of the road after the exit from Hwy 33 at 8:00 am. Bring water and lunch. Birds we will look for include black-headed and blue grosbeaks, warblers, orioles, Costa's hummingbird, Lewis woodpeckers, lazuli buntings, western bluebirds, and barn owls. Our leader is Tom Halpin @ 805-746-4598.
 
October 18, Saturday, Ormond Beach 
Leave from the Las Posas Park & Ride at 8:00 am or meet at Ormand Beach at 8:30 am at the beach end of Edison Road. We will look for shorebirds and water birds. Our leader is  Linda Easter @ 805-482-7537
 
October 26, Sunday, Ventura Settling Ponds 
Leave from the Las Posas Park & Ride at 7:45 am. These ponds are always good for many duck species plus gulls, Sora, Moorhens, grebes, herons, Common Yellowthroats, swallows, wrens. A spotting scope is very helpful. Our leader is Rich Congersky  @ 805-558-2297

SCHEDULED FIELD TRIPS FOR 2008-2009

Please confirm the dates and locations of the listed field trips using this web site or the CVAS newsletter
 
Nov 1, Sat.  Mugu Rock & Mugu Lagoon
Nov 9, Sun  Ahmanson Ranch
Nov 14, Fri   Pt Mugu Navy Base (Must reserve)
Nov 23, Sun Lake Piru & Fillmore Fish Hatchery
Nov 29, Sat  Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
 
Dec 7 , Sun  Sepulveda Basin
Dec 13, Sat  Paramount Ranch
Dec 20, Sun Saticoy Ponds
Christmas Bird Count
 
Jan 3, Sat   Sierra Vista
Jan 9, Fri Pt. Mugu Navy Base (Must Reserve)
Jan 17, Sat Santa Clara River Estuary
Jan 25, Sun Gillette Ranch
Jan 31, Sat  Malibu Lagoon
 
Feb 7, Sat.  Camino Real Park
Feb 15, Sun  Lake Casitas
Feb 21, Sat  Santa Barbara Hotspots
 
Mar 1,  Sun  Hill Canyon
Mar 7, Sat  Flower Walk
Mar 15, Sun  Rustic Canyon/Happy Camp
Mar 21, Sat  Private Property
Mar 29, Sun  Soule Park /Ojai Hotspots
 
April 5, Sun  Simi Hotspots
April 18  Sat  Sierra Vista
April 26 , Sun  Camarillo Regional Park
 
May 2 &3, Sat & Sun,  San Diego overnight
May 9, Sat  Wheeler Gorge
May 17, Sun  Malibu Creek State Park
May  30, Sat Wind Wolves Preserve
 
June 6, Sat Annual Picnic
June 13 &14  Big Bear