Birding By Sound Training “Find Your Way By What Birds Say”

Birding By Sound Training is a directed learning experience designed to help participants become more familiar with a variety of bird sounds at a variety of locations and environments. Intimate groups of 3 to 5 people are led by instructor, Claude G. Edwards, a birder and wildlife biologist with more than 40 years of experience identifying birds by their sounds.

 Birding By Sound Training consists of three training days scheduled a week apart, lasting 3 to 4 hours each.

Participants learn to focus attention, listen, and identify birds by their sounds as they are encountered. This will be enhanced by review of widely-used bird field guides, and also bird sound apps if you have them.

 Familiarity and confidence with bird sounds will grow with each training day, building to the fourth and final day when the roles are reversed and the participants put into action what they have learned by taking turns leading the group.

Birding By Sound Training is based on a learn-as-you-go approach. Participant will actively takenotes on the sounds that are selected and discussed, from 20 to 30 species each day. These notes will be transcribed and reviewed prior to the next field day. Everyone is welcome to bring their own binoculars.

 Birding By Sound Training locations are easily accessible places with good dirt and/or paved trails, paths, and roads situated within and adjacent to a variety of environments and habitats.

Dates and Locations, May 2012 Sunday, beginning at 8AM      May 06 – Pine Creek Park Trail     May 13 – Mission Dam & Lake Kumeyaay     May 20 – Ramona Grassland Preserve     May 27 – San Elijo Lagoon test day

The cost for this unique learning opportunity is only $200 per person, for all 4 field days.

Future Birding By Sound Training will be on diufferent days and at different locations

 For further information, contact Claude G. Edwards at (619) 822-8687, or at keps1@flite-tours.com

‘Field:Lectures’ is a program of FLITE Tours, Inc., established in 1996

Nature Knowledge Workshop 2012 is coming!

It is time once again to plan for this year's Nature Knowledge Workshop. This year will be our 35th year holding this terrific event. This year we will be presenting the NKW on June 8 -10. Come and join us. A good time is guaranteed for all. To register for this year's NKW Cick Here. 

As always, we mix the outdoors with fun and education. Come take a walk with our naturalists and learn the name of the plants and animals of the laguna Mountains. Attend our evening workshops coving wildlife, conservation, native plants, native cultures, astronomy, and more. Camp out amongst the trees or sleep in the bunkrooms of the Sierra Club's scenic Foster Lodge. And of course, we feed you six wholesome and hearty meals during the weekend.  

There's more to learn and experience at the NKW than anyone can do in an entire weekend. Come on back if you've joined us before. We can't wait to see you there!

Upcoming Events at the Foster Lodge

Maintenance Work Party November 18, 19, & 20 

The second Fall 2011 Work Party is scheduled for the weekend of November 18, 19, & 20. Please RSVP. 

The Chapter will provide tools and supplies, including meals. All you need do is bring gear for a simple bunkhouse sleep over, clothes you do not mind getting dirty, and a healthy attitude toward manual labor. Volunteers with special power tools, equipment, or pick-up trucks are requested to contact the work party leader. RSVP to jwstump@cox.net or 619-281-4688 so he can plan food, accommodations, and tasks. Work party leaders will help set up car pools; but participants must make and confirm the actual arrangements. 

Unless there are special circumstances, work parties meet Saturday morning after breakfast at Foster Lodge on Mt. Laguna. You can stay overnight Friday and get your breakfast at no charge. Work begins at 8 AM on Saturday morning. The group usually works until mid-afternoon Saturday, and then breaks for a little recreation. Work resumes after breakfast on Sunday and continues until early afternoon. The work party breaks up in time for return to home at a reasonable hour. 

As with all Sierra Club outdoor activities, volunteers must sign an Acknowlegement of Risk and Liability Waiver Form that will be provided on-site. in the case of minors, a parent/guardian must sign the form. Volunteer Vouchers will also be available on-site. 

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Work Party, Steward Host Training, & Holiday Party December 2, 3, & 4 

The Winter 2011 Work Party, Steward Training, and Holiday Dinner is scheduled for the weekend of December 2, 3, & 4. If you would like to volunteer and help out, please contact John Stump atjwstump@cox.net or 619-281-4688. RSVP's are encouraged. 

Steward Training to be able to host for 2012 will be held December 3, 2011 and June 23, 2012. Steward training is part of the processes used to qualify Sierra Club members to host the Foster Lodge and Cabin for the 2012 program year. Steward qualification is a combination of formal training, hands on shadowing with a qualified host Steward, and participation in annual work parties and tasks. Sierra Club members who have hosted in the past year will be credited with past service as a portion of the qualifications for 2012. Steward training is offered twice a year - once in December and in June. 

The Winter 2011 event provides for a Friday, December 2nd (9AM-3PM) work party, a Saturday, December 3rd (9AM-3PM) Steward Training for Sierra Club members that would like to host in 2012, a Saturday Holiday Dinner & Party (5PM-10PM). 

On Sunday, December 4th the Mt. Laguna committee will meet from (9AM-11AM) and the Executive Committee will convene it's December meeting at (11AM). These meetings are open to interested members. 

The Chapter will provide tools and supplies, including meals. RSVP to jwstump@cox.net or 619-281-4688 so he can plan food, accommodations, and tasks. 

The work parties meet Friday morning after breakfast at Foster Lodge on Mt. Laguna. You can stay overnight Thursday and get your breakfast at no charge. Work begins at 9 AM on Friday morning. The group usually works until mid-afternoon Friday, and then breaks for a little recreation. 

The Holiday Dinner and Party begin at 5PM on Saturday. Persons are invited to bring a holiday desert or snack and BYOB. A Secret Santa exchange is held, during the Saturday party; so please bring a small $5-$10 dollar wrapped gift to exchange. 

Insect Walk at the Bixby Marshland

On Saturday, May 7th, Biologist and NKW Instructor, Emile Fiesler will lead a walk on the Bixby Marshland, starting at 10 am.
The Bixby Marshland is a relatively new wetland preserve that has been created by restoration efforts around the existing Bixby Slough.

The topic of the walk is insects and other invertebrates.

Learn about beetles, dragonflies, butterflies and more!

Everyone is welcome and there is no advanced registration, nor entrance fee, required.

For more information or to RSVP, please call
562-908-4288, Ext. 2303

BIXBY MARSHLAND
Near the intersection of Figueroa Street and Sepulveda Blvd., Carson

Wildlife Conservationist Certification Training

Renee Owens:

It is announced in this month’s Hi Sierran, page 9 or for more information you can also read about it here on San Diego Audubon’s website. If all goes well, we will be offering this program annually.

http://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/events.htm#certtraining

March 30, Apr 6, Apr 13, and Apr 27 from 6-9pm.  Saturday field trips will take place on Apr 2, Apr 9, Apr 16, and Apr 30.