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always for the community VOL 25 NO 6
October 2020
www.valleysentinel.com
SPOTLIGHT
Danville Major General receives award By Mike Conklin, Sentinels of Freedom
By Order of The Secretary of the Army, Major General Ronald Lowe U.S. Army Ret. has been Awarded the High Honor of “Distinguished Member of the Civil Affairs Regiment of the United States Army”. See AWARD
ECRWSS
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
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On October 14, Save Mt. Diablo will present a special virtual event, Ecopsychology and How to Reconnect with Nature, Part 1. This two part series explores understanding the connection between the human species and the natural world (plants, animals, elements). For more information see the event description on page 3.
Audubon’s Warbler (Setophaga auduboni) may be seen in your neighborhood
Postmaster: Dated Material
By James M. Hale
During late September and early October, the calls of three of our avian winter visitors; Audubon’s Warbler, White-crowned Sparrows, and Goldencrowned Sparrows, herald the coming of fall. Audubon’s Warbler (Setophaga auduboni) is the western counterpart to the eastern, Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata), collectively known as the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The two species have been classified through the years as separate species, as well as conspecifics. They most likely diverged during the last ice age, when the populations were divided by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. In 1973, the American Ornithologist’s Union recognized the Audubon’s Warbler and the Myrtle Warbler as a single species, with the discovery of a hybrid zone in Western Canada between the two forms. Therefore, Audubon’s Warbler is a subspecies of the Yellow-rumped
Warbler (Setophaga coronata auduboni). It has a westerly distribution from Western Canada, down through the Western United States, and into Mexico. It is migratory to avoid inclement weather in the north, wintering from the southern portion of its breeding range, into Western Central America. The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the most abundant and widespread wood-warbler in North America. Audubon’s Warbler is an attractive bird, with breeding males looking resplendent with bright, yellow crowns, throats, rumps, and flank patches. The slate-blue back, black-streaked breast, and white tail patches provide contrast. Females are more brownish in color. Mixed evergreen and coniferous forests, from sea level to around 11,000
feet, are preferred breeding habitats, where males signal for females with their warbling whistle. Four or five eggs are laid in a cup-shaped nest, protected and anchored in a tree notch. Incubation is for two weeks. Although the nestlings are helpless at hatching, after two weeks of brooding and parental care, the young fledge and begin to forage for themselves. Audubon’s Warbler is insectivorous, Feeding birds hawk, hover, and glean vegetation for insects. They sometimes consume berries. During winter, Audubon’s Warbler may form small flocks, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including along urban streets and in suburban backyards, where they may be frequently observed throughout Contra Costa County. The sharp
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chip or chet vocalization is diagnostic. Audubon’s Warbler will winter locally until spring migration, when birds disperse north to their breeding habitat. It has been suggested that climate change poses a serious threat to future Yellow-rumped Warbler populations. James M. Hale is a wildlife biologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant based in Contra Costa County. Please visit his website at www.dochale.com
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