Farallon Islands Pelagic Trip: Sunday, August  7, 2011

Aboard: Superfish with Shearwater Journeys
Departs from Emeryville at  7:30 AM, Returning approximately 3-4 PM
Leaders: Debi Shearwater & some very special guest leaders
Boat Fee: $129 GGBA members (non-refundable), $152 non-members; fuel surcharge not included.
Reservations: Send payment to Debi Shearwater, POB 190, Hollister, CA 95024
Contact: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

This is a fabulous pelagic trip to the unique breeding seabird colonies of the Farallon Islands. Our main target seabird is the Tufted Puffin, but we shall also see many other seabirds, as well as whales. Dolphins are possible, too. Last year’s trip saw Black-footed Albatross; Northern Fulmar; Sooty, Pink-footed and Buller’s Shearwaters; Ashy, Black and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels; Pomarine, Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers; Pigeon Guillemot; Xantus’ Murrelet; Cassin’s and Rhinoceros Auklets, and, of course, Tufted Puffins! Whales included: Blue, Minke, Humpback and Gray. This trip always sells out, weeks in advance. Please make your reservations as soon as possible by sending a check to Debi Shearwater. Please note: your check confirms your reservation. Be sure to include the names, addresses and phone/email for each person in your party. You will receive a return confirmation letter by snail mail.

Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trips with Shearwater Journeys

JULY 30, 31; AUGUST 1; SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 19; OCTOBER 2, 10, 15; NOVEMBER 22
Aboard: New Captain Pete
Departing from Huck Finn Center, Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay at 7:00 AM, Returning About 3:30-4:30 PM
Leaders: Debi Shearwater & The Shearwater Journeys’ Leaders, varies each trip
Boat Fee: $150 GGBA members (non-refundable), $175 non-members; fuel surcharge not included.
Reservations: Send payment to Debi Shearwater, POB 190, Hollister, CA 95024
Contact: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

This is a new program of seabird trips offered by Shearwater Journeys in 2010. Some excellent sightings were made in 2009, including a Short-tailed Albatross and White-chinned Petrel (second record for North America, first live sighting). In 2010, our July 31 trip recorded Cook’s Petrels in both San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. It is expected that these trips will be very popular. It is easy to get to Half Moon Bay, either from San Francisco, the East Bay, or Silicon Valley. We may be able to reach seabirds such as storm-petrel flocks more easily than other ports. The July 30, 31 and August 1 trips offer a great chance to see Cook’s Petrels which were so abundant last year offshore. For general trip reports see: www.shearwaterjourneys.com…

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center has asked for help from area birders in creating a Beautiful Book Corner, a place to peruse stunning books on gardening, flowers, birds, art, photography and any subject of interest to our patrons.  Any resident of California may obtain a library card to become a patron.

As they plan this space, they need your input.  Are you excited about the idea?  What, specifically, would be your wish list for such a space?

If this sounds good, they’d love to hear from you.  Please send e-mails (so they can measure your interest) to Richard Zoller (rszoller@aol.com) and Library Manager Susan Weaver (sweaver@ccclib.org).…

Donate Now to support our efforts. 

Please submit comments in support of

Bird Safe Buildings.

Golden Gate Bird Alliance, the American Bird Conservancy and the San Francisco Planning Department have proposed Standards for Bird Safe Buildings in San Francisco.  The standards would apply to future buildings or those undergoing major remodels or energy retrofits and there are voluntary guidelines for building owners, managers and others that want to implement changes. 

Below is a message that you should feel free to personalize:

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed Standards for Bird Safe Buildings in San Francisco.  I am writing as a citizen and as a member of Golden Gate Bird Alliance, which is comprised of San Francisco Bay Area residents dedicated to protecting native birds, other wildlife, and their natural habitats.     

Thank you for considering these innovative standards aimed at  protecting birds in our urban environment.  The standards document describes potential negative impacts on resident and migratory birds, comprising suggested remedies to lessen the urban hazards through treatments for glazing, lighting, and other building design and operation applications.

The standards document proposes the creation of three tiers of review:

1) guidelines to project sponsors about the potential bird hazards

2) requirements for the most hazardous conditions

3) voluntary “bird safe” certification for building owners who choose, on their own accord, to meet the guidelines

Our city is an important part of the Pacific Flyway and birds deserve this practical approach to protection.  San Francisco is and can continue to be a great place to go bird watching.  

 

Sincerely,

 

NOTE:  Public comment is accepted via email to the Commissioners care of the Commission Secretary at linda.avery@sfgov.org and AnMarie.Rodgers@sfgov.org

You can look up the phone, address and email contact information for the San Francisco Planning Commission at http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=7

Read the proposed standards  here and more information is available  here …