Didn’t you always wonder how it’s done? And the truth might be stranger than you imagined! Sage Grouse are fascinating birds, especially the rare and unique population here in the Eastern Sierra. Come learn why and how wildlife biologists are capturing, radio-collaring and tracking them—and try it yourself, from both biologist and Sage Grouse points of view! No live Sage Grouse will be involved but the equipment, techniques, and stories are 100% real.
Presenter: Joy Fatooh is a 29-year resident of the Eastern Sierra and began her wildlife career as a volunteer counting Sage Grouse on their strutting grounds near her home. Captivated by these remarkable birds and by the prospect of getting paid to play outdoors with animals, she earned a degree in biology with an ecology emphasis and has worked locally as a Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist ever since. Sage Grouse have always been a priority in Joy’s work and now that they’re in the spotlight she especially looks forward to sharing her stories with you.
Saturday 9:00–10:00
am Maximum number: 15
Meet on the back patio of the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center.
| Wildflower Walk FULL |
Come join Ann Howald as she leads us on a walk through the flower and plant communities of the Mono Basin. We’ll learn to recognize the common trees, shrubs, and wildflowers of a few of the habitats found here in the Mono Basin. Ann will explain how plants and flowers connect to their environment and how they develop special adaptations to permit them to survive under sometimes harsh conditions. Along the way we’ll see resident birds, insects, and other wildlife.
Presenter: Ann Howald was trained as a plant ecologist. She is currently a consulting botanist who also teaches field classes at Santa Rosa Junior College. She lives in Sonoma, and spends some of each summer studying plants in the Eastern Sierra.
Sunday 9:00-11:30 AM Maximum number:
15 FULL
Meet in front of the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Learning to read the signs in nature has a long tradition among trackers and explorers. Understanding stream health and recovery can also be sought through living or rather, the vital signs present in the organisms resident in aquatic habitats. This tour will be a downstream exploration of the transitions in life from the upper watershed, down into the basin, and finally into the lake.
Presenter: Dave Herbst has been conducting studies of bugs and slime in the Eastern Sierra and Mono Basin since 1976, first as a member of the student revolutionaries of ’76, then as a research scientist with the University of California. His research studies have most recently included restoration of aquatic habitat on the Owens Lake playa, the effect of introduced trout on stream ecosystems in the high Sierra of Yosemite, the food web of Devils Hole thermal spring in Death Valley, and monitoring the recovery from acid mine drainage in streams at the Leviathan Mine superfund site near Monitor Pass.
Saturday 9:00-10:30 AM Maximum
number: 25
Meet in front of the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Many think of bats as unusual and uncommon mammals because we rarely encounter them. However, one out of every four mammals on the planet is a bat! They owe their success to a fascinating assortment of creative solutions to the challenges of life. Of course, bats are unique among mammals for their ability to fly. While this is not special to bats, the fact that they can do it in total darkness is. Many bats can let their body temperature fall to near freezing, hibernate on the edge of life for six months, and then arouse in a few minutes and fly away—an impressive feat when you consider that flying requires an aerobic capacity many times that of the best human athletes. The indoor talk will explain how bats accomplish this and other sleights of wing, and will also address the essential role played by these eco-essential animals in many habitats throughout the world, and their unfortunate imperiled status.
Presenter: Joe Szewczak Ph.D. is a research scientist at the University of California White Mountain Research Station in Bishop, CA. Originally trained as an engineer, Joe has worked with bats since 1984 when he began his graduate research in physiology investigating the extraordinary gas exchange and metabolic capabilities of bats. This work led to broader interest in bats and their place in the environment and ultimately to applying his engineering and computer programming skills to the analysis of bat echolocation calls.
Indoor session: Saturday 4:30–5:30
pm Maximum number: 75
Meet in Scenic Area Visitor Center theater.
Field session: Saturday 8:30–9:30
pm Maximum number: 36
Meet in front of the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Mist netting demonstrations will be conducted from
sunrise to 11:00 am on Saturday
and Sunday. Participants will be introduced to one of the several bird
monitoring techniques that Point Reyes Bird Observatory biologists are using
to monitor Mono Basin’s riparian songbirds, and will get rare glimpses of
birds in the hand. The earlier you arrive, the more birds you’re likely to
see!
Presenters: Point Reyes Bird Observatory staff biologists
Saturday 6:00–8:30
am Rush Creek location*
Maximum number: 20
Saturday 8:30-11:00 AM Rush Creek location* Maximum number:20
Sunday 6:00-8:30 AM Lee Vining Creek* Maximum number:20
Sunday 8:30–11:00 am Lee
Vining Creek* Maximum number: 20
* Both workshops will meet in the field at the research site. Please pick up a map with directions to each of these sites from the registration/information desk at the Scenic Area Visitor Center. Feel free to drop in and/or leave anytime. However, demonstrations will end at 11:00 so please plan accordingly.
Point Reyes Bird Observatory biologists will introduce participants to standardized songbird monitoring techniques and will emphasize citizen participation in songbird monitoring programs. Techniques to be covered include nest searching, area searches, point counts, and vegetation surveys. We will meet in front of the Scenic Area Visitor Center and then head down to Lee Vining Creek for the workshop.
Presenter: Sacha Heath has directed the Eastern Sierra Riparian Songbird Conservation Project since its inception in 1998 and has participated in several avian research projects ranging from Alaska to Antarctica. She has participated in statewide bird conservation efforts, co-authoring California bird conservation plans and species accounts for riparian, coniferous forest, and oak woodland habitats.
Saturday 1:00–4:00
pm. Maximum number: 20
FULL
Meet at the Lee Vining Community Center.
Ever wonder what those numbers on binoculars mean? And what about the order of birds in a bird book – are they trying to make it hard to look up what I just saw? How do those bird experts see so many birds? In this workshop we will go over all the birding basics – gear such as binoculars and books, how to develop skills that will enable you to find birds easily, and more! After reviewing the basics, we’ll go out in the field and put these new skills to the test.
Presenter: Justin Hite is currently
a student at Cornell University and has been involved with the California
Gull research for the past four years. His stories of summers spent living
with the gulls out on Mono Lake’s islands will no doubt entertain you!
Saturday 7:30-9:00 AM Maximum number: 15 FULL
Sunday 7:30-9:00 AM Maximum number: 15
Meet at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center and Bookstore.
Presenter: Kristie Nelson has had a
love for birds since some of her earliest memories. After a childhood filled
with such activities such as bird taxidermy and careful field observations,
she obtained a wildlife degree at Humboldt State University, all the while
birding as much as possible! She has conducted ornithological field work
throughout much of the state including the Farallon Islands. She now lives
in the Mono Basin and is very familiar with its assemblage of bird life. Her
passion for birds is quite contagious!
Saturday 1:30–3:00 pm
Maximum number: 15 FULL
Meet at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center and Bookstore.
Have you ever wanted to photograph the birds you love to watch? Or you’ve tried but were unhappy with the results? Join bird photographer Marie Read to learn how it’s done. Saturday’s slide show will combine beautiful slides with professional tips to inspire you and to improve your bird photography or get you started. Sunday’s field trip offers a chance to practice the techniques you’ve learned and put them to work out in the field. Be sure to bring your long lenses!
Presenter: Marie Read has been a bird photographer for over 16 years. Her images have appeared in many national and international magazines, calendars, and books. Her travels in search of birds have taken her to Panama, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, and Kenya, as well as numerous locations in North America. Marie’s photographs of Mono Lake’s birds are featured prominently in the Spring 2002 issue of Living Bird magazine.
Saturday 1:00–2:00
pm Maximum number: 75
Meet in Scenic Area Visitor Center theater.
Field Session: Sunday 6:30–10:00
am Maximum number: 8
Meet in front of the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Earth pigments have been used world-wide since the dawn of culture and
produce beautifully permanent artworks. During this hour of grinding, mixing
and sifting, artist and naturalist, Ane Rovetta, will guide us in the use
and development of these lovely natural colors. We will roll pastel chalks,
and make paints. Supplies used are from the local landscape, are non-toxic,
permanent and simple in their composition.
Presenter: Ane Carla Rovetta’s formal training was as a scientist. Like the painters during the Renaissance, she believes that science and art are kindred disciplines and has spent most of her adult life unifying the two in lively public performances throughout the West. Ane Carla’s “grounding” in natural history has led her to include the earth around her in her artwork. She makes her own art supplies from a variety of raw materials. A pen and ink illustrator for over twenty years, Ane Carla has illustrated five books and maintains a studio in downtown Point Reyes Station, California. She lives in Sonoma County where her pastel chalks are rolled in a “funky little outbuilding that used to be a chicken coop.”
Saturday 10:30-12:00 NOON Maximum number: 15
FULL
Meet in the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center Conference Room.
Artist Ane Carla Rovetta believes that if you can sign your name, you can
draw. Come and see how talented you are as we draw animals that live around
Mono Lake. Ane Carla provides all the materials. You just bring your sense
of fun!
Presenter: Ane Carla Rovetta’s formal training was as a scientist. Like the painters during the Renaissance, she believes that science and art are kindred disciplines and has spent most of her adult life unifying the two in lively public performances throughout the West. Ane Carla’s “grounding” in natural history has led her to include the earth around her in her artwork. She makes her own art supplies from a variety of raw materials. A pen and ink illustrator for over twenty years, Ane Carla has illustrated five books and maintains a studio in downtown Point Reyes Station, California. She lives in Sonoma County where her pastel chalks are rolled in a “funky little outbuilding that used to be a chicken coop.”
Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Maximum number: 15 FULL
Sunday 10:30-11:30 AM Maximum: 15
Meet in the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center Conference Room.
| Who Gives A Hoot? FULL |
Answer: Only the Long-eared Owl. All the rest make some other sound.
Join Burleigh Lockwood and learn which owl says what. There will be a discussion on raptors in general and then Burleigh will compare owls with hawks. Many “biofacts” will be shared along with mounted specimens for a real “hands-on” experience. She’ll also teach us how to hoot!
Presenter: Burleigh Lockwood has been a field biologist since the age of 4 (smashed worms and crumpled caterpillars in inquisitive hands). She pursued biology through high school and into college. While she was finishing her degree in Environmental Biology, she began working for California Fish and Game as a seasonal biologist. It was a career shift to the United States Forest Service that brought her into contact with owls. As an official “hooter” on Spotted Owl Surveys for the Forest Service, she learned the habits and hoots of the owls in the Sierra. She is currently a biologist for the Education Department of the Chafee Zoo in Fresno, California.
Friday 7:00-8:00 PM
Maximum number: 20 FULL
Saturday 4:30-5:30 PM Maximum number: 20 FULL
Meet in the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center Conference Room.
Children's Activities
Join California Gull researcher Justin Hite for a walk along Lee Vining Creek as he introduces the wonderful world of birding to children of all ages.
Presenter: Justin Hite is currently a student at Cornell University and has been involved with the California Gull research for the past four years. His stories of summers spent living with the gulls out on Mono Lake’s islands will no doubt entertain you and your kids!
Saturday 9:00–10:00
am Maximum number: 10
children (with adults)
Sunday 9:00-10:00 AM Maximum number:10 children (with adults)
Meet on the back patio of the Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Come build and decorate a take-home bird nesting shelter! Learn modern entranceway design, preferred colors and textures for exterior decor, and location, location, location! This 1.5 hour, hands-on activity is aimed at youth with parents as welcome assistants. A few complete houses will be available for decoration by the carpentry-challenged. Building will be supplemented by stories, songs, and a nest-building frenzy. You’ll even be able to keep your birdhouse and take it home with you!
Presenters: Fred "Tim" and Leslie Willoughby have enjoyed more than 35 years combined playing alongside young people of all ages as interpreters, educators, administrators, parents and grandparents. The Eastern Sierra and Mono Lake in particular first captured their hearts during an outdoor education trip here in 1987. Our observation and belief is that a few experiences in nature during childhood can powerfully influence the confidence, enjoyment and protective political actions of adults for wild lands.
Saturday 1:30–3:00
pm Maximum number: 12
children (with adults)
FULL
Meet on the back patio of the Scenic Area Visitor Center.
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