VOLUME 42 November 2008 Number 3

WATER, a vital commodity

By Grant Davis, Asst. Gen. Mgr. of Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA)
Water is a precious resource. We are so administration of region-wide water the way we operate the Russian River
fortunate to live in a region where lo- conservation programs, capital proj- system. The BO is a 15-year effort to
cal, naturally filtered water is available ects, watershed planning, and proj- help restore endangered coho salmon,
to drink and relatively affordable. In ects to protect and restore the Russian Chinook salmon, and steelhead in the
1949 the SCWA was created as a special River watershed. Recently the National Russian River and Dry Creek. Indeed,
district by the California Legislature to Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) re- NMFS found that some water supply
provide flood protection and supply wa- leased a Biological Opinion (BO), and flood control activities jeopardize
ter to most of Sonoma and Marin Coun- which mandates sweeping changes to threatened fish and calls on the SCWA
ties. Legislation enacted in 1995 added Continued on page 3
the treatment and disposal of wastewa-
ter to the Agency’s responsibilities. The OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING
Agency also produces recycled water for
habitat restoration, urban and agricul- “Guyana: A Land of Undisturbed Beauty”
tural use, and to maintain recreational Monday November 17, 7:30 PM
opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. First United Methodist Church
The Sonoma County Board of Supervi- 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa
sors acts as SCWA’s Board of Directors. On 2 November 2007 Ken Wilson, along with representatives from eight other
Water that comes out of your faucet is international birding tour companies, joined a familiarization trip (FAM trip) to the
delivered from either local groundwater country of Guyana. The FAM tour was organized by the Guyana Tourism Author-
wells or two major reservoir projects op- ity, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Guyana Trade
erated by SCWA: Lake Mendocino on and Investment Support project, Birding Tourism Program.
the east fork of the Russian River and Guyana is a small independent country located between Venezuela, Brazil, and Surina-
Lake Sonoma on Dry Creek. In win- me in northeastern South America. Ken will give us a visual presentation of this largely
ter, the Corps releases water to reduce undisturbed country from the coastal waterways to the inland rain forests and savan-
risk of flooding in the lower river near nahs. Along the way you will see some of the same birds and animals seen by Ken’s group
Guerneville and Monte Rio. In sum- as they traveled by boat, canoe, 4x4 vehicle, and small plane to remote and exciting
mer, the SCWA releases water into the places like Karanambu, the home of Dianne McTurk and her giant otter rehabilitation
Russian River, where it is pumped and program, to field stations and Amerindian villages of the Makushi peoples, and finally
naturally filtered to meet the needs of to the magnificent Kaieteur Falls.
over 600,000 people.
Ken, a native New Zealander, is the owner of Talon Tours, a birding and nature guid-
SCWA works diligently with its con- ing company. He designs and leads tours to the southwestern United States, Mexico,
tractors to create fiscally responsible Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Peru, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand.
rates while ensuring water supply and In Sonoma County, Ken is active in birding and conservation activities.
transmission facilities are properly
maintained for reliable delivery. Costs NO GENERAL MEETING IN DECEMBER
factored into water rates delivered Coming 19 January 2009
through our supply and transmission Argentine Luis Segura will present
system are the operation and main- “Wildlife of the Brazilian Pantanal and Cerrado”.
tenance of aqueducts and facilities,
 MA D R O N E L E AVES

c a l e n d a r
All walks and meetings are open to the public. Bird walks are recreational and educational in purpose, and all levels of expertise are welcome. Bring
field equipment and wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing for variable weather conditions. Please carpool whenever possible. Forecasted
heavy rain cancels.There is no charge for activities unless otherwise specified, but some parks have day-use fees.

Saturday November 1, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Saturday November 15, 9:30 to 11:30 AM

SHOLLENBERGER PONDS with afternoon option at Crane Creek Junior Audubon Outing at PRBO Palomarin field station. We will
Regional Park. Bird Walk. Meet at Shollenberger Park. Informal carpool view the bird mist-nests, observe a bird banding demonstration, learn
leaves Santa Rosa at 7:30 AM. For carpooling, meet at Sonoma County about the origin, history, and evolution of bird banding, and why we keep
Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District office, 747 Mendoci- the records. Contact Veronica at 829-2955 for reservations, carpooling
no Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the office (access from arrangements, and directions to the field station. See page 6
Carrillo Street). Bring lunch, liquids, and layers of clothing. Rain cancels.
Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Helen Kochenderfer, 545-1518; and Monday November 17, 7:30 PM
Bob Speckels, 569-0563. GENERAL MEETING. “Guyana: A Land of Undisturbed Beauty.” Ken
Wilson, a Friend of Madrone and owner of Talon Tours, will give us a
Wednesday November 5, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM visual presentation of the largely undisturbed country of Guyana. First United
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. From the center of the town of Bodega Bay, Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. Please see the front
drive north on Highway 1 and turn left at East Shore Road (the Bodega page announcement. The public is always invited to attend these programs.
Head turnoff). Then turn right at the stop sign and continue 0.3 mile to the
unpaved parking lot on the right. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. Wednesday November 19, 8:30 AM to Noon
For information, contact Tom McCuller, [email protected], 546-1812. SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Bird Walk. Meet at the park. From Santa
Rosa on Highway 101, take the Highway 116 exit (Lakeville Highway),
Wednesday November 5, 7:30 PM go left under Highway 101, and turn right at the South McDowell traf-
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A fic light. Turn right onto Cader Lane, which ends at the park. Then turn
Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa. Contact Janeann Erickson for agenda right into the park parking lot. For information, contact Tom McCuller,
information at 795-2498. [email protected], 546-1812.

Wednesday and Thursday December 3 and December 4

Saturday November 8, 9:00 AM
SACRAMENTO VALLEY WILDLIFE REFUGES. Auto birding tours
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads a bird walk.
(with stops at designated observation points) at Sacramento Valley National
Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Gerald Moore at 763-3577.
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Meet at the Sacramento NWR headquarters at
9:30 AM on Wednesday. Bring lunch and liquids. Exit from Interstate 5 at
Thursday November 13, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Princeton (approximately 17 miles north of Williams), turn north on the
BOLINAS LAGOON AND NEARBY AREAS. Bird Walk. We will
county service road, and proceed to the NWR headquarters on the right.
search the area for wintering birds. Meet at the first large turnout south of the
Driving time from Santa Rosa is about 2.5 hours. Many of us will stay
Bolinas turnoff on Highway 1. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing.
in Yuba City (Best Western Bonanza Inn, 530-674-8824) on Wednesday
For information, contact Tom McCuller, [email protected], 546-1812.
night and bird Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on Thursday. Those who also
plan to spend Tuesday night in Williams or Willows can view a sometimes
Saturday November 15, 8:00 AM to Noon
spectacular fly-in/out of waterfowl between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM from
DELTA POND AND ADJACENT WETLAND PRESERVE. Begin-
the observation platform at the southeast corner of the Sacramento refuge.
ners Bird Walk. We are grateful to Denise Cadman, Natural Resources
For information, contact Tom McCuller, [email protected], 546-1812.
Specialist for the City of Santa Rosa, who arranges entry and serves as a
co-leader for our trips to this and other city properties in the Laguna de Saturday December 13, 9:30 AM to Dusk
Santa Rosa. Meet at Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open SACRAMENTO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Bird Walk. This
Space District office, 747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is our annual trip to the Sacramento Valley. Meet at the refuge parking
is behind the office (access from Carrillo Street). Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom lot. Directions are the same as above. There is a $3 per vehicle day-use
Cashman, 433-2528; Bill Payne, 546-3331; and Bob Speckels, 569-0563. fee, waived if you have a Duck Stamp. Some of our group plan to spend
Friday and Saturday nights in the town of Willows, to allow us to visit
Saturday November 15, 10:00 AM other prime birding spots in the area. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528;
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two chil- Bill Payne, 546-3331; and Bob Speckels, 569-0563.
dren/family nature walks. One to two hours, dependent on age of chil-
dren. Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. For the children/family walk in CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. No scheduled meeting this month.
English, contact Gerald or Mary Edith Moore at 763-3577; for the walk If you have conservation concerns, contact Diane Hichwa at
in Spanish, contact Connie Peabody at 763-7458. [email protected].

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WATER, a vital commodity industry, now is the time to utilize new Europe.) Krupp and Horn guide us through
Continued from page 1 sources of water, such as conservation the research currently conducted by new
and recycled water. SCWA has led the start-up companies to harness the sun’s ener-
and the Corps to eliminate or reduce charge for clean, reliable, and afford- gy with photovoltaic cells and solar thermals.
these impacts by able water for the past 50 years and will Some companies are involved in biofuels
• monitoring extensively both habitat continue to do so by working with our research; others utilize genetic engineer-
and fish in Dry Creek, the estuary, contractors and the public. We encour-
ing to enhance microbiological processes,
and the Russian River; age you to learn more about your water
resources at our Web site, www.sonoma- causing plants to produce the enzymes
• eliminating impediments to fish countywater.org. needed to break down their own cellulose.
migration and improving habitat on Wind energy, extracting energy from the
several streams; ocean, and using steam from deep within
Welcome New the earth are other areas receiving attention
• enhancing the existing coho Friends of Madrone
recovery hatchery program at Warm as alternate sources of clean, renewable
Springs Dam; Audubon Society energy. A section of the book is devoted to
San Francisco: currently attainable solutions and another
• restoring up to six miles of habitat in to technologies that will require huge
Dry Creek; Thomas and Victoria Berman
Santa Rosa: leaps in science.
• requesting the State Water Resources Eleonore L. Miller Along the way the reader will meet
Control Board to reduce summer-
time flows in the river, beginning in fascinating people involved in this pro-
2010; and cess of “reinventing” energy and the
EARTH: The Sequel way we use it. One such is an erstwhile
• creating a freshwater lagoon in the by Fred Krupp and Miriam Horn mechanic from the trans-Alaskan pipe-
estuary at the mouth of the Russian line who uses the energy from hot
River during the summer months. Reviewed by Dennis Wheeler
springs to keep his ice hotel in Chena
Community meetings throughout the We recycle. We do all we can to con- Hot Springs, Alaska frozen all year.
region will take place this fall. Please at- serve energy, and we buy organically Another is the founder of Interface, the
tend one of these meetings to learn more grown and fair-traded coffee, fruits, and largest maker of modular carpet tiles in
about this important multi-year process vegetables. In short, we are constantly the world. After an epiphanic moment
that will help recover important threat- aware and do those everyday things to in 1995 when he realized that “the way
ened and endangered fish and protect help reduce global warming and benefit I’d been running my company had been
your water supply. the environment. Yet the task is so enor- the way of the plunderer”, he set about
Our water resources are limited. We must mous that sometimes we feel as though to leave no footprint and has since re-
make every effort to use water efficiently we stand on the bank of the Colorado duced greenhouse gas emissions by 56
and find new ways to reuse it. Over the and spit in the river to help relieve the percent. His zeal is such that when a
past ten years, SCWA and its contrac- water shortage in Southern California. recent visitor to one of his factories asked
tors have spent more than $35 million a lift truck operator “What do you do?”,
on water conservation. This investment Fred Krupp, longtime president of the
Environmental Defense Fund, and the young man climbed down from his
has resulted in many achievements,
including the installation of 200,000 Miriam Horn, a staff writer for the or- machine to answer, “Ma’am, every day I
water-efficient toilets and clothes washers. ganization, have answered these feelings come to work to save the earth”.
Over 34,000 in-home water-use surveys of hopelessness in their book Earth: The The authors state, “This book is about
have been performed, evaluating indoor Sequel. There is real hope: global warm- the kinds of inventors who will stabilize
and outdoor water use. ing can be solved, and the solutions are our climate, generate enormous economic
SCWA believes that recycled water is a underway on all fronts. growth, and save the planet”. The reader
new source for water. Since 1998, $47 The authors make a compelling case for will be inspired and emerge from the pages
million has been invested by SCWA with new vigor to speak up, buy recycled,
a cap-and-trade system to economically
and its contractors to expand the use of save energy, and vote for candidates who
punish those who generate excess carbon
local water resources and develop recy- care about the kind of home we leave to
cled water to offset potable demand. emissions and reward those who reduce
the emissions, thereby creating an eco- future generations. And if enough people
With climate change expected to change nomic market for clean energy. (Such spit in the River, perhaps it really won’t be
the way we do business in the water a system is already in place in much of quite so dry in San Diego.
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Bird Walk Reports Waxwings. Yellow being a sub-theme

of the day, a treetop Western Tanager
Upcoming Holiday
By Bob Speckels
rounded out the viewing. Bird Counts
Bodega Bay, September 6 You know the holidays are here when
Sixteen birders enjoyed 58 species of land you don the hat and gloves, meet your
and sea birds at Bodega Bay, an Audu- Out & About in the friends, and start the bird counts. Rain
bon Important Bird Area and, arguably, or cold does not deter you—friends
Sonoma County’s favorite birding des-
Days & Nights of must get together again, count the birds,
tination. The highlight at Bodega Head November and enjoy the dinner celebration as the
was four Wandering Tatlers (a Lifer for Twelfth Annual Sandhill Crane Festival. day’s adventures are relived and shared
many). The group had offshore scope November 7-9 at Hutchins Street Square with all.
views of Common Murre and Pigeon in Lodi, CA. View the state’s largest con- Thanksgiving Bird Count.
Guillemot. Five species of gull were centration of Greater Sandhill Cranes. Counters are needed for the annual
present at Campbell Cove, including The festival features workshops, exhibits, Thanksgiving Bird Count: one hour
Glaucous-winged and Heermann’s. The family activities, wildlife demos, and fine on Thanksgiving Day. The counter
pond had a skimming Vaux Swift. No art. The fly-in of the Sandhill Cranes at chooses the time that best fits his/her
owls at Owl Canyon, but multiple Yellow sunset is the most spectacular event of the schedule. The count is made in a circle
Warblers were seen. Noticeably absent festival. For more information: call 800- which measures only 15 feet in diam-
at any location were Surfbirds, present 581-6150 or visit www.cranefestival.com. eter. The circle’s location is determined
in large numbers only days prior. A final by the counter who usually chooses a
Valley of the Moon Nature Lectures.
stop at Doran offered a chance to com- favorite area frequented by the birds,
Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa
pare Long-billed vs. Short-billed Dow- such as feeders, baths, covers, and/or
St., Sonoma, 938-4626 x 1, $5 donation.
itchers and Least and Western Sandpip- wetlands. Individual birds are counted
ers. A post-Bodega add-on to Carmody “The Birds of Sonoma County” with
only once during the hour, even if the
Road gave some of the group a chance guest speaker, Peter Leveque. Thursday 6
birds continue to pay visits. Flocks
to see the Buff-breasted Sandpiper that November, 7:30-8:45 PM. With over 430
should be estimated or counted, and
had been present for several days. The species of birds recorded, Sonoma County
only the highest number at any one
walk was co-led by Tom Cashman, Ken is among the richest birding areas in the
time used.
Wilson, and Bob Speckels. United States. Learn about Sonoma birds,
their fall migration, and the birds you may Thanksgiving Bird Counts were begun
Ragle Ranch Regional Park, expect to see in the county. After 35 years, in 1966 by Dr. Ernest Edwards and
September 20 Peter retired as one of the foremost biology the Lynchburg Bird Club in Virginia.
Ragle Ranch, a fine example of Sonoma instructors at the Santa Rosa Junior Col- Counts slowly spread to the west, but
County’s Regional Park System (Senior lege (SRJC). A Natural History Lecture at there are still many areas in the west
Pass $27.00 - a great bargain for those SRJC was established in his honor. Peter in need of more counters and better
who qualify), offers diversity of ecosys- is a past president of Madrone Audubon count distribution. Because counters
tems in a compact area. Society and Redwood Regional Ornitho- drop out each year, there is a constant
logical Society. need for new recruitments, and this
Eleven birders, co-led by Veronica bird count can be done in comfort, in-
Bowers, Tom Cashman, and Bob Speckels, “The Owls of Sonoma” with guest
doors near a window, and be a welcome
counted 44 species for the day. High- speaker, Joe Mueller. Thursday 4 December,
respite from the Thanksgiving dinner.
lights included Red-shouldered, Red- 7:30-8:45 PM.
Count results (even if you see no birds
tailed, and Sharp-shinned Hawks and a Celebrate the ecology of the unique owl at all) should be sent to Dr. John G.
stunning White-tailed Kite. The group species, see live owls, and learn why they Hewston, Count Compiler, Natural
compared Barn, Tree, and Violet-green are of value to us. Joe Mueller, an expert Resources Building, Humboldt State
Swallows to a Vaux Swift. Warblers in- on owl field biology, has been teaching bi- University, Arcata California 95521.
cluded Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Yellow, ology at the College of Marin for nearly 20 Instructions and bird count form are
Yellow-throated, and Black-throated years. With a holistic approach to science, available at www.palouseaudubon.
Gray. Acorn, Downy, and Nuttall’s rep- Joe’s subjects of particular interest include org/checklists/Thanksgiving.pdf.
resented the Woodpeckers. Everyone had ecology, marine biology, ornithology, and
good scope views of a group of Cedar environmental science. Continued on page 5

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Upcoming Holiday Bird Counts Children’s Christmas Bird Count. Disinfect bird feeders and baths at least
Continued from page 4 Saturday 17 January 2009, twice a month by soaking them in 9:1
9:00 AM to1:00 PM water: bleach solution. Rinse and dry the
Santa Rosa Christmas Bird Count.
Mark your calendars. Sonoma Valley feeders and baths thoroughly before refill-
Sunday 21 December.
Birding will again team up with Madro- ing them with seed. Water in bird baths
The Santa Rosa Christmas Bird Count
ne Audubon to host the second annual should be changed daily; spilled seed and
is conducted by the Redwood Regional
half-day birding event for the children’s seed hulls should be swept up frequently.
Ornithological Society (RROS). The
area includes Oakmont/Annadel to the Christmas Bird Count. Following the Prevent window strikes. Proper place-
east, Sonoma State University/Cotati to count, a celebration/tabulation lunch ment of your feeder can save backyard
the south, Laguna/eastern Sebastopol to will be held at the Sonoma Community birds from fatal collisions with plate-glass
the west, and Shiloh Rd/Airport to the Center, 276 East Napa Street. Families, windows. If feeders are more than 30 feet
north. A group dinner in Santa Rosa schools, and community organizations from a window, birds have more time to
brings a closure to the day’s activity. If are formulating teams that will be led recognize that the reflection in a window
you are willing to count or have any by experienced birders and junior lead- is not a safe passageway. If birds are hit-
questions, contact Ruth Rudesill at 833- ers. All are welcome. Cost $5.00 per ting your windows, find a solution to
6026 or [email protected]. person. For updated information: visit eliminate the problem. (Ed.: bird screens
www.sonomabirding.org; call Tom Rusert, work well; visit www.birdscreen.com or
Sonoma Valley Christmas Bird Count.
938-4626 x 1 or Veronica Bowers, 829-2955. call 717-445-9609.)
Friday 2 January 2009
Keep cats indoors. If you have an out-
Celebrate birding Sonoma Valley and the
door cat or a neighborhood cat hunts in
Petaluma Wetlands from dawn to dusk.
your yard, DO NOT feed the birds. Cats
This is the 4th Annual Sonoma Valley
are nonnative predators that do not be-
Christmas Bird Count, and all birders are
long in our native ecosystem, and every
most welcome. Dozens of Sonoma bird-
year they are responsible for the needless
ing teams, rain or shine, will once again Bird Notes slaughter of millions of songbirds.
hike, bike, and boat the mountains/marsh-
es, searching for the winter and migrating By Veronica Bowers Avoid feeding predators and parasites.
birds known to the area. At 5:30 PM, a Songbird Safety This is a big one, and I’m hopeful our love
potluck tabulation dinner will take place During a prolonged spell of wet weather and respect for our gentle songbirds will
at the Sonoma Community Center’s An- or a hectic week with little spare time, inspire us to make good choices which
drews Hall, 276 East Napa Street off the the only birding some of us may enjoy put their welfare before our human de-
Plaza. Become a team member by con- is watching the activity of a well-stocked sires. Corvids (jays, crow, and ravens) and
tacting Tom Rusert and Darren Peterie, backyard birdfeeder. Observing the daily squirrels are predators that eat the young
compilers, at www.sonomabirding.org or lives of backyard birds brings a tremen- and eggs of songbirds, and cowbirds are
call 939-8007. Cost $5.00 per person. dous amount of joy to many of us. Host- nest parasites of songbirds. I was very
ing a backyard bird-feeding station is a pleased to read on the PRBO Conserva-
Madrone Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
good way to draw birds closer to us so tion Science’s Web site that they discour-
Sunday 4 January 2009
that we may easily observe them, but with age attracting the “two Ps” (predators and
Madrone Audubon’s 42nd annual Christ- parasites) to birdfeeders and warn that at-
this comes responsibilities. Here are some
mas Bird Count will be held from dawn tracting them “can create an unbalanced
“best practices” that will keep songbirds safe
to dusk on Sunday 4 January 2009. The ecosystem, which can increase nest failure
and healthy at your backyard birdfeeder.
count is centered in western Sonoma among birds – a major cause of bird popu-
County, in the Salmon Creek watershed, Keep feeders and birdbaths clean. lation declines.” By choosing the right mix
from west of Sebastopol to the coast and Conjunctivitis, trichomoniasis, and avian of seed and style of feeder, you can avoid
from just north of the Russian River to pox are common diseases that are easily feeding the “two Ps”. And finally, although
the Estero Americano. Contact the chair, spread in the bird community at feeding hawks are native predators, please don’t
Veronica Bowers, at vlbowers@gmail. stations. If you notice birds with growths make songbirds easy targets. If a hawk
com (preferred) or at 829-2955. Watch or sores around the eyes, mouth, or feet; is regularly picking off songbirds at your
for more details on the count and the or birds that appear puffed up, lethargic, feeder, take your feeder down for awhile
catered dinner celebration in the next and have difficulty swallowing, please until the hawk finds a new place to hunt.
issue of the Leaves. take your feeder down for a few weeks. Continued on page 6
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Bird Notes program. The goal of this new PWA – PEF people. Usually, they stayed in bed-and-
Continued from page 5 partnership is to grow the docent program breakfasts because they enjoyed sharing
so that we can reach every third grade class travel experiences with other travelers. As
If all of this sounds like a lot of work, in Petaluma. Our next training class for with most birders, no matter the reason for
then consider creating habitat in your new docents starts 9 January 2009. Please their travels, they always managed to fit in
yard using native plants. Many native join us and do your part to help us grow. some birding, wherever they were.
plants provide excellent cover and nesting
sites for our native birds, and also provide Their Web site allows birders from around
an excellent year-round maintenance-free the world to connect with each other to
source of bird food. As a very wise per- Just for you: share resources, particularly a place to stay
son I know says, “thanks for being good Michael Perlmutter, Bay Area Conserva- while they are traveling. Members agree to
humans” and thanks for keeping our tion Coordinator for CA State Audubon, host other members in their homes at no
songbirds safe and healthy. has created a new Web site specifically for charge in exchange for the opportunity to
you about Bay Area Audubon events and stay with other members when they travel.
activities. The calendar is posted at http:// With fuel costs skyrocketing, travel has be-
Junior Audubon ca.audubon.org/activities_SFBay.php and come much more expensive for birders.
(formerly PeeWee includes information from each of the Unruh feels BirdersHostingBirders.com will
eight Bay Area Audubon chapters, as well provide a valuable resource to birders around
Audubon) Outing as the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & the world, allowing them to save substantial-
Saturday November 15, 9:30 to 11:30 AM Sanctuary and Audubon California’s San ly on their travel costs. The cost savings are
PRBO Palomarin Field Station Francisco Bay Program. Deadlines and enticing, says Unruh, but he also feels that
Point Reyes National Seashore (near Bolinas) guidelines for public comment on key con- birders will enjoy meeting other birders and
servation projects are also provided. sharing their favorite local birding spots.
Join us on a tour of the field station where we
will view the bird mist-nests and observe a bird You may view the calendar in its entirety, Unruh has been passionate about birding
banding demonstration. We will learn about or you may select a subset of calendars to since he was a young boy and introduced
the origin and history of bird banding, how view by selecting from the menu provided his wife to his hobby when they first met.
it has evolved, and what is learned by keep- next to the “Agenda” tab. A few popular Jennifer is not as committed a birder as her
ing these records over a long period of time. destinations (e.g. Hawk Hill) will be vis- husband, but she loves the outdoors and
PRBO Conservation Science is dedicated to ited by many chapters, providing multiple finds that birding just adds to her enjoy-
conserving birds, other wildlife, and ecosys- opportunities to schedule a birding trip ment of nature and travel.
tems through innovative scientific research with others, even if they are not your home “We just went live last month so our num-
and outreach. chapter (consider it an opportunity to flock bers are small, but as the birding communi-
with your neighbors). ty discovers this opportunity to save money
Reservations are required for this outing, and
carpooling is strongly encouraged. Contact and connect with birders around the world,
Veronica at 829-2955 for reservations, car- it will grow quickly”, says Unruh.
pools, and directions to the field station.
Introducing a New and For additional information, visit www.bird-
Fun Way for Traveling ershostingbirders.com, e-mail or call
Petaluma Wetlands Birders to Save Money Glen at [email protected],
651-454-5360.
Glen Unruh says he’s “never met a birder
Alliance (PWA) Gets he didn’t like,” and he wants to meet them
Grant from the Petaluma all over the world. That is why, along with
Educational Foundation his wife Jennifer, he developed the Web HEADS-UP
site BirdersHostingBirders.com, an on- Audubon California Conference, 15-17
(PEF) line network of traveling birders willing March 2009, Asilomar State Park, Pacific
By Gerald Moore to open their homes to other traveling Grove in Monterey County California.
birders at no charge. We would like to see a good representation
The PWA Committee has received the
The concept for this site was developed over of Madrone at this conference: the lectures
2008-2009 Impact Grant from the Petaluma
several years as Glen and Jennifer traveled and workshops are valuable, networking is
Educational Foundation to help support
North America, pursuing their shared pas- rewarding, and you can’t beat the location.
their grade school wetlands educational
sions of travel, birding, and meeting new Details will be forthcoming as we learn them.
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Observations
September • Dan Nelson • [email protected]
Yellow-billed Loon 9/15 San Luis Reservoir, Alameda County (returnee? or never left) JsLuther
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 8/31-9/3 Carmody Road pond AW, et al.
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (12) 9/14 Cordell Bank pelagic trip RS, RR, AW, et al.
Merlin 9/11 Westside Park, with shorebird DN
Burrowing Owl 9/15 Owl Canyon; upper saddle DN
Black-chinned Hummingbird
(probable immature female) 9/13 Rail Ponds at Shipwreck DN
Vaux’s Swift (many) 9/16 Bodega Head DN, BDP
Williamson’s Sapsucker (immature female) 9/26 Mountains west of Healdsburg PH
Willow Flycatcher (6+) 9/15 Bodega Bay area DN
Tropical Kingbird (2) 9/24 Campbell Cove D.Harper, et al.
Tropical Kingbird (1) 9/27 Campbell Cove; still present DN
Cedar Waxwing (juvenile) 9/16-23 Bodega Head (single bird) DN
Yellow-headed Blackbird 9/14 Landed aboard boat at Cordell Banks RS, RR, AW, et al.
Bobolink 9/14 Landed aboard boat at Cordell Banks RS, RR AW, et al.
Bobolink 9/15 Over Campbell Cove, flew to Marine Lab entrance DN
Gray Catbird 9/16-18 Owl Canyon, Campbell Cove DN, BDP, DH, RO, DF
Oak Titmouse 9/8-9/11 Campbell Cove (first record for this site) DN, BDP, RR
Yellow-breasted Chat 9/15 Still present at Campbell Cove DN
Black-and-White Warbler 9/15-17 Owl Canyon DF, DN
Black-and-White Warbler
(two immature males seen together) 9/16 Owl Canyon DN, et al.
Tennessee Warbler 9/13-17 Marine Lab entrance trees DN
Tennessee Warbler 9/14-17 Diekmann’s Store trees RM, DN
Tennessee Warbler 9/17 Cheney Creek - 1 of 3 TEWAs seen 9/17 DN
Nashville Warbler 9/11-12 Owl Canyon DN
American Redstart (4) 9/11-15 Campbell Cove (2); Owl Canyon/Marine Lab entrance (2) DN
American Redstart (2-3) 9/17 Campbell Cove, Owl Canyon DN, et al.
American Redstart (1) 10/2 Campbell Cove; remaining DN
Chestnut-sided Warbler (fall immature) 9/11 Cheney Creek DN
Chestnut-sided Warbler 9/14, 17, 20 Campbell Cove BDP, DN
Northern Waterthrush 9/11 Campbell Cove DN
Northern Waterthrush (2) 9/13 Campbell Cove; seen together, chasing. DN
Northern Waterthrush 9/15 Campbell Cove (1); Rail Ponds (1). DN
Blackpoll Warbler 9/13-17 Marine Lab residences DN, DH, et al.
Blackpoll Warbler 9/17 Cypresses; Doran Beach Road, east end DN
Magnolia Warbler 9/16 Campbell Cove DN
Hermit Warbler (2) 9/11-15 Owl Canyon DF, DN, et al.
Northern Parula 9/11 Cheney Creek DN
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9/11 Marine Lab residences, birds seen together (1 week early) DN
Lincoln’s Sparrow 9/12 Campbell Cove; first arrival date DN
Golden-crowned Sparrow 9/11 Rail Ponds; first arrival date DN
Brewer’s Sparrow (wrn. adult) 9/23 Doran Park dunes, flycatching with “skylarking” flights DN
Lapland Longspur 9/13 Doran Park dunes, also heard DN
Blue Grosbeak (immature) 9/15 Upper Owl Canyon, onto Bodega Head bench DN
Cassin’s Finch 9/8 Visiting feeder, Eucalyptus Avenue, Cotati RM

CONTRIBUTORS: Dea Freid, Deyea Harper, Phil Henderson, John Luther, Richard Merriss, Dan Nelson, Rob O’Donald, Benjamin D. Parmeter,
Ruth Rudesill, Rich Stallcup, and Alan Wight.
Page 7
 Madrone Audubon Society
Post Office Box 1911
Santa Rosa, California 95402

November 2008

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Madrone Audubon Society meets on the third Monday of each month, except in June, July, August, and December. Meetings start at 7:30 PM at First United Methodist
Church, 1551 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. All meetings and walks are open to the public. Information: 546-7492.
President: Janeann Erickson - erickson@ap.net................................................................795-2498 Bird-A-Thon Coordinator: Marcia Johnson - owlsnest @hughes.net ..........................829-3808
Vice President: Bob Speckels - [email protected] ............................................569-0563 Leaves Co-Editor: Mary Edith Moore - [email protected] .........................763-3577
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond - [email protected] ...............................................537-8069 Leaves Co-Editor: Daphne Smith - [email protected] .............................................546-7808
Corresponding Secretary: Rowland Fellows - [email protected] ................................542-2504 Leaves Production Editor: Kris Hutchins - [email protected] ...........................477-8156
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler - mrywheeler@sbcglobal.net.....................................................494-6415 Circulation: Joannie Dranginis - [email protected] ....................................................523-4373
Membership: Susan Kirks - [email protected] ....................................................773-3215 Observations: Dan Nelson - [email protected] ....................................................762-5167
Conservation Chair: Diane Hichwa - [email protected] .......................................579-1182 ACR Rep & MMAS Steering Committee: Bryant Hichwa ...........................................579-1182
Education Kits: Barbara Novak - [email protected] ................................................795-3996 ACR Rep: Patrick Woodworth ...............................................................................................829-8915
Audubon Adventures: Phyllis Schmitt - [email protected] Petaluma Wetlands Alliance: Gerald Moore - [email protected] ...................763-3577
Russian River Watershed Council Rep: Curtis Kendall ............................................473-0601
Program Chair: Marilynn Scott .........................................................................................539-0734
Research and Breeding Bird Atlas: Betty Burridge.....................................................527-0225
Outreach Chair: Dennis Wheeler - [email protected] .........................................494-6415
Christmas Count and IMBD Chair: Veronica Bowers - [email protected] ...........829-2955
Junior Audubon Chair: Veronica Bowers - [email protected] .................................829-2955 Honorary Board Member: Ernestine Smith ..................................................................545-4255
Publicity: Pat Macias - macpat@saber.net..........................................................................894-0503 Bird Rescue Center ..........................................................................................................523-BIRD
Mayacamas Sanctuary Manager: Curtis Kendall - [email protected] ...............473-0601 Northern California Rare Bird Alert .................................................................. 415-681-7422
Webpage Editor: Jeff Holtzman - [email protected] .......................................823-8290 Audubon-California: Glenn Olson - [email protected] ................................... 916-649-7600
Bird Walks and Field Trips: Tom McCuller - sisyphus @sonic.net .............................546-1812 National Audubon Society: 225 Varick Street, NY, NY 10014................................. 212-979-3000

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