VOLUME 43
May 2010 Number 8
Wintering Birds Head North – to a Threatened Destination
By Diane Hichwa, Madrone Conservation Chair
For wintering birds on our Pacific Coast,
May is “migratory bird month” in a very
real sense.
It’s a time to call attention to the sum-
mer nesting places of many of these
birds; that is, the threatened wildlife
refuges of the boreal forests and tundra
in Alaska. I remember being amazed
when we visited Alaska to find Lesser
Yellowlegs standing on treetops and all
three Jaegers–Long-tailed, Pomarine
and Parasitic–not spotted on a boat trip
but flying over the tundra. The birds we
see along our coast as wetland species
NEED the tundra and the boreal forest
for nesting.
Seen on the Sonoma Coast in their
muted winter plumage are many famil-
iar species that will be heading north. In
Bodega Bay Semipalmated Sandpipers
feed in the mud but will head to low
and sub-arctic tundra for nesting. “Our”
Black Brant that eat the eelgrass all win-
ter in Bodega Bay fly north in mid-April
in long lines, headed to the northern-
most edges of Alaska.   leader Ted Cheeseman will take us to the Antarctic to explore what it is to be a seabird in
Whimbrels go to north, west and central
Alaska; Red-necked Phalaropes that spin
like wind-up toys in our waterponds
travel all over Alaska and Northern Can-
ada to nest. Ruddy Turnstones, now in
bright breeding plumage, will fan out on
the tundra, while tiny Western Sandpipers
travel to the north and west coastal edge
of Alaska. There are some that go to
surprising places–Surfbirds we see feed-
ing on the rocks off Bodega Head are
known to nest on rocky alpine ridges; in These migrating birds face other chal-
fact, the first discovery of Surfbird nests lenges at the end of their journey–the
was near Mount McKinley. nesting areas of Alaska are far from safe
In May millions of shorebirds do a fast- havens today. A recent article in the
food stop over in the Copper River Wilderness Society newsletter (Spring
Delta of southeast Alaska to refuel. They 2010) highlights some of the threats to
continue on to nest and to feed their ANWR and a few other refuges:
chicks on the infamous insects of sum- “The Arctic Refuge is not yet safe from
mertime Alaska. For some species it’s an drilling, but with the current Admin-
even longer and more difficult journey: istration a bill allowing development
magnificent Tundra Swans come from is unlikely. There are bills in Congress
Chesapeake Bay, 4,000 miles away, and (H.R. 39, S. 231) that would add the
Bar-tailed Godwits fly an incredible refuge’s coastal plain to the National
7,000 miles from New Zealand to breed Wilderness Preservation System…”
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Continued on page 3
ANNUAL MEETING AND POTLUCK DINNER
Monday, May 17, 6:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa
PROGRAM
Awards and Installation of Officers
“Birds of the South Atlantic and Antarctica”
Albatross and penguins are the world’s greatest mariners. Naturalist and popular expedition
the vast, unforgiving desert of the open ocean. Illustrated with images from his worldwide
travels to remote seabird breeding colonies, Ted will tell stories of the new insight we have
into the lives of these magnificent birds through recent science, especially GPS- telemetry,
just as they face sharp declines at the hands of industrial fishing and climate change.
Ted Cheeseman began studying and photographing wildlife very early, traveling extensively
with Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris. He completed a master’s degree in tropical conservation
biology from Duke University and then found his true passion in the icy grip of the Antarctic.
NOTE: For the potluck dinner, please bring a dish to share (entree, salad or dessert), along
with your own plate and utensils. We will provide drinks–sorry, no alcoholic beverages
allowed at the church. Help to set up before the dinner (or to clean up afterwards) is much
appreciated. If you can lend a hand, please call Janeann Erickson at 795-2498 or e-mail
her at erickson@ap.net.

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.
The Conservation Committee exchanges information by phone and e-mail as
soon as possible when an issue surfaces. Please contact Diane Hichwa at 785-
1922 or <dhichwa@earthlink.net>.
Saturday, May 1, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WILLOW CREEK, DUNCAN’S LANDING, JENNER. One of our most
productive bird walks; not to be missed! Meet at the parking lot of Sizzling
Tandoor Indian Restaurant in Bridgehaven at the south end of the Russian
River Bridge on Highway 1 (Coast Highway). Informal carpools meet at 7:00
AM at Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District of-
fice, 747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the office
(access from Carrillo Street). Bring lunch, liquids and layers of clothing. Rain
cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bill Doyle, 483-8773; and Bob
Speckels, 569-0563.
Sunday, May 2, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SANCTUARY. Field trip. Jeanne
Wirka, resident biologist at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bouverie Preserve, will pro-
vide an introduction to local California grasslands, with an emphasis on native
species and grassland ecology. Bring a camera, a hand lens and notebook. For
more details see the March issue of the Leaves, in print or on the MAS website.
Wednesday, May 5, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
POINT REYES AREA. Bird Walk. We will search for spring migrants. Meet
in the parking lot across from the Point Reyes National Seashore Bear Valley
Visitor Center, which is just west of Olema. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered
clothing. For information, contact Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net or
546-1812.
Wednesday, May 5, 7:00 PM
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway
Avenue, Santa Rosa. For agenda information, contact Janeann Erickson at 795-2498.
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads a nature walk.
Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Gerald Moore at 763-3577.
Sunday, May 9, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SANCTUARY. Field trip.
Wildflowers and plant walk with Peter Warner, plant ecologist and botanical
consultant. Once again we’ll witness the gradual changes in vegetation as the
landscape rebounds from the 2004 fire. Bring plant guides, hand lenses, cameras,
and notebooks. For more details see the March issue of the Leaves, in print or
on the MAS website.
Thursday, May 13, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SANCTUARY AND PINE
FLAT ROAD. Bird Walk. Meet for carpooling at Alexander Valley Community
Church on Alexander Valley Road, immediately west of the Jimtown Store.
Alexander Valley Road is northeast of Healdsburg. Bring lunch and liquids.
For information, contact Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net or 546-1812. This
walk is part of the MMAS Field Trip series.
Saturday, May 15, 8:00 AM to Noon
ANNADEL STATE PARK, CHANNEL DRIVE. This short stretch of road
has some of the best spring birding in the county. Meet in the Annadel State
Park parking lot, at the very end of Channel Drive. The park has an entry fee
of $4. Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bill Doyle, 483-8773;
and Bob Speckels, 569-0563.
Page 2
M A D R O N E L E AVE S
Saturday, May 15, 10:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two children/
family nature walks. One-to-two hours, dependent on age of children. Meet at
the first kiosk. Rain cancels. For the children/family walk in English, contact
Gerald Moore at 763-3577; for the walk in Spanish, contact Connie Peabody
at 338-2237.
Monday, May 17, 6:00 PM
Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner. Awards and installation
of officers. Guest speaker is Ted Cheeseman, speaking on “Birds of the South
Atlantic and Antarctica.” First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery
Drive, Santa Rosa. Please see the front page announcement. The public is
always invited to attend these programs.
Wednesday, May 19, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
ANDERSON MARSH AND CLEAR LAKE STATE PARKS. Bird Walk.
Meet in the Anderson Marsh State Park parking lot (3/4 mile north of Lower
Lake on Highway 53). There is a $4 parking fee. Bring lunch and liquids. For
information, contact Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net or 546-1812.
Saturday, May 22, 9:00 AM
ELLIS CREEK WATER RECYCLING FACILITY, PETALUMA. Petaluma
Wetlands Alliance leads a walk at the Ellis Creek ponds. Go to the end of
Cypress Drive and through the gates. Parking lot is on the left. Rain cancels.
Contact Bob Dyer at 763-2934.
Sunday, May 23, 9:30 to 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SANCTUARY. Field trip. Kathy
and Dave Biggs will help us find and identify the dragonflies found along Pine
Flat Road and on the Mayacamas Sanctuary. Close focus binoculars and hand
lenses are helpful. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get wet. Children 12+
OK. NOTE: Any rain cancels this hike. For more details see the March issue of
the Leaves, in print or on the MAS website.
Thursday, May 27, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
SALMON CREEK ROAD. Bird Walk. Meet in Bodega at the junction of
Bodega Highway and Salmon Creek Road (north side of Bodega Highway,
opposite the Bodega Post Office). Bring lunch and liquids. For information,
contact Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.
Saturday, May 29, 8:00 AM to Noon
SPRING LAKE. Birder’s Challenge. Rev up your competitive juices for a spirited
morning of birding at Spring Lake. We’ll break into two teams, bird the lake
from opposite directions, and meet at noon to compare notes and numbers over
lunch. Parking fee ($6) for non-permit holders. From Summerfield Road in
Santa Rosa, go east on Hoen Avenue, turn left on Newanga Avenue, turn right
inside the park entrance gate, and meet in the parking lot near the restrooms
at the top of the hill. Bring lunch, liquids and layers of clothing. Rain cancels.
Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bill Doyle, 483-8773; and Bob Speckels,
569-0563.
Saturday, June 5, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
PINE FLAT ROAD. A bird-rich outing that we all look forward to every year.
We will meet at the first bridge on Pine Flat Road, just east of its intersection
with Highway 128, north of Healdsburg. We will combine into as few cars as
possible. Please do not join us in an additional vehicle after the trip has started,
as a large number of cars negatively impacts the birding and the residents of the
area. Bring lunch, liquids and layers of clothing. Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom
Cashman, 433-2528; Bill Doyle, 483-8773; Bob Speckels, 569-0563.

WINTERING BIRDS
Continued from page 1
We can encourage our lawmakers to
support these bills.
The article continues: “Another impor-
tant destination for birds is Izembek
National Wildlife Refuge, whose ex-
traordinary eelgrass beds attract virtually
the entire world populations of Emperor
Geese and Pacific Black Brant… But the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is consider-
ing a proposal to build a road through
what is now a wilderness area.  Interior
Secretary Ken Salazar is charged with
making the final decision, so there is still
hope that the road will not be built.”
Letters to Salazar could help by urging
him to reject this proposal.
And finally, “A third Alaskan sanctu-
ary in jeopardy is Yukon Flats National
Wildlife Refuge, which attracts birds
from 43 states and 11 other countries.
They include 11,000 Sandhill Cranes,
16,000 loons, and 100,000 Horned and
Red-necked Grebes…Yet the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service was inclined to ap-
prove a land swap intended to facilitate
oil drilling in Yukon Flats.” The land
swap has been delayed, and it is hoped
that the Fish and Wildlife Service will
make a good decision.
I urge all of you to stay abreast of threats to
these wildlands of CRITICAL HABITAT
for the birds we enjoy and admire. Our let-
ters, telephone calls and emails give a voice
to the birds and other wildlife in jeopardy.
• • • • •
IMPORTANT MMAS
UPDATE - FEED-
BACK REQUESTED
By Bryant Hichwa and Bob Speckels
Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) will as-
sume management of the Mayacamas
Mountains Audubon Sanctuary this
April.  The discussion has been ongoing
and has resulted in a signed Memoran-
dum of Understanding between ACR and
California Audubon, addressing the long-
term management  requirements of the
Sanctuary.  Corresponding Secretaries: Cynthia Miller
Madrone Audubon has had a long-stand-
ing and active involvement in the MMAS,
starting in 1994 when the Sanctuary was
donated to National Audubon.  Madrone
members participated in numerous bird
counts and breeding bird censuses on
the property, and continued their stew-
ardship by monitoring construction of
Santa Rosa’s pipeline project from 2001
to 2003. Since 2005 Madrone has been
sponsoring a popular series of spring field
trips highlighting different aspects of the
Sanctuary, such as its history and geology,
as well as the plant and animal life.
At this time the Madrone Board is re-
questing that you, our chapter’s mem-
bership, provide us with your input and
suggestions regarding Madrone’s future
role at the MMAS.  The current plan is
to form a Task Force to consolidate your
input. We are soliciting oral and written
comments and planning for an open dis-
cussion at the May General Meeting. 
• • • • •
Corrections and Updates
The Christmas Bird Count for 2009
printed in the March Leaves gave an in-
correct total of species reported. The cor-
rect total should have been 182.
In the April Leaves the calendar listings for
Madrone’s Mayacamas Mountains Audu-
bon Sanctuary field trips referred to the
wrong issue as a source for further details
on the trips. The detailed descriptions of
these outings can be found in the March
Leaves. Back issues of the Madrone Leaves
can be found on our website: http://audu-
bon.sonoma.net.
Board Nominations – update
We are happy to have filled out our
Board positions for 2010-2011. Here is
the new slate:
President: Robert Speckels
Vice-President: Susan Kirks
M A D R O N E L E AVE S
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond
and Sabrina Hearst
Some Good News for Paula Lane
[Refer to March Leaves, page 3: “Wild Land
in Urban Areas”]
At the March 25 meeting of the Citizens
Advisory Committee, Sonoma County
Agriculture Preservation and Open Space
District, the Committee approved a rec-
ommendation for additional funding, if
needed, for the Paula Lane Open Space
Preserve project.  The recommendation,
along with others for projects throughout
Sonoma County, will be forwarded to the
Open Space Authority for review and,
hopefully, approval. This funding will
support land acquisition and protection
of a century-old habitat for the American
Badger and over 100 avian species, as well
as a threatened wildlife movement corri-
dor in South Sonoma County.
• • • • •
Making Your Yard Bird
Friendly–and Safe
[Editor’s note: this “Through the Garden
Gate” article written by Judy Brinkerhoff in
May of 2000 seems equally good advice for
May of 2010.]
Would you like to turn your back yard
into a bird-friendly oasis? Besides know-
ing which plants will provide nectar, ber-
ries or seeds, one of the first things to do
is evaluate your yard to see if it has shelter
enough to keep birds safe while they eat
at the feeders and bathe in the bird baths
you supply.
Birds need dense thickets of bushes and
shrubs that give them shelter from preda-
tors, not only from cats, but also from
woodland hawks. Many folks are sur-
prised to discover that there are hawks
that catch and eat other birds. These
woodland hawks are small, slim, and very
quick, designed to fly through the trees and
catch unsuspecting songbirds on the wing.
Continued on page 4
Page 3

BIRD FRIENDLY YARD
Continued from page 3
I watch them in my own yard: a Cooper’s
or a Sharp-shinned Hawk will swoop out
of nowhere after a sparrow or junco at my
platform feeder in the oak. Poor guy, I’ve
never seen him catch a hapless songbird,
and I’m sure it’s due to the fact that the
feeders are placed such that the hawk
doesn’t have a clear shot at the birds. The
feeders and water are all placed near or in
the midst of shrubby thickets where the
birds can make immediate escapes at the
first sign of danger, either from hawks or
ground predators such as cats.
Of course, shrubby cover also gives birds
nesting areas, as many birds build nests in
branches. But shrubs serve another pur-
pose for birds; they use them as corridors
to hop and flit from one area to another,
much as we use highways. They are thus
always under safe cover and away from
the keen eyesight of hawks.
If you have a dead or dying tree in your
yard, and it doesn’t create a hazard to hu-
mans or your home, leave it standing as
long as possible. Insects burrowing under
the bark will be an important food supply
for nuthatches and woodpeckers. You can
always hide the dead trunk by planting a
nectar-producing vine at the base, per-
haps our native honeysuckle or clematis.
If you have the space to spare, make a
brush pile of dead branches–that will also
serve as cover for birds. You’ll soon note
that it will be a haven for birds as they hop
about in the twigs and on the ground be-
neath, searching for insects.
Dripping or splashing water is irresistible
to birds. As soon as I turn on my sprin-
kler system, the birds are there, bathing
and fluffing their feathers. Try suspending
a water-filled plastic bottle with a hole in
the bottom over a bird bath. It will drip
and attract birds to the area. Any water
you supply should have cover nearby, but
not so close that a cat could hide and sur-
prise the soggy bird.
The same goes for your feeders; the brushy
cover nearby should be just close enough
Page 4
to be useful to the birds as an escape route,
but not close enough to hide a predator.
Another important point… Make cer-
tain you can see the feeders and the wa-
ter from your windows. Seeing the birds
enjoy what you’ve given them is half the
fun! The other half is knowing you are
helping in the efforts to recover lost habi-
tat for our birds.
• • • • •
Be a Good Landlord
By Veronica Bowers
Hosting a nest box for cavity nesting passer-
ines is a good thing to do for the birds and
enjoyable for us, but with it comes respon-
sibility. If you have a nest box for cavity
nesting birds on your property, or are plan-
ning to install a nest box, please be a good
landlord by following the guidelines below.
• Before the breeding season starts, nest
boxes should be cleaned out, old nests
removed and the nest boxes washed
with a solution of one part bleach and
10 parts water. If you haven’t already
done this, it may be too late as nesting
season is well underway by April for
many of our local breeders. Be sure to
put it on your calendar for next year.
• Nest boxes must be predator proof.
This can be done simply by mounting
boxes on a metal pole. Boxes mounted
on fences, trees, and wooden poles are
poor choices and especially vulnerable
to predators, such as raccoons. Also a
good nest box also does NOT include
a perch on the outside of the entrance!
• A good nest box is well ventilated, wa-
tertight, has drainage holes, is predator
proof, is easy to monitor and easy to clean.
• Avoid installing nest boxes where
there is pesticide use.
• Avoid installing nest boxes where House
Sparrow populations are abundant.
• Untreated lumber, such as cedar, is
best for nest box construction. If
paint or stain is used, be sure to use
non-toxic materials and light colors.
M A D R O N E L E AVE S
If nest boxes cannot be maintained and
monitored properly, they should be re-
moved. In general, nesting success and
lifespan for passerines is quite low, so
please don’t set passerines up for failure.
For more information about nest box-
es, cavity nesting birds and responsible
nest monitoring practices, please visit
Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website at
www.nestwatch.org.
• • • • •
The Dutra Asphalt
Plant At Shollenberger
By Gerald Moore
The debate about locating an asphalt
plant next to Shollenberger Park is now
four years and three months old and Du-
tra still doesn’t get the message that it is a
bad idea. They are currently revising the
project to allow offloading of their aggre-
gate at the adjacent Shamrock aggregate
site since the Dutra site has been declared
illegal for offloading for several reasons.
However, this has caused the county to re-
alize that Shamrock is also violating their
permits, and everything appears in limbo.
At this time there is still a meeting with
the Board of Supervisors scheduled for
Tuesday, May 11, at 2:00 PM at the su-
pervisors’ chambers in Santa Rosa. This
may or may not be the final decision-
making meeting, or there might be anoth-
er postponement at the last minute. We
don’t know, but we encourage everyone to
plan on attending the May 11 meeting.
We will get any changes onto the Ma-
drone website as soon as we hear of them.
You can also call 763-3577 or 763-2934
for last-minute clarification.
Welcome New Friends
of Madrone
Audubon Society
Glen Ellen
Jennifer Potts
Santa Rosa
Joanne James

BIRD-A-THON
2010…Money For A
Good Cause
By Marcia Johnson, Bird-A-Thon Coordinator
Madrone Audubon again would like to
extend their appreciation to the four teams
who participated in the 2010 Bird-A-Thon.
The money raised will be used to support
programs in education and conservation.
At present $4,540.40 has been raised, with
more to come.
From “The Feather Questers” Team: Di-
ane Hichwa and Karen Nagel:
The showery day that greeted Diane and
Karen for their 16th annual Bird-A-Thon
probably brought the species count lower
than in the past, though 118 is not too
bad! They missed some of the usuals like
Say’s Phoebe, Northern Pintail, California
Thrasher, Bald and Golden Eagles, White-
throated Sparrow, and a few gulls.
Karen started the day with a pair of Great
Horned Owls calling, Wild Turkeys in the
distance, and a dawn fly-by of four Wood
Ducks.   She joined Diane in Penngrove
and they headed for the side roads. Wil-
son’s Snipe were added, and then Tree
Swallows--newly arrived at the Petaluma
treatment plant, along with a pair of West-
ern Bluebirds. Spring Lake bagged Osprey,
one lone Black-crowned Night-Heron and
Common Moorhen. Then on to Sebasto-
pol for the Cattle Egret, while the nearby
Laguna de Santa Rosa brought White Peli-
cans.  Doran Park saw a lone Peregrine Fal-
con–eating–along with nearby Sanderlings,
Canvasback, and Black Oystercatchers. A
sunset drive to Cotati for dinner and a recap
brought an end to a very good day.
Appreciation goes to the sponsors:  Karen
& Jay Abbe, Dorcas Allison, Nancie Barker,
Kathy & David Biggs, Gay Bishop, David
& Jeanne-Marie Black, Donna Bley, Jayne
Brogan, Buff & Gerry Corsi, Kit & David
Daine, MaryAnn Desmond & Bill McGee,
Gwen Dhesi, Don & Donna Friedrich,
Dorothy Gregor, Karlene Hall, Jean Hanks,
Susan Harris, Steve Hemenway, Rebecca &
Mike Hengehold, Bryant Hichwa, John &
Marian Hichwa, Katherine Hichwa, Val
Hanelt & Hans Hickenlooper, Pat Hil-
dreth, Karen & Mike Kasper, John & Jo
Kleis, Lynn & Garrett Kominsky, Paula &
Al Kritz, Peter Leveque, Jim Moir, Cindy
Barker Monges, Alida Morzenti, Ted Nagel,
Becky Olson, Mike Parmeter, Bev Penn,
Celeste & Roger Phillips, Roger & Deb
Phillips, Sally Pola, Dave & Chris Powell,
John Reese, Rhinefarm Vineyards, Ruth
Rudesill, Maggie Salenger & Peter Hay-
wood, Rich Kuehn & Dean Schuler, Mari-
lynn Scott, Jim & Judy Seeser, Gloria Shay,
Richard Shipps, Shirley Spina, Judy & Phil
Temko, Liz and Mike Thach, Danna &
Janice Vough, Arlene Weis, Cathy & Larry
Zbikowski.  Amount raised:  $2,892.40
From the “Gray-headed Seersuckers”
Team: Betty Burridge, Ian Morrison,
Ken Wilson, Becky Olsen and Ted Eliot:
A whopping 133 species were found on
a very fun and sunny day. Betty, for one,
started at 5 AM and got home at 6:30;
however, she confesses “to two intentional
naps, and another few that just happened.”
The best finds were five Marbled Murre-
lets off Bodega Head, and a Pacific Golden
Plover at Shollenberger Park. But, were the
stars of the day the Peregrine Falcon and the
Pileated Woodpecker on Los Alamos Road?
Much thanks goes to sponsors: Susan
Bass, Walt & Sondra Bodley, Cynthia Boy-
er, Betty Burridge, Richard Cuneo, Marion
& Hall Cushman, Anthony Hicks, Ted
Eliot, Deyea & Jack Harper, Ellen Krebs,
Carla Miles, Katie & Leo Nelligan, Mike
Nelligan, Becky Olsen, Gary O’Fregien,
Mike Parmeter, Ruth Rudesill, Jeanne
Schapp, Daphne Smith, Don & Marilyn
Toms, Mary & Larry Yabroff. Amount
raised: $1,337.00
From the “Dabbler” Team:
Phyllis Schmitt:
This team of one got 88 species on a beau-
tiful day. Turkey gobbles started the day
off, followed by Great Horned Owl hoots.
Howarth Park brought forth a Nuttall’s
Woodpecker. Several smaller birds zipped
M A D R O N E L E AVE S
by, however, field marks were too hard to
make a positive ID. Moving on to Spring
Lake, a Green Heron flew up into a nearby
tree, making it a highlight bird in that area.
Next stop, Penngrove for a nest-standing
Black-crowned Night-Heron, then on
to Ellis Creek and Shollenberger Park in
Petaluma. To quote Phyllis, “The Marsh
Wrens must have had a sewing order to fill.
It seemed that hundreds of machines were
buzzing away in the reeds.” Also seen were
Tree Swallows, a Western Meadowlark and
a Northern Mockingbird.
Strong winds at Bodega Head kept Pelagic
Cormorants and gulls clinging to the lee
side of the rocks. Also seen were Marbled
Godwits, but nary a Willet! Ragle Park in
Sebastopol brought in White-crowned
Sparrows, including a juvenile, and a
White-tailed Kite. A pair of Cinnamon
Teals completed the day at Laguna Park.
Kudos to sponsors: Kathy Allen, Doug
Bender, Bernadette Chadwick, Ann
Dubell, Gaye Le Baron, Barbara Leder, Jim
Moir, Daphne Smith, Carol Wood, Loretta
Zweig. Amount Raised: $311.00
From the “Road Runners” Team: Betty
Groce and Don McCarthy: Coming
next month!
• • • • •
SPRING AND SUMMER
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Rehabilitating Songbirds
Volunteers are needed at The Songbird
Hospital.  Located in Sebastopol, The
Songbird Hospital specializes in the reha-
bilitation and release of native passerines. 
Volunteer opportunities include trans-
porting birds to the hospital, releasing
birds back to the wild, caring for birds in
the hospital, aviary cleaning and enrich-
ment, reuniting/fostering orphaned pas-
serines with wild parents, data entry and
more.  Volunteers must be 18 years or
older. For more information about vol-
unteering or to sign up for an orientation
Continued on page 6
Page 5

volunteer opportunities
Continued from page 5
and training, please call Veronica at
484-6502, or visit our website at www.
songbirdhospital.org.
Monitoring Seabirds in Gualala
In northwest Sonoma County monitoring
of nesting seabirds goes on at Gualala Point
Island. The island provides habitat where
a number of coastal species raise chicks.
There’s a tightly spaced colony of Brandt’s
Cormorants, nesting Western Gulls, crevice
nests of Pigeon Guillemots and a few Pelag-
ic Cormorants and Black Oystercatchers.
Their nesting success has been interrupted
by two years of a nearby fireworks display.
If you would be willing to help during
the June 25-July 14 period of daily moni-
toring, please contact Diane Hichwa at
dhichwa@earthlink.net or 785-1922 for
more information about training and
what is involved in the monitoring.
• • • • •
GETTING
OUTDOORS IN MAY
Delta Pond Rookery with Laguna Docents
Saturday, May 1, multiple AM walk times
available
This annual event is not to be missed! The
trees between Delta Pond and the Laguna are
host to a sizable rookery of Great Blue Her-
ons, Double-crested Cormorants, plus Great
Egrets with their wispy breeding plumage.
Come watch the adults endeavoring to keep
up with demanding chicks that are trying to
out-compete nest-mates and prepare for first
flight. Register online at the Laguna Founda-
tion’s website: www.lagunafoundation.org.
For more information, contact Christine
Fontaine at 527-9277 x102 or by email at
christine@lagunafoundation.org.  • • • • •
Cunningham Marsh Work Days
Sunday, May 2, 9:00 AM to Noon
Cunningham Marsh is a 19-acre conser-
vation easement located off Lone Pine
Road, south of Sebastopol and home
to the endangered Pitkin Lily. We will
be doing weeding within the lily en-
Page 6
closures, hardware removal around ex-
isting native plants, and protection  of
oaks. We also have birds! If you are able
to help for a few hours, please contact
Marcia Johnson at owlsnest@hughes.net
or 829-3808. Ask her about car-pooling
to get access to the property.  volunteers can contribute by covering one
CNPS Vegetation Sampling Workshop
Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8
Dwight Center at Pepperwood Preserve
Workshop hosted by the California Native
Plant Society, CNPS Milo Baker Chapter,
and Pepperwood Preserve. Participants
will learn about the essential role of veg-
etation inventories and classification in
ecological management and conservation.
For RSVP and questions: Please contact
Peter Warner at phytopagangmail.com,
or go to www.pepperwoodpreserve.org,
under Education and Course Listing links
for more information.
16th Annual Petaluma River Cleanup
Saturday, May 8 from 8:30 AM at the
Petaluma Marina
For more information, go to http://
www.petalumarivercleanup.org.
Bay Area Orienteering Club Meet
Sunday, May 16
Indian Valley College in Novato
Orienteering is a sport in which you find
control flags using a map and compass. It
resembles a treasure hunt and emphasizes
navigation skills and strategic route choic-
es. Free clinics are at 9:30 AM and 10:30
AM. Then you apply what you learn on
one of the beginner courses. There are also
intermediate and advanced courses for
those with experience. See our website at
www.baoc.org for more information.
2011 Breeding Bird
Atlas Underway  be  offered on-line through the City of
Preparation for the 2011 edition of the
Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas
continues with Lisa Hug’s Atlas Training
Course.  One classroom meeting remains,
M A D R O N E L E AVE S
scheduled for June 22, and Lisa’s field ses-
sions continue on May 9th and 10th.  See
the February Leaves for complete schedule or
contact Lisa for details at Lisahug@sonic.net. 
We are currently recruiting volunteers
with a broad spectrum of valuable skills–
or more blocks, or helping to arrange per-
mission to enter private property. Those
with computer skills can help with Atlas
data management.  Help is also needed
with Atlas publicity and with fundraising. 
The Atlas Committee (currently Veronica
Bowers, Bob Speckels, Ruth Rudisil, Lisa
Hug and Betty Burridge) will help to
coordinate everyone’s efforts to achieve
maximum efficiency.
• • • • •
Bird Camp for Kids
By Al Hesla 
The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance,
through the Madrone Audubon Society,
PRBO, and the City of Petaluma are
sponsoring the first-ever Petaluma Bird
Camp for Kids this summer.   The event
is geared for youth 9-14 and is sched-
uled for the week of June 7th.  The daily
camp will be from 9:00 A.M. to Noon,
Monday through Friday.  The first four
days will start at PRBO headquarters in
Petaluma.  The final day will be held at
the Lucchesi Community Center.
The five-day curriculum includes iden-
tifying birds, keeping a field journal,
learning binocular techniques, and
sketching birds.  We’ll cover topics such
as nesting and breeding behavior, flight
and migration, and owl pellet dissection. 
The course will be limited to 16 partici-
pants and the fee for the week is $125
per child to cover the cost of camp ma-
terials and instructor fees.  Registration
for the camp and collection of fees will
Petaluma Park and Recreation Depart-
ment at http://cityofpetaluma.net/park-
snrec/index.html. Please call Al Hesla at
765-9411 for additional information.
 M A D R O N E L E AVE S

Observations
Spring 2010 • Dan Nelson • 479-2918 • birdsurf64@sbcglobal.net

Long-tailed Duck 3/28 Muir Beach, off south end DN

Caspian Tern 4/3 Richardson Bay, Marin County DN
Manx Shearwater 3/13 Pigeon Point, off San Mateo coast RT
Manx Shearwater 4/9 Pigeon Point, northbound off San Mateo coast RT
Black-legged Kittiwake (two adults) 4/9 Pigeon Point, northbound off San Mateo coast RT
Cooper’s Hawk 3/20-25 Pair at presumed nest site, SFSU campus, San Francisco JDB
Red-shouldered Hawk 3/16 Nesting, near Link Lane/Eighth Street, Santa Rosa DB
Swainson’s Hawk (dark adult) 3/16 Burlingame, Highway 101 at Broadway RT
Bald Eagle (2) 3/15 Tomales Bay, west side near Inverness Park DM
Merlin 3/10 Perched in Sweetgum (yardbird) Paula Lane, Petaluma DN
Merlin 3/25 Tolay Creek Ranch ALaC
White-faced Ibis 3/5 Flyover in Woodacre, Marin County ADeM
Long-billed Curlew (50) 3/15 Flying south past Porto Sonoma, Sonoma County DN
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3/5 Porto Bodega, 15 birds perched on wire DN
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4/5 Actively calling, “scolding” note given when imitations heard DN
Long-eared Owl 4/1 Mercey Hot Springs, Fresno County DN, TF
Rufous Hummingbird 4/8 Harbin Springs, Lake County DN
Violet-green Swallow 3/10 Paula Lane, first spring arrival DN
Barn Swallow 3/25 Paula Lane, Petaluma DN
Cliff Swallow (50+) 3/18 Highway 101 at Petaluma River bridge DN
Purple Martin (6) 4/5 San Luis Reservoir, Merced County PM
Hammond’s Flycatcher 3/13 Water Lane, Pescadero, San Mateo County (in pines, found on 1/2 CBC) RT, LB
Rock Wren 3/25 Tolay Creek/Sonoma Land Trust Property ALaC
Warbling Vireo 3/28 Muir Beach, along Redwood Creek DN
Cassin’s Vireo 4/8 Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, Mount St. Helena, Napa County DN
Northern Waterthrush 3/15 Inverness Park, near Drake’s View Drive (found on the 12/19 CBC) DM
Wilson’s Warbler 3/28 Muir Beach, along Redwood Creek DN
Phainopepla 4/5 San Luis Reservoir, along Dinosaur Point Road, Merced County PM
Great-tailed Grackle 3/7 Ferry Building at landing area, San Francisco ADeM
Yellow-headed Blackbird (3) 4/5 Gun Club Road, Merced County PM
Bullock’s Oriole 3/25 Tolay Creek Ranch, Sonoma Land Trust property ALaC
Bullock’s Oriole 4/5 Paula Lane, first arrival DN
Hooded Oriole 4/7 Paula Lane, first arrival DN
Hooded Oriole (male) 4/1 Along treeless road to Mercey Hot Springs, with male Bullock’s Oriole DN, TF
Orchard Oriole (male) 3/29 San Francisco Arboretum, near succulent garden SL, DM
Lawrence’s Goldfinch (2) 4/6 Memorial Park at Skyline Boulevard/ Highway 92, San Mateo County RT
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male) 3/29 San Francisco Arboretum, present since 12/19/09 DM
Black-headed Grosbeak 4/8 Harbin Springs, Lake County DN

CONTRIBUTORS: Leoni Babkin, Dave Barry, J.D. Blair, Al De Martini, Tiffany Fan, Andy LaCasse, Steve Lewitski, Dominic Mosser, Dan Nelson,
and and Ron Thorn.
Page 7
 Madrone Audubon Society
Post Office Box 1911
Santa Rosa, California 95402

May 2010

RECYCLED
PAPER
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I V R O D
N SIT ER P LOSE
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M E S DELI ENC
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T ASE R
E N DA
PL ALE
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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: telephone answering service - 546-7492,
e-mail - madroneaudubon@um.att.com.
President: Janeann Erickson - erickson@ap.net.................................................................795-2498
Vice President: Bob Speckels - robertspeckels@yahoo.com.............................................569-0563
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond - acbond@sonic.net................................................537-8069
Corresponding Secretary: Cindy Miller - millercynthia@earthlink.net.......................575-7548
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler - mrywheeler@sbcglobal.net......................................................494-6415
Membership: Susan Kirks - susankirks@sbcglobal.net.....................................................773-3215
Conservation Chair: Diane Hichwa - dhichwa@earthlink.net........................................785-1922
Education Kits: Barbara Novak - enovak3697@aol.com.................................................795-3996
Audubon Adventures: Phyllis Schmitt - phyllis_schmitt@comcast.net.........................544-1029
Program Committee: Alexandra McDonald– alexan@saber.net....................................824-0394
Outreach Chair: Sabrina Hearst – sabrinahearst@earthlink.net.....................................575-7548
Junior Audubon Chair:
Publicity: Pat Macias - macpat@saber.net...........................................................................894-0503
Webpage Editor: Jeff Holtzman - Madrone707@hotmail.com........................................823-8290
Bird Walks and Field Trips: Tom McCuller - sisyphus @sonic.net..............................546-1812
Saturday Bird Walks: Bob Speckels - robertspeckels@yahoo.com.................................569-0563
Bird-A-Thon Coordinator: Marcia Johnson - owlsnest @hughes.net...........................829-3808
Leaves Co-Editor: Mary Edith Moore - maryedithmoore@comcast.net..........................763-3577
Leaves Co-Editor: Daphne Smith - dwarsm@comcast.net..............................................546-7808
Leaves Production Editor: Kris Hutchins - krishutch@comcast.net............................477-8156
Circulation & Hospitality: Joannie Dranginis - joanhd@comcast.net..........................523-4373
Observations: Dan Nelson - birdsurf64@sbcglobal.net.....................................................479-2918
ACR Rep & MMAS Steering Committee: Bryant Hichwa............................................579-1182
ACR Rep: Patrick Woodworth................................................................................................829-8915
Petaluma Wetlands Alliance: Gerald Moore - glmemoore@comcast.net....................763-3577
Sonoma County Water Coalition Rep: Paula Zerzan - pzerzan@comcast.net..........935-1523
Research and Breeding Bird Atlas: Betty Burridge......................................................527-0225
Christmas Count and IMBD Chair: Veronica Bowers - vlbowers@gmail.com............829-2955
Honorary Board Member: Ernestine Smith...................................................................545-4255
Bird Rescue Center...........................................................................................................523-BIRD
Northern California Rare Bird Alert................................................................... 415-681-7422
Audubon-California: Graham Chisholm - gchisholm@audubon.org................... 916-649-7600
National Audubon Society: 225 Varick Street, NY, NY 10014.................................. 212-979-3000

Join Madrone Audubon – Support Your Local Chapter

Please complete this form if you wish to join Madrone Audubon, renew your Madrone membership or make a contribution to Madrone.
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