VOLUME 41
Audubon California Assembly 2007: Putting the Focus on
Global Warming sources, the buildup of carbon dioxide later, and changing locations to survive.
By Mary Edith & Gerald Moore
Y es, Dorothy, global warming is real.
The scientific evidence is over-
whelming. Glaciers and polar ice are
melting, sea levels are rising, coastlines
are eroding, hurricanes are increasing in
frequency and intensity, rain is increas-
ing exponentially in some places and de-
creasing in others, and extinction rates
are higher. The year 2005 tied with
1998, an El Nino year, as the hottest year
ever; and nine of the 10 hottest years on
record have come in the past decade.
All of these changes are due to green-
house-gas emissions, particularly carbon
dioxide. When fossil fuels such as natu-
ral gas, oil, and coal are burned, carbon
dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
These emissions into our atmosphere
form an insulating blanket that reduces
a percent of the sun’s energy from ra-
diating back into space after it hits the
ground, resulting in higher surface tem-
peratures. There is a direct correlation
between the greenhouse-gas emissions
and the concentration of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere. Because the ice cap
at the North Pole drives the climatic pat-
terns on our planet, Earth will have very
different and more extreme weather pat-
terns when the polar ice melts in 20-40
years. As human populations increase
and more demands are made on our re-
EARLY AUDUBON RESPONSES TO NOVEMBER’S SF BAY OIL SPILL–SEE PAGE 6 INSIDE
December 2007/January 2008 Number 4
will continue and contribute to global Other good markers for global warming
warming. The United States needs to include coral bleaching, the American
reduce its emissions by 2% per year to Pika relocating upward to colder eleva-
reach a goal of about 60-80% reduction
by mid-century.
tions, salmon moving north, and a de-
crease in polar bear population.
Birds are excellent indicators of chang- But all is not lost. Every one of us can
ing conditions that signal potential dan- help with emissions’ reduction, most of
ger (recall the use of birds in coal mines). which center around reducing our waste-
Many migratory species are arriving ful consumption of energy. Remember
earlier at their nesting sites, leaving Continued on page 3
JANUARY GENERAL MEETING
“Breeding Birds of the Oregon Cascades”
Monday, January 21, 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa
Naturalist Steve Shunk will give us a photographic tour of Oregon’s Cascade Moun-
tains at the peak of breeding season. With an amazing diversity of habitat, from
temperate rainforest to high desert, glaciers to alpine meadows and lava fields, this
region is rich in bird life. More than 300 bird species have been recorded, and most
of these raise their young here.
A few examples: Purple Martin and Red-eyed Vireo nest along the Columbia River, Harle-
quin Duck breeds along the rivers flowing off Mount Hood, and Barrow’s Goldeneye nest
in lakeside Pileated Woodpecker cavities in the shadow of Mount Jefferson.
Steve currently leads birding tours across western North America through his company,
Paradise Birding. Steve co-founded the East Cascades Bird Conservancy and served as its
first president. He also co-founded the Oregon Birding Trails project. For the last 10 years,
Steve has studied woodpeckers on the east slope of Oregon’s Cascades, and he is nearing
completion of the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America.
COMING FEBRUARY 18th:
Video presentation by Rich Kuehn: “Japan in Winter”
 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.

Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 PM Wednesday, January 9, 8:30 AM

BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Ave. ISENBERG CRANE PRESERVE AND CONSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE
Santa Rosa. Contact Veronica Bowers for agenda information at 829-2955. NEAR LODI. Bird Walk. Meet at McDonalds in the Sunset Shopping Center in
Suisun City at the intersection of Highway 12 and Sunset Avenue/Grizzly Island
Thursday, December 6, 8:30 AM
Road. Driving time to meeting point from Santa Rosa is approximately 1 1/4
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. From the center of the town of Bodega Bay, drive
hours. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact Tom
north on Highway 1 and turn left at East Shore Road (the Bodega Head turnoff ).
McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
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. For information, contact Thursday, January 17, 8:30 AM
Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net>, 546-1812. POINT REYES AREA. Bird Walk. Meet in the parking lot across from the Point
Reyes National Seashore Bear Valley Visitor Center, which is just west of Olema.
Saturday, December 8 and January 12, 9:00 AM
Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact Tom McCuller,
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads a bird walk. Meet
<sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Bob Dyer, 763-2934.
Saturday, January 19, 8:30 AM to Noon
Saturday, December 8, 10:00 AM to Dusk
LAKE SONOMA. Beginners Bird Walk. Meet at the Lake Sonoma Visitor Center.
SACRAMENTO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Beginners Bird Walk. This
From Highway 101, take Canyon Road to Dry Creek Road, then Rockpile Road to
is our annual trip to the Sacramento Valley. Meet at the refuge parking lot. Take
the Center. Informal carpool leaves Santa Rosa at 8:00 AM. To participate, please
Interstate 5 north to the Princeton Exit (about 17 miles north of Williams). Turn
arrive about ten minutes earlier to make arrangements. Santa Rosa meeting place:
north on the county service road and proceed to the SNWR entrance. There is a
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Office, 747
$3 per vehicle day-use fee. Driving time from Santa Rosa is about 2.5 hours. Some
Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the office (access from
of our group plan to spend Friday and/or Saturday nights in the town of Willows
Carrillo Street). Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bob Speckels,
to allow us to visit other prime birding spots in the area. Leaders: Tom Cashman,
569-0563; and Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
433-2528 and Bill Payne, 546-3331.
Monday, January 21, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 12, 8:30 AM
GENERAL MEETING. “Breeding Birds of the Oregon Cascades.” Steve Shunk will
LAKE HENNESSEY IN NAPA COUNTY. Bird Walk. From the intersection of
bring his expertise and wonderful photos to give us a virtual tour of his Oregon home
Silverado Trail and Highway 128 (which is east of Rutherford), go east on High-
base in spring. Bring your woodpecker questions! First United Methodist Church,
way 128 to a parking area at the bottom of the Conn Dam spillway on the left
1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. Please see the front page for more information.
of the road. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information: Tom
The public is always invited to attend these programs.
McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
Wednesday, January 23, 8:30 AM
Saturday, December 15 and January 19, 10:00 AM
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. From the center of the town of Bodega Bay, drive
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two children/family
north on Highway 1 and turn left at East Shore Road (the Bodega Head turnoff ).
nature walks. One to two hours, dependent on age of children. Meet at the first kiosk.
Then turn right at the stop sign and continue 0.3 mile to the unpaved parking lot
Rain cancels. For the children/family walk in English, contact Gerald or Mary Edith
on the right. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact
Moore at 763-3577; for the walk in Spanish, contact Connie Peabody at 763-7458.
Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net>, 546-1812.
Thursday, December 20, 8:30 AM
Thursday, January 31, 8:30 AM
HOWARTH AND SPRING LAKE PARKS. Bird Walk. Meet at Howarth Park in
SEBASTOPOL AREA. Bird Walk. We will search for wintering birds in the north-
Santa Rosa. Enter the park from Summerfield Road and proceed to the rear parking
east Laguna, Ragle Park, or other interesting local spots. Meet at the Sebastopol
lot, adjacent to the lake. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information,
Community Center, 390 Morris Street. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing.
contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
For information, contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net>, 546-1812.
Wednesday, January 2, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 2, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Ave.,
BODEGA BAY. Beginners Bird Walk. Same Bodega Bay meeting place as in
Santa Rosa. Contact Veronica Bowers for agenda information at 829-2955.
January 23 bird walk, above. Informal carpools leave Santa Rosa at 7:15 AM. To
Thursday, January 3, 8:30 AM participate, please arrive about ten minutes earlier to make arrangements. Santa
LAKE SONOMA AND WARM SPRINGS DAM. Bird Walk. Meet at the Lake Rosa meeting place: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space
Sonoma Visitor Center (approximately five miles west of Geyserville). From District Office, 747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind
Highway 101, take Canyon Road to Dry Creek Road, then Rockpile Road to the the office (access from Carrillo Street). Bring lunch, liquids and layers of clothing.
Center. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact Tom Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528, Bob Speckels, 569-0563, and
McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812. Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
Saturday, January 5, 8:00 AM to Noon Wednesday, February 6, 8:30 AM to Noon
HOWARTH PARK AND SPRING LAKE. Beginners Bird Walk. Meet at SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Bird Walk. Search for wintering birds at the Shollen-
Howarth Park in Santa Rosa. Enter the park from Summerfield Road and proceed berger Park ponds and wetlands in Petaluma. From Santa Rosa, take the Highway 116
to the rear parking lot, adjacent to the lake. Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, exit (Lakeville Highway), go left under Highway 101, turn right at the South McDowell
433-2528, Bob Speckels, 569-0563, and Ken Wilson, 775-2558. traffic light, proceed to the City Park sign and turn right into the park parking lot. For
information, contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net>, 546-1812.
Saturday, January 5, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
PEE WEE AUDUBON. Christmas Bird Count for kids, followed by a “Celebrate CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. No scheduled meetings in December or January.
the Tabulation” pizza lunch at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa If you have conservation concerns, contact Diane Hichwa at dhichwa@earthlink.net
Street, Sonoma. To reserve and get meeting place information, please call Veronica or call her at 579-1182.
Bowers at 829-2955.

Page 2

Global Warming
Continued from page 1
that over 50% of the electricity generated
in the United States is made by burning
coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel which also
puts toxic mercury into our air. Save elec-
tricity by switching to fluorescent bulbs;
turn off the lights when leaving the room;
turn off computers, televisions, and radi-
os when not in use; and use Energy-Star
rated appliances.
The single most important thing you can
do now, as part of a national effort, is to
contact your congressional representatives
and demand that they enact laws now to
adopt mandatory caps on emissions (Barba-
ra Boxer has co-introduced this bill, S309,
but needs our encouragement). Laws are
also needed to address standards for renew-
able electricity and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Think energy savings and conservation in
your daily lives. Conserve water, not only
because it is in short supply, but also because
pumping water around the state takes 20%
of the electricity used in California. Buy
fuel-efficient vehicles and plan your driving
to do multiple tasks per trip, reducing the
total miles driven. Carpool whenever pos-
sible. Switch to tankless hot water heaters.
Eat lower on the food chain (i.e., less red
meat), buy locally, and grow some of your
own food. Reuse and recycle as much as
possible. The list goes on and on.
John Flicker, President of the National
Audubon Society, said that we Ameri-
cans and Auduboners have risen to great
challenges in the past. In 1910 we pushed
through federal laws to stop the slaughter
of wading birds for the use of their plum-
age in women’s hats. In 1972 we struggled
with the chemical industry and won the
ban on DDT to protect birds and other
wildlife. We now face the greatest chal-
lenge of modern times, and we can win by
pulling together. The time to act on global
warming is NOW.
Whatever you do, integrate global warming
in it. “Don’t let your inability to do every-
thing, keep you from doing anything.”
Monday, October 22:
Hawk Migration and a
Deer-hunting Eagle at
the Estero Americano
By Larry Broderick,
Madrone Audubon member
What a wonderful
day it was, from the
pleasant weather to
the show the birds
of prey put on and
the great company
of nature lovers.
This was a Sonoma
Land Trust outing
with Madrone birders as special guests.
We drove down Estero Lane and parked
atop a ridge, then trekked down to the
water’s edge where we could look up at the
raptors. Most of the action was up on the
east-facing slope of the hill on the SLT pre-
serve. As it had rained a few days earlier, it
was obvious that birds of prey would be
out in force, and indeed they were.
We soon saw a Red-shouldered Hawk, a
Cooper’s Hawk and a White-tailed Kite.
Utilizing the wind coming up off the
eastern slope and the thermals gener-
ated by the nice warm weather, the show
continued with the typical Red-tailed
Hawks, Northern Harriers and Ameri-
can Kestrels, plus a few Sharp-shinned
Hawks in the mix.
After watching Redtails and Harriers
frolic in the wind with a group of Ra-
vens, we were ready for a challenge.
Mother Nature delivered with a Swain-
son’s Hawk; the bird was high up and far
out, but gave some distinguishing hints.
The wing configuration and the slender
body were just too obvious to doubt.
The bird’s wings were longer than and
not as thick as the Redtails. Then the tan
leading edge of the wing and the darker
trailing edge left no question.
Not long after the Swainson’s hawk de-
parted we were gifted with yet another
MA D R O N E L E AVES
special treat: a beautiful light morph
Rough-legged Hawk. A very bright and
shiny hawk all lit up in the glimmer of
the full sun. This hawk’s long and slen-
der wings with the very diagnostic dark
carpal (wrist) patches left no argument
as to its identification. A single dark ter-
minal band on this bird’s tail branded
her female. She gave us excellent ex-
amples of side-by-side comparisons of
wing configurations with thermal-riding
Redtails and Harriers.
Now we all were really excited and what
could come next–Golden Eagle, any-
one? We saw a big dark bird fly in, and
it dwarfed the Redtails and Ravens. It
was a sub adult (one to four years old)
Golden Eagle in all its splendor, a mag-
nificent flying giant just coasting along
the ridge of the sprawling mountain.
Then it shot back along the ridge and
headed east.
Not too long after the first eagle depart-
ed, we got a second Golden Eagle, prob-
ably a first year juvenile. This bird was
most likely still learning how to hunt on
its own; that being said, it was hunting
deer. We watched in amazement as this
eagle tried for about a half hour to catch
a deer. Actually he was marauding a half
dozen dear. Whenever the deer broke
ranks, the eagle would single out a vic-
tim and pursue it for 100 yards or more
down steep inclines and ravines.
The eagle made many attempts and
passes at the deer, striking them with its
talons more then once. After exerting
much energy it finally gave up. The eagle
looked very young and its crop was no-
ticeably flat, so we were guessing it badly
needed a meal. Maybe it found a rabbit
or some carrion later in the day. We left
the hill hoping the eagle would eventu-
ally find something to eat, for this was
a strong, persistent and ferocious bird.
A bird of prey that left no doubt that
nature is an awesome spectacle and the
struggle between predator and prey is an
absolutely amazing sight to behold.
Page 3

JOIN A TEAM FOR AUDUBON’S 108TH CBC
Madrone Audubon CBC,
Sunday, December 30
By Joy Mander, CBC Compiler
Looking for a great way to end the year?
Well, head on out to West Sonoma Coun-
ty and join up with Madrone Audubon as
we celebrate our 41st annual Christmas
Bird Count on Sunday, December 30. We
had a great turnout last year, so of course
we would like to see as many friends as
possible join the count again this year.
Our counters cover the full spectrum of
birding skills from beginner to expert,
with each level of expertise filling an im-
portant niche. Whether your strength lies
in identifying “peeps” or passerines, there’s
bound to be an area to suit your birding
interests with the diverse habitats we enjoy
in our count circle. (See map below).
The count begins at approximately 7:00
AM, depending upon the leader, and
continues until about 4:00 PM. The
potluck dinner following the count is
being replaced again this year with a
catered, mostly vegetarian meal at the
Sebastopol Community Center. Dessert
items would be welcome if you feel the
need to bring something, and donations
to help defray the cost of the dinner will
be also be accepted. Coffee, tea, and co-
coa will be provided, but other beverages
are BYOB. Bring your “camp cutlery,”
Page 4
plates, bowls and etceteras so that we can
keep our donation to the local landfill to
a minimum!
The Christmas Count is a great way to
meet up with old friends and to make
new ones, so don’t be shy about joining
in. I’m grateful to all of you who have
participated in the past and hope that
you will plan on counting again this
year–and bring a friend. For further
information or to sign up, please con-
tact me at 778-7865 or send emails to:
wscbc@aol.com.
RROS CBC,
Sunday, December 16
The Redwood Regional Ornithologi-
cal Society’s Santa Rosa Count will be
on Sunday, December 16. All levels of
birding skills are welcome. Please con-
tact Ruth Rudesill at ruthier@sonic.net
or 833-6026.
Sonoma Valley CBC,
Friday, December 28
SonomaBirding will sponsor their 3rd
annual Sonoma Valley CBC on Friday,
December 28, birding from dawn to
dusk. A “Tabulation Dinner” will follow
the count at the Sonoma Community
Center at 276 East Napa Street, from
6:00 to 8:00 PM.Talented “foodies” are
invited to assist with this potluck dinner.
Music, art, great food and wine, too!
Experienced birders are welcomed to lead
one of the 30 birding parties. All area bird-
ers and bird lovers are most welcomed to
join us, and every group needs recorders
and spotters. Choose a birding area from
our list and let us know! You can go to the
website, sonomabirding.org, to see the list
of places and get more information. Or
you may contact compilers Darren Peterie
and Tom Rusert at 939-8007.
CBC for kids,
Saturday, January 5
(See Pee Wee article on page 6).
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Bird Walk Reports
Bodega Bay, Thursday, October 11
Twenty folks joined Don McCarthy
to bird around Bodega Bay. We locat-
ed 81 species; the weather was cloudy
and calm, with a few showers. Everyone
enjoyed the outing, including a couple
from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The high
tide packed shorebirds close to shore so
we could get a good look.
Editor’s note: The Michigan couple sent a
very complimentary thank-you note to Ma-
drone for the warm reception they received!
Point Reyes, Thursday, October 18
Tom McCuller led the mid-week birding
group to outer Point Reyes, the group’s
final fall Point Reyes trip to search for
migrating passerines. Although 73 bird
species were recorded for the day, few mi-
grating passerines were found. Beautiful
weather on the outer point, both over-
night and throughout our day, made for
very comfortable birding but few stop-
ping migrants. The best migrant sight-
ings were two Palm Warblers at the Fish
Docks area. This stop also provided a
first-of-season White-winged Scoter. The
group searched for a previously sighted
Sage Thrasher on route to the lighthouse,
without success. Other noteworthy
sightings included a Great Horned Owl
perched on a rock in bright sunshine and
thousands of Tricolored Blackbirds.
Shollenberger Park, Thursday, Oct. 25
Nineteen Madrone Auduboners and
friends joined Tom McCuller for a cool,
sunny morning of birding at Shollen-
berger Park in Petaluma. With little wa-
ter in the fresh water ponds and marsh-
es, few wintering ducks and grebes had
arrived. Still, the group found five duck
species, including a large number of
well-plumaged Blue-winged Teal. As
usual, Sora were easily seen or heard.
Twelve species of shorebirds, including
one Pacific Golden-Plover, were count-
ed, mainly on the tidal mudflats south
of the park. The group tallied 65 species
for the morning.
Continued on page 5

Bird Walks Reports
Continued from page 4
Sonoma Coast, Thursday, November 8
On November 8, seven Madrone Audu-
boners ignored predictions of heavy
coastal fog and birded the Sonoma
Coast from Duncan’s Landing to the
Russian River. Although long-lingering
fog precluded seeing many of the usual
raptors, water birds were abundant and
easily visible on calm waters all along
the coast. For example at Duncan’s
Landing, the group sighted Red-necked
Grebes, all three scoters (over 30 White-
winged Scoters were sighted during the
trip), Rhinoceros Auklets and Common
Murre, in addition to large numbers of
the most common coastal birds—an ex-
perience replicated at most of the other
stops along the coast.
Other notable sightings included three
Peregrine Falcons, over 100 Red-throat-
ed Loons, a Spotted Sandpiper and a
Hooded Merganser at the mouth of the
Russian River, and a close view of a ju-
venile Golden Eagle, perched on a pole
beside Willow Creek Road. The group
tallied 63 species for the trip.
Holiday Gift Ideas–
Our “Staff Selections”
Whether it’s for your own reading plea-
sure or a gift for a birder friend, here are
some recent books suggested by some
members of your MAS Board:
Winter World
by Bernd Heinrich, 2003,
HarperCollinsPublishers.
Have you ever wondered how the wild
animals of our cold northern climates
survive the winter? Bernd Heinrich is a
New England biologist and naturalist.
In his new book, Winter World, he tells
us in a delightful way how animals from
insects to reptiles, birds, and mammals
have evolved behaviors and physiological
modifications to deal with freezing tem-
peratures over the winter. Since we hu-
mans cannot approach the creative cold-
adapting solutions of our animal friends,
I suggest that you just curl up in front of a
warm fireplace and enjoy this good read.
Reviewed by Gerald Moore
Dawson’s Avian Kingdom
Selected Writings by William Leon
Dawson, edited by Anna Neher,
with a forward by Graham Chisholm
and a biography of Dawson by
Terri Sheridan. 2007, A California
Legacy Book.
An essential volume for any bird lover,
this selection of the writings of the cel-
ebrated ornithologist and zoologist Wil-
liam Leon Dawson will delight even the
most casual of birders with its apt and
informed, yet splendidly exuberant de-
scriptions of marauding magpies, saucy
blackbirds, hurtling swifts, and others.
Dawson’s four-volume The Birds of Cali-
fornia was an extremely popular guide to
the 580 species and subspecies of birds
found in the state, and the original 1923
edition is today a rare and expensive
find. With the publication of Dawson’s
Avian Kingdom, this thoroughly engag-
ing writer’s vignettes on the birds of the
Golden State are again accessible to a
larger audience.
Suggested by Veronica Bowers
The Laws Field Guide to the
Sierra Nevada
Written and illustrated by John Muir
Laws, 2007, Heyday Books, Califor-
nia Academy of Sciences.
An encyclopedic guide, for birds and
much more! This is really something to
have in your backpack. Few birdwatch-
ers can ignore the other wonders found
along the Sierra trails: the magnificent
conifers, the butterflies, the ever-present
small mammals, the wonderful variety of
MA D R O N E L E AVES
flowering plants, and even the night sky,
so much more visible away from our city
lights. John Laws has drawn them all, told
their stories and placed them in their hab-
itat according to location and elevation.
Suggested by Daphne Smith
Return of the Condor: The Race
to Save Our Largest Bird from
Extinction
by John Moir, 2006, The Lyons Press.
The National Association of Science
Writers described this book as “a grip-
ping account of the science and politics
behind the most dramatic and successful
return of a species from the brink of ex-
tinction.” Down to only 22 individuals
in the 1980s, the condor owes its sur-
vival and recovery to a remarkable team
of scientists who flouted conventional
wisdom and pursued the most contro-
versial means to save it. Theirs is a story
of passion, courage, and bitter contro-
versy, one that created a national debate
over how to save America’s largest bird.
Suggested by Marilyn Scott
Of a Feather: A Brief History
of American Birding
by Scott Weidensaul, 2007,
Harcourt Books.
Of a Feather is the most recent book of
author and naturalist Scott Weidensaul
(other works include Return to Wild
America and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Liv-
ing on the Wind). He traces the colorful
origins of American birding: the fron-
tier ornithologists who collected eggs
between border skirmishes; the society
matrons who organized the first effec-
tive conservation movement; and the
luminaries with checkered pasts, such
as Alexander Wilson (a convicted black-
mailer).Weidensaul also recounts the ex-
plosive growth of modern birding that
began when an awkward schoolteacher
named Roger Tory Peterson published A
Field Guide to the Birds in 1934.
From a review in Birder’s Magazine
Page 5

Audubon Responses to
SF Bay Oil Spill
From Garrison Frost of Audubon
California, November 8:
Representatives of Audubon Califor-
nia called for an extensive clean-up of
yesterday’s 58,000-gallon oil spill in the
San Francisco Bay and demanded pre-
ventative measures to protect one of the
planet’s most precious ecosystems from
future accidents.
“The waters and shores of the bay pro-
vide critical habitat for thousands of spe-
cies, including threatened or endangered
birds and other wildlife,” said Gary
Langham, director of bird conservation
for Audubon California.
The entire San Francisco Bay was desig-
nated an Important Bird Area by Audubon
California in 2004, and an Important Bird
Area of Global Significance by the Nation-
al Audubon Society. It was given this latter
designation because major concentrations
of migratory and wintering shorebirds and
waterfowl–many of which are threat-
ened or endangered species–come to the
bay each year. San Francisco Bay is host
to the largest shorebird concentration in
the West.
Audubon California has offered its re-
sources to the clean-up efforts, and has
encouraged its local chapters in the area
to lend a hand as well.
From Madrone Audubon President Ve-
ronica Bowers, Sunday, November 11:
It seems strange. I just returned from
an amazing week-long workshop learn-
ing about seabirds and watching these
incredible birds thrive in their healthy
ocean ecosystem and now I have spent
the last several days helping save them.
Yesterday I split my day doing intake
and stabilization at WildCare and wash-
ing birds the second half of the day at
IBRRC (International Bird Rescue and
Research Center). The birds are coming
in completely black, coated from bill to
tail with foul smelling oil. It’s in their
Page 6
MA D R O N E L E AVES
eyes, mouth, nares, everywhere. They’re
ice cold and if they have any life left in
Between then and dark, we collected
two Surf Scoters, one scaup and one
them, they’re frightened or in shock. dead scaup that Humane collected at 6
The number of birds coming in is dou- PM–it is difficult work. Projections are
ble what it was on Friday and they say for there to be many more oiled birds in
that this is only the begining, the worst the coming days, and even weeks.
is yet to come.
On Saturday, November 10 Audubon’s
Richardson Bay Sanctuary was hit with
the oil spill. Here is some of what Cen-
ter Director Brooke Langston reported to
Audubon California:
Pee Wee Audubon
Today we answered calls from many
1st annual Christmas Bird Count
people who desperately wanted to
for Kids!
help by collecting and cleaning birds.
Saturday, January 5, 9:00 AM
Following the directions of NOAA
to 11:30 PM
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration), we told them to docu- This activity is co-sponsored by
ment oiled birds on datasheets that Di- Madrone Audubon and SonomaBird-
ana Donovan (board member) created, ing.org. Following the counts, all par-
but not touch birds. We collected their ticipants are invited to the Sonoma
data sheets and will compile and turn Community Center at 276 East Napa
them in appropriately. Street for a “Celebrate the Tabulation”
pizza lunch. Individual organizations are
Staff and volunteers collected samples of
invited to select a specific location, host
marine flora and fauna from clean areas
a birding group and supply a birding lead-
of the beach to use as documentation for
er. Youngsters should be ages 4 to 18,
how clean the beach was pre-spill.
attending with adults. Basic CBC rules
Late in the day, Marin Humane Soci- will apply, and a birding list will be pro-
ety asked us to be a staging ground (i.e. vided. Results will be posted. ALL are
intermediate drop-off point) for oiled welcomed to this holiday family event.
birds. This was good news for us–gives A donation of $3 per person is suggested
us a way to feel more proactively help- for lunch. Contact sonomabirding.org
ful. We will continue to tell people who or phone Tom Rusert at 939-8007.
call to only document, but now when
Madrone’s leader will be Veronica Bow-
people say they already have a bird col-
lected, we can tell them to bring them ers. If you would like to count with
Madrone Audubon, you may contact
to us. A Marin Humane guy dropped
Veronica for reservations and more in-
off transport boxes for us, and trained us
how to collect oiled birds. formation at 829-2955.
Memorial Donations
In loving memory of Willie Chamberlain:
Robert Elwyn III, Marathon, NY
Heather Tillotson, Baldwinsville, NY
Willie Chamberlain was Dennis and Mary Wheeler’s son-in-law, their
daughter Kerri’s husband, who passed away in October. Madrone
Audubon offers their sincere condolences to Dennis and Mary.

A Special Winter Event
12th Annual San Diego Bird Festival
February 6 through 11
Marina Village Conference Center
in Mission Bay
The San Diego Audubon Society is spon-
soring this major festival. The banquet
keynote speaker will be photographer,
author and dedicated conservationist
Kenn Kaufman. A full description of
the trips and workshops planned are
posted on the San Diego Audubon So-
ciety website: www.sandiegoaudubon.
org/birdfest.htm
Monitoring Our
Vulnerable Coast
By Diane Hichwa, Madrone
Conservation Chair
Hardly anyone would say they don’t
enjoy the coast. Sonoma County has a
long coastline that we visit for birding,
whale watching, diving, and soaking in
the beauty. It offers a welcome escape
from summer’s inland heat. At the same
time we enjoy it we are also facing the
question of “What will we do to protect
it? And perpetuate it?”
In southwestern Sonoma County one
habitat occurs where rare coastal prai-
rie meets the redwood mist forest. The
coastal prairie forms a corridor that joins
open pasturelands around the Estero
Americano to the narrow seaside prairie
north of Jenner. Just inland the mist for-
est interfaces with the prairie in a series
of biologically vital edges. Ridgelands
plunge to stream corridors where steel-
head spawn. Springs and streams pro-
vide water for people and wildlife. These
are areas with a long archeological and
historic past.
Several large ranches that form the broad
swath linking watersheds of the Estero
Americano and Salmon Creek are at risk
to development, to gravel mining and
from lack of ecological management.
Groups like Bodega Land Trust, Sonoma
Land Trust and the Open Space District
are analyzing a Coastal Prairie Corridor
MA D R O N E L E AVES
for appropriate conservation efforts.
(Abigail Myers of Bodega Land Trust can
commercial level we may have to review
coastal wind generators, oil and gas drill-
be contacted at <landtrust@bodeganet. ing, or even football-field-sized bags of
com> for more specifics and a possible fresh water floating amid shipping and
field trip through the area.) whale migration lanes.
Off shore our coastline could be altered If the coast is near and dear to you will
by our human demands for energy and you help to monitor it? In a few months
water. Proposals coming before the a training will be held to network
California Coastal Commission include coastal activists. Please let me know at
several desalination projects and wave <dhichwa@earthlink.net> or 579-1182
energy generation, starting elsewhere in if this is your interest.
California but “coming to a coast near
you soon.” As wave energy is proposed
the industrial players position them- Give a Gift of Nature
selves; in Mendocino County in a very
Point Reyes Field Seminars offers gift
quiet way Chevron and PG&E now
certificates for specific classes or the dol-
control everything fromWestport down
lar amount of your choice. These semi-
to Albion/Little River, out to three miles
from shore. Wave energy hearings are
nars are led by experts in their field to
scheduled there this fall.
take you out of your everyday life and
into the natural world. Whether you’re
Finavera-designed AquaBuOY aims to interested in flora or fauna, hiking or
generate electricity from the vertical history, weaving or watercolor, there is
motion of waves. The buoy, anchored in something for everyone.
an array two to three miles offshore, will
The schedule of field seminars from now
convert the waves’ motion into pressur-
through April 2008 is posted online
ized water using large, reinforced-rub-
at www.ptreyes.org/fieldseminars/ and
ber hose pumps. As the buoy goes up
brochures are available. The calendar
the peak of a wave and down into its
includes 13 different seminars involving
trough, it forces a piston in the bottom
birding trips to a variety of locations in
of the buoy to stretch and contract the
and around Point Reyes, into the Sacra-
hose pumps, pushing water through.
mento Valley, to San Luis Obispo in the
This drives a turbine that powers a
south and as far as the Klamath Basin in
generator producing electricity, which
the north. Among the leaders are some
would be shipped to shore through an
well known to Madrone Auduboners:
undersea transmission line. Six turbines
Lisa Hug, Rich Stallcup, John and Sarah
to harness tides off New York have all
Klobas, and David Lukas.
fallen into disrepair, pounded by surf
and storms. Emerging technologies To have a certificate created for you to
need careful technical review, not just give as a gift, call 415-663-1200, or send
enthusiastic acceptance. On a large scale an e-mail from the website.
Welcome New Friends of Madrone
Glen Ellen: Joyce Clover
Occidental: Phillip E. Persons
Petaluma: Jamila Garrecht, Alice Goyhenetche, Judy Koehler.
Santa Rosa: Carmen Brand, Margaret Kram, Barbara J. Saunders,
John Wallack.
St. Helena: Tony Knickerbocker
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Leonard & Carrie Baluwkamp.
Page 7
 Madrone Audubon Society
Post Office Box 1911
Santa Rosa, California 95402

December 2007/January 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 and IMBD Chair: Veronica Bowers - veronica@ladolcev.com .....................829-2955
Vice President: Janeann Erickson - erickson@ap.net .....................................................795-2498
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond - acbond@sonic.net ...............................................537-8069
Corresponding Secretary: Sabrina Hearst - millerhearst@earthlink.net ....................575-7548
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler - mrywheeler@sbcglobal.net.....................................................494-6415
Membership: Dennis Wheeler - dencwheel@sbcglobal.net ..............................................494-6417
Conservation Chair: Diane Hichwa - dhichwa@earthlink.net .......................................579-1182
Education Chair: ...............................................................................................................................
Education Kits: Shirley Spina - sspina@pon.net..............................................................539-4355
Audubon Adventures: Phyllis Schmitt - p-schmitt@sbcglobal.net................................544-1029
Program Chair: Marilynn Scott .........................................................................................539-0734
PeeWee Audubon Chair: Veronica Bowers - veronica@ladolcev.com ...........................829-2955
Publicity: Pat Macias - macpat@saber.net..........................................................................894-0503
Mayacamas Sanctuary Manager: Curtis Kendall - ckendall@audubon.org ...............473-0601
Webpage Editor: Jeff Holtzman - Madrone707@hotmail.com .......................................823-8290
Bird Walks and Field Trips: Tom McCuller - sisyphus @sonic.net .............................546-1812
Birdathon Coordinator: .................................................................................................................
Leaves Co-Editor: Mary Edith Moore - maryedithmoore@comcast.net .........................763-3577
Leaves Co-Editor: Daphne Smith - dwarsm@aol.com....................................................546-7808
Leaves Production Editor: Kris Hutchins - krishutch@comcast.net ...........................477-8156
Circulation: Joannie Dranginis - joanhd@comcast.net ....................................................523-4373
Observations: Dan Nelson - birdsurf64@sbcglobal.net ....................................................762-5167
Past President and BAAC Rep: Sylvan Eidelman - sylvan_lee@yahoo.com ..............280-3404
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
Russian River Watershed Council Rep: Curtis Kendall ............................................473-0601
Research and Breeding Bird Atlas: Betty Burridge.....................................................527-0225
Christmas Count and Research: Joy Mander - wscbc@aol.com .................................778-7865
Honorary Board Member: Martha Bentley. ...................................................................545-5501
Honorary Board Member: Ernestine Smith ..................................................................545-4255
Bird Rescue Center ..........................................................................................................523-BIRD
Northern California Rare Bird Alert .................................................................. 415-681-7422
Audubon-California: Glenn Olson - golson@audubon.org ................................... 916-649-7600
National Audubon Society: 700 Broadway, NY, NY 10003 ..................................... 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.
Joining or renewing with Madrone only. Basic Madrone Audubon membership Name ______________________________________________________
dues cover the cost of your subscription to the Madrone Leaves newsletter. Please consider Address______________________________________________________
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in environmental education and conservation critical to the protection of wildlife and the City_________________________________State_______ Zip__________
environment. Note: By joining Madrone you will not become a member of National Phone Email
Audubon.
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Basic Member $20 _____ Senior $15 _____ Student $15_____ Family $30______ Detach this panel and mail to: Madrone Audubon Society, Membership
Sustaining $50 _____ Supporting $100 _____ Donor $500_____ Other______ P.O. Box 1911, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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Madrone’s nonprofit 501(c)3 tax number is 94-6172986 Visit us on the World Wide Web at: http://audubon.sonoma.net