VOLUME 41
Congratulations to 2008 Award Recipients
Another interesting year has gone by for
Madrone, and we’ve had many wonder-
ful activities: birding opportunities, fun
events for adults and children, excel-
lent and entertaining programs, habitat
restoration, and successes in the area
of conservation. Madrone is fortunate
that it has members who are willing to
step forward when the going gets tough.
Because our members are willing to
donate their time and energy, we have
been able to become the great Audubon
chapter that we are. And now the time
of year has arrived when we honor some
of those members who have made out-
standing contributions to our chapter.
Bewick’s Wren Award – Len Nelson
This is the oldest of the four Madrone
awards and recognizes a member for a
long-term, exceptional contribution.
The Bewick’s Wren, Madrone’s logo,
was selected in 1967, and Les Bowen
designed the original insignia. This year’s
recipient is Len Nelson.
Len is a member of Madrone and has
been a Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
(PWA) docent since 2003 and a PWA
Board member since 2004. He took on
the job of data manager in 2004 when
PWA started the Shollenberger bird sur-
veys and continues the surveys manage-
ment. When PWA started the Tolay sur-
veys in 2006, Len stepped forward and
accepted that data management and has
recently agreed to manage the Madrone
Christmas Bird Count data. Len has
taken over the Tree Swallow box man-
agement and activity surveys at Shol-
lenberger/Alman Marsh for Golondrinas
Summer 2008
de las Americas (and PWA and PRBO
Conservation Science), a monitoring
project which stretches from Alaska to
Argentina. Also, Len helps with PWA
habitat restoration at Shollenberger/
Alman Marsh and the in-class, in-field
educational activities. Undoubtedly, Len
is a treasure, and we are most apprecia-
tive of his work.
The Evalyn and Les Bowen Award
– Tom Cashman and Tom McCuller
The Bowen award is named for two
people who were very influential in the
founding of our chapter. In August 1965,
the Bowens moved to Santa Rosa from
San Diego and began joining groups to
meet people so that they could begin an
Audubon chapter here. The story goes
that Evalyn “cornered people buying
seed in stores and anyone who might
even be remotely interested in birds”.
Gradually 42 birders were corralled, and
Madrone Audubon came into existence.
The first organizational meeting was
held in January 1967. In March 1967,
Madrone became the 23rd chapter of
Audubon California, and the Bowens
hosted the meetings in their home for
the next few years. Evalyn became the
first president, and she and Les led many
field trips.
This award was established in 1988 as a
memorial to Evalyn and Les. The Bow-
ens would be pleased that this award be
given to the two Toms who have been
faithfully organizing and often leading
the mid-week bird walks as a regular
Madrone Audubon activity and a very
important outreach to the local commu-
nity. Their kind and very knowledge-
Number 9
able guidance has been very effective in
introducing and connecting Audubon
members as well as members of the pub-
lic to Sonoma County’s natural world.
How fortunate are those who join either
Tom Cashman or Tom McCuller on a
bird walk.
Bentley Smith Award – Gerald and
Mary Edith Moore
Given in honor of Martha Bentley and
Ernestine Smith, this award was estab-
lished in 2002 to recognize contribu-
tions to environmental education and
conservation activity in the community.
Both Martha and Ernestine are charter
members of Madrone and continue to
be environmental advocates and inspira-
tions to us all.
This year’s recipients are a husband and
wife team Gerald and Mary Edith who
have put their energies, since 2001, into
being instrumental in establishing the
Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, and setting
up an excellent Petaluma Wetlands do-
cent training for leaders of school and
youth programs as well as nature walks
Continued on page 3
NO GENERAL
MEETINGS IN THE
SUMMER MONTHS
COMING IN
SEPTEMBER:
On September 15
Rudy Gelis will present
“The Birds of Ecuador”.

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 June 4, 7:30 PM
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A
Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa. Contact Janeann Erickson for agenda in-
formation at 795-2498.
Thursday June 5, 8:30 AM till Noon
SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK. Bird Walk. Parking fee for non-
permit holders. From Summerfield Road, go east on Hoen Avenue, turn
right on Newanga Avenue, and turn right inside the entrance gate. Meet
in the parking lot near the restrooms at the top of the hill. For informa-
tion, contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
Saturday June 7, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
PINE FLAT ROAD. Bird Walk. We will meet to carpool in as few cars
as possible at the Alexander Valley Community Church, two doors west
of the Jimtown Store on Alexander Valley Road, north of Healdsburg.
Please do not join us in an additional vehicle after the trip has started.
The 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; Bob Speckels, 569-0563; and Ken
Wilson, 775-2558.
Sunday June 8, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY FIELD TRIP. Kathy and
Dave Biggs will help us find and identify the dragonflies found along Pine
Flat Road. Meet on Pine Flat Road (begins 1⁄4 mile past the Jimtown
Store on Highway128 East at the first sharp right-hand turn) between
Red Winery Road and the Sausal Creek Bridge. For viewing the dragon-
flies, close-focus binoculars are best, but 10X or higher hand lenses will
be helpful. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet. Children 12+ OK.
NOTE: Any rain cancels this easy hike.
Saturday June 14, 9:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads a bird
walk. Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Bob Dyer, 763-2934.
Saturday June 21, 8:00 AM to Noon
ALPINE ROAD. Beginners Bird Walk. Meet at the Safeway parking lot
at the northeast corner of Highway 12 and Calistoga Road. We will park
at the edge of the parking lot bordering on Calistoga Road. Rain can-
cels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bob Speckels, 569-0563; and
Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
Saturday June 21, 10:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two chil-
dren/family nature walks. One to two hours, dependent on age of chil-
Page 2
MA D R O N E L E AVES
dren. Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. For the children/family walk in
English, contact Gerald or Mary Edith Moore at 763-3577; for the walk
in Spanish, contact Connie Peabody at 763-7458.
Saturday July 19, 8:00 AM to Noon
SALMON CREEK ROAD. Beginners Bird Walk. Meet at the corner of
Bodega Highway and Salmon Creek Road, in the town of Bodega (not
Bodega Bay), to carpool in as few cars as possible. Please do not join us
in an additional vehicle after the trip has started. The number of cars
negatively impacts the birding and the residents of the area. Informal
carpools leave Santa Rosa at 8:00 AM. To participate, please arrive about
ten minutes earlier to make arrangements. Santa Rosa meeting place: So-
noma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District office,
747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the of-
fice (access from Carrillo Street). Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bob
Speckels, 569-0563; and Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
Wednesday August 6, 7:30 PM
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A
Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa. Contact Janeann Erickson for agenda in-
formation at 795-2498.
Wednesday September 3, 8:30 AM
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. From the center of the town of Bodega Bay,
drive north on Highway 1 and turn left at East Shore Road (the Bodega
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 lay-
ered clothing. For information, contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.
net>, 546-1812.
Saturday September 6, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. Meet at the rail ponds parking lot. From the
center of the town of Bodega Bay, drive north on Highway 1. Turn left
at East Shore Road (the Bodega Head turnoff ). Then turn right at the
stop sign and continue 0.3 mile to the parking lot on the right. Informal
carpools leave Santa Rosa at 7:15 AM. To participate, please arrive about
ten minutes earlier to make arrangements. Santa Rosa meeting place: So-
noma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District office,
747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the office
(access from Carrillo Street). Bring lunch, liquids, and layers of cloth-
ing. Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bob Speckels, 569-
0563; and Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. No scheduled meeting. If you have
conservation concerns, contact Diane Hichwa at dhichwa@earthlink.

2008 Award Recipients
Continued from page 1
for the public. Their efforts raise the aware-
ness in the Sonoma County community to
this environmentally important area which
is one of the most natural and prolific estuary
river systems that still exists in California.
Burridge Award – Danielle Purdy
The Burridge award was established in
2008 by Diane and Bryant Hichwa to
recognize those who contribute to re-
search and education. The first recipi-
ent of this new award is Danielle Purdy,
a young tenured faculty member of the
Life Sciences Department at Santa Rosa
Junior College. She is a wildlife biolo-
gist by training, having concentrated on
mammals and particularly on bats. Also,
Danielle is an amateur birder but wants
to learn more about species identifica-
tion and natural history. This summer
she will attend two courses through San
Francisco State University’s Sierra Ne-
vada Field Campus (SFSU): “Birds of
the Sierra Nevada” and “Butterflies of
the Sierra Nevada”. “This will not only
make me a better field biologist, but will
serve all my students for years to come as
I can share my new identification skills
during our labs as well as field trips.” We
hope Madrone’s award will assist her in
honing field biology skills at a workshop
or field course, and prepare more people
to follow in Betty Burridge’s footsteps in
well done Citizen Science.
Special Recognition – Dan Nelson
Dan grew up in the Madrone Audubon
community and became one of northern
California’s premier birders. For more
years than he, or we, can remember, Dan
has been loyally “paying back” Madrone
by reporting bird sightings for the Ma-
drone Leaves. Members look forward and
appreciate his hard work in compiling the
list of Observations.
Friend of Bouverie – Tim Stewart of
Wild Birds Unlimited
Tim has supported Madrone Audubon Soci-
ety through discounts or donations as well as
giving support for birds and wildlife through
education of his customers. He also fills an
important niche in the community by pro-
viding nature related supplies and resources.
Bird-A-Thon 2008...
Final Results
By Marcia Johnson,
Bird-A-Thon Chair
Madrone Audubon thanks all those
who participated in the 2008 Bird-A-
Thon, teams and sponsors. The total
raised for the Chapter was $8,799.70...
fantastic job!
From “The Dabbler”, Phyllis Schmitt:
95 species, $401.00
From the “Feather Questers”, Diane
Hichwa and Karen Nagel: 126 species,
$4,018.70
(Also thanks to these additional spon-
sors who were not listed in the May
2008 Leaves: Evelyn and John Berger,
Joyce Brogan, Pat Hildreth, and Dr.
Linnea Westerberg, DDS.)
From the “Gray-headed Seersuckers”,
Betty Burridge, Ted Elliot, Ian Morrison,
Bill Payne and Ken Wilson: 127 species,
$1,723.40
From the “Roadrunners”, Betty Groce
and Don McCarthy: 120 species,
$2,627.60
And from the “Taylors of Sonoma”,
Elinor and Jim: 28 species, $30.00
Madrone Audubon
Society thanks the
following for their
generous donation:
In memory of Olive Corey
Mike Nelligan
Betty Burridge
Betty Groce
In memory of Tony Kroha
(not Koha as reported in
last month’s Leaves)
Donald K. Howard, Jr.
Betty & Jack Groce
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Outreach Education
Madrone has chosen Dea Freid and Pa-
tricia Souza to receive tuition for one
class with on-campus accommodations
at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus, San
Francisco State University.
Dea is a member of the California Na-
tive Plant Society (CNPS) as well as a
Madrone member and has enrolled in
the class “Flora of the Sierra Nevada”.
She is involved with rare plant surveys
through CNPS and will be one of those
monitoring vernal pools for the Laguna
Foundation. Dea wants to improve her
plant identification skills, hoping to get
more practice keying composites (a dif-
ficult group) and juncos (rushes).
Patricia is a recent member of Madrone
Audubon (PWA) and has enrolled in
the class “Medicinal and Edible Wild
Plants”. She has a master’s degree in
health education and works for Petalu-
ma City Schools. Patricia is very active
with PWA and will share what she learns
with the group, perhaps adding to the
material for the docent training about
medicinal and edible wild plants. “It
would be terrific to plant native plants
the Miwok Indians might have eaten
and used near the Interpretive Center
which we hope to build at Ellis Creek.
Of course the Center will have a display
and information about medicinal and
edible wild plants, and I will donate my
books and materials to the library there.
I would certainly be interested in shar-
ing what I learn in formal or informal
ways in the community.”
Welcome New Friends
of Madrone Audubon Society
BOLINAS: Melissa J. Pitkin
BOLTON CT: Ernest Harris
PENNGROVE: Gary W. Lundberg
SANTA ROSA: Carol Dean,
Stephen C. DeSalvo, Buster Finch, Elaine S.
Ransom, Jill Cohen Sandler, Tom Wysham
TOMALES: Paul H.Vinck
Page 3

Want a good read?
Give yourself a treat with
Bernd Heinrich’s The
Geese of Beaver Bog.
In the summer of 1998, award-win-
ning writer and biologist Bernd Hein-
rich found himself the unwitting—but
doting—foster parent of an adorable
gosling named Peep. Good-natured,
spirited Peep drew Heinrich into her
world—one he found to be filled with
as much color and drama as that of her
human counterparts.
And so, with a scientist’s training and
a nature lover’s boundless curiosity and
enthusiasm, Heinrich set out to observe
and understand the travails and tri-
umphs of the Canada Geese, or honkers,
living in the beaver bog adjacent to his
rural Vermont home. His presence in
the bog, at all hours, in all weather, be-
came as commonplace as that of the lo-
cal beavers and birds. The resident geese
learned that Heinrich could be trusted,
enabling him to watch and record their
daily routines from up close.
Heated battles over territory, mysterious
nest raids, jealousy over a lover’s inatten-
tion, all are recounted here in an engag-
ing, anecdotal narrative that sheds light
on how geese live and why they behave
as they do. Far from staid or predict-
able, the lives of geese are packed with
adventure and full of surprises.
In The Geese of Beaver Bog, Heinrich
takes his readers through mud, icy wa-
ters, and overgrown sedge hummocks
into a seemingly impenetrable world.
He does so with deft insight, respectful
modesty, and infectious good humor.
Illustrated throughout with Heinrich’s
trademark sketches and featuring beau-
tiful four-color photographs, The Geese
of Beaver Bog is part love story, part sci-
ence experiment, and wholly delightful.
Page 4
Bernd Heinrich also delighted us with
Winter World and the raven’s antics in
Mind of the Raven.
Brandt’s Cormorants
Volunteers are needed to monitor
the Brandt’s Cormorants’ nests at
Gualala Point Island, located off of
Gualala Point County Park and The
Sea Ranch in northwest Sonoma
County. This is a two-hour drive
from Santa Rosa. (See the article
by Diane Hichwa “Conservation in
Action on the North Coast”, front
page of the May 2008 Leaves.) The
research project was designed by
biologists from the Bureau of Land
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and PRBO Conservation
Science. Intensive monitoring is
needed in late June and early July of
this year. If you can participate for
a day or for several days, contact Di-
ane Hichwa at dhichwa@earthlink.
net or 579-1182.
Summer Activities:
lectures, field trips,
and a bird festival
The following Sonomabirding events
and activities, June thru August, are
based at the Sonoma Community Cen-
ter, 276 E. Napa Street. To register, call
938-4626 x1.
Thursday June 5, 7:30-8:45 PM
“Saving the Elusive Snow Leopard”, pre-
sented by Dr. Rodney Jackson, Founder-
Executive Director of the Snow Leopard
Conservancy in Sonoma. $5.00.
Saturday June 7, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Bird & Nature Illustration with re-
nowned artist and naturalist John Muir
Laws of the California Academy of Sci-
ences. $65. Limited class size.
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Monday-Friday June 16-20,
9:00-11:30 AM
Bird Camp for Kids with Madrone
Audubon and Sonomabirding.org.
These two organizations have partnered
to help youngsters ages 8-12 discover
the joy of birding, one bird at a time.
A team of experienced instructors will
teach basic identification, respect, and
helpful field skills in lively Sonoma Val-
ley venues. There will be daily tips and
outings to discover seasonal backyard
birds, hawks, owls, ducks, and unique
marsh birds. $125. Limited space.
Wednesday lecture August 13, 7:00-9:00 PM;
Friday and Saturday field trips August 15
and 16.
“Shorebirds of the Coast”, lecture and
Bodega Bay field trip by Lisa Hug: $15
lecture, $25 field trip, $40 lecture and
one corresponding field trip.
Wednesday lecture August 20, 7:00-9:00
PM; Friday and Saturday field trips
August 22 and 23.
“Inland Shorebirds”, lecture and Shol-
lenberger Park field trip by Lisa Hug:
$15 lecture, $25 field trip, $40 lecture
and one corresponding field trip.
Bats with Pat Winters. Each year, the
California Bat Conservation Fund visits
hundreds of schools, libraries, museums,
and community centers to teach approx-
imately 40,000 children, their teachers
and caregivers, the truth about bats and
their benefits to the human population.
Presentations consist of a short lecture,
usually accompanied by PowerPoint.
Best of all, the Fund’s educators are ac-
companied by a variety of live bats that
can be seen and enjoyed up close. Join
Pat and the bats in June at one of these
three Sonoma County libraries:
June 20, 2:00 p.m. Cloverdale Library, 401
N. Cloverdale Blvd, ‘phone 894-5271;
June 26, 11:00 a.m. Rohnert Park
Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, ‘phone
584-9121;
Continued on page 5

Summer Activities
Continued from page 4
June 30, 11:00 a.m. Guerneville Library,
14107 Armstrong Woods Rd, ‘phone
869-9004. For more information, visit
Pat Winters at www.californiabats.com.
Seventh Annual Mono Basin Bird
Chautauqua. Lee Vining California.
June 20-22. Birds, science, art, music,
and field trips. Not your ordinary bird
festival. All proceeds support continuing
research in the Mono Basin. For more in-
formation and to register, visit www.bird-
chautauqua.org or call 760-647-6595.
Wildland Weed Field Courses. Tilden
Regional Park, Berkeley. July 23 - Biol-
ogy & Identification; July 24 - Control
Methods. These courses, offered by the
California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-
IPC), train weed workers on the biology,
identification, and control of invasive
plants. This year Cal-IPC is offering
a special, highly discounted rate for
restoration and watershed volunteers.
Details and registration at www.cal-ipc.
org/fieldcourses/index.php.
Bird Walk Reports
Las Gallinas Ponds and Bahia
Co-led by Tom Cashman and Bob Speckels;
submitted by Bob Speckels
Where else would an enthusiastic group
of birders choose to spend a perfect
spring morning, April 5, than at the ex-
otic and bird-friendly environment of a
sewage treatment pond? Las Gallinas at
its best offers close-up views of a variety
of waders, ducks, and shorebirds; the
birders were not disappointed. Mixed
numbers of dowitchers moved in and
out and when they paused to sew, the de-
tails of Long-billed vs. Short-billed were
noted by all. In the same area, close-up
structural and plumage variations were
observed on Greater and Lesser Yellow-
legs. Pipits were coming into breeding
plumage, and perfect lighting condi-
tions highlighted the spectacular colors
of Cinnamon, Green-winged, and Blue-
winged Teals. Other notables included
Cliff, Tree, and Barn Swallows; five spar-
row species, including Lincoln’s; and
Wilson’s Snipe. Five species of waders,
including a Green Heron, were seen;
and a visitor from Maine was treated to
her first Western Bluebird and Western
Meadowlark. Species totaled 67.
Duncan’s Mills
Submitted by Tom McCuller
On April 16, a beautiful and sunny day,
13 good folks joined Dennis Beall at
Duncan’s Mills for the mid-week walk.
Sixty species were observed including
a flock of Pine Siskins, numerous Or-
ange-crowned Warblers, and a Golden
Eagle flyover. A great day for ear-bird-
ing, everything was vocalizing. A pleas-
ant lunch break at Jenner produced few
of the usual suspects, but Willow Creek
Road was a joyful chorus of Wilson’s War-
blers, Wrentits, and Warbling Vireos.
Crane Creek
Co-led by John Ferrari and Bob Speckels;
submitted by Bob Speckels
On April 19 the group had barely com-
pleted introductions when a male and
female Bullock’s Oriole presented them-
selves, followed by a pair of Western
Kingbirds. A single male Lewis’s Wood-
pecker was found at the north end of
Overlook Trail. There was discussion
about whether the birds (there were
three reported over the winter) might re-
main and breed in Sonoma County and
what possible effect this might have on
other woodpecker species. Other high-
lights included Ash-throated Flycatcher
and Red-shouldered Hawk, spotted by
its tail extending over the nest. Looping
back to the Lewis’s, the bird was near
the top of an exposed snag and as a Red-
tailed Hawk circled above, the wood-
pecker circled the snag - carefully staying
out of view. Stationary, the bird’s stiff
tail made a useful prop. Kudos to Tom
Cashman for the original find. Forty-
four species were observed.
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Enrich Your Life –
Become a Petaluma
Wetlands Docent
By Gerald Moore
The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance Com-
mittee has a very active wetlands docent
program, which not only serves the com-
munity but also offers its docents many
rewarding experiences. The program is
so popular with grade school teachers
that we are booked up for the year within
30 days of opening our schedule in the
fall. Our major focus is a third grade
hands-on program with both classroom
and wetlands visit components. We also
do nature discovery walks for second
grades and bird/nature walks for higher
grades and adults. In addition, our do-
cents have the opportunity to participate
in educational workshops, field trips, and
stewardship activities at the wetlands.
Meet and work with some great, enthusi-
astic, amateur naturalists in our commu-
nity. Our annual new-docent training is
changed from a fall to winter schedule.
Classes will start on Friday 9 January
2009, 8:30 AM to Noon, and will run
for eight consecutive Fridays, ending on
27 February. (Please note the change in
time of year and length of schedule.) Join
us in this rewarding, fun, educational ad-
venture. We ask docents to make a mini-
mum two-year, 20 hours per year com-
mitment, spread out in any way among
the many activities we support. There
is a $40 charge for course materials. For
more details contact Bob at 763-2934,
Gerald at 763-3577, or see our great
website: www.petalumawetlands.org.
Madrone’s Officers
for 2008-2009
At the April General Meeting, the member-
ship approved the following slate of officers:
President: Janeann Erickson
Vice-President: Bob Speckels
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond
Corresponding Secretary:
Rowland Fellows
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler
Page 5

Madrone Volunteers
Wanted...
EDUCATION KITS COORDINATOR
With so many Friends of Madrone
Audubon Society, will someone step
forward and assume the responsibility of
checking out/in the education kits? This
involves delivering and picking up the
kit after the recipient (usually a teacher)
has finished with the classroom activi-
ties. Shirley Spina has been in charge
of the education kits for many years, but
it has become a physical challenge for
her in recent months and she asks that
someone take over for her. For more in-
formation on details of the job, contact
Shirley at sspina@pon.net or 539-4355.
We continue to look for a
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
This volunteer fills a very important role in
maintaining chapter records and should have
use of a computer and access to the Inter-
net. Expertise in the use of Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet and a word processing program,
preferably Microsoft Word, is essential.
Duties include:
• Maintain database of members of Friends
of Madrone Audubon in Excel format.
• Maintain custody of database of So-
noma County members of National
Audubon Society . . . new updated
database furnished monthly by NAS.
• Prepare mailing list for Madrone
Leaves publication in Excel format . . .
email to printer.
• Prepare and mail welcome letters,
using standard formats, to new Friends
of Madrone and new members of
National Audubon Society who reside
in Sonoma County.
• Send annual renewal notice to Friends
of Madrone Audubon.
If you are interested in accepting either of
these positions, Education Kits Coordinator
or Membership Chair, please contact Diane
Hichwa, chair of the nominating commit-
tee, at dhichwa@earthlink.net or 579-1182.
Page 6
Bananas and Birds
By Dennis Wheeler
We love our bananas. We consume them
at a rate of 26.2 pounds per person each
year on average (apples are a distant sec-
ond at 16.7 pounds). We eat so many
of them that before the days of modern
waste management, banana peels littered
the sidewalks. The classic comedy routine
of slipping on a banana peel was very real.
In the early 20th century, boy scouts were
exhorted to include the picking up of a
banana peel everyday as a good deed.
Bananas are cheap and plentiful but they
come with a hidden price. Many grow-
ers use children as young as eight years
and pay them an average wage of $3.50
per day. And bananas require a huge
amount of pesticides to combat diseases.
In Costa Rica, for example, only 5 per-
cent of the farmland grows bananas but
that 5 percent accounts for 35 percent of
the country’s pesticide consumption.
After 15,000 years of human cultivation,
the banana has become almost perfect,
lacking little genetic diversity. This trait
makes it susceptible to disease, and a fun-
gus called Panama Disease reached Hon-
duras in the 1920s wiping out the Gros
Michel, or “Big Mike” banana (Remem-
ber the 1923 musical hit “Yes! We Have
No Bananas”?). Growers shifted to a new
variety, the Cavendish, which is the banana
we eat today. Crops were frantically moved
to unused land, and in the process millions
of acres of rainforest were destroyed.
Increasing public awareness of these
problems led to a coalition of nonprofit,
independent conservationist organiza-
tions in the early 1990s. This group,
called the Sustainable Agriculture Net-
work, promotes the social and environ-
mental sustainability of agricultural ac-
tivities. They have developed standards
and use these standards to certify farms
that comply. The Rainforest Alliance
acts as the Secretariat to the Network
and administers the certification pro-
cess. The ten standards for certification
MA D R O N E L E AVES
include the conservation of ecosystems,
wildlife protection, and water conserva-
tion, as well as fair treatment and good
working conditions for workers. One
critical criterion is that new agricultur-
al production must be located on land
suitable for that use, i.e., rainforests and
other bird habitats may not be destroyed
for new production. (For more infor-
mation on the Rainforest Alliance, visit
www.rainforest-alliance.org.)
Currently more than 15% of all bananas
in international trade come from Rainfor-
est Alliance certified farms. These farms
have improved water quality, instituted
programs for recycling and safe waste dis-
posal, dramatically decreased agrochemi-
cal use, and improved the quality of life
for farm workers and their families.
Two of the largest producers and import-
ers of bananas, Chiquita and Favorita
Fruit, have reached 100% certification
of all their company-owned plantations.
However, it is important to note that
these companies also import bananas un-
der their brand name which are grown by
independent farms. Many of those small
farms have not achieved the certification,
and consequently not all Chiquita and
Favorita bananas are Rainforest Alliance
certified. Always look for the Rainforest
Alliance certification seal.
It is also interesting to note that exports
of certified bananas account for 90% of
Chiquita’s exports into Europe, but only
two-thirds of its exports to North Amer-
ica are certified. We can change that.
Since certification is relatively new to
the United States market, consumers
have an important role to play in mak-
ing sure supermarkets carry the prod-
ucts. Tell the manager at your favorite
store that you want to see Rainforest Al-
liance certified bananas and other fresh
fruit on the shelves. Fill out a customer
comment card the next time you shop.
And always look for the Rainforest certi-
fied seal on your purchases of fresh fruits
and coffee.
 MA D R O N E L E AVES

Observations
March – May • Dan Nelson 762-5167 • <birdsurf64@sbcglobal.net>

Long-tailed Duck 4/13 Bodega Harbor DN

Red-necked Grebe (2) 4/24 Doran Jetties DN
Brown Pelican (15) 5/3 Doran Park DN
Caspian Tern 4/13 Laguna Road (near 116/Guerneville Road) GB
Greater Yellowlegs (8) 4/1 Russian River at Healdsburg GR
Black-crowned Night-Heron (8) 3/15 Day-roosting in pines near Fryer Creek, Sonoma BO
Bald Eagle (juvenile) 4/4 Russian River at Duncan’s Mills DB, PC
Eurasian Collared-Dove (2) 4/2 Dry Creek Road JW
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4/26 Lawson’s Landing, nesting for third year DN
Eurasian Collared-Dove 5/5 1-2 pairs nesting at 1540 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay DN
Eurasian Collared-Dove 5/5 At least 15 seen between Petaluma and Valley Ford, DN
mostly near patches of pine or cypress
Allen’s Hummingbird 3/31 Oakmont BG
Rufous Hummingbird 3/6-3/30 Oakmont BG
Rufous Hummingbird 4/17 Paula Lane, Petaluma DN
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3/25 Laguna Road GB
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 4/4 Sonoma Overlook Trail ET, JT
Ash-throated Flycatcher 4/14 Laguna Road GB
Warbling Vireo 4/1 Laguna Road GB
Warbling Vireo 4/1 Oakmont BG
Wilson’s Warbler 4/8 Laguna Road GB
Wilson’s Warbler 4/10 Sonoma Creek near library ET, JT
Hermit Warbler 3/28 At birdbath, Ponderosa Drive LF, JF, BP, SS
Townsend’s Warbler 3/28 Ponderosa Drive, with Hermit Warbler LF, JF, BP, SS
Townsend’s Warbler 4/4 Singing male noted, Duncan’s Mills DB, PC
Orange-crowned Warbler (2) 3/10 Sonoma Regional Park, singing ET, JT
Orange-crowned Warbler 3/27 Laguna Road GB
Western Tanager 4/13 Singing male, Paula Lane, Petaluma DN
Bullock’s Oriole 3/29 Singing male, Paula Lane DN
Bullock’s Oriole (2) 4/25 Westridge Drive at Lavio Drive, Petaluma MK
Hooded Oriole 3/31 Male, calling and vocalizing. Paula Lane, Petaluma DN
Hooded Oriole 3/24 Milk Barn Road, Healdsburg VW
Hooded Oriole 3/28 Rohnert Park JR
Hooded Oriole 4/6 Fire Creek area, Sonoma ET, JT
Black-headed Grosbeak 4/10 Sonoma Creek, near library ET, JT
Black-headed Grosbeak 4/12 Jack London State Park ET, JT
Black-headed Grosbeak 4/12 Oakmont BG
Black-headed Grosbeak 4/17 Laguna Road GB
Barn Swallow 3/21 First arrival, Paula Lane, Petaluma DN

CONTRIBUTORS: Gordon Beebe, Den- Change of Address Reminder.

nis Beall, Pam Conley, Liz Ferrari, John Fer-
rari, Betty Groce, Marcia Kyne, Dan Nelson,
Bill Oran, Bill Payne, Joe Roberts, Gail Roper,
Sandra Settle, Eleanor Taylor, Jim Taylor, Jim
Walter and Valerie White.
Because the post office grants Madrone a special bulk mail rate that we use to mail
the Leaves, the post office does not forward or alert us if it cannot deliver your
newsletter. To ensure continuous receiving of the Leaves, send address changes via
e-mail or ‘phone to the membership chair (see the last page of the Leaves). Please
send both old and new address.
Page 7
 Madrone Audubon Society
Post Office Box 1911
Santa Rosa, California 95402

Summer 2008

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: 546-7492.
President: Janeann Erickson - erickson@ap.net................................................................795-2498
Vice President: Bob Speckels ............................................................................................569-0563
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond - acbond@sonic.net ...............................................537-8069
Corresponding Secretary: Rowland Fellows - rosr@comcast.net ................................542-2504
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
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: 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 IMBD Chair: Veronica Bowers - veronica@ladolcev.com .......829-2955
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.
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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