General Meeting info: The meeting begins at 7:30 PM on the third Monday of the month, except in June, July, August and December, at the First United Methodist Church 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.

The First United Methodist Church is on Montgomery Drive about one-half mile west of Montgomery Village between California Avenue and Talbot Avenue, and just two blocks east of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Parking is available on Montgomery Drive.

April

Saturday April 13, 9:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance/Madrone leads a nature walk. Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact: Gerald Moore, 763-3577.

Saturday April 13, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Nature Hike. Join naturalist and retired biology professor Peter Leveque in a general nature hike. We might find the fawn lily. A moderately strenuous hike on Clark Foss Road; you’ll need to get out your hiking sticks and boots. Limited to adults. Please see general information in column to left.

Monday April 15, 7:30 PM
APRIL GENERAL MEETING “Birding in Kenya” Buff and Jerry Corsi are local Madrone Audubon members who have travelled extensively and have become proficient at photographing the natural world. They have given presentations to our chapter in the past, and we welcome them back for a program on birding in Kenya.

Initially attracted by the opportunity to see and photograph the large mammals of East Africa, Buff and Jerry Corsi began visiting Kenya in the ’70s. Over the span of years they discovered that the birds deserve just as much attention as the “big five.” This program, while including the iconic mammals, focuses on the birds, so many of which are big and beautiful. The presentation will include suggestions for putting together your own personal safari to this wonderful destination, including the best places and times of the year to visit, photo hints, and who to hire to guide your adventure.

Wednesday April 17, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
PUTAH CREEK AND SOLANO COUNTY PARK. Bird Walk. Meet at Monticello Dam on Lake Berryessa on Highway 128 (Napa County). Parking fee of $5 at Solano County Park. Bring lunch. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Saturday April 20, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. History Hike. Retired ranger and archaeologist Daniel Murley will lead a moderately strenuous hike discussing the pre-history, human history, and natural history of Healdsburg near the old town of Pine Flat. Bring a light lunch and your curiosity. Older children okay with supervision. Please see general information in column to left.

Saturday April 20, 10:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two children/family nature walks. One to two hours, depending 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.

Saturday April 20, 8:30 AM - Noon
SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK. Bird Walk. For those without a Sonoma County Park Permit, parking is $7. From Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa, go east on Hoen Avenue, left on Newanga Avenue, right inside the park entrance gate, and meet in the parking lot near the restrooms at the top of the hill. Leader: Ken Wilson, 665-5127.

Thursday April 25, 8:30 AM - Noon
SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK. Bird Walk. For those without a Sonoma County Park Permit, parking is $7. From Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa, go east on Hoen Avenue, left on Newanga Avenue, right inside the park entrance gate, and meet in the parking lot near the restrooms at the top of the hill. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Thursday April 25, 7:00 PM
“Bay Area Herons and Egrets - A Dazzling Sight” Program presented by Dr. John Kelly, Director of Conservation Science and Habitat Protection, Cypress Grove Research Center, Tomales Bay; in partnership with Sonoma County Regional Parks. Hunted to nearly to extinction for their plumes in the nineteenth century, herons and egrets have impressive wingspans and stand immobile or wade through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab. Today, scientific interest focuses on breeding biology, habitat relationships, foraging, the energetics of coastal and estuarine birds, and ecological restoration. Location: 126 1st Street West, Sonoma.

Saturday April 27, 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, 763-2934.

Saturday April 27, 8:00 AM - 3 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Bird Walk. Ken Wilson is the owner of Talon Tours. A native New Zealander, Ken has been leading nature and bird watching tours worldwide since 1995. Ken has also led focused tours to many national and state parks in the western United States, as well as to key birding sites during migration. Please see general information in column to left.

Sunday April 28, 11AM – 4PM
BIRD RESCUE CENTER. First Annual Festival of Feathers Open House. Guests will be wowed by opportunities for up-close encounters with the center’s resident birds of prey, which include a variety of owls, falcons and hawks. Kids of all ages will enjoy a selection of fun and educational activities. Appetizers, snacks, desserts and wines representing Sonoma County’s finest will be available. A silent auction and raffle with fantastic items offered by local artists and businesses will be offered. The Center is located at 3430 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, near Sutter Memorial Hospital. Information: birdresq@gmail.com, 523-2473.

MAY

Wednesday May 1, 8:45 AM - 2:30 PM
ANNADEL STATE PARK. Bird Walk. Note 8:45 AM meeting time. We will search for returning passerines, mainly along Channel Drive. Meeting place: from eastbound Montgomery Drive in Santa Rosa, turn right onto Channel Drive and go 0.6 mile to an unpaved parking lot on the left side. There is a $7 entrance fee for the park. Bring lunch. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Saturday, May 4. 7:15 AM - 3:00 PM
NORTH GEYSERS ROAD. Birdwalk. This will be a new field trip on our schedule, and visits a very rich and underappreciated area of Sonoma County. We expect many birds not seen on other trips, with lots of breeding activity. Meet at the Park and Ride lot adjacent to the PGE substation on River Road, just off Highway 101. We will need to combine into as few cars as possible, as parking is very limited along the road. Bring lunch, liquids, and layers. Rain cancels. Leaders: Bill Doyle 483-8773, and Gordon Beebe 829-9017.

Sunday May 5, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Digital Nature Photography for the Eco-Tourist with Bryant Hichwa. Come to the Mayacamas at the height of the wildflower season, and experience the beauty and ruggedness of this preserve. Our in-the-field photo workshop will include tips for the semi-professional nature photographer as well as fundamentals for the beginner. We’ll compare various types of digital cameras, work on close-up shooting techniques, and use the instantaneous feedback of digital to constructively critique participants’ photos. Please no dogs. Children okay under careful supervision. Please see general information in column to left.

Sunday May 5, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Geology Hike. Iain Jamieson, a retired geologist who worked up at the Geysers in the 1970s, will lead our hike. Iain was a 2012 Bouverie Preserve docent. Be prepared for a moderate hike with many stops to discuss the rock formations and geological history. Bring magnifiers and binoculars. Early teens may find this of interest. Please see general information in column to left.

Thursday May 9, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY AND PINE FLAT ROAD. Bird Walk. Meet for carpooling northeast of Healdsburg on Pine Flat Road between Red Winery Road and the Sausal Creek Bridge. Pine Flat Road begins 0.25 mile east of Jimtown store on Highway 128 East. Bring lunch. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Saturday May 11, 9:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance/Madrone leads a nature walk. Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Gerald Moore, 763-3577.

Saturday May 11, 9 AM - 3 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Fire Ecology at the Preserve. Jennifer Potts is a resource ecologist at ACR’s Bouverie Preserve, and has done fire ecology research in California, Arizona and Florida. Join us for a leisurely walk where we will look at the evidence from the Geysers fire that passed through the Preserve in 2004. We’ll talk about the different strategies that plants and wildlife have for living with fire, the history of fire in the region, and the impact it had on the Preserve. Please see general information in column to left.

Wednesday May 15, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
SALMON CREEK ROAD/BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. Meet in Bodega at the junction of Bodega Highway and Salmon Creek Road (on the north side of Bodega Highway, opposite the Bodega Post Office). Bring lunch. We will bird Salmon Creek Road in the morning and Bodega Bay in the afternoon. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Saturday May 18, 10:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two children/family nature walks. One to two hours, depending 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.

Saturday May 18, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WILLOW CREEK, DUNCAN’S LANDING, JENNER. One of our most productive bird walks. 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). Bring lunch, liquids and layers of clothing. Rain cancels. Leaders: Gordon Beebe, 829-9017, and Bill Doyle, 483-8773.

Sunday May 19, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS SANCTUARY. Botanical Walk. A day of discovering the splendid diversity and ecology of land plants: mosses, ferns, trees, shrubs, and those photogenic wildflowers. Your guide will be Peter Warner, botanical and ecological consultant, and teacher. Peter leads botanical field trips throughout California. The pace will be deliberate, with frequent stops. Bring field guides, hand lenses, and cameras if you wish. Children okay with supervision. A plant list for the Sanctuary and environs is available by contacting Peter: phytopagan@sonic.net. Please see general information in column to left.

Monday May 20, 7:30 PM
MAY GENERAL MEETING “Mayacamas Mountain Sanctuary” Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Sherry Adams (Preserve Biologist and Manager) and Dave Self (Naturalist) will talk about the Mayacamas Mountain Sanctuary located east of Healdsburg along Pine Flat Road. Madrone Audubon has played a crucial and steadfast role in the stewardship of this wild property, which is now owned by Audubon Canyon Ranch. Sherry and Dave are thrilled to have the continued support and involvement of Madrone Audubon at the Sanctuary. Come and hear about their vision for the property, current goings-on, and how you can be involved.

Thursday May 23, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
SUGARLOAF RIDGE STATE PARK. Bird Walk. From Kenwood on Highway 12, go east on Adobe Canyon Road to the park entrance and parking lot ($8 parking fee). Bring a portable lunch (we will lunch away from cars). Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

Saturday May 25, 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, 763-2934.

Wednesday May 29, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
POINT REYES. Bird Walk. Meet in the parking lot across from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, which is just west of Olema. Bring lunch. Information: Tom McCuller, sisyphus@sonic.net, 546-1812.

JUNE

Saturday June 1, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
PINE FLAT ROAD. Always a very birdy outing. 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: Gordon Beebe, 829-9017, and Bill Doyle, 483-8773.