September 1997, Volume 31, Number 1

Sonoma County Water Wishes September General Meeting Thank You Pee Wee Audubon Goes Hawk Watching Audubon Adventures Message From Our President Annual Meeting Wrap-Up Feeder Watch Pee Wee Reports Observations Midweek Walkabout Results Field Trip Report Pepperwood Field Trip Results Return of the Swifts The Fate of the Developmental CenterOpen Space Volunteers Survey Finds Zero Owl Nests Welcome New Members

The Fate of the Developmental Center Open Space Above and behind the Sonoma Developmental Center, and adjoining JackLondon State Park, are 350 beautiful acres of old orchard and redwood forest.It is a breeding hotspot for many species, such as the Yellow Warbler,Green Heron, Western Screech Owl, Ash-throated Flycatcher, all of ourswallows, Bewick's Wren, and Black-headed Grosbeak, to namejust a few. Authoritative sources report seeing Spotted Owls therewithin the past year. The property, which has been discretely accessibleto the public for many years, is a vital link in the last wildlife corridor,ridgetop to ridgetop, in the Sonoma Valley. The State of California has now declared this publicly-owned propertyto be "unused" and "surplus," and is proposing to leaseit out for agriculture. The Sonoma Mountain Preservation Group, local residents,and the state Department of Fish and Game want this precious land to beallowed to return to its native state. A scoping session on the EIR maybe imminent, and letters are needed now. Please write BobSleppy, Department of Project Management and Development, 400 R Street,Sacramento, California 95814, and all your favorite elected officials. Formore information, call George Ellman at 996-0601.

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