Successful Christmas Bird Count

February General Meeting

Pee Wee Audubon

Thank You

1998 Birdathon: For Fun and Profit

Nominations Open

Tips for Nest Box Success

Observations

Ernie Smith Honored

Midweek Walkabout Results

Field Trip Reports

Harper is ACR President

Welcome New Members

Nest Boxes at the Sanctuary

National Audubon Board Visits Sancutary

MAS Nest Boxes

Complete Christmas Count Results

Pee Wee Audubon

Pee Wee Birdathon
Kathy and David Biggs will be leading Pee Wee Audubon's Birdathon team this year, on Saturday, February 14 from 9 AM to noon at Howarth and Spring Lake parks. All young birders and their families and friends are invited to participate.

Last year, two Pee Wee teams saw more than 30 species and earned over $600 in pledges from their friends, neighbors, and family members. For more information, to sign up, or for pledge sheets, please call Elham at 573-7183. You can also pledge to support the "Western Wood PEE WEES" or another Madrone Birdathon team by returning the coupon.

The Birdathon helps to support Pee Wee Audubon and other programs of the Madrone Audubon Society. For more information, see page 3.

February 7:  Owl Program at Bird Rescue Center
On Saturday, February 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Pee Wee Audubon will meet at the Bird Rescue Center for a special Owl Program. Naturalist Diane Hichwa will introduce us to some of the Bird Rescue Center's resident owls, share with us her knowledge and wisdom about these beautiful and fascinating birds, and then lead us on an evening hike around the grounds in hopes of discovering owls in the wild. It may be chilly, so be sure to wear warm clothing and bring a flashlight. Reservations are required and attendance is limited, so be sure to call Elham at 573-7183 to reserve your space.

Directions: The Bird Rescue Center is off Chanate Road, across from Santa Rosa Community Hospital, on County Farm Road. Follow the one-way circle three-quarters of the way around, and you will see the Bird Rescue Center sign on a quonset hut to your right.

March 1 and March 29: Birds and Birdhouses
On Sunday, March 1, John Klobas and Jim Kirk will lead Pee Wee's annual bird walk at Spring Lake. These knowledgeable, enthusiastic naturalists will help us find and identify local wintering birds, learn what birds are likely to nest here in the spring, and choose sites for some new bird houses. We'll also check some of the houses we put out at the park last year, to see what we can learn about their occupants and be sure the houses are clean and ready for this year's birds.

At the end of the program we'll hand out kits for birdhouses (also known as nest boxes) to be assembled at home. There will be one free kit for each family.

The completed bird house can be put up in your own back yard, or you can bring it back and put it up at Spring Lake on March 29. John and Jim will join us again that day, to help set out the new bird boxes and give us tips on attracting the birds we want and protecting them from predators.

Both programs will begin at 10:00 AM and end around 1:00 PM. Bring binoculars if you have them, and a picnic lunch. Meet at Spring Lake (Channel Drive entrance) parking lot below the Visitor's Center, between the Lake and the swimming lagoon. There is a park day-use fee.

Be sure to call Elham at 573-1783 to reserve your place and a bird box for your family.