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

Midweek Walkabout Results

November 20, 1997
After a ten-year absence, a Rock Sandpiper has returned, at least temporarily, to Bodega Bay. Most of the 20 birders present hiked out on Bodega Head to see this rare and difficult-to-identify sandpiper in balmy weather. In all, 75 species were found including Peregrine Falcon, White-throated Sparrow and both Red-necked and Red Phalaropes. Eurasian Wigeon male was also seen.

December 3 and 4, 1997
Undeterred by incorrect forecasts of foul weather, 14 birders met at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge to view the bumper crop of waterfowl (112,141 combined white geese). At the fly-in on Tuesday evening, several large flocks of White-faced Ibis flew low over the marsh with their down-curved beaks and extended legs silhouetted against the setting sun. That evening, eight Red-tailed Hawks were seen roosting in the same cottonwood tree. The next morning, a Great-horned Owl observed our passing from a willow tree 20 feet from the road. Ring-necked Pheasants were seen in abundance.

In the afternoon, we drove to the Llano Seco Unit of the Sacramento River NWR and watched Snowand Ross' Geese and Tundra Swans in a rice paddy next to Seven Mile Lane. Many Sandhill Cranes were seen in adjacent fields. A tour of Grey Lodge Waterfowl Management Area rounded out the day. On the Thursday homebound trip, we toured Colusa National Wildlife Refuge where Pintail and Wigeon predominated. A total of 75 species were seen in the two days.

Thursday, December 11, 1997
On a cloudless, crystal-clear day, eleven birders met at the Point Reyes Visitor Center. A Peregrine Falcon observing us from a snag overlooking the parking lot was an omen of a good day of birding. In a single tree on the Earthquake Trail, we hit the jackpot with a Townsend's Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (crown fully exposed), Pine Siskins and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. We interrupted a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Five Brooks as it descended on a covey of quail, one of which was intended for his lunch. At the Bolinas Lagoon, we were surprised to find six Eurasian Wigeonsand having a Merlinfly by. A total of 73 species were seen.

Wednesday, December 17, 1997
Twelve birders met at Duncan's Mills on a drizzly, overcast day. A total of 69 species were seen including Peregrine Falcon, Spotted Sandpiper, Townsend's Warbler, and Brown Creeper.

Thursday, January 8, 1998
Under threatening skies, eighteen birders joined leader, Betty Groce, on the first walkabout of the New Year at Duncan's Mills, Jenner area and Willow Creek Road.  Sixty-five species were observed; highlights being three Peregrine Falcons one Ferruginous Hawk and a flock of about 200 Pine Siskins.  A great look at a Barn Owl in flight at the old barns on Willow Creek Road was an exciting ending to our trip.