Viansa Wetlands

Docents for Viansa

Thank You

General Meeting

President's Message

River Advocate Sought

Swifts at Healdsburg

Classroom Materials

Outings Reports

Observations

Chip Notes

Pee Wee Update

Related Activites

Plastic Corks Boycott

Annadel and Spring Lake Parks, Wednesday, May 19
Twelve birders enjoyed perfect weather and observed a total of 56 species. The Swainson's Thrush was singing its beautiful song on Channel Drive, and an Allen's Hummingbird was observed at its nest site. It was a great day for hearing a variety of bird songs.

Pine Flat Road, Saturday, May 29
Leader Ian Morrison and 11 birders met at the Sausal Creek bridge to bird Pine Flat Road. Fifty-six species were found, including Black-throated Gray Warbler, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Purple
Martin and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The most dramatic moment of the day was seeing a Red-tailed Hawk harass an immature Golden Eagle.

Sugarloaf Park, Wednesday, June 2

Leader Betty Groce and seventeen birders were joined by Press Democrat reporter Derek Moore and PD photographer Mark Aronoff. The PD fellows joined in the birding, and prepared a substantial article that appeared in the June 13 paper. The walk began in cloudy weather, but it turned into a gorgeous day. The group saw and/or heard 49 species, with two exceptional highlights: several Lazuli Buntings in full voice and a male Lawrence's Goldfinch near the stables. The Lawrence's is possibly a first for the Park.

Dragonfly Walk, Sunday, July 18
About 50 people gathered at the new Laguna Wetlands Park in Sebastopol for an introductory talk on dragonflies by Kathy Biggs. With cool and foggy weather, only five odanata species were seen there. The 20 observers who went on to the Quality Koi Garden on Piner Road in Santa Rosa enjoyed warmer temperatures and at least a dozen species, many of them displaying fascinating mating and ovipositing behaviors. Four enthusiasts continued on to Santa Rosa Creek at Willowside Road, where several 'stream' species were sighted. The group totaled 17 species at the three sites. For details, plus excellent dragonfly information and photos, see Kathy's Web site: www.sonic.net/dragonfly.
This first-ever event was a great success; watch the Leaves for more walks with Kathy and David Biggs next summer.

Audubon Adventures
There is still time (but not much!) for teachers of grades three through six to enroll their classes in the Audubon Adventures natural science enrichment program for the current academic year. Audubon Adventures provides a series of six illustrated newspapers for each child in the class, a teacher's guide, and colorful posters about the natural world. Teachers who have not previously participated and those who wish to re-enroll for the 1999-2000 school year should call Nancy Ryan immediately at 996-6181. The fee for the program is just $35 per year, and sponsorships are available.
Members of the Madrone Audubon Society and others help to fund the program by sponsoring the $35 per class enrollment fee. To support a classroom, please send a check for $35 made out to Madrone Audubon Society, care of Nancy Ryan, P.O. Box 1003, Glen Ellen 95442. Specify that you want your gift used for Audubon Adventures. You may designate a teacher, class, school, or area to receive your gift of Audubon Adventures, or let Nancy match your gift with a classroom.