Just as there are many small earthquakes in the physical geology of the Mayacamas Mountain Audubon Sanctuary (MMAS), there finally will be small movements in several aspects of the Sanctuary's development. A partnership between Audubon-California and Madrone Audubon Society becomes official as we sign a memorandum of understanding and jointly form a Steering Committee to govern the Sanctuary. The Steering Committee which will meet quarterly, will oversee operations, program development, fund raising and actions needed to protect and enhance the property.

We seek interested individuals to be considered for this seven member Steering Committee. The Committee makeup will include the Director of Audubon-California and four members chosen by Madrone's Board. In addition, these individuals will select two at-large members from the community to bring expertise "in conservation science, ecosystem management, philanthropy and/or political experience" to this Committee. If you have recommendations for possible Steering Committee members please contact Bill Payne, Chairperson of the Madrone Mayacamas Committee.

As funds become available in the early months of 2000, the Steering Committee will be able to select a Sanctuary Director. The Director will work with the Committee to develop a master plan for the MMAS and annual management plans. We have applied for funding through a mitigation project of the California Department of Corrections that would provide staff support as well as protective measures to stop off-road vehicle damage. We will also begin restoration at selected oak woodland and grassland sites.

We continue to discuss with City of Santa Rosa staff and engineers, the proposed project to bring Santa Rosa wastewater to the Geysers. We need to protect the environmental integrity of the Sanctuary during this project. We also recognize that significant land-use changes on adjoining properties affects the overall environmental and aesthetic values of our Sanctuary. We have carefully reviewed each route option and its impacts, on paper and in the field, and are beginning to reach consensus on which route option is the least environmentally damaging. Circuit Rider Productions is still being retained. They await the City of Santa Rosa route selection so they can then proceed to map the Sanctuary and to design restoration plans for key springs and wetland sites.

While these management issues progress slowly, we hope you have ventured up Pine Flat Road and enjoyed the spectacular views or have participated in the Spring Hike Series (which will be offered again in 2000) or may have glimpsed the well-hidden Burrowing Owl wintering there since November or seen the Lark Sparrows and Rufous-crowned Sparrows near Ferguson Spring.

* The Mayacamas Mountain Audubon Sanctuary was created in 1994 when two large land parcels totaling over 1400 acres in the mountains east of Healdsburg were given to the National Audubon Society.

This year marked the 33rd year that Madrone Audubon Society has participated in the 100 year old National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC). In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman was disturbed, as were many conservationists, at the slaughter of birds in the annual holiday event called the "side hunt." The team that shot the most birds and other small animals was the winner. As a protest, Chapman organized 27 friends in 25 locations on Christmas Day, 1900. Instead of shooting birds, they counted them. Today, volunteers from all 50 states, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and Pacific islands count and record every individual bird and bird species encountered during one calendar day. About 1800 individual Christmas Bird Counts were held during a two and a half week period between 16 December 1999 and 3 January 2000. Each count group has a designated 15 mile diameter circle, about 177 square miles, in which they attempt to cover as much territory as possible within a 24-hour calendar day. About 50,000 volunteers participated in this year's CBC.

Last year, 125 volunteers participated in Madrone Audubon's Western Sonoma County CBC and located 190 species. This placed us 9th highest in the 1700 counts in North America. The high diversity of birds we have becomes even more remarkable when one considers that we are located at a higher latitude than any other count in the top 10. This year our count took place Sunday, January 2nd in weather that was easy on the counters but perhaps not conducive to a high diversity of birds. As we go to press our final figures are not available although an unofficial count would indicate about 183 species. An official count total with a complete list of the birds seen or heard will appear in the March edition of the "Leaves." The number of counters who participated may be an all time record. 145 birders split into 20 teams and searched the hills and valleys of Western Sonoma County. The first bird of the count was a Black rail heard by Doug Ellis at 12 AM. During those early morning hours Doug located 7 species of owls, including two Long-eared owls. Richard Merriss ventured out upon the ocean with John Obertelli in his fishing boat, the "Blazer", but rough conditions kept them close to shore preventing them from locating the pelagic species. Richard did, however, document a Glaucous gull, the only one seen during the count. Several raptors were seen in high numbers along the coastal range, including Golden eagles, Peregrine falcons and Rough-legged hawks.

A down side to the count was the report of habitat loss within the circle, as vineyards encroach into the habitat. During the count some of us had the pleasure of watching a bobcat hunting on a grassy hillside. I had seen a bobcat on this same hillside 3 years before. As we watched in awe at the beauty of this scene, I wondered where he would hunt when his territory becomes a fenced vineyard.

Overall, the count was a great success with everybody enjoying a good start to their year's birding, while contributing to the scientific data base of early winter distribution patterns of various bird species and the overall health of the environment. Count data from 1980 to the present are currently available through the interactive Birdsource website, a cooperative project of the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Monday, February 14, 2000, 7:30 PM FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING. "A Journey Through Annadel - 20 Years of Photographing Wildlife, Birds and Nature" will be presented by Brendan Hutchinson , a Madrone Audubon member and avid nature photographer. Though his face is familiar to us, this sensitive and beautiful program will reveal a side of Brendan that few of us know and all of us will greatly appreciate.

The meeting begins at 7:30 PM, Monday, February 14, 2000 at the First Presbyterian Church, Ingram Hall, 1550 Pacific Avenue, Santa Rosa. THIS DATE, THE 2ND TUESDAY, IS ONE WEEK EARLIER THAN USUAL FOR A GENERAL MEETING. PEE WEE SCHEDULE AND REPORTS

Saturday, February 26, 2000, 5:30 to 7:30 PM Pee Wee Audubon. "OWLS" Learn about owls found in Sonoma County and see the Bird Rescue Center's owls up close. Bring a flash light. We will take a short night hike to possibly see (and hear!) owls in the neighborhood. Dress warmly. Leader: Diane Hichwa. Space is limited so call Janice now to reserve your family's spot! Janice Sinclaire, 433-1150.

Sunday, February 27, 2000, 9:30 AM to Noon Pee Wee Audubon. "BIRDATHON" The Western Wood Pee Wee Team joins the Birdathon. Collect a list of sponsors and then meet leader Claire Shurvinton at Howarth Park. Bring binoculars if you have them and a snack. Or you may bird your yard and local neighborhood on your own. Call Janice Sinclaire, 433-1150.

Over the past few years Len Blumin and his feisty crew of weed-busters have been attacking the scourge of cape ivy in our Volunteer Canyon. While there's no real substitute for hand-pulling the weed, this back-breaking work has become daunting. After much research it was decided to call in a herd of hungry goats to munch up several acres of the rampant non-native. We'll share our findings with others, including the Park Service. Would control-burn work better? Stay tuned.

And finally, it's not too early to mark your 2000 calendar with our always popular free lunches (conveniently coinciding, with our Spring Work Days on Feb. 12th at Bouverie, and March 5th at Bolinas Lagoon.)

*Audubon Canyon Ranch is an independent non-profit organization which owns and administers 3 educational nature preserves in Marin and Sonoma Counties. It is supported by 4 Bay Area Audubon chapters including Madrone Audubon Society.

We hope you will vote on March 7, 2000 and that you are voting FOR the environment. Proposition 12 is quite simply the most important effort to protect wildlife in California today. Prop 12 is the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000. This $2.l billion bond measure will fund wildlife habitat protection ($265.5 million), coastal protection ($220 million) as well as state and local park improvements. Prop 12 would provide $25 million to begin the process of Bay Area restoration that Audubon-California and the Bay Area Audubon Council, including Madrone Audubon, have initiated in an ambitious Baylands Campaign. The Legislature has not placed a bond act to acquire state and local park lands and wildlife habitat on the ballot since 1990, and the need for additional funding is now critical. Parks are an important part of California's quality of life. Audubon-California is work- ing hard to pass Prop 12-----please help with your vote---and consider the environment as you cast the rest of your votes.

To review the exact funding breakdown see the http://www.safeparks.org website.

An Evergreen Cherry? Yes, a California native shrub (Prunus ilicifolia) which produces fruits loved by birds. This evergreen, holly-like cherry tree has leathery leaves, and, in spring shows off its thick white flowers. Ornamental cherries follow, sweet and tasty, but too thin-pulped for human consumption. Let the birds have their dessert treat instead. The holly-leaf cherry can be grown in a big tub, clumped as a hedge, left to mature as a thick shrub, or pruned to a single trunk to become a tree reaching up to 50'. No special care needed, just full sun, occasional summer watering, and perhaps a gopher basket, if you have these critters. That's it!

Recipe for a birdie suet cake from "The Bird Rescue Flyer". We published it last year, but you may have missed or forgotten it. Melt together: 2 cups lard, and 1 cup crunchy peanut butter over very low heat. Stir in: 2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal, 2 cups yellow cornmeal, 1 cup white flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 to 2 cups assorted finely-chopped nuts, cranberries, currants, and raisins. You may have to adjust the amount of lard. The consistency should be like cookie dough. Line a baking pan with wax paper, pour in mixture and refrigerate. Cut into squares to put in your suet feeder or crumble into a hanging bowl-type feeder. Put out small amounts at a time so it won't spoil (although it probably won't be around long enough for that to happen!) The mixture will keep in your freezer or refrigerator indefinitely.

Stafford Lake, McInnis Park, & Las Gallinas Oxidation Ponds, November 17, 1999 Eleven birders joined leaders Jim and Jean Tonascia at Stafford Lake in good weather. Both target species were seen - two Spotted Sandpipers and a White-fronted goose. In all 67 species of birds were seen.

Sacramento Wildlife Refuges, December 1 & 2, 1999 Forecasted storms moved through quickly the evening before, leaving crystal clear skies for 15 birders led by Lew Edmondson. Sacramento NWR's new viewing turnouts allowed stunning views of the horizon being turned white with thousands of Snow Geese on the move. Some birders saw a Northern Shrike, a rare winter visitor and all enjoyed the exploding population of Ring-necked Pheasants on this refuge. At Colusa NWR, 3 Eurasian Wigeon were found and 300 White-faced Ibis were seen flying along I-5.Gray Lodge Refuge turned out to be the highlight of the trip with thousands of Snow and White-fronted Geese flying overhead in wave after wave for more than 10 minutes. Several small flocks of Sandhill Cranes were also sighted in the fields north of the refuge. All these sights and sounds left a lasting impression. A total of 62 species was seen on this trip.

Shollenberger Park, December 15, 1999 Betty Burridge and 14 old and new friends walked around the ponds at Shollenberger Park on a mostly clear and cool, fairly windless day. Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-necked Stilt, Marsh Wren and many other more common birds were seen even before the opening greeting by the leader. Later, the group was treated to Blue-winged Teal, a large (Peregrine?) Falcon, American Avocets, 2 Long-billed Curlews, and 7 Redheads. In all 53 species were identified.

Duncans Mills, Jenner, Willow Creek, January 5, 2000 One of the first birds of the day was a Ferruginous Hawk, undoubtedly a good omen for the new year. Fifty two more birds were identified later, including a very cooperative flock of Pygmy Nuthatches and a Spotted Sandpiper, seldom seen in winter and missed on the Christmas bird count 3 days ago. Fourteen people came out into the sharply cold morning which preceded a clear sunny day in the low 60s. Betty Burridge, leader.

SALTON SEA INTERNATONAL BIRD FESTIVAL February 13-16. Contact Joyce Hansen for information, 546-4288.

BALD EAGLE CONFERENCE - Klamath Falls, Oregon February 18 - 20th Sponsored by Klamath Basin Audubon Society. Write: Bald Eagle Conference, % Anne Wenner, 1608 Cove Point Rd, Klamath Falls OR 97601, (541) 882-1219 for details, or call Klamath County Dept. of Tourism (800) 445-6728 for information on dining and lodging.

Be sure to register in advance for Conference and activities of your choice.

See the Bald Eagle "Flyout", a spectacular event. Pick up refuge maps at the conference. There are myriad wonderful places to bird and sight-see near Klamath Falls, and good, moderately priced lodging available, as well. This conference is a popular annual event for many Madrone members, and for good reason.

SEALWATCH VOLUNTEER TRAINING for Interpreters on Goat Rock Beach will be March 4, 9-4PM. Volunteers work 1 four hour shift per month March - Sept. Call 869-9177 for further information.

WILD ON WETLANDS WEEKEND - Los Banos - March 11-12. For more information and registration call (800) 336-6354

RIVERS AND WILDLIFE CELEBRATION 2000 - Kearney, Nebraska March 17-19 - Attend advance private viewing trips to see the cranes on the Platte river and other waterfowl in the Rainwater Basin - Call Laurie Rapkin (402) 477 - 1755

NATIONAL AUDUBON CONVENTION - Asilomar During April 14-18, National Audubon Society will hold its National Convention at the Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Bay Peninsula. The theme for the convention is "Audubon: Gateway to Nature." Audubon Centers are a gateway to nature and Audubon's 2020 Vision calls for an Audubon Center in every community, and a network of Audubon Centers in each state. To demonstrate how Centers can accomplish educational, activist, and conservation goals, we will transform the Asilomar Conference Grounds into a virtual Audubon Center.

Programs will emphasize the landscapes featured at the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding areas. Each session will offer different work- shops targeted at four audiences: parents and their children, teenagers, the general interest audience, and those with a keen interest in science and public policy. The concurrent youth program for children ages 3 to 12 will be directed by the educational staff of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center. We are also offering a Youth Program for high school and college age students interested in learning about environmental issues. In addition, an exciting variety of field trips planned.

Registration materials are available online at http://www.audubon-ca.org . You can also e-mail Jennifer Jacobs in the Audubon-California office for a registration packet at jjacobs@audubon.org.

GODWIT DAYS Migratory Bird Festival - Arcata April 14-16, 2000. Call Michael Behney at (707) 822-4500.

OFFICER NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
President Joannie Dranginis has appointed the following 3 members to the Nominating Committee for the year 2000 -2001: Peter Leveque, Phone # 542-8946, Jeff Holtzman, Phone #823-8290 and Joannie Dranginis, Phone # 523-437. Nominations from the membership are now being accepted. If you feel you are qualified and wish to be an officer or serve as a chairperson of one of the standing committees, or know of another member who is qualified and willing to serve, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members.

NEST BOX SEASON
For your Valentine (or your favorite love birds) it is time to put out nest boxes, so that your back yard favorites can choose the perfect site to raise this year's brood. New boxes can be purchased from Madrone Audubon by contacting Peter Leveque 542-8946, or visit any of our friendly local wild bird supply or hardware stores. OR BUY YOUR VALENTINE A 'SONOMA COUNTY BREEDING BIRD ATLAS' signed by Betty Burridge, Editor. Order from Betty at 527-0225. The atlas costs $19.13 for members ($15.00, plus $1.13 tax, plus $3.00 shipping and handling.) OR GIVE YOUR VALLENTINE A NEW OR UPGRADED MEMBERSHIP IN AUDUBON. Information on How to Join.

OPEN SPACE DISTRICT:
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is looking for people who are interested in becoming volunteer monitors of the District's conservation easements in Sonoma County. This involves site visits to document any changes on the land, and completing monitoring reports. The District is looking for people able to commit to 1-3 site visits a month and willing to complete the monitoring paperwork. Volunteers should be able to walk over somewhat rough terrain and be comfortable reading maps. This is a great opportunity to see some beautiful land in Sonoma County. Call Kathleen at the District office at 524-7360 or kmarsh@sonoma-county.org.

GOOD NEWS! As we go to press, our new charming, talented, and highly qualified Madrone Leaves Editor, TESS BRANDLEY, is being oriented by the pro-tem editors. We are ecstatic to have her, and look forward to giving her continued support as she prepares to assume responsibility for the March issue.

A PAT ON THE BACK goes to our retiring Publicity Chair, JUDY BRINKERHOFF, who has been sending out our press releases for a very long time. We are fortunate that she will be continuing to write her very popular 'Through the Garden Gate" column for this newsletter. Thanks, Judy. Jackson Rannells, who already does proof-reading, writing and editing for the Madrone Leaves, has agreed to be Publicity Chair. Thanks. Jackson!

WORKING QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES is CAROL SUNLIGHT, doing Outreach and Greeting all who attend our General Meetings. And LINDA ALLEN covers the Madrone Audubon booth, most recently at the San Pablo Bay Flyway Conference, and, with Carol (see above), attends Bay Area Audubon Council (BAAC) meetings representing Madrone. Both ladies are busy professionals (Linda's works in L. A.!) and have clearly shown that they have the best interest of Audubon at heart. Many thanks Carol and Linda! CONTRIBUTIONS:

HOST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT ACR'S BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE
It's time once again to schedule hosts for the Spring 2000 public season at Audubon Canyon Ranch's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Chapter hosts are vital to the success of the days when the public visits the preserve and observes and learns about the nesting herons and egrets. Madrone is responsible for providing 4 hosts on 3/18&19, 4/15&16, 5/14, 6/3&11, 7/1&2. Invite a friend, and set aside one of these days in the spring to greet visitors at the Preserve. Sign up with Janet Bosshard, ACR Host Coordinator, at 526-5883. Special Bond Issue:

IN MEMORIAM

In Memory of Wini Nelson - from Betty Burridge and Mike Nelligan

In Memory of Glenn Cooper - from Kathy Rodrigues

In Memory of Sho Ono - from Douglas & Sylvia Havemann

William Cooney Jeffery Orth Fances Murray Mr. & Mrs. Verne Stadtman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hasenick Deborah Freiberg Cy Stewart Jimmy & Lola Felix Emile Houle, Jr. Phyllis & George Ellman Ernestine Smith Mac & Leslie McQuown

A What? Each year Madrone Audubon sponsors a Bird-a-thon to benefit its educational and conservation projects. Individual participants or teams of birders identify as many species of birds as possible in a 24 hour period during the month of February. Sponsors typically pledge a fixed sum per bird identified. The Bird-A-Thon is a crucial source of funds for the Chapter, and helps support projects such as Pee Wee Audubon, Audubon Adventures, and the Mayacamas Mountain Sanctuary.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

1) Fill out the form below to sponsor a specific team. 2) Send a check to the Bird-a-thon 'in honor of' your favorite birder. 3) Do an individual Bird-a-thon, by going on any of Madrone Audubon's February Field trips. Identify your birds with the help of the group. Solicit your sponsors in advance, and warn them that you'll be getting more birds than if you were out by yourself. 4) Decide to count the birds at your feeder. Get friends, neighbors or family members to sponsor you. 5) Call a bird-loving friend or two, and go out for a day of birding with your own team, recording as many birds as you can together. Call potential sponsors for pledges.

WHO CAN YOU ASK TO SPONSOR YOU? Friends, family, neighbors and co-workers who support our environmental and educational projects are usually interested in sponsoring the Bid-a-thon. Businesses that want to be associated with environmental awareness and be listed in a conservation newsletter make good sponsors. HOW DO YOU ASK SOMEONE TO SPONSOR YOU?

Asking someone face-to-face is most effective. Calling them on the telephone is next best. Writing a letter, copying it and doing a mass mailing also works.

WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE?

1) Keep careful records of your birds species, your sponsors, their pledges and their checks. 2) Write a short account of the highlights of the day. Send it, along with the number of species sighted or a list of species to the sponsors, and along with a calculation of the pledge amount. Include a request for a check sent to you made out to Madrone Audubon with a notation "Bird-a-thon" by (your name)________. 3) When you have all your checks, total and send them along with the names of all 'team' members to Becky Olsen, MAS Asst. Treasurer, 8 Pine Tree Circle, Cotati CA 94931.

Several teams have already been formed (see below). You can support one of these or initiate a new team. You may use the form below to sponsor a team.

NAME_________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________

PHONE___________________________E-MAIL_______________________________

MY PLEDGE IS $___________ PER BIRD or A FLAT AMOUNT OF $___________.

_____ Please contact me with a report on my team's Bird-A-Thon and to redeem my pledge.

Please return to Madrone Audubon Society, Box 1911, Santa Rosa CA 95402 Attn: Bird-A-Thon. Bird-A-Thon Teams TEAM LEADER THE ROADRUNNERS BETTY GROCE THE OFFICERS JOANNIE DRANGINIS THE FEATHERQUESTERS DIANE HICHWA & KAREN NAGEL THE WESTERN WOOD PEE WEES CLAIRE SHURVINTON THE GRAY-HEADED SEERSUCKERS BETTY BURRIDGE

The Madrone Audubon Bird-A-Thon coincides with the Great Backyard Bird Count 2000 sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology urgently need the help of North Americans of all ages to count birds this winter. By participating in Great Backyard Bird Count 2000, February 18-21, bird watchers, regardless of skill level will help scientists document the status and health of our winter bird populations at the turn of the millennium at the start of spring migrations.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, ask everyone - kids, adults, seniors, families, classrooms, and community groups - to count the birds they see at their backyard bird feeders, local parks, and other areas. Participants then enter their reports online at BirdSource.

Widespread citizen participation will assist scientists in both the short and long term. "By helping us count birds, people from subtropical Florida to Arctic Canada and Alaska will help us to understand better the effects of changing weather, and landscape on our birds' health and movement patterns," continued Gill. "Last year, some 42,000 reports - triple the number of reports from the previous year - tallied more than three million birds of 350 species."

To participate, go to BirdSource, and click on Great Backyard Bird Count. Directions are provided at the site. Participation is free. No registration is necessary. For more information, prospective counters can call toll-free 1- 800-843-BIRD (2473).

Madrone Audubon needs a Coordinator for the Bird-a-Thon. This person assists participants in forming teams, keeping records and collecting pledges. In addition he/she helps develop strategies needed to solicit more sponsors, pledges, and teams for future Bird-a-Thons. Please call Joannie Dranginis at 523-4373.

The rather warm, dry winter is continuing into January. The Santa Rosa Christmas bird count on Dec. 19 was a balmy 70-75 F., which was as warm as anyone could remember. Likewise the birding has been fairly nice, with pleasant weather and a fair share of lingering surprises. A Magnificent Frigatebird visited Bodega Bay in November.

On a very sad note, I must report the sudden passing of my mother Wini Nelson in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 10. Among many things she was a major help each month in the note-taking that constituted the "Observations" column for the last eighteen years. She will be missed dearly. Just one day prior, she was visiting New Zealand where she rejoiced in seeing her first Royal Albatrosses and Yellow-eyed Penguins. She also saw Laughing Kookaburras, Rainbow Lorikeets, Common Diving-Petrels plus numerous other specialties of these foreign lands. She passed away with my father Clyde Nelson, my brother Dave, and 14 yr. old nephew Tom Knudson all at her side. So, with a heavy heart I report the recent local bird sightings which include:

Pacific Loon (1) 11/24 Lake Ralphine BG
Red-necked Grebe (2) 12/15 Bodega Harbor entrance TE ,DA, BDP
Red-necked Grebe (1) 12/30 Lake Hennessey, Napa Co. BDP
Black-footed Albatross (8) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN
Laysan Albatross 12/4-5 Pt. Arena DS, et al
Laysan Albatross (20+) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN, RP Note: at least 16 were seen at one time, including 10 in one "field" of view !
Short-tailed Albatross (1 juv.) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN, RP0
Northern Fulmar (325) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN
Pink-footed Shearwater (4) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN
Short-tailed Shearwater (45) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN
Magnificent Frigatebird (1 juv.) 11/14 Doran Park & Bodega Head DN,NC
American Bittern (1) 12/19 Sebastopol Community Ctr. DN
Green Heron (1) 12/19 Sebastopol Community Ctr. DN
Cattle Egret (1) 12/19 High School Rd. BDP
Greater White-fronted Goose 12/5 Lakeville Hwy. AW
Greater White-fronted Goose 12/16 Bodega Bay DB, DMcC
Ross' Goose (1) 12/19 Delta Pond BDP
Canada Goose (approx. 80) 11/4 Marin Fr. Cheese Factory WN, CN
Wood Duck (150+; seen by canoe) 11/25 L. Sonoma, uppermost extremedies AW,GW Blue-winged Teal (3) 12/6 Schollenberger Park DN, TCN
Blue-winged Teal (2) 12/19 Sebastopol Community Ctr. DN
Blue-winged Teal (1) 1/9 Salmon Creek pond BDP
Eurasian Wigeon (4 males) 12/19 Delta Pond BDP
Eurasian Wigeon (1 male) 1/9 Bodega farm pond BDP
Barrow's Goldeneye (3) 12/12 Porto Sonoma DN
Hooded Merganser (2) 1/6 Bodega Hwy @ Tomales Rd. DN
Ferruginous Hawk 12/15 Bodega Hwy DA, BDP, TE
Rough-legged Hawk 11/22 Skaggs Island DA
Rough-legged Hawk 12/1-9 Coleman Valley Rd. DN, DB, PC
Peregrine Falcon 1/2 Rush Creek marsh DN
Prarie Falcon 12/12 Vine Hill Rd., Sebastopol SK
Pacific Golden-Plover 12/6 Schollenberger Park DN,TCN
Black-legged Kittiwake (125) 1/8 Cordell Bank DN
Burrowing Owl 12/14 Pine Flat Rd. BG
Burrowing Owl 1/10 Skaggs Island Rd. DK
Short-eared Owl 1/10 Skaggs Island Rd. DK
Hammond's Flycatcher 12/12-1/5 Pt.Reyes Nat'l Seashore Hdqtrs. RS, et al
Eastern Phoebe 12/19 Delta Pond BDP
Tree Swallow (3) 12/19 Sebastopol Community Ctr. DN
Tree Swallow (27) 12/19 over Delta pond BDP
Barn Swallow (2) 1/2 Hole-in-the Head, Campbell Cove BDP
American Crow (ptl. albino) 1/6 Transport Wy. (off N. McDowell) RA
Sage Thrasher 1/2 Miller-Knox Reg. Park, Co. Costa Co. KB
Rock Wren 12/10 1st. extn., Petaluma DN,TCN
Nashville Warbler Dec. Diekmann's Store area BDP
Canada Warbler 12/11 Pt.Pinole Reg. Shoreline, Co. Costa DN
Black-and-White Warbler (fem.) 12/21-28 Willow Creek Rd. DE, DH, BDP,JP
Bullock's Oriole (fem.) Dec. Diekmann's store area BDP, et al
Black-headed Grosbeak 12/25 Bodega Bay, @ feeder NC
Dark-eyed Junco (prtl. albino) 11/30 Off Hwy.12 near Pythian Rd. RSa.
Swamp Sparrow 12/19 Willowside Rd. BDP
White-throated Sparrow 11/19 Bodega Bay, @ feeder NC
White-throated Sparrow(cream-str. ad.)11/25 Petaluma, @ residence WN, CN White-throated Sparrow ( " " " )12/10 Petaluma, @ residence DN

Contributors: Roy Aijala, Dick Ashford, Ken Burton, Dennis Beall, Pamela Conley, Nancy Conzett, Ted Eliot, Doug Ellis, Betty Groce,Bonnie Hogue, David Hofmann, Dan Kahane, Sean Kalloway, Don McCarthy, Clyde & Wini Nelson, Dan Nelson, Tyler Cannon-Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter, John Parmeter, Rick Powers, Roger Sanborn, Dianne Sierra, Rich Stallcup, Al & Glo Wellman, and Alan Wight.

California's last auto ferry crossing the Sacramento River at Princeton, just east of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in the Central Valley, is no longer in operation. (from November 1999 Madrone Leaves)