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By Jackson Rannells The California Condor--absent from the wild only eight years ago--is soaring back this way. Plans are afoot to release 18 to 24 of the enormous vultures in eastern Santa Clara County's remote Diablo Range over a period of three to five years, beginning next January. This would be the fifth program in which young California Condors--products of captive breeding--are released to the wild. Others are well established at Big Sur, Monterey County; Castle Crags Wilderness, San Luis Obispo County; Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County; and the north rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The California Condor is the largest North American land bird. It grows to 4 feet from beak to tail, with a wingspan of 9.5 feet, 24 pounds. It looks much like its smaller cousin, the Turkey Vulture, with dark feathers and a bare orange-red head and neck; but it is much bigger and has distinctive long, triangular white patches under its huge wings. The condor is a scavenger that feeds only on carcasses of larger animals-deer, coyotes, livestock, and marine mammals. DNA tests show it is more closely related to the stork than to raptors, as generally assumed. Early European explorers found California Condors from British Columbia to Baja California. But a number of factors drove them close to extinction, giving them top billing on the endangered species list in 1967. These included a natural low rate of reproduction and various hazards introduced by humans-DDT and other pesticides, wanton shooting, lead from bullets in the dead animals they eat, poisoning from bait intended for coyotes, etc. In 1982, the Audubon Society and the US Fish & Wildlife Service joined in a program to trap the big birds and begin captive breeding. The last free-flying California Condor was captured in 1987. There were only 27. The long-run goal of the restoration program is to establish a number of self-sustaining populations of 100 birds or more. The breeding is managed by the Los Angeles and San Diego zoos and the Peregrine Fund center at Boise, Idaho. In 1988, the first chick hatched in captivity. In early 1992, the first two zoo-bred condors were released to the wild at Sespe Condor Sanctuary in Los Padres. By last month, there were 157 live California Condors-58 in the wild; 6 awaiting release; and 93 in the three breeding centers. The program hasn't been all pluses. More than half the first birds released died fairly quickly. Some ran into powerlines. Others ate poisons or were killed by aggressive Golden Eagles. The breeding programs countered with "aversive training" to make the birds wary of powerlines and humans and with efforts to promote mentoring by experienced older birds. The rearing and release facility at Big Sur is run by Ventana Wilderness Society, a community-based non-profit. Ventana released its first condor in 1997. Last month, it released six, giving it 15 condors under its wing. Best chance to see the big birds: the Valley View Trail at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or at the Highway 1 pullouts south of Grimes Point. Ventana is negotiating with the Fish & Wildlife Service for permission to begin the Diablo Range program next January. The California Condor restoration program is described more fully in Audubon magazine, Jan/Feb 2000. Fascinating field notes and reports are available on a number of internet websites. Madrone OnLine has links to the Ventana and Peregrine Fund websites under its "Some of Our Friends" heading. Others: Department of Fish & Game www.lazoo.org/cstats.htm(www.lazoo.org/cstats.htm Los Angeles Zoo (http://www.lazoo.org/cstats.htm) If you're not using the internet at home yet, go to your library and get help finding Madrone OnLine. ![]() The lower Petaluma River holds the largest remaining tidal wetland on the West Coast. Its brackish tidal marsh is a mecca for ducks, geese, and other waterfowl and home to two endangered/threatened bird species, the California Clapper Rail and the California Black Rail. This wetland's preservation and enhancement is one of the special concerns of Madrone's Conservation Committee. The river meanders 12 miles between San Pablo Bay and the urban fringe of Petaluma. It is accessible only by boat. At the wetland's heart is the State's 1,900-acre Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area, north of the river's confluence with San Antonio Creek. However, most of the area on the east bank of the river is in private hands and has been diked for agriculture. In fact, about half of the original tidelands have been diked and converted to other uses. The Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals report says that the lower Petaluma River offers one of the best opportunities to restore extensive tidal marsh and natural marsh/upland transitions; to expand populations of rare plants, birds, and other animals; to improve the nursery habitat for salmon, steelhead, starry flounder, Dungeness crab, and other aquatic species; and to significantly increase and enhance seasonal wetland habitat in the diked lands. Major goals outlined in the report include the restoration of tidal marsh on both sides of the river between Highway 37 and False Bay and the establishment of managed marsh or enhanced seasonal pond habitat on agricultural baylands that are not restored as tidal marsh. The lower four miles of the river serve as the boundary between Sonoma and Marin counties. Madrone has joined forces with Marin Audubon to keep an eye on possible destructive developments and seek support for restoration efforts. Marin chapter has valuable experience, having completed five wetland enhancement or restoration projects, totaling over 300 acres, in the past 15 years. The two chapters have contacted various State officials about sites owned by the State Lands Commission that might be available for enhancement or restoration projects, which would be prime areas, and what funds might be available. They also are keeping an eye on the Bahia housing development, built some years ago on a man-made lagoon on the Marin side. There are two overlapping concerns here: the chronic dredging required to keep the channel from the lagoon to the river and bay open and proposals for construction of 450 new homes at Bahia. The channel has required substantial dredging several times over the years. Engineering studies currently are under way on a proposal to create new channels, a lock, and a pipe under the Petaluma River so dredged materials can be dumped on an upland site on the Sonoma County side. ![]() by Betty Burridge If there were a popularity contest for Sonoma County native birds, the raucous Western Scrub Jay probably would not even be on the list. Judging by the numbers of complaints registered by the public on the Audubon phone line, and overheard in casual conversations, this jay is persona non grata for many bird lovers. "It scares away all of the other birds from our feeder." "I saw it attacking nestlings in my back yard." "How can I get rid of the Scrub Jays at my feeder?" come the calls in late spring and during the summer. Often, answering these calls is not easy, and requires patient listening and gentle explanations and suggestions. The "now I don't have any other birds at my feeder" calls usually come during the breeding season, May through July. Coincidentally most small birds have switched from their winter diet of seeds to highly nutritious insects which provide the extra energy needed for raising a family. So these smaller birds are independently abandoning the seed feeder, while it appears to many backyard birders that the fierce Western Scrub Jay has frightened them away. Meanwhile these jays may continue to enjoy high energy, oil-rich sunflower seeds and other mixed seeds on the feeders. Tom Hendricks, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited here in Santa Rosa, states that although most people think sunflower seeds attract the jays, actually they will eat any seed put out on a feeder. His best advice is to use a feeder that physically excludes jays. Domed or tubular feeders with barriers are good examples and are available commercially. However, even when a jay swoops down on a feeder and scatters the smaller birds, it usually leaves shortly to crack the collected seeds elsewhere, giving the smaller birds access to the feeder again. The truth is, the Western Scrub Jay is indeed an aggressive bird. That's part of the 'job description' assigned to it by Mother Nature. Its predilection to rob nests is probably even an indirect advantage to smaller birds by sharpening their skills in hiding nests from other predators more effectively. Another service this bird performs is in warning other wildlife about the presence of predators. The Western Scrub Jay is usually the first to spot approaching danger, its raucous cries clearly sounding the alarm. *This scrub jay is also extremely useful in the dispersal of oak trees. Many acorns are stashed in the ground by each jay, every year. Though most are remembered and removed prior to germination, a small percentage remain to grow into oaks that are vital to the survival of many other bird species. Interestingly, there are at least two smaller native birds that stand up to the Western Scrub Jay. The demure and gentle-appearing Mourning Dove frequently is reported to stand its ground on seed feeders, fiercely pecking at approaching scrub jays. And Acorn Woodpeckers have also been known to intimidate these jays, sometimes with just a head feint. The Western Scrub Jay is, after all, a bird native to Sonoma County and elsewhere in the West. As the saying goes, "It was here before we were." In full alternate (breeding) plumage this much maligned bird is actually very stunning. The sparkling white eyebrows, and breast feathers contrasting with the iridescent blue of the head, wings and tail leave the striking impression of a handsome and stately bird. And as a native species it indeed has an important role to play in maintaining the balance of nature within its range. *View From the Office by Garth Harwood, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Chapter Manager, in THE AVOCET, Feb. 1999 ![]() Monday, April 17, 2000 7:30 PM Madrone member Kathy Biggs will show us the wide array of color and form in the dragonflies that grace our county with her presentation "Dragonflies and Damselflies of Sonoma County." Kathy is publishing a book, Common Dragonflies of California, A Beginner's Pocket Guide, which contains many photographs taken by Madrone members Doug Ellis and Ken Wilson. See her website: www.sonic.net/dragonfly to learn more. Kathy can be reached by email at bigsnest@sonic.net. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM, April 17, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church, Ingram Hall, 1550 Pacific Avenue, Santa Rosa. As always, the public is invited. ![]() by Betsy Stafford, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE SPRING EDUCATION PROGRAM Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is also bustling with 25 recent graduates of the Ranch Guide Training Program. These wonderful weekend volunteers are anxious to share their newly-found knowledge of the area's flora and fauna. Be sure to pick their enthusiastic minds on one of your visits to Picher Canyon this spring. CYPRESS GROVE PRESERVE 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. ![]() Sunday, April 16, 2000, 10:00 AM Learn Orienteering! Pee Wee Audubon will be participating in an Orienteering Meet put on by the Bay Area Orienteering Club (BAOC). This is a beginner's clinic: learn how to feel comfortable in the woods, be aware of safety issues, and become familiar with contour maps. A compass is not necessary for this class. The meet will be held at Annadel State Park. Please meet me at the registration table NO LATER THAN 9:40 a.m. We will register as a group, get our materials and be at the clinic by 10 a.m. After the 15-20 minute clinic we will hit the course in staggered groups of 2-3. They encourage the kids to go out on their own, with an adult trailing behind if necessary. Obviously the younger kids will need a parent along, but BAOC emphasizes that the kids should be encouraged to look at the maps themselves. The course will take about one hour, over hilly terrain. There is poison oak--those who are extremely allergic should wear long pants. Bring your own water and snacks, sunscreeen and hats. Pit toilets are available. You MUST RSVP for this event. Please RSVP to me by Saturday, April 8th, Janice Sinclaire, 433-1150. We will meet at a parking lot in the Channel Drive entrance. About one mile after the pay station (you will need to pay a fee to Annadel State Park for parking, unless you have an annual pass), there will be a parking lot with BAOC signs up. Park and find me at the registration table. Saturday, May 6, 2000, 11:00 AM Trip to Audubon Canyon Ranch Rod Kelsey, a new Audubon member with a recent degree in ornithology, will be leading us on this search for herons and egrets. Contact: Janice Sinclaire, 433-1150. ![]() By Judy Brinkerhoff Here are some suggestions for providing bird populations both cover and food by growing California native plants in your back yard. Planted now, they'll need some babying to keep them from drying out over the summer. By next winter, they'll be ready to take advantage of the rains, and hopefully, give you a crop of flowers, nectar and berries within a year or so. Currants (non-prickly) and gooseberries (prickly) provide decorative flowers for you, nectar for hummingbirds and, following the flowers, berries for other birds. Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, Ribes speciosum, is a very prickly gooseberry with wonderful, red, fuchsia-type flowers; however, I've not had great luck finding it in nurseries. In the wild, they'll be found growing in oak woodland and canyon bottoms. The flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum, is native to the Coast Ranges; the evergreen currant, Ribes viburnifolium, is native to southern California and Baja. Both are available at our local native plant nurseries. The former is a deciduous shrub from 4-12 feet; it produces pink flowers towards the end of winter, followed by blue-black berries. The latter is a low-growing, evergreen shrub, really a woody ground cover, 3 feet tall, spreading up to 12 feet. The leaves are extremely fragrant, the flowers are pinkish, and are followed by red berries. It can be grown under native oaks, or in full sun in coastal areas. Folks often ask me about the little hummingbirds that are seen at this time of year. They're speaking of the Allen's Hummingbirds, which are now back from their winter vacation in Mexico. The Allen's is the tiny brownish hummingbird with the fiery, orange-red throat. Compare them with our larger, year-round, greenish Anna's Hummingbird, which flashes an iridescent, fuchsia-purple throat. You may discover that one feeder is not enough to support your hungry population of nature's little jewels. A reminder: use one part white sugar (no honey, no coloring) to four parts of water, bring it to a boil, cool and refrigerate the mixture. Keep your feeder clean and filled. ![]() Grizzly Island, February 10, 2000 Twelve birders joined Jean and Jim Tonascia on a rainy day at Grizzly Island in Solano County. Sixty one species were observed, including a group of Horned Larks, a Ferruginous Hawk, a Bittern, and many Loggerhead Shrikes. Jean Tonascia Point Reyes, February 16, 2000 Twelve birders joined Lew Edmondson at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Point Reyes National Seashore, birding the Earthquake Trail followed by Olema Marsh where the expected rain made its appearance, discouraging some of the group. The more die-hard birders proceeded to Bolinas Lagoon in search of the Tufted duck, and found it mingling with a group of Greater Scaup at the very south end of the lagoon. Fifty two species were seen. Lew Edmondson Bodega Bay, Thursday, February 24, 2000 Twenty one birders joined Jean and Jim Tonascia at Bodega Bay on a very cold day. Highlights were all 6 species of grebes, an albino Yellow-rumped Warbler at Campbell Cove, and a Peregrine Falcon, seen by some of the group. Unfortunately it started to rain during lunch, so we all left for the day. A total of 81 species were observed. Jean and Jim Tonascia Bodega Bay, Saturday, February 26, 2000 Despite continuous rain, I accompanied two Madrone Audubon members and a visitor from Florida on a fulfilling day of birding. Although a lot of our sightings were from the car windows, we saw a total of 79 species. The Glaucous Gull was still present and gave us good looks. Outside Owl Canyon was productive with Fox Sparrows, Common Yellowthroat, Allens Hummingbirds, and Cassin's Vireo, providing the best looks while two Great Horned Owls oversaw the whole scene. Ken Wilson Point Reyes, Thursday March 9, 2000 On a sunny day at Point Reyes, 15 birders joined Jean and Jim Tonascia. A total of 77 species were found. Highlights were two Great Horned Owls, one at Drakes Beach, and the other at the Fish Docks. Semipalmated Plovers were seen at Drakes Beach. Three species of scoters, six species of grebes and three species of loons were seen at the Fish Docks. Jean and Jim Tonascia ![]() National Audubon Convention. Asilomar, April 14-18. This year's theme is "Audubon: Gateway to Nature. Registration materials available online: http://www.audubon-ca.org. Godwit Days Migratory Bird Festival. Arcata, April 14-16. Call toll free 1-800-908-WING. Earth Day. April 22, 2000. The thirtieth anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated with a festival in Court House Square in Santa Rosa on April 22nd, with music, films, demonstrations, information booths, and more. The Earth Day Committee will publish a guide listing all Earth Day activities throughout Sonoma County in the month of April. Your participation is needed: be a volunteer, provide entertainment, or be a sponsor. Call Daniel Solnit at 887-8987. The Russian River Environmental Forum. April 22, 2000.. "Free the Rivers: Russian and Eel". Keynote Speaker: Huey Johnson, former California Resources Secretary, founder of the Resource Renewal Institute and author of the US Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Raven Theatre, 115 North Street, Healdsburg. Doors open at 8 AM, program 9 AM to 12:30 PM. Donation $5. Contact Pamela Netzow (707) 829-3324 University of California Research Expeditions: Bird Behavior and Conservation Studies in Costa Rica, Venezuela, or China. Spring and Summer, 2000. Contact Melissa Gibson or Jean Colvin at (530) 752-0692 or e-mail: urep@ucdavis.edu. ![]() THE BIRD RESCUE CENTER NEEDS YOU It's baby bird time again, and the Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa is in dire need of volunteer help through its peak season, to 15 September. Tasks range from direct care for orphaned, ill, and injured songbirds to support roles such as receptionist, telephone contact monitor, or bird transporter. Training will be provided. Hours are flexible. Spokeswoman Martha Bentley said senior Madrone members could be particularly helpful as receptionist-educators. "We need people who know a little about young birds and can explain to people why we can take some and not others," she said. The center is at 3430 Chanate Road, across the road from Sutter Medical Center. Potential volunteers should contact Martha at 545-5501 or Rich Gale by email at gale@sonoma.edu. Or the center itself: PO Box 475, Santa Rosa, 95402, 523-2473. BIRD-A-THON 2000 UPDATE AND THE NOMINEES ARE
WONDERFUL WEB NAME YOUR FAVORITE VOLUNTEER A SPECIAL SIGHTING ![]() Thanks to Barbara and Allan Brown; Alma Cavallo Many thanks to Tom and Barbara Hendricks of Wild Birds Unlimited at 71 Brookwood Avenue. Madrone received a check for $103.77 from this delightful store. This amount represents 10% of Audubon members' purchases, elected by each as a contribution in lieu of a discount at the store. Thanks to all! ![]() By Dan Nelson 762-3811 dansbird@pacbell.net Red-necked Grebe (1) 2/20 Bodega Harbor entrance DN Contributors: Tony Battiste, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Nancy Conzett, Sarah Cornelius, Carolyn Dixon, Ted Eliot, C.J. & Marilyn Goudeau, Deyea Harper, Diane Hichwa, Fred Jacobs, Rick LeBadour, Calvin Lew, Richard Merriss, Karen Nagel, Clyde Nelson, Dan Nelson, Tyler Cannon-Nelson, Gail Roper, Doug Shaw, Rich Stallcup, Alan Wight, Brian Wilson, and Ken Wilson. ![]() |
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