A small Press Democrat article, beginning with this sentence, marked an important step forward for the future of the Mayacamas Mountain Audubon Sanctuary. Though not named in the article, this 1400-acre property along Pine Flat Road, acquired by the Audubon Society in 1994, is one of the two Sonoma County open space properties where pipeline construction will be cleared to proceed.

The agreement approved by the Sonoma County Open Space District, while still subject to final action by the city of Santa Rosa and to several conditions that need to be worked out, has nonetheless cleared the way for the release of $200,000 to the National Audubon Society as initial funding of an endowment for the management and protection of the Sanctuary. The NAS has indicated that a first priority for the use of these funds would be the hiring of a Sanctuary Director.

The $200,000 is a portion of cost savings to the City of Santa Rosa from the fact that the pipeline will be allowed to pass through the Sanctuary, instead of following Pine Flat Road. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in mid-June of this year.

A recently concluded exchange with the City of Santa Rosa underlies this agreement. Public access will be provided and trails constructed on four city-owned properties in the Laguna de Santa Rosa, known as Alpha, Brown, Kelly and Stone Farms. These farms have been used over the years for wastewater irrigation and crop production. They are an important area of wetlands for migrating waterfowl, and are often visited, with city permission, by MAS birders. The county, in return, will grant the open space easements so that the pipeline can cross our Sanctuary and also the Carinalli property, located along Llano Road between Alpha and Brown Farms.

The Open Space District required that two conditions be met by the Audubon Society prior to granting the pipeline easement on the Sanctuary: 1) confirmation of the Audubon Society's intention to protect and preserve the property; and 2) evidence that on-site measures to mitigate the impact of the pipeline and its pump station on the environment will be fully implemented, with native vegetation restored.

A letter from Audubon California, the organization which represents National Audubon and shares joint responsibility with Madrone Audubon for Sanctuary management (see "MOU", at right), responded to the first condition by affirming that their endowment was indeed for appropriate purposes of protection and oversight.

Many requirements address the issue of mitigation. One of these is that construction work on the pipeline be limited to the period between June 15 and October 30 in order to lessen the impact on the nesting season and to avoid rainy season erosion of the landscape. Another measure addressed the need to keep noise level at a minimum. An engineering firm was hired to set a maximum noise level for the pump station operation-to be no higher than 5 decibels over ambient noise in the area. (Noises measured for the determination of this level reflected primarily frogs calling nearby!)

While glad to see the process moving forward, current MAS Board members say they never expected to be involved in the legal and political ramifications of a project such as the pipeline, nor the detail of engineering design and plans involved. Bill Payne, chair of MAS' Mayacamas Sanctuary Committee, says, "All the design documents have been subjected to extensive review by our Committee. We realize further decisions will need to be made and major restoration work required after the construction is completed."

There is a hopeful future note for the broader context-perhaps these efforts will set the bar high enough to prevent future violations of conservation easements that are currently being tested across the country. MAS was recently contacted by a Washington, DC group, the Land Trust Alliance, interested in learning about this experience in order to help other groups faced with similar challenges.

Also in early March, the National Audubon Society, represented by Audubon California, and Madrone Audubon signed into agreement a "Memorandum of Understanding", or MOU, to constitute a partnership for the management of the Sanctuary.

The MOU provides for a seven-member steering committee to be the key institution "in sustaining, building and guiding the program at the Sanctuary". The steering committee will be composed, first of all, of the Executive Director of Audubon California (Dan Taylor or his designee), and three members chosen by the MAS Board of Directors. These four will then select by consensus three more at-large members drawn from the community, to include people who bring various fields of expertise to the committee. (See box )

The hiring of a Sanctuary Director will be a joint decision of NAS and the steering committee. The director and the committee will then develop a master plan and annual management plan for the preserve operation.

Madrone Audubon would like to talk to anyone who might be interested in one of the Steering Committee positions, or who could suggest any good candidates. We are looking for conservation and management skills-the MOU more precisely calls for "experts in the fields of conservation science, ecosystem management, philanthropy and political experience". Contact Dan Taylor at (916) 481-5332 or Bryant Hichwa at 579-1182.

Say farewell to the White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows at your seed feeders (unless you live within a couple of miles of the coast-there's always an exception, isn't there?). It's migration time, and these and other familiar birds will be moving away onto their breeding grounds. Likewise, the Dark-eyed Juncos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes will also be gone.

However, many summer residents will take their places, though probably not at your feeders. Most birds, when breeding, need the rich nutrients found in insects in order to meet the physical challenges involved in establishing and protecting territories, courtship, nest building, egg production, and defending and providing for a mate and nestlings.

Think swallows (Barn, Cliff, Tree, Violet-green, and Rough-winged) darting after gnats and mosquitoes in the skies, and flycatchers (Western, Ash-throated and Olive-sided, Western Kingbird, Western Wood-Pewee,) snatching nearly invisible bugs from the air, and the Swainson's Thrush, warblers (Orange-crowned, Wilson's, Yellow) and the vireos (Warbling, Hutton's, and Cassin's - formerly Solitary). All of these and many of our year-round resident birds are insect eaters here during spring and summer.

One of the most common questions on the Audubon answering machine during the breeding season is, "Why don't I have many birds at my seed feeder now?" The answer is that the winter seed eaters are gone, and most of the summer (breeding) birds are filling up on insects. How lucky we are to have birds able to control the insect populations that infest plants and trees, and the flies and mosquitoes that could surely annoy us on warm summer evenings.

So welcome the insect-hungry spring migrants. And remember that your favorite seed-eating birds will be back at the feeders in about six months.

How do the expanding wine industry and growth affect our Sonoma County breeding birds?

Volunteer birders with strong skills in both visual and vocal identification are being sought by Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) to conduct point count surveys for a study this spring to help answer this important question.

Over 80% of California's oak woodland and lowland riparian habitats, which host unique and diverse songbird populations, are in private ownership and are rapidly disappearing. PRBO will be implementing science-based bird conservation projects using study sites in both public and privately owned riparian and oak woodland habitats throughout Sonoma County. The data will be used to investigate all of the factors believed to influence the health of our ecosystems, including agricultural practices. This scientific information will be contributed to the Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan of California Partners in Flight.

The time commitment for volunteers is variable, but a minimum is three mornings (three hours per morning) between May 1 and June 30, spaced at two- to three-week intervals. A three-hour training workshop on field protocols is also required - one is scheduled April 20, 2001. Those interested should contact Sandy Scoggin at (415) 868-1221, ext. 16, or Sscoggin@PRBO.org and mention "The Birds of the Oak Woodlands and Riparian Corridors of Sonoma County-Monitoring the effects of urbanization and an expanding wine industry on breeding birds."

Melissa Pitkin is Education Coordinator at Point Reyes Bird Observatory in Marin County. She runs monthly bird walks for PRBO, as well as an education program in the schools. The STRAW Project is an example of an environmental, project-based collaboration supporting students, teachers, and community members as they implement watershed restoration projects.

The program begins at 7:30 PM on Monday, April 16, at the First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. As always, the public is invited to these programs.

Grizzly Island, Thursday, February 15
On a warm, pleasant day, 18 birders led by Lew Edmondson birded Suisun Slough, Rush Ranch and Grizzly Island, finding 59 species. Highlights included a Great Horned Owl and Barn and Burrowing Owls. Herds of up to 50 Tule Elk were seen along the east edge of Grizzly Island.

Schollenberger Park, Wednesday, February 21
Fourteen birders joined Lew Edmondson at Schollenberger Park in Petaluma on a warm, sunny day, finding 45 species. Highlights included an American Bittern, Sora, Long-billed Curlew and Blue-winged Teal. After lunch, some of the group went to Crane Creek Regional Park, where they added an additional 14 species. The observations were made from a very muddy trail, after traversing a gully flowing with water from recent heavy rains.

Bodega Bay, Wednesday, February 28
Twenty-two birders joined Richard Hurley for a beautiful day of birding around Bodega Bay. A day that said, "I am the harbinger of spring". Indeed, Common Loons, Brown Pelicans and American Avocets were segueing into breeding plumage. Seventy species were seen. A highlight was a Northern Fulmar at Bodega Head, but since it had to be seen flying to see the pale inner primaries, the sighting was denied to some. The Rough-legged Hawk made an appearance over Campbell Cove. We looked for the Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spud Point and Porto Bodega, but had no luck, despite Jack Troutfetter's "chumming". (Editor's note: "chumming" is feeding gulls to make them appear in large numbers.) Was a Lesser Black-backed Gull seen earlier? A Peregrine Falcon did make a flyover at Porto Bodega. Red-necked Grebes were spotted from the jetty area of Doran Park. All in all, as usual, Bodega Bay offered a good birding day.

Stafford Lake, Thursday, March 8
On a warm, spring-like day, fifteen birders joined Lew Edmondson to explore Stafford Lake in Novato and McInnis Park and Las Gallinas oxidation ponds in Marin County, finding 59 species. Highlights included a Eurasian Wigeon and a Tufted Duck in Las Gallinas ponds, 19 Long-billed Curlews in the hayfield north of the ponds and Canvasback in the pond at Terwilliger Trail by the lake. As usual, the resident Spotted Sandpiper was in the cove below the Stafford Lake parking lot.

Point Reyes, Wednesday, March 14
Sixteen birders joined Jack Troutfetter at the Point Reyes Visitor Center on a warm, sunny day. After birding around the Center, everyone wanted to go to Bolinas Lagoon to try and find the Greater Sand Plover. We were all able to get a great look at the bird, which was a life bird for everyone. Then we birded back along the lagoon and Five Brooks. A total of 68 birds were seen.

Tens of thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles pass over the Marin Headlands each autumn, and in autumn 2000, more than 260 volunteers helped monitor this flight for the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory.

Since 1983, the GGRO has organized volunteers to conduct ground counts, banding and radio tracking studies in order to monitor the health of our region's birds of prey. We're currently looking for new adult volunteers to commit to one day every two weeks for the August through December 2001 season, along with some weekend and evening training sessions in July. Come to one of three recruitment classes to see if you want to get involved: Wednesday, April 25, or Thursday, April 26, from 7 to 930 PM; or Saturday, April 28, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. All meetings will be held at GGNRA headquarters, Building #201 at Upper Fort Mason, in San Francisco. Enter Fort Mason at Franklin and Bay. For more information, call the GGRO (415) 331-0730 or e-mail us at ggro@ggnpa.org. Visit GGRO's website.

Join us at Goat Rock Beach, 12 miles north of Bodega Bay, to learn all about our harbor seal population. Local expert Julie Woodruff will talk to us about these fascinating creatures, and since this is the breeding season, we should see plenty of newborn seal pups! We have set Sunday, April 29, as a rain date, only in the event of heavy rain on the 8th. Please call Amy Kelsey at 473-9785 for directions and to RSVP.

Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Snaps, howls, gurgles, warbles, squawks...it's spring again in our heronry at ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Everyone is invited to come hear the symphony of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Snowy Egrets, and explore the trails of this 1000-acre preserve. We're open every Saturday, Sunday, and holidays through July 15, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Weekday visits are by prior reservation only; please call ahead to inquire about weekdays, (415) 868-9244 (we are closed Mondays).

Bouverie Preserve
Wandering with wildflowers and Rebecca Anderson-Jones: Saturday, April 14. Come hike our beautiful Sonoma preserve in all its spring glory. Learn about wildflowers from ACR's delightful biologist Rebecca Anderson-Jones. Bring lunch, water, hiking shoes, and any equipment you'd enjoy for an up-close look at Bouverie Preserve's wildflower show. The fee is $30; please call (415) 868-9244 to register.

More chances to experience Bouverie's rich natural history: April 9, May 7, September 29, October 29, November 12, December 10. Please come and help Land Steward John Martin clear trails, pull non-natives, or work in the native plant garden. Call 938-4554 to register and find out what to bring.

Cypress Grove Preserve
Get "HEP!" Our San Francisco Bay Heron and Egret Project (HEP!) takes place each year throughout five North Bay counties and provides a necessary and accurate look at regional patterns and trends of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-Crowned Night Herons. Observation periods this year are March 9-11, April 7-9, May 11-13, June 2-4, and June 16-18. To learn more about this important project and to receive a 2001 HEP packet, please contact ACR's Cypress Grove Preserve Research Center at (415) 663-8203

Saturday, May 19, is set aside as a private Audubon Hiking Day at the Bouverie Preserve for Audubon members and their families and friends. The hikes last from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and this is a wonderful opportunity to see the preserve in all its spring glory. However, the day is very popular, and participants must be chosen by lottery. Please call for a lottery form at 938-4554, or e-mail a request to nancy@egret.org.

Madrone Audubon, along with three other local Audubon chapters, has a special relationship with the Bouverie Preserve, which is located along Highway 12 in the Valley of the Moon, and owned and managed by Audubon Canyon Ranch. Each year we make a donation to Bouverie to enhance its education program. This year our Board voted to provide several pairs of binoculars for use by the students who come to spend the day on the Preserve. Last year's gift helped purchase a skull kit, and the previous year a bird cam, which enabled the students to enjoy "spying" on a family of Canada Geese that nested on top of the Bouverie bell tower, very near the education center.

Get set for a very special volunteer opportunity with the Bird Rescue Center! The training for rescuing baby birds takes place at the Center, 3430 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, on the first Saturday morning of every month at 9:30 AM and on the third Wednesday evening of every month at 7:30 PM, March through September.

The need is great to keep the Bird Rescue Center open for baby bird rescue all during the spring and summer nesting months. Call 523-BIRD (523-2473) for further information concerning the training and volunteer opportunities.

Are you interested in helping butterflies?

I am a graduate student at San Francisco State conducting a study on the effectiveness of butterfly gardens, and I need more volunteers. The study will run from March to July, and will take one hour a week of your time. The study focuses on the pipevine swallowtail. If you have planted their host-plant, Dutchman's pipe, in your garden, or would like to, you can help me. You only need to commit to checking your plants each week for butterfly eggs and caterpillars and recording what you find.

If you would like to participate please contact me. Everything you need to know is posted on my webpage: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~jmlevy. You can also reach me at my lab by phone: (415) 338-3873.

Submitted by Jacqueline Levy

Madrone Audubon's Nominating Committee has proposed a full slate of officers for the coming year, 2001-2002:

President: Bryant Hichwa
Vice-president: Claire Shurvinton
Recording Secretary: Joyce MacLaury
Corresponding Secretary: Liz Donath
Treasurer: Elizabeth Desmond
Assistant Treasurer: Becky Olsen

These nominations will be voted upon at the April General Meeting, and the installation of our new officers will take place at the Annual Meeting and potluck dinner in May.

We are very pleased to announce that Mary Abbott is presently taking over the position of Program Chair, and Marilynn Scott will assiste her. Also, Lew Edmondson will schedule our Walkabouts, beginning in the fall, and Neal Conner will assume greeting responsibilities at our monthly meetings. A big "thank you" to these three individuals!

We still need help in the areas of publicity, membership record-keeping and the scheduling of volunteers for Audubon Canyon Ranch weekends. Plenty of assistance will be provided to "beginners". If you are interested or wish a job description for these tasks, call Diane Hichwa at 579-1182

Heron Days Festival. April 14-15 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Rodman Slough on Clear Lake. Festival includes pontoon boat rides, guided kayak tours, hikes, and educational programs. Information from the Lake County Visitor Information Center, (800) 525-3743, or www. lakecounty.com.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve Hikes. Naturalist-led hikes on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain every Saturday at 10 AM through May 19 (no hike April 14). Two- to three-hour excursions, appropriate for families. No reservations required; for directions, call 795-5069, or consult www.sonoma.edu/org/preserve.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve Field Workshops: Registration is required for these workshops. Call 795-5069 for information.
Early Birding with Becky. Saturday, April 21, 8 AM to 11 AM. Sudden Oak Death Syndrome at the FOP. Sunday, April 22, 10 AM to 2 PM.

League of Women Voters Ground Water Seminar. Saturday, April 28, from 10 AM to Noon at the Rincon Valley Library in Santa Rosa. The discussion will involve water supply, the major recharge areas in Sonoma County, and pollution. Free, no reservations required.

Godwit Days Migratory Bird Festival. April 27-29 in Arcata. Over 45 workshops and field trips on the north coast. Schedule and information available online at www.godwitdays.com, or call 822-4500 (toll-free: (800) 908-WING).

Kern Valley Bioregions Festival. April 27-29 in Kern County. A celebration of the natural and recreational diversity of the southern Sierra Nevada, including Audubon's Kern River Preserve. For information, contact Bob Barnes at (760) 378-3044, or the website: http://frontpage.lightspeed.net/KRP.

Golden Trout Natural History Workshop. Hike-in wilderness camp at 10,000 feet near Mount Whitney. Naturalist-interpreted, one-week sessions starting July 1, July 8 and July 15. Reserve early-for brochure call (909) 798-3060. Website: www.1startists.com/gtc/.

Audubon Camp on Hog Island. Adult, youth and family programs on the Maine coast, beginning on June 10. Week-long residential programs on field ornithology, bird migration, natural history and photography. Call (207) 781-2330 or (888) 325-5261 (toll-free), or consult the website: www.maineaudubon.org/programs/camps.

Bodega Bay: Clark and Denise Champion, Norinne G. Hartnett Cazadero: Catherine M. Heater Forestville: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Aff Glen Ellen: Steve and Nita Hon Healdsburg: Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fischer Kenwood: Diana Hampton Occidental: Carol McCabe, Karen Vogel, Loralyn Wagner Petaluma: Mary Frederickson, Joan Hoffman, Kathleen Schuler Rohnert Park: Nick Frey, Blanche U. McQuaid Santa Rosa: Melina Ames, Shel Bernstein, Lara Buckley, Gail Lee Cafferata, John Grant, W.R. Hauselt, Rena M. Kinney, Laverne Le Maitre-Roberts, Eileen Maloy, Jean Martin, Mary V. Monares, Linda Sims, Sue Walker, Roger H. White Sebastopol: Theresa S. Alexander, Carl and Brenda Conley, G.W. Graphics Printing, Allan F. Kincaid, Liz King, Coby Lafayette, Dennis Noble, Concetta Pirello, Diana Rich, Sue Santos, Julie Woodruff Sonoma: Janet Campbell, Jeanne R. Campbell, Martha Haidet, Susan M. Olsen, Mrs. Micki Tgoedewaagen, Bette Timm Ukiah: Christo Morris Windsor: Gary Blumenthal, Ian Bryan and Dylan Kurtek, Henry De Lambert, Joe Stadum

An extraordinary bird, probably a Greater Sand Plover, (Charadrius leschenaultii), also called Large Sand Dotterel, has been present on the mudflats of Bolinas Lagoon in Marin county since at least January 29 of this year. Discovered by biologists from Point Reyes Bird Observatory, it has been identified very cautiously and tentatively because of its very close relationship to another bird, Lesser Sand Plover, Charadrius mongolus (Mongolian Plover/Dotterel), which would be even less likely to be here at this time of year. DNA studies are being made on some molted feathers, and a recording of its alarm call has been taped for analysis in an effort to provide scientific evidence of the identification.

And how rare is the Greater Sand Plover in late winter at Bolinas Lagoon? Actually, this would be the first of this species to have ever been found in the entire Western Hemisphere. No wonder birders are flying in from all over the United States just to see this one bird.

As indicated in the Observations (page 3), the bird was caught, measured, photographed and released unharmed on March 15. We don't know how long the bird will remain in this area, and certainly no one has any idea where it's headed when it leaves!

[SEE pictures of the Greater Sand Plover, though not the bird in question, on Madrone OnLine.]

Laysan Albatross through Feb. Point Arena Cove, Mendocino County M.Ob. Northern Fulmar (many) through Feb. Off Bodega Head DN
White Pelican (36) 2/10 Grizzly Island, Solano County AW, et al
Tundra Swan (1 adult, 1 imm.) 2/27 Bodega Hwy at Gericke Road DN Eurasian Wigeon (6+) Feb.-Mar. Bolinas Lagoon M.Ob.
Tufted Duck (1 male) Feb.-Mar. Bolinas Lagoon M.Ob.
King Eider (imm. male) continuing Fish docks, Chimney Rock area M.Ob. Harlequin Duck (9 birds) 3/17 MacKerricher St.Beach, Mendocino County RL, RM
Golden Eagle (1 imm.) 3/9 Adobe Canyon Road IM
Northern Goshawk (1 imm.) 3/11 Susanville RR, RROS
Rough-legged Hawk (2) 2/10 Grizzly Island AW, et al
Ferruginous Hawk (1) 2/10 Grizzly Island AW, et al
Prairie Falcon (1) 2/10 Grizzly Island AW, et al
Merlin 2/27 West of Sebastopol, Sexton Road SK
Merlin 2/28 Sebastopol Golf Course JK
Wild Turkey (16) 3/9 Mill Creek Lane, Healdsburg JF
Blue Grouse 3/14 King Ridge Road BDP, DH, LS
Coot/C. Moorhen hybrid Feb. Five Brooks pond RS, et al
Mountain Plover 2/10 Robinson Road, Solano County AW, BDP, et al

Greater Sandplover through 3/18 Seadrift; Stinson Beach M.Ob
This bird, present since late January; was positively identified on March 15, when it was captured and released. · Precise measurements were required to eliminate the smaller Lesser Sandplover (a.k.a. Mongolian Plover). · It was carefully measured and photographed in the hand of Steve N. G. Howell, Peter Pyle, and Dan Nelson. · This constitutes a first documented record for North America.

Spotted Sandpiper 3/8 Stafford Lake BG, et al
Long-billed Curlew (19) 3/8 Las Gallinas ponds BG, et al
Rock Sandpiper (4) 3/17 Virgin Creek, Mendocino County RL, RM
Western Gull (S. race wymani) Feb. Spud Point area, Bodega Harbor AW et al
Glaucous Gull Feb. Lucchesi Park, Petaluma CC, LH
Red-breasted Sapsucker 3/13 Cazadero DB, PC
White-throated Swift (3) 3/11 Petaluma River bridge, Hwy 101 DN
Allen's Hummingbird 2/21 Sebastopol NB
Rufous Hummingbird 3/1 Oakmont BG
Nutting's Flycatcher (prob.) Feb. Irvine (would be first for California) BG,et al Tropical Kingbird through Feb. Buffalo Paddock, Golden Gate Park M.Ob Yellow-billed Magpie 2/10 Brandscombe Road, N.E. of Suisun City AW, et al
Palm Warbler Feb.-Mar. Seadrift, Stinson Beach M.Ob
Cape May Warbler (male) Feb.-Mar. Seadrift, Stinson Beach M.Ob.
Harris' Sparrow through 3/15 Lebec Lane, Cotati RM
Harris' Sparrow (2) 3/10-11 Honey Lake field trip RROS
Red Crossbill 3/17 near Boonville, Mendocino County RL, RM
Summer Tanager (male) 11/24-3/17 Van Keppel Road, Forestville (photograph) MH, LSo, DN

CONTRIBUTORS: Dennis Beall, Nikka Bingel, Pam Conley, Chris Corbin, John Farnsworth, Betty Groce, Mike Heffernon, Lisa Hug, John Klobas, Sarah Klobas, Rick Lebadour, Richard Merriss, Ian Morrison, Dan Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Ruth Rudesill, Redwood Region Ornithological Society, Rich Stallcup, Laura Southworth, Lang Stevenson, and Alan Wight.

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