Diane Hichwa and Claire Shurvinton of the Madrone Audubon Board have joined forces to review some books and other items that might interest the bird lovers on your gift list this holiday season. Happy Holidays and excellent winter birding to all!

Books, from Diane: With a strong personal interest in owls, I recommend these books for children: *** Owl Moon, a Caldecott award-winning storybook by Jane Yolen about the companionship of a young child and her father as they take a winter night’s walk to search for owls. *** ANIMAL LIVES: The Barn Owl by Sally Tagholm. This documents a year in the life of a barn owl, with lovely illustrations adding to the information provided. *** Owls for Kids by Neal Niemuth has great photographs of several species but with memorable illustrations (such as the owl with a satellite dish over its face) to point out how adaptations assist the owls. (Also in the series is Hawks for Kids by Sumner Matteson.)

EYEWITNESS BOOKS: Bird uses comparative photographs to show wings, feet, beaks, skulls, nests, growth, behaviors, etc. It’s great for understanding about owl pellets.

Peter Dunne’s Tales of a Low Rent Birder is a collection of entertaining and informative essays about the likes of birds and birders. His book, Feather Quest (from which Karen Nagel and I borrowed the Birdathon team name The Featherquesters), tells tales of treks around the country in search of birds. He provides information on the birds but he also pokes fun at the birders who seek them. The Wind Masters does a essay on each hawk species with a great deal of natural history woven into each fictionalized account.

Light, entertaining reading can be found in the murder mysteries of Christine Goff, set in the birding world. In her first book, A Rant of Ravens, a rare bird is sighted in the bushes in Colorado, but one of the birdwatchers is found murdered in the bushes as well. The second book, Death of a Songbird, finds intrigue in the world of shade-grown coffee. Her new novel is A Nest in the Ashes.

Books, from Claire: If you have children or an elementary school teacher on your holiday list, Kathryn Lasky's She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on her Head! is a great choice. The book is set at the turn of the twentieth century and tells the inspirational story of two proper Boston ladies and their fight to outlaw the use of bird plumage for ladies’ fashions. Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall were real people and founder members of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and most of the events of the book are based on fact. David Catrow enhances the story with vivid and amusing illustrations. I have field-tested this book on 4-, 7- and 9-year-olds, with good results, and thoroughly enjoyed it myself! (Hyperion Paperbacks)

Barbara Kingsolver recently published a new collection of essays called Small Wonder. The book was written as her response to the events of September 11 and in it she writes of the small wonders that can keep us going in the face of almost overwhelming events and of the good things that are possible when small groups of thoughtful citizens commit themselves to a cause. The essays cover such diverse topics as people's need for wild places, a visit to Costa Rica in search of scarlet macaws, the relationship between mothers and daughters, and trying to reverse the demise of the independent bookstore.

With a graduate degree in biology, and a commitment to growing much of her family’s food herself, Ms. Kingsolver is a writer who is both scientist and environmentalist. Her views are informed and thoughtful, and although I didn’t always agree with her completely, I found plenty to think about and some kernels of comfort to take with me. (HarperCollins)

A few extras: To accompany that second novel by Christine Goff, give a pound of shade-grown Song Bird Coffee. In Central America shade-grown coffee allows forest canopies to survive as habitat for many birds, including North American migrants; the cheaper, faster sun coffee is very detrimental to habitat.

For computer users the Bird Rescue Center Resident Computer Screensaver cycles through beautiful photographs of the hawks and owls that are part of their education program. The photos were provided by the Santa Rosa Photographic Society. Proceeds of $12 per screensaver go to the continued operation of the Center and preservation of birds in Sonoma County.

For the person who loves wildlife but doesn’t need another THING, you can Sponsor-A-Bird at the Bird Rescue Center. In return for your donation you receive a certificate and an 8-by 10-inch color photograph of the raptor sponsored.

For children or grown-up children: Audubon birds with real bird calls! Colorful plush birds–songbirds, ducks, a Great Horned Owl and more–with lifelike design and detailing, and the bird's song, when squeezed, is an authentic field recording supplied by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. A short descriptive card on food or habitat accompanies each bird. Available at $6.95 apiece at Toys West in the Coddingtown Mall.

Bob Evans has been working to restore and enhance the Laguna since 1972 and has been a birdwatcher since 1942. A retired school administrator in Sebastopol and Petaluma, he is president of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, which has a vision of creating a 10,000 acre sanctuary to sustain a population of native plants and animals.

His talk will describe the geography and politics of this largest watershed of the Russian River system, and, he promises, "we'll find out why the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo disappeared, and why we may see this extirpated bird again in the Laguna."

New National Members:

ANGWIN: Virginia Phy. GUERNEVILLE: Jennette Evans. Kent MacIntosh. OCCIDENTAL: Sheree White. PETALUMA: Doug Balloy Family, M. Charles, Robert Tellander, Anne Wegemer. ROHNERT PARK: Elaine Hards, Krystin Bannon, Lucille Hughey. SANTA ROSA: Yoshie Bjornsson, Pamela Hughes, Edvin Iverson, Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Schiffer, Margrete Van Adriche, Patricia Vance, Barbara Wazdatskey, Phil Ramirez, Mary Ann Weber, Henri Boussy, Hildred Hantel, Kashia Elementary School. SEBASTOPOL: Manya M. Cheren, Dea Freid, Mary Gianquento, C. Godeau, Mr. & Mrs. T.W.S. Seeger, Joanne Taylor. SONOMA: Arthur Douglas, Jackie Nystromparker, Paul Souza. VINEBURG: Erika Buckley.

New Local Members:

FORESTVILLE: Judy Brinkerhoff. HEALDSBURG: Barbara Stewart. ROHNERT PARK: Jean Trowbridge. SANTA ROSA: Nancy Duncan, Brent Gudzus. SEBASTOPOL: Kathy Biggs.

Polish your binoculars! Madrone Audubon's annual Birdathon, our chapter's major fundraiser is coming up in February.

Of equal importance are the competing teams, the individual birders and all the sponsors who pledge their financial support. National Audubon is phasing out the dues share that the chapters receive from national memberships. Madrone received only $5,000 in such dues income this year, as compared to $10,000 last year.

Birdathon revenue supports Madrone Audubon's focus on education and conservation. It supports the popular Pee Wee Audubon programs, in which 500 parents and children participated last year, provides excellent teacher resource kits on such topics as birds, butterflies, bats and more, sends Audubon Adventures newsletters into classrooms, and gives a big boost to our efforts to study environmental issues.

The key to a successful Birdathon is widespread support. We need a good number of participating counters, and lots of sponsors! The birders, either teams who race the clock to find the most species or individuals who watch their feeders or go out for a few hours at a local park, are the people who take the pledge sheets to their friends, co-workers and family members sympathetic to the cause. These sponsors pledge a wide range of per-species amounts, from pennies to dollars, or simply a flat sum for the days' birding.

Madrone Audubon Recording Secretary Joyce MacLaury is serving as Birdathon Coordinator again this year; for sign-up details see the box below. Let's make this year's Birdathon the best ever!

For birders: *** Contact Birdathon Coordinator Joyce MacLaury at 526-9315, or at jmacl@sonic.net, and she will send you a sponsor sign-up sheet. Or click here and print a sponsor sign-up sheet. Start signing up your sponsors.

*** Pick a day in February and have a great time birding.

*** Tell your sponsors how many species you saw and how much they owe you. Click here to print a Sponsor's Pledge Form. They can send checks (made out to Madrone Audubon Society) to MAS, P.O. Box 1911, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.

*** TEAMS should give Joyce their names in early January for publication in the February Leaves. For sponsors:

*** Say "Yes!" to anyone who asks you to pledge. If no one asks, you can sign up to support one of the Birdathon teams at the January membership meeting. You can also check the Birdathon box on the return envelope enclosed with this issue of Leaves.

Palomarin Field Station and Bolinas Lagoon, Wednesday, October 16
Thirteen birders led by Mike Parmeter met at the Bear Valley Visitor Center and proceeded to the Point Reyes Bird Observatory Palomarin Field Station, where the hard working and knowledgeable interns provided a demonstration of their bird banding program. Trips to their mist nets yielded three Wrentits, one of which had previously been banded. It was very interesting to see the extensive data (e.g. age, weight, fat content, etc.) being recorded and entered into their computer. The group then proceed to PRBO's Pine Gulch Creek banding station for the same observations on other bird species. Birding the Bolinas Lagoon area yielded 76 species.

Point Reyes, Wednesday, October 30
On a warm sunny day, 18 birders joined leader Lew Edmondson at the Point Reyes Bear Valley Visitor Center to explore the Earthquake Trail, Olema Marsh, Five Brooks and Bolinas Lagoon, finding 77 species. Highlights included Varied Thrush, Townsend's Warblers, flocks of Wood Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks (Five Brooks mill pond) and Eurasian Wigeon.

Bodega Bay, Thursday, October 24
It was cold and drippy in Kenwood so I (leader Richard Hurley) knew it would be miserable at Bodega Bay. It wasn't. We were greeted by good birding weather. Expect the worst, get the best, and vice versa for Bodega Bay weather. Twenty-one birders identified 73 species. At Doran Beach there was a Peregrine Falcon hunting so the birds were "spooky". Just as we spotted a Red Knot (our bird of the day) in a large flock of Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlins, they sprang to the sky because a Turkey Vulture passed over and they wheeled as one over to the Bodega Harbor side of Doran. A good time was had by all.

Bodega Bay, Wednesday, November 13
Under a foggy sky that cleared in the afternoon, leader Dennis Beall and 26 birders observed 84 species including these highlights: Peregrine Falcon, Common Yellowthroat and a House Wren, a rare find for fall and winter as described in Mike Parmeter's book. .A fiercely cold wind came up in the afternoon, and only five stalwarts of the hardcore made it to the end of Doran. Jim Smith, Jack Troutfetter, Sandy McKeon, Dennis and Pam finished the day watching sixteen Red-necked Phalaropes cavorting near the beach.

On Sunday, December 29, Madrone Audubon will hold its 36th annual Christmas Count. We would like to see as many members as possible join the count again this year. See the map for the designated count area. Last year over 55,000 birders counted in 1884 locations north of the USA/Mexico border. In our own count 138 counters located and identified 173 species, which gave us the 13th highest count in North America. This is just another reason to protect the species diversity of this wonderful area we call home.

Our counters cover the full spectrum of birding skills, with each level of expertise filling an important niche. The count begins at approximately 7:30 AM, unless you wish to count owls, and continues until about 4:00 PM. To get more information or to sign up, you can contact Russ Agnew, 823-7555, or Ken Wilson, 795-7547.

If you are unable to count but would like to help out, you are invited to help set up for the potluck dinner which will take place at the Sebastopol Community Center at the end of the day–come and welcome those potentially cold and weary birders. Please bring your own plates, utensils and a supper dish for six to the potluck. Coffee, tea, cocoa and cups will be provided, but bring your own cup and save a forest! Please contact Peter Leveque at 542-8946 if you will be able to help.

The 2002 Santa Rosa area Christmas Bird Count, run by the Redwood Region Ornithological Society, will take place on Sunday, December 15. If you would like to participate and are not yet signed up with one of the principal counters, please call Ted Eliot at 9354-3410 or Bob Evans at 823-0609.

Hedgerows are making a comeback. A traditional fixture of the English countryside, they were also once common in this country, before they were relentlessly replaced with fences.

Here in California, they are sprouting up on organic farms, in orchards, and even the occasional vineyard. Hedgerows are habitat havens for the birds and beneficial insects that are the natural enemies of plant pests.

Good news is you don’t need to own a ranch to plant a beautiful and multifunctional hedgerow. Hedgerows are versatile enough to accommodate acreage of almost any size, including a small suburban lot.

Typically, a hedgerow is a diverse mixture of flowering shrubs and trees. It may also include vines, nectar flowers and grasses. What gets planted in the hedgerow depends on the height and width desired, its function in the landscape and the local climate. It may simply mark a garden boundary or do double duty as a windbreak or privacy screen. Unlike the meticulously clipped formal hedge, a hedgerow is left to flower and grow naturally.

While the hedgerow has many useful functions as part of the landscape, it moves beyond practicality in an ecologically-friendly garden. Songbirds flourish in its dense, multi-tiered structure, which serves as a rest stop and overwintering site for hungry and weary migrants. Local bird species find plentiful food and nesting sites in the many vertical layers, each layer appealing to specific preferences in the bird world. Quail, towhees and juncos, for example, forage in the underbrush, bushtits hang out in the shrubbery, while the nuthatches stake out the loftier suites.

A native hedgerow is an especially welcome sight for winged wildlife. It is no coincidence that native trees and shrubs bloom when the nectar of their blossoms is most needed in the spring, that they offer up berries, fruit and seed in the fall when birds are the hungriest.

Right now is the perfect time to plant one. Planting in fall and winter to take advantage of the rainy season offers native plants the best start. Plant your hedgerow on a berm, at least six inches high, to provide good drainage and to protect the root crowns from collecting water. Weed and irrigate the first several years until established. A mature hedgerow (2-3 years) is carefree and drought tolerant. Whichever plants you choose, be sure they are regionally appropriate with similar needs for soil, sun and water.

The following evergreen native shrubs are good landscape plants and hedgerow partners that are especially attractive to birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.

Coffeeberry (Rhamnus species). Coffeeberries are easy to cultivate, have beautiful foliage and are fast-growing. Succulent berries in the fall. ‘Mound San Bruno’ has a rounded compact shape (4 ft.); ‘Eve Case’ (5 ft.); Rhamnus californica (6 ft). Hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia). The shiny, sharp-edged foliage resembles holly, though the leaves are not as prickly. Small dark fruit in the fall. (10 ft.) Toyon (Christmas berry). A large shrub/small tree, toyon’s bright red berries in the fall are loved by many bird species, including robins, waxwings and mockingbirds. Birds do not get "drunk" on toyon, but they do on non-native pyracantha, making them easy prey for cats. (6-10 ft., taller as a single-trunked tree.) Ceanothus (California lilac). Ceanothus blooms in the spring with nectar-rich sprays of white or blue flowers much loved by butterflies and other pollinators. A shelter for many beneficial insects, including ladybugs and lacewings. Birds feed on the insects it attracts. (Many varieties, low-growing ground cover to 6 ft.) Coyote bush (Baccharis): Wrentit and White-crowned Sparrows use coyote bush for all their needs–perching, eating, nesting and breeding. ‘Pigeon point’ and 'Twin peaks’ grow 3-4 ft. tall; other species to 8 ft.

Depending on the outcome desired, shrubs could be spaced as close as four feet apart for a dense thicket. On roomier lots and for greater diversity, consider combining a few canopy trees-–bay laurel, oaks, California buckeye, for example–with a mixture of evergreen shrubs, a few understory plants such as the shade-loving gooseberries (Ribes species) and a variety of low-growing nectar plants such as buckwheat (Eriogonom species) and yarrow. On an especially sunny site, include beautiful deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens), a hedgerow favorite, which grows to four feet in both directions with tall golden panicles that wave above the dense bright green foliage in fall. Bunchgrasses keep down the weeds, and birds use them for foraging, nesting materials and cover.

RESOURCES
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF): for information on hedgerows, contractors and consultants, phone Keith Abeles, 823-6788.
Cornflower Farms is an excellent source for information/plants. (916) 689-1015 Appleton Forestry, Sebastopol: 823-3776
California Flora Nursery, Fulton: 528-8813
Circuit Rider Productions, Windsor: 838-6641
Mostly Natives Nursery, Tomales: 878-2009 Native Coast Native Nursery, Petaluma: 769-1213

Nancy Bauer is the author of The Habitat Garden Book: Wildlife Landscaping for the San Francisco Bay Region. Contact her at nbauer@earthlink.net.

Madrone Audubon would like to extend heartfelt condolences to Jean Tonascia whose husband Jim passed away on November 9. Jim Tonascia was a stalwart birder and a frequent bird walk leader for Madrone, as well as a long-time chapter member.

Leader Diane Hichwa will talk to us about these mysterious and wonderful birds, and we will meet several of the resident educational owls up close and personal. After the program, which is indoors at the Bird Rescue Center and takes place rain or moonshine, we will take a walk to see if the local, wild Barn Owls can be spotted. Rain boots, warm clothes and a flashlight are recommended. Children must be able to restrain from fidgeting and calling out when the birds are present, so please try not to bring toddlers.

Call Shona at 869-1577 to make a reservation. If you are unable to make this program, do not despair–it will be repeated in March!

Saturday, February 8, at the Central Santa Rosa Library Two shows: Noon to 2:00 PM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM The Wonderful World of Bats

Once again the ever-popular Bat Lady, Patricia Winters, and her collection of batty friends will entertain us with slides, stories and facts about bats. There will also be games to play, bats to color and wear and delicious bat snacks to eat. If you love bats, or would just like to know a little more about them, don’t miss this show! There will be two presentations so that we can accommodate as many bat fans as possible.

Call Shona to reserve your spot at 869-1577, and please specify whether you would like to attend from Noon-2 PM or from 2-4 PM.

Please also add Saturday, February 22, to your calendar as the date of the Pee Wee Birdathon at Howarth Park and Spring Lake. More details will be given in the February newsletter.

The city of Petaluma has received two grants to fund the acquisition and part of the construction of the wetlands park to be located on 350 acres between Shollenberger Park and the wastewater treatment plant.

On October 17, the Sonoma County Agriculture and Open Space Authority voted unanimously to fund the project for $2.06 million, and the following week the California Coastal Conservancy, meeting in Napa, voted to fund the project for $2 million. This money, along with the city’s promise to put more than $6 million of improvements on the property, will assure that the park will be built and operated.

These funding grants are due to the efforts of members of Madrone Audubon, the Petaluma Wetlands Park Alliance, Audubon’s SF Bay Restoration Program, and our partners in the SF Bay Joint Venture. All of these groups have recognized the potential for habitat creation and restoration, and the opportunities for recreation and environmental education that this park holds for area residents.

The park will include about two miles of trails that will connect to Shollenberger Park, an observation blind for watching birds in the mud flats and tidal marsh, and a kiosk and parking lot. There will be a variety of habitats in the park, including riparian habitat along Ellis Creek, tidal marsh, a newly created freshwater marsh (which will be used for water treatment), and upland fields. This promises to be one of the finer spots for birding in the North Bay.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve: "Wilderness Rambles." Naturalist-led hikes every Saturday at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM through December 14. Two- to three-hour hikes, appropriate for families, no reservations required. Meet at the Preserve parking lot at 9:50 AM. For directions, consult www.sonoma.edu/org/preserve, or call 795-5069.

SSU Lecture Series. At the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center, Room 3001:

Wednesday, December 4, Noon and 7:00 PM "What Can Genetics Tell Us about Avian Migratory Behavior in North America?" by Derek Girman, Assistant Professor, SSU Biology Department.

Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 PM only "Birding in Sonoma County and Northern California: an Armchair Birdwalk," Mike Parmeter, author and expert birder.
Plus-- an ongoing art exhibit at the University Library Art Gallery: the works of contemporary artists who use birds as a symbol for examining man’s relationship with the natural world.

7th Annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. January 17-20, sponsored by the Morro Coast Audubon Society. Morro Bay is recognized worldwide for its diversity of both resident and wintering birds with over 200 species identified during past festivals. For more information, go to the website: www.morro-bay.net/birds, or call the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, (800) 231-0592.

San Diego Bird Festival. February 6-9 at Marina Village on Mission Bay. Visit the web site for more information and registration: www.sandiegonaturefestivals.org, or call (619) 516-0139.

We have filled the post of treasurer, but now need a new recording secretary, as Liz Donath is "retiring" as of January 1. This job is not very time-consuming; it involves collecting the mail weekly from our Post Office Box and redirecting it to various board members, as well as mailing out thank you notes for donations received by the chapter. Please contact Claire Shurvinton at 527-6118 if this post might interest you.

Black-footed Albatross (12-15) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Sooty Shearwater (12-15) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Buller's Shearwater (25-30) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Pink-footed Shearwater (65-75) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Pomarine Jaeger (15) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Parasitic Jaeger (5-6) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Ashy Storm-Petrel (1-2) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Barrow's Goldeneye (6) 11/14 Port Sonoma DN
Eurasian Wigeon (male) 10/27 Bodega Harbor M.O.A.
Blue-winged Teal (9) 11/12 Shollenberger Park DN
Greater White-fronted Goose (flock) 10/7 Over Penngrove RL
Long-billed Curlew (38) 11/12 Shollenberger Park DN
Black Rail (2, heard only) 11/12 Shollenberger Park DN
Rock Sandpiper 11/9-11 Bodega Head, Campbell Cove LH, et al
Red Phalarope 11/9-11 Doran Park entrance LH et al
Rhinoceros Auklet (36) 10/27 Offshore Sonoma County M.O.A.
Cassin's Auklet (125) 10/27 Offshore S onoma County M.O.A.
American Bittern 10/17 Windsor Golf Course KM
Peregrine Falcon 11/1 Doran Marsh EM
Peregrine Falcon (seen almost daily in Nov.) D Street Towers, downtown Petaluma DN
Golden Eagle (juv.) 10/27 Shollenberger Park SB
Golden Eagle 11/1 Lakeville Hwy at Sleepy Hollow PG
American Golden Plover 10/19 Doran Park RROS, BDP Pacific
Golden-Plover 11/2 Shollenberger (same as last 3 winters?) BD
Short-eared Owl 11/12 Shollenberger Park DN
Burrowing Owl 11/? Shollenberg er Park BD
Pileated Woodpecker 10/15 E. of Geyserville CB
White-throated Swift (5) 9/7 Yard, W. Petaluma AW
Tropical Kingbird 10/12 Bodega Harbour Estates BB
Tropical Kingbird 11/3 Near The Tides, Bodega Bay BB
Tropical Kingbird 11/4-5 Shollenberger Park BD
Nashville Warbler 9/27 Yard, Bodega Bay NC
Common Yellowthroat 10/18 Austin Creek PC Black-throated Gray Warbler 10/22 Austin Creek DB, PC
American Redstart (imm.) 10/27 Campbell Cove JW

CONTRIBUTORS: Dennis Beall, Sara Blauman, Chester Bowles, Betty Burridge, Pam Conley, Nancy Conzett, Bob Dyer, Phil Grosse, Lisa Hug, Rick Lebadour, Ken Magoon, Ellie Miller, Mollymawk Offshore Adventures, Dan Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Redwood Region Ornithological Society, Jim White and Alan Wight.

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