West Nile Virus, the disease first found in the United States in 1998 and linked to wild birds in the New York City area in 1999, spread across the continent at a more rapid pace than anticipated in 2002. Though not currently present in any significant numbers west of the Rocky Mountains, it is expected to enter California wildlife populations in 2003.

The virus is most commonly transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and does not spread directly from birds to humans, though a few rare cases have been documented from the handling of infected animals. Birds are most affected, but the virus is also prevalent in horses, and there have been deaths in over 100 wildlife species across the US and Canada. Symptoms of the disease in birds range from lethargy and weight loss to tremors and paralysis. (See sidebar on page 7 for more facts and figures.)

In the fall of 2002 bird rehabilitation centers in the Midwest struggled to keep up with larger than usual numbers of sick raptors, primarily Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls, and West Nile Virus seemed to be the culprit. By December of 2002 the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin had tested 30 of 73 raptor carcasses sent from several midwestern states. Of those tested, half were infected with WNV, though not all could be shown to have died of the disease.

Scientists are beginning to see a different pattern of mortality at work, with more birds of prey affected in the Midwest than in the New York area, where typically crows, jays and magpies exhibited the disease. There is considerable concern with the possible effects on wild birds in California, particularly on threatened, endangered or otherwise sensitive species. The School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis sent a request to wildlife rehabilitators in January for samples from live wild birds such as raptors, crows and jays in order to study the ecological effects of WNV and genetic susceptibility in certain species before and after the appearance of the virus in the state.

The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) of the US Geological Survey is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn the current geographic extent of WNV, to understand how it moves between mosquitoes, birds and humans, and to predict future movements of the virus. Wild bird mortality is an accurate indicator of the extent of WNV. It
provides an early warning system for the emergence of the virus in new locations. Migratory birds are a key means by which the virus is transported to new areas along their migration routes. A three-year NWHC study utilizes active wild bird surveillance along the Atlantic Flyway, with simultaneous collection of mosquitoes, to detect the presence of West Nile Virus.

One hypothesis that has been advanced is that the virus will only arrive on the West Coast after it is established in Central America or Mexico where the west coast migrating birds pass during their northward migration. The virus may already be in these places; however, the only confirmed record as yet is from the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.

The Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa had one crow tested in 2002 through the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District-the result was negative for WNV. This district will be doing testing and education from the month of April on and all California rehabilitation centers will be watching for signs of the disease in wildlife this year.

Reports of dead birds, specifically crows, ravens, jays and all raptors, should be made to the California Department of Health Services which runs a
West Nile Virus Dead Bird Surveillance Program. They can be contacted at (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or by e-mail at.arbovirus@dhs.ca.gov. Individuals are cautioned not to touch a dead bird without gloves or other protection, even though there is not conclusive evidence that the disease can be transmitted in this way.

First US documentation - 1998.
First detection in wild birds - 1999, in New York City.
California: one human case in Los Angeles, September, 2002.
Species affected: Detected in 134 bird species, mostly corvids (crows, jays and magpies) and birds of prey. Found in humans, horses and many other mammals. Over 100 wildlife species affected.
Where found: Documented in 44 US states and 5 Canadian provinces as of March, 2003.
Human cases recorded: Close to 4,000, with over 250 deaths.
Mortality in birds, as of November, 2002: Over 14,000 (about half in crows).
Means of infection: Primarily mosquito bites, not bird-to-bird or bird-to-mammal contact.
Disease manifestation: Neurological symptoms, eventual encephalitis, pancreatitis.

Centers of information and study (websites)

Cornell University Center for the Environment

USGS-National Wildlife Health Center

UC, Davis

California Department of Health

Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District

Maps

There are wonderful birds in Africa at high places! Retired Santa Rosa Junior College biology professor Peter Leveque will tell us about them and show slides of his recent trip to Tanzania, where he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. The trip also included a 10-day safari to the Serengeti Plains, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Monyara. Leveque also spent the summer of 1974 in East Africa, in Tanzania and Kenya, visiting numerous parks in both countries. He will draw from those experiences as well as his recent trip.

Peter Leveque taught at Santa Rosa Junior College for 35 years in the Department of Life Sciences. He continues to teach one very popular course a year at SRJC, entitled "The Fall Birds of Northern California." He is a past president of Madrone Audubon Society and currently serves as a much appreciated volunteer with the Pee Wee section of our chapter.

Shollenberger Park, Wednesday, February 19
The morning started out overcast with a light rain, but 18 dedicated birders showed up and were ready to go by 8:45 AM. Leader Bob Dyer led the way counterclockwise around the two-mile trail. By mid-morning the clouds had dissipated. The central pond and freshwater channels have now receded somewhat since the river dredging into the park ended in mid-January. Right away, the American Bittern was seen hunkered down by the side of the right channel. Later the group saw the Horned Lark, Loggerhead Shrike and a single Eurasian Wigeon. High over the Grey property (potential site for the new polishing wetlands) a Golden Eagle was sighted and watched for about 10 minutes. Several members of the group caught a fleeting look at a Sora in the left channel before the walk ended. Sixty-eight species were recorded.

Bodega Bay, Saturday, February 22
Eleven birders joined leader Jean Tonascia on a beautiful, breezy day at Bodega Bay. Seventy-six species were observed in spite of the fact that the tide was out the entire day. Highlights of the day were spotting all six species of grebes and seeing the Great Horned Owl fly into a tree right in front of the group. The Red-necked Grebe was a first for two of the birders.

Stafford Lake, Wednesday, March 5
Richard Hurley and 17 birders scoped out Stafford Lake and Las Gallinas Oxidation Ponds in Marin County. We spotted 74 species. Nothing extraordinary, just a nice spectrum of bird life. The grass was lush and thick and the wildflowers just beginning. Can spring and the migration north be far away?

Point Reyes, Thursday, March 13
Clouds, scattered sunshine, a balmy breeze, and 76 bird species spotted were the ingredients for a very good day of birding. Twelve birders and leader George Batchelder gambled on the rain holding off…and it did until almost 2 PM! Small birds were plentiful along the Earthquake Trail creek, including an Allen's Hummingbird. A good variety of ducks and shore birds populated the edge of Bolinas Lagoon in spite of the breeze, including Cinnamon, Green-winged, and Blue-winged Teal (but no Tufted Duck). At Five Brooks Pond a couple of Wood Duck pairs were clearly seen through the enveloping "mist" for a nice finale.

The Bird Rescue Center is happy to report that their first clients of the year-two very young Anna's Hummingbirds brought to the Center in February-are doing well, eating on their own and should be released sometime this month. Bird Rescue expects to handle many more such avian disaster cases as the nesting season continues, and welcomes any volunteer help. The number to call is 523-BIRD (523- 2473).

Be sure to stop by to see spring in all its glory at our Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Wildflowers are bursting along our 10 miles of trails, Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets are nesting, and some Snowy Egrets will be sprinkled in among them by May. With ranch guides and Audubon hosts assisting, we are open to the public every weekend through July 13 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Audubon members can visit the Preserve on certain days during the week (not Mondays), but must call (415) 868-9244 in advance to arrange a time.

We also welcome you to become involved in our long term North Bay Heron and Egret Project. Conducted throughout five North Bay counties, volunteers work with ACR staff to assess changes in colony size, location and reproductive success of the Great Blues, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons and other species found in mixed colonies. If you're interested in becoming a trained field observer and contributing to this important upcoming regional atlas of heronries in the Bay Area, call ACR's Cypress Grove Research Center at (415) 663-8203, or contact cgp@svn.net.

An impressive new ATBI report is out by Dr. John Kelly, ACR Biologist, and Rich Stallcup. In full scientific splendor, it's titled: "Kelly, J.P. and Stallcup, R.W. 2003. Documented occurrences of bird species on Tomales Bay, California, prior to January 2003, and a protocol for future bird species inventories: A report to the Point Reyes National Seashore and the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory of Tomales Bay. ACR Technical Report 89-12-6." If you'd like a copy, e-mail ACR's Cypress Grove Research Center at cgp@svn.net.

Audubon Members only-Visit Bouverie Preserve on May 3, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. (Reservation by lottery, call 938-4554 for a form.)

Another special offering for you, our Audubon friends, is the guided Audubon hike over the meadows and hills of our beautiful Bouverie Preserve. Come see the thrilling wildflower display, look for Golden Eagles circling and Hutton's Vireos singing, Red-bellied Newts swimming and Pacific Chorus Frogs calling. It's a spring feast of the senses in Sonoma's Valley of the Moon, and it's only open to the public on a few Saturdays each year (April 5, 19, May 10, 17 for the public, as well as this special guided walk on May 3 for Audubon members only). You must call ahead for a lottery form for all of these walks.

There are a few openings left for volunteers from our chapter to host at ACR this season: Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day Holiday); Saturday, June 21; Sunday, July 6; and Saturday, July 12. Please call Janet Bosshard at 526-5883 if you can fill one of these spots.

Warm weather is on its way, and more good times outdoors. It seems appropriate to feature some resources designed to help children learn to know and appreciate birds and all the natural world. For those of you who have Pee Wee candidates in the family, who teach children, or who are yourselves beginners not yet ready for the wonderful, but perhaps intimidating Sibley guides, here is a compilation of "first" field guides, plus a selection of recommended children's books with nature themes.

FIELD GUIDES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN:
Peterson First Guides (Houghton Mifflin). 18 titles, such as "Just Getting Started with Insects" which introduces 200 common insects.
Scholastic First Discovery Books. 34 titles, a series for very young children.
Golden Guides (St. Martin's Press). 29 titles, from Bats to Weeds.

FIELD GUIDES FOR OLDER KIDS OR BEGINNERS:
Audubon Society Pocket Guides (Knopf). 30 titles, including Birds of Prey, Fossils, and Insects and Spiders.
Golden Field Guides (St. Martin's Press).
Eyewitness Handbook Series (OK Publishing).
Beginner's Guide to Shorebirds, by Donald and Lillian Stokes. Recently published; covers all North American shorebirds.

BIRD- AND NATURE-ORIENTED BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
AGES 1-6:
The Birdwatchers (Candlewick), by Simon James. Ornithological mystery in the forest.
"Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," Said the Sloth (Penguin Putnam), by Eric Carle, with a forward by Jane Goodall. A picture book of rain forest creatures-and a defense of loafing.
Field Trips (HarperCollins), by Jim Arnosky. Finding nature's secrets through binoculars.
Night of the Moonjellies (Purple House), by Mark Shasha. Coastal wonders of a New England summer.
The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales (Barefoot), by Naomi Adler, illustrated by Amanda Hall. Nine stories full of magic.
Rainforest Explorer (Tangerine/Scholastic), by Sue Nicholson. A kids' journal from the Amazon.
The Sky's the Limit: Stories of Discovery by Women and Girls (Houghton Mifflin), by Catherine Thimmesh. Breakthrough insights by female investigators.

FOR READERS AGE 10 AND UP:
Hoot (Knopf), by Carl Hiaasen. Amusing tale of saving burrowing owls in Florida.
The Kingfisher Young People's Book of Living Worlds (Kingfisher), by Clive Gifford and Jerry Cadle. The earth's habitats, lavishly illustrated.

[NOTE: For this selection of field guides we are indebted to an article by Steve Stocking in the May-June 2002 issue of San Joaquin Audubon's newsletter, The Hoot Owl, and for the children's books to an article by Kathleen Burke in the December 2002 issue of Smithsonian magazine entitled "Notable Books for Children."]

New Local Members:
COTATI: Patricia & Carl Anderson, Carolyn Boyles. GUERNEVILLE: Edna Sallee. PETALUMA: Steve Rossotti, Anne Wurr. SANTA ROSA: Ann S. Nally, Amanda Roze, John D. Schuyler, Jean Tonascia, Sara Zanolini. SONOMA: Rosemary Schneider.

New National Audubon Members:
CAZADERO: Hannah Stone. HEALDSBURG: Lendra & Bruce Browning, Noelle Ruth Rubalcava. JENNER: Rachel Kristine. KENWOOD: L.B. Stockslager. PETALUMA: Lillian M. Potts. ROHNERT PARK: Steven Brown. SANTA ROSA: Nick & Marcia Anton, Alexandra Bennett, Vince Caratti, Dave Gougler, Gene Hamley, Richard Katzoff, Lauren Magnuson, Lou Rose Maniscalco, Charlie McGowan, Hazel Mitchell, Susan Spaulding. SEBASTOPOL: Melitta Allen, Rich Hacker, Susan Junfrau, Margaret Stewart. SONOMA: Donna Hatfield, Marilyn Kelly.

Saturday, April 12, 9 AM to Noon
Snakes and Amphibians at Spring Lake
Our favorite naturalist Peter Leveque will lead a trip to Spring Lake to look for amphibians and snakes. Children should be prepared for a short (one-half mile) hike to the pond just above Spring Lake, and should wear shoes that can get wet. Be sure to sign up early, as this trip will be very popular. For reservations and directions to the meeting place, call Shona at 869-1577.
NOTE: When we go outdoors for field trips parents should always be aware of the possibility of poison oak, and should routinely check children for ticks afterwards.

Saturday, April 19, 9:00 to 11:30 AM
Birds of Shollenberger Park
There has been some interest expressed in Pee Wee activities designed specifically for older kids, so here is an opportunity:
Claire Shurvinton will lead a walk at Shollenberger Park for older kids who are interested in learning, or working on, bird identification skills. The kids should have a pair of binoculars to use. Claire has a few to loan out, so please let her know ahead of time if you will need a pair. Kids should be at least eight years of age and express an interest in watching birds. We will be walking the loop trail around Shollenberger, which is about two miles long. For more information and sign ups, call Claire at 527-6118.

Reminder to Pee Wee artists! Draw, paint, color or make a collage of your favorite Sonoma County bird on 81/2 x 11 paper and submit it to Madrone Audubon by April 22. There will be prizes for different age groups-selected artwork will be displayed at the Madrone's annual meeting in May and on our website. For complete contest rules please contact Claire at 527-6118, or cshurvin@earthlink.net.

Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation Science needs funding to finish California Bird Species of Special Concern, a book to be published in collaboration with Western Field Ornithologists, California Dept. of Fish and Game, and many of the state's leading bird biologists.

This book identifies the state's at-risk birds most in need of help and makes specific recommendations for research, monitoring, and conservation actions that will keep them off lists of threatened and endangered species. As a regulatory tool, the special concern list will guide state, federal, and local governments in defining "sensitive" species under the California Environmental Quality Act and hence will help reduce negative impacts on these birds. Contributions of any amount are welcome. A donation of $100 or more will assure the donor of a copy of the book.

Please send contributions to: Sarah Huard, Manager of Individual Giving, PRBO, 4990 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. Indicate on the check that your donation is for Bird Species of Special Concern. Contact Dave Shuford at dshuford@prbo.org for additional information.

Programs:
Continuing series, Sonoma County Tomorrow: Then and Now:
Sunday, April 13, 2-4 PM at the Environmental Center, 404A Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. Chuck Rhinehart will talk about the creation of COAST (Citizens Organized for Access to State Tidelands) and the beginnings of the Coastal Commission. For more information please contact Linda Curry at 526-7865.

20th Annual Legislative Symposium. Saturday, April 26, at Sonoma State University, sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League and the National Wildlife Federation. This year's symposium, entitled "California's Major Environmental Challenges," will be held in partnership with the Environmental Technology Center at SSU. For more information contact Sarah Schaller at (916) 313-4518, or visit <www.pcl.org>.

Learning outdoors:
Fairfield Osborn Preserve Saturday Field Workshops: FOP is located at the end of Lichau Road on Sonoma Mountain. Call the Preserve at 795-5069 for workshop registration forms:

Spring Wildflowers. April 5, 10 AM to 2 PM, led by SRJC botany lab instructor Peggy Rockwood.
Discovering Bugs. April 19, 10 AM to 2 PM, led by Preserve Director Nathan Rank.
Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Preserve. May 3, 10 AM to 2 PM, led by botanist and herbalist Autumn Summers.
Early birding with Becky, May 10, 8 to 11 AM, led by Madrone Audubon's avian enthusiast Rebecca Olsen

Godwit Days. April 18-21 in Arcata. Spring migration bird festival, world class bird-watching and nature experiences in and around Arcata Marsh. Ornithologist and author Kenn Kaufman will be the keynote speaker. Information: (800) 908-WING (9464) or <www.godwitdays.com>.

Docent Training Class with John Klobas. Six sessions, Wednesday, April 30 through Saturday, May 17. Provides practical natural history and trailside environmental education techniques, and presents the opportunities that exist for volunteers and docents. Offered in Natural Resources Management as NRM 280. For more information, call NRM at 527-4408, register by telephone at 525-3800, or check the web at <www.santarosa.edu/admissions>.

Spring Wildflower Festival. Saturday, May 10, 10 AM to 4 PM at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Art auction, native plant sale, garden seminars and more. Sponsored by the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. See their website for information: www.cnpsmb.org.

Orienteering. Saturday, May 10, from 9 AM to Noon at Indian Valley Open Space in Novato. Meet in the last parking lot at Indian Valley College. For information call (415) 383-4429 or see the website: www.boac.org.

Thinking about summer…
Sierra Nevada Field Campus of San Francisco State University. 4-5-day courses in June and July at the university's resident camp near Sierra City, north of Truckee. Program includes four courses on birds, bird identification by song, and bird banding. Contact Jim Steele for a brochure at (415) 338-1571 or jsteele@sfsu.edu. The website is www.sfsu.edu/~sierra.

Golden Trout Natural History Workshop. Hike-in wilderness camp (educational and nonprofit) at 10,000 feet near Mt. Whitney. Naturalist-interpreted sessions starting June 29, July 6 and July 13. For a brochure call (805) 688-8344, or e-mail paul.roark@verizon.net. See website at <www.1startists.com/gtc/>.

Western Field Ornithologists Annual Meeting. July 24-27 at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico, highlighting the birds and biology of the U. S./Mexico borderlands. For information call Catherine Waters at (562) 869-6718 or consult the website: www.wfo-cbrc.org.

Audubon Camps:
Audubon Camp in the Rockies. Field Ornithology, June 29-July 5, in Wyoming's Big Horn Basin. Contact Diana Walter at Audubon Wyoming at (307) 235-3485.
Audubon Camps in Maine. A Birder's Weekend, June 12-15, and Field Ornithology, June 22-28, on the Maine Coast. Call Maine Audubon at (888) 325-5261 or go to their website: www.maineaudubon.org.

Madrone Audubon has a nearly-complete slate of officers for the coming year, 2002-2003. Nominating committee members Sylvan Eidelman and Diane Hichwa report that all but one of the current officers have agreed to stay in place. There is one vacancy-the post of Corresponding Secretary.

Graciously accepting to be "incumbents" are: President, Claire Shurvinton; Vice-President, Sylvan Eidelman; Treasurer, Elizabeth Desmond; Assistant Treasurer, Rebecca Olsen; Recording Secretary, Joyce MacLaury. They will be presented to the members at our April meeting and formally installed at the May General Meeting and Annual Dinner.

The Corresponding Secretary is an important contact with members and the public, but not overwhelming in terms of hours. This is the person who picks up the mail (paper, no e-mail!) and the phone messages and sends our thanks to contributors. Please contact Sylvan (528-2916) or Diane (579-1182) if you would like to help out Madrone in this capacity.

Preliminary results from this year's Birdathon show that the counters did well-even the Pee Wee team did their best ever! So far the highest count to come across the editor's desk is 141 species counted by the Gray-headed Seersucker Team. See next month's Madrone Leaves for a complete report.

In the meantime, all sponsors are reminded to send in their pledges. Checks should be made out to Madrone Audubon. We truly appreciate your support. Birdathon funds are more important than ever now to the chapter, with financial support from National Audubon greatly reduced.

Barrow's Goldeneye 2/26 Porto Sonoma, on Petaluma River DN
Hooded Merganser (2) 2/25 6 mi. E. of Geyserville CB
Hooded Merganser (4) 2/26 Occidental Road, at High School Road CS
Wood Duck (4) 2/25 6 mi. E. of Geyserville CB
Black Scoter (6-8) 3/9 Coleman Beach RM, KG
"Aleutian" Canada Goose Feb-Mar Lakeville Hwy-1 bird with flock DN, AW "Blue" Snow Goose (2) 1/29 Bodega Farm Pond SL
Red-necked Grebe (1) 3/15 Bodega Bay, at Coast Guard pier DN
Brown Pelican (1) 3/15 Bodega Harbor DN American
White Pelican (38) 3/1 over Hudemann Slough DN
Heermann's Gull (4) 3/15 Campbell Cove DN
Bonaparte's Gull (16) 3/16 Lakeville treatment ponds DN
Northern Fulmar (15-20) 2/26 off Bodega Head DN
Short-tailed Shearwater (1) 2/26 only 200 m. off Bodega Head, in good light DN Marbled Murrelet (3) 3/9 off Duncan's Landing RM, KG
Rough-legged Hawk (2) 2/22- 2/28 Skaggs' Island RROS, DN
Prairie Falcon 2/22 Skaggs' Island RROS
Swainson's Hawk 2/22-3/1 Skaggs' Island (dark juv.) RROS, DN
Golden Eagle (3) 3/1 Skaggs' Island DN
Prairie Falcon (1) 2/22 Skaggs' Island RROS
Virginia Rail 2/21-2/31 6 mi. E. of Geyserville CB
Black Rail (1) 2/22 Shollenberger Park RROS
Black Rail (6) 2/22 W. of Lakeville treatment ponds DN
Black Rail (10+) 2/28 Hudemann Slough DN
Long-billed Curlew (40) 2/26 Laguna Wetlands Preserve CS
Spotted Sandpiper (1) 2/22 Lake Ralphine (also seen here last year) CS
Green Heron (1) 3/15 Petaluma, Veterans Memorial Building DN
Barred Owl (1) Feb-Mar Muir Woods M.Ob.
Spotted Owl (2) Feb-Mar Muir Woods M.Ob.
Northern Pygmy Owl Mar Muir Woods M.Ob.
Short-eared Owl (12-15) 2/22-3/1 Skaggs' Island RROS, DN
Short-eared Owl (2-3) 2/28 S. of Shollenberger Park DN
Short-eared Owl (2) 2/28 Lakeville Hwy at Stage Gulch Road DN
Saw-whet Owl 2/24 Samuel P. Taylor Park, Marin County DN
Pileated Woodpecker (2) 2/19 6 mi. E. of Geyserville CB
Rufous Hummingbird 3/15 Santa Rosa CK Pacific-slope Flycatcher 3/9 Coleman Valley RM Cliff Swallow (10) 3/15 Hwy 101 at Petaluma River bridge DN
Barn Swallow (2) 3/15 Carmody Road DN
White-throated Sparrow 2/12 Lake Ralphine CS
White-throated Sparrow 2/14-25 Santa Rosa LB

Northern Flicker - A very odd individual of this species was described from the Glen Echo Drive area in Santa Rosa (LB). It was said to be entirely "gold across underparts with the black bib. However no black dots like normal flickers" Keep an eye out for this oddball.

Contributors: Chester Bowles, Larry Broderick, Kevin Guse, Chris Kuhn, Shirley Leaphardt, Roger Marlowe, Dan Nelson, Redwood Region Ornithological Society, Claire Shurvinton and Alan Wight.

Back to the home page