Members of Madrone Audubon will soon have new membership choices.

The National Audubon Society has made a policy change which allows the individual chapters to institute a "local-only" membership status. Your Board of Directors has proposed bylaw amendments to address this change, and we hope to make these local memberships available by the end of April.

Many chapters, including Madrone, petitioned National Audubon to make this change, partly in response to members' requests and partly due to National's decision to reduce the share of dues allocated to the chapters. A number of our members have indicated strong support for local activities, but are less interested in National's agenda and the Audubon magazine.

With the membership revenue to be reduced from $5.50 to just about $2 a year per member, Madrone and most of the local Audubon chapters across North America find themselves in a very uncertain financial position. For example, production and postage of the Leaves newsletter alone costs Madrone about $10 a year per member. As a non-profit organization, the remainder of our yearly budget must come from the Birdathon fundraiser and your generous donations. We feel that these local memberships will increase revenue to the chapter, since all of the proceeds will go directly into our chapter treasury.

All members of the National Audubon Society in the Sonoma County area will continue to be automatically full-fledged (no pun intended) members of the local chapter. They will pay their dues according to National Audubon's fees and policies, and will receive the monthly magazine, Audubon. Those who chose local membership status will pay their dues ($15 per year for adults, $10 for seniors) according to our chapter's fees and policies, and will not receive Audubon magazine.

Both types of memberships entitle members to receive Madrone Leaves, our monthly newsletter, and to participate in all locally sponsored events such as the monthly general meetings, various weekly birdwalks and outings as well as the highly successful Pee Wee programs which reach hundreds of kids each month.

In summary, individuals will have two choices: either a local membership in Madrone Audubon or a full membership in National Audubon. If you do choose to continue your National Audubon membership, please consider a donation to Madrone of $10 or $15 to offset the cost of receiving the newsletter. We appreciate your feedback on this subject. Thanks.
(You may contact Bryant at 579-1182)

What do you need to do to join Madrone Audubon as a local member?

Send a note or an e-mail to Membership Chairperson Liz Thach indicating that you wish to join. Liz will send you the details a month or two prior to your renewal date. The membership committee will contact all members prior to their National Audubon renewal date to give them the option of a local membership in our chapter.
(Contact Liz Thach at liz.thach@sonoma.edu or write to her at 4322 Oak Ridge Road, Penngrove, CA 94951.)

(The membership changes require that Madrone modify its bylaws and publish the proposed new bylaws in the Leaves. These amendments will be explained and read at our March and April general meetings, and will be voted upon by the membership at the April meeting. The following is the text of the amended bylaws.)

Article I: Membership (Sections 1-5)
Section 1: No change required.
Section 2: There will be two classes of membership: a local Madrone Audubon Society membership and a National Audubon Society membership
Section 3: Annual dues of members shall be set by each organization separately. Dues will be payable directly to either Madrone Audubon Society or National Audubon Society, depending upon the type of membership selected.
Section 4: Members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of the type of membership selected.
Section 5: Members whose memberships have lapsed will be considered in default and will be dropped from the membership rolls in accordance with the policies of either the Madrone Audubon Society or the National Audubon Society, depending on the type of membership selected.

Article VII: Committees
Section 3.A: Membership
The President shall appoint a Membership Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to abide by membership policies, to conduct membership campaigns for the local Madrone Audubon Society, and to attempt to obtain the continuing membership of those who have become delinquent in the payment of their dues. It shall also be the duty of this committee to obtain and send to National Audubon Society lists of names and addresses of potential members residing within the allotted territory of Madrone Audubon Society. A membership list shall be prepared for use by the Board of Directors.

In a potential win-win for Bay restoration and municipal wastewater treatment, the Petaluma City Council has provisionally approved the creation of 45 acres of filtration wetlands on land adjacent to city-owned Shollenberger Park, located on the northern fringe of the Petaluma marsh---the largest intact tidal marsh in the San Francisco Bay Estuary.

The City's decision, made in January of this year, is still dependent upon finding grant money and negotiating a favorable purchase price for the land. The total size of the property envisioned for purchase is 270 acres, currently owned by Petaluma Poultry Processors but also known as Gray's Field after the previous owner. The property lies between Shollenberger Park and the present wastewater settling ponds on the Lakeville Highway.

Compared to a conventional mechanical system of wastewater treatment, natural filtration or "polishing" wetlands are actually more effective in filtering metals from water than chemical and structural engineering treatments. The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is a model project of this kind that has been very successfully implemented. (More information on these projects was presented in the Leaves lead article of October, 2001, "Wastewater Options in Petaluma".)

A major force in advocating the filtration wetlands to the City of Petaluma has been a grass roots group known as the Petaluma Wetlands Park Alliance (PWPA). Spearheaded by the persistent efforts of Petaluma City Councilwoman Janice Cader-Thompson, the Alliance is working to increase public awareness and support for this project by presenting testimony to the

City Council and bringing together all interested parties and regulatory groups. Several Madrone Audubon members have very active in PWPA: David Yearsley is PWPA Chairman, Sylvan Eidelman serves as its Treasurer, Bob Dyer is the unofficial "mayor/docent" of Shollenberger Park, and Gerald Moore's impressive slide presentations have been most helpful in describing the park and its potential.

According to Sylvan Eidelman, who is also Madrone's Baylands representative, a public meeting hosted by the Alliance on March 15 was very positive, with representatives from such organizations as Ducks Unlimited, California Fish and Game, the Petaluma Parks Department and the Audubon Society promising support and, in some instances, funding. Sylvan says the recent passage of Proposition 40 provides assurance that funds will be available from the state. In addition, PWPA is pursuing possible local funding sources such as the Sonoma County Open Space District and the Sonoma Land Trust.

Shollenberger Park is well known to birders and a frequent site of bird walks sponsored by Madrone Audubon. The variety of wintering species and the nesting activity is truly unparalleled in Sonoma County. Who can forget seeing Black-necked Stilt chicks teetering along the water's edge, or the many other avian offspring that can be spotted there: avocets, killdeer, moorhens, ducks and swans. A group of visitors in March was "greeted" by not one, but two, American Bitterns flying overhead, promising a possible addition to that list. The enlargement of the marsh area would increase the potential environment for endangered species such as the Clapper and Black Rails and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.

The vision of the Alliance includes a role for the Audubon Society, which has expressed an interest in establishing an center near the Petaluma marsh. This new facility, envisioned as a large public access wetlands park, would provide educational and recreational opportunities for Petalumans as well as thousands of potential visitors.

The Alliance asks for all interested parties to support this proposal by urging the Petaluma City Council to move forward with the project, by signing a PWPA petition and attending public meetings. Donations are gladly accepted and are used only in support of PWPA, an all-volunteer group (note, however, that it does not have non-profit status for tax purposes).

Contributions may be sent to Sylvan Eidelman at 2417 Teak Court, Santa Rosa, 95403, and for more information you may also contact Sylvan at 528-2916 or at sylvan_lee@yahoo.com.

Please come to the April general meeting to welcome John "Mac" McCormick, who will be presenting a beautiful slide show and talk on the Birds of the Sierra Valley and Lakes Basin. The Sierra Valley, a fascinating corner of Sierra County, is the largest alpine wetlands area in North America. Nearby Lakes Basin, in Plumas County, boasts nearly 50 lakes in a lovely bird and wildflower-rich region of the Sierras.

A retired high school science teacher from San Francisco, "Mac" began his love affair with the area nearly 30 years ago. He eventually built a cabin and now spends part of the year and summers there. He still teaches bird banding at the San Francisco State Field Campus each summer, has been conducting a study on neo-tropical migrants in the area, and is deeply involved with a Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management collaborative project in the restoration of Carman Valley (near Calpine) for willow flycatcher habitat.

"Mac" McCormick was named Educator of the Year in 1999 by the Bay Area League of High Schools.

The program begins at 7:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. As always, the public is encouraged to attend our programs.

Welcome to the following new Madrone Audubon members: Bodega: Mary Biggs. Bodega Bay: Jean Bobbie Fritz and Alan Ives. Cotati: Rene Cerini and Karen Dann. Duncan Mills: Palmer family. Exeter: Denise Oliver. Geyserville: Chester Bowles. Guerneville: T. Y. Scoggins and Al Hill. Healdsburg: Art Read. Jenner: Arch Luther. Kenwood: Eduard Sonnenberg. Monte Rio: Christine Hunt. Occidental: Gene & Mary Gaffney. Petaluma: John Marshall, Paul Zarn, Alexandra L. Meyer, Barbara Riggs, Marilyn Tomeo, Chris Cooke, Marguerite Ensign, Edward Fry, Paul Goldberg, Paul Hoffmann, Steven Nisa Klamm, and Frank Marshall. Rohnert Park: Grace Green. Santa Rosa: Lisa Calderon, Marianne Dias, Cecil Humes, Glen Hurley, Wayne Johnson, Bert Nolan, John Olney Jr., Mert Preston, Johanna Filp, Elie Caesar, Jim Dickinson, Charles Biderman, Ken & Donna Bubb, Aaron Bush, William Cooney, Ruth Hass, Pamela Mazza. Sebastopol: Norma Lewis, Terry L. Wilson, Alma Cavallo, Lew Forrest, Anita Gross, Judy Passantino, L. Langlois, M. Sokol, Marguerite V. Clark, Kathleen Harris, Judy McCann & Steven Fabian, Lyle Eastabrooks. Sonoma: Kathleen Carter, Arthur Chung, Patricia Kozlovsky, Susan Maxwell, Dan Noreen, Cedora Scheiblich, Pearl Tidd, and Rosanne Valentine. Villa Grande: Vernon Saterlie. Windsor: Arlene Wedgwood.

Sunday, April 21, 1-3 PM. Seals at Goat Rock. Leader Julie Woodruff of Seal Watch will help us celebrate Earth Day as we learn about the harbor seals that haul out on Goat Rock Beach. There should be plenty of pups to see, and possibly a stray elephant seal. Come early if you'd like to picnic first. Be aware that the surf at this beach is dangerous and parents should not let kids play near the water. Call Claire at 527-6118 for reservations and instructions.

Coming events in May…

Saturday, May 11--: Spying on nesting birds at Laguna Farms with Wade Belew.
Saturday, May 18: Bodega Harbor mudflats with Peter Leveque. (Preference will be given to Madrone Audubon Society members for just this one event, due to its overwhelming popularity. Thanks! Claire)

The Bird Rescue Center would like to make some requests of YOU!

The first baby bird of the 2002 season arrived on February 28, a three-week-old Anna's Hummingbird. Several young hummingbirds have come in since then and any time now we expect to receive young Barn Owls or Great Horned Owls. By mid-to-late April other species will appear. Here's how you can help:

Our first request is for volunteers. Training takes two and a half hours on any of the following days: April 6 at 9:30 AM, April 17 at 7 PM, May 4 at 9:30 AM, May 15 at 7 PM. That is, on the first Saturday morning or the third Wednesday evening of each month.

Secondly, if you find a baby bird on the ground DO pick it up and attempt to return it to its own nest. Our moms told most of us that if we touch a baby bird the parent will not take it back, but this is not true! Baby birds don't travel very far so look for the nest in the immediate area. Remember, birds nest everywhere from on the ground, to knee-high, head-high and way up in trees. Clues to locate the nest may be a parent coming in with food or the excited cheeps of nestlings as food arrives. If the bird is injured or has been picked up by a cat then it should come for treatment to the Bird Rescue Center on County Farm Drive just east of Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa. The phone number is 523-BIRD.

Our third request is that you finish yard clean-up and tree trimming as soon as possible. Nesting is underway so be very careful if you have clean-up left to do. It is inappropriate as well as illegal to disturb an established nest of native birds. You may have seen the photo in the March 15 Press Democrat of a very serious mother Great Horned Owl on her nest in Sonoma. A long row of old eucalyptus trees are being removed but CalTrans will leave her tree alone until after the young have hatched and fledged.

Please help in as many ways as you can.

PS: If you want to observe a fascinating courtship and nesting phenomenon, visit the heron and egret colony on West Ninth Street in Santa Rosa, halfway between Dutton and Stony Point Roads. Snowy Egrets bow and display their fancy breeding plumage, Black-crowned Night-Herons operate on the evening shift, and a few Cattle Egrets tuck a nest in between everyone else.

Grizzly Island, Rush Ranch and Suisun Marsh,
Wednesday, February 13
On a cloudy day that later turned to light rain 22 birders met with Jack Troutfetter for what turned out to be a very good birding day. Three owls were seen: Great Horned, Barn and Burrowing Owl. The bird of the day was a Chukar. Altogether, 70 species were seen, plus a herd of elk, all making for a very good outing.

Shollenberger Park, Thursday, February 21
On a cool and calm day, 20 birders led by Lew Edmondson met at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, finding 57 species. Highlights included the American Bittern often seen at Shollenberger Park, Lincoln's Sparrow, Horned Lark and a Virginia Rail which was heard but not seen. A Pied-billed Grebe sitting on a nest and being fed by its mate was observed on the far bank of the channel next to the paved path.

Bodega Bay, Wednesday, February 27
Thirty birders with leader Richard Hurley were presented with a beautiful day of birding at Bodega Harbor and Bodega Bay. Eighty species were seen. Bird of the day, still, was the Emperor Goose. Spring was in the air.

Point Reyes and Bolinas Lagoon, Wednesday, March 13
A beautiful albeit windy day was enjoyed by Richard Hurley and sixteen birders at the Point Reyes and Bolinas Lagoon walkabout. Birds of the day were an Orange-crowned Warbler at Five Brooks and the three hummers: Anna's, Allen's and Rufous. We had 78 bird species overall. A good birding day was had by all.

Tens of thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles pass over the Marin
Headlands each autumn, and last year 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 other 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 2002 August through December season, along with some weekend and evening training sessions in July. Come to one of these three recruitment classes-Monday, April 22 or Thursday, April 25, from 7 to 930 PM; or Saturday, April 27, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM--to see if you want to get involved.

All meetings will be held at Golden Gate National Recreation Area headquarters, Building 201 at Upper Fort Mason in San Francisco. Enter the fort 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 at www.ggro.org.

Planning to travel soon? Most birders are enthusiastic travelers. Whether you are going on a birding trip or think you might have some extra time during a vacation, business trip or conference, you can find a local birder who will show you around.

Check out an international internet site called Birdingpal (www.birdingpal.org/). You can click on a country on the global map of this website and get a list of people who have signed on as birding pals. You communicate with them by e-mail. Some of them are professional guides, but most are birders who enjoy meeting new people and sharing their love of birds. Or you can become a birding pal yourself!

Madrone Audubon is very much in need of a Treasurer! This is not the time-consuming job that it might appear to be. There is an Assistant Treasurer to take care of weekly check writing and birding skills are not required, just a knowledge of accounting and an interest in helping out with the Board activities of a conservation organization. The Treasurer does a monthly update of the spreadsheet and makes a quarterly report to the Board.
If you think you might be able to help, please contact Bryant or Diane Hichwa at 579-1182, or at < bhichwa@mcn.org>.

At this time of year Madrone is also looking for volunteers in various capacities, to assist with routine tasks such as helping keep membership records, or assisting in outreach. Do give Bryant or Diane a call if this a way you can help.

In a cooperative partnership, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Water Agency and County of Sonoma have taken initial steps to create a contiguous 46-acre open space preserve surrounding the Paulin Creek Canyon, linking public and privately held lands. In February of this year the District Board of Directors authorized staff to proceed with negotiations with developer Mike Sass to purchase fee title to nine acres off of Chanate Road in the vicinity of Sutter Hospital.

Acquisition of the property would provide an opportunity to create a sizeable open space preserve in the heart of Santa Rosa, with over a mile of passive nature trails. Conservation easements also would be placed over adjoining County and Water Agency lands to perpetually preserve their open space and natural features. The unique characteristics of these lands include heritage oaks and grasslands, Paulin Creek riparian corridor, and a water retention pond. All of these natural features provide critical habitat for a diversity of birds and other wildlife species.

[The Friends of Paulin Creek, the Paulin Creek Steering Committee and SOS (Save Our Scenery) have joined together to help protect this area, some of Santa Rosa's last remaining open space. To receive an SOS newsletter with details of the project write to SOS Steering Committee, 2001 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa, 95404, or send an e-mail to saveourscenery@yahoo.com.]

In winter weather there are fewer trips to the Mayacamas Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, but on a visit to review the Pine Flat South pipeline route I was stopped by a glimpse of a posture--there on the hill to my right was a bobcat. While I watched him meld back into the shadows and shrubs, sailing up the valley to my left was a Golden Eagle.

I continued up hill to Ferguson Springs where I scanned the grass and rocks for the Burrowing Owl that had returned once again to winter there. No luck today. The eagle reappeared and stole the show as he proceeded to do roller coaster maneuvers, tucking his wings into a dive then pulling up quickly to regain his momentum. After five or six hill-and-valley repetitions he glided off.

Earth Day at Shollenberger Park. Saturday, April 20 from 9 AM to 1 PM. Join us for a bird walk and a few work projects including cleanup and removal of invasive plants. Also a display table about the Petaluma River and Marsh area. Shollenberger has a variety of birding habitats and a good walking trail.

At Fairfield Osborn Preserve (at the end of Lichau Road on Sonoma Mountain):
Early birding with Becky. Two Saturdays, April 27 and May 11, 8 to 11:30 AM. Join Madrone Audubon's own Rebecca Olsen to visit year-round residents and get reacquainted with returning Neotropical migratory birds: Lazuli Buntings, Orange-crowned Warblers and Bullock's Orioles. Preregistration is required; for information call 795-5069.
Also at FOP: Saturday Field Workshops, April 20, May 4 and May 18, 10 AM to 2 PM, and naturalist-led hikes every Saturday through May 18 at 10 AM. Call the Preserve at 795-5069 for more information.

At Bouverie Preserve:
Rebecca's Wildflower Seminar. April 13. Our delightful biologist, Rebecca Anderson-Jones, will lead you though the Preserve, giving tips for using field guides, teaching some field identification, characteristics and how to key a few common plant families. Call (415) 868-9244 to reserve.

Audubon Hike Day. May 18th, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. A special day reserved for our Audubon Chapter friends. Call the office (938-4554) as soon as possible for a lottery form.

North Coast Bird Festivals:
Heron Days. April 13-14 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, Lake County. Festival includes pontoon boat rides, walking tours, and lectures, focusing on several heron rookeries. Information: (800) 525-3743, or www.lakecounty.com.

Godwit Days. April 19-22 in Arcata. Field trips and workshops. View up to 225 bird species amid the redwoods, conifer forests, wetlands, coastal shorelines and open ocean. Information: (800) 908-WING (9464) or www.godwitdays.com.

Orienteering Meet:
Sunday, April 7, from 9 AM to Noon at Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa. Practice with map and compass to be more confident on or off the trail. There are clinics for beginners; this is a great family activity. For information call the Bay Area Orienteering Club hotline at (408) 255-818 or consult the website: www.boac.org.
(Another meet on Sunday, April 21, at China Camp State Park in San Rafael.)

Art exhibit: "Moved by the Land". Through May 3 at the Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa. Artwork exploring change and growth in Sonoma and Marin Counties and an exhibit of poetry and art by Julia Butterfly Hill. An Earth Day Celebration featuring a reception and artists' talks will be held at the Center on Sunday, April 21, from 2-5 PM.

The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center has a full schedule of courses, including "Introduction to Birding" with Brock Dolman on May 19. For a schedule or information, call the Center at 874-1557 or send an e-mail to oaec@oaec.org.

Thinking about summer?
Golden Trout Natural History Workshop. Hike-in wilderness camp at 10,000 feet near Mt. Whitney. Naturalist-interpreted sessions starting June 30, July 7 and July 14. Reserve early-limited space often fills. For a brochure call (805) 688-8344, or e-mail paul.roark@verizon.net. See website at www.1startists.com/gtc/.

Red-necked Grebe (1) 2/21 Doran Jetties DN
Marbled Murrelet (2) 2/24 Bodega Head DN, JMS
"Aleutian" Canada Goose (40-50) 2/28 Black John Sl. (flew into Sonoma Co.) RS
Emperor Goose 3/1 Bodega Harbor BDP, et al
Eurasian Wigeon (2) 3/1 Rodota Trail, off Green Valley Rd. KG
Eurasian Wigeon (2) 3/5 Shollenberger Park BD Blue-winged Teal (12) 3/1 Shollenberger Park M.Ob
Redhead (6) 2/28 E. of Roche Winery, Hwy 121. RS
Hooded Merganser (2) 2/18 Hall Road K&DB
Hooded Merganser (2) 2/20 S. of Hall Rd., N. of Occidental Rd. JK
Green Heron (1) 2/1 Windsor Golf Course KM White Pelican (24) 2/22 Sebastopol, at the Laguna de S.R. BG
Black Skimmer (many ) 3/? Palo Alto Baylands PL
Bald Eagle (adult) 3/3 Laguna de Santa Rosa at Occidental Rd. JK, SK
Golden Eagle 2/14 Hwy 12 at Irwin Lane DS
Golden Eagle (imm.) 2/22 Shollenberger Park BG
Cooper's Hawk 2/25 Hwy 101 near River Road LB
Cooper's Hawk (calling ad.) 3/7-11 Sunnyslope Ave., W. Petaluma DN
Cooper's Hawk (calling ad.) 3/17 Over Post and 6th Streets, Petaluma DN
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2/14 After feeder birds, Glen Echo Dr. LB Ferruginous Hawk (ad.) 2/24 Middle Road LB, JH
Prairie Falcon 2/2 Hudemann Slough TE Pacific Golden-Plover (contin.) 3/2-15 Shollenberger Park DN, PC Black-legged Kittiwake (75) 2/22 1 mile W. of Bodega Head-from boat DN
White-throated Swift (1) 3/11 Hwy 101 at Petaluma River AW Burrowing Owl 2/2 Hudemann Slough TE
Blue Grouse (heard) 3/11 King Ridge and Tin Barn Roads BDP
Cliff Swallow (3) 3/17 Lakeville treatment ponds DN
Tree Swallow (5 prs. ent. boxes) 3/17 Lakeville treatment ponds DN No. Rough-winged Swallow (3) 3/17 Lakeville treatment ponds DN
California Thrasher (2) Feb.-Mar. Ragle Park, Sebastopol SB, RS, et al
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Feb. Healdsburg KP
Black-headed Grosbeak (imm. male) 2/18 Twin Hills area, Sebastopol WP
Black-headed Grosbeak (imm. fem.) 3/14-16 Twin Hills area, Sebastopol WP
Common Redpoll (feeder bird) Feb. Near Anderson, Tehama Co. M.Ob White-throated Sparrow (3) 3/10 Glen Echo Drive LP
White-throated Sparrow (2) 2/23 S. end of Wohler Road DN
Lark Sparrow (10) 2/18 Sonoma, in yard TS

CONTRIBUTORS: Kathy & Dave Biggs, Sarah Blaumann, Larry Broderick, Peter Colasanti, Bob Dyer, Ted Eliot, Kate Gonnella, Betty Groce, Jesse House, John Klobas, Sarah Klobas, Peter Leveque, Ken Magoon, Dan Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Kathy Pedroni, Wendy Peterson, Doug Shaw, Jean-Marie Spoelmann, Rich Stallcup and Alan Wight.

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