California is a state of astonishing biodiversity. Its unique geologic history and climate have conspired to create a landscape with an almost infinite variety of habitats where living things have evolved over time to thrive. And thrive they have---California has a greater number of species than any other state in the nation and almost any other region of like size in the world, outside the tropics. Many of these species are native to the state, found in California and nowhere else.

But this species richness is in peril. Much of California is also designated as one of 34 international Hotspots, a conservation term which applies to those regions high in species diversity and uniqueness which are threatened by significant habitat and species loss. Many of the state's ecoregions have suffered serious decline, and nearly one third of its species are at risk, threatened mostly by human-related factors. In this most populous state, which even now projects the highest growth rate, human influence is unlikely to moderate in the near future.

That part of California defined as a Hotspot is also known as the California Floristic Province (CFP), an ecological area based on floristic composition. The province stretches about 1,100 miles along the state's western coast, extending north into southwestern Oregon and south into northwestern Mexico. Approximately 70% of California's land is included within the Floristic Province, encompassing all areas west of the peaks of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, as well as islands off the state's southwestern coast. Only the high arid and low-lying desert areas of the northeastern and southeastern parts of the state are excluded. The province is a unique mixture of northern temperate and southern arid-adapted species and communities fostered by the area's Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

The Mediterranean climate influences plant life, and a region's plant community influences most other life forms. Maximum plant growth in winter and early spring, when sunlight is adequate and water is most abundant, and the plant's adaptation to minimize water loss in the summer create selective pressures to give California unique, native plants and animals. The number of plant species in the CFP is greater than that of the central and northeastern United States and adjacent portions of Canada, an area almost ten times as large. The state of California as well as the California Floristic Province ranks near the top among the 50 states in most measures of biodiversity: first in diversity of plant and mammal species, fourth in bird species, and fifth in reptile species.

Another factor which has a leading role in California's Hotspot is the soils, which affect the distribution of plants and the many species which are adapted to grow almost exclusively on California's unusual soils. Serpentine is a classic example. Its high concentrations of magnesium and iron and low calcium levels inhibit most plants from absorbing necessary nutrients. Also frequently high in toxic metals and unable to hold water well, serpentine soils present a challenge to plant life. Yet, a number of plant species have evolved to take advantage of a habitat spurned by most others.

Approximately 20% of the state's rare plants are confined to serpentine soils and are, at least in part, responsible for California's Hotspot designation. Today, the Klamath/Siskiyou, the North Coast Range, and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada have unusually high concentrations of serpentine soils. Other notable soils are the carbonates formed from limestone, calcareous shale, or dolomites which are found in abundance only in the southeastern part of the state and some in the Coast Ranges. Additional special soils are the poorly drained clay and hardpan of the Great Central Valley and the mineral rich soils of the Modoc region. All of these soils have a large number of special status and/or native plants.

Hotspot: California on the Edge is an exhibit, running thru 9 August 2006, at the California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. The exhibit features six of California's ecoregions, each with unique geology, climate, flora, and fauna-and each facing serious threats to its diversity of species and habitat. The six Hotspots are Vernal Pools, Mediterranean Shrublands, Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range Volcanoes, Redwood Forests, and the Klamath/Siskiyou Wilderness. For more information: www.calacademy.org, or call (415) 321-8385.

Point Reyes National Seashore comprises over 71,000 acres, including 33,000 acres of wilderness area. Estuaries, windswept beaches, coastal grasslands, salt marshes, and coniferous forests create a haven of 80 miles of unspoiled and undeveloped coastline. Located just an hour's drive from an urban area populated by seven million people, the park receives over 2.5 million visitors annually. Abundant recreational opportunities include 147 miles of hiking trails, four backcountry campgrounds, and numerous beaches. Point Reyes is an exception to the fate that has overcome thousands of miles of United States coastline. Congress established this park in
1962, "…to save and preserve, for the purposes of public recreation, benefit, and inspiration, a portion of the diminishing seashore of the United States that remains undeveloped".

As wildlife habitat yields to human development, the relevance of the Point Reyes Peninsula as a protected area with a notably rich biological diversity increases. Due to the variety of habitat and uniqueness of the geology, over 45% of North American avian species and nearly 18% of California's plant species are found at Point Reyes. In all, over 1,000 plant and animal species inhabit the park, including 27 species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened.

Spend an evening with John Dell'Osso, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education at Point Reyes National Seashore, to learn more about the varied resources and programs of this national treasure in your own backyard.

Mark your calendars for the May 15 annual meeting and potluck dinner.
David Lukas, a freelance naturalist, will talk about "Birds and Conservation Issues of the Boreal Forest".

EL VERANO: Sharon Savage
GRATON: Kris Nevius
KENWOOD: Linda Allen
NOVATO: Ms. Edna Hickok
PETALUMA: Ellen Blustein, Robert L. Brown, Eliza & David Fischer, Katherine Hunter, and Mary Jo Wheeler
SANTA ROSA: Josephine Borgeson, Grace Harris, Sylvia Bray & Bernardo Larque, Linda A. Phillips, Una Skelly, Rona Weintraub, Leslie Worthington, and Nancy Young
SONOMA: Nancy Poirier

Fifty-sixth Annual Awards and Installation Banquet for the California Parks & Recreation Society, District 1, serving all municipalities from the Golden Gate Bridge north to the Oregon border and east to I-5. February 25. The Shollenberger Park Docent Program supported by the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) received a 2006 Community Services Award "For outstanding service and support to City of Petaluma Parks & Recreation". This was the only docent program so honored. On behalf of the PWA docents, Gerald Moore and Bob Dyer accepted the award.

Thirtieth Annual Environmental Awards Dinner and Fundraiser, March 4, sponsored by Sonoma County Conservation Council and the Sierra Club Sonoma Group. Both Peter Leveque and Phyllis Schmitt received Lifetime Environmental Commitment Awards, and the Bouverie Preserve Docent Program was recognized for Outstanding Environmental Program.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), signed into law in 1973, has been one of the strongest tools of environmentalists to protect and restore habitat. It has been responsible for preventing the extinction of many plants and animals, including the Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, and Brown Pelican.

Now the ESA itself has become a threatened species. The ESA has long been recognized by environmental scientists as the most effective way to preserve endangered species. Oddly enough, it is under attack from a Congressman from Tracy, California---Richard Pombo. Pombo and other private property advocates object to the ESA's power in regulating how private property may be used. Pombo's HR2834 bill, which has passed in the house, eliminates habitat protection measures for fish and wildlife facing extinction, creates an exemption for the approval of potentially dangerous pesticides, and establishes a new entitlement program for developers and polluters.

In Sonoma County, especially on the Santa Rosa plain, the critical habitats most affected would be vernal pools and the areas surrounding them. These ancient, shallow, geologic formations are ephemeral wetlands which host many endangered species, such as the Sebastopol meadowfoam, the fairy shrimp, and the California tiger salamander. Because vernal pools are located in flatter areas, the pools are prime targets for developers. Weakening the ESA will make our efforts to save these habitats much more difficult.

This spring the senate takes up the revision to the ESA. Audubon California is sending a representative to meet with Senator Feinstein to hand deliver letters opposing this legislature. Friends of Madrone who are concerned with this change in the law can either write to our senators, or join Audubon California members at http://ca.audubon.org/action.htmhttp://ca.audubon.org/action.htm in the effort to show opposition to these proposed changes to the ESA.

Flamboyant. Territorial. Charismatic. Melodious. Graceful. Curious. Predictable. Bold. All of these words best describe one of my most beloved backyard birds, the Northern Mockingbird. This bird is a member of the Family Mimidae (like thrashers and the Gray Catbird) and is best known for its amazing ability to mimic sounds. Of all the birds in this Family, the mockingbird is the most accomplished. And yes, the mocker is obvious and common - but our merry songster's entertaining antics are easily observed and, over time, simple to interpret.

Our resident mockingbird begins and ends each day with a "chick" call. First, a single "chick!" Then quickly, "chick! chick! chick!" All the other mockers in our area respond one after the other with the same sound, kind of like roll call. They repeat this ritual after the sun sets as they settle in their roosts at night.

Another common vocalization for the mocker is "chewk" which can be used as an alarm call. "Chewk! Coopers Hawk ten o'clock!" Or "chewk! You little waxwings keep your beaks off my berries!" The latter example is usually preceded by a "ch' ch' chick".

In addition to auditory displays, mockingbirds have other techniques for establishing and defending territory. A few years ago, I saw two mockingbirds on the ground, standing very tall about a foot away from each other, wings pushed back, and tails upright. They hopped sideways, forward, and back. They repeated this sequence several times. Then they flapped their wings, lifted off the ground just about a foot, bumped breasts mid-air, and repeated the performance before flying away in different directions. This ritual, called a "border-dance", is used to establish or re-establish their winter territory.

From a high conspicuous perch making occasional looping flights into the air, the male mocker will sing almost constantly until he attracts a mate. Singing will subside briefly after the male has attracted a female, and he has met her approval. During courtship there will be a little chasing back and forth, and a new call (spelled "chjjj") is exchanged. When nest building begins, the singing will resume but less frequently and not as loud. If a male resumes singing in a constant manner and the mate is no longer observed in the territory, then it is possible something has happened to her or she has decided to seek a better suitor.

Wing flashing is a common display. Flashing occurs when one or both wings are raised, held open for a second, and lowered. This act usually takes place while the bird is feeding on the ground, perhaps to scare up insects or a reaction to something new or strange. I have also seen mockingbirds flashing from a fence post with head cocked sideways, peering down toward the ground. When they spot something good, they quickly drop down to snap up the prey. It is interesting to note that the orphaned hatchlings I receive in my bird hospital have been observed wing flashing at 12-14 days. Clearly, this is an innate behavior, and it is always fun to watch these skills emerge and develop.

Mockingbirds are excellent parents. They are just as protective of their babies as they are their territory. It is not unusual to see an adult mockingbird dive bomb a feline intruder or a human who is too close for comfort. Both the male and the female feed and care for their young. Young mockingbirds are completely self-sufficient at six to seven weeks. Normally they're permitted to remain in their natal territory until their parents begin a new brood.

Mockingbirds have inspired poets, writers, and musicians with their song and fascinating behavior. It is the official state bird of five states. It has been written that "…what the mockingbird lacks in color, it gains in shape, poise, sound, and interesting habits". I couldn't agree more.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL EVENTS: The field trips are free, open to the public and suitable for all levels of interest. Bring your lunch and refreshments for the day; wear layered clothing, hats, and sun protection. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Be prepared for rain showers, but heavy rain cancels the hikes unless otherwise indicated. No dogs, no smoking--and the preserve is not wheelchair accessible. Also be aware that spring is the season for the emergence of poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes. Meet on Pine Flat Road between Red Winery Road and the Sausal Creek Bridge. Pine Flat Road begins ¼ mile past the Jimtown Store on Highway 128 East at the first sharp right hand turn.

IMPORTANT: Reservations for the field trips are NOT required this year.

Saturday, April 1, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Join naturalist and retired biology professor Peter Leveque in his annual search for the Fawn Lily, Erythronium helenae. A moderately strenuous hike on Clark Foss Road; you'll need to get out your hiking sticks and boots. Limited to adults.

Saturday, April 15, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Join Lynn Houser, an active board member of the California Native Plant Society, to see spring flowers and plant growth two years after the fire. Plant identification, ecology, and natural history of the Mayacamas area will be featured. This is a moderately strenuous three-to-four-mile hike. Bring binoculars, field guides, and camera. Plant lists will be available. Older children OK with supervision.

Sunday, April 30, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Wildflowers and plant walk with Peter Warner, Resource Ecologist with the California Department of Parks, botanical enthusiast, and past president of and frequent field trip leader for the California Native Plant Society. A moderate hike--bring plant guides, hand lenses, cameras, and notebooks. A plant list will be available to participants. Children OK with supervision.

What you need to do

1. Draw, paint, color, or make a collage on 8 ½ x 11 paper of a bird that is found in Sonoma County. You can use pictures or photos from magazines or books to help you with the shape and color of the bird, or just watch the birds in your yard. Examples include: California Quail, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Red-tailed Hawk, Western Bluebird, Brown Pelican, and Acorn Woodpecker.

2. Art must be original. No computer-generated entries or photographs.

3. On a piece of paper write the name of the bird, your name, your age, your address, and phone number, or the name of your school and class teacher plus a contact phone number. Attach that piece of paper securely to the back of your picture.

4. Mail your picture to Madrone Audubon Society Bird Art Competition, c/o Claire Shurvinton, 1436 Lawrence Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Pictures must be received by April 30th in order to be considered for prizes.

If you wish your artwork to be returned, please include a stamped, addressed envelope. Madrone Audubon is not responsible for damage or loss during transit.

5. Prizes will be awarded to nine entrants, and one entrant will be chosen as the grand- prize winner. Selected artwork will be displayed on the Madrone Audubon Society Web site www.audubon.sonoma.net. For more information or questions please contact Claire at 527-6118, or cshurvin5446@sbcglobal.net.

Our week-long celebration includes the following schedule of exciting and fun events. For more information, please visit our Web site.

Sunday, May 14, 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Beginners bird walk at Bodega Bay

Monday, May 15, 7:00 PM
First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa
Special guest David Lukas, a freelance naturalist, will give a fascinating presentation about bird migration, "Birds and Conservation Issues of the Boreal Forest".

Wednesday, May 17, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Walkabout (location TBD)

Thursday, May 18, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Evening bird walk for families at Spring Lake

Saturday, May 20, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Shollenberger Park
Enjoy a day of festivities with Madrone Audubon and Petaluma Wetlands Alliance: docent-led bird walks, children's activities, and educational exhibits.

Sunday, May 21, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
PeeWee Audubon event at Mayacamas Mountains Audubon Sanctuary.
Children will participate in restoration activities and take a bird walk and nature hike.

Petaluma River Cruises. April 8 and 9 (9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) and May 13 (9:00 AM to noon, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and a full-moon cruise 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM). Join Ronn Patterson and Dolphin Charters for a three-hour, narrated, round trip on the Petaluma River. The Delphinus leaves the downtown turning basin and passes under the "D" Street drawbridge on its way to the mouth of the river near the Highway 37 overpass. Learn about the history and importance of the river to the town of Petaluma and the surrounding countryside, and why it is still important today. Bring your binoculars to view the bird and wildlife.

Each cruise accommodates a maximum of 30 people, and children must be 8 years or older. The cost is $35/person with a portion of the proceeds going to the "Friends of the Petaluma River".

Call Dolphin Charters at (510) 527-9622 for details and reservations. Payment can be made by check or credit card.

Heron Festival & Wildflower Brunch. April 21-23, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, Clear Lake State Park, Kelseyville, California. Festivities include boat tours, booths, slide shows, birding and nature walks, Pomo Indian Basket Weaving, children's activities, and environmental speakers. For information & on-site registration: www.redbudaudubon.org or call (800) 525-3743. For Wildflower Brunch reservations: call 279-4395.

The Avian Team for Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (SCWR) wants help with transporting, rescuing, and caring for baby birds in the SCWR songbird hospital located in Sebastopol. For more information, please contact Veronica Bowers at 829-2955.

Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Needs Weekend Hosts during the spring and summer. No experience needed. In return for your gift of time, you are promised a closer-up view of the heronry's antics, the ponds' critters, the preserve's workings, and an invitation to their popular Volunteer Appreciation Picnic in the fall. For more information, please contact: Janet Bosshard 526-5883, or Yvonne (415)868-9244.

Bouverie Preserve
For reservations, call 938-4554 or visit www.egret.org.
Guided Nature Walks: April 1 and 22 and May 6, 9:30 AM to1:30 PM. Audubon Chapter members receive priority in reserving a day to hike the trails and meadows. Call or go to the Web site for an application form for one of the half-day walks with a docent. Be sure to mention that you are an Audubon Chapter member.

Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.
For reservations and information, call 868-9244.
The season to view the nesting herons and egrets runs through July 16. The public is welcome on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; by appointment only Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Red-necked Grebe (up to 6) Feb. Doran Park and vicinity RS, DN et al.
Red-necked Grebe (1) 1/25 Near Slusser Road, south end of Sonoma County Airport PL, GE
American Bittern (2) Jan.-Feb. Shollenberger Park M.Ob.
Cattle Egret (300+) Jan.-Feb. High School Road M.Ob.
Greater White-fronted Goose (120+) 2/18 Stony Point Road at Gravenstein Highway DN
Eurasian Green-winged Teal Jan. Las Gallinas treatment ponds DR
Blue-winged Teal (8) Jan.-Feb. Shollenberger Park M.Ob.
Tufted Duck (male) 2/22 Vallejo, Solano County, end of Sereno Street DSw
White-winged Scoter (3) 2/26 Bodega Harbor RM, KG
Hooded Merganser (4) Jan.-Feb. Carmody Road JT et al.
Hooded Merganser (6) Jan.-Feb. Hicks Valley Road, Marin County DN, TCN
Lesser Scaup (3) 2/28 Spring Lake GW
Barrow's Goldeneye (female) 2/14 Spud Point Marina FH
Barrow's Goldeneye (female) 2/25 Spud Point Marina IM, BB, KW, BO
Bald Eagle (adult) Jan. Occidental Road at Sanford Road LH, EJ, et al.
Bald Eagle (adult) 1/27 One of nesting pair near Sebastopol Golf Course DC
Red-shouldered Hawk (leucistic) ¼ Stage Gulch Road LW
Ferruginous Hawk 1/25 Valley Ford DN
Peregrine Falcon 1/25 Bodega Harbor DN
Peregrine Falcon 2/15 Bodega Harbor RL
Merlin 1/18 Santa Rosa (yard bird) D.Shaw
Glaucous Gull 2/27 Smith Brothers Lane, Bodega Bay NC
Black-legged Kittiwake (adult) 2/25 Duncan's Landing IM, BB, KW, BO
Slaty-backed Gull (up to 4) 2/9 Venice State Beach, San Mateo County BG, RR
Pacific Golden-Plover (2-4) Jan.-Feb. Shollenberger Park DN et al.
Pacific Golden-Plover (1) 1/23 High School Rd at Occidental Road LH
Mountain Plover (4) 2/28-3/1 Tubbs Island, Highway 37 LH, AW, BDP
Snowy Owl (1 immature) 1/13-14 Liberty Island, Solano County (first for California in 28 years) JH, M.Ob.
Burrowing Owl (continuing) Feb. Wheat Creek DN
Burrowing Owl Dec. At "old" airport, off Dutton Road LH, CC
Burrowing Owl 3/1 Ferguson Spring, Pine Flat Road DH
Burrowing Owl (4 ) 2/11 Sonoma County Open Space "North Point" property BG, TE
Western Screech-Owl 1/18 Spring Lake Park RH
White-throated Swift (1) 2/22 Shollenberger Park DN
Allen's Hummingbird 1/18 Oakmont residence BG
Rufous Hummingbird 2/4 Oakmont residence BG
Northern Shrike (continuing) Feb. Putah Creek area, Solano County M.Ob.
Violet-green Swallow 2/15 Bloomfield Road DN
Sage Thrasher Through 2/5 Buchli Station Road, Napa County MB et al.
Blue Jay Through Jan. Fairfield, Solano County M.Ob.
Great-tailed Grackle (male) 3/1 Lakeville Highway into Shollenberger Park (flying) DN
Painted Bunting (male) 1/9 Burl Lane off Joy Road JG
Painted Bunting (male) 2/8-2/21 Off Bloomfield Road K&DB, et al.
Chipping Sparrow (adult) 2/13 Near Ross Station Road LH
White-throated Sparrow 2/13 Near Green Valley Road LH
White-throated Sparrow 1/26 Pool Creek, Windsor SL
White-throated Sparrow 2/28 Lake Ralphine-Spring Lake trail GW
Vesper Sparrow (6) 2/23 Cantelowe Road, Solano County CL, et al.
Western Tanager (male) 1/21 Brush Creek Road SM, JB
Orchard Oriole (up to 3) Jan.-Feb. Fort Mason Community Garden, San Francisco AH et al.
Summer Tanager (2) Jan.-Feb. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco M.Ob.

CONTRIBUTORS: Judy Barker, Murray Berner, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Betty Burridge, Dennis Cavallo, Nancy Conzett, Chris Corben, Gus Eichorn, Ted Eliot, James Gonsman, Betty Groce, Kevin Guse, Floyd Hayes, David Hofmann, Alan Hopkins, Joan Humphrey, Lisa Hug, Rod Hug, Eric Johnson, Shirley Leaphart, Rick Lebadour, Peter Leveque, Calvin Lou, Roger Marlowe, Sandy Martinson, Ian Morrison, Dan Nelson, Tyler C. Nelson, Becky Olsen, Don Reinberg, Ruth Rudesill, Doug Shaw, Rich Stallcup, Danny Swicegood, Jean Tonascia, Glo Wellman, Larry West, Alan Wight, and Ken Wilson.

It's that time of year when Madrone's Nominating Committee, co-chaired by Sylvan Eidelman and Diane Hichwa, asks our members to step forward and offer their help. Our first task is to fill out a slate of officers for the upcoming year: Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer positions are open. Help is also needed with PeeWee, outreach at events, membership processing, and other committee work. Please apply---this is your organization and it needs you. Contact Sylvan at 280-3404 or Diane at 579-1182.

The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance recently purchased six pairs of Triumph binoculars from Eagle Optics for our school docent program. Eagle generously donated six more pairs through their Nonprofit Educational Matching Donation Program. Thank you, Eagle Optics, for helping us introduce birding to third-grade students.

Those who are receiving duplicate copies of the Madrone Leaves, please contact the Membership Chair, Dennis Wheeler, for deletion of one of the duplicates. Contact Dennis at dencwheel@sbcglobal.net or 494-6417.

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