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October 2006, Volume 40,
Number 2
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By Nick Rabinowitsh Since 1990, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and
Open Space District has been preserving bird habitat in Sonoma
County and providing birders with new opportunities to observe
the wildlife they love. However, the District's future has arrived
at a crossroads. This November, the voters of Sonoma County will
decide the fate of their natural surroundings. If they cast 2/3
of their votes for Measure F, which will continue the ¼-cent
sales tax that funds the District, they will fund it until 2031.
If not, the funding, and the ability of the District to protect
additional natural, open spaces, will expire in 2011.  "Wings over Borders - Shorebird Migration along the Pacific Flyway" First United Methodist Church 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa While the West Coast does not have the spectacular warbler migrations that the East Coast has, we do have phenomenal movements of shorebirds through the west. Anyone who has seen the swirling flocks of 50,000+ Western Sandpipers and Dunlin in San Francisco Bay during the spring, or flocks of hundreds of thousands of Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes at Mono Lake in the fall can attest to that. Nils Warnock, Co-Director of the Wetlands Ecology Division of PRBO Conservation Science, will talk about why shorebirds are good migrants and what different strategies shorebirds use to migrate from breeding to wintering grounds. He will talk about his work radio-tracking shorebirds along the Pacific Coast, with a focus on shorebirds migrating through San Francisco Bay. Nils' research focuses on the ecology and conservation of Pacific Flyway birds with an emphasis on endangered species, migration, wetland habitat restoration, and shorebird conservation. Part of his current research focuses on how habitat restoration affects bird populations, particularly in San Francisco Bay, but also in other areas such as the Salton Sea. Using radio-telemetry technology, Nils collaborates with a number of organizations to better understand how birds move about and use habitat, from local to global scales. On Monday November 20, local writer, forester, and radio personality Fred Euphrat will present "North Coast Future Forests." Fred promises to bring his humor, archival photos, and visions of future forests for your consideration and enjoyment. By Claudia Eyzaquirre and Julia Levin Proposition 90 is a full frontal assault on environmental
protection in California. Hidden behind language to stop abuses
of eminent domain, Proposition 90 includes several very dangerous
provisions that would drastically cut back on the State's, local
governments' and even voters' ability to protect the environment,
local communities, farmland, and other important resources. The
most damaging provisions would make it nearly impossible to implement
many resource protection laws or to acquire private property
to protect wildlife habitat or other important resources. In addition to making many regulations difficult or impossible to enforce, Proposition 90 would make it prohibitively expensive for public agencies to acquire property for wildlife or other resource protection, public works projects, new schools, fire protection measures, utilities, and other important public works. It would create a new, complicated, and expensive standard for compensating landowners that would increase the costs, legal battles, and bureaucracy needed for public acquisition. For more information, contact Julia Levin, State Policy Director, at jlevin@audubon.org or 510-601-1866 x 2. Prop 84: Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond By Janeann Erickson Of the many initiatives on this November=s ballot, one of particular interest to the environmental community is Proposition 84. California is facing enormous population growth in the coming years, with 25 million new residents expected by 2040. But our investment in infrastructure is not keeping pace with our population growth. This $5.4 billion bond measure will renew funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Coastal Conservancy; it provides funds for water quality and supply projects; it provides funds for habitat restoration and acquisition; and it provides funds for flood control projects. The general funding categories are as follows: $928 million for protection of rivers, lakes, and streams; $450 million for wildlife and forest conservation; $540 million for beaches, bays, and coastal protection; $500 million for parks and nature education centers; $580 million for sustainable communities; $240 million for safe drinking water; $1.285 billion for integrated water management and water quality; $800 million for flood control; and $65 million for statewide water planning and design. We must make the investments needed to ensure that all Californians will have access to safe drinking water; better protection from floods; and opportunities to enjoy our parks, natural landscapes, rivers, lakes, beaches, bays, and coastline. Fact sheets and other bond materials are available at www.ca.audubon.org/action.htm. Tolay Regional Park Representatives of Madrone Audubon become volunteer-wildlife monitors at Tolay Park By Gerald Moore The new Tolay Lake Regional Park, four miles south of Shollenberger Park, is being designed and developed over the next two to three years. In the interim, the Sonoma County Parks Department has asked 11 PWA docents and birding leaders, as local representatives of Madrone Audubon, to run frequent surveys of the birds and other mega fauna at the Tolay site and provide the data to the parks department. Those working on the Tolay project include coordinator Gerald Moore; experienced bird survey team leaders Peter Colasanti, Lisa Hug, and Andy LaCasse; plus experienced birders Gary Compari, Bob Dyer, Len Nelson, Maureen O'Reilly, Elaine Pruitt, John Richards, and Tommy Smith. PETALUMA: Peter B. Colasanti, and Bonna Flynn By Betsy Stafford Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Fall Work Day, Saturday October 7, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM, followed
by a free lunch. Bouverie Preserve Guided Nature Walks in the Valley of the Moon: October 14, 28, November 18, December 2, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. No charge, but donations appreciated. Resource Management Days: October 23, November 13, December 2, 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM. Clear trails and pull nonnative plants. Limited to 15 participants each day. Register. Lew Edmondson, a longtime member and very active friend of Madrone Audubon Society, died Friday September 1. He organized and led mid-week Walkabouts and other field trips for many years, and was highly respected as an expert and very congenial birder. But above all, he will be remembered as the consummate gentleman, who was a kind friend to all. Madrone offers sincere condolences on his passing to his wife, Marilyn, and their family. The money raised by the Birdathon Sponsors was $7,974.00. Truly, all that counting was worth it, and we thank you. for a Day of Counting and Fun For those of you who like to plan far in advance, make a note on your calendar to save SATURDAY December 30 for Madrone Audubon's 40th annual Christmas Bird Count. Look for full details in the November Leaves. Redwood Region Ornithological Society (RROS) will have
a potluck picnic on October 12. Birding at 5:00, dinner at 6:00,
brief meeting at 7:00. For details, visit www.rros.org. Going to bird in Oregon? Check-out this Web site: www.audubonportland.org. Kokanee Salmon Festival. October 7-8, Taylor Creek Visitor Center at Lake Tahoe. Information: 530-573-2611. California Native Plant Sale. October 14, 9:00 AM -
1:00 PM Fairfield Osborn Preserve, located on the western slop of Sonoma Mountain, offers a naturalist-led hike every Saturday, 10:00 AM, through December 9 (no hike offered November 25.) Sturdy shoes, long pants, drinking water, and a snack are highly recommended. Reservations not required. Meet in the preserve parking lot. Ages 13 and older pay $3, and minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. For more information: http://www.sonoma.edu/org/preserve, e-mail fairfield.osborn@sonoma.edu, or call 795-5069. By Veronica Bowers One of our most lovely winter visitors, the Cedar Waxwing Sleek and beautiful, the perfect plumage of this elegant bird looks as though its been painted. The light brown feathers on its head fade to grey on the back, wings, and tail, blending into a pale yellow on the belly. The bright yellow tip of the Cedar Waxwing looks as though it was dipped in paint, and the tips of its secondary flight feathers have red waxlike droplets, hence the name "waxwing." The droplets are actually flattened extensions of the waxwing's feather shafts. Occasionally a bird may have orange tips on the secondaries, and these are said to be the result of birds consuming exotic honeysuckle fruits. Other distinct features of this bird are its long crest and velvety-black mask. They're certainly one of our most lovely winter visitors. By the end of August, small groups of Cedar Waxwings are observed returning to Sonoma County from their breeding grounds farther north. By the end of September, large flocks are usually present. Cedar Waxwings are nomadic; the flocks are constantly on the move in search of food. They are often seen perched together at the top of a tree or along a telephone wire until they descend upon vegetation laden with ripe berries. Waxwings are highly sociable and feed in flocks throughout the year. Even during the breeding season, they will occasionally leave their brood to forage with the flock. As a group of "intensive foragers", waxwings are very polite eaters. On narrow branches dangling with ripe berries, they're often seen allowing one group of birds to feed first, then moving away to allow the second group to come in and feed. Imagine observing this type of etiquette in a group of blackbirds or gulls - not a chance. The most commonly heard call of the Cedar Waxwing is a high-pitched whistle "seeee seeee." It is given as they fly, land, and while they're feeding. Cedar Waxwings are frugivores, which means their diet is comprised primarily of fruit. However, during the breeding season they forage for insects to feed their nestlings by flycatching and gleaning insects from the underside of leaves. Their digestive system is specialized to process the high amount of sugar in their diet and absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the ingested, sugary fruits. We have planted a variety of shrubs and trees which produce ripe berries at various times of year. When the waxwings arrive, the California grape and elderberry have just begun to ripen. Through fall and winter the variety increases with native toyon, madrone, coffee berry, and nonnative pyracantha and privet. All are enjoyed by the waxwings, and I'm always amazed by how quickly they can strip bare a fruiting bush - much to the dismay of our resident mockingbird. During the late winter, I often receive waxwings in the songbird hospital who have hit a window. If they were not fleeing from a predator or mistook a window for the sky, then they were probably FWI - "flying while intoxicated". After a few hard frosts, some berries can begin to ferment. Cedar Waxwings are susceptible to alcohol intoxication and even death by eating fermented fruit. Pair formation begins during the late winter and early spring, so it is possible for us to observe their unique courtship behavior while they are on their wintering grounds. It is called the Side-Hop. It begins by the male hopping toward the female with a berry in his beak. The female may take the berry, hop to the side, then hop back toward the male and pass him the berry. They will continue the Side-Hop until one of them swallows the berry. I have read that Cedar Waxwings can sometimes be observed passing berries down a line of birds while foraging. They continue passing the berries down the line until all have eaten. I have never seen this, but it sounds delightful to observe. I hope to see this behavior while the Cedar Waxwings are here this season. Here's your opportunity to help lead Beginners Bird Walks. This section needs you-try it, you'll like it. For information, call Ken Wilson, 775-2558. By Dan Nelson, 762-5167 Tufted Puffin July Rocks off Gualala Pt. Regional Park TC P.S.: Note new phone number for "Observations"
editor. Thank You! |
The Madrone Leaves is published by the Madrone Audubon Society
Daphne Smith;
Mary Edith Moore
Production Editor:
Jan Crook
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