Madrone Audubon had been in existence less than a year when the December, 1967 newsletter announced an "experimental" Christmas Bird Count to be held December 30 in western Sonoma County. The organizer and compiler was Joel Hornstein, who reported the data in the following issue of the Leaves-in spite of day-long fog on the coast 132 species were seen by 20 counters.

Our 40th annual Christmas Count covering that same territory is, appropriately, also taking place on December 30, a Saturday this year. In honor of this anniversary, Madrone Audubon has graciously offered to provide a special catered meal for the counters at our usual locale, the Sebastopol Community Center at 390 Morris Street.

The count begins at approximately 7:30 AM, depending upon the leader, and continues until about 4:00 PM. Although the celebratory menu isn't set at this time, it will appeal to vegetarians and omnivores alike. Coffee, tea, and cocoa will be provided, but other beverages are BYOB.

We invite as many as possible to join the count. Our counters cover the full spectrum of birding skills from beginner to expert, with each level of expertise filling an important niche. Whether your strength lies in identifying "peeps" or passerines, with such diverse habitats as we enjoy in our count circle there's bound to be an area to suit your birding interests (see map of the area on page 4).

If you are unable to count but would like to help out, we can use folks to set up the room for the dinner and give a welcome to those potentially cold, tired, but happy birders at the end of the day. I am also looking for individuals or businesses that can donate items to be used as prizes. These donations will add to the festive nature of the event and would be greatly appreciated (and tax-deductible). Please contact me if you are interested.

The Christmas Count is a great way to meet up with old friends and to make new ones, so don't be shy about joining in. I wish I could promise perfect birding weather, but really, even that day-long fog of 40 years ago would be better than last year's deluge! I'm grateful to all of you who participated despite the weather and I hope that you will plan on counting again this year. For further information or to sign up, please contact me at 778-7865 or send email to: wscbc@aol.com.

From the San Diego Coast to the Imperial Valley, Southern California exhibits some of the broadest habitat diversity in North America. This varied natural landscape hosts a startling number of resident and migrant bird species. San Diego County alone boasts a bird list of nearly 500 species, the highest of any county in the United States.
Oregon naturalist Steve Shunk returns to Madrone to show us the abundance of bird life and the rarities characteristic of this region and its temperate climate. There is world-class birding in the Anza-Borrego Desert, the giant alkaline lake known as the Salton Sea, the adjacent Imperial Valley, and westward to the mountain ranges and the maze of lagoons and estuaries that lead to the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean.
Steve leads birding tours across the western United States and Canada through his company, Paradise Birding, and he is currently writing the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America. He co-founded the Oregon Birding Trails program and coordinated the development of its flagship project, the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail.

Madrone and California Audubon salute our state and local conservation victories-the passage of Proposition 84 and 20 more years of Open Space District funding in Sonoma County!

Madrone Audubon is pleased to announce that Bryant Hichwa, MAS Past President and longtime Board member, began a two-year term this fall as president of the board of Audubon Canyon Ranch. Madrone and ACR have a long history of cooperation to promote conservation and nature education in Sonoma and Marin counties.

Audubon Canyon Ranch is an independent, non-profit organization not officially related to the Audubon Society, although the Marin Audubon chapter, under the leadership of Dr. Martin Griffin was the driving force behind its founding in 1962. Today ACR operates three educational nature preserves in Marin and Sonoma counties and is governed by a 30-member board which includes two representatives from each of four local Audubon chapters: Marin Audubon, Madrone, Golden Gate (SF) and Sequoia (San Mateo County). Bryant has been representing Madrone for the last five years; Patrick Woodworth has been our second rep to ACR for the past two years and he is also very active with "the Ranch."

In 1962 the redwood grove where the herons and egrets nest on Bolinas Lagoon, one of the largest heronries on the west coast, was threatened by logging. Moreover, the lagoon where they fed was to be dredged and developed as a marina, with a four-lane freeway between the nesting site and feeding ground. Many dedicated individuals and local Audubon Society chapters waged an amazing fundraising campaign to successfully complete the purchase of today's 1000-acre Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.

Two other valuable properties were subsequently acquired by ACR in the 1990s: Cypress Grove Research Center, on the east shore of Tomales Bay, is the headquarters for Audubon Canyon Ranch's conservation research and natural resource management programs; and Bouverie Preserve operates an large education program on its 570 acres of unspoiled wildlands near Glen Ellen.

Bryant will work with ACR Executive Director Skip Schwartz in the coming year to put a strategic plan in place for the organization, a task undertaken every five to seven years. He says the emphasis will be on education, with a focus on the issue of diversity. As more and more school children visit the preserves from diverse backgrounds-primarily of Latino and Asian origin-it is important to have materials for them and their parents in different languages, and to train docents to address the needs and fears of city children who have no experience in truly natural settings. Bouverie Preserve brings many children from cities in Napa and Solano counties, and Bolinas Lagoon draws from San Francisco and the East Bay. In all, 7,000 school kids are bussed to ACR's two preserves every year.

Another new initiative is habitat restoration. The challenge is to identify and deal with invasive plants and species, such as the turkeys at Bouverie and non-native weeds at all the preserves, without damage to the environment. Over the next three or four years, Bryant wants to see ACR working with other conservation groups on techniques profiting from their expertise. He says, "The same issues are faced at all preserves and open space areas. There should be cooperation and not competition to address problems."

Patrick Woodworth will play an important role at ACR as chair of Diversity Task Force. He also is on the Conservation and Research Committee and does monitoring and shore bird surveys. He retired from a teaching career and soon followed up on a lifelong interest in wildlife by becoming a docent with the Laguna Foundation. There, and at ACR, he sees a communality of purpose with the goals of the Audubon Society-taking a leadership role in conservation biology, education and bird research.

As Patrick says, "we live in an incredibly rich area" in both natural beauty and organizations that seek to preserve and maintain our resources. Madrone is proud have members like Bryant and Patrick involved in this greater community.

A RELATED NOTE: Our ties to ACR also involve providing hosts for several weekends during the nesting season at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, between March 31 and July 14. Our hosting coordinator is Janet Bosshard (526-5883). Think ahead! She will be asking for volunteers in early 2007.

What was that dark little shadow that vanished as quickly as it appeared in the middle of the thicket? Perhaps it was a Winter Wren. They can sometimes be difficult to spot as they flit about low to the ground in the dense dark undergrowth of their heavily forested habitat. Once in view, they look like a plain little brown bird with a pale throat and eyebrow, but a closer look reveals the fine dark barring on their tail and wings that is crisp and perfect with the rest of the body a rich chocolate brown. A very short upright tail gives this tiny bird an almost perky appearance. The wren is an insectivore and uses its slender, pointed bill to probe bark and other crevices for insects and spiders.

The Winter Wren may be one of our smallest songbirds, weighing in at approximately 9 grams, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in song. In general, wrens have elaborate songs, but the Winter Wren has the most complex and lengthy song in the family. On the breeding grounds he will sing a song comprised of up to fifty different notes that will last for up to eight seconds. His voice is also quite loud for such a little bird. The older the bird, the more elaborate the song and the larger his repertoire. This is an important criteria used by the females in mate selection.

Not only does a male Winter Wren need to be an accomplished songster, but he must be a competent builder as well. Male wrens will build several partial nests that the female will inspect. After choosing the nest that meets her approval, she will assist in completing the construction of the nest. Like most wrens, Winter Wrens typically nest in a cavity of some sort like an old stump or former woodpecker nest. The base of the nest is made up of small sticks and moss then lined with feathers and animal hair. It is thought that the unfinished nests may be useful in serving as decoys to distract potential predators.

The Winter Wren breeds in Sonoma County and resides here all year. Their breeding range extends throughout Alaska, Canada, and western and eastern United States. Of the 59 species of wren, the Winter Wren is the only one to occur outside the New World and is found in Europe, Taiwan, Japan and northern Africa. It is believed that approximately two million years ago, the species crossed the Bering Sea land bridge and from there expanded its range all the way to Britain where it is simply known as "the wren."

Perhaps the amount of folklore surrounding this charming little bird is due to the wren's broad distribution. In many parts of the world, there is a story of how the wren became "king of the birds" after outsmarting an eagle. In shamanism, the wren is associated with qualities of humility and intelligence. In Celtic mythology, the druids believed the wren brought the gift of fire from heaven to earth. In medieval Europe the wren was believed to be the bird of the Virgin Mary. In Scotland, the wren was called "the Lady of Heaven's hen" and bad luck would befall on those who harmed it. There was also an unpleasant Christmas tradition that was observed in Britain and France. I won't go into the details, but it is clear that the protection the wren enjoyed in Scotland was not provided in Britain and France at the time.

And speaking of Christmas tradition… a very pleasant way to observe and celebrate our Winter Wren is to participate in the Christmas Bird Count.

Hello Veronica,
I read your article in the Madrone Leaves with great interest. Our family went up in the evening a few nights ago and saw the wonderful spectacle, but it left me wondering what they do in the morning. Yesterday, I went up around 6:15 AM. By 6:30, other birds were just starting to sing, then a bat flew into the same chimney! At about 6:33, the swifts started coming out, very silent except for their whirring wings.

The interesting thing to me was that they came out the same way dry ice vapor pours out of a beaker - out and DOWN. They all flew low over the grass patch in front of the building, and all headed southeast. Soon a cloud of them, circling and twittering, was forming over the river. By 6:41, all had left the chimney, and less than a minute later, not one was to be seen in the sky-all had headed southeast.

Thanks again for the Bird Notes.
Gordon Beebe

P.S. A friend had described a similar occurrence in Portland, OR a few years back. He said that they all flew into a tall smokestack at an abandoned factory. A kestrel or other small falcon was actually perched right on the lip of the stack, picking the poor swifts off as they passed the gauntlet!

The Hungry Owl Project will give a lively presentation about the amazing Barn Owl and the vital role it plays in our ecosystem. Wookie the Barn Owl will make an appearance as HOP Wildlife Ambassador, and we will watch fascinating video footage of barn owl behavior. Call Veronica at 829-2955 for reservations.

Point Reyes, Thursday, October 26
On a cool morning (37o) 16 birders joined Don McCarthy at the Visitor Center at Bear Valley. The Earthquake Trail had various passerines, Ruby-crowned Kinglets leading the list. Bolinas Lagoon's placid water reflected many sandpipers, ducks and grebes. Stinson Beach was a great lunch spot; Five Brooks fairly quiet. Sixty-two species were located.

We were very saddened to learn that Diane Cobb passed away on October 11, 2006. Diane was our production editor-she put the Leaves into its final format-from September of 2004 until last June, when she regretfully gave up her work due to illness. Both Mary Edith Moore and I enjoyed working with her. She did wonderful work for us and was a great supporter of Audubon.

Along with a check for membership in Friends of Madrone I recently received a note that read, "All these years I've been a member of National and thought that automatically made me a member of Madrone. I wonder how many others think that!"

Well, new Friend, you actually have been a member of Madrone Audubon Society for all those years. Every resident of Sonoma County automatically becomes a member of Madrone when they join the National Audubon Society. We are your local chapter and we're pleased to have you.

Because we receive very little financial support from National many of our members generously support us by voluntarily paying dues to Madrone as well. Last year the Board decided to honor those members with the designation of "Friends". If you are not already a Friend and would like to join that select group there is a coupon for your use on the back page of the Leaves. And welcome to Friends of Madrone.

SANTA ROSA: Arabella Akossy, Ilse Gudehus, Valerie Cramer, Velma Walkowiak, Barbara Tomin and Charles Hughes. PETALUMA: Gary A. Compari and Thomas Smith. OCCIDENTAL: Catherine Hickey.

Last November, the Leaves had a review of Richard Louv's thought-provoking book: Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Louv writes that "unstructured outdoor play-the building of precarious tree houses, the lazy exploration of backyard forests-is fast becoming a thing of the past… these 'de-natured' children lack more than muddy shoes and scraped elbows." He cites studies showing that time in natural settings can reduce obesity, depression, and attention-deficit disorder. He also points to evidence that outdoor exploration fosters creativity and even raises standardized test scores.

Here are a few ideas for parents, grandparents, teachers, and concerned adults to provide experiences that reunite children with nature:
· Have fun with a child outdoors. Go out for a short bird walk, or a general nature walk. Explore with the youngster rather than leading or teaching. You can find opportunities in the backyard or neighborhood.
· Help your child get away from electronics. Allow time for imagination.
· Avoid over-scheduling child. Find a balance between adult direction and child boredom.
· Come to a Madrone PeeWee program or join us for a family bird walk.
· Encourage teachers to use the Audubon Adventures education kit. (Our chapter is sponsoring over 26 classes this year. You can sponsor a class for $48.)
· Volunteer to help a school, class or after-school program in campus garden projects or nature study and field trips. Contact a local teacher or school or programs such as Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, ACR's Bouverie Preserve, The Laguna Foundation, Fairfield Osborn Preserve or LandPaths' education program.
· Keep a portion of your yard or school grounds unmanicured, so that there are spots where children are free to dig in the dirt, and make constructions of leaves, twigs, rocks, etc.

Looking for holiday gift ideas for the bird lovers on your list? Here are some suggestions offered by Madrone board members.

Toys for children and adults:
Breezy Singers (motion activated) found at www.takara-usa.com for information and www.advancedpetproducts.com for sales.
$14 on line; local stores are Empire Drug and Wild Birds Unlimited.
Audubon plush birds found at Wild Birds Unlimited or www.wildrepublic.com. A large assortment of "species" from $6-$8 each, and they sing!
Nat'l Geographic has an "Interactive Handheld Birding Device" available in their catalog. 867 birds (1600 images), 650 maps, and detailed information with audio from Cornell Laboratory. $499.95 plus shipping.

NOTE: At Wild Birds Unlimited, 71 Brookwood Avenue in Santa Rosa, Madrone members are eligible to receive a 10% discount on many items. At your request, that amount can be donated to Madrone Audubon.

Books for Young People:
She's Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head! By Kathryn Lasky, Hyperion Paperbacks for Children, 1997. A delightful fictionalized account of the founders of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Night Creatures, A First Discovery Book by Scholastic, Inc., 2004. Especially good for owls and bats.

ANIMAL LIVES: The Barn Owl, Kingfisher Publications, 1999. A read-aloud book about a year in the life of a barn owl with lovely illustrations.
Owls for Kids, NorthWood Press, Inc., 1995. Photographs and information about different owls woven into a story.

Raptor! A kids guide to birds of prey. Storey Publishing, 2002. Lots of information-an introductory book that adults might useful as well!
BIRD and Eagles and Birds of Prey, Eyewitness Books, Alfred A. Knopf, 1988. Fine detail, good for beginners of all ages.

And for Adults:
Books by Pete Dunne, the director of the Cape May Observatory and a member of the board of directors of the American Birding Association:

The Wind Masters: The Lives of North American Birds of Prey, by Pete Dunne, with illustrations by David Sibley, 1995. A narrative natural history in the tradition of Peter Matthiessen's The Wind Birds.

Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion, 2006

On Bird Watching: The How-to, Where-to and When-to of Birding, 2003

The Feather Quest: A North American Birder's Year, 1999

And two more:

On the Wing: To the Edge of the Earth with the Peregrine Falcon, by Alan Tenant, Anchor Books, 2004.

Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast, by L. Martin Griffin, Sweetwater Springs Press, 19998.

Lesser Scaup (5) 9/28 Bodega Harbor DN, et al.
White-winged Scoter (1) 10/31 Flying south off Bodega Head DN
White-winged Scoter (1) 11/4 Bodega Harbor, Porto Bodega DN
Aleutian Canada Goose (1) 10/26-10/27 Bodega Harbor DN
Brant (6) 10/27 Bodega Harbor DN
Red-necked Grebe (1) 10/27 South of Doran jetties DN, et al.
Eared Grebe (12) 11/4 Westside Park, Bodega Bay M. Ob.
Red-throated Loon (1) 10/27 North end of Bodega Harbor DN
Brown Booby (2) September-October North Farallon Islands (Sugarloaf) M. Ob.
Glaucous-winged Gull (1) 11/4 Bodega Head DN
Elegant Tern 10/20 Tomales Bay DN
Northern Fulmar (5-6) 10/31 Off Bodega Head DN
Peregrine Falcon (adult) 11/4 Westside Park DN, et al.
Burrowing Owl (2-3) 10/26 Bay Hill Road NC
Pacific Golden-Plover September Shollenberger Park M. Ob.
Tropical Kingbird 10/4 Bodega Marine Laboratory residences BM, DN
Red-breasted Flycatcher * 10/25 Putah Creek, Solano County JS, ST, MW
Varied Thrush (first arrival) 10/4 Owl Canyon DN, BDP
Magnolia Warbler 10/2-10/3 Owl Canyon DN, BDP, DH
Nashville Warbler 10/23 Campbell Cove DN
Black-and-white Warbler 10/2-10/4 Bodega Marine Laboratory entrance and residences DN, BDP
Palm Warbler 10/19 Warm Water Cove, San Francisco DN
Palm Warbler 10/21 Campbell Cove RROS
Prairie Warbler (male) 10/21 North of Owl Canyon RROS
Northern Waterthrush 10/23 Campbell Cove DF, DN, et al.
Clay-colored Sparrow 9/8 Campbell Cove DN, BDP
Clay-colored Sparrow 10/10 Campbell Cove DN, RM
Clay-colored Sparrow 10/21 Bodega Marine Lab entrance RROS
American Tree Sparrow 10/21 Campbell Cove RROS
American Tree Sparrow 10/22-10/23 (still present, photographed) Campbell Cove DN, BDP, M. Ob.
White-throated Sparrow (2) Through 10/22 Campbell Cove DN

* This is not a mistake. Consult your European guides. This ultra-rarity has only been found in North America a couple times. It was heard calling and photographed.

CONTRIBUTORS: Nancy Conzett, Dea Freid, David Hofmann, Roger Marlowe, Bobbie Mayer, Dan Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Redwood Region Ornithological Society, John Sterling, Scott Terrill, and Maria Wong.

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