VOLUME 41
The Next Generation Is Coming, and Many of Them Will
Need Our Help shifts to accommodate those who work
or study all day but want to help by
By Tom Whiteman
The Bird Rescue Center
Rehabilitation Coordinator
All around Sonoma County the birds are
starting to select their nest sites. Some
have even started construction. Soon we
will observe the next generation of fledg-
lings begin the awesome adventure into
the challenging world. However, many
of them will need our help.
Every year, for over 27 years, concerned
citizens bring hundreds of orphaned
young birds to The Bird Rescue Cen-
ter (BRC). Most of these orphans are
from disturbed nests. Many have been
separated from parents by the activities
of our pets or by the encroachment of
our living space on their natural envi-
ronment. If they reach BRC in time,
they have a good chance to live, thrive,
and return to the wild. The year-round
volunteer staff in the bird hospital/reha-
bilitation section has been preparing all
fall and winter for the throng of orphans
that will come through the front door
between April and September. Sup-
plies are stocked. Nests are prepared.
Avian husbandry procedures are refined.
Housing areas are scrubbed and painted.
Many caring hands are now needed to
provide intense support and close atten-
tion for the orphans.
Anyone can help. The personal reward
from contributing time and energy to
the care of the youngsters is incalcula-
ble. BRC is open 12 hours a day, seven
days a week, during the spring/summer
“baby bird season”. There are evening
March 2008 Number 6
part of the effort required to start a bird
on the road to recovery and release.
donating a couple of hours after work. In March, there will be a training ses-
Just about any personal schedule can sion at BRC (contact Janet Bosshard at
be accommodated. 523-2473) for those interested in joining
the A-Team. Or you can visit the cen-
If feeding baby birds on a scheduled
ter and meet a few volunteers (and some
shift is not something that you can do,
of the resident birds) on the first Satur-
volunteer to work at the phone/admis-
day and third Sunday of every month,
sion desk. These volunteers (called the
1:00 – 4:00 PM.
A-Team) are often the first contact and
perform a critical service: answering BRC provides all needed training, so
questions and concerns of the public, complete bird-novices are welcome for
dispatching field rescue volunteers when any and all positions. Bring yourself.
needed, and receiving birds at the ad-
missions desk. The A-Team is a vital Continued on page 3
MARCH GENERAL MEETING
“PATAGONIA: el Fin del Mundo – World’s End”
Monday February 17, 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa
Ken Wilson, owner of Talon Tours, will present a photographic tour of the
landscapes, birds, and mammals of Patagonia. In November 2007 Ken and
his wife, Becky Olsen, traveled to both the Argentinean and Chilean regions of
Patagonia, the farthest reaches of South America. Their travels took them from
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to the shores of the Beagle Channel,
Tierra del Fuego, where they stayed in Ushuaia, the southern most city in the
world. From Argentina they traveled to Chile where their trip ended in Punta
Arena, the southern most city on the South American continent.
Some of the locations they visited were the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, a
breeding site for Southern Right Whales and Magellanic Penguins, and the
spectacular Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Come join Ken as he leads us on a journey to this land of extremes.
COMING APRIL 21:
“Bringing Back the Wild—Restoring Wildlands by Increasing Biodiversity”,
presented by Brock Dolman of Occidental Arts & Ecology Center.

c a l e n d a r
All walks and meetings are open to the public. Bird walks are recreational and educational in purpose, and all levels of expertise are welcome. Bring
field equipment and wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing for variable weather conditions. Please carpool whenever possible. Forecasted
heavy rain cancels.There is no charge for activities unless otherwise specified, but some parks have day-use fees.
February 1-29
Bird-A-Thon. Madrone’s fundraiser the month of February. See page 3.
Saturday March 1, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
PUTAH CREEK/LAKE SOLANO. Bird Walk. Meet at Lake Solano Park,
8685 Pleasants Valley Road, Winters at 9:30 AM. Take Calistoga Road
(becomes Petrified Forest Road) to Highway 128. Turn right onto Highway
128. Turn left onto Deer Park Road. Turn right onto Silverado Trail North.
Turn left onto Sage Canyon Road/128. Follow Highway 128 until you reach
County Road 86/Pleasants Valley road. Turn right. The park is immediately
over the bridge to your left. There is a $5 day-use fee at Lake Solano Park.
To carpool, please arrive by 7:30 AM at our Santa Rosa meeting place, the
Safeway parking lot at the northeast corner of Highway 12 and Calistoga
Road. We will park at the edge of the parking lot bordering on Calistoga
Road. Bring lunch, liquids, and layers of clothing. Rain cancels. Leaders:
Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Helen Kochenderfer, 545-1518; and Bob Speck-
els, 569-0563.
Wednesday March 5, 7:30 PM
BOARD MEETING. Sonoma County Environmental Center, 55A Ridg-
way Avenue, Santa Rosa. Contact Veronica Bowers for agenda information
at 829-2955.
Thursday March 6, 8:30 AM
BODEGA BAY. Bird Walk. From the center of the town of Bodega Bay,
drive north on Highway 1, turn left at East Shore Road (the Bodega Head
turnoff ), and then turn right at the stop sign and continue 0.3 mile to the
unpaved parking lot on the right. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing.
For information, contact Tom McCuller at sisyphus@sonic.net or 546-1812.
Saturday March 8, 9:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads a bird walk.
Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. Contact Bob Dyer, 763-2934.
Sunday March 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
MAYACAMAS MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY FIELD TRIP. Terry Wright,
professor emeritus of geology at SSU and president of Terry Wright Geology,
an educational consulting company, will help us become more familiar with
the dynamic geological history of the sanctuary and the Mayacamas Moun-
tains. Meet on Pine Flat Road (begins 1⁄4 mile past the Jimtown Store on
Highway 128 East at the first sharp right-hand turn) between Red Winery
Road and the Sausal Creek Bridge. We will travel by car and make stops along
the road, with short moderate hikes to geologic features. Bring pocket magni-
fiers and binoculars. Limited to adults.
Wednesday March 12, 8:30 AM
HUICHICA CREEK AND HUDEMANN SLOUGH. Bird Walk. Meet
at the Huichica Creek Unit of Napa-Sonoma Marsh Wildlife Area parking
lot. From Sonoma, take Highway 12 (Carneros Highway) toward Napa; turn
right (south) onto Duhig Road; turn left onto Las Amigas Road; finally, turn
right onto Buchli Station Road, which leads to the wildlife area. In the after-
noon, we will bird the nearby Hudemann Slough wetlands and ponds. Bring
lunch, liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact Tom McCuller
at sisyphus@sonic.net or 546-1812.
Saturday March 15, 8:00 AM to Noon
ALPHA POND, LAGUNA. Beginners Bird Walk. We are grateful to
Denise Cadman, Natural Resources Specialist for the City of Santa Rosa, who
arranges entry and serves as a co-leader for our trips to this and other city
Page 2
MA D R O N E L E AVES
properties in the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Meet at Sonoma County Agricul-
tural Preservation and Open Space District office, 747 Mendocino Avenue,
Santa Rosa. The parking lot is behind the office (access from Carrillo Street).
Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528; Bob Speckels, 569-0563;
and Ken Wilson, 775-2558.
Saturday March 15, 10:00 AM
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance leads two chil-
dren/family nature walks. One to two hours, dependent on age of children.
Meet at the first kiosk. Rain cancels. For the children/family walk in English,
contact Gerald or Mary Edith Moore at 763-3577; for the walk in Spanish,
contact Connie Peabody at 763-7458.
Monday March 17, 7:30 PM
GENERAL MEETING. “PATAGONIA: el Fin del Mundo – World’s End”.
Ken Wilson, owner of Talon Tours, will present a photographic tour of the
landscapes, birds, and mammals of Patagonia. Please see the front page for
more information. The public is always invited to attend these programs.
Thursday March 20, 8:30 AM
HOWARTH AND SPRING LAKE PARKS. Bird Walk. Meet at Howarth
Park in Santa Rosa. Enter the park from Summerfield Road and proceed to the
rear parking lot, adjacent to the lake. Bring lunch, liquids, and layered clothing.
For information, contact Tom McCuller, <sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
Saturday 22 March, 9:30 to 11:30 AM
PEEWEE AUDUBON. Nest box building and bird walk at Ragle Ranch
Park. Call Veronica Bowers at 829-2955 for reservations. See page 4.
Thursday March 27, 8:30 AM
POINT REYES AREA. Bird Walk. Note that this walk has been changed
to Thursday. Meet in the parking lot across from the Point Reyes National
Seashore Bear Valley Visitor Center, which is just west of Olema. Bring lunch,
liquids, and layered clothing. For information, contact Tom McCuller,
<sisyphus@sonic.net> or 546-1812.
Wednesday April 2, 8:30 AM to Noon
SHOLLENBERGER PARK. Bird Walk. We will bird the Shollenberger
Park ponds and wetlands in Petaluma. From Santa Rosa, take the High-
way 116 exit (Lakeville Highway), go left under Highway 101, turn right
at the South McDowell traffic light, proceed to the City Park sign and turn
right into the park’s parking lot. For information, contact Tom McCuller,
<sisyphus@sonic.net>, 546-1812.
Saturday April 5, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
LAS GALLINAS PONDS with afternoon option at Bahia. Bird Walk. Meet
at the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds’ parking lot. From Highway 101 in north-
ern San Rafael, take the Smith Ranch Road exit, go east to the McInnis Park
entrance, turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks, and go to
the end of the road. Informal carpools leave Santa Rosa at 7:45 AM. To par-
ticipate, please arrive about ten minutes earlier to make arrangements. Santa
Rosa meeting place: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open
Space District office, 747 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. The parking lot
is behind the office (access from Carrillo Street). Bring lunch, liquids, and
layers of clothing. Rain cancels. Leaders: Tom Cashman, 433-2528 and Bob
Speckels, 569-0563.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. No scheduled meeting this month. If
you have conservation concerns, contact Diane Hichwa at dhichwa@earthlink.

Next Generation is Coming
Continued from page 1
Bring your friends. People of all ages
are welcome to join the team of volun-
teers ranging in age from 13 to 85+. For
young people still in high school, there is
a special program which coordinates with
their academic and community service re-
quirements. The possibilities and oppor-
tunities are endless. The need is very great.
Please join us in helping the birds.
Every year people ask what to do when
they “find” a baby bird. There is no
standard response, but there are basic
guidelines to consider when someone
“finds” a baby bird. First, observe and
evaluate the situation. Is it a feather-
less nestling? Is the nestling’s home nest
known and accessible? Is the bird a fully
feathered fledgling, out of the nest but
not yet able to fly? Does the bird appear
to be injured, or is it moving around
easily? And, most importantly, is the
area safe for the bird? Resist the urge to
immediately “rescue” unless the bird is
clearly in unsafe circumstances. Second,
remember the parents are the bird’s
best caregivers. Leave the bird alone.
If his parents are in the area, they will
probably find him but do continue to
monitor the situation to be sure of pa-
rental care. Third, if the bird is not safe
and is truly separated from its parents,
intervene only with the coaching of
a professional avian caregiver. From
mid-April until early October the phone
desk at BRC is staffed 12 hours a day, 7
days a week (8:00 AM - 8:00 PM). Call
523-BIRD (2473) to be connected with
one of our volunteers trained to help you
evaluate the young bird’s circumstances
and, if necessary, coach you in making
the decision that is best for the bird.
Visit www.birdrescuecenter.org and click
on “Rescue Info” for a detailed discus-
sion of emergency care for baby birds;
click on “Get Involved” for a range of
volunteer opportunities.
Other Sonoma County wildlife reha-
bilitation centers include: Songbird
Hospital Wildlife Rescue at 484-6502;
Wildlife Rescue at 526-9453; and Wild-
life Center of Kenwood at 575-1000.
BIRD-A-THON 2008
Here’s Where We Are
Team captains are on the move. The
FeatherQuesters, led by Diane Hichwa
and Karen Nagel, started their sponsor
sign up list at January’s general meet-
ing; not to be outdone, Betty Groce
whipped out the Roadrunners sign up
sheet and placed it smartly next to The
FeatherQuesters’. Unfortunately, the
Gray-headed Seersuckers, led by Betty
Burridge, were not around that night
to line up at the starting gate—they
might have to work a little harder for
their sponsors; however, team members
Ian Morrison, Bill Payne, Ken Wilson,
Becky Olsen, and Ted Eliot have just
landed and are ready for action. The
Taylors of Sonoma, Elinor and Jim,
have fluttered in to count for Madrone
as well as their regular Cornwell Feed-
erwatch Project.
Sponsors are an integral part of each
team’s success, and if you haven’t been
contacted to sponsor a team, please get
in touch with any of the team captains.
All contributions from friends, rela-
tives, and corporations are encouraged
and readily accepted. In past years,
we’ve had sponsors from as far away as
Michigan, so why not contact a team
captain and volunteer to be a sponsor?
Just say, “Sign me up!”
NOTE to the team captains from your
Bird-A-Thon Coordinator, Marcia
Johnson: this year something new is
being tried...a DEADLINE. I would
like to have: names of all contribu-
tors, names of all team members, total
number of birds counted, any unusual
birds, any interesting stories, and ALL
CHECKS by MARCH 30. This allows
me to bring closure to Bird-A-Thon
2008, get the final article thanking
contributors to the Leaves editor, and
the money to the treasurer—all in a
timely manner. Please note that any
corporate donors will be highlighted in
the Leaves.
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Bird Walk Reports
Isenberg Crane Preserve and Cosumnes
River Preserve
On January 9 Tom McCuller and eight
other Madrone birders, experiencing a
break in the frequent rainstorms, visited
the Isenberg Crane Preserve and Co-
sumnes River Preserve near Lodi. En
route, the group sighted many Sandhill
Cranes, Tundra Swan, and Snow and
White-fronted Geese in the flooded
fields along Highway 12 from Suisun
City to I-5. Unfortunately, heavy traf-
fic and lack of road shoulders prevented
stationary viewing of these flocks. Im-
mediately off the highway, the group
also found a light-phased Rough-legged
Hawk perched on a pole.
Viewing conditions improved near the
Isenberg Preserve. At the first stop on
Woodbridge Road, the group observed
cranes only a few yards from the cars.
Scores of Horned Larks and American
Pipits on the roadside, along with de-
parting Wilson’s Snipes, added to the ex-
citement at this stop. Cranes and ducks
became more numerous as the group
approached the preserve. At the Co-
sumnes River Preserve, huge numbers
of highly vocal ducks and geese circled
overhead as the group gathered for a
picnic lunch at the visitor center. After
lunch, the group discovered an American
Bittern among the many riparian, marsh,
and pond birds as they walked trails and
boardwalks of the preserve. The group
tallied 71 bird species during the outing.
Point Reyes Area
On January 17 Tom McCuller with 20
Madrone birders enjoyed a clear, wind-
less winter day of birding in the Point
Reyes area. On the Earthquake Trail
they sighted eight Varied Thrushes and
hundreds of Pine Siskins feeding on tree
catkins. At Olema Marsh, they watched
a female Barrow’s Goldeneye feeding
alongside a female Common Goldeneye.
Continued on page 4
Page 3

Bird Walk Reports
Continued from page 3
Before and after a picnic lunch at Stin-
son Beach, the group birded Bolinas La-
goon. A large variety of grebes, ducks,
and shorebirds filled the lagoon, plus a
variety of raptors rode the thermals above
the hills on the east side of the lagoon.
They finished the day with a leisurely
walk around the pond, near the begin-
ning of the Five Brooks Trail. A total of
75 species was recorded for the day.
Betty Groce’s Adventure
on the High Sea
Madrone Audubonners, Betty and Jack
Groce, witnessed the sinking of the Ex-
plorer cruise ship in Antarctica on 1 No-
vember. In Betty’s own words, this was
the sequence of events. On that fateful
day, I awakened at 1:45 AM and real-
ized that the ship was traveling very fast
which was unusual. Just before 6:00
AM, our captain advised us that we were
heading to aid a vessel in distress. Our
original purpose was to assist in pump-
ing water out of the Explorer. We were
60 nautical miles from the ship and be-
fore we could get there, the Explorer’s
pumps had completely failed, and all on
board had abandoned ship in the middle
of the night. When we arrived on the
scene, the little red ship was lying on her
side and four lifeboats were bobbing in
the sea. As our crew was preparing to
bring the passengers and crew aboard, a
larger Norwegian ship with empty cab-
ins arrived; the captains decided the 158
passengers and crew would go there.
Our crew assisted with transferring the
people from lifeboats to Zodiacs and
then to the ship. The lifeboats were left
drifting to be picked up the next day by
the Brazilian Navy. The Explorer was
never seen again. As far as we know, no
one was injured but had to remain at the
Page 4
Chilean Base for a couple of days until
better weather set in before they could
be flown home. Thankfully, the sea had
been rather calm with very little wind
and 30 degree temperature.
Things to Do Around
and About:
Guided Nature Walks at Bouverie Pre-
serve. March 8 and 29; April 12 and
19; May 17. Hikes are 9:30 AM – 1:30
PM and range from 2 to 5 miles. Mini-
mum contribution of $15 is suggested.
For reservations, e-mail nancy@egret.
org or call 938-4554.
Photography Exhibit. “Nests” through
Sunday March 9 in Gualala at Studio
391 (open Friday-Monday, 11:00 AM
– 5:00 PM). Sharon Beals is exhibit-
ing her larger-than-life photos from the
California Academy of Sciences collec-
tion in an effort to “...awaken an interest
in their nesting habits and habitat needs,
and that habitat’s preservation”. One of
her photos will be on the cover of the
March/April 2008 Audubon Magazine.
Late Winter Raptors of the Valley. Sat-
urday March 15. Join John Klobas and
daughter Sarah for a tour of Solano, Yolo,
and maybe even Colusa counties while
learning the natural histories, identifica-
tion, and conservation of the great many
hawks and owls that call these counties
home, either as residents or winter visi-
tors. Visit www.ptreyes.org/fieldsemi-
nars/ or call 415-663-1200.
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve of Audubon
Canyon Ranch. Open to the public
during the spectacular heron and egret
nesting season from March 15 – July 13.
Enjoy a wide range of nature activities
including bird and wildlife viewing, hik-
ing trails, and picnic facilities. Week-
ends and holidays: 10:00 AM – 4:00
PM, no appointment necessary; Tuesday
through Friday: 2:00 – 4:00 PM by ap-
MA D R O N E L E AVES
pointment only; Mondays: closed. For
more information: visit www.egret.org
or call 415-868-9244.
Shollenberger Park. Egret nesting sea-
son April – August. Rookery is at the
end of the asphalt trail, across the Peta-
luma River in the eucalyptus trees. Visit
www.petalumawetlands.org and click
on Shollenberger Park for directions to
the park.
Guided Nature Walk at Pepperwood
Preserve. Saturday April 5, 9:30 AM –
1:30 PM. Join Steve Barnhart, botanist
and Education Director for the Pepper-
wood Preserve, to examine the wildflow-
ers and associated plant communities at
the preserve. Bring lunch and water; plan
on about four hours of activity. Visit
www.pepperwoodpreserve.org for direc-
tions and other information. Group size
is limited, RSVP required. Contact Beth
Robinson at bethysmail@gmail.com or
490-4951.
Bouverie Preserve. Saturday April 5,
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM. “Flowers and
Pollinators” seminar, $25 which includes
the classroom and field activities. Easy
to moderate hiking. Wear hiking shoes,
a hat, and sunscreen. Bring water and a
bag lunch. Class size is limited. Please
e-mail leslie@egret.org or call 415-868-
9244 to register.
PeeWee Audubon
Ragle Ranch Park, Nest Box Building and
Bird Walk
Saturday 22 March, 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Our morning will begin by building
and installing some new nest boxes for
cavity nesting songbirds at Ragle Ranch
Park. We will learn about a few of the
birds who will inhabit the boxes, such as
bluebirds and swallows, and then take a
short bird walk through the park.
The park is located at 500 Ragle Road in
Sebastopol. For reservations, please call
Veronica Bowers at 829-2955.

Christmas Bird
Counts:
Kids, K-12, Bird Count
A first for Sonoma Valley and a new pilot
program for National Audubon
The “Binocular Boot Camp”, education-
al ambassador Barn Owl, and 41 species
of local and wintering birds highlighted
the first annual Christmas Bird Count
for Kids. Two teams, 34 kids with fam-
ily members, counted over 530 birds
in less than three hours, hiking the six-
acre Sonoma Garden Park and the open
fields surrounding General Vallejo’s
homestead. The event was co-sponsored
by Madrone Audubon led by Veronica
Bowers and Sonomabirding.org led by
Tom Rusert. The results will be posted
on Cornell Lab’s eBird at www.ebird.org,
and an article will be published nation-
ally on the event in Audubon’s American
Birds Magazine. Veronica, President of
Madrone Audubon, said that “Every
opportunity we have to connect with a
younger audience and introduce them
to the magic and wonder of birds and
their ecosystem is a tremendous gift to
us, the kids, and the environment.”
Junior leaders, Stephen Montano and
Christofer Goodman, along with expe-
rienced adult birders presented tips on
how to properly use binoculars and how
to identify moving targets while care-
fully observing and respecting nature.
The goal was for everyone to see and
learn about local and wintering birds
and their unique habitats. Following
Welcome New
Friends of Madrone
Audubon Society
Healdsburg: Darla Meeker
Petaluma: Emily D. Roeder
Santa Rosa: Linda & Don Emblen,
John & Liz Ferrari, Lorna Myera
the hike everyone joined together for a
celebration lunch at the Sonoma Com-
munity Center while the kids presented
their highlights and helped tabulate the
results, which included Red-breasted
Sapsuckers, Cooper’s Hawks, and the
wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Sandy Funke, Sonoma Ecology Center’s
Education Program Manager said, “This
new event is an important extension of
learning with families totally involved.
Our K-12 curriculum works in local
classrooms and habitats to help facilitate
outdoor experiences.”
Sonoma Valley Bird Count
Despite the 29 degrees, fog, ice, and
snow in the higher elevations and the
mostly rainy day, over 59,000 birds, 176
species, were counted by 135 people in
36 teams. For the first time, private par-
cels of land with diverse habitats were
opened. The circle is very diverse with
two mountain ranges, two estuaries, the
Petaluma River, seasonal wetlands, fresh-
water ponds and creeks, rolling hills,
open meadows, dense forests, rocky
cliffs and canyons, and the daily influ-
ence of two tides. Our birding leaders
came from Madrone, Redwood Region
Ornithological Society, Point Reyes Sta-
tion, Davis, Sonoma, and Marin and
Napa counties. Co-compilers were Dar-
ren Peterie & Tom Rusert.
Some of the highlights included two spe-
cies of terns, the Grasshopper and Brew-
er’s Sparrow, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch.
The Hermit Thrush count was down
to 3,086 from 11,810 last year, while
the Brewer’s Blackbird took its place at
11,754 up from 4,738. Cedar Waxwings
were also up from about 300 the past
two years to over 1,200. Three Ospreys
were new to the census. Nine Golden
Eagles were spotted on both sides of the
mountain ranges, the Wingo, and the
Petaluma wetlands. The Peregrine Fal-
con count was nine, and the Mountain
Quail count increased to five. The four
Spotted Owls were in the Mayacamas
MA D R O N E L E AVES
Mountain Range. The Short-eared Owl
was up to four and the Western Screech
Owl hit a new high of seven. Only one
Sora... down from five last year and no
Black Rails for the first time. Ten species
that were seen last year were not seen.
Bird Notes
Pelagic Birds, Pelagic Plastic (Part 2)
By Veronica Bowers
In the American Birding Association
West Coast Pelagic Birds class that I
took last October, we learned about the
marine ecosystems – the food chain,
currents, upwelling, gyres, and nutrients
– how it all works to support marine life.
We learned about conservation issues,
research projects, and some of the con-
servation success stories related to pe-
lagic birds. One of the conservation is-
sues we learned about was the enormous
amount of plastic that’s floating around
in the ocean. You may recall at one of
our Madrone general meetings a couple
of years ago, our guest presenter spoke
about the Laysan Albatross and how it
became the poster child for the terrible
problem with plastic in our oceans. I re-
member the speaker described “a river of
plastic” in the Pacific Ocean that floats
between the Hawaiian archipelago and
the mainland. This river is known as
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and it
is larger than the state of Texas. It swirls
with post-consumer petroleum-based
plastic products, such as bags, bottles,
balls, cigarette lighters, shoes, and tires.
It is located in the North Pacific gyre, a
10-million-square-mile area with circu-
lar surface currents that draws debris to
the middle, never to escape.
How does it get there and why does it
stay? Some comes directly from ships
and others blow from the shore out to
the sea. Petroleum-based plastic does
Continued on page 6
Page 5

Bird Notes
Continued from page 5
not biodegrade, at least not in our life-
time. Scientists estimate that it can take
500 to 1000 years.
Plastic is problematic to marine life. Sea
turtles who mistake floating plastic bags
for jellyfish will either suffocate as they
try to ingest the bag or, if the bag makes
its way down to the stomach, it will re-
main there undigested, leaving less room
for nutritious food, causing the turtle to
die of starvation. Seabirds experience
the same tragic fate as the sea turtle
only they are prone to picking up small
pieces of plastic such as bottle tops and
cigarette lighters. Not only will they in-
gest these items to feed themselves, but
they will also regurgitate them to feed
their chicks.
Derelict fishing gear, such as plastic nets
and lines, is another product that pol-
lutes our oceans and kills marine life.
Jellyfishes, marine mammals, corals, and
pelagic birds become entangled in nets
and die. After the entangled corpse de-
cays, the netting falls away and is free
to ensnare another animal. When net-
ting becomes entangled on coral reefs, it
beats against the reef, damaging and kill-
ing the coral and other life forms. Fish-
ing line wraps around flippers, wings,
necks, and legs of pelagic animals, caus-
ing serious injury or death.
Eventually sunlight will break down
plastic into smaller pieces. Zooplankton,
MEMORIAL GIFTS
In memory of Jean Gazay,
mother of Linda Simanek
Susan Alexander
In memory of Ned Kroeger
The Staff of OPC, Chapel Hill NC
Katherine Hudson
Judith Williams
Page 6
a vital member of the aquatic food
web, ingest these tiny plastic fragments
which outnumber the zooplankton in
the North Pacific gyre about ten to one.
Additionally, these tiny fragments of
plastic and floating nurdles (small pel-
lets of plastic used to make plastic prod-
ucts) are magnets for non-water soluble
toxics like DDT, PCB, and other oily
pollutants. Fish and birds not only eat
the contaminated zooplankton, but also
directly ingest the small bits of contami-
nated plastic.
This is what we can do about pelagic
plastics. Be informed. Visit these Web
sites: www.mindfully.org, www.algalita.
org, and www.greenpeace.org. Volunteer
at the annual Coastal Cleanup Day in
September; for more information on the
cleanup, visit www.coastal.ca.gov.
Don’t be a litter bug. Give a hoot, don’t
pollute. Use less plastic. As a consum-
er, make better choices, and buy fewer
products packaged in plastic. When
shopping, take your own reusable bag.
Don’t have one? Join us at our general
meetings and get one from Madrone
Audubon with the Bewick’s Wren logo.
Money Available for
Tuition and On-Campus
Accommodations
Would you like to identify birds by
sound or photograph them and other
wildlife with a camera trap? Would you
like to identify insects, including spiders
and butterflies? How about a week of
art and nature exploration that will help
you with fast field sketches or detailed
studio drawings? Did you ever want to
know which mushrooms were edible or
have you been curious about other large
fungi? You can learn methods of sam-
pling and studying aquatic invertebrates
and fish, small mammals, insects, plants,
and birds; there is a class on watershed
MA D R O N E L E AVES
analysis to understand the complex in-
teractions of natural and human pro-
cesses on the functions of California’s
watersheds and rivers.
Nineteen different courses are offered
at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus, San
Francisco State University from 1 June
through 3 August and vary from two-
seven days, dependent on the class. The
campus is located north of Truckee, near
the top of Yuba Pass off Highway 49.
Luxury camping accommodations are
available on campus – other accommoda-
tions are available in the Yuba Pass area.
Tuition is available for a class and on-
campus accommodation for two stu-
dents. For a complete listing of courses,
visit www.sfsu.edu/~sierra/. This is a
great opportunity that Madrone has
made available to you. Don’t hesitate.
Deadline to apply is 31 March. All you
need to do is select a course and send a
paragraph to veronica@ladolcev.com on
how this course would benefit you and
the community.
We Need Help Now!
Madrone Audubon Society needs volun-
teers to fill these positions: vice-presi-
dent, education chair, outreach chair,
and Leaves production layout editor.
These positions require only a few hours
(or less) per month and would really
help Madrone with its programs. If you
are interested in accepting any of these
positions or know someone who might
be interested, please contact Diane
Hichwa, chairperson of the nominating
committee, at dhichwa@earthlink.net
or 579-1182.

We Couldn’t Do it
Without You!
Madrone Audubon Society thanks all of
you who made donations in 2007. Your
contributions will make it possible for
us to continue with our valuable local
programs and conservation work.
Madrone Audubon is a respected voice
of the environmental community. We
are able to influence environmental de-
cisions both locally and regionally. Also,
we sponsor many regular events and
outings, plus special events, such as our
Migratory Bird Day celebration in May.
PeeWee Audubon gets young people in-
terested and involved in nature, and our
general meetings are entertaining and
educational. The Petaluma Wetlands
Alliance Committee depends on your
support to keep their education and
stewardship programs running.
— Veronica Bowers
Madrone Audubon Society President
$500 and Above
Econscious, Gerald & Mary Edith Moore,
J. Fred & Susan Taylor
$200 - $499
Autodesk, Inc., Unitarian Universalists
of Petaluma, Michael J. Carney, Mike
Center, Kathleen Garvey
$100 - $199
Course Co., Inc., Wild Birds Unlim-
ited, Martha Bentley, Chester Bowles,
Gary A. Compari, Karen S. Dann, Ron
& Kris Dick, Sylvan Eidelman, Janeann
Erickson, Anna Ransome & Cary Fargo,
Alice Goyhenetche, Donald K. Howard
Jr., Rick Theis & Carolyn Johnson, Tony
Knickerbocker, Ellen F. Krebs, Chris &
Nancy Kuhn, Sharon Mansfield, Mary L.
McCune, Thomas Novoryta, Kathy and
Earl Rathbun, Steve & Wendy Smit, Dr.
& Mrs. Roger R. Stewart, Don & Mari-
lyn Toms, Barbara & Gene Toschi, Ms.
Jan Vannatta, Dennis & Mary Wheeler,
Jeanne Wirka, Judy Withee, Ms. Elaine
Woodriff, Paula Zerzan
MA D R O N E L E AVES
$50 - $99 Lorie Silver, Janice Snyder, Diana &
Design In Wood Inc., Paula Lane Ac- Robert Speckels, Shirley A. Spencer,
tion Network, George H. Batchelder, Janet Strobel, Laurence & Barbara Tay-
Lance Groody & Veronica Bowers, Gay lor, Elinor & Jim Taylor, Bambi Tem-
Deady, William H. & Grace Howard, pest, Doris Turner, Eva Waters, Alice A.
Gordon R. Jasoni, Joan Langfield & Webb, A. J. & Yolanda Wood, Daniel
Susan Junfrau, Mary B. Abbott, Tom & Wright, Bob & Irene Young
Anne Abrams, Patricia Anderson, Ms.
Kathy P. Angell, Lorraine R. Bazan, Kay
Beatty, Allan & Laura Bernstein, Bar-
bara A. Biebush, Dave & Kathy Biggs,
Leonard & Carrie Baluwkamp, Bar-
bara Bowman, Kerry Burke, Betty Bur-
ridge, Adrienne & Joseph Casco, Judith
H. Cobourn, Nancy Conzett, Dawn
Dewell, Joanne Dranginis, Norris R.
Dyer, Theodore L. Eliot, Christine Engel
& Hugh Helm, Gene & Mary Gaffney,
Ms. Eleanor Guilford, Robin Guilfoyle,
Ms. Louise Hallberg, Jack F. & Deyea V. Petaluma Wetlands
Harper, Joe Hasler, Jeremy Joan Hewes, Alliance Thanks
Ms. Gisela Hewitt, Earl Hopping III,
Larry Houghton, Emile H. and Linda Eagle Optics
Catlin Houle, Katherine Hunter, Nor- The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance re-
ma Jellison, Earl Junghans, John & Lilo cently purchased five pairs of Audubon
Kangas, Curtis & Tracy Kendall, Nell binoculars from Eagle Optics for our
Kneibler, Helen Kochenderfer, Deborah school docent program. Eagle gener-
A. Locatell, Ms. Barbara MacKenzie, ously donated five more pairs through
Mary Macleod, Sandra Martensen, Paul their Nonprofit Educational Matching
N. Martin, Donald McCarthy, George Donation Program. Thank you, Eagle
& Marie McKinney, Ruth Misevic, J. Optics, for helping us introduce birding
Anthony Mountain, Len & Charlotte to third-grade students.
Nelson, David A. Oliver, Margaret L.
Olwell, Polly & John Post, Gail Powell,
Kathleen Baker Price, Carol Reynolds,
Elizabeth H. Rice, Brantley Richardson,
E-newsletter
Stanley Salomon, Kathleen O’Connor If you are interested in receiving the
& Patrick Schafer, Virgil E. & Virginia Leaves electronically, contact your
L. Schrock, John D. Schuyler, Monica membership chair: Dennis Wheeler at
Schwalbenberg-Pena, Marilynn Scott, dencwheel@sbcglobal.net.
REMINDER
The SMART TRAIN Debate, “IS THE SMART TRAIN
REALLY SMART FOR THE NORTH BAY?”, sponsored by
Madrone and Marin Audubon Societies in
conjunction with Friends of the Petaluma Library.
Saturday 29 March, 2:00 PM
The Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma
Page 7
 Madrone Audubon Society
Post Office Box 1911
Santa Rosa, California 95402

March 2008

RECYCLED
PAPER
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Madrone Audubon Society meets on the third Monday of each month, except in June, July, August, and December. Meetings start at 7:30 PM at First United Methodist
Church, 1551 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. All meetings and walks are open to the public. Information: 546-7492.
President and IMBD Chair: Veronica Bowers - veronica@ladolcev.com .....................829-2955
Vice President: Janeann Erickson - erickson@ap.net .....................................................795-2498
Recording Secretary: Andrea Bond - acbond@sonic.net ...............................................537-8069
Corresponding Secretary: Sabrina Hearst - millerhearst@earthlink.net ....................575-7548
Treasurer: Mary Wheeler - mrywheeler@sbcglobal.net.....................................................494-6415
Membership: Dennis Wheeler - dencwheel@sbcglobal.net ..............................................494-6417
Conservation Chair: Diane Hichwa - dhichwa@earthlink.net .......................................579-1182
Education Chair: ...............................................................................................................................
Education Kits: Shirley Spina - sspina@pon.net..............................................................539-4355
Audubon Adventures: Phyllis Schmitt - p-schmitt@sbcglobal.net................................544-1029
Program Chair: Marilynn Scott .........................................................................................539-0734
PeeWee Audubon Chair: Veronica Bowers - veronica@ladolcev.com ...........................829-2955
Publicity: Pat Macias - macpat@saber.net..........................................................................894-0503
Mayacamas Sanctuary Manager: Curtis Kendall - ckendall@audubon.org ...............473-0601
Webpage Editor: Jeff Holtzman - Madrone707@hotmail.com .......................................823-8290
Bird Walks and Field Trips: Tom McCuller - sisyphus @sonic.net .............................546-1812
Bird-A-Thon Coordinator: Marcia Johnson - owlsnest @hughes.net ..........................829-3808
Leaves Co-Editor: Mary Edith Moore - maryedithmoore@comcast.net .........................763-3577
Leaves Co-Editor: Daphne Smith - dwarsm@aol.com....................................................546-7808
Leaves Production Editor: Kris Hutchins - krishutch@comcast.net ...........................477-8156
Circulation: Joannie Dranginis - joanhd@comcast.net ....................................................523-4373
Observations: Dan Nelson - birdsurf64@sbcglobal.net ....................................................762-5167
Past President and BAAC Rep: Sylvan Eidelman - sylvan_lee@yahoo.com ..............280-3404
ACR Rep & MMAS Steering Committee: Bryant Hichwa ...........................................579-1182
ACR Rep: Patrick Woodworth ...............................................................................................829-8915
Petaluma Wetlands Alliance: Gerald Moore - glmemoore@comcast.net ...................763-3577
Russian River Watershed Council Rep: Curtis Kendall ............................................473-0601
Research and Breeding Bird Atlas: Betty Burridge.....................................................527-0225
Christmas Count and Research: Joy Mander - wscbc@aol.com .................................778-7865
Honorary Board Member: Martha Bentley. ...................................................................545-5501
Honorary Board Member: Ernestine Smith ..................................................................545-4255
Bird Rescue Center ..........................................................................................................523-BIRD
Northern California Rare Bird Alert .................................................................. 415-681-7422
Audubon-California: Glenn Olson - golson@audubon.org ................................... 916-649-7600
National Audubon Society: 700 Broadway, NY, NY 10003 ..................................... 212-979-3000

Join Madrone Audubon – Support Your Local Chapter

Please complete this form if you wish to join Madrone Audubon, renew your Madrone membership or make a contribution to Madrone.
Joining or renewing with Madrone only. Basic Madrone Audubon membership Name ______________________________________________________
dues cover the cost of your subscription to the Madrone Leaves newsletter. Please consider
joining or renewing at a higher level to support the important work of Madrone Audubon Address______________________________________________________
in environmental education and conservation critical to the protection of wildlife and the City_________________________________State_______ Zip__________
environment. Note: By joining Madrone you will not become a member of National
Audubon. Phone Email
________ I am a new member _______ I am renewing my Madrone membership
Basic Member $20 _____ Senior $15 _____ Student $15_____ Family $30______ Please make your check payable to “Madrone Audubon Society.”
Sustaining $50 _____ Supporting $100 _____ Donor $500_____ Other______ Detach this panel and mail to: Madrone Audubon Society, Membership
__ I am a National Audubon member who wishes to make a tax deductible contribution P.O. Box 1911, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
to Madrone in the amount of $__________
Madrone’s nonprofit 501(c)3 tax number is 94-6172986 Visit us on the World Wide Web at: http://audubon.sonoma.net