My friend, Kathleen Mugele and I have been participating in a five year project studying and atlasing the breeding birds of Sonoma County. We are now embroiled in year three, and find ourselves thoroughly hooked! We started with territories closer to home, in and around Sonoma County. Now that those are blocks considered 'completed', we are ranging further afield.
The Breeding Bird Atlasing Project is sponsored by the Madrone Audubon Society of Santa Rosa. By observing and documenting the behaviors or birds, we determine whether a bird is possibly, probably, or confirmed to be breeding in this county. This data will be compared with data from the last project, completed some 20 years ago.
Twice a week we meet in the dark morning hours, strap on our binoculars and head out for a day of birding adventure. Last weekend we camped at Salt Point State Park and explored the back roads of the north county. We saw Red Crossbills,Black Headed Grosbeak, Wilson's Warblers, Violet Green and Tree Swallows, Western Kingbirds and Bluebirds, Lazuli Bunting, and Wood Duck, and many more. Perhaps our greatest find was a baby sooty grouse stranded in the middle of the road. We gently herded it out the road and took a photo to assist in identification. Besides the birds, vast expanses of rolling hills and magnificent old oak trees and redwoods, we explored lovely deep flowing creeks/rivers (South Fork of the Gualala River, which runs north and south), and were regaled by blooming azaleas and rhodedendrons the size of small trees. It was a recipe for absolute delight.
Part of the appeal of this process is exploring little known back roads; nooks and crannies of the county that I would never have otherwise visited. I come from a long line of folks who find it hard to resist the intrigue of a dirt road and the promise of adventure. Driving slowly around the county, we peer into trees and yards and bushes, awaiting a glimpse of a feathered jewel. Listening with deep intensity, we call out the names of birds we hear, often looking at each other quizically as some mystery bird (or a regular visitor) sings out in a foreign tongue. Hearing the frantic squealing of baby birds, we pull over to the side of the road until we can determine exactly what species they are. Then, check, check and check, another species confirmed. Feeding Young, Carrying Food, Sitting on Nest... all of these behaviors become significant and dear.
Being in nature, slowing down and sinking into the land and my own body, I open to the environment and the earth. To observe nature and living beings is to become aware of something much bigger than myself, to become part of a vast orchestrated dance, the music of which we can only hear when we tune into the present moment.
