Greetings,

Hope you are enjoying our parks this summer. The weather over fourth of July weekend was fantastic and our parks were bustling with activity.

Stewards if gearing up for the Gourmet Hike and Art in the Park event next weekend, July 17th. Ticket sales are going very well so don't delay getting your tickets before we sell out! We just need a few more volunteers for the day so contact stewards@mcn.org to help out. It's going to be fun!

Volunteers are also needed for the Bodega Seafood Art and Wine Festival (August 28 & 29) and the Old Grove Festival (September 24 & 25). Email stewards@mcn.org with the dates you can volunteer and we will get back to you with times and job options.

I want to thank Hollis and Jerry Bewley for leading an interpretive birding adventure at Bodega Head on June 19th. It was a windy day and it was difficult to view the birds with the binoculars and scopes so they took incredible photos this past Monday and forwarded them to participants with a report to inspire them to go have another look. This is a perfect example of the dedication of our docents. I just had to share Hollis' report with you all:

Monday, July 5, 2010

Jerry & I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Bodega Head yesterday and we thought we'd share a few photographs so you can see the progress the local residents have made. Unlike our visit two weeks ago, there was no wind so the scopes and binocs were steady - and nice high overcast so the light was perfect for viewing.  

The oystercatcher family has one chick, which is camouflaged perfectly on the granite, so you have to scan carefully in order to find him. His bill is still short but his feet are way too big for his body and we kept waiting for him to trip over them.  He ate a long segmented worm for a late lunch, sucking it up like spaghetti but didn't show much interest in the limpet meat being offered in this photograph. Just before we left at about 5:30, he ran over to Mom and snuggled under her to settle in for a nap. We're really hoping this oystercatcher family makes it - we've watched them try year after year and have never seen one survive long enough to fledge. I'm trying not to get too attached to him.  

The gull chicks are growing and beginning to get a few wing feathers to replace the fuzz. Within the next few weeks, they'll start looking pretty goofy with flight feathers popping out here and there, meaning they'll begin jumping up and down flapping to exercise their wings before long.  


And the pelagic cormorants are a little late this year, but one family has hatched and those chicks have grown quickly. Some cormorants are still collecting nest material - I suspect the late spring and the rock fall which destoyed prime nesting shelves might have delayed the season for them. We got a few good looks at eggs during shift changes.

Here's a link to the Bodega Marine Lab webcam so you can check on the viewing conditions and windspeed before heading out - anything below 10 or 12 mph is comfortable: http://bmlsc.ucdavis.edu/boon/

So many people looked through the scope yesterday and were thrilled to discover these families for the very first time. They'd been looking right at the rocks but had no idea of the drama going on there until getting in close and then they were transfixed with their binoculars.  We're hoping you get out there to enjoy it too.

There is so much to see and do in our parks and if you would like some assistance please call the office and ask for Gina Bradley, our new Naturalist who is available to arrange the perfect EcoAdventure for you and your family and friends. Gina can also be reached by emailing gbradley@mcn.org and more information is available on our website. 

My best to you all,

Michele Luna, Executive Director

Gourmet Hike and Art in the Park
July 17, 2010, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, (arrive no later than 2:00 pm for the Gourmet Hike) - Follow the signs to the Group Picnic Area

Meander along the lovely trails of Armstrong Redwoods amidst the towering old growth redwoods enjoying appetizers prepared by local chefs, wine tasting, entertainment by local musicians, art demonstrations and an exhibition of fine art for sale in the historic Redwood Forest Theater.

Visit our Website for all the details and Purchase your tickets early, the Gourmet Hike sold out in 2009.

There are two option for enjoying this event:
Gourmet Hike & Art in the Park: $35 per person, 2 for $65
Art in the Park and Dessert (at the theater): $10 per person
Regular parking fees apply if you drive into the park, shuttle service will be available. Please call the Stewards' office if you have accessibility concerns.

Food donated by: Applewood Inn, Jenner Bistro, Chef Patrick's, Corks and Coffee Bazaar

Wine donated by: Korbel Champagne, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Old World Winery and Russian River Vineyards

Entertainment donated by: The Thiessen Brothers, Happenstance, Jim Ocean and Edgehog

Jenner Headlands Hikes
July 24, 2010, 10:00 to 3:30 - Special Forest Hike
August 17, 2010, 10:00 to 3:30
Visit our website for all the details and to register online.

Old Grove Festival
Friday and Saturday, September 24 & 25, 2010

Friday Evening - "Hoedown in the Redwoods"
Gates open - 5:00 pm
Opener: Edge of Town
Headliner: Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands - "Superb Bluegrass"

Saturday Daytime - Gates open at 11:30 am
The Mighty Chiplings, Jim Ocean, The Fargo Brothers and The Thugz
Admission: $10 per person

Saturday Evening - "Aloha in the Grove"
Gates open at 5:00 pm
Opener: Taimalietane Islands of Polynesia Dance Troupe
Headliner: Ledward Kaapana
"Incomparable Slack Key"

Plus The Great Hawaiian Feast

For Evening Performances:
General admission: $25
Redwood Circle (first 4 rows): $40
Children (5-12): $10
(Muliple shows and group purchases made at one time under one name receive reserved seats.)

For more information visit our website.
Ticket Sales online.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods