Southern Sonoma Country Life: February 2021

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

A Message from Wildlife Rescue Sonoma County & Native Songbird Care and Conservation — Time to Remove Bird Feeders & Bird Baths Temporarily

An important message from

Native Songbird Care and Conservation:

Following their arrival to our area this winter, the Pine Siskins are experiencing a Salmonellosis outbreak. Sadly, this is a typical and expected event during an ‘irruption year’ of siskins. Pine Siskins are especially susceptible to Salmonellosis. Wildlife Rescue of Sonoma County has received many calls from our Sonoma County community regarding ill and dead Pine Siskins and has received many sick patients at its hospital this February.

Salmonellosis is a deadly disease that spreads rapidly through Pine Siskin populations. Eventually the disease spreads to goldfinches and other finch species. An epidemic usually begins when birds congregate at bird feeders, or when they use improperly-cleaned bird baths. Typical signs of the illness are lethargy, puffy or fluffed up appearance, and occasionally swollen/irritated eyes.

Effective February 8, 2021, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to remove bird feeders and bird baths until spring when the Pine Siskins have returned to their northern range. Please see their recent announcement for more information.

Owners of free-roaming cats, please take note: Felines preying on birds infected with salmonella can contract the bacteria. This is one of many good reasons to keep cats indoors or contained in a catio.

Thanks to Native Songbird Care and Conservation for keeping the public well informed on this ongoing outbreak.

If you have found an ill or injured songbird or have questions about the outbreak, please contact Native Songbird Care and Conservation at 707-484-6502.

Posted at 12:24 PM in Community, Dwell, Green, Outdoors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Take a Virtual Tour of Petaluma's Historic Arnold Scott Ranch and Kelly Creek — Latest on the Expand Helen Putnam Park Project

This evening, Tuesday, February 9th, the Petaluma Planning Commission is set to hear the revised Environmental Impact Report on the Scott Ranch development project which will add 44 acres to Helen Putnam Park. Within five weeks the City will be makings its decision on whether to approve the combined park and housing plan.

If you've been following any or all of the 17 year Red Barn Complex/Kelly Creek & endangered species protection endeavor in Petaluma, you'll appreciate all of the work that has gone in preserving as much of the property as possible. All these years of patient wrangling and negotiations surrounding the future of the land that houses the 100 year old iconic two story red barn, meadows and creek have culminated in a compromise that works for both the Kelly Creek Protection Project non-profit on behalf of the community at large and developer Davidon Homes.

There has been significant change from the original plan since the developer purchased the property for $7.8 million in 2003. Several prominent Petaluma families raised dairy cattle on the land for more than a century. Davidon first proposed to build 93 homes on the scenic 58-acre lot and then scaled down its proposal to 66 homes. Petaluma has fought for years to protect this beautiful site from over-development and the proposal stands today at clusters of 18 homes on one side of the property and 10 on the other. This means that only 16% of the property will be developed with 44 acres of permanent public access preservation and accessible park extension of Helen Putnam Park.

It sounds promising that the barn will eventually become a museum encapsulating the rich, historic dairy heritage of this area.

This Covid-safe Arnold Scott Ranch Video Tour describes the revised project. The physical and mental health benefits of our parks and open space has been a saving grace during this pandemic period. An expansion of the park with access from the D Street area will be a huge benefit for our community.

Kelly Creek will be thankful for the restoration work that will take place, making for happy, healthy frogs and cows.

Learn more about the Kelly Creek Protection Project at extendputnampark.org.