Central Coast Birding Rally - Showcasing northern Santa Barbara locations on the Central Coast Birding Trail, the Central Coast Birding Rally will be hosted by La Purisima Audubon on the weekend of October 5-7. Regarding the event, RH of Eureka, CA commented, "The competition or rally has a really nice set up…The competition is very friendly, beginners are encouraged in the Hobby Class and everyone is well received…There are no fees for any of the activities…I highly rate the format of the rally which creates a very level playing field for competition…I strongly encourage others to enter teams in this relaxed event." Yes, ostensibly a competitive undertaking, yet it need not be and we welcome anyone who would simply like to bird three northern Santa Barbara County sites and participate in the rally without competing. Schedule of events: Friday - Reception at the Lompoc Embassy Suites, 5-7 p.m. Saturday - Rally at either of two arenas, one in the Santa Maria Valley and one in the Lompoc Valley, 7 a.m. to noon; Santa Maria style barbecue, auction and awards at Los Alamos County Park, 1-3 p.m. Sunday- Tour of Santa Ynez Valley trail sites, 8 a.m. THE ENTIRE EVENT IS FREE. For more information check out La Purisima's Rally webpage: http://home1.gte.net/res0fpjr/lpas/rally [The "0" is a zero.] or write LPAS at PO Box 2045, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Fall Migration Trail Days at Stone Lakes NWR - Dust off the binoculars and field guide, the fall migration has arrived at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. While on the hike to the wildlife viewing platform, you'll go through grasslands, where you may see birds of prey cruising overhead in search of mice, snakes, and other prey. The trail cuts into the lush riparian corridor bordering wetlands. The wetlands support waterfowl and wading birds, as well as resident beavers and river otters.

The refuge will be open on 2 Saturdays, October 13 & 27, from 9 AM until 3 PM. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and offer viewing tips.

Directions: To reach the refuge, take Interstate 5 to the Elk Grove Boulevard exit, turn west, and park; the refuge entrance is adjacent to the highway. Dress appropriately for October weather. Bring binoculars, field guides, drinking water. You will walk across grasslands and hard-packed trail. A portable restroom is provided at the gate. Reservations are not required for individuals; groups must call in advance to assure space is available. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations should contact Amy Hopperstad at 916/775-4416 in advance. Remember, to learn about the open touring day/events call the information line anytime at 916/775-4420, or for general refuge information call 916/775-4421 during work hours.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 535 refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations.

The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies. Website: http://www.fws.gov.

BIRDWATCHING IN PANAMA with the Golden Gate Audubon Society - Chestnut-mandibiled Toucan, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Great Green Macaw, maybe even Golden-headed Quetzal or Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo.

Intrigued? Mystified? Envious? Don't be. Join us!

· Where? Panama, at the tropical junction between North and South America. Some 940 species of birds can be found in Panama, nearly 400 of them at Cana, in the Darien.

· When? March 15 - March 23, 2002.

· Who? You, along with Panama Audubon Society expert birders Rosabel Kaufmann (Central Panama) and Darien Montañez (Cana) as our guides and GGAS past president Steve Margolin, who will escort the group from San Francisco.

The first stop of our trip will be the Canopy Tower, a spectacular ecotourism lodge in a former military radar tower on Semaphore Hill, overlooking the forest canopy and the Panama Canal. We will see treetop birds at eye level, and also will explore the rainforest along Radar Hill Road and Plantation Road, hoping to see such species as Slaty-tailed Trogon, Broad-billed and Rufous Motmots, Blue Cotinga, Keel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-mandibiled Toucan and Purple-throated Fruitcrow, plus Antbirds, Hummingbirds and much more. For a tour of the Canopy Tower, point your web browser to www.canopytower.com.

The second part of the trip will take us by air charter to Darien National Park in the remote eastern region, including three nights at Cana Field Station and one night in the cloud forest of Cerro Pirre. We hope to see four species of Macaws, Goldenheaded Quetzal, Black-tipped Cotinga, Swallow Tanager and, with luck, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, and many, many more neotropical birds in a variety of habitats.

This trip has been planned by members of Golden Gate Audubon Society with assistance from Panama Audubon Society and Santours, of Oakland, California. Our U.S. coordinator and tour escort is Steve Margolin, an Altacal Audubon Society member and a past president of Golden Gate Audubon Society who has birded extensively in Panama and elsewhere in Central and South America. The group will be limited to 11, plus escort and guides. This trip is not designed for listers (although birders of all levels of experience and interest are welcome); we hope to enjoy the birds we encounter in diverse tropical habitats, rather than targeting particular species.

Cost (land and air), double occupancy, approximately $2,525. Optional extensions, to the Chagres National Park to look for Harpy Eagles (if possible) or to a small, new birder's lodging near Cerro Azul, extra. For a detailed itinerary and trip application, please contact Steve Margolin at 530-342-6476. For information on a very similar trip in December, 2001, escorted by Bob Risebrough, chairman of the GGAS Latin America Committee, contact Bob at 510-549-2476 or pelecanus@igc.org.

Editor's Note - I was a participant in the GGAS trip to Panama in March 2000. The trip was exceptionally well planned, and the leaders (both those that accompanied us to Panama, and those we met "in-country"), were excellent. An added bonus is that March is raptor migration time in Panama - if you get bored looking at exotic forest birds, you can just look to the skies to practice your raptor ID skills!

If you have ever wanted to go birding in Central America, and aren't the type to want to do it on your own, this is a trip that you should consider. Although the cost is not insignificant (at least for most of us!), the value for your money is excellent (if past performance is any indication). Canopy Tower is a location not to be missed - even if you don't go on the tour, you should check out their web page - it may make you change your mind!