The 30th annual Western Field Ornithologists Conference will be held in Santa Maria on September 29 through October 1. A great program is planned which includes field trips, workshops, science sessions, experts’ sound and slide ID challenge, a banquet with program, and more. For full information on the conference and registration, visit the WFO website at www.wfo-cbrc.org.

Central Valley Birding Symposium - The Central Valley Bird Club will be hosting the Ninth Annual Central Valley Birding Symposium November 17-20 at the Radisson Hotel in Stockton, CA. There will be field trips, workshops, and a Birding Nature Fair and Art Show with over 25 vendors selling nature-related items.

Our Keynotes are set up a bit differently this year. Thursday we have "The Birds of the Central Valley" presented by naturalist Jules Evens using master photographer Ian Tate's photos. Friday is "Hot on the Trail of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker" by Bobby Harrison and our very own John Trochet. Yes, these guys searched for decades and saw the "Grail Bird" before the rest of us knew they still existed! What exciting tales they have to tell.

Saturday night finds us in the company of Don Roberson. He has a Website devoted to "The History of California Birding", recounting the pre-computer days where dozens of eager (and now legendary) birders scoured the state and made history. Some of them may join Don and share in the discussion- many of them will be in attendance.

Other events include workshops such as "Parts is More than Parts: Boning up on Bird Identification" by Kimball Garrett and "Shorebird ID Workshop" by Joe Morlan. There are also regional programs on topics such as Sacramento's Purple Martins and the Sutter Buttes.

The schedule, brochure, registration form, etc. are on the website: http://cvbs.org. The non-computer inclined can contact Frances Oliver at (209) 369-2010.

There's something for everyone interested in birds. Come and join us to bird, learn, and just have fun!

Festival of the Cranes - The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will hold its 18^th Annual Festival of the Cranes from Tuesday, November 15 through Sunday, November 20, 2005. Over 100 events will include birding with experts, guided tours of the Refuge; visits to the VLA, the Armendaris Ranch and the brand-new El Camino Real International Heritage Center; plus long-lens photography; art, gardens; field trips with local old-timers; outstanding keynote speakers (Michael Forsberg, award-winning nature photographer; and Wayne Sentman, marine biologist and international traveler); and so much more. After September 1, call 505-835-2077 for a brochure, write P. O. Box 340, San Antonio NM 87832, or check www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane, for more details.