YOSEMITE WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST SARAH STOCK HOLDS A MALE WESTERN TANAGER CAPTURED BRIEFLY FOR BANDING AS PART OF THE MONITORING AVIAN PRODUCTIVITY AND SURVIVORSHIP (MAPS) PROJECT IN THE PARK. STOCK WILL PRESENT A SLIDE PROGRAM, “BIRDING THROUGH TIME IN YOSEMITE,” AT THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE YOSEMITE AREA AUDUBON SOCIETY THURSDAY, DEC. 10, AT 7 P.M. AT THE MARIPOSA METHODIST CHURCH PARISH HALL. Yosemite National Park Wildlife Biologist Sarah Stock will describe a century of birds and birding in the Park at the December program of the Yosemite Area Audubon Society. By weaving together naturalists’ observations over the years and consulting the birds themselves, Stock will present a slide program, “Birding through Time in Yosemite,” at the monthly Audubon meeting Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Mariposa Methodist Church parish hall on Sixth Street in downtown Mariposa. The program will begin at 7p.m.

Birds have been captivating Yosemite residents, as well as visitors, for many years. Stock’s story will unfold with the Native Americans who used feathers in their dance regalia and will continue with John Muir, whose endearing essay on the water ouzel (American dipper) endures today. She will share tantalizing tidbits from Yosemite's best early naturalists, such as the discovery of the great gray owl in the park in 1915, the abundance of willow flycatchers through the 1920s, the first Park sighting of a common raven in 1950 and the reappearance of the harlequin duck after a hiatus of almost 50 years.

This tour through time will underscore the growing breadth and depth of knowledge of birds, including findings from recent and ongoing research and monitoring efforts. Current projects include a great gray owl population census and genetics research, a Parkwide census of willow flycatchers and the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program.

Stock’s presentation will also highlight the importance of the annual Yosemite Christmas Bird Count, one of more than 1,500 in the National Audubon Society’s international event that began in 1900 in New York City. Scheduled in Yosemite for Sunday, Dec. 20, this all-day outing gives birding and other outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in a citizen-science project that contributes to the body of knowledge of Western Hemisphere bird populations and their distribution.

As a wildlife biologist at Yosemite, Stock studies and monitors birds, ranging from songbird population dynamics to great gray owl ecology. Before joining the National Park Service, Stock was a field biologist working with endangered species in Hawaii and the Marianas Islands, breeding birds in Alaska, spring migrating birds in Louisiana, and bird monitoring programs at Idaho Bird Observatory (six seasons) and Ventana Wildlife Society’s Big Sur Ornithology Lab (four years). She earned her master’s degree in 2001 at the University of Idaho, where she focused on the migration ecology of flammulated and northern saw-whet owls. Stock has authored many technical reports and peer-reviewed publications on western landbird status, ecology and management; and has served on the California Partners in Flight Executive Steering Committee. Now living in Yosemite Valley, Stock is building her five-year-old daughter’s life list, her favorite pastime.

“Anyone who knows Sarah or has heard her speak realizes this will be a delightful evening,” Yosemite Area Audubon Society president Kris Randal said. “She’s an engaging speaker, and we’re looking forward to an informative and entertaining program.”

Stock’s presentation is open and free to the public, although donations to defray program costs and to support Audubon’s local activities are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Call 742-5579 for additional information about the program.

The Yosemite Area Audubon Society is affiliated with the National Audubon Society. Both the national organization and the local chapter are dedicated to the preservation of natural habitats and native species, and to educating and inspiring others to help protect those resource values.