As if the prospect of closing 80 percent of California’s State Parks wasn’t bad enough, now this from the Chronicle about how the state is likely to lose millions in federal grants if certain parks are closed. Moreover, some parks what were originally federal lands might be taken back.

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The Kern River Preserve’s Alison Sheehey (aka Nature Ali) is driving across the country birding and taking pictures. She’s blogging her adventures and the result is all kinds of photos of birds, butterflies, wildflowers, you name it. Enjoy.

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Fireworks are a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July. As conservationists, we also understand that the loud explosions and lights can cause problems for some of our sensitive bird species. Because of this, we’re pleased at the efforts by Morro Bay to experiment with a non-firework celebration for the upcoming Fourth of July. They’re doing this to protect nearby populations of the Western Snowy Plover, a bird that is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We hope everything works out well. Moreover, we hope that the city of Morro Bay is applauded for its concern for the plover, and rewarded with lots of visitors over this Fourth of July weekend.

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The defensive Brewer’s Blackbird that gained national fame for swooping down on unsuspecting passersby in San Francisco’s Financial District has apparently moved on. We’re not sure where or when people started calling the bird “Swoops.” Oh well.

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Anyone who has ever visited the Audubon California Kern River Preserve can attest that near its headquarters it has one of the most active hummingbird feeders out there. Well, this week, a group of birders from the Tulare County Audubon Society noticed an unusually large hummingbird at the feeder and managed to snap some photos. After some conversation on the birding listservs, all agreed that the bird was a Blue-throated Hummingbird, a real find this far out of its normal range in Mexico and Southern Arizona. Just so you know, the Blue-throated Hummingbird is an Audubon Watchlist species.

* (7/1/09 update) Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Let the debate begin.

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Pat yourself on the back, California. The big vote on climate change legislation in the House of Representatives last week wouldn’t have been possible without California leading the way years ago. So explains the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Researchers from the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary braved the cold and windy San Francisco mornings last week to set up a field experiment that will improve eelgrass restoration techniques in the bay.  By advancing the methods used to restore eelgrass, the results from this research will hopefully help us to increase the amount of area covered by eelgrass, which is an important foundation species providing habitat for fish and invertebrates that in turn support the large number of birds that use this Important Bird Area.

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While most of the fireworks last week in the U.S. House of Representatives came out of the debate on climate change legislation, lawmakers found time to approve $52 million for wetlands restoration.

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The Santa Maria Times is tracking the number of violations to the Western Snowy Plover protections at Surf Beach, just west of Lompoc.

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So no doubt you’ve heard about the House passing landmark climate change legislation this afternoon. Sounds great, you might remark, but what does it have to do with birds? Actually, it has everything to do with birds. Research completed earlier this year by Audubon California shows that unless we take dramatic steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions, a significant portion of California birds will suffer losses of range. Some birds, such as the Yellow-billed Magpie, could be pushed to the brink of extinction. But the research also showed that we can do a lot to limit these losses, and that the way to do that is to do exactly what this new legislation does: cut greenhouse gas emissions.

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Just moments ago, the House voted 219 to 212 to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454). This bill will help put our nation on a path to a clean energy economy, will create jobs, increase national security, and help species adapt to a warming world. Thank you for your calls, your emails, your support. The opposition to this legislation was intense. But true grassroots demand for change and solutions has prevailed over those who wish to keep us tied to dirty fossil fuels. Now the bill moves on to the Senate.

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Judd Hanna spoke eloquently this week before the California Fish and Game Commission about the importance of restricting the use of lead ammunition — not just to protect the California Condor — but for the good of California as well. Hanna, a hunter himself, was forced off the commission in 2007 for his support of banning lead ammunition in the Condor range. He spoke to the commission as it received a report on the impact of the lead ban on condors.

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Audubon is one of the many conservation and environmental organizations working hard to get the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454) passed into law. It’s being debated on the House floor right now. Call your representative and tell him or her to support this important legislation that will make a world of difference for birds and other wildlife.

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Local birders are noting the arrival in Richardson Bay of some of the migratory shorebirds that pass through the Bay Area on their journey from their northern breeding grounds to southern wintering habitat (some populations, however, will remain here for the winter).

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Summer is a great time to get outside, and the Audubon Center at Debs Park is inviting all members of the nearby community to its annual Audubon Film Fridays events, the first of which is this Friday, June 26. The evening will feature a family nature walk followed by a showing of “Over the Hedge” in Spanish with English subtitles. The event is free of charge and everyone in the community is invited.

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