A group of Audubon volunteers recently completed a survey of shorebirds in Morro Bay, as part of the PRBO Conservation Science Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey. Audubon California is a partner in the survey — we’re also helping out in the Central Valley. In all, 31 volunteers counted 17,825 shorebirds — 20 different species. By far the [...]
Entries from November 2011
Results from the Morro Bay shorebird survey
November 30th, 2011 · by gfrost
Tags: Audubon California · Birding · Conservation research
Thinking about buying someone a new pair of binoculars for the holidays? This will help
November 29th, 2011 · by gfrost
If you’re thinking about making a new pair of binoculars a holiday gift, you should check out this great guide that Audubon Magazine ran a while back. Not only helps you understand the specs, but also gives you a few good brands to look at. Share on Facebook
Tags: Birding · National Audubon Society
Vote for one — or vote for them all
November 29th, 2011 · by gfrost
As you probably know by now, voting is continuing for Audubon California’s 2011 Bird of the Year through Dec. 11. You can cast your vote for any of the nominated birds, or you can write in your own choice. But you can also cast a vote for all the birds by making a contribution to [...]
Tags: Audubon California · Polls
An American Kestrel at Starr Ranch
November 28th, 2011 · by gfrost
An American Kestrel highlighted a recent volunteer bird banding event at Starr Ranch. Below the fold are some shots of the great bird, including a front view, rear (including the wing, and its release back into the natural lands of the Sanctuary. All photos are by Erica Harris. Share on Facebook
Tags: Audubon California · Bird Habitat · Birding · Conservation research · Important Bird Areas
Mono Lake: the place that keeps needing to be saved
November 27th, 2011 · by gfrost
Great article in today’s Sacramento Bee about Mono Lake. The author frets that, after spending years protecting the lake’s waters, some of its greatest assets are now at risk due to cuts to California State Parks. Audubon has a hand in this one, as we were at the forefront of the legal efforts to protect [...]
Tags: Audubon California · Bird Habitat · Important Bird Areas · National Audubon Society
Wind energy co. pulls plug on its own project out of concern for local birds
November 25th, 2011 · by gfrost
Now this is interesting. Pattern Energy Group last week announced that it was abandoning plans for a large-scale wind energy project near Winters, California, out of fear that the project would harm local bird populations. The company said it decided to stop building on its accord because mitigation efforts available for the local bird species do not meet [...]
Tags: Alternative energy · Bird conservation · Bird Habitat
KCET highlights Audubon Center at Debs Park’s role in northeast L.A.’s rich natural history
November 23rd, 2011 · by gfrost
The Audubon Center at Debs Park is part of a rich natural history in northeast Los Angeles, according to a great online feature created as part of KCET’s Departures. Spend some time with it. Share on Facebook
Tags: Audubon California · Audubon Center at Debs Park · Bird Habitat
Catching a break: Black Oystercatchers in Audubon Magazine
November 22nd, 2011 · by gfrost
Audubon Magazine today came out with a great online interview with Anna Weinstein, Audubon California’s seabird conservation director, about our recent survey of Black Oystercatchers in California. As you may already know, the survey found more of the birds than we expected to find. As Weinstein notes, we also learned a great deal about the [...]
Tags: Audubon California · Bird conservation · Conservation research · seabirds
Voting has begun for the 2011 Bird of the Year
November 21st, 2011 · by gfrost
Voting has begun for the 2011 Bird of the Year. Who will win? Well, that’s up to you: Share on Facebook
Tags: Audubon California · Nature education and activities · Polls
Creating new bird habitat in San Francisco Bay
November 21st, 2011 · by gfrost
Our colleagues at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary just completed the first phase of an ambitious project that will create new bird habitat on Aramburu Island. Check out the video below, and click here to learn more about the project: Share on Facebook
Tags: Audubon California · Bird Habitat · Bird videos · Conservation research · Important Bird Areas · Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary · S.F. Bay · Video · Wildlife photos and video
A new way to look at conservation in San Francisco Bay
November 21st, 2011 · by gfrost
If you read this blog, you probably know that San Francisco Bay is one of the hemisphere’s most important places for birds. And that’s why conservation organizations like Audubon have been hard at work here for decades. In an article this weekend for the San Francisco Chronicle, writer Jon Christensen calls for a different approach [...]
Tags: Audubon California · Bird Habitat · Important Bird Areas · Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary · S.F. Bay
Court case could determine future of Salton Sea
November 19th, 2011 · by gfrost
An appeals court in the Imperial Valley in coming weeks could determine the fate of the Salton Sea, of one of California’s most important places for birds. The case will help settle the controversy around a pact that involves the Colorado River, the Salton Sea and San Diego. The Salton Sea is a California Important [...]
Tags: Bird Habitat · Important Bird Areas · Salton Sea
Santa Barbara Audubon helps scientists assess unique conservation project
November 18th, 2011 · by gfrost
For years, the wreckage of an abandoned oil platform off Goleta (near Santa Barbara) provided valuable nesting habitat for Brandt’s Cormorants and Brown Pelicans. When the decaying structure was removed in 2005, it was replaced by four artificial platforms made specifically for the birds. Would the birds still use the new structures? Experts from the Santa Barbara Audubon [...]
Tags: Audubon Chapters · Bird Habitat · seabirds
Moonwalking birds
November 18th, 2011 · by dogden
The title says it all. Have a wonderful weekend and we hope you enjoy yourself as much as this ornithologist. Share on Facebook
Tags: Bird videos
The disappearing habitats of the Vaux’s Swifts
November 18th, 2011 · by dogden
An article in this month’s Smithsonian Magazine focuses on the important role chimneys play in Vaux’s Swifts journeys during migration. Audubon California’s very own Jeff Chapman, Center Director at Debs Park, is mentioned for his work with bringing the Vaux’s Swifts experience to East Los Angeles children and families. Local Audubon chapters and school officials [...]