This town known for the movie business, freeways and surfing may need to add another one to the list: birdwatching. With the recent release of data from February’s Great Backyard Bird Count, a nationwide birding event, comes news that Los Angeles led all United States counties in the number of reports and species.
Early results show that during the period of Feb. 14-17, bird enthusiasts in Los Angeles County submitted 816 checklists identifying 258 different species. San Diego County also had a strong with 488 checklists and 220 species, and Humboldt County with 358 checklists and 196 species.
“It’s really an impressive turnout from Angelenos,” said Brigid McCormack, Audubon California’s Executive Director. “Despite the county’s reputation for urban and suburban development, this level of participation shows that Los Angeles residents have a deep appreciation for birds and the natural world around them. It also shows that the cities and birdlife are not incompatible. It also shows that the urban environment and birdlife are not incompatible.”
Launched in 1998 by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Because the count is designed for ease of participation, more than 100,000 people from all walks of life take part each year. Not only does the count raise awareness about birds and the environment, but it is also a valuable source of data for scientists looking to answer a host of questions about avian behavior and health.
While admitting that Los Angeles County’s large population certainly played a factor in the results, McCormack noted that the diversity of habitat in the county also played a role.
“In the 4,700 square miles that make up Los Angeles County, there is an incredible array of habitat – coastal, riverside, woodland, desert, mountain, marine as well as urban communities with bird populations,” McCormack said. “Los Angeles County is really a natural treasure.”
McCormack also noted that Audubon and other organizations that support wildlife appreciation also have a strong foothold in the area. Los Angeles County itself hosts eight strong Audubon chapters, including Los Angeles Audubon, Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon, Santa Monica Bay Audubon, Pasadena Audubon, Whittier Audubon, San Fernando Valley Audubon, El Dorado Audubon (Long Beach) and Pomona Valley Audubon. Audubon California also operates the Audubon Center at Debs Park in Highland Park. All these chapters have birdwatching events that are open to the public and can be found at www.birdla.org.
About Audubon California
AudubonCaliforniais building a better future forCaliforniaby bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members inCaliforniaand an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, AudubonCaliforniais a field program of the National Audubon Society.
More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.
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