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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

With Wes Craven's passing, California birds lose a staunch advocate for birds
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Audubon California mourns the passing of Wes Craven

Friends recall the famous filmmaker as a man deeply committed to birds and the environment.

If you build it, they will come
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If you build it, they will come

Western Snowy Plovers numbers increase following restoration of Ten Mile Beach.

Defeat of offshore oil drilling bill means that birds will continue to be at risk
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Defeat of offshore oil drilling bill means that birds will continue to be at risk

— Representatives of Audubon California and the Santa Barbara Audubon Society today expressed disappointment at the failure of Senate Bill 788, which would have closed the last remaining loophole that could allow new offshore oil drilling.

No more hummingbirds in Los Angeles? Not on our watch. Tell your Assembly Member to support legislation that will protect birds from climate change, and ensure the health of birds, our environment, and our people.

Bear tracks at the Audubon Kern River Preserve. Yesterday evening this big bear was able to reach up over six feet and get two thistle feeders and one hummingbird feeder. Yum! Later in the day, two visitors from Hawaii saw the bear as it ran away out to the forest. They said it was pretty large but running the correct direction - away from people.

Would you buy bird-friendly cherries?
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Would you buy bird-friendly cherries?

More and more farmers are creating habitat on their properties.

Mount Diablo Audubon Society calls for action on climate issues

Great opinion piece from Jimm Edgar of Mount Diablo Audubon in yesterday’s Contra Costa Times:

"Of course, we’ve seen a lot of changes in our own area lately, mostly due to the drought. Hillsides have turned brown early, and there’s little or no water in our streams and very little food for the birds. As a result, we’re not observing some of our favorite birds in the numbers we’ve seen in the past.

Climate change is hitting our birds hard. According to Audubon’s scientists, 170 California species will be threatened with extinction in the coming decades if we fail to take action on climate. Many of these imperiled birds are local favorites, such as the Western Bluebird, Golden Eagle, Brown Pelican, Burrowing Owl and Hooded Oriole."

Snowy Plover guardians at Ormond Beach in Oxnard
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Snowy Plover guardians at Ormond Beach in Oxnard

Ventura Audubon is one of many chapters doing great things on the beach to protect Endangered Western Snowy Plover.

Pounding for plovers

Yesterday marked the second year of symbolic fencing on Pacifica State Beach. Pacifica Shorebird Alliance works with the City of Pacifica, Sequoia Audubon Society, and Audubon California to create signs and seasonal symbolic fencing for roosting winter Western Snowy Plovers. Many local beach-goers did not realize that there was a federally recognized endangered species on the beach. Symbolic fencing with signs shows people where the main habitat is, and helps educate the public about the importance of providing these birds with a safe space.

The fencing on Pacifica State Beach led to one of the largest wintering populations in recent years — the group has high hopes this year will bring even more birds.

Groundwater pumping causing San Joaquin Valley to sink fast

This is a stunner. Groundwater pumping in the San Joaquin Valley has caused some farmland to sink 13 inches in just the last eight months. Other parts of the valley are experiencing the same.

How you can help, right now