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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

San Francisco Bay ballot measure would restore vital bird habitat, provide clean water and ensure flood protection
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San Francisco Bay ballot measure would restore vital bird habitat, provide clean water and ensure flood protection

— Nine-county parcel tax proposal would raise $500 million to create a healthier bay for people and wildlife.

Tracking nesting Black Oystercatchers in the field

A pair of nesting Black Oystercatchers with their three eggs. Photo: Jane Turner Hart

In an effort to support one of California's great marine birds, Audubon California for the last several years has been partnering with Audubon chapters and volunteers to track Black Oystercatcher nesting up and down the coast. Golden Gate Audubon member Jane Turner Hart has been one of the project's most dedicated volunteers and recently shared her observations and photos on the chapter's website. It's an amazing overview of one season in the life of these amazing birds. Check it out. The images are beautiful, and you'll learn a lot.

Black Oystercatchers with their chicks. Photo: Jane Turner Hart

A very useful bird guide

A very helpful bird guide from Daniel Knowleden and the Central Ohio Birders Facebook page.

The Los Angeles Times keeps an eye on California Condors

The Los Angeles Times has a long history of being invested in California Condor recovery efforts. Yesterday's editorial celebtrates Ventana Wildlife Society's milestones in saving this special vulture and Audubon California's own success in getting lead shot banned in California. Read the article here.

Galt Winter Bird Festival coming Jan. 23

The Ninth Annual Galt Winter Bird Festival will be held Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festival guests will enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Cosumnes River Preserve and take advantage of the incredible opportunity to catch sightings of waterfowl, shorebirds and wildlife in their winter habitat. Festival headquarters at McCaffrey Middle School -- located at 997 Park Terrace Drive in Galt -- will provide a starting point for exclusive preserve tours, educational presentations, wildlife shows, art displays, wine walk, hometown history and hands-on activities. Check out the website for more information.

Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird in Livermore
Audublog

Leucistic Anna's Hummingbird in Livermore

Unusual bird takes up residence in birder's backyard.

Buena Vista Audubon purchases wetland habitat

Our congratulations to the Buena Vista Audubon Society for finalizing its purchase of 3.5 acres of wetlands adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve in San Diego County. The Audubon chapter raised more than $1.5 million to finalize the purchase. The chapter is now finalizing plans to restore the land to serve a variety of birds, including the endangered Ridgeway's Rail. Audubon California was able to help this project with funding from the Wimberly Foundation.

Bald Eagle at Richardson Bay

A resident near our Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary sent us these photos of a Bald Eagle seen on Richardson Bay (in San Francisco Bay) on Jan 3. Originally spotted by Cindy Nelson, this bird appears to be a 4th-year based on the dark feathers still present on its head. This is a very rare sighting for Richardson Bay. The bird was seen in the vicinity of Strawberry Point.

Bald Eagle in Richardson Bay through a scope.
Bald Eagle at Richardson Bay.
San Diego Audubon leading the charge for Mission Bay wetlands restoration
Audublog

San Diego Audubon leading the charge for Mission Bay wetlands restoration

Through its ReWild Mission Bay project, San Diego Audubon is soliciting public input on a restoration plan that will be presented to the City Council.

In his column in the Tampa Bay Times, State Represenative Mark Pafford urges Florida to drop the Northern Mockingbird as its state bird in favor of the Florida Scrub Jay. We have to wonder though, has he actually met a scrub jay? They aren't exactly all sunshine and roses.

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