Audubon California will be holding its third annual Yellow-billed Magpie Survey from June 3-6. Taking part is simple: All you need to do is log into eBird and record your observations during the four-day survey period. You don’t have to be expert to participate, and you don’t have to commit to counting birds for the entire four-day period. Every little bit helps. Learn more on the Audubon California website. (photo by Brian Sullivan)

The Yellow-billed Magpie is one of California’s most popular birds, and it lives only in California’s Central Valley and coastal ranges. For a variety of reasons – including habitat loss, poison, and west nile virus – the Yellow-billed Magpie population has found itself at risk in recent years, and it is now an Audubon Watchlist species. If we want to help the Yellow-billed Magpie survive, we need to know where it is living and in what numbers. And that’s where you can help.

Shortly after the survey, we’ll tally up the results and every participant will receive a report of the findings. Not only will Audubon California use these findings to guide our conservation efforts, but this information will also be shared with others who are working to help this magnificent species.