California State Parks in December completed the purchase of approximately 25,000 acres in Kern County – ranging from the Mojave Desert to the Southern Sierra. The land in the Kelso Valley includes Butterbredt Springs and Jawbone Canyon, both of which are highly prized bird habitat within the Southern Sierra Desert Canyon Important Bird Area. Audubon supported this purchase to help ensure that State Parks will stop further wind energy development in this area, as well as increase protection for these critical habitat areas.

The spring is widely known in the birding community as tens or thousands of migratory birds can be seen here at the peak of spring migration. One of the largest documented fall migrations of Turkey Vultures as well as other southward bound raptors has been documented in this area as well.

Nearby wind energy developments have killed dozens of golden eagles as well as having some of the highest bird mortality in the country per kilowatt generated, making that sort of development inappropriate within this Important Bird Area. California State Parks purchased the last through its Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Division, which will bring added resources to improve law enforcement, restoration and management of the off-highway recreation use in the area, and address problems that have proliferated in the area over the last decades. By improving the off-highway vehicle trails and infrastructure, it is likely that State Parks will concentrate use away from the high-value habitat areas, and improve access for birders and other nature enthusiasts.

(photo of a Hermit Warbler at Butterbredt Springs by Tony Morris)