Monterey Audubon Society newsletter: May 22 - June 5 Hi there bird lovers, I hope you're having a nice week and are renewing your spirit by watching birds or getting outdoors. There are fewer presentations in the "Events" section since many Audubon chapters take a summer break. It also seems like there aren't as many virtual events being posted online these days. But MAS will continue to host in-person presentations the second Tuesday of each month. Mark your calendars ahead of time, as the next two presenters are going to be awesome! Enjoy the newsletter and as usual, feel free to email me with questions, suggestions, or ideas. Take care! Amanda Preece Environmental Advocate, MAS |
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Last MAS virtual presentation is posted online Benny's awesome presentation on how to support birds by planting native plants is posted on our YouTube channel for you to share or re-watch. He also recommended the CalScape website for learning about native plants. That website is https://www.calscape.org/. Check it out! |
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New Field Trips Posted! Songbird Preserve field trip with Big Sur Land Trust Friday June 2 and Saturday June 3, 2023 | 8:00 AM - noon Sign up via the links above and check out our website for dates of even more field trips at BSLT properties. |
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Do you know a young birder or budding naturalist? Share this link with them or their family. Want to help support young birders and create a fun space for them to learn? Contact Amanda to help co-lead these field trips. |
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Our condor friends catch a break On May 16, 2023, the USDA Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service (APHIS) announced their approval the emergency use of an HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) vaccine in an attempt to prevent further California Condor deaths. Our friends at the Ventana Wildlife Society applaud this decision and are elated that safety trials with surrogate vulture species will occur very soon. While no HPAI cases have been found in the Big Sur flock, 13 condors in Arizona have died from the disease, dealing a massive blow to this species' recovery. Read more about steps being taken to protect this highly endangered bird and the new vaccine in the SF Chronicle HERE. |
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Environmental Justice at the County Level The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department is preparing a new Environmental Justice Element to be integrated into the County General Plan. Want to learn more about the Environmental Justice Element or get involved? Consider participating in the Environmental Justice Community Advisory Committee by filing out THIS form. They are looking for participants with experience working to address the following issues
and that can provide informed feedback from the communities/members that they serve:
o Access to Public Facilities and Services
o Pollution Exposure
o Access to Healthy Food
o Access to Physical Activity or Recreational Opportunities
o Access to Safe and Sanitary Homes
o Climate Change Many of these issues overlap with the protection of the environment and birds. There's a complex web of intersecting fields - city planning, public transportation, lands management - that influences the impacts of climate change and land use on people and on wildlife. It often feels overwhelming and no one can be an expert on everything, but keeping an eye on all of these issues is what ultimately helps the birds. That and planting native plants. :) |
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The numbers are in for World Migratory Bird Day! We celebrated both eBird's Global Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday May 13th. While I was busy at the MAS table at Elkhorn Slough that Saturday, ~45 participants got to observe and learn about birds on three different field trips we co-hosted with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. Big thanks to our field trip leaders Rick Fournier, Natalie Shuman, David Valenzuela, Juan Ramirez, and Taylor Honrath for leading these adventures. And extra thanks to MAS volunteers Bev Gatliff and Mary Kenney, who helped me educate birders visiting the slough about our organization and the various ways to help birds. For the Global Big Day effort, 7,640 bird species were reported globally, tallied from 150,119 different eBird checklists, and submitted by 59,222 birders. That's a lot of birders uniting to celebrate birds and report their sightings! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Team Sapsucker was cruising around Monterey County for a birding "Big Day", finishing strong with an astonishing 174 species in 24 hours. Read a play-by-play of the days birding online HERE and check out THIS map of the places they went birding so you can plan your own Monterey Big Day! Did you see a special bird on Global Big Day? My favorite was the Lazuli Buntings. |
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Bird Calls (aka Recent Rarities): Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Bufflehead at Palo Corona Regional Park, Red-footed Booby at the Monterey Harbor, Blue Grosbeak pair continuing in Fort Ord NM, Purple Martin at Carmel River, White-faced Ibis continuing in Royal Oaks, American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal and continuing Bald Eagle at Elkhorn Slough, Rose-breasted Grosbeak at private residence in Malpaso Canyon, Herring Gull at Moss Landing, Evening Grosbeak in Carmel Valley, Swainson's Hawk in Greenfield, Carmel Valley, and at the Marina Landfill, Costa's Hummingbird at Arroyo Seco Rd, Savannah Sparrow in King City area, Yellow-throated Vireo, Savannah Sparrow, and Tennessee Warbler at Andrew Molera SP in Big Sur, Bank Swallow and Cackling Goose at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. For more details on these rare birds and where to locate them, view the complete list on the Monterey County Rare Bird Alert page on eBird. |
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Other Upcoming In-person Events Natural Bridges State Beach: World Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 20, from 10:00 - 2:00pm Activities include birding-by-ear tutorials, educational booths, workshops, native landscape designs, and kid’s crafts and activities. Guided bird walks are available every hour from 8 am to noon. More info online. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Native Plant Party Friday, May 27, from 10:00-3:00pm Native plant sale at May's Science Saturday: Native Plant Party! Join us on the 27th & purchase native plants from local nurseries- plus the usual free family fun! More info online. Hastings Natural History Reserve Open House - Saturday, June 10, 9:00 - 2:00 PM We are so excited to share our research, education and outreach programs from the last few years, with our friends and neighbors. RSVP HERE. Monterey Waterkeepers Kayak cleanup excursions: June 24 & August 19 to the Salinas River and Elkhorn Slough. Bring your own kayak, or RSVP here for free kayak spots, courtesy of Monterey Bay Kayaks. |
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Virtual Events Tues, May 23, 9:00 AM PDT - Birders' Rally for Recovering America's Wildlife Act in the 118th Congress!, National Audubon Tues, May 23, 2023, 1PM PDT - "Warblinar": Celebrating Warblers, American Bird Conservancy Thurs, May 25, 2023 12:00 PM PDT - Grazing: the Key to Saving Grassland Birds, The Wildlife Society Sat, May 27, 2:00 PM - Birding By Ear: Springs Songs!, Ventura Wild Birds Unlimited Wed, May 31, 10:00 AM PDT - Beyond Birdfeeders – How to be a Bird Friendly Gardener, University of Wisconsin - Madison Fri, Jun 2, 2023 10:00 AM PST - A Need for Cleaner Air: Impacts of Air Pollution to People and Birds, Audubon Texas Sun, June 4, 2:00 PM - Beginner Bird ID: Summer Edition, Ventura Wild Birds Unlimited Tues, Jun 6, 4:00 PM PST - Bird ID Trivia: Merlin vs. Birders, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Tues, June 27, 6:00 PM PT - Gardens for Birds, Bees, and Other Pollinators – Monterey, hosted by California American Water, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, and the Water Awareness Committee of Monterey County. |
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Lights Out For Birds! Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate through the US, the majority of them flying at night, navigating with the night sky. This mass movement of birds must contend with a dramatically increasing but still largely unrecognized threat: light pollution. An estimated one billion birds are killed annually from direct collisions with illuminated buildings, towers, and other structures across the country. Light pollution harms birds, but you can help by: Turning off spot lights and/or decorative lighting Turning off interior lights when leaving a room or drawing blinds/shades Using down-shielded lighting outdoors Adding timers and/or motion sensors to outdoor lighting, where possible
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Fun shopping opportunity! Today through June 5, 10% of your purchase at the Columbia Sports store in Monterey (498 Del Monte Center, Suite 48) will be donated to Monterey Waterkeeper. Their mission is to protect and restore fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters within the Monterey Region and along California's Central Coast for all to enjoy. Please present the above invitation at checkout. They will also be tabling in front of the store this Saturday 5/27, from 2 - 6pm. Thank you for supporting our fellow environmental nonprofits! |
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Want to see this fancy hummer? It's gonna Costa you some money. |
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Monterey Audubon SocietyMonterey Audubon is an environmental non-profit dedicated to exploring, conserving and celebrating the birds and wildlife of the greater Monterey Bay region. Visit our website to sign up for field trips and learn about our efforts to protect local birds. |
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Visit our website to sign up for field trips and learn about our efforts to protect local birds. |
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