Birding News and Features

Thanks to all who helped with the Magpie survey!

Between June 5-8, volunteers from the central valley and central coast of California participated in a Yellow-billed Magpie survey.  The survey was organized by Audubon California and partners, and participants are putting their records in eBird.  The results have been rewarding!  So far, 176 checklists have been submitted for magpies, and over 1,500 birds were counted. 

If you haven't submitted your results yet, please do so by June 19th.  We'll then put up the results and maps showing your efforts.   Thanks to all who participated!

Explore California's Important Bird Areas!

Audubon California recently completed a two-year project to map and document the conservation issues at California's 145 Important Bird Areas. On the IBA website, you can now find updated site descriptions, individual and regional maps, a report on our mapping methodology, downloadable GIS layers, and summary statistics arranged by site.

These new maps are now being distributed to local, state, and federal agencies – as well as non-governmental organizations – to inform land use planning and conservation. This information is freely available to work with Audubon chapters and others to conserve and protect these vital habitat areas.

Audubon California releases report on climate change and future bird loss

National Audubon and Audubon California recently released reports documenting the effects of climate change on bird populations throughout the United States.  Nearly 60% of the 305 species found in North America in winter are on the move, shifting their ranges northward by an average of 35 miles. Up to 110 of 310 California native bird species will experience significant reductions in their geographic range in the next several decades due to climate change, according to new research from Audubon California. These reductions will be part of massive range shifts to all of the state’s bird species caused wholly or in part by the effects of climate change.

Are you really making Casual Observations?

We've noticed at eBird that many observers are choosing the "Casual Observation" methodology when in fact they are actually conducting more rigorous types of surveys while birding. Casual Observations are of limited value because there is little effort information required, which allows them to be used in fewer analyses because we know less about how you went birding. It's important to let us know what kind of effort you put into making your observations. Please read on for a better understanding of the eBird methodology choices, and to learn how to make your data most valuable.

OC Coastal Cactus Wren Survey and Lecture

Audubon California, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy and NROC are working in a collaborative effort to launch the Orange County Cactus Wren Survey Team study.  Volunteers are needed for this Coastal Cactus Wren monitoring effort. This is a unique opportunity for naturalists and birders, beginning to advanced, to participate with noted Cactus Wren scientists and conservationists, to perform urgently needed surveys and nest monitoring at Audubon’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary, Caspers Wilderness Park, UCI Reserve System, and Nature Reserve of Orange County (NROC) properties. Training, data collection materials, field assistance, and plenty of encouragement will be provided.  Training will take place in January 2009 followed by surveys in February - March.