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October 2026 Newsletter And the California Bird of the Year is… (drumroll please!)

Photos: Public Domain/USFWS and Alecia Smith/Audubon California.

Dear KAREN,

As millions of birds migrate through California this fall, I’ve been reflecting on a migration of my own. At the end of summer, I relocated from Ojai to the Bay Area. While my journey was much shorter than that of a long-distance migratory bird, it reminded me of the diverse landscapes, wildlife, and communities that make California so special.

Speaking of long-distance migrants, our team at Kern River Preserve is tracking the journey of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo named Mojave. These elusive birds can travel roughly 6,000 miles from California to South America, and our research with Southern Sierra Research Station is helping us understand where they stop along the way.

Protecting birds throughout migration also means speaking up for the habitats they depend on. In August, Audubon California’s Advocacy Day returned to the State Capitol, bringing together staff, chapter members, students, and emerging conservation leaders to speak up for birds and their habitats.

Our Audubon centers and sanctuaries also continue to bring communities together around conservation. In September, the Audubon Center at Debs Park joined local partners for the Latino Conservation Week Kick-Off Pachanga in Los Angeles, celebrating community and conservation through nature walks, activities, and conversations about access to nature.

That commitment to connecting more Californians with nature was also reflected in a major policy victory! On September 29, Governor Newsom signed SB 1268, co-sponsored by Audubon California and GreenLatinos, making California’s Outdoors for All initiative a lasting commitment in state law.

Andrea Jones
Vice President, California
National Audubon Society

Keep reading for more conservation wins, stories from across California, and the big celebration of our 2026 California Bird of the Year!

California Condor. Madison Roberts/Audubon Photography Awards.

A Champion That Gives Us Hope

As we celebrate Audubon California’s 30th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the birds that inspire our work and the conservation successes that give us hope. And what better way to celebrate than with a little friendly competition?

After weeks of heated campaigning and passionate endorsements, YOU have spoken! It’s our great honor to congratulate the California Condor, our 2026 California Bird of the Year!

To our newly crowned champion: Your comeback from just 22 individuals remaining in 1982 to hundreds flying free today is an inspiration to us all, and a powerful reminder that protecting species for future generations requires continued dedication. Revisit the matchups and the birds that made this tournament so memorable!

California Quail. Photo: Marti Phillips/Audubon Photography Awards.

A Victory for Nature Access in California

California has taken an important step toward making parks, open spaces, and nature more accessible to all. With SB 1268 signed into law, the Outdoors for All initiative becomes a lasting state commitment, helping strengthen communities and protect the places birds and wildlife need. Read about our 2026 legislative wins and priorities.

The 2026 Advocacy Day group poses in front of the California State Capitol building. Photo: S. Rhee / Audubon California

Advocacy in Action: Audubon California Relaunches Advocacy Day

Our California flock returned to Sacramento for Advocacy Day! From community chapter members and students to emerging conservation leaders from across the state, participants came together to share their perspectives with legislative offices and advocate for a brighter future for birds and people. Take a look at this inspiring day of advocacy in action.

Savannah Sparrow. Photo: Protik Hossain/Audubon Photography Awards.

Seeing Rangelands Through a New Lens

What can a Savannah Sparrow teach us about conservation? For Audubon Conservation Ranching intern Jake Wolfe, an encounter on a California ranch offered an unforgettable lesson in slowing down and listening to the land. Discover how Jake's experience transformed his perspective on birds, ranching, and stewardship.

Black-chinned Hummingbird. Photo: Richard Weikart/Audubon Photography Awards.

Birds, Lizards, Murals, and Cottonwood Trees: A Golden Snapshot of the Central Valley

From tracking birds and lizards with Motus technology to celebrating bird-inspired murals and exploring riverside habitats, our community chapters are finding creative ways to connect people with conservation. Join our Community Building Manager on a road trip through California's Central Valley.

Celebrating a Long History of Conservation Milestones in California

Did you know Audubon’s conservation legacy in California stretches back more than a century? Long before Audubon California was officially established in 1996, our network was helping protect birds and habitats across the state. Our history includes the landmark 1983 Supreme Court victory for Mono Lake, a controversial decision that helped save the California Condor from extinction, and many more milestones worth revisiting. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're looking back at the people, partnerships, and conservation victories that have shaped our work for generations. Check out our conservation legacy and imagine what's possible in the next 30 years!

California Condor. Photo: Mike Ince/Audubon Photography Awards.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Celebrate California's Bird of the Year—and Every Beloved Contender!

What a tournament! Our California Bird of the Year competition brought out the creativity of Audubon California staff and the passion of Bird Lovers across the state. All our amazing competitors gave us plenty of reasons to cheer!

Remember Condorleezza, the California Condor who went door to door campaigning for Team Condor? Check it out HERE. And don’t miss your chance to meet Edwin Jacobo, who has studied birds for 15 years but has never seen a Burrowing Owl up close. Now, he’s taking his training to the next level in hopes of finally getting a closer look!

Join us in celebrating our winner and revisiting the creative campaigns that made every competitor a star:

More to Explore

What You May Not Know About Monitoring Surveys

What does it take to monitor birds across California's working rangelands? Follow our field team through a season of early mornings, bird surveys, and wildlife encounters, and discover how monitoring helps inform conservation. Go behind the scenes with our monitoring team.

Newly Certified California Ranches Enhance Habitat for Grassland Birds

More California ranchers are putting bird-friendly conservation into action! Learn how newly Audubon-certified ranches are helping enhance grassland habitat while demonstrating the important role working lands play in protecting birds. Meet the ranches making a difference.