Check out all the recent news from Richardson Bay.
| Richardson Bay remains overflowing with life, making it one of the most breathtaking times of year to visit. What is already a dynamic season at the Center has been augmented by the profuse rain received in the last two months, fueling a burst of biodiversity right at our doorstep! As an abundance of different species cross paths and interact with one another during this time of bounty, noticing the ways the ecosystem balances itself is nothing short of enthralling. Read more about seasonal changes and observations here. | | | | |
| Great Egret. Wayne Lea / Audubon Photography Awards | | | | |
| Plants play a pivotal part in maintaining balance in an ecosystem — they act as intermediaries between all players in the biome and link earthworms to eagles with the services they provide. Here at Richardson Bay, we have plenty of natural flora that sustains the wildlife, but did you know that we also have carefully cultivated gardens that support the ecosystem in specialized ways? Thanks to a concerted effort from dozens of volunteers and support from our partners, the Native Plant Demonstration Gardens recently received a breath of fresh air — not only are there new plants in the ground, there are also new benches and informational signs to enhance your experience. Come visit today and see all that our Center has to offer! | | | | |
| Demonstration Gardens at Richardson Bay. Haymar Lin / Richardson Bay Audubon | | | | |
| As our cities continue to expand and spill into some of the last remaining wildlands, it's no surprise that animals are being forced to reckon with an increasingly urban lifestyle. Yet when we find ourselves interfacing with wild animals who are adapting to a more metropolitan way of life, we often find ourselves at odds with our new neighbors. As habitat loss generates more interactions with animals like coyotes, whose roles as predators can create strain in our communities, it is important to stay informed about the ways in which we can benefit from their presence. Learn more about coyotes and how they keep ecosystems — even urban ones — in stasis. | | | | |
| Coyote. Mark Byzewski / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | |
| Ecosystem Equilibrium: Predator-Prey Spotlight | | | | |
| Mammals, birds, and reptiles that hunt are crucial to keeping ecosystems in balance — they regulate populations of prey animals that breed prolifically and can be detrimental to the environment if too numerous. At the Center, you can see many such animals, including our resident Red-shouldered Hawks and Great Horned Owls! Check out our BirdPi technology to listen to the owls and stop by the center to see if you can find an owl pellet! See how many birds of prey you can hear at Richardson Bay! | | | Red-tailed Hawk. Sheen Watkins / Audubon Photography Awards | | | | Prey animals are critical to supporting the food web and have important roles in the environment, including transferring energy to other consumers. At Richardson Bay, you can find gophers, dusky-footed woodrats, and many small birds that help create a strong ecological foundation. Arguably the most important are the Pacific herring that feed thousands of migratory birds in the Sanctuary and keep a healthy balance that generates stability. Read more about Pacific herring and their role here! | | | Botta's Pocket Gopher. Dutza K. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) | | | | | |
| It is a great honor for the staff at Richardson Bay to share an essay written by Emily Daane, one of our most treasured contributors. Emily has been a staple to our programs for many years and, despite being a busy young person, continues to support us with digital projects by authoring articles (such as the above Creature Feature), collecting data for ongoing biological studies, and using her creativity to better the Center. This piece is a reflection on over a decade of her involvement as an Audubon Youth Leader, camp counselor, and camper at Richardson Bay. | | | | |
| Sunset in Marin County. Haymar Lin / Richardson Bay Audubon | | | | |
| Thank you for your continued support of Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Visit us weekdays from 9-5 and for our monthly bird walks on the second Thursday of every month. | | | | |
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