Bird on a Wire: Latest news from Audubon California

Greetings | Mindful Birding | Keep Looking Up | Bird Migration Explorer | Salton Sea | Melusine | Hummingbird Romance | Climate Change

 

Quarterly Newsletter Greetings | Mindful Birding | Keep Looking Up | Bird Migration Explorer | Salton Sea | Melusine | Hummingbird Romance | Climate

Dear KAREN, I am thrilled to join Audubon as the new Executive Director for Audubon California. I look forward to getting to know our Audubon community across the state and beyond. One of my favorite birds is the Brown Pelican; I love watching them skim over the water's surface. They are an emblem of the work we do to connect sea, land, and sky.   The time is now for Audubon to bridge worlds and ecosystems across the hemisphere. With a powerful bird's eye view, I know we will meet our generational challenges around water and climate.  Join me for a virtual Meet and Greet on ZOOM on Wednesday, March 15, from 12pm – 1pm PT. We will share what's on the horizon for Audubon California and welcome questions from the community.   Together, we will protect birds and the places they need. Madhavi Colton, Ph.D. Vice President & Executive Director Audubon California

Brown Pelican. Photo: Franklin Abbott/Audubon Photography Awards

Bird in Focus: Verdin Tiny but tough, Verdins are adaptable little birds of hot desert regions. They are usually seen singly or in pairs, flitting about actively in the brush, sometimes giving sharp call notes.  Learn More Verdin. Photo: Gary Botello/GBBC Native Plant: Joshua Tree Joshua Tree National Park is a vital migratory stop for birds transiting inland along the Pacific Flyway. Its seeps, springs, and streams sustain songbirds, raptors, and waterbirds passing through. Learn More Joshua Tree National Park. Photo: Christopher Michael/Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Madhavi Colton Takes the Helm of Audubon California In this Audubon interview, I share my global journey and how I got involved in conservation leadership. As a biologist, I believe that when we understand how our ecosystems function, we can make better decisions to protect them. As a conservation leader, I love bringing people together to solve our biggest environmental challenges. Learn more about what led me to a career in life sciences and my vision for Audubon California. Read more

Dr. Madhavi Colton

Mindful Birding and Bird Language Webinar Series Do you enjoy watching or listening to birds near home? We invite you to an experiential dive into the practice of Mindful Birding and Bird Language from March 6- 30, 2023. This 4-week program will focus on practicing mindful bird sits. It will help you to slow down, relax your nervous system, and tune into the language of the birds. This webinar series is perfect for both beginners and long-time bird lovers. This program is a partnership between Audubon California and Weaving Earth. Space is limited – register now.    Learn More

Marsh Wren. Photo: Craig Goettsch/Audubon Photography Awards

Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching In her new book, Tammah Watts shares her emotional journey of finding comfort and inspiration from a feathered friend. As a licensed therapist, Tammah knew that she needed to seek and accept hope, love, and support to overcome her chronic pain and cultivate resilience. It began with a flutter of yellow feathers flitting through the trees, casting beams of sunshine and promise that burst through her kitchen window. She could not predict that a little yellow bird would put her on the path to healing by fostering a powerful connection with birds and the experience of birding.   Pre-Order the Book

Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching by Tammah Watts

Bird Migration Explorer California is a critical stopping point for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. You can use the Bird Migration Explorer to see massive numbers of birds that are preparing to funnel through our state during spring migration. If we can keep our state healthy for birds, we also help wildlife and communities thrive across the hemisphere.   Visit Explorer

Bird Migration Explorer. Illustration: National Audubon Society

California Senates Introduces Bill to Create State Salton Sea Conservancy California State Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced a bill to establish a new state conservancy to manage projects to restore wildlife habitat, create recreational opportunities, and minimize windblown dust at the Salton Sea. Frank Ruiz, director of the Salton Sea Program for Audubon California stated, "as many different entities come together to slow the Sea's decline, coordination and communication are essential, and we thank Senator Padilla for working to further that." Read more

Audubon team at the Salton Sea. Photo: Camila Bautista

Hummingbird in search of a brief romance | El colibrí en busca de un breve romance "Have you noticed any hummingbirds this season? Buzzing their way alongside the Pacific Coast, hummingbirds travel or migrate towards Mexico in the winter season, but some decide to stay in southern California year-round. Flying at 60mph, hummingbirds do their best to impress females and/or discourage fellow competition." "¿Has visto colibríes esta temporada? Zumbando a lo largo de la costa del Pacífico, los colibríes viajan hacia México durante la migración en la temporada de invierno, pero algunos deciden quedarse en el sur de California durante todo el año. Volando a 60 mph, los colibríes hacen todo lo posible para impresionar a las hembras y/o desalentar a sus compañeros competidores." – Excerpt from article by Diana Martinez at the Audubon Center at Debs Park.   Read more

Rufous Hummingbird. Photo: Jace Stenersen/Audubon Photography Awards

Melusine: Birds of Many Feathers Melusine: Birds of Many Feathers is a new and upcoming children's book. It's perfect for young explorers who find joy and wonder in nature. In this adventure, a young girl searches for a mysterious bird but unexpectedly uncovers the connection between the diversity of her human world and the bird world. This book explores self-acceptance and belonging and the value of biodiversity, multiculturalism, and multilingualism. Help author Dr. Geraldine V. Oades-Sese get her book published!    Learn more

Melusine. Photo: Dr. Geraldine V. Oades-Sese

Governor's Proposed Budget Amplifies Need for Climate  Action Now California Governor Gavin Newsom has set ambitious goals to address climate change, including making California climate neutral by 2045 and setting aside 30% of the state as habitat and open space by 2030. However, Newsom proposed a state budget that cuts climate change investments to 89% of what was allocated in the 2021 and 2022 Budget Acts, threatening to slow the pace needed to reach climate and biodiversity milestones. Read more

California Quail. Photo: Mick Thompson/East Side Audubon

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