http://www.sfvaudubon.org/">San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

Two of our partner organizations have developed websites. Links to those sites have been added to the list in the sidebar on the right.

The first of these is Antelope Valley Audubon, organized by a group of dedicated volunteers with some support from SFVAS.

The other is the website of the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area, established by and for the Wildlife Area Steering Committee to keep the community informed of events and projects in the basin.

Check out both of the sites, as well as all the others listed there!

Friday, March 5, 2010, Airtel Plaza Hotel, 6:00 p.m.

Featured speaker:
Richard W. Halsey

Richard W. Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute, a non-profit research and educational organization focusing on the ecology of California’s shrubland plant communities, wildland fire, and how Mediterranean-type ecosystems have helped shape human culture. He has given more than 300 presentations over the past five years concerning chaparral ecology, how communities can adapt to fire-prone environments, and the importance of nature education. Mr. Halsey also provides living history performances focusing on the Middle East in the 1100s and California in the 1800s. He taught biology for over thirty years in both public and private schools and was honored as Teacher of the Year for San Diego City Schools in 1991.

Mr. Halsey also works with the San Diego Museum of Natural History, publishes The Chaparralian, a journal focusing on chaparral and wildfire issues, and continues to teach natural history throughout the state.

Mr. Halsey earned undergraduate degrees from the University of California in environmental studies and anthropology. During graduate work he received teaching credentials in life, physical and social science and a masters in education. He has also been trained as a Type II wildland firefighter. The second edition of his book, Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California, was awarded the 2008 Best Nonfiction-Local Interest Book by the San Diego Book Awards Association.

A registration form is included in the January issue of the Phainopepla on page 8, and is also available online. Reservations due by February 26, 2010.

The January issue of the Phainopepla newsletter is now online.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

In place of the Chapter’s usual monthly field trip, the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society will once again join chapters across the country and take part in National Audubon’s 110^th annual Christmas Bird Count. The count is part of the world’s largest cooperative wildlife survey with over 50,000 participants in North and Central America, Hawaii, and Caribbean. Count totals are forwarded to and analyzed by interested researchers in cooperation with the NAS and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Members and friends of the chapter are encouraged to save the date and join one of the count groups listed below as numbers of participants are crucial to the success of the count. The more eyes in the field, the more birds are seen. Several of our count areas are underserved and can use additional help. Extensive birding experience is not necessary, only a willingness to come out and count wind, rain, or shine.

Those unable to join one of the count groups may assist by noting species and numbers of birds at backyard feeders, parks, and neighborhoods provided these counts take place within a 7.5 mile distance from the count center at the intersection of Nordhoff and Balboa. Please report such counts along with time spent observing to the compiler by letter, phone, or e-mail (Art.Langton@SFVAudubon.org) no later than and preferably before January 4, 2010.

For more information, including meeting times and places, check this file or the December Phainopepla.

Monday, December 28 — Thursday, December 31.

Join me on my annual winter pilgrimage to my favorite birding spot. We’ll spend two days at Bosque del Apache, near Socorro, New Mexico, meeting at 6:30 AM both mornings to take in the magnificent liftoff of snow geese and a continuous train of thousands of Sandhill Cranes. After the morning spectacle, we’ll bird the refuge with the goal of finding 75 species.

We’ll also spend one day birding the Manzano Mountain area in search of Pinyon Jays and all three species of bluebirds, plus a trip to the Sandia Crest in search of all three species of Rosy-Finches.

Contact Jim Moore, jim.moore@sfvaudubon.org, if you would like to join me. Bring your camera.