Author: Jim Houghton - Page 7
Jim has slowly learned how to operate a fairly primitive WordPress website. It doesn't look like much, but all the SFVAS information anyone needs is here. Gifts of good-quality white wine are welcome but not required.
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February 23, 2016
Drones In The Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve — the Next Chapter and A Call to Action!
Saturday, 2/20, late afternoon a recently-hatched great horned owlet was found in bad shape at the base of the nesting tree. Unfortunately it did not survive. This tree is adjacent to where most drone flying in the Basin has been taking place. While emphasizing that we can’t prove there's a connection, it must be noted…
February 10, 2016
Welcoming the Antelope Valley Sub-chapter to Our Website and Our Community
Excerpted from National Audubon's comments on the AV's Important Bird Area: The Joshua tree woodlands of the AV support one of the farthest-west populations of Le Conte's Thrasher in the state. The grassland bird community is most impressive in winter, when large numbers of raptors concentrate in the area. Large flocks of Vesper Sparrows, Horned Lark…
February 5, 2016
You Can Help! Drones and Fighting Kites A Danger To People and Wildlife in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area
There are two very serious and pervasive problems occurring in the Sepulveda Basin Woodley Park and Wildlife Areas with illegal ‘drone’ (Unmanned Aircraft System) activity, and kite ‘fighting’, using abrasive kite line (cord). The kite line is extremely dangerous to persons, wildlife and property, not only when the fighting kites are aloft, but when enthusiasts…
February 3, 2016
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Everyone’s talking about the Superb Owl
[caption id="attachment_3965" align="alignright" width="322"] Nesting Great Horned Owls, Sepulveda Basin[/caption] This Sunday Feb 7, you can see owls right here in the San Fernando Valley and they are indeed superb. For several years, a pair of Great Horned Owls have nested in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve during the winter-spring months. The pair was spotted…
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February 2, 2016
Keep Your Eyes Peeled — American Robins and Cedar Waxwings Are In Town!
This is the time of year when American Robins gather into large flocks and Cedar Waxwings come South to stay warm. If you see a tight-knit flock of medium-small birds cruising around, quite likely they're CEWAs. Follow them to their landing spot and get a special treat. The AMROs spend a lot of time in…
January 27, 2016
General Membership Meeting: Speaker Kris Ohlenkamp
Kris' Topic: What it means to be a “good birder.” We all have our own definition and some may want to share theirs. Kris will be giving tips on how to locate and identify birds and his target audience will be everyone who has an interest in birds and wants to improve their knowledge, skills,…
December 31, 2015
Hansen Dam Bird Walks – 2/27/16, 3/26/16 — Meeting location changed!
Time to see some cactus wrens – note meet-up location is changed. The walks will start at 9AM at the Gabrieleno Equestrian Park, 11126 Orcas Avenue, Lake View Terrace, California 91342. From the 118 Eastbound to the 210 Freeway Eastbound, Exit at Osborne, Turn left, you will be on Foothill, follow Foothill Blvd to Orcas…
December 21, 2015
SFVAS APPEALS DECISION ON THE HIDDEN CREEKS ESTATES DEVELOPMENT
The environmentally destructive Hidden Creeks Estates gated housing development proposed by a Texas land and oil field developer, Forestar Group Inc., was recently approved by an Advisory Agency of the City of Los Angeles Planning Department. The developers plan to build 188 large homes on 245 acres in a currently unincorporated area that lies between Brown…
September 25, 2015
Family Bird Walks
Second Saturday Bird Walks For Families and Beginners 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. October through March Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve (FREE) San Fernando Valley Audubon will lead bird walks for families and beginners on second Saturdays, October 2015 - March 2016. (Saturdays Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13 and…
August 11, 2015