Kern Audubon Society

We have a Zoom link to tonight’s meeting!

Happy New Year to all! Our first program of the year will be on Tuesday, January 11, 7 PM. Topic: Birding in Costa Rica. Presenters are KAS members who recently went there. However it will not be at our usual place. It will be at the Reider Building (a mustard colored, 4 story building) at 2000 K Street. Room 101, first floor just to the left as you enter.... You can easily access the parking structure located on L Street at 20th St. Hope you can make it. Remember to wear a mask. No refreshments served so bring bottled water.

Sunday we also visited the Pixley Refuge to see and hear the Sandhill Cranes. We also spotted a Glaucous Gull!!

Sunday’s field trip to the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. We observed over 70 species including dozens of Red-tailed Hawks, 10’s of thousands of waterfowl, a Vermilion Flycatcher, 1,000’s of blackbirds, and many more.

Christmas Potluck and Auction ready!

Who is cleaning out their closets this weekend and looking for items for the auction? Last day to drop off items is November 30th.

Dear KAS Members, We are looking for auction items for our annual Holiday Auction. As you know this silent auction raises funds to be used for many KAS projects and community awareness. Items needed:... 1. New or gently used items; household items, decorative items, bird related items, children’s items, jewelry, art work etc. 2. Gift cards or gift certificates from stores, restaurants or entertainment venues. 3. Themed baskets of purchased items. 4. Hand made items. 5. Nature made or themed items. Donations will be accepted until November 30th. Check your emails for information or message us here.

Check your events. We have one coming up that you do not want to miss!Check your events. We have one coming up that you do not want to miss!

Map starting point and last mile point

Don’t forget to RSVP

Come out on Saturday, 11/13 to march the dry Kern River. You can join for the full distance (9 miles) or just the final mile. This event will raise awareness in our community at a crucial time for the river and it's going to be a lot of fun! We hope to see you there.

MARCH FOR THE RIVER: On Saturday, November 13th, community members are encouraged to show their support for a flowing river by joining "March for the River." Similar to many other great protest marches that have catalyzed historic change, this march is intended to raise awareness about the extent of our dry river problem and instill hope that we can once again have a flowing river. The timing is especially important given the ongoing Kern River hearing at the State Water Boar...d, where the state has an unprecedented opportunity to allocate additional water to create a flowing Kern River through Bakersfield. There are two marching distance options available: Full River (9 miles) - starting at 8am at Panorama Park across from Greenlawn Cemetery, marchers will see firsthand the beauty of water in the river and the associated plant and wildlife it brings at Panorama Vista Preserve. Marchers will then enter the dry river channel just West of Rocky Point Weir, where the river is diverted, and continue on in the river channel o One drink and snack station will be provided midway through and lunch will be provided at Calloway Bridge for full distance marchers o Marchers are encouraged to do the last mile option if they don't feel prepared to march at a 2mph pace for 9 miles in the sandy river bottom Last mile (1 mile) - starting at 1:30pm adjacent to the bridge at Calloway Road, marchers will join the full distance marchers and finish the march in the river channel to the Park at Riverwalk o Marchers are encouraged to dress for a day at the pool or beach to highlight the irony of our dry river (i.e. inner tubes, floaties) For more information, [email protected].

Kern Audubon Society at a 3-mile round trip walk along the Kern River on the Tuhohi Trail at Yokuts Park, sponsored by the Kern River Parkway Foundation.

KERN AUDUBON SOCIETY ZOOM GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, April 6, 7 PM Join us as naturalist Alison Sheehey discusses Kern County’s migratory birds and how the pandemic has affected them.... Join Zoom meeting 915 9992 5217 Passcode: 788693, or use link: https://zoom.us/j/91599925217 See www.kernaudubonsociety.org/events for more details! See more

Click below to see a fantastic video about a sleeping hummingbird. https://1funny.com/hummingbird-sleeping-while-hanging-ups/

UPDATE ON BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES IN TEHACHAPI! Bob Barnes reports there's a new nature preserve near Tehachapi. "Tehachapi area Golden Hills’ TOM SAWYER LAKE and long-abandoned GOLDEN HILLS GOLF COURSE are eBird Hotspots touching each other. Both areas are now together as part of the GOLDEN HILLS NATURE PARK (established as an eBird hotspot at the end of January). An extensive network of broad trails has been installed on both sides of major Woodfords/Tehachapi Rd, around Tom ...Sawyer Lake, and down the canyon holding Brite Creek and its riparian habitat all the way to CA Hwy 58 freeway west of the first Tehachapi exit encountered from the Bakersfield (vs. Mojave) side. There is a satellite image map of the entire area at the information area at the abandoned golf course paved parking area bordering the east side of Woodford-Tehachapi Rd. The habitat diversity includes grasslands, hillsides, a lake with a marsh component, and riparian." See more

KERN AUDUBON SOCIETY ZOOM GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, January 5, 7 PM Join us as Paul Jaussi of Red Cliffs Audubon guides us through Utah’s Greater Zion area, where the varied geology provides both great scenery and an impressive variety of birds.... Join Zoom meeting 989 2998 7429 (passcode 682195), or use link: https://zoom.us/j/98929987429 See www.kernaudubonsociety.org/events

KAS was among 300 non-profits listed in The Giving Guide. The Guide is in the December edition of Bakersfield Life Magazine.

Great story! https://www.boston.com//tiny-owl-discovered-in-rockefeller

Last Wednesday (Veterans Day), Greg Hargleroad led a group of birders in the Stallion Springs area near Tehachapi. Over 30 species spotted. Of special note was the hooded merganser. Besides Greg, other participants were Carol Gates (co-leader), Wendy and Bob Hodash, Linda and William Mendez, Martha Redstone, Ron Worgul, and Barara Reifel. Attached is a photo of the group. Too bad that the masks are hiding their smiles. Hope you can join us on future outings.

Chapter of the National Audubon Society Kern County, California KERN AUDUBON SOCIETY ZOOM GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, November 10, 7 PM... Join us as biologist Jessica Griffiths addresses why some birds flock and why others don’t. Join Zoom Meeting 912 1824 3891, or use link: https://zoom.us/j/91218243891 See www.kernaudubonsociety.org/events for more details!

Photo for our first outing since the lockdown. Location: Kern River Riparian Preserve near Lake Ming. 29 species. Bill Cooper gave information about the importance of the Preserve for hikers and birders

KAS Zoom Meeting Tuesday September 1st at 7pm. Click on link for details. https://mailchi.mp/87a8/bird-of-the-week-april-27-12494350

Hooded oriole taken by Tony Swan. Location: Palm Desert

Thanks to David Lyman of ‘Visit Bakersfield’ for sending this out. If you have not visited Hart Park recently or birded there, this video will definitely get you off the couch or away from your computer. And you will understand why it is called the "Gem of Kern County" https://youtu.be/1t32VJghi8U Enjoy!

Western Kingbird feeding nestling taken at Hart Park by Mark Hodson

Short-Billed Dowitcher taken at Kern National Wildlife Refuge by Ken & Brenda Kyle

California Quail and Great Horned Owl photos by Clyde Golden

Burrowing Owls by Member Georgette Theotig

Black Crowned Night Heron, Taken by Harry Love in Morro Bay

Beautiful Calliope and Rufus Hummingbirds. Photographs taken at the central coast by member Kevin Rolland.

Big thanks to Tim O'Neil and his talented team at Mentality for putting together this inspirational video about the origins of our wonderful Kern River Parkway!

Check out the interesting article in yesterday’s Bakersfield Californian regarding birding. Featuring comments from our VP Kevin Fahey and information from Nature Alley. https://www.bakersfield.com//article_8d028670-b014-11ea-98

A Colombia Birding Adventure June Program Meeting via Zoom Tuesday, June 9, at 7 PM KAS will hold its first-ever Zoom Program Meeting, and you're invited! We have scheduled a program for you on the Birds of Colombia, presented by a professional birder, Christopher Caljonie. Several of our members, including Ginny, went on a birding trip with him to Colombia. He is a native of Colombia. He and his family operate an Eco lodge, Araucana Lodge, near city of Cali. He also has a... residence in Oregon. Education: Humboldt State University. Click the link below for details. https://mailchi.mp/ba99/bird-of-the-week-april-27-12458273

Many of you who bird on the coast are familiar with the Western Snowy Plover. They need your help. The Morro Coast Audubon Society shared this alert: Western Snowy Plovers need your help to protect them. (cick link below)... CLICK HERE: https://act.audubon.org/onlineacti/9D03cfKdcUOcFVHrIRmKeQ2 To Tell the Dept. of Parks & Recreation to Protect Snowy Plovers at Oceano Dunes Your action is needed right away. Letters are due June 1, 2020.

Dear Kern Audubon Society Members: June has traditionally been our ‘end of the year’ get-together for members. A time to celebrate our successes for the past year and to renew acquaintances. We have held a picnic at a local park. However, the current health crisis has caused us to cancel the annual June picnic. Social distancing standards and size of our group makes the event impossible. We are working on an alternative event, using social media. Please look for an announceme...nt about using your computer to learn more about birds and local sites. Stay safe! Board of Directors

http://tinyurl.com/y9hgtxg4

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY, FRIDAY, MAY 15 Find out what you can do to celebrate and protect endangered species by click on the KAS website. Scroll down to News and then click on the article. It is a webinar, 10 AM, that gives you ideas and activities to make the day great for these special species. It is hosted by Audubon California. https://www.kernaudubonsociety.org

Hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend. Since we are all limited in our travel to view birds, the next best choice is to view them on your computer. Click on this short video about birds in California. Enjoy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSPEgaTwpo&t=457s

Global Big Day. May 9, 2020 https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-9-may-2020

Member Clyde Golden offered these photos he took at his home in the foothills: Anna's hummingbird and a rock wren. Many thanks to him.

Photos taken by members. The one of the bald eagle is by Roxanne Honaker. She went to the site near Camp Okihi. The photo of the redhead ducks at Riverwalk Park and the bat on a nearby tree were by Harry Love.

Thanks to Steve Shaw for going out to Cadillac Buttes. He found a great horned owl on a nest. You can enjoy his trip by looking at his photos

Member Bird sightings. Marcia Wolfe's photo of red-tailed hawks fledglings in a nest in a power tower. Second, a black-headed grosbeak (male) by Andy Honig, in his backyard.

Mark Hodson provides you with three photos of literally backyard birding: Lincoln sparrow and white-crowned sparrow. Enjoy

Thanks to Ali Sheehey ,Roger Coley, and others for providing this bird photo collection.

Two KAS members, Barbara and Susan Castle, after reading an article about condors in Zion NP, sent photos of the bird and the family members. They were there just before the closure of the Park.

Bald Eagle Camera in British Columbia Link to live cams on Bald Eagle nests in the Frazier River Valley. Great to see the hatch lings before they fledge the nest. Enjoy! https://hancockwildlife.org/project/live-cams/

KAS is participating in Give Big Kern now through May 5th. We would appreciate your support, Thank You! Click the link below. https://www.givebigkern.org/organizati/kern-audubon-society

To all, Because of the state-wide quarantine directive, the Kern Audubon Society is postponing all programs and outings until further notice. Thanks for your understanding.

TOMORROW, APRIL 1st OUTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.TOMORROW, APRIL 1st OUTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

UPDATE: THIS OUTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED! Wednesay. April 1, 8:30am A great day to enjoy the river and see old friends. We will practice social distancing. There will be no loaner binoculars available and no sign-in clipboard. Kern River at the Rancheria Rd. Bridge. Join us for birding in a true riparian habitat where the Kern River emerges from the Sierras. 15 minutes from downtown. Look for spring migrants as well as residents like Great Blue Heron, Double-crested cormorant...s, Mergansers, Eagles, Hawks, Warblers, and Phoebes. The terrain forms a quiet, secluded dell where one hears mostly birds and flowing water. Directions: Take Hwy 178 east from Bakersfield. Rancheria Rd. meets Hwy 178 at 1.5 miles past the traffic light at Alfred Harrell Hwy (Comanche Dr.). Sign for Rancheria Rd. is near the bottom of the long hill. Rancheria Rd is on the left in the gap between two citrus orchards. Turn left and drive mile to our meeting point at the large parking lot before the bridge. Rough trails along the river bank are narrow, uneven footpaths between granite boulders and patches of high, thick brush. So wear long pants, sturdy shoes, hat and layered clothing. Bring water and sunscreen. Current weather prediction: in the 70s! Contact Linda McMillian at [email protected] for more information See more

WE’RE ALL WINGING THIS TOGETHER! We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe. In these challenging and uncertain times, we’re reaching out to let you know that we are thinking of you. The health and well-being of our supporters and members is of utmost importance to all of us here at the Kern Audubon Society. With the statewide closure of schools and many businesses, we understand that the resulting isolation and stress of these sudden changes can be overwhelming.... Now more than ever, nature can provide us with respite and soothing experiences. We encourage you to pause and spend time outdoors where appropriate, and to be safe and healthy. In addition, we’ll keep you connected virtually with birds and nature, through our website (kernaudubonsociety.org). Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and we are fully committed to doing everything we can to ensure the safety and well-being of our Audubon members. We are grateful for all of you and want you to know that we’re all winging this together. Stay safe, KAS Board of Directors

Birding opportunity on Saturday, March 28 Interested in looking at nesting raptors: hawks and kestrels? Well, Steve Shaw (member) is offering you an opportunity for Saturday, March 28. He will be able to take up to 12 people, separated into two groups of six. He will also be sure you are separated a safe distance from each other. Location: Golden Hills Nature Park, Tehachapi... Interested? Have questions?: Then you must email him: [email protected] or go to his Facebook page.

The April 28 program of the Tehachapi Group has been postponed. Please look for it to be rescheduled at a later date. In addition, the March 28 field trip to Golden Hills Nature Park, to be led by Greg, has been cancelled.

To Kern Audubon Members The current and ongoing events related to the COVID-19 virus in Kern County have caused us to take actions related to KAS events. We are very aware of the age and health related issues of many of our members and want to minimize threats to you. Therefore, at this time, we are suspending our April 7 program meeting. We will make a determination about the scheduled May 5 program at a later date. Our April 1 outing to the Rancheria Bridge area along the K...ern River will take place. More information will follow. By mid- April we will decide on our May meeting. Please continue to use our website (kernaudubonsociety.org) page to get the latest information on birds, events, and future outings. It may be down for a short time for upgrading. However our Facebook page is another choice for information. We want you to be and feel safe during these times. KAS Board of Directors

To KAS members and fellow birders: The spring nature festival at Wind Wolves, scheduled for this coming weekend, has been cancelled. We would like to thank those who had volunteered to help. The Science Camp, the last one for the season, was scheduled for Friday, March 7. We must cancel our participation in the event. If you had volunteered, we would like to thank you and hope you can join us in the fall.... We will send you more updates on events as they develop. KAS Executive Board of Directors

Hope you all like our new Logo. It was presented at the last meeting.

Exciting Outing this Saturday February 29! Spring has sprung! Enjoy it by a morning of birding at the lake in the city park in California City (10400 Heather Ave.) and then a visit to the nearby Desert Tortoise Preserve. Bring water, snack, hat, bincos, and wear layered clothes. Time: 7:30 PM. Meeting place: Burger King in Tehachapi. Leader: Greg Hargleroad. Contact him at: (818) 645-3664 [email protected] Photos from today’s field trip.

KAS PROGRAM CORRECTION! Tuesday, March 3rd, 7 PM, ANCIENT KERN COMES TO LIFE Presenter: Mark Hodson Had you been where Bakersfield is 15 million years ago, you would have been treading water! Let Mark Hodson, KAS board member, guide you through the fauna with which you would be sharing your swim, as revealed by fossils recovered from the Sharktooth Hill Bone bed. While many of the critters will look familiar, be prepared to face condor-sized birds with inch-long teeth ...and sharks as big as buses. Mark Hodson has volunteered with the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and its predecessor organization (The Paleontology Project at CALM) for more than 25 years. While he brought training and experience as a geologist to these efforts, it is through the work and discoveries of many others that he is able to bring Ancient Bakersfield to life. (Please note new location) PLEASE NOTE REVISED LOCATION. REIDER BUILDING, KCSOS, 2000 K STREET, ROOM 204

Field Trip Sat. Feb 22, 8:30-11:30 Cesar Chavez Nat. Monument, Keene CA Again this year, the National Park Service invites birders for a morning of winter birding on 117 scenic acres around La Paz in the mountains 25 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy 58. At 8:30, NPS staff will briefly orient us to the site. Expect to see at least 30 species. For lunch, plan to join birders at the historic Keene Café. Dress warmly in layers, bring water, a hat, and binoculars. Di...rections: Take Hwy 58 east from Bakersfield; take the Keene exit (#139); turn left and cross under the freeway; take the first right and pass the Keene Café; the Monument’s entrance is mile on the left. Bakersfield carpool meetup at 7:30 am at Costco at Hwy 99 and Rosedale Hwy. Questions: Contact Mac McCarthy ([email protected]) or Ginny Dallas([email protected]) See more

https://www.facebook.com/10778757/posts/10217992694103763/

Want to plan your Kern Audubon activity schedule for February and March? Now it is easy! Click on the link below and our calendar will be available to you, showing what is planned for both months. Enjoy!... https://www.kernaudubonsociety.org/events.php

Steve Shaw, falconer and KAS member, gave a fascinating program last night at the Tehachapi program. He brought a Harris's hawk and a prairie falcon. He explained the important differences between these two birds of prey. At one point he gave the falcon a part of a bird (what falcons hunt) to eat. We watched the unique way it held it with its talons and pulled at the meat with its beak. Hope you can come to a future event with Steve and his birds.

You are invited to come to our monthly program: Tuesday, February 4, 7 PM, KCSOS, 1300 17th St. Bakersfield, CA Room 1B "A Restoration Journey for Salton Sea and Lake Owens" with Andrea Jones, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon California.... With the help of photos, she will explain the current status of these two bodies of water and what future plans are being considered. Many of our members have birded in both area. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow birders and to renew friendships. Refreshments provided. There will also be a raffle. Please mark your calendar and join us!

Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC): Coming up between Friday, February 14th and Monday, February 17th is Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society’s 23rd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. The GBBC is a citizen-science project where people from more than 100 countries participated in 2019. In 2019, the GBBC Project contributed to more than 6,800 bird species observed with more than 200,000 checklists! Would you like to help contribute to this Project but would like to learn the basics of birding to feel more comfortable in birding? Then attend the Basic Birding Workshop on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

BEGINNING BIRDING WORKSHOP (HOW TO USE THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO IDENTIFY BIRDS): Are you a beginning birder or a birder that needs to refresh your skills? Would you like to learn about the latest technology with birding? Would you like to find out if you are using your binoculars correctly? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then come out to Kern Audubon’s first workshop of 2020 to learn about the basic tools to help answer any of your questions with tools used f...or birding. Basic Birding Workshop: lecture on learning how to use basic tools [binoculars, scopes, Apps (eBird, Merlin, etc.), field guides, etc.] to help with locating and identifying birds, followed by a field practice within the Riparian habitat along the Kern River of the Panorama Vista Preserve. WORKSHOP DETAILS: Instructor: Ali Sheehey (aka Nature Ali), local naturalist Assistant Instructor: Brooke Stutz, local biologist Date: Saturday, February 15, 2020 Time: 9:00 am 12:00 pm Location: Panorama Vista Preserve, 901 E. Roberts Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93308 Cost: Kern Audubon Members FREE; Non-members $5 Workshop is limited to 12 participants so reserve your spot! RSVP to Brooke Stutz at [email protected]

Greg Hargleroad will lead an outing to California City Central Park (10400 Heather Ave.) and Desert Tortoise Preserve on Saturday, February 29. Meet at the Park at 8:30 or to carpool meet at Burger King in Tehachapi at 7:30. Bring snacks, water, binoculars, and wear layered clothes.

Explore Birds at Cesar Chavez National Monument Date: Saturday, February 22 Time: 8:30 Leaders: Mac McCarthy and Ginny Dallas... Meeting place: At the National Monument located 25 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy 58. This trip includes fellow Audubon members from other nearby chapters. What to bring: binoculars, water, snack. Dress in layers. Possible lunch at Keene Store after outing

Falconry: Hawks vs. Falcons Steve Shaw is a Master Falconer and will speak to us about how hawks, eagles and owls are different and the use of hawks and falcons in falconry. He will also discuss major threats to raptors and songbirds. In the past he has given programs in both Tehachapi and Bakersfield. Steve will bring a falcon and a Harris hawk for the program. He is also open to folks having a picture with a raptor in their hand.... He will also speak about the Nature Park in Golden Hills (Tom Sawyer Lake) which is a site for falconry. The meeting starts at 7 pm Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 and is held at Golden Hills Elementary School, 20215 Park Rd. in Tehachapi. Refreshments and raffle. Hope you can attend! Promise an exciting program.

On Saturday, over 20 members attended the outing to Lake Ming led by Linda McMillian. Over 36 birds were spotted and identified. Ron Worgul was able to photograph a bald eagle at the lake. Hope you can make the next outing.

Start off the new year birding locally! On Saturday, 8:30 -11:30 AM, meet at Lake Ming,in the parking lot, near the playground area (across from the golf course). Great place to see waterfowl and other birds. Two bald eagles have been spotted here the last two weeks. Spotting scopes will be available to use along with loaner binoculars. From the lake we will then go the short distance to the Pyles Picnic Area for birding. It has been a reliable spot. Bring water, snacks, and dress in layers. Leader: Linda McMillian ([email protected])

Upcoming Field Trips Sat. Jan 11, 8:30-11:30 am - Lake Ming - Linda McMillian will lead us on a morning of winter birding at Lake Ming. Expect to see a large selection waterfowl and winter birds as well as a Bald Eagle. Directions: From Alfred Harrell Highway turn east at the fire station onto Lake Ming Drive and follow it down to the lake. Meet at the first parking lot, dress in warm layers, bring binoculars, water, snacks. For info: [email protected]

Join us at Golden Hills Elementary in Tehachapi on Tuesday, January 28th, at 7 PM to see a program on falconry: "Hawks vs. Falcons." Steve Shaw is a Master Falconer and will speak to us about how hawks, eagles and owls are different and the use of hawks and falcons in falconry. He will also discuss major threats to raptors and songbirds. Steve will bring a falcon and Harris hawk for the program and is open to folks having a picture with a raptor in hand. He will also speak about the Nature Park in Golden Hills (Tom Sawyer Lake) which is a site for falconry.

Join us at KCSOS in Bakersfield on Tuesday, January 7th, at 7 PM to see a program on the birds of south Texas. Harry and Kathy Love went to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in November. Starting in Harlingen Texas, they went on outings on the river and nearby birding hotspots. From kiskadees to green jays, many of the birds are only found in this part of the U.S. Their program will also include a visit to an historic housing section of San Antonio built by German immigrants

Happy Holidays from KAS!

From the KAS family to yours!

Click the link below to view December’s Warbler Newsletter. It is full of news regarding upcoming meetings, field trips and much more! https://www.kernaudubonsociety.org//WarblerDecember2019.pdf

December is almost here and that means it's time for the Annual Holiday Potluck. This is a great time to get together with follow birders over a meal and entertainment. It also a time when you can buy a unique item, get a gift card, or find a piece of art that fits on the empty shelf in the living room. There will be both a silent and live auction. But most of all it is a time to make new friendships and to renew old ones. We look forward to seeing everyone at the First Congregational Church (https://goo.gl/maps/iJtg1mKt7LiVK7W79) on Tuesday December 3rd at 6:30 p.m.