About Kern Audubon
Founded in Bakersfield in 1973, incorporated in 1979, Kern Audubon Society began a re-birth in 2006. In one year we have achieved a great deal - see a list of accomplishments in the April 2007 Audubon's Warbler. New and re-newing members and officers are joining together to make the KAS a thriving environmental organization again.
The Chapter has been re-certified by the National Audubon Society and we are planning a number of exciting, fun, and educational projects
for 2008.
We plan to maintain an informative web site, post our newsletter, and keep our members and the people
of Kern County informed about conservation matters, large and small.
We have regular program meetings and field trips to both common and unique habitats in California.
Visit the pages below to learn more about our Chapter. Join us at a meeting or a field trip.
PROGRAM
TUES. JANUARY 6, 2009
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"The San Joaquin Kit Fox" Presented by Dr. Ted Murphy |
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The San Joaquin kit fox, Bakersfield's best known endangered species, has been studied by Dr. Ted Murphy, Kern Audubon Society co-chair, since 1972. Dr. Murphy, who retired from California State University, Bakersfield in 2001, will relate some of his "kit fox tales" resulting from seeing and handling hundreds of both well and injured kit fox during his tenure as director of the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (FACT) at CSUB. Prior to his extensive observations, most of the knowledge of the species was based on limited studies conducted in the desert in western Kern County, but Ted found that the behavior and biology of the urban fox is very different. Join us to hear about "The Doughnut Eating Kit fox," "The Dead Boy Kit Fox," "The BonBon Kit Fox," "The One-eyed Kit Fox," "The Golf Course Kit Fox," and many others. In addition to his work with FACT, Dr. Murphy was professor of biology at CSUB for 30 years and is also a founding member of Kern Audubon Society. |
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Field Trips
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Field Trip - SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2009 7:00am Kern National Wildlife Refuge Scott Frazer, Field Trip Leader |
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| The Kern National Wildlife Refuge is a fascinating place to see many different kinds of wintering waterfowl, from ducks to ibis, plus shorebirds and wading birds. January is the PEAK of migration and the refuge will have a nearly full complement of water. Scott Frazer, refuge biologist, will lead us through the refuge, including spots not generally open to the public. Most of the viewing will be from or near cars, and some walking will be involved. Meet at the parking lot across from CSUB (north side of Stockdale Hiway) at 7:00am for carpooling, with departure at 7:10. Dress in layers, bring water/snacks and binoculars. We will return to Bakersfield by noon. Remember, this is a SUNDAY field trip. Contact Ginny (301-8188) for more information. | ||
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WEEKEND FIELD TRIP: CARRIZO PLAINS, MORRO BAY, SAN SIMEON February 21 & 22 Tulare County Audubon has invited Kern Audubon to join them in a weekend field trip exploring several of the most interesting birding spots in this part of California. The CARRIZO PLAINS combines the Tembler Range, Soda Lake, the Salt Bush & Iodine Bush with mystique that draws birders again and again. Hoped for species are Sandhill Cranes, which winters there in great numbers, Long-billed Curlews, raptors, Mountain & Western Bluebirds, LeConte’s Thrashers...and Pronghorns . The MORRO BAY area will have an incredible variety of resdient as well aswintering birds: Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, Brant Geese, Black Skimmers, Loons, Grebes, White Pelicans, Surf Scoters, shorebirds, etc. This will be a caravaning field trip with Scott Frazer as field trip leader for Kern Audubon. Participants will meet on Sat. Feb. 21 at 6:00am at the Denny's parking lot at the southwest corner of Merle Haggard (7th Standard Rd.) & Hiway 65 (Porterville Hiway). From there we will carpool and meet Tulare Co. Audubon (TCAS) near junction of Hiway 41 & 46, birding south on the way to Carrizo Plains, looking for Yellow-billed magpies, Greater Roadrunners, Golden Eagles, Horned Larks, etc. After lunch we will be at the Carrizo Plains and then head for Morro Bay via Hiway 58, 101 & 1. We will check into our lodging and then meet at Dorn's Original Breaker's Cafe in Morro Bay at 7pm. Sunday morning birding will start at 8AM at the Morro Bay Museum and will include stops at the estuary and Morro Bay hotspots. After lunch, the caravan will travel north to San Simeon to see the Elephant Seals, etc. It is strongly suggested that you make motel reservations as soon as possible as this is a holiday weekend. The TradeWinds (805/772-7376) and Blue Sail Inn (888/337-0707) in Morro Bay are moderately priced and there is also a Motel 6 (805/772-5641). If you cannot attend both days of the field trip, you are welcome to participate on either day or leave early on Sunday. Since weather is unpredictable, layered clothing is a good idea and the trip will take place regardless of the weather. It is important to bring SNACKS and lunch stuff for Saturday, binoculars, water, etc. If you are interested in participating, please contact SCOTT FRAZER (Scott _Frazer@fws.gov) as soon as possible. Space is not limited, however we would like to have a head count for trip planning. |
 Scott Frazer |
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CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS One of the traditions long-associated with the National Audubon Society is the annual Christmas Bird Count. Even older than Audubon itself, the CBC began in 1900 as an alternative to the traditional Christmas BIRD HUNT, in which teams shot as many birds as possible. The first count included 27 people in 25 locations, but they were armed with pencils and binoculars! The CBC is the oldest bird census in the world with over 50,000 volunteers in 2000 locations, providing one of the most important bodies of information on wildlife data in the world. Leadeing three Kern County CBC ’s are birding experts John Wilson and Alison Sheehy. If you are interested in participating in these daylong counts, contact John or Alison for more information... Bakersfield CBC - Sunday December 14 ( 7:00am ) John Wilson is the leader/compiler for the Bakersfield area CBC. Birders will gather at 7:00am in Hart Park (on Mirror Dr. near the west entrance to Hart Park by the restrooms). Please call John Wilson at (661)747-4628 if you are planning to participate so he can make up territory assignments. We will meet at Cindy's Restaurant at 5PM for no host dinner and reporting/compilation. If you are interested in assisting with owling, contact Michael McQuerrey <macbirder@juno.com> who will be out shortly after midnight on Dec. 14th and would enjoy company. Or, if you wish to owl separately, contact Michael to coordinate areas of the count circle to assure there isn't a "double count." Buena Vista Christmas Bird Count - Sunday, 21 December 2008 ( 6:30am ) Alison Sheehey is the leader/compiler for the19th Annual Buena Vista Christmas Bird Count. This count is centered on the northeast entrance to Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area and is the most southerly count in California 's Great Central Valley. Wintering populations vary with the amount of surface water, making this an interesting count. Normally around 100 species are found depending on the number of participants. You must preregister and be prepared to provide names and vehicle license plate number. This count is conducted behind many closed gates and landowners require this information ahead of time. Meet at Shell Mini-mart at the corner of Enos Lane and Taft Hwy. at 6:30 a.m. for maps and area assignment. RSVP: Alison Sheehey: 760-378-2029 or natureali@lightspeed.net Kern Valley Christmas Bird Count - Sunday, 4 January 2009 ( 6:30am ) Alison Sheehey is the leader/compiler. This count is centered around Isabella Reservoir and covers territory from Bodfish to Weldon and up into the eastern Greenhorn Mountains . Meet at Rainbow Donuts, 6:30 a.m. , 5640 Lake Isabella Blvd in the Von's Shopping Center, Lake Isabella. Tally dinner specially catered at Audubon's Sprague Ranch House. 5:30 p.m. Dinner cost $15 each in addition to $5 CBC fee (vegetarian and meat entrees). RSVP: Alison Sheehey: 760-378-2029 or natureali@lightspeed.net All experience levels are encouraged to attend. Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. A $5.00 participation fee paid by Kern Audubon defrays a portion of the cost of tabulating and publishing the count results by National Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. |
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A newly-published book will be available at the October 7th meeting of Kern Audubon called Backyard Birds of California : How to Identify and Attract the Top 25 Birds. The book includes a profiled bird scale for easier identification, a range and distribution map for each bird, color photographs and specific descriptions, including identification marks, behavior, habitat and nesting style. There are also articles by author Bill Fenimore on creating backyard bird sanctuaries, tips on feeders and water features, vegetation, etc. The 100 page book, available for $10, is especially good for beginning birders and will make wonderful gifts! Support the chapter fundraiser...buy a book! (p.s. the book's pictures are much much better than my picture of the pictures!) |
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AUDUBON CALENDARS ARE BACK! Once again we are selling Audubon calendars as a chapter fund-raiser, so plan to purchase your copies at the December meeting. These beautifully photographed 2009 calendars are "wall-style" and one engagement book style and are $12-$13 ea. There are different "species" of calendars to choose from: Songbirds, Nature, Raptors, For more information, contact Harry & Kathy Love, |
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Warblers, KAS
