January 5: Ventura Audubon Christmas Bird Count – Leader: Frank DeMartino 856-906-8733 or you may call one of the Section Leaders listed on website.
Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. The more participants we have, the more areas we can cover and we can cover them more thoroughly. Sector Leaders usually start at 8:00 or 8:30 although some of the more ambitious leaders may start earlier!
January 6: 8:00 a.m. Hedrick Ranch Nature Area – Work day Leader: Sandy Hedrick 805-340-0478.
Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves and sun protection.
January 8: 7:30 p.m. VAS Monthly Program: Ventura Seabird Restoration on the California Islands… with Annie Little (USFWS) at the Poinsettia Pavillion – 3451 Foothill Road.The presentation will highlight restoration efforts for seabirds on the Channel Islands and Baja California Pacific Islands, including invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and social attraction.
January 12: 8:30 a.m. Ormond Beach Leaders: Cynthia Hartley 805-795-4115 & Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304. Join us at this excellent coastal location, where we will look for a variety of waterfowl, such as Willets, Whimbrels, Black necked Stilts, Black bellied Plovers and other interesting birds. We will also look for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Peregrine Falcon, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers. Please bring a scope if you have one.
January 19: 8:30 a.m. Soule Park Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833
Situated in east Ojai, this large park offers grasslands, large deciduous trees and riparian habitat that bring out winter feeding flocks of sparrows, bluebirds, and warblers and year round habitat for thrashers, woodpeckers, raptors and more.
January 27: 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga Leader: David Torfeh 805-794-5334
Meet near the beginning of the road off Hwy 33. We will carpool from that location as we walk and drive this long county road. Target species will include Barn Owl, Western Bluebirds, Lark Sparrow, Roadrunner, Phainopepla and various species of swallows.
