Jan 4, 8 a.m. Ventura Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count – Organizer/Compiler: Frank DeMartino 856-906-8733 or ([email protected]) The CBC is the longest running citizen science effort in existence. Bird counts take place all over North America with a few in the Caribbean and Latin America as well. This will be the 120th Christmas Bird Count conducted by National Audubon. If you would like to participate please contact Frank through phone or email.
Jan 12, 8 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 & sun protection. Contact Sandy for directions.
Jan 13, 8:30 a.m. Camino Real Park Field Trip Leader: Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304
Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus and is an excellent place to see birds. Target birds will include Red Shouldered Hawk, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler. Contact Adele for directions.
Jan 14, 7:30 p.m. Ventura Audubon Society Monthly Program at the Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public): Protecting Wildlife and Wild Places. Speaker: James Hines, Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Wildlife Team Leader
The program will cover some of the Sierra Club’s local work protecting the Los Padres National Forest, Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. He will also discuss the Sierra Club’s work on protecting mountain lions, banning wildlife killing rodenticides (rat poison) and protecting local wildlife corridors. As well as touch on some of the work he does with the Sierra Club National Public Lands Team working to protect national public lands units in the west.
Jan 18, 8:30 a.m. Ventura Settling Ponds Field Trip Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833
The settling ponds at the Ventura Harbor is a reliable place to find ducks, grebes, gulls and terns, as well as songbirds and raptors. We should hear Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Blue-gray gnatcatchers.
Jan 26, 8:00 a.m. Ormond Beach Field Trip Leader: Tevin Schmitt 661-904-1563
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. Dress in layers, as the morning may be chilly. Please bring a scope if you have one. Meet at the end of Arnold Road.
