San Mateo County, California
Upcoming MeetingThe next program is: A Century of Field Identification Meetings are at the |
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Please consider supporting Sequoia Audubon Society with a tax-deductable donation.
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Stephanie Rexing's email address is: Stephanie.Rexing@coastal.ca.gov Download the sample letter as a .doc file, or use the text below. |
California Coastal Commission Re: Application 2-13-1020, Pacifica Coastal Development Application Waiver Submission Dear Chairman Kinsey, Commissioners and staff, As a member of Sequoia Audubon Society I urge the California Coastal Commission to approve the City of Pacifica permit application 2-13-1020. SAS has worked closely with the Pacifica Shorebird Alliance for several years to encourage the city of Pacifica to initiate protection for the USFWS listed Western Snow Plovers which continue to winter at Pacifica State Beach. The application is for temporary winter symbolic fencing and will provide a small area free from disturbance on the flat beach. A permanent fence along the bike path will help protect the dunes and signage will help educate visitors about beach wildlife. Last fall California Audubon granted funds to Sequoia Audubon to implement the symbolic fencing included in the application immediately once the Commission has given permission. The educational component of our grant has already involved about 120 school children who received classroom slideshows and visited Pacifica State Beach with Audubon volunteers. At least 50 more kids will visit the beach this spring, and, we hope, see the few remaining plovers. In addition to the plovers, the seasonal symbolic fencing will protect wintering and migrating shorebirds such as Whimbrels and Sanderlings that are regular visitors. Roosting birds will be able to rest undisturbed near the foredunes while surfers and other human visitors can easily access the beach at the Crespi/Highway One intersection as well as from the two beach parking lots west of Highway One. Sincerely, |
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During our monthly public meetings SAS proudly serves Bird Friendly coffee certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC). SMBC Bird Friendly® coffee is 100% organic, shade grown and represents the highest level of certification available. SAS serves SMBC coffee because it supports our mission, to conserve and educate. For more information on SMBC coffee and how to purchase some visit: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/MigratoryBirds/Coffee/default.cfm |
From Pat Neumann, San Mateo County Bluebird Recovery Project Coordinator
"I would like to thank all of the monitors who gave their time and attention to the 2013 nesting season. You monitored 40 trails, 77 boxes, and fledged 148 Western Bluebirds.
"This year Western Bluebirds were even sighted in Moss Landing by monitor, Avis Boutell. This unique sighting has been reported to Nest Watch at Cornell University. Congratulations and thanks to all those participating this season.
"We're now looking ahead to the 2014 season and have need of additional monitors. Huddart County Park in Woodside and The Sequoias in Portola Valley are beautiful locations offering rewarding birding."
Please contact me for more information: 650-712-0642 Pneumann716@gmail.com
Learn Bird Sounds and Benefit Sequoia Audubon Society!
Ever wish you knew how to identify birds by ear? It's one of the most essential birding skills, but one of the hardest to learn. Some folks from Seattle's Audubon chapter set out to make learning bird sounds truly accessible to everyone.
The result is Larkwire: a game-based learning system that uses cognitive techniques to make it easier to learn and remember bird sounds. Combining quiz games, an extensive sound library, and tips from renowned birdsong expert Michael O'Brien, Larkwire makes the learning process not only much easier but fun. Customizable levels from beginner to advanced invite both the backyard birder and the serious student to play and learn.
The company behind Larkwire is a social venture whose mission is not only to teach birdsong; a minimum of ten percent of all proceeds go to support conservation. Sequoia Audubon Society has joined their affiliate program; enter our code when you purchase and we'll receive 20% of the purchase price! Our code: SEQAUD
Larkwire is now available as a native app in the Apple App Store.
Learn bird sounds with Larkwire. It's a great tool and your purchase supports Sequoia Audubon Society!
San Mateo eBird Records
The immense power of the eBird database lends itself to instant availability of data. An independent group has devised this latest invention - BirdTrax - which we have adapted to show all the species seen in San Mateo county over the past week. BirdTrax constantly updates, with the most recent lists first. Checking on any species will show you all the lists that include that species over the past week; clicking on a location will show you all checklists from that location in the same time period.
There are some known glitches in this gadget - its performance varies depending on your browser - but we will monitor and update to newer versions as they become available. Please feel free to inform us at Sequoia about glitches you encounter. In the meantime, use and enjoy!
Sequoia Audubon Society protects native birds and other wildlife and their ecosystems in San Mateo County by engaging people of all ages in conservation, education, advocacy and enjoyment.
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The Sequoia Audubon Society is committed to equal opportunity and abides by all relevant laws and regulations. All Sequoia Audubon programs and volunteer opportunities are administered without regard to race, gender, creed, national origin, age, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, physical, mental or sensory handicap, or any other basis prohibited by law. However, Sequoia Audubon reserves the right to exclude volunteers who do not support its goals.