Blog Archives

Couple Donates Pathfinder to Support Avian Research

7/31/2018

By Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler

Some of the most important tools our scientists use to conduct research on Bay Area birds are the vehicles they drive across levees and dirt roads to reach the plovers, water birds, and tidal marshes they study and protect. Unfortunately, these vehicles are also some of the most expensive!

That’s why we are always especially grateful to supporters who donate their used trucks or other four-wheel-drive vehicles to SFBBO. Two recent donors who did just that are Jonathan and Christine Slocomb-Zack, who donated their old Pathfinder Nissan truck to us this spring ...

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Dudley Carlson's Kids Bird Book Recommendation - Hawk Rising

7/30/2018

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By Guest Blogger Dudley Carlson

As the young daughter of a biologist, I was always amazed when my father, driving at 50 mph, would say, "Look, there's a Red-tailed Hawk." Whipping around to look at the bird on a telephone pole rapidly fading behind us, I always asked, "How can you tell that it's a Red-tail and not a Red-shouldered?"

In Hawk Rising, Maria Gianferrari doesn't answer that question, but for young birders she and illustrator Brian Floca provide a window into the life of a Red-tail family - mother on the nest with downy chicks, father out hunting for food, missing, trying again. The book includes ...

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The Secret of Sparrows and Other Bird ID Workshops with Alvaro Jaramillo

7/16/2018

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By Science Outreach Intern Kyle Wong

One of the most beautiful experiences in life is learning something new. That is why I treasured the opportunity I had in March to attend a sparrows ID workshop led by SFBBO’s senior outreach biologist, Alvaro Jaramillo.

In addition to working for SFBBO, Alvaro heads the birding company Alvaro’s Adventures, publishes scholarly works and articles, and has received an Eisenmann Medal of the Linnaean Society, a natural history organization in New York. His wealth of knowledge combined with his easy-going presence allowed him to bridge the gap between ...

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An Exciting Day of Butterflies and Birds at Coyote Hills

7/13/2018

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By Guest Blogger Marisa Still

June 3rd was one of those beautiful spring days on the verge of summer - people were out, the sun was out, and a few of us went bird and butterfly watching.

The Bird and Butterfly Festival had the gorgeous backdrop of Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont with a stunning marsh where I would help with two nature walks for SFBBO. I met my walk co-leader Jan Hintermeister near the spot where our walk would begin and we both felt optimistic. After meeting our fairly large group, we started our first walk by meeting in the shade to play a game I like to play with my ...

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Gulls, Gulls, Gulls - Nest Monitoring With SFBBO

7/6/2018

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By Waterbird Lead Biologist Victoria Heyse

Every May, our volunteers and biologists walk through all California Gull colonies in the South Bay to estimate the breeding population. This volunteer experience isn’t for the faint of heart! It can be hard to hear yourself think, let alone stay focused enough to tally nests, as thousands of screaming gull parents fly towards your helmet, occasionally making contact with a kick or beak strike. You’ll escape the colony unscathed by gull poop only if you’re lucky.

We have monitored the South Bay gull population for almost 40 years. In the early 1980’s there were only 24 breeding California Gulls, and ...

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A Surprising Colony in Pleasanton Enlightens Many

7/6/2018

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By Waterbird Intern Graham Pimm

In today's world, one could argue that environmental issues are more pronounced than they’ve ever been. Some might bring up coal burning in the 1900s (think “Great-Smog” event in London); widespread DDT spraying in the 60s; or increased urbanization. Each was destructive, and the cumulative effect has been a serious problem for many species.

Despite widespread outreach efforts by organizations such as SFBBO to teach people about our local birds and the issues they face, many still fly under the radar (no pun intended!). For example: would you be surprised if I told you that there was a breeding colony of around 30 ...

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Thank You Events for Our Volunteers and Donors

7/5/2018

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By Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler

Our work to conserve birds and their habitats through science and outreach would not be possible without the people in our community who give generously of their time and money.

To thank our supporters this year we held our Volunteer Appreciation Party in May and our Big Sip last month.

On May 19th, we threw our Volunteer Appreciation Party at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center in Alviso. Our program directors gave project ...

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Corporate Volunteers Banding Together to Save Tidal Marshes

7/3/2018

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By Habitats Seasonal Ecologist Emily Cech

One of my favorite aspects of working with SFBBO has been community involvement. Over the past six months, I have had the opportunity to help lead corporate volunteer events with Intuitive Surgical, Cisco, and Electronic Arts.

It is truly powerful having people from different backgrounds and professions coming together to make a difference. With the continuing rise in sea level, it is now more important than ever to protect tidal marshes. Tidal marshes not only provide habitat for wildlife, but also act as refuge for sensitive species at high tide and protect ...

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Local Students Experience Bird Banding at CCFS

7/2/2018

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By Education Specialist Tonya Anderson

“I’m officially a bird now!” a 6th grader said, pointing to the new “bird band” made of pipe cleaner and numbered beads on her ankle.

Another middle schooler laughed, “I’m trying to measure him, but he won’t stop dabbing!”

They and around 60 of their classmates were visiting SFBBO’s Coyote Creek Field Station in May. They’d arrived in a yellow bus at 8:00 a.m., early enough to see bird species they had learned about in class. The kids were separated into three groups. I led the station where ...

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WINGBEAT BLOG

Couple Donates Pathfinder to Support Avian Research

Dudley Carlson's Kids Bird Book Recommendation - Hawk Rising

The Secret of Sparrows and Other Bird ID Workshops with Alvaro Jaramillo

An Exciting Day of Butterflies and Birds at Coyote Hills

Gulls, Gulls, Gulls - Nest Monitoring With SFBBO

A Surprising Colony in Pleasanton Enlightens Many

Thank You Events for Our Volunteers and Donors

Corporate Volunteers Banding Together to Save Tidal Marshes

Local Students Experience Bird Banding at CCFS

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