Wingbeat Blog

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

​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 …

“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 …

By Executive Director Yiwei Wang 

​Last month, we had over 250 6th grade students from Windmill Springs Elementary School and Sheppard Middle School visit our banding station near Coyote Creek. If you watch this video, you can sense and hear the excitement as students see bushtits for the first time or learn about the science behind bird banding, only miles away from where they go to school. These field trips for local students are some of our newest educational initiatives, and SFBBO is excited to continue bringing our science to local communities, but we need your help to …

​Last month, we had over 250 6th grade students from Windmill Springs Elementary School and Sheppard Middle School visit our banding station near Coyote Creek.

If you watch this video, you can sense and hear the excitement as students see bushtits for the first time or learn about the science behind bird banding, only miles away from where they go to school. These field trips for local students are some of our newest educational initiatives, and SFBBO is excited to continue bringing our science to local communities, but we need your help to …

By Guest Blogger Jackie Vargo

I’ve been a citizen scientist for SFBBO’s Colonial Waterbird Program since 2014 and monitor a colony of Great Blue Herons that nest at Coyote Ranch Road in San Jose. Over the past four years I’ve noticed that weather has impacted my colony, but I am happy to report that this year my Great Blues are on the rise! ​ In 2013, there had only been  4 nests, 3 adults, and 3 young in the Fremont Cottonwoods where they liked to nest. The year I started volunteering I observed that the small canyon below the land where Fremont Cottonwoods stood was mostly dry, ​as was much of the …

I’ve been a citizen scientist for SFBBO’s Colonial Waterbird Program since 2014 and monitor a colony of Great Blue Herons that nest at Coyote Ranch Road in San Jose. Over the past four years I’ve noticed that weather has impacted my colony, but I am happy to report that this year my Great Blues are on the rise!
​
In 2013, there had only been  4 nests, 3 adults, and 3 young in the Fremont Cottonwoods where they liked to nest. The year I started volunteering I observed that the small canyon below the land where Fremont Cottonwoods stood was mostly dry, ​as was much of the …

​I’ve always had a penchant for spotting birds in the wild. But for years the number of times I’d spotted a “life bird” (a fancy way of saying a new bird species sighting I can’t wait to boast about) were few and far between. So I started to piggyback with other hobbyist birders to learn more about the birds around us and with their help I got better at striking more birds from my “lifers” list.

I’d thought I’d seen it all until I joined an SFBBO bird walk led by birder Chris Johnson on a Sunday morning earlier this month ​at Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara. Interestingly, Chris’s …

By Science Outreach Intern Kyle Wong

​During my time interning at SFFBO so far, our Family Science Nights have rapidly become one my favorite programs! Last month, we had a blast at the Family Science Night at Forest Hill Elementary in San Jose. We brought three interactive stations to the multi-purpose room on May 21st that challenged both the kids’ and their parents’ analytical and artistic skills. ​At the event one of our volunteers, former SFBBO biologist Emily Moffitt, and I facilitated the Snowy Plover activity table. First, we united the …

​During my time interning at SFFBO so far, our Family Science Nights have rapidly become one my favorite programs! Last month, we had a blast at the Family Science Night at Forest Hill Elementary in San Jose.

We brought three interactive stations to the multi-purpose room on May 21st that challenged both the kids’ and their parents’ analytical and artistic skills.

​At the event one of our volunteers, former SFBBO biologist Emily Moffitt, and I facilitated the Snowy Plover activity table. First, we united the …