Posts by Andy Mauro
Buena Vista Audubon participates in Brown Pelican roost survey
BVAS Team Participates in October Pelican Survey by Andy Mauro Following the ban of DDT in 1972, Brown Pelican populations rebounded to the point where the species was taken off the Endangered Species List in 2009. Since that delisting, however, there has been a disturbing downward trend in population. In recent years, pelican productivity has…
Read MoreRidgways’ Rail Release at Buena Vista Lagoon
There was an exciting morning at the BVAS Nature Center October 5 as we gathered to place transmitters on two Ridgway’s rails prior to releasing them into the Buena Vista Lagoon. It’s wonderful to have the chance to see these beautiful young birds up close. The 8-week-old male and female rails were hatched at Sea…
Read MoreCitizen Science: Rail Release and Survey at Buena Vista Lagoon
A group of agency officials and BVAS members gathered along the Nature Center trail in early July to participate in the release of three endangered Ridgway’s Rails. Each had a tiny radio transmitter affixed to its back. Upon release, the rails quickly disappeared into the cattails and the team tracked their movement by honing in…
Read MoreForging Ahead: The BVAS Nature Endowment
The new BVAS Nature Endowment continues to grow, with over $20,000 in new donations received in June and July. A total of approximately $75,000 has now been raised from BVAS members and the community. Adding in the contribution of $150,000 of double matching funds from Brian Malk and Nancy Heitel, the Nature Fund now stands…
Read MoreRIDGWAY’S RAIL RELEASE AND MONITORING AT BUENA VISTA LAGOON
BVAS will be participating in the release and monitoring of 10 radio-tagged Ridgway’s rails at Buena Vista Lagoon in July or August. Teams of volunteers will plot the locations of the rails twice daily for 8 weeks, using radio telemetry equipment. We’re looking for nature lovers interested in signing up to cover one or more…
Read More“Smile, You’re on Amazon!”
Maybe you’re not Bill Gates, but you still like the idea of being able to dole out charitable grants. Just go to www.smile.amazon.com and designate Buena Vista Audubon as your favorite charity. It’s like Amazon.com in every way, except that a half percent of what you spend gets donated by Amazon to BVAS and helps…
Read MoreSECOND THURSDAY BIRD GROUP APRIL BIRDATHON
Steve Brad’s Second Thursday Bird Walk has developed a reputation among its regulars as a very productive “rarity chase.” The emphasis is generally on the uniqueness of the sightings, rather than the number of species seen. But in April, the group focused on seeing how many different species of birds it could tally. Why the…
Read MoreBrown Pelican Roost Survey
Pursuing its mandate to advance knowledge about nature in the community, BVAS will be surveying five brown pelican roost sites in North County on May 7. This is part of a long-term study by Audubon, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Cornell School of Ornithology to document changes over time in the pelican population. Not many…
Read MoreApril Birding in San Diego
April is the busiest month of the year for breeding activity in San Diego. Evidence of courtship and breeding is all around—males singing for attention, birds building nests, parents feeding young. Most wintering birds have left, and the county is experiencing waves of migrant birds passing through.
Read MoreThe BVAS Nature Endowment
The BVAS Board is pleased to announce the establishment of the BVAS Nature Endowment Fund, the result of a two-for-one matching funds grant of up to $333,000 from Brian Malk and Nancy Heitel of San Diego and Napa Valley. Last November, Brian contacted BVAS to discuss his interest in possibly helping the organization meet some…
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