Buena Vista Audubon 9th Annual Birdhouse & Nature Art Auction
The Buena Vista Audubon Society hosts its 9th annual Birdhouse Auction Fundraiser and Open House on Saturday, March 16th, from 5-8 pm at its nature center (2202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside, 92054). Both a silent and live auction will feature unique birdhouses and other nature-themed art handcrafted by local artists. Festivities include music from CJ…
Read MoreAvian Architects Setting Up Shop
They typically nest in large colonies, occasionally numbering in the thousands. Within these noisy, chattering colonies, they push “neighborliness” to the limit, laying eggs in or even moving their eggs into their neighbors’ nests. They recognize the voices of their offspring even among thousands of other kids squawking to be fed. They spy on their…
Read MoreMelrose Drive Link Meeting
What ever name you know this project by, it’s been resurrected by the Oceanside City Council. The plan is to connect Melrose, from Santa Fe through the south end of Guajome County Park to Spur Avenue. This ineffective link is environmentally unsound. Wetlands and endangered species habitat will be destroyed.The City’s value engineered conceptual plan…
Read MoreFamiliar Friend The Lesser Goldfinch
Naming a species a “least” this-or-that or a “lesser” such-and-such smacks a bit of disparagement. The bird exists only in relationship to a larger/greater/“better” bird. The Lesser Goldfinch’s comparator is its Spinus congener, the American Goldfinch. In this context, the Lesser Goldfinch comes up short in several ways. It measures ½” (10%) shorter and weighs…
Read MoreSummary – Oceanside (CAOV) Christmas Bird Count – 2018
A big thank you to Kirsten Winter for writing this compilation of results: The 73rd Oceanside Christmas Bird Count was held on December 29, 2018. It was a clear and cold day, breezy in the morning. A talented group of 121 birders logged 231 hours and 451 miles, and recorded approximately 29,100 individual birds –…
Read MoreBVAS Galapagos Island Birding 2019
Looking to get away and do something exciting in the New Year? Well join BVAS in 2019 for our birding trip to the beautiful Galapagos Islands. Visitors to the Galápagos Islands are intrigued by the endemic flora and fauna, geological activity, volcanic terrain, and unique human history. Accompanied by an onboard naturalist-guide, this 7-night small…
Read MoreA Message from the President
Dear BVAS Members and Friends, North County San Diego is filled with natural beauty: the ocean, lagoons, foothills, and mountains. Yet it is easy to forget how many nearby communities are “park-poor.” The Buena Vista Audubon Society (BVAS) fills this gap at its nature center and on its trail. During our school programs, Nature Guide…
Read MoreTripping the Light Fantastic
When I set out to write about a species, I start with “What is interesting about this species?” With hummingbirds, though, what isn’t interesting about them? The smallest of all birds, most of the hummingbirds seen in California weigh between 0.1 and 0.3 ounces (~2.5 – 4 grams) or less than 5 original M&Ms. Probably…
Read MoreAttention Scouts!
Here at our beautiful Nature Center in Oceanside we offer programs for all levels of scouts on a variety of subjects. Furthermore we can assist in acquisition of badges regarding animals, birds, watershed, and environmental concerns. Please contact us at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center or Sondra Renwanz (srenwanz@aol.com) for more information.
Read More119 Years… and Counting
December 23, 2017. I jolt awake at 3 a.m. Was that a Great Horned Owl calling? I strain to listen without getting out of bed, without opening a window. I can’t be sure. Better not count it. In vain, I try to go back to sleep. At 4:30, I finally get up even though…
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