The Los Angeles Bird Watching Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to bird watching and conservation in the Greater Los Angeles area. Founded in 2005 by a group of avid birders, the group aims to promote interest in birding, provide education about birds and their habitats, and advocate for bird conservation.
With over 500 members, the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group is one of the largest birding organizations in Southern California. Members range from novice bird watchers to expert ornithologists. The group welcomes birders of all experience levels who share a passion for birds and nature.
Mission and Activities
The mission of the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group is to foster greater knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of birds and nature through birdwatching, education, and conservation.
To accomplish this mission, the group engages in the following activities:
– Hosting regular bird watching field trips and outings to prime birding locations throughout Los Angeles County. The group visits habitats ranging from rugged coastal cliffs to urban parks and lakes.
– Maintaining a website and online discussion forum to provide information on birding activities, recent bird sightings, and bird identification tips.
– Publishing a monthly e-newsletter with upcoming events, trip reports, articles, and birding news.
– Organizing free public educational programs on bird biology, behavior, photography, and other topics related to birds and nature.
– Partnering with local conservation organizations on habitat restoration projects and initiatives to protect threatened bird species.
– Advocating for bird-friendly policies and collaborating with agencies and municipalities on urban planning decisions.
– Compiling data from member sightings to track bird populations and migration patterns. Records are submitted to various bird monitoring databases.
Membership
Membership in the Los Angeles Bird Watching group is open to anyone with an interest in birds and nature, regardless of prior experience. Annual dues are $30 for individuals or $45 for families. All members receive discounts on field trips and events, access to the website features, and monthly e-newsletters.
The group holds monthly member meetings featuring guest speakers, presentations on birding topics, and information on upcoming activities. A key benefit of membership is gaining access to the collective knowledge and expertise of the group on birding locations, identification tips, and advice for beginners.
Leadership
The Los Angeles Bird Watching Group is led by elected voluntary officers and board members who handle administrative, financial, and planning matters for the organization.
Key leadership roles include:
– President: Oversees all aspects of the organization, leads monthly meetings, serves as spokesperson.
– Vice President: Assists the president, fills in when president is absent.
– Secretary: Maintains meeting minutes, communication records, membership directory.
– Treasurer: Manages financial accounts, oversees budget, filings taxes and required forms.
– Field Trip Coordinator: Plans and schedules regular bird watching outings and trips.
– Communications Chair: Edits and distributes monthly e-newsletter and manages website and online discussion forum.
– Conservation Chair: Leads initiatives, projects, and advocacy related to bird and habitat conservation.
– Education Chair: Plans educational activities and serves as liaison to local schools and libraries.
Partner Organizations
The Los Angeles Bird Watching Group maintains productive partnerships with the following organizations to help fulfill its mission:
– Audubon California – Collaborates on conservation initiatives and Christmas Bird Count
– Los Angeles Audubon Society – Works jointly to advocate for regional bird habitats
– American Birding Association – Promotes ABA birding events and ethical birding practices
– Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Contributes observation data to citizen science databases
– Coastal Commission – Consults on management of coastal reserves and wetlands
– LA Parks and Recreation – Partners to offer bird walks and programs in public parks
– US Fish & Wildlife Service – Provides input on management of national wildlife refuges
– LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens – Partners to offer birding programs and field trips
Best Birding Locations
The diversity of habitats in Los Angeles County allows for superb birding opportunities. Here are some of the top local birding hotspots frequently visited on field trips with the LA Bird Watching Group:
Coastal Areas
– Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve – Estuary and salt marsh with shorebirds and waterfowl
– Malibu Lagoon State Beach – Coastal lagoon with herons, egrets, terns, and migratory songbirds
– Point Dume State Beach – Seabirds, pelagic species, and migratory passerines along rocky headlands
– Palos Verdes Peninsula – Rugged coastal cliffs with 2600+ pairs of breeding seabirds
Mountain Areas
– Chilao Visitor Center in Angeles National Forest – montane forest birding for species like Steller’s Jay, mountain chickadee, and brown creeper
– Charlton Flats Picnic Area – warblers and other passerines migrating through oak woodlands
– Eaton Canyon Nature Center – foothill canyon with resident and migratory songbirds like hummingbirds
Desert Areas
– Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve – Raptors, cactus wren, LeConte’s thrasher in Mojave Desert habitat
– Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park – Joshua tree woodlands with Scott’s oriole, ladder-backed woodpecker, black-throated sparrow
– Piute Ponds at Edwards Air Force Base – (with permit) migratory stopover for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors
Urban Parks
– Descanso Gardens – 150+ species including hummingbirds at feeders
– Ernest E Debs Regional Park – Migrants in riparian corridor along LA River
– Franklin Canyon Park – Chaparral and oak woodland birds close to city (California quail, woodpeckers)
– Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area – Raptors like red-tailed hawks circling over open spaces
Recent Activities
Here are some highlights of recent activities organized by the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group:
Monthly Meetings
– October: Presentation by LA Audubon on creating native bird-friendly gardens.
– September: Member showcase of best hummingbird photos from summer.
– August: Expert panel discussion on fall warbler migration.
Field Trips
– October 15: Shorebirding at Ballona Wetlands during peak fall migration.
– September 30: Bird banding demonstration at LA Audubon’s Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.
– August 20: Seabird cruise to Santa Barbara Island aboard Island Packers.
Community Events
– October 5: Leading a bird hike for seniors at the Harbor Pines Senior Center.
– September 8: Hosted binoculars clinic and bird ID tips booth at Agoura Hills Family Nature Day.
– August 12: Presented program on attracting birds to gardens at Palos Verdes Public Library.
Conservation Projects
– Ongoing habitat restoration workdays at Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve every 3rd Saturday.
– Sent letter to LA Board of Supervisors advocating for expansion of protected coastal habitat.
– Donated $500 to LA Audubon’s work protecting mountain habitats affected by recent fires.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group aims to:
– Continue expanding educational programs for schools and community centers.
– Partner with urban parks to create bird discovery trails with informational signage.
– Increase scientific data collection by channeling member sightings to researchers.
– Lead workshops on bird photography to enhance members’ skills.
– Expand membership and reach by improving social media presence and outreach.
– Strengthen advocacy for policies and land management practices that protect birds.
Join Us!
Bird watching is a fun, rewarding activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. As the premier birding group in the LA region, we welcome new members who share our passion for birds and nature. Attend one of our monthly meetings or field trips to learn more.
With knowledgeable leadership, an extensive events calendar, partnerships with conservation organizations, and dedicated volunteers, the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group has created a vibrant birding community. Join us to explore the amazing diversity of birds in LA!
Conclusion
In summary, the Los Angeles Bird Watching Group serves an important role in the local community by fostering greater appreciation of the natural world through birding. With over 500 members, regular field trips and meetings, partnerships with conservation organizations, and a commitment to education and advocacy, the group has built an active birding community in the LA region. Members find rewarding opportunities to learn, connect with nature, contribute to citizen science, and support important conservation work. Novices and experts alike are welcome to join this passionate group of LA birding enthusiasts as they promote knowledge, enjoyment, and protection of birds.
