San Mateo County, California
Sequoia Audubon Society protects native birds and other wildlife and their ecosystems in San Mateo County by engaging people of all ages in conservation, education, advocacy and enjoyment.
Bald Eagles at Crystal Springs
To All Who Enjoyed the Bald Eagles:
Watch For Next Year's Nest!
The nesting Bald Eagles at the Crystal Springs reservoir have apparently experienced a breeding failure and abandoned their nest. The adult birds have not been seen since Wednesday night, April 18. Disappointing though this is, such a failure is not unusual, or biologically catastrophic. Bald Eagles often have low individual rates of breeding success; furthermore, we know that this female Bald Eagle was a very young bird, since she had a few feathers left over from her third-year plumage. We are hoping, therefore, that this couple will try again next year, a common pattern in young Bald Eagles. Likely the couples' inexperience contributed to this abandonment of the nest, but we hope they have many years of breeding - and breeding success - ahead of them.
Photo: Jennifer Rycenga
It has been a great pleasure for all of us at Sequoia to be "hosting" these Bald Eagles, to help people see the nest and, on better days, to see the birds themselves. The joy, excitement, and inter-generational connections between people made this a rewarding experience for all. We've made a lot of new friends, and hopefully sparked some new birders over the past month.
Sequoia Audubon will suspend its hosting activities at Crystal Springs, effective immediately, unless we detect a miraculous return of the Bald Eagles. We will, however, be prepared to host again next year.
Thanks so much to all the volunteers who did a shift at the reservoir, and to those who didn't get a chance, but had volunteered for the future. We hope to have even more people in place next year as volunteers. Inquire with Sequoia if you wish to assist in future years.
Often Bald Eagles use the southern portion of Crystal Springs Reservoir for hunting during the winter. A good place to look for them are the small islands with poles near the western shore of the reservoir, across from the ranger residence along Cañada Road. Check the email list at peninsula-birds for more information.
Here is a story from the San Francisco Chronicle about the Bald Eagles and their abandonment of the nest:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/22/BAND1O5S04.DTL
Photo: Jennifer Rycenga
Click here to read an earlier article in the San José Mercury News about this event: http://m.mercurynews.com/sjm/db_101029/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Y2BiVgVI
Once upon a Crystal Springs aerie tale – Tom Stienstra, Chronicle Columnist
Thanks to the entire Board of Sequoia Audubon for organizing this event.
Portola Redwoods State Park Slated for Closure
Portola Redwoods State Park, located on the southern edge of San Mateo county, is slated for closure under the governor's most recent proposals.
This park hosts uncommon birds for our county like Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Northern Pygmy-Owl. The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation, an independent friends-of-the-parks group, is organizing efforts to keep both Portola Redwoods and Castle Rock State Park open.
Sequoia Audubon supports the Foundation's efforts, and will sponsor some bird walks this spring and summer to draw attention to Portola Redwoods' avian wonders.
Thanks for supporting the Foundation fundraiser held on May 4th at the Thomas Fogarty Winery. It was a big success, but much is still to be done to ensure that these two state parks will remain open. Please click on their web page to stay informedr web page.
Upcoming Meeting
The next program is:
High Tech Innovations in Birding
By Steve Patt and Melissa Hero
Thursday, June 14, 7:00 PM
Meetings are at the
San Mateo Garden Center
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The Sequoia Audubon Society is committed to equal opportunity and abides by all relevant laws and regulations. All Sequoia Audubon programs and volunteer opportunities are administered without regard to race, gender, creed, national origin, age, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, physical, mental or sensory handicap, or any other basis prohibited by law. However, Sequoia Audubon reserves the right to exclude volunteers who do not support its goals.