On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 8:56 AM <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> wrote:
There has been a fair amount of online discussion and websites discussing increasing seabird mortality, with beached birds being found in larger numbers, not only the usual suspects like pelicans and cormorants, but also some murres and rhinos. The water is warmer than normal and there may be a food source issue developing, although as recently as late February fishing captains were telling me that there were plenty of bait fish around.
Sometimes under these conditions the best fishing is right near the shore, and I just finished spending 2 hours looking off the end of Seacoast Drive near the Tijuana River mouth and near the Imperial Beach Pier and tallied a record total of 430 Red-throated Loons, a species that annually stages along this section of coast in March and early April but not normally in nearly these numbers. Also about 100 Pacific Loons, 1800 Western Grebes, and four Cocos Boobies.
Date: 3/22/26 1:58 pm From: Lance Benner via groups.io <lbenner...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Town Hall Presentation
Hi Everyone, If you weren't able to attend the California Bird Atlas town hall on March 19, Van posted a recording of the presentation on the Bird Atlas youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@CaliforniaBirdAtlas/videos It provides a good overview of the atlas, breeding codes, early breeding records, and answers to numerous questions that have arisen. The next Town Hall will be on Thursday, April 16, and will also happen on Zoom. We hope you'll join us! Regards, Lance Lance BennerPasadena, CA _._,_._,_
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I’ll be joined by CBA Science Director Sam Safran to share updates and answer questions. The level of engagement statewide has been incredible. As of yesterday, we’ve surpassed *50,000 Atlas checklists* across more than *4,300 blocks* from over *2,700 birders*. And we're just getting started.
Date: 3/11/26 12:05 pm From: Chris Spurgeon via groups.io <chris...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] Pasadena Audubon now accepting grant applications
Pasadena Audubon is pleased to announce that we are now accepting Spring 2026 applications for our Research and Educational Grants program. We’re offering grants up to $5,000 to help fund both scientific research and community-based programs. We’re particularly interested in avian research that’s relevant to Southern California or the Pacific Flyway.
We’re also offering grants up to $1,000 to young birders and students (undergraduate and graduate) to help defray the rising costs of scientific conferences and related events.
The deadline for applications is fast approaching, April 3rd, 2026, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by April 20, 2026. Full details are online at www.pasadenaaudubon.org/grants ( http://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/grants ).
Questions? Contact <grants...>
Please feel free to widely redistribute this notice!
Date: 3/9/26 9:11 am From: Van Pierszalowski via groups.io <van...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] California Bird Atlas Update + March 19 Town Hall
Birders,
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As many of you know, California’s first statewide Breeding Bird Atlas launched on January 1, 2026. In just over two months, the level of participation across the state has been remarkable. Breeding code use in January and February was up a staggering *+545%* over last year.
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As of March 9:
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42,885 checklists have been submitted to the Atlas
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2,538 atlasers have joined the project and submitted at least one checklist
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3,924 blocks have Atlas data
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All 58 counties have Atlas data
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By the end of January, 61 species had accepted Confirmed breeding codes. By the end of February, that number had risen to 102. The full February report is available in the latest edition of *the Atlas Dispatch ( https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-feb-1-feb-28-2026 )*.
Participating is very similar to how you already use eBird, but opting into the Atlas ensures your observations become part of the permanent statewide dataset being built to guide conservation and land management decisions for decades to come.
We have been deeply encouraged by the number of individual donors stepping up to support the project. If you are able, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution *here ( https://donorbox.org/california-bird-atlas )*. Your support helps fund the infrastructure and coordination needed to sustain this statewide effort.
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Thank you all for joining the project. It has been inspiring to see the California birding community come together around this effort, and we are only just getting started.
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Happy Atlasing,
Van Pierszalowski
Executive Director, California Bird Atlas
<van...>
The Winter Season (1 December 2025 through 28 February 2026) is ended, and
we solicit reports for inclusion in the Southern California Region of NORTH
AMERICAN BIRDS. Reports should be arranged with species in the taxonomic
order followed by the American Ornithologists Union (Check-List of North
American Birds 1998 and all Supplements) and the American Birding
Association (7th edition of the ABA Checklist, 2009 revised through the 28th
Report). Reports of species included on the California Bird Records
Committee (CBRC) review list
must be accompanied by documentation (written description, photographs,
etc.).
Similar documentation should also accompany reports of species unusual for
the location or season. Full names, with all initials, should be used in the
reports - John P. Doe in lieu of John Doe.
Reports should be sent to the appropriate County Coordinators (listed below)
or directly to Guy McCaskie, on or before 16 March 2026. NORTH AMERICAN
BIRDS cannot exist without your input.
