Newsletter - May 2025
Wild Birds Unlimited - San Diego Events:
May Events:
May 1-31 – San Diego Birdathon A heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone who helped and continues to help us support the San Diego Bird Alliance's Birdathon this year! We had so much fun counting birds and making new friends! Our Birdathon day is over, but there's still time to help us reach our goal of raising $4,000 in donations from our team. We're about halfway there with $1,980 donated so far, so please help out by donating in whatever amount you can at our team's page found here: Team Wild Birds Unlimited. The window for donations will remain open until the end of the month so please help us meet our goal and support conservation and education efforts right here in our local community. Thank you!!  May 24 – Critter Encounters in-store at 11:00 AM Join us in the store when our friends from Critter Encounters bring by some magnificent birds and maybe a surprise as well. Come early to get a seat for an amazing up-close experience! May 25-31 – Black Birders Week We're monitoring local birding organizations for events celebrating and highlighting Black birders, scientists, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The week is not only a time to celebrate and reflect, but to also come together and connect with the natural world, making lifelong memories of joy and community. We'll be updating our dedicated webpage as we learn more about any events planned so check back often.
Quote of the Month:
“… I had also started to recognize just how positive I felt when I was immersed in the world of birds. My worries seemed to fade into insignificance and when I was feeling stressed, if I counteracted it with some time outside, watching them, it drifted off like birds do, in a stiff breeze.” Joe Harkness
Spotlight:
The Hidden Dangers of Rat Poisons: Protecting San Diego's Wildlife and Embracing Safer Alternatives
San Diego's diverse landscapes are home to a rich tapestry of wildlife, from majestic raptors soaring overhead to elusive mountain lions roaming the backcountry. However, the widespread use of rodenticides to control rodent populations poses a significant threat to this delicate ecosystem. Understanding the unintended consequences of these poisons and exploring safer, more effective alternatives can help us protect our cherished wildlife and maintain a balanced environment. The Unintended Victims: How Rodenticides Harm More Than Just Rodents Rodenticides, particularly anticoagulant varieties, are designed to kill rodents by preventing blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and death. However, these poisons do not discriminate and often have devastating effects on non-target species. When predators such as hawks, owls, and mountain lions consume poisoned rodents, they too become victims of secondary poisoning. This not only leads to suffering and death among these animals but also disrupts the natural predator-prey balance that helps control rodent populations naturally. In San Diego, the impact is evident. The Wildlife Research Institute highlights that wildlife are being poisoned at unprecedented rates due to the introduction of anticoagulant rodenticides into the environment. This disruption weakens predator populations, exacerbating rodent issues as natural control mechanisms are compromised. Case Study: The Ripple Effect on Raptors and Predators The Hungry Owl Project emphasizes the critical role owls play in controlling rodent populations. A single barn owl family can consume thousands of rodents during a breeding cycle. However, when these natural predators ingest poisoned prey, they suffer from the same lethal effects, leading to declining owl populations and an increase in uncontrolled rodent numbers. This vicious cycle underscores the counterproductive nature of using rodenticides for pest control. Legislative Measures: California's Steps Toward Protecting Wildlife Recognizing the detrimental effects of rodenticides on wildlife, California has enacted legislation to mitigate their use. In 2020, Assembly Bill 1788 imposed a moratorium on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) until further evaluations could be conducted. This was a significant step toward safeguarding non-target wildlife from unintended poisoning. Building upon this foundation, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2552 into law on September 25, 2024. This legislation expanded the existing moratorium to include all blood-thinning rodenticides, known as anticoagulant rodenticides, offering the strongest protections in the country against these toxic substances. Embracing Safer and More Humane Alternatives Given the risks associated with rodenticides, it's imperative to consider alternative methods for rodent control that are both effective and environmentally friendly. Here are some strategies that San Diego residents can adopt:
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This holistic approach focuses on long-term prevention through habitat modification, improved sanitation, and the use of mechanical controls like traps. By eliminating food sources and sealing entry points, homeowners can make their properties less inviting to rodents.
- Natural Predators: Encouraging the presence of natural rodent predators can be an effective control strategy. Installing owl boxes, for instance, can attract barn owls, which are known to consume large numbers of rodents. The Hungry Owl Project provides resources and guidance on how to implement this strategy effectively.
- Natural Repellents: Utilizing substances such as essential oils (e.g., peppermint, eucalyptus), spices, and herbs can deter rodents due to their strong scents. However, it's essential to use these repellents correctly and be aware of their limitations. Better Homes & Gardens outlines various natural repellents and their effectiveness.
- Rodent-Proofing: Ensuring that homes and outbuildings are sealed properly can prevent rodents from gaining access. This includes repairing holes, installing door sweeps, and using rodent-proof materials.
- Fertility Control: Some communities have explored the use of oral contraceptives to manage rodent populations. This method reduces fertility rates among rodents, leading to a gradual decline in their numbers without harming other wildlife. For example, Fairfield officials initiated a pilot program using oral contraceptives to manage rodent populations without harming local birds of prey.
Community Involvement: A Collective Effort for a Safer Environment Addressing rodent issues is not solely an individual endeavor; it requires community-wide participation. San Diego residents can collaborate with local organizations, such as the Wildlife Research Institute, to promote awareness and implement rodent control measures that are safe for the entire ecosystem. By choosing alternatives to rodenticides and encouraging neighbors to do the same, we can collectively reduce the risks posed to our cherished wildlife, pets, and children. Education and community engagement are pivotal in fostering an environment where both humans and animals can thrive harmoniously. Conclusion While the challenges posed by rodent infestations are undeniable, the solutions we choose have far-reaching implications. By moving away from harmful rodenticides and embracing safer, more humane alternatives, San Diego residents can play a crucial role in protecting the region's rich biodiversity. Through informed decisions and community collaboration, we can ensure a healthier, more balanced ecosystem for generations to come. If you would like to learn more or get involved, here are some links to some excellent resources: raptorsarethesolution.org poisonfreemalibu.org hungryowls.org wildlife-research.org This is an excellent, detailed article published by the Wildlife Research Institute: Wild News: Taking the Bait
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Bird of the Month: Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove, Scripps Ranch, CA
Fun Facts About the Mourning Dove:
- Range: Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are among the most widespread and familiar birds in North America, with an estimated at 350 million in the U.S.
- Distinctive Call: Their soft, mournful cooing is often mistaken for an owl's hoot, leading to their common name, "Mourning Dove."
- Impressive Flight Speed: Mourning Doves are swift fliers, reaching speeds between 40-55 mph.
- Wing Whistle: During takeoff and landing, their wings produce a sharp whistling or whinnying sound, which may serve as an alarm signal.
- Seed Diet: Their diet consists almost entirely of seeds (99%), and they can consume up to 20% of their body weight daily. Some of their favorites are sunflower seeds, white millet, peanuts, cracked corn and safflower.
- Efficient Drinking: Unlike most birds, Mourning Doves can drink by sucking and don't need to tilt their heads back. They can meet their daily water needs in less than 20 seconds.
- Prolific Breeders: They may have up to six clutches per year, each typically containing two eggs—the highest number of nesting cycles among North American birds.
- Crop Milk: Both parents feed their young with "crop milk," a nutrient-rich secretion from the lining of their crop.
- Monogamous Nature: Mourning Doves are monogamous during the breeding season, and some pairs may remain together for life.
- Lifespan: While the average lifespan is 1.5 years, the oldest known wild Mourning Dove lived over 31 years.
- Nesting Habits: Females weave nests from materials collected by males, who often stand on the female's back during construction.
- Adaptability: They thrive in various habitats, from woodlands to urban areas, making them common in cities like San Diego.
- Migration Patterns: In colder regions, Mourning Doves migrate south for winter, but in temperate areas like San Diego, they often remain year-round.
- Seed Storage: They can store large quantities of seeds in their crop, with records of up to 17,200 bluegrass seeds, allowing them to feed quickly and then digest safely away from predators.
- Predator Evasion: Their loosely attached feathers can easily come off, helping them escape predators' grasp.
- San Diego Presence: In San Diego, Mourning Doves are commonly seen in urban parks, gardens, and open spaces, often perched on telephone wires or foraging on the ground.
- Cultural Significance: Their mournful song has made them symbols of peace and melancholy in various cultures.
- Desert Adaptation: Mourning Doves can drink brackish water without becoming dehydrated, aiding their survival in arid environments.
- Parental Roles: Both parents share incubation duties; females incubate from late afternoon to midmorning, while males take over during the day.
- San Diego Nesting: In San Diego, their nesting season can extend nearly year-round due to the mild climate, leading to multiple broods annually.
- Feeding Behavior: They prefer feeding on the ground and are often seen in pairs or small groups searching for seeds.
- Physical Characteristics: Males are slightly larger with a bluish crown and pinkish chest, while females are more subdued in color.
- Urban Adaptation: Their ability to adapt to urban environments contributes to their abundance in cities like San Diego.
- Feather Structure: Their feathers are loosely attached, allowing them to escape predators by shedding feathers when grabbed.
- San Diego Birdwatching: Local birdwatchers in San Diego often spot Mourning Doves during morning and late afternoon, especially near feeders and open grounds.
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What’s happening in San Diego:
San Diego Bird Alliance (formerly San Diego Audubon Society)
- Vegetation Monitoring: Emory Cove
- Date: May 1, 2025
- Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: Emory Cove, off of the Bayshore Bikeway, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Birds and Wine in Ramona
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Ramona Grasslands, Ramona
- Event Link
- Speak for the San Diego River Mouth and Nature Walk
- Queer Hike: Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, 13003 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside
- Event Link
- Wander the Wetlands: Bilingual Fish Seining & BioBlitz
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Kendall Frost Marsh, Crown Point Drive, San Diego
- Event Link
- Friends of Famosa Slough Work Party & BioBlitz
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Famosa Slough, 4285 W. Pt. Loma Blvd., San Diego
- Event Link
- San Diego River Mouth Nature Walk & BioBlitz
- Date: May 11, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: San Diego River Mouth, next to OB Dog Beach
- Event Link
- Ternwatchers Training: Virtual
- Date: May 12, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Zoom
- Event Link
- Ternwatchers Training: Onsite
- Date: May 13, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Mariner’s Point, 1215 Mariners Way, San Diego
- Event Link
- Bird Photography Club: Photo Stroll at Lake Hodges
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Lake Hodges(directions provided 48 hours before the trip)
- Event Link
- Grand Caribe BioBlitz
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Grand Caribe Shoreline Park, 598 Grand Caribe Causeway, Coronado
- Event Link
- 10th St. Bilingual BioBlitz
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: 495 10th St., Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Birding Outing: Famosa Slough
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Location: 4285 W. Pt. Loma Blvd, SanDiego
- Event Link
- Art and Wellness at Kendall-Frost Marsh
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Kendall-Frost Marsh, 2055 Pacific Beach Dr., San Diego
- Event Link
- Birding Outings: Beach Walk to the Mouth of the Tiuana River
- Date: May 18, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 1690 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Birding Outing: Marian Bear Open Space with Anitra Kaye
- Date: May 24, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Marian Bear Open Space, 5544 Regents Rd., San Diego
- Event Link
- Wander the Wetlands: Bilingual Work Party & BioBlitz
- Date: May 24, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 2055 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego
- Event Link
Palomar Audubon Society
- Old Mission Dam Field Trip
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Old Mission Dam, 8302 Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee
- Event Link
- Magee Marsh Birding Adventure
- Dates: May 11 to 15, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM (May 11) – 5:00 PM (May 15)
- Location: Maggie Marsh, Ohio
- Event Link
Buena Vista Audubon Society
- Rancho Carrillo Trail
- Date: May 2, 2025
- Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Location: Rancho Carrillo Trail, Carlsbad
- Event Link
- Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary Walk
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: Whelan Lake, 3650 North River Road, Oceanside
- Event Link
- Buena Vista Audubon Fabric Art and nature Art Sale
- Date: May 4, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Location: 2202 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside
- Event Link
- Endangered Species Day/Spring Open House
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center 2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- Kids’ Nature Clubhouse and Trail Exploration at the Nature Center
- Date: May 11, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center 2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- El Corazon Garrison Creek (Oceanside)
- Date: May 14, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Location: See link for directions
- Event Link
- Birding with Barbara
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: See link for location
- Event Link
- Preschool Nature Storytime at the Nature Center
- Date: May 26, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Location: Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center 2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
- Coastal 101 Birding (Oceanside)
- Date: May 31, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Location: Vista Audubon Nature Center 2202 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside
- Event Link
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
- Climb for the Conservancy Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge information meeting
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area, 15648 San Andres Dr., Del Mar
- Event Link:
- Yoga at the Birdwing
- Dates: May 4, 10 and 18, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Birdwing Open Air Classroom, 15737 San Andres Dr, Del Mar
- Event Link
- Natural Impressions: Water Color Study with Ilan Lael Foundation
- Date: May 4, 2025
- Time:10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Hubbell Studios/Ilan-Lael Foundation, 930 Orchard Lane, Santa Ysabel
- Event Link
- Gonzales Canyon Habitat Restoration
- Date: May 24, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: 13655 Sword Way San Diego, CA
- Event Link
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Collective
- Discovery Tour
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, Nature Center Loop Trail, 2710 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Event Link
- Spring Nature Festival
- Date: May 4, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: San Dieguito County Park, 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Del Mar
- Event Link
- Volunteer Restoration Event:
- Date: May 7, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: TBD
- Event Link
- Wildlife Tour
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: San Elijo Lagoon, Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Event Link
- Volunteer Restoration Event
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: TBD
- Event Link
Living Coast Discovery Center
- Bilingual Sweetwater Safari Hike
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista
- Event Link
- Sweetwater Safari Hike
Tijuana Estuary
- Nature Walk: An Eye-Opening Experience Without Sight
- Date: May 3, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Bird Walk
- Dates: May 4 and 18, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Location: 5th Street & Iris Avenue, 5th St & Iris Ave, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Explore the Colors of the Estuary: A Community Art Therapy Experience
- Date: May 11, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Book Club
- Date: May 24, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
- Nature Walk
- Dates: May 24, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Wy, Imperial Beach
- Event Link
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