Purpose
The Yuma Audubon Society is dedicated to conserving natural resources,
educating members on conservation issues, and increasing awareness about
the diversity of nature in the Yuma, AZ, area. Our constitution is here:
YAS
Constitution
In the recent past, Yuma
Audubon has sponsored Audubon Adventures, the Yuma Birding & Nature
Festival, and Audubon Christmas Bird Counts.
Common Poorwill
Meetings
Meetings are held during the fall, winter, and spring on the second Tuesday of of the month
at 7:00 p.m., at the Arizona Game and Fish Office, located at 9140 E. 28th Street (corner of Ave 9E and 28th Street).
2015-2016 Meetings:
Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7:00 p.m. - Birds and Climate Change
Tuesday, Nov 10 at 7:00 p.m. - Trapping Tales of Birds and Varmints by Jim West
Tuesday, Dec 8 at 7:00 p.m. - "Member Showcase"
Bring your favorite bird and nature photos on a thumb drive or CD to share with other members at our holiday meeting.
Tuesday, Jan 12 at 7:00 p.m. - Extraordinary Nature Photos by the Extraordinary Dave Sussman
Following the presentation we'll hold the election of Audubon officers for 2016-2017.
Tuesday, Feb 9 at 7:00 p.m. - Photographic History of the Wetlands by Historian Tina Clark
Tuesday, Mar 8 at 7:00 p.m. - Wildlife and Wildflowers of Italy by Cary Meister
Tuesday, Apr 12 at 7:00 p.m. - TBA
Tuesday, May 10 Annual potluck at the Yuma West Wetlands
A typical meeting agenda is:
- Short business meeting
- Conservation news
- Break with refreshments
- Feature presentation
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Greater Roadrunner |
Field Trips
Yuma is
surrounded by many natural features, including the Colorado & Gila Rivers,
deserts, mountains, the Imperial Dunes, and the Salton Sea. Join us
as we explore these areas in search of diverse birds, reptiles, mammals,
and plants.
Field trips are usually held
the Saturday following the monthly meeting. We carpool from
the "Big Lots" parking lot at the corner of 16th Str & 4th Ave.
Past trips have visited the Salton Sea NWR, Cibola NWR, Cienega de Santa
Clara, and Palm Canyon.
2014-2015 Field
Trips will include:
Saturday, Oct 17 Visit the East Wetlands to see migrants, newly-arriving waterfowl, and other winter residents.
Saturday, Nov 14 Hawk watch to the south of Yuma, where dozens of Ferruginous and Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine & Prairie Falcons, and Northern Harriers feed on gophers and other rodents.
Saturday, Dec 19 Christmas Bird Count
in a 15-mile circle centered at Imperial Dam
Saturday, Jan 16 Salton Sea and the Imperial Valley - Look for waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors
Wednesday, Feb 13 Drive up to Cibola NWR in search of waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Burrowing Owls.
Saturday, Mar 12 Search for wintering birds and early migrants at the Laguna Division Conservation Area
Saturday, Apr 16 Field trip to Imperial NWR to search for breeding birds and migrants.
Saturday, May 14 Help count birds at the East Wetlands and in Yuma County during the North American Migratory Bird Count
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Christmas Bird
Count
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Birdcage Primrose |
Close to Christmas we hold our annual
Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and Birdathon. We count and monitor the status of birds around Imperial NWR, Laguna Dam, and Mittry Lake. In 2010, we recorded 131 species for count day; most years we find about 120 species. The 2015 CBC will be held on Dec 19 this year.
To view the results of past bird counts please visit the National Audubon Society CBC website: http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
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Here are some of our better count-day sightings from the 2010 count:
- 4 Barrow's Goldeneyes at Senator Wash, CA
- Red-throated Loon at Ferguson Lake
- Horned Grebe at Senator Wash
- Immature male Surf Scoter at Senator Wash
- Female Black Scoter at Senator Wash
- Varied Thrush at YPG
- American Redstart and Northern Parula at Imperial NWR
- Black & White Warbler at Betty's Kitchen
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Hidden Shores RV Park
- Lawrence's Goldfinches in a desert wash west of Senator Wash |
Library Presentations
Join us at the Yuma County Main Library for presentations on a variety of bird and evironmental topics on the following dates:
- Nov 5 - Advocacy Workshop 6:00-8:00 p.m. (light refreshments)
- Mar 17 - Historical Enactment of Mr. Grinnell, founder of National Audubon 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Membership
Membership can be at the national or chapter level, or both. Fee
structures and benefits are as follows:
$10 for local
(chapter) members
- Local members receive e-mail birding and meeting alerts, and are welcome to join us for monthly meetings and field
trips (Oct-May).
$20 for national members
- National members receive
Audubon Magazine and automatically become members of our local
chapter. Enroll at www.audubon.org |
Black-necked Stilt chick |
Contacts
Links
National Audubon
Society
www.audubon.org
Imperial NWR http://www.fws.gov/refuge/imperial/
Cibola NWR
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/cibola/
Local & National Rare Bird Reports American Birding Association
Southwest Birders
www.southwestbirders.com
Yuma County Bird Guide
www.southwestbirders.com/swb_Yuma_County_Book.htm
Salton Sea Bird Guide
www.southwestbirders.com/swb_Imperial_County_Book.htm
ASU - AZ bird songs
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/expstuff/experiments/birdsongs/
Thick-billed Kingbird - Yuma Main Drain
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