Antelope Valley Audubon Society - Chapter Territory Map
The purple area shown in the map represents the territory that is covered by our chapter. Note that we cover the entirety of Edwards Air Force Base as well as the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.
Audubon Listing for Antelope Valley (Lancaster) as an important bird area for California
The Antelope Valley Chapter of the Audubon Society is committed to the preservation, research, and observation of birds in their natural habitats. Get involved by learning more about the native wild birds of the AV, by going on guided field trips with experts and fellow chapter members, and by photographing species in their habitats.
REFLECTIONS ON BIRDS and
BIRDING IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY
The Antelope Valley is a unique slice of northern Los Angeles County (which is America’s “birdiest” county, with some 527 bird species). A westernmost extension of the Mojave Desert, it has a fascinating mix of desert and foothill species, as well as waterbirds at the county’s premier inland wetland site, Piute Ponds (along with other ponds and reservoirs). But massive urban development, increasing aridity, large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, and ongoing abuses of the land from off-road vehicles, illegal dumping, and human-caused fires have radically changed the landscape over the past several decades.
In this presentation Kimball Garrett will talk about some of the interesting features of bird biogeography in the Antelope Valley, including many striking changes in bird distribution and some stellar rarities that have turned up over the years. He’ll also touch on recent community science efforts such as the Los Angeles County Breeding Bird Atlas and eBird, and how they can play a role in addressing the region’s many critical conservation issues Kimball Garrett grew up in the Los Angeles area and began birding in earnest in the mid-1960s. He has collaborated with Jon Dunn on Birds of Southern California: Status and Distribution (1981) and A Field Guide to Warblers of North America (1997), with Jon and Brian Small on Birds of Southern California (2012), and with Jon, Brian and Dave Quady on Birds of Northern California (2015). Since 2000 he and Guy McCaskie have co-edited the seasonal reports for the Southern California region for North American Birds. He has done stints on the California Bird Records Committee and the board of Western Field Ornithologists, is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, and has been the full-time Ornithology Collections Manager at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County since 1982. Kimball has enjoyed birding in the Antelope Valley since the early 1970s, and in February 2019 he and his wife Kathy Molina moved “over the hill” to Juniper Hills where they live with their dogs, sheep, and chickens.
Get to Know These 20 Common Birds
Want to put names to species you regularly see? Start here.
10 Things You Can Do For Birds
Plant a garden. Be a citizen scientist. Join “Lights Out.” Your steps can make a difference.
To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work
A manicured lawn might look nice, but messy is better for birds and bugs.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the Antelope Valley Audubon Society, Inc (AVAS) is to provide educational programs and services that build awareness of the importance of birds and other wildlife, and to promote conservation and restoration of natural habitats, primarily in the Antelope Valley area.
If you are an artist, please share you artwork related to birds or conservation related artwork with us on our AVAS Artists FB Group
If you are an photographer, please share you photos related to birds or conservation related artwork with us on our AVAS Photographers FB Group
Programs and Activities
AVAS actively works with local and state government as well as commercial entities to ensure that land is conserved as natural habitat.
All programs focus on birding, conservation of wildlife habitat, speaking up for endangered species, and acting on current regulations related to environmental issues.
AVAS holds membership meetings at which speakers are invited to present information about various topics including conservation and preservation of wildlife flora and fauna.
AVAS sponsors guided bird walks in various birding hotspots to provide education to the community.
AVAS volunteers participate in local community projects and clean-up activities to ensure that wildlife habitats are preserved.
AVAS has developed and is implementing a program with school districts to feature educational bird and conservation talks about the Antelope Valley.
AVAS has created a partnership with the Los Angeles County Library to inform youth and their families about birds and conservation. Programs already featured include the World of Birds, the World of Owls, the World of Raptors and Exotic Birds.
The Joy of Birds
A collection of articles and videos to help brighten your day with birds.
You will also find some really great Zoom backgrounds you can use for your next Zoom Meeting as well as phenomenal bird photography to enjoy.