Program Topic

John Beynon, past President of the Whittier Area Environmental Coalition (WAEC) will speak about the origins of  Earth Day and how Whittier celebrates it. The talk will be presented live at the community center, and you can join in person or online.

Beynon graduated with a decree in architecture from MIT in 1959.  He worked for UNESCO for 32 years, stationed in Paris and Bangkok. He was the lead architect of an international team tasked to introduce low-cost innovations in school design. During his final six years with UNESCO, he served as director of development cooperation in Education. Tasks included leading multi-disciplinary teams to assess and plan national educational systems including the Palestinian Authority and Bosnia Herzegovina. 

Since retirement in 1996 he headed the United Nations Association Chapters in Boulder, Colorado and Whittier. With the Whittier Chapter, the Whittier Area Environmental Coalition , WAEC was formed. WAEC is open to all Whittier Area organizations contributing to protect the environment. The Whittier Area Audubon Chapter is one of those organizations. The main event of the WAEC is the Earth Day event which will take place earlier in the week.

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Linda LeRoy

This is, perhaps, the best place to see just about every kind of raptor there is for Southern California.  Last year, a juvenile gyrfalcon had been seen making an early morning appearance starting in early January. Rough-legged Hawks, Kestrels, Harriers and Red-tails are everywhere. It seems like there is usually at least one of each duck and a fair bit of peeps. There will be plenty of birds.

IMPORTANT: Everyone entering the wildlife area is required to be in possession of a CDFW Lands Pass.  A one-day pass can be purchased for $5.66 ($32.14 for annual pass) on the CDFW website - need to enter the location and date of visit. 

We will be doing some driving and stopping.

Meet: We will convene in the parking lot of the Whittier Community Center and carpool/caravan, leaving at 7:00 AM sharp.

We should be back in Whittier between 4:00 and 5:00.

Bring: I recommend that everybody bring some folding chairs. As long as the weather cooperates, a clear sunny day is about all that is required. A sandwich, Coke and a folding chair are about as close to heaven as one gets in the Inland Empire. 

Trip Leader: Nathan Huber and Steve Huber

Program Topic

"Dark-eyed Juncos: Adaptations to the Urban Environment" will be presented by Ellie Diamant and Samuel Bressler.

Ellie Diamant is a behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist interested in the interaction between human-caused environmental change and wildlife response, particularly birds in the built environment. She is currently a Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholar at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Previously she conducted her doctoral research at UCLA with Pamela Yeh. She explored how populations respond to multiple stressor interactions, with an emphasis on the pattern and process of behavioral and morphological adaptation in an urbanizing songbird, the Dark-eyed Junco, across Southern California cities.

Sam Bressler is a Biological Consultant with LSA Associates, Inc. specializing in the birds of Southern California. He is also a long-time volunteer and former board member of Sea and Sage Audubon Society and compiles the organization's Puente-Chino Hills Christmas Bird Count.

Dark-eyed Juncos are a model species to study urban adaptation and response in California. Diamant and Bressler will discuss their six years of research into how juncos are being shaped by the urban environment and the patterns and processes underlying their adaptation to the urban environment . Dark -eyed Juncos exhibit differences and similarities in morphological evolution across Southern California , potentially in relation to behavioral innovation. Behaviorally, urban juncos have lower fearfulness across cities and nivel nesting behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to explore how these behaviors are shaped by human activity, demonstrating key insights on behavioral adaptations to city living.

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Jim McNamara

Program Topic

"Birds of Sri Lanka" will be the topic presented by Dinara De Silva.

Dinara is the 12 year-old who astonished us with her photos at our December photoshare. Currently she is studying in Sti Lanka and is in the 7 th grade. Dinara enjoys going on many birding trips. This program will focus on a birding trip to a rain forest and will show the birds found there. She will also show common Suburban birds and discuss their behavior. Suburban common wetland birds will also be featured. 

Dinara has been interested in birding and wildlife for about three years and photography for about two years. She uses a Canon R500 with a Sigma 75 to 200 lens.

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Steve Huber

The Open House will focus on the Habitat Authority’s recent work around preservation and wildfire preparedness and highlight next steps we are considering in order to secure the funding needed to meet the long-term needs of the communities we serve.

There will be a short presentation at 6:30 PM followed by an opportunity to mingle and speak with our volunteers, rangers and staff members one-on-one.

Please RSVP at https://forms.gle/57d6QkfP2Zjfs9A28

Whittier Regional Symphony presents

Preconcert Reception Honoring Yosh Nakamura, Our Whittier Hero

Time/Location: 12:45 PM at the Whittier HighSchool Library, 12417 Philadelphia St.

First Concert of the Year

A Highland Frolic

Time/Location: 3:00 PM at Whittier High School’s Vic Lopez Auditorium

Meet: We will convene in the parking lot of the Whittier Community Center and carpool/caravan at 6:00 AM, leaving at 6:15 AM.

Arrive at Crystal Cove State Park about 7:15 AM

• People meeting us there please arrive by 7:15 AM (see below for directions)

Begin birding about 7:30 AM

Be prepared for rain as AccuWeather forecast for Sat morning at Crystal Cove is:

• 55% chance of rain but only 0.03 inches predicted 

• Visibility 9 miles

• Temp 55 to 60 (F)

• Wind gusts to 10 mph, but 8 mph from SE

• Cloud cover 94%

Bring: Bring a lunch but we may need to eat in car if rain starts

• Bring rain gear, prepare to protect your binoculars and cameras.

Please RSVP: Text your cell phone number and name if you plan to attend to (714) 244-8063

• Will make a group text if we need to cancel or need to find you.

Trip Leader: Jim McNamara

_________________________________

Directions from Whittier:

• 605 S to 405 S and exit MacArthur Ave.

• right (south) on MacArthut to PCH

• left (south) on PCH stay in right lane

• turn right at Newport Coast Dr. 

• pay $15 to park, $1 senior discount if asking

• TURN LEFT & Drive to end South most parking lot.

Program Topic

Andrea Jones, Director of Conservation for Audubon California, will speak about the latest science and conservation projects at the Salton Sea and Owens Lake. Despite record breaking snowpack this past winter across the west, saline lake ecosystems are facing continued long-term water declines-- threatening habitat, birds, and surrounding communities. Learn more about Audubon's incredible network of chapters and advocates that make significant progress in protecting this irreplaceable network of habitats through science and policy efforts.

Andrea Jones is Director of Conservation for Audubon California. For the past 15 years, she has worked with staff and the network of Audubon chapters across the state to implement conservation projects at high priority Important Bird Areas. In particular, she has focused on leading Audubon's conservation efforts along the coast and in estuaries, focusing on restoration, advocacy and engagement. Her work has also included providing science expertise and negotiating conservation agreements at saline lakes, including Owens Lake and Salton Sea. She oversees efforts in priority bird species and serves as the spokeswoman for bird conservation across California. Prior to California, Andrea worked at Massachusetts Audubon where she served as the Director of the Coastal Waterbird and Grassland Bird Programs.

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Larry Schmahl

THIS TRIP IS FULL

We will meet at the Community Center parking lot at 6:00 AM and carpool to the PearBlossom/Lancaster area. Our first stop will be the McDonalds in Pear Blossom (8507 Pearblossom Highway in Littlerock). If you wish, you may meet us there at 7:30 AM.  This will be a coffee and rest room stop.

The trip will begin along the California Aqueduct and then move northerly.

The areas we bird should offer Rock Wren, Bell's Sparrow, Goldeneyes, Mountain Plover, Mountain Bluebird, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and other winter desert specialties. 

Bring: Binoculars, a scope if you have one, a lunch, water. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. However, it may warm up nicely in the afternoon. 

Trip Leader: Larry Schmahl

Program Topic

At the December meeting, we will share bird and nature photographs. Bring your photos to share on a flash drive to the meeting in person. Also please bring cookies to share.

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Room 3. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Jay Oberholtzer will lead our yearly Bulmer Bird Walk beginning at Legg Lake in Whittier Narrows Recreation Area.

This tradition began with an invitation to a local journalist, the late Bill Bell, from his neighbor, the late Thelma Bulmer, a past chapter president, as a way to show our city that yes, indeed, Whittier has wild birds. Let’s see who is in town for the winter!

Meet: at the Whittier Narrows Area D Parking Lot on Santa Anita Ave.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Linda LeRoy

Taking Flight - A Music Festival Benefit to Support Bird Rescue's Work

Date: Saturday, Nov 18, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM PST

Location: International Bird Rescue Los Angeles Wildlife Center

3601 S. Gaffey St

San Pedro, CA 90731

Tickets: $85 - $175 on Eventbrite

Event Details: 

Save the date for this eagerly anticipated family-friendly festival, attracting music lovers, art enthusiasts, and families from the Los Angeles area. With an impressive line of musical performances, a wide array of carnival activities, and delectable food and drinks from local food trucks, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. And it gets better – kids ages 13 and under are free!

This is also an opportunity to learn about the great work that Bird Rescue has done for the last 52 years – including responding to over 250 worldwide oil spills, countless wildlife emergencies, and locally rehabilitating thousands of injured, oiled, and orphaned water birds.

Early bird ticket pricing ends October 8. We hope to see you there! 

THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO RAIN.

Program Topic

Bruce Everett, volunteer at the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, will speak on “Hiking the John Muir Trail.” This trail, named after the 19th century naturalist, is a long distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California passing through Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Everett is a retired neurosurgeon who volunteers as a docent at the Puente Hills Habitat Authority. His talk will include birds and flora and fauna on this Trail. 

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Room 1 & 2. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

Join the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority for an Open House!

When: Tuesday, November 14, 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Where: Rowland Heights Community Center, 18150 Pathfinder Rd, Rowland Heights

The Open House will focus on the Habitat Authority’s recent work around preservation and wildfire preparedness and highlight next steps we are considering in order to secure the funding needed to meet the long-term needs of the communities we serve.

RSVP at tinyurl.com/PHOpenHouseRSVP

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Jim McNamara

THIS TRIP IS FULL

We will take the Island Packers boat (see details below***) to Santa Cruz Island allowing us to see pelagic birds from the boat as well as island birdlife and wildlife which includes the Island Scrub Jay and the Island Fox.  Upon arriving at Prisoner’s Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, we will take an easy stroll around the Island.  

Meet: We will convene in the parking lot of the Whittier Community Center and carpool/caravan, leaving at 5:30 AM sharp.

Bring: Bring your usual birdwatching stuff, sack lunch, water, hat and a thirst for adventure. (There is no water at Prisoner's Harbor, although there are bathrooms.)

Trip Leader: Larry Schmahl

***Boat Trip details***

You must book your own individual trip through Island Packers. Santa Cruz Island Prisoner’s Cove is the destination. Be sure you book both coming and going or you won’t have a seat on the way back. Their web site is at https://reserve.islandpackers.com/ Phone is (805) 642-1393. 

Departure: Ventura Harbor 9:00am, arriving at Prisoner's Harbor at 11:00am. There is a short ladder to get on and off the boat on the dock. 

Return: The boat departs Prisoner’s Harbor at 3:45pm.

Prices are:

• $31.50 each way for adult, 

• $29.00 each way for seniors (55+), and 

• $22.50 each way for children (3-12).

Program Topic

The Stories within Ecology and Ecosystems

Everyone knows birds live within an ecosystem.  Also that birds directly affect and are affected by the myriad living and nonliving things in the ecosystem, including us.  However, all the functions and stories of interacting flora, fauna and environment make up a fascinating tale of millions of years of evolutionary history.  This talk will lead from fundamental building blocks of world ecosystems to more complex and little-known eco-stories, with emphasis on our southern California plants and animals.

Mickey Long retired in late 2010 after 39 years working in the County's Nature Centers and Natural Area Parks, ending this time as Administrator over the 19 Natural Areas.  These included sites from Antelope Valley to San Pedro, and local sites like Whittier Narrows and Eaton Canyon.  His academic studies and publishing have been in the realms of Botany, Ornithology and Herpetology, but ecology and biogeography of local flora and fauna is an overriding interest.

He continues to teach natural history classes for Docents at Whittier Narrows and Eaton Canyon and for Pasadena Audubon, and finds presentations among his most enjoyable pursuits (along with monthly folk music with Letty Brooks).

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Room 1 & 2. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

A program presented by the International Bird Rescue:

Breaking Down Bird Flu - A Webinar with Bird Rescue's Dr. Rebecca Duerr, DVM MPVM PhD and JD Bergeron, CEO

Date: Wednesday, Oct 18, 2023

Time: 5:30 - 8:00 PM PST

Where: Virtual via Zoom.

Register to attend

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Steve Huber

We will start at Harriet Wieder Park before heading over to Bolsa Chica. Bolsa Chica is one of the great local birding spots. Ducks, shorebirds, and waders can be found in abundance. Gulls, terns, and pelicans are regular, as are raptors that nest on the bluffs. 

Meet: We will convene in the parking lot of the Whittier Community Center and carpool/caravan, leaving at 6:30 AM sharp.

We should be back in Whittier around 4:00.

Bring: Bring your usual birdwatching stuff, sack lunch, water, hat and a thirst for adventure. 

Trip Leader: Jim McNamara

Program Topic

Birds have much to tell us. So they helped create a presentation. Then they asked Steve Kaye to include his photos and add a few words. Now they’re sending you an invitation to attend this meeting on September 21, 2023.

Please join us for a uniquely entertaining and provocative experience filled with stories, solutions, inspirations, and (of course) photos.

This is an excellent program for anyone who wants to know more about how they can help birds. And it’s a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary beauty that we have outdoors. So bring a friend. 

Program Format

Hybrid meeting - It is your preference: Join in person or online.  

In person: the meeting will take place at the Whittier Community Center, located at 7630 Washington Ave. Whittier. Room 1 & 2. Please wear a mask.

Online: please RSVP here and we will send you a link to the meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

About the Presenter

Steve Kaye shows people who care about birds how small actions can make a difference.

He shows people who care about birds how small actions can make a difference.Steve Kaye has been taking photos casually since 1954 and professionally since 2011. He has conducted photo classes, led photo walks, and judged photo contests.

And he has shown his photos at Bird Festivals, Audubon Chapter meetings, Sierra Club meetings, Nature Center programs, plus many other events.

He has published 70 articles plus 166 blog posts (which appear on his web site) about birds, life skills, and photography. And he has created 6 self-published books containing his photos.

As you might expect, he follows an eco-friendly lifestyle and he talks to birds.

Find photos and more at: www.stevekaye.com

If you have yet to attend a meeting, this program is for you.

Join us for our beginner bird walk in Sycamore Canyon.

This bird walk will be a very slow walk into the Sycamore Canyon Preserve. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us. Bring binoculars if you have them!

Meet at the entrance gate to the Sycamore Canyon trail. The trail is located adjacent to Rose Hills Cemetery gate 17, but note that the trail is not in the cemetery! The entrance to Sycamore Canyon is a driveway just southwest of the entrance to the cemetery.

Leader: Larry Schmahl