A multi-year analysis of Aechmophorus grebe breeding populations on Lake Almanor

By Larry Jordan on March 6, 2021 in

Grebes on Nest

Hydroelectric production in the Lake Almanor basin continues to threaten our beloved grebes, Aechmophorus clarkii and Aechmophorus occidentalis. Western and Clark’s grebes are interbreeding colonial nesters that have historically nested at Lake Almanor numbering in the thousands. While adult populations are still found in the thousands, reproductive success has been hindered as the bird’s floating aquatic nests are continually beached as a result of reservoir operations. This presentation focuses on the water management decisions and the subsequent effects on grebe reproductive success.
Lindsay wood is an alumnus of Chico State and has ten years of environmental consulting experience with a special interest in water policy. She is a wildlife biologist and has conducted fisheries, avian, and herptile research throughout the Sacramento River watershed. Lindsay began studying Aechmophorus grebes in 2014 as a part of the Altacal Audubon’s project on Thermalito Afterbay in her hometown of Oroville. Since working with Plumas Audubon Society, she has observed the colony abandonment at Lake Almanor for the past three breeding seasons and is the primary author of Plumas Audubon Society’s 10 year report, “A multi-year analysis of Aechmophorus grebe breeding populations at four Northern California Lakes.

2018 Grebe Festival

By Larry Jordan on August 19, 2018 in

Turn up your senses, look all around the sky and horizon including the tops of trees and the ground for traces of wildlife. Join us for the Plumas Audubon Grebe Festival.

Audubon Northern California Council Meeting Members Share Information and Experience

By Larry Jordan on October 18, 2015 in Events

Northern California Audubon Council 2015

2015 Audubon Northern California Council

The event began with a leisurely bird walk around Lema Ranch, where 14 of the 25 attendees found 41 species in a little over an hour, including two Snowy Egrets previously not on the Lema Ranch Bird List! They returned to the beautiful meeting room at the McConnell Foundation headquarters to find a continental breakfast waiting for them as they tallied their list.

The meeting was kicked off with an enlightening report on the “Status and Nesting Ecology of Purple Martins at Shasta Lake” from our resident fisheries and wildlife biologist and long time Wintu Audubon member, Len Linstrand. Several questions followed regarding the largest of the Swallow species and the possible effects of the raising of Shasta Dam.

Daniela Ogden, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for Audubon California, gave us an enlightening summation of all the social media opportunities we all may be missing and why they are so important. Her presentation was a call to action for all of us to increase our online presence, thereby increasing the possibility of gaining more chapter members.

Desiree Loggins, Chapter Network Manager, followed with important updates from Audubon California. We are so fortunate to have such an active state organization with great leaders like these.

There are eight chapters that comprise the Northern California Council and seven of those chapters had representation at this meeting. Fortunately we also had a guest speaker from Yolo Audubon Society to give us insight into a recent proposal to create an “Inner Coast Range Conservancy.” Chad Roberts, Yolo’s Conservation Chair, gave an intriguing presentation supporting legislation to create a conservancy to protect this globally significant area which includes world renowned geological, biological and cultural resources; a national monument; and many large, pristine areas that are open for public use. The reaction from the members to his proposal seemed to be unanimously positive.

Our President, Chad Scott, and Plumas Audubon’s Outreach and Education Coordinator, Teresa Arrate, reported on “Chapter Incentives and Programs on Birds and Climate Change.” Important to this endeavor is being active with Audubon Works. There are many resources we can use to further our conservation efforts.

The catered lunch was followed by highly energetic reports from the attending chapters with lively conversation on some very important topics. I think that all participants had some excellent input on ways to increase membership, create a more collaborative organization and steer clear of some possible pitfalls while we try to make the most out of our abilities to conserve our wildlife and wild lands for future generations to enjoy.

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In the photo from left to right: Chad Scott, President Wintu Audubon; Teresa Arrate, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Plumas Audubon; Dan Greaney, Education Chair, Wintu Audubon; Linda Aldrich, Program Chair, Wintu Audubon; Ryan Keiffer, Peregrine Audubon Member at Large; Esther Cox, Past President, Wintu Audubon; Connie Word, Treasurer, Wintu Audubon; Janet Wall, Conservation Chair, Wintu Audubon; Jeanette Carroll, Recording Secretary, Wintu Audubon; Dave Jensen, President Mendocino Coast Audubon; George Horn, Membership Chair, Wintu Audubon; Desiree Loggins, Chapter Network Manager, California Audubon; Chet Ogen, Board of Directors, Redwood Region Audubon; Jennifer Patten, Program Chair, Altacal Audubon; LeAnn McConnell, Treasurer, Altacal Audubon; Chad Roberts, Conservation Chair, Yolo Audubon; Bill Oliver, Newsletter Editor, Wintu Audubon; Catherine Camp, Conservation Chair, Wintu Audubon; Beth Brockman, Finance Committee, Wintu Audubon; Ken Sobon, Vice President, Altacal Audubon; Daniela Ogden, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, Audubon California; Larry Jordan, Webmaster, Wintu Audubon; and Rebeca Franco, Education Chair, Mount Shasta Audubon