Education:

Monthly Educational Meetings:

Our monthly educational meetings include guest speakers, unusual bird sightings, refreshments, and conversation. Visitors are always welcomed!

Our meetings are held at 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month (except July and August when we take a summer break) in the Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek.

6:30 p.m. Doors open
7:00 p.m. Birding Information
7:25 p.m. Business meeting
7:40 p.m. Social time, refreshments and door prize drawing
8:05 p.m. Program

Map of 1540 Marchbanks Dr
Walnut Creek, CA 94598-2158

Directions to 1540 Marchbanks Dr
Walnut Creek, CA 94598-2158

Classes:

DENISE WIGHT CLASSES / FIELD TRIPS

Visit Denise's Website for more information and dates.

Trivia: Why do Birds Migrate?

Migration has been a central topic of scientific study during much of the 20th century. The fundamental question has been broken down into what are the costs and benefits of migration? Why would a bird leave its home and fly to parts unknown?

Migration seems to occur when its costs (which can be very high in terms of the energy used and the risk of death) are lower than the benefits of having a separate breeding and wintering ground. Some species must migrate south in the winter because conditions become too harsh. This is especially true for the insect-eating birds of Canada and the northern United States, where the numbers of insects almost drop to zero along with the temperature.

It is less clear why certain bird species do not remain as residents in areas with a good climate year-round. One clue appears to be the different reproductive success rates between temporate and tropical zones. Temporate zone nesters typically have larger clutches and nest more often.

All of these facts are consistent with the view that birds migrate to take advantage of seasonally abundant food supplies, to avoid the high density of preditors and parasites found in the tropics, and to take advantage of the longer days for extended foraging. The Rufous Hummingbird pictured above is a bird that migrates through California and is often seen in our area during its spring and fall migration.

- Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior by David Allen Sibley

Submit an Article or Idea:
If you have an interesting bit of bird trivia or a bird fact please drop us an e-mail. Include several paragraphs of text, references to where someone might find additional information about your topic, digital pictures (if you have any) and don't forget to including your full name so we can give you credit.