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Weldon, CA
– In January, Audubon completed the purchase of the last two parcels
needed to finalize the protection of 601-acres of riparian and
desert habitat along Kelso Creek just upstream from our 156-acre
Kelso Creek Sanctuary. It took a long time to close escrow but
National Audubon’s real estate and legal staff worked diligently to
clear up problems and complete the purchase. This purchase was
funded by a private donor that prefers to remain anonymous.
We are
currently working to transfer these parcels to the Bureau of Land
Management where the land will never be developed but remain open to
the public for non-motorized recreation. In fact, parcels north of
Piute Mountain Road or about 75% of the land will be added to the
adjoining Bright Star Wilderness Area.
Kelso
Creek’s north-south orientation makes it a very important migratory
pathway for songbirds, raptors and bats as they fly through this
area on their annual migrations. The properties Audubon has
protected have cottonwood/willow forest, Mojave Desert scrub and
very nice Joshua tree woodlands. Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great
Horned Owl, Scott's Oriole, Long-eared Owl, Ladder-backed Woodpecker
and Pinyon Jay have been seen on the sanctuary along with many other
species. See the plant and bird lists from
this and our other Kern Valley Sanctuaries on our
website.
Find the
remote Kelso Creek Sanctuary about 15-miles south of the Kern River
Preserve on Kelso Valley Road. It is open to the public. However,
the Sanctuary can be difficult to locate and there are no formal
trails but there is a walk through gate and some paths to follow.
Staff, volunteers and local birding guides bring groups through the
area on tours, especially on their way out to Butterbredt Springs or
to see desert wildflowers in the spring.
The
original Kelso Creek Sanctuary, purchased in 1999 will be retained
by Audubon to continue to act as our focal point for further
conservation work in the area. In fact, we are currently working to
secure funding to protect several additional properties with
outstanding qualities and that would further enhance the overall
protection of this important area. § |
