Friends of the Kern River Preserve

 

CUCKOO CALL!

September 2009

Autumn 2009 Events, Festivals, Happenings, Walks, Research Projects, Maintenance Projects...  See our website - http://kern.audubon.org for these and more exciting developments at Audubon California's Kern River Preserve

Become a fan of KRP on FACEBOOK                                                   

 

More Land Protected!!!

Another important piece of the puzzle was added to the preserve holdings of protected land along the South Fork Kern River... on August 28th we added 26 more acres bringing the total contiguous land owned by Audubon to 2920-acres. The land is adjacent to the South Fork Elementary School bringing a whole panoply of future possibilities when we are able to expand our education program.
 

Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 19, 2009 - Kern Valley Pride Day - 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., join the Audubon Kern River Preserve team for Valley Pride Day. Wear weather appropriate clothing, a hat, bring gloves, sunscreen, and enthusiasm. Drinks and snacks provided. Please RSVP to our Administrative Assistant, Sandra Wieser.

Saturday - Sunday, September 26-27, 2009 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 15th Annual Autumn Nature and Vulture Festival, Kern River Preserve, Weldon. The vultures have already circled the date... join the Friends of the Kern River Preserve for our annual celebration of America's largest custodial crew on September 26-27, 2009.

Saturday, October 3, 2009 - FALCONRY Workshop Join our volunteer turtle team captain, Bill Foster on Kern River Preserve on Saturday, October 3rd at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to learn about the fascinating art of falconry. Bill will demonstrate training techniques he uses with his captive bred goshawk. He will also answer questions about how hawks are bred for falconry enthusiasts.

Saturday, October 17 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Volunteer Work Party - Fence Removal - Crew will take down old barbed wire fences that are no longer needed and are a problem for wildlife movement.  Meet at KRP HQ. 8 am. Leather gloves and safety glasses if you have them - we also can provide these. Bring lunch and plenty of fluids. Dress for the weather. RSVP. Email

Saturday - Sunday, October 24-25, 2009 - For current members of the Friends of the Kern River Preserve Only. Annual Friends Appreciation Weekend. RSVP. Email

Saturday, November 7 - 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. WORKSHOP: Animal tracks with Wendy Rannals, Biological Technician, Sequoia National Forest. Investigate the many signs left by wandering animals including footprints, scrapes and other clues. RSVP. Email

Saturday, November 21 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Volunteer Work Party - Fall Clean Up. RSVP. Email

Saturday, December 5 - 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. WORKSHOP: CATTLE RANCHING HISTORY Family ranching history with Erik Hafenfeld. Learn about the life and history of local ranching families. RSVP. Email

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - holiday potluck - Annual Friends of the Kern River Preserve .  RSVP. Email
 

Research/CITIZEN SCIENCE

2009 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. A $5.00 participation fee defrays a portion of the cost of tabulating and publishing the count results by National Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Help is needed on many of these counts, so find one that interests you and contact the compiler for more information.

Too cold to come out on a December or January day, compilers need help from landowners for permission to access to your property, birders will not trespass. How about keeping a list of birds that you see in your yard on that day (be a “feeder watcher”), or you can join a team to cover a territory near your home. (New birders are paired with veterans, so you don’t have to be an expert.)

Beginners to experts are welcome, maybe you know the area that a visiting birder doesn't. If you’ve ever heard yourself say, “Maybe it’d be fun to learn birds,” here’s a great opportunity. Call the contacts listed below to participate at any level.

SATURDAY, December 19, 2009

Butterbredt, Kern County: Compiler: Charles Bragg - since 1977

SUNDAY, December 20, 2009

Bakersfield, Kern County: Compiler: John Wilson - year began 1949 held in 1950 resumed in 1973 (Date may change)

China Lake, Kern & San Bernardino Counties: Compiler: Pete Woodman - since 1957

MONDAY, December 21, 2009

Buena Vista, Kern County: Compiler: Alison Sheehey - since 1989

SATURDAY, January 2, 2010

South Fork Valley, Kern County: Compiler Denise LaBerteaux - since 1992

SUNDAY, January 3, 2010

Kern River Valley, Kern County: Compiler: Alison Sheehey - since 1979
 

Leaving A Legacy for the land

Help the Kern River Preserve to protect this land in perpetuity. Leaving a bequest is one of the most powerful ways an individual or family can help create a lasting benefit for the wildlife, the land and the people at this Preserve. It is really simple to do find specific instructions on our legacy webpage. 

Volunteer Opportunities - ongoing

Friends of the Kern River Preserve

1st Friday of most months 1p.m.

Meet at the Sprague House to discuss projects, needs, and volunteer work assignments.

Volunteer Workdays at the Kern River Preserve

3rd Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. spring through autumn 9 a.m. in winter

Meet at the KRP Headquarter for volunteer work assignments. Bring work gloves, hat, appropriate clothes to get dirty, and footgear or shoes that can get wet.

Volunteer Opportunities

Service Workdays—Help KRP staff and volunteers with work projects at the preserve!—for dates and time, see Calendar of Events. Groups are welcome to help any day of the week. Bring a sack lunch and wear sturdy outdoor clothes. Contact Sean Rowe at srowe@audubon.org for details.

We Need—A team of people to serve as hosts, instructors, chaperones, materials preparers and general assistants for KRP visitors and special events. • A team of gardeners to take on the responsibility of lawn and garden care at KRP Headquarters. • People with painting, carpentry and/or electrical skills to do construction, repairs and maintenance on Headquarters’ buildings and equipment. People to conduct research on grazed vs. un-grazed areas looking at various environmental parameters – vegetation, animal diversity etc...

 

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

Cuckoo Call is published occasionally for those interested in the happenings at Audubon California's Kern River Preserve. If this e-newsletter has piqued your interest in the Kern River Preserve, consider taking the next step. If you are not already a member, please join us! To our current members, we greatly appreciate your continued support.

Pass this e-newsletter on to your friends. Sign up for Cuckoo Call ! 

Can't take any more of our upbeat charm? Unsubscribe from Cuckoo Call!

Cuckoo song is © Doug Von Gausig, http://naturesongs.org, All rights reserved.

The cuckoo call is written by Audubon Kern River Preserve , Alison Sheehey, if you have questions or suggestions for our next e-newsletter, email her at krpfriends@audubon.org

Images © 2009 Audubon and Nature Alley®.  All rights reserved.