#friendsofthealamedawildlifereserve — Public Fediverse posts

"Though black oystercatchers and black skimmers share some of the same color scheme and live and breed along the shore, the similarities end there," explains Deborah Crooks. Get to know these two beautiful local birds, and check out photos by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/black-skimmers-and-black-oystercatchers-a-tale-of-two-bills/

#alameda #birding #birds #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #shorebirds

Every year, scientists, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts look up to the Fruitvale Train Bridge and hope for a successful brood of peregrine falcons. Rick Lewis shares photographs from Alameda's winged friends and introduces this year's batch of youngsters. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/peregrine-falcons-raise-their-next-generation-on-the-fruitvale-train-bridge/

#alameda #birding #birds #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #nature #PeregrineFalcon

"The experiences I share with those who marvel at the birds with me, whether they are friends or family or just people I meet out in nature carrying binoculars, always leave me feeling connected and hopeful for the health of our natural environments," reflects Patricia Williamson. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/why-am-i-a-birdwatcher/

#alameda #birding #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve

California is the most biodiverse state for birds, boasting over 700 recorded species within our borders. The state still needs help from citizen scientists to make a breeding bird atlas. Jeff Manker invites readers to participate. Photos by Rick Lewis and Jeff Manker. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/join-the-california-bird-atlas/

#alameda #birding #birds #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance #nature

An attempt to get kids outdoors and learning during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a regular and treasured outing. Birder Doug Henderson and Wood Middle School teacher Marci Nettles share the collaboration that's creating Alameda's youngest birders. Photo by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/wood-middle-school-program-teaches-students-to-love-birding/

#alameda #birding #birds #CrabCove #ElsieRoemerBirdSanctuary #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance #WoodMiddleSchool

A former Navy runway at Alameda Point is now a protected nesting site for California least terns. "Last year the Alameda least tern colony did very well with over 500 nests and potentially around 800 young fledged," reports Sharol Nelson-Embry. Photo by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/taking-a-turn-watching-the-terns/

#alameda #AlamedaPoint #birding #birds #birdwatching #CaliforniaLeastTern #CrabCove #EastBayRegionalParkDistrict #ebrpd #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

In December, teams of birders spread across Alameda and Bay Farm Island to collect data for the Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science project that has been going strong since 1900. Doug Henderson and Rusty Scalf share the experience and their findings. Photo by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/alamedas-2025-christmas-bird-count/

#alameda #BayFarmIsland #birding #birds #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

In the conclusion to her three-part series on Alameda shorebirds, Linda Carloni spotlights the three largest sandpipers that frequently take a pit stop on the island. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/common-alameda-sandpipers-big-ones/

#alameda #birds #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance #shorebirds

It's time to meet more of Alameda's feathered friends! Linda Carloni introduces four more species of sandpipers. This batch is all medium-sized, but, just like the smaller varieties, they spend the winter in Alameda for "plentiful food, warmer weather, and a congenial spot to rest and fuel up." https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/know-alamedas-medium-sized-sandpipers/

#alameda #birds #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #shorebirds

"Migrating birds, particularly many shorebirds, define the fall/winter season differently than most humans do," writes Linda Carloni. "Fall migration is in full swing in early August for many birds, and our beaches are already supporting many new migrant arrivals." Here's how to identify them. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/peeps-alameda/

#alameda #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance #shorebirds

Look at all those mouths to feed! Marjorie Powell introduces the beautiful barn swallow. You may see these small birds zipping through the air at Crab Cove visitors center, Jean Sweeney Park, and beyond. Check out these great photos by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/buildings-bridges-barn-swallows/

#alameda #BarnSwallow #birdwatching #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

Small, iconic, and endangered, California least terns return every year to Alameda. In the early 1970s, the NAS Alameda base commander’s wife noticed and protected about 10 pairs of birds. In 2024, over 500 nests were recorded. Sharol Nelson-Embry tells their story with photos by Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/31-yearsf-return-terns-bus-tours-alameda/

#alameda #AlamedaPoint #birding #birdwatching #CaliforniaLeastTern #CrabCove #EastBayRegionalParkDistrict #ebrpd #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve

Look at those shocking aquamarine eyes! Rick Lewis introduces this remarkable bird, "When onshore observers see a feeding frenzy in the distance, with many blackish birds flying, splashing, and diving, many of these energetic birds are most likely double-crested cormorants." https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/otherworldly-breeding-double-crested-cormorants/

#alameda #birding #birdwatching #DoubleCrestedCormorants #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

There may be many more birds nesting in your neighborhood than you realize! Michael Charnofsky introduces a multitude of our local feathered friends, accompanied by stunning photos from Rick Lewis. https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/birds-nesting-crab-cove/

#alameda #birdwatching #CrabCove #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve (FAWR) will celebrate 30 years of wildlife advocacy on November 30. Leora Feeney explores the organization's history, and she shares FAWR's hope that the City Council will consider a proclamation to make November Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve Month.

https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/fawr-hopes-city-council-recognize-wildlife-advocacy/

#alameda #AlamedaPoint #birdwatching #environment #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve

Rick Lewis shares photographs of black skimmers at Crab Cove. Also called a scissor-beak, cut-water, or seadog, these striking birds are experts at snagging fish while in non-stop flight.

https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/black-skimmers-their-strange-bills-amaze-us/

#alameda #birdwatching #CrabCove #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance

Cooper's hawks have been in Alameda news recently, after APD animal control officer Alaina Onesko rescued a young Cooper's hawk that had become stuck in sap. Rick Lewis highlights these birds of prey and gives tips for how to spot them.

https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/keep-an-eye-out-coopers-hawks-around-alameda/

#alameda #AlamedaPoint #birdwatching #ChochenyoPark #CoricaPark #CrabCove #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve

As a lover of both cats and birds, Deborah Crooks urges Alamedans to keep kitties indoors to save the lives of our feathered friends. Outdoor cats — be they pets, strays, or ferals — kill at least 1.4 billion wild birds annually.

https://alamedapost.com/features/nature/meet-our-wild-birds-keep-them-safe-by-keeping-cats-inside/

#alameda #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateBirdAlliance #JeanSweeneyOpenSpacePark

Alameda Point is home to a very important breeding site for a colony of endangered California least terns. Rick Lewis reports back from an excursion to the site with photos of the "small, resilient, and entertaining birds" and their camouflaged chicks.

https://alamedapost.com/features/alameda-life/return-of-the-terns/

#alameda #AlamedaPoint #birdwatching #CaliforniaLeastTern #CrabCove #ebrpd #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve #GoldenGateAudubonSociety #UnitedStatesFishAndWildlifeService

Spring is here, and chicks are too! Great blue herons and snowy egrets are nesting in trees around the island of Alameda and Bay Farm Island. Marjorie Powell highlights these species, with photos of the babies and nests by Rick Lewis.

https://alamedapost.com/features/alameda-life/baby-birds-abound/

#birds #alameda #GreatEgrets #SnowyEgrets #birdwatching #GreatBlueHeron #GoldenGateAudubonSociety #FriendsOfTheAlamedaWildlifeReserve