GGBA BLOG
Welcome to our online blog featuring thoughtful articles on everything from birding hotspots to bird science written by members of our community.
In order to keep this blog as engaging and relevant as possible we welcome all interested contributors to pitch their article idea(s) to our communications desk at rnakano@goldengatebirds.org
We are especially interested in publishing blog posts from writers within underrepresented communities including; Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities. For more information on contributing blog posts and the editing process visit our Blog Guideline page here.
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Peninsula Watershed – protect it!
By Noreen Weeden On September 12, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Committee will hear a proposed resolution seeking expanded public access to
Heron release caps season of successful rescues
By Ilana DeBare Capping a season of successful heron rescues and public education, Golden Gate Bird Alliance joined with partners International Bird Rescue and Oakland
Solving the mystery of deformed beaks
By Jack Dumbacher In late 2010, two fascinating articles appeared that described a new and very serious avian disease (1,2). So-called “avian keratin disorder,” or
The Extraordinary Beauty of Birds
By Ilana DeBare Birding helps us notice little wonders that we might otherwise take for granted — the California Towhee pair hopping in our backyard,
Long-lost plant returns to life at Pier 94
Editor’s Note: Sea-blite is an endangered shoreline plant that had not been seen in the Bay Area since the 1950s — until it was recently re-introduced at
Harbor seal haven in Alameda
By Ilana DeBare Golden Gate Bird Alliance is for the birds. But not JUST for the birds. This month, we were delighted to see results
Hello, California Scrub-Jay!
Editor’s Note: Two years ago, the Clapper Rail suddenly morphed into a Ridgway’s Rail. And now… the Western Scrub-Jay you saw in your backyard last week has
Nest box success stories
By Ilana DeBare In 2015, our Eco-Education program in Richmond added a component on Bird-Friendly Schools, where elementary school students enhanced their schoolyards with nest
Alvaro Jaramillo on birding
Editor’s Note: Golden Gate Bird Alliance members may be familiar with Alvaro Jaramillo from the pelagic and international birding trips he leads through his business,
How fast can birds see?
By Jack Dumbacher Decades ago, I recall being told that birds can see incredibly “fast” – mostly from bird keepers who said that AC lighting
Ashland is for the birds
By Maureen Lahiff My first adventure with Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s birding travel program was the 2016 Memorial Day Weekend trip in southern Oregon led
How to plan a successful Big Year of birding
By George Peyton It was not long ago that undertaking a Big Year of Birding was fairly rare. Today carrying out Big Years of all