Never Too Young; © Josh Galland

Happy New Year!  As we all try to stay safe and be patient during the COVID times, I’d like to recommend a page from the National Audubon website called The Joy of Birds.  It’s described as a “Birdy Care Package from Audubon” and is full of entertaining and useful information–good for a rainy afternoon at home. 

I also want to encourage you to check out an article in Outdoor Photographer written by West Sacramento resident Garry Everett–Winter on the Pacific Flyway.  His information on photographing migrating birds and good locations to go in the area is very engaging.  Also don’t miss Yolo Audubon’s You Tube Channel to access our past speaker presentations, as well as our new video “Out with a Birder,” which features tips on visiting the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. 

Next, on a sobering note, Krysta Rogers of the Wildlife Investigations Laboratory of the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife reports that their lab has been getting increasing accounts of deaths of pine siskins and goldfinches this winter.  She believes this is due to Salmonellosis, a bacterial infection spread through feces of infected birds.  The outbreaks always involve bird feeders and baths, so she asks that you remove your feeders and baths for three to four weeks if you have any evidence of bird mortality.  Krysta recommended reading her lab’s reports about Salmonellosis and Feeding Wild Birds.  You may also contact her here.  Thanks to Yolo Audubon member Annie Armistead for alerting us to the problem locally.

Finally, without in-person meetings, our merchandise sales have plummeted!  If you’d like to buy a Yolo Audubon cap ($20) or a Checklist of the Birds of Yolo County ($5 plus $2 for mailing), please send us a note here, and we’ll get back to you with details.  We’re even willing to deliver the caps to your home if you live in Yolo County.

Ann Brice, YAS President