Breeding Birds of Sacramento: A Tale of Two Atlases and Three Decades of Change
Presented by: Ed Pandolfino

We all know how much the Central Valley has changed in the past few decades – increased development, changes in agriculture, changing climate. But how has all that affected our breeding birds? Ed Pandolfino will take us through the results of the recently completed SECOND Sacramento County Breeding Bird Atlas to answer that question.

This new Atlas is a follow up to an earlier Atlas effort led by Tim Manolis, completed in the early 1990s, but not published until now. Central Valley Bird Club just released a book comparing the results of those two Atlases, the first published comparison of subsequent BBAs in the state. The authors include Ed, and three other Sacramento County ornithologists: Lily Douglas, Tim Manolis and Chris Conard. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Some of the results may match your expectations (grassland birds in general in trouble), but others may surprise. For example, we now have MORE species of breeding bird than during the earlier Atlas period. Ed will discuss the “winners”, new breeding birds, the “losers”, birds no longer breeding in the County, and dramatic changes in breeding habitat selection for some species.

To receive the link to join this presentation, email meetings@sacramentoaudubon.org.