Welcome to the Marin Audubon Society
About Us
The Marin Audubon Society was established in 1956 as part of the effort to prevent development of houses on Richardson Bay tidelands. Our Mission is “To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth’s biological diversity.” More »
For more than 60 years Marin Audubon has worked to protect wildlife habitat in Marin, sometimes stepping in to buy land that is slated for development.
MAS also provides its members and the public many opportunities to experience the birdlife and nature of Marin County and beyond through Field Trips and Events, our monthly MAS newsletter The Rail, and three annual Marin Christmas Bird Counts.
ALERT: Report Barred Owl Sightings
Barred Owls have extended their range to the west coast, from the east coast, and have been seen in Marin. There is increasing concern about their impact on Marin's Northern Spotted Owl population. Barred Owls are larger, more agencies have begun to monitor Barred Owl...
San Francisco Bay Joint Venture honors Barbara Salzman
If you have ever participated in any stage of wetland restoration work in Marin County, you have surely met the one and only Barbara Salzman! Barbara has been working in the field of conservation and advocating on behalf of wetlands and habitats threatened by...
Walnut Creek shopping mall using a Harris’s Hawk to evict the pigeons
A shopping mall in Walnut Creek is using a Harris's Hawk to evict the pigeons. Read this fascinating story about this beautiful raptor. Source: Washington Post Author: Linda Childers...
Every bird matters!
While you're enjoying Marin's beautiful beaches this summer be on the lookout for sick or injured seabirds. June 30th was a bright sunny morning at Fort Baker and a happy day for 7 Brown Pelicans that volunteers returned to the ocean. The volunteers were working for...
Baby barn owl found at Deer Island in Novato died from rat poison
A baby Barn Owl found under a nest box at Deer Island in Novato died from rat poison. Source: California News Wire Services Link: http://patch.com/california/novato/owlet-dies-rat-poison-prompts-anti-rodenticide-campaign Document: Owlet Dies from Rat Poison.pdf
The National Park Service is currently protecting Western Snowy Plovers with beach closures at North Beach, Abbotts Lagoon, and Limantour
The National Park Service is currently protecting Western Snowy Plovers with beach closures at North Beach, Abbotts Lagoon, and Limantour. There are only 1500 Snowy Plovers left on the west coast and they are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Source: Point...
Marin beaches are some of the cleanest in the state
Good news: Marin beaches are some of the cleanest in the state, according to a report by the environmental group Heal the Bay. Those rated an A or A+ include: Dillon Beach, Shell Beach, Miller Park, Rodeo Beach, Stinson Beach, Heart's Desire, Lawson's Landing, Chicken...
The Birds of Point Reyes Peninsula checklist now available
A new checklist, The Birds of Point Reyes Peninsula, is now available. It documents the nearly 500 species recorded to date and they're in current taxonomic order. For each species, it includes seasonal bar graphs, status, and relative seasonal abundance. Excellent...
Tricolored Blackbird added to the state’s endangered species list
California Fish and Game Commission has added the Tricolored Blackbird to the state's endangered species list. The bird's population has declined 55% since 2008. Source: Audubon California Date: May 22, 2018 Author: California Audubon...
National Audubon has declared 2018 to be the Year of the Bird
National Audubon has declared 2018 to be the Year of the Bird. March's featured action: Grow Native Plants. Find out more at http://www.audubon.org/yearofthebird. Source: National Audubon Society Date: Mar 02, 2018 Author: Link: http://www.audubon.org/yearofthebird...
Membership
We invite you to become a Chapter Supporting Member of Marin Audubon to support our important habitat protection and restoration work, conservation advocacy, our full calendar of birding field trips and speakers and our newsletter, The Rail. More »
ALERT: Report Barred Owl Sightings
Barred Owls have extended their range to the west coast, from the east coast, and have been seen in Marin. There is increasing concern about their impact on Marin's Northern Spotted Owl population. Barred Owls are larger, more agencies have begun to monitor Barred Owl activity in Marin and they need your help! Notify the appropriate agency asap should you see what might be a Barred Owl: For sightings on federal land, notify Bill Merkle - National Parks Service Wildlife Biologist;...
read moreSpeaker Series
Marin Audubon hosts a monthly Speaker Series on the second Thursday of the month, from September through June. The programs feature lectures on birds, mammals, and other natural history topics and are given by speakers who are experts in their field. Programs are free and open to the public. More »
Conservation
Maybe you have had the experience of passing a favorite spot only to be disappointed at the sight of bulldozers and “progress” at work. Maybe you’ve lamented about the inevitability of it all, enraged that it occurred, or maybe you are frustrated about loss of wildlife, trees, habitats and/or climate change. If you have, then it is time to think about Marin Audubon’s Conservation Committee. More »
Volunteer
MAS offers many opportunities to meet fellow members and to support our environmental protection and conservation efforts. Would you like to serve on the Board of Directors? Help with the Christmas Bird Count? Help with restoration projects? Join the MAS Conservation Committee? Help with the annual MAS/ACR Mother’s Day BBQ event in May? These are just a few of the many ways that you can pursue your interests or share your talents. More »
Properties
Consistent with our mission “To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity” the Marin Audubon Society has been acquiring properties in Marin County with current or restorable habitats. Some properties are restored and turned over to a public agency and some properties remain in the ownership of the Marin Audubon Society. More »
Stewardship/Restoration
Marin Audubon plans and implements habitat restoration and enhancement projects, maintains habitats, and monitors activities on properties it owns. Restorations focus on recreating tidal marshes and associated transition zone and upland habitats. Restorations usually involve moving dirt fill or levees to lower elevations or remove obstructions(levees) to tidal waters and are usually undertaken with grants from federal, state or private foundations. More »
Birds
Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas II |The Duck Family by Len Blumin | Shorebirds by Len Blumin | Arrival and Departure Dates | Birding Locations | Ways to Improve Your Birding Skills | Checklist of the Birds of Marin County | Christmas Bird Count | Junior Birdwatchers | Monthly Birdlog | Bird Photo Galleries | Birding Quiz
Photo Credits
Photographs throughout this website were contributed by Len Blumin, Elyse Omernick, Dave Strauss, Jude Stalker, Gerry Jarocki, Ann Thomas, Ed Nute, Richard Bohnet, and Barbara Salzman.
MAS BOARD OPPORTUNITY
Marin Audubon has extensive programs, has made impressive accomplishments preserving and restoring habitats, and conducts volunteer work days to maintain habitats we own. Our programs include conservation to protect our environment, the Breeding Bird Atlas, field trips to see and learn about birds, and monthly illustrated talks about birds and natural history.
At this critical time when climate change threatens birds, habitats and ourselves, a strong and involved board of directors is even more important to help us deal with these issues locally. We depend on volunteers, including members of our Board, to plan and oversee our programs. To find out more about our Board, and other volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, please contact a member of our Nominating Committee:
Bob Hinz:
Elyse Omernick:
Martha Jarocki:
Become a Marin Audubon Society Member Today!
ALERT: Report Barred Owl Sightings
Barred Owls have extended their range to the west coast, from the east coast, and have been seen in Marin. There is increasing concern about their impact on Marin's Northern Spotted Owl population. Barred Owls are larger, more agencies have begun to monitor Barred Owl activity in Marin and they need your help! Notify the appropriate agency asap should you see what might be a Barred Owl: For sightings on federal land, notify Bill Merkle - National Parks Service Wildlife Biologist;...
read moreLuna Burke and Ned Harrelson are on the run.
Licensed to care for injured and orphaned wildlife, Luna is determined to smuggle a homicidal Bald Eagle out of her husband’s private zoo in Florida, reunite the bird with its mate, and get them both to an eagle sanctuary in Canada.
Hot on her trail are her mogul husband, his bodyguards, the police, conservation officials, and an expert government tracker; aiding and abetting her are a smitten young tech guy, a lethal Navy SEAL turned panther advocate, and an underground railroad of wildlife rescuers intent on protecting one of their own.
Waiting in Ontario is a legendary old eco-warrior more than willing to provide refuge…as long as Luna and Ned can make it across the border.
“Longtime bird rehabber Suzie Gilbert’s funny, fast-paced novel follows zookeeper Luna Burke’s wacky journey to deliver a stolen Bald Eagle and its mate to a raptor sanctuary. A great beach read for bird buffs.” – Audubon Magazine
“Suzie Gilbert’s debut novel takes readers on a wild, comic, and sweet ride…” – Birdwatching Magazine
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