The Egret Corner
November 2020 | Issue 5
A concealed Burrowing Owl, near a Great Blue Heron among ice plant, surrounded by pickle weed in Area B of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Photo by Jonathan Coffin.
Dear Ballona Wetlands Advocates,

Halfway through the month and it has already been a roller coaster. We hope this newsletter brightens your day with bird facts, inspiration to discover some nature around you and an online social community to engage with.

Current projects updates:

  • Virtual nature presentations for students continues.
  • We are starting a new video series, keep scrolling to learn more.
  • Lastly, as we wrap up the year donations would be greatly appreciated to help us continue our efforts in advocating for the Ballona Wetlands ecosystem next year.

If you or your organization has a group of students that would be interested in learning about the marvels of the Ballona Watershed, fill out this form.

Please enjoy the rest of the newsletter, for previous issues visit our newsletter archive. If you have any questions or concerns email lisa@ballona.org.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

The Ballona Wetlands Team
Bird of the Month:
Western Bluebird
Interesting Facts:
Not all blue birds are bluebirds; for instance, the California Scrub Jay is blue but its a corvid, more related to crows. Bluebirds belong to the thrush family.

Habitat:
Open woodland- perched on low branches, post, and/or fences, common the Los Angeles year round but also more abundant in winter months.

Nesting:
In cavities- either naturally occurring, man made or made by other birds, they don't have the bills to carve out their own.

Diet:
Omnivore- primarily insects in the summer, and fruit and seeds in the winter, occasionally snails and worms.
Photo taken at Harold A Henry Park
Visit a Park - A New Video Series!
Join us as we visit different parks in Los Angeles, we will be discovering the natural world in Los Angeles's complex urban landscapes. While quarantining continues, connecting with nature is important in improving mental and physical health. We hope this will encourage you to explore and discover the natural world that's all around you. The first installment will be released in next month's issue, but in the meantime here are some photos from our first video.
BWLT Staff, Sofia examining the bark of a South African Coral Tree.
A humming bird among Mexican Bush Sage.
BWLT Staff, Lisa comparing the different birds that are blue found in the area.
Spotlight: Feminist Bird Club
This month I wanted to highlight this amazing group, The Feminist Bird Club! Where passions for birding with social justice combine in hopes of creating lasting social change. This bird club creates a space for LGBTQ+ folks, BIPOC and women to feel more included while discovering the world of birding.

Although. there are only a few chapters in person, the FBC online community hosts various educational classes, discussions and events. Check out their page to see what events are happening next.
Why Do We Need Naturalists?
This article from the UC California Naturalist Program highlights the importance of naturalists.

"While it is easy to describe what we do and why that is important to us and the nearly 4000 certified California Naturalists in our community, it is a much bigger challenge to present a cogent and memorable case that resonates with those outside of the field...."
Your Contributions Further Our Efforts!
Contributions collected are used to advance our efforts to advocating for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Any contributions are greatly appreciated.
The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust is a non-profit community organization
dedicated to advocating for the greater Ballona Wetlands ecosystem and to facilitating access to this ecosystem for education, stewardship, and public outreach.