A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM

Did you know that Project Phoenix is a joint partnership between the UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County? Both of these organizations provide critical support for Project Phoenix, including funding, mentorship, and strategic planning.

Project Phoenix is one of several research projects our team is leading to learn more about how wildfire smoke impacts birds. From acoustic recorders to museum specimens, our team is exploring multiple avenues to discover how birds respond to wildfire smoke and urban air pollution.

All of these studies are fascinating, but Project Phoenix is my favorite. I love collaborating with community scientists and hearing your stories of the birds in your neighborhoods. As a researcher, my hypotheses are motivated by observations from birders like you. Your stories help me develop thoughtful research questions and design studies to inform avian conservation.

If you observe any unusual bird activity when it’s smoky outside, tell me about it. Maybe your story will be the key to unlocking this mystery.

Olivia V. Sanderfoot, Ph.D. | Program Director, Project Phoenix

FROM THE FIELD: Project Phoenix at the UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve

Last Saturday, the Project Phoenix community visited the UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve in the Santa Monica Mountains for a morning of birding and adventure.

Our volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about the UC Reserve System, including unique opportunities for UC students and researchers to get involved in research and conservation. We also heard from our Program Director, Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot, who shared the science driving Project Phoenix. After a hearty breakfast of bagels, we set out for a wonderful bird walk around the reserve!

Birders observed several species of birds common to the Santa Monica Mountains, including Acorn Woodpeckers, California Scrub-Jays, and our bird of the week, Dark-eyed Juncos!

Additional photos from the event can be found on Instagram – click here and here!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Alexander Yan

Alex is a 4th year Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (EBE) Major at UCLA. He works with Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs, helping with captive breeding, behavioral experiments, and their reintroduction to the wild. He recently joined Dr. Pamela Yeh’s lab, working to find the nests of Dark-eyed Juncos and observe their behavior. He hopes to become involved with mist netting and live bird processing during the next field season.

Alex first became involved in birding this past spring as a way to relax and have new experiences. His first birding outing was with the Bruin Birding Club, on a field trip to Palos Verdes and the South Bay. Once he used his first pair of binoculars to watch pelicans fly overhead, he was hooked! His birding adventures took him across the UCLA campus and Riverside, but his birding really picked up when he began his field quarter with the UC Natural Reserve System. His field quarter took him across California and allowed him to bird and hit his life list goal of 200 species by the end of the quarter! It was during this program that Alex learned about and joined Project Phoenix. Whenever he had cell phone reception, Alex worked on submitting checklists from the various reserves he visited.

Alex is also a fantastic photographer – check out these examples of Alex’s wonderful bird photography below!

Connect more with Alex on his Instagram (@alexanderyan0106) and eBird (AYANMC244). Thank you so much for your contributions to Project Phoenix, Alex!

We love to hear from our volunteers! What motivated you to join Project Phoenix? Click here to share your story.

BIRD OF THE WEEK: Dark-eyed Junco

by Caitlin O’Neil | Communications Lead, Project Phoenix

The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is one of the most common birds found in North America. These small, migratory sparrows span across the entire continent and vary widely in color. Their color variations come in five palettes: gray-headed, pink-sided, slate-colored, white-winged, and Oregon – the color variation we’re most used to seeing here in California.

Dark-eyed Juncos love to feast on seeds of plants like chickweed, buckwheat, and sorrel year round. When they forage, juncos hop along the ground, sifting through the soil and pecking at leaf litter. During their breeding season, Dark-eyed Juncos expand their diet to include insects like flies, caterpillars, moths, and beetles. They can be seen agilely darting up from the ground to catch insects along tree trunks.

Male Dark-eyed Juncos court females by fanning open their wings and tail feathers to show off the bright white plumage in their tails. Females build nests using various plant materials in their environment, including ferns, twigs, and rootlets.

MEET OUR PARTNERS: UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden

Join Project Phoenix and the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden for an evening of birding and community on UCLA’s campus! Project Phoenix volunteers are invited to explore the gardens after hours and join Project Phoenix researchers and volunteers for a bird walk or bird sit. Our evening event will be held on Thursday, October 12th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Beginner birders, family, and friends are welcome!

Schedule of Events:

• 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: meet and greet with the Project Phoenix team and light refreshments

• 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: short presentations from Project Phoenix researchers and the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden

• 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: bird walks depart in the gardens

Email projectphoenix.socal@gmail.com with questions. RSVPs are required and capped at 50.

Would you like to plan an event with Project Phoenix? Are you interested in meeting with members of our team?

We’d love to get together. Connect with our team to share your idea!

FEATURED STORY: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

When we’re out birding and enjoying California’s incredible biodiversity, it is imperative to recognize the history of the land. Join us in honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 9th. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day to honor and celebrate the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples. Honoring the land takes many forms, including celebration, reflection, recognition, and education. Below, we have compiled some resources for folks within the Project Phoenix community to learn more about the history of the lands where we go birding.

Native-Land.ca: Explore the territories, languages, and treaties of Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Native American Heritage Commission: Learn more about the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation of the Greater Los Angeles Basin.

UCLA Fowler Museum at UCLA: Read about how to actualize land acknowledgements, such as those developed by UCLA and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

PBS SoCal: Watch a short documentary about cultural burning in California.

Thank you to all our partners and supporting organizations!

Project Phoenix is grateful to our partners and all the supporting organizations who help our program soar. Visit our partners page to learn more about the incredible work of these non-profit organizations – from science to conservation to outdoor recreation, these orgs are dedicated to protecting our environment for people and the birds we love.