A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM

When I stepped outside to walk my son to daycare this morning, I noticed a smell that has become all-too-familiar to me: haze. It was a gray, foggy morning, and visibility was poor. I checked the weather app on my phone and, sure enough, the Air Quality Index had already reached 90 – at the upper end of what is considered “moderate” air pollution by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By the time I got to work, our neighborhood’s air quality was considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” including older adults, pregnant women, people with lung or heart disease, and children – especially babies. I called our daycare. My baby was not to play outside today.

This may seem like an overreaction. Haze is a common occurrence, especially in places like L.A. Schools were open. Folks went about their day-to-day life as usual. So, why was I concerned?

Babies have a higher breathing rate than adults, which means they’re more vulnerable to toxic gases and particles. Air pollution has been linked to numerous negative health outcomes in infants, including early allergies, reduced lung function, and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Recent studies have even shown that exposure to air pollution may impair neurodevelopment.

As climate change worsens air pollution, parents like me will have to make tough choices about how to protect our children from short- and long-term health risks. What level of air pollution will our family decide is tolerable? How will we use the Air Quality Index to guide our decisions? Is the indoor alternative any safer? What experiences or opportunities does our kid miss out on when we keep him inside?

Questions I will ponder on the bus ride home. Wishing you all a peaceful evening and, as always, happy birding.

Unfortunately, our event at Stunt Ranch this weekend has been canceled. We apologize for the short notice and hope those who were planning to join us this weekend will consider attending one of our upcoming bird walks in the L.A. area! Stay tuned for news about bird walks at Griffith Park, Baldwin Hills, and more! We are also connecting with our partners in the Pacific Northwest to plan events in the Seattle and Portland areas next year.

Don’t let its name fool you – the Lesser Goldfinch is anything but that! The use of “lesser” in its name is used to identify that it is the smallest of all North American finches. (Lesser Goldfinches average around four inches in length). Its small stature also earns the Lesser Goldfinch the title of smallest mimic in all of North America! During mating season, a male’s call will integrate song excerpts from other birds, including American Kestrels, California Scrub-Jays, House Finches, and more. Interspersed in these songs, you’ll hear trills, wheezes, and stutters. Despite this wide variety of song, Lesser Goldfinches are still recognizable by their tell-tale “tee-yeer” starting notes.

The Lesser Goldfinch is found primarily in California and Texas, but their range extends north into Oregon and south into Mexico, with some populations found in Central America. Along the West Coast, Lesser Goldfinches sport a black cap and greenish back, but in the eastern and lower southern regions of their range, most Lesser Goldfinches will have a black back. Lesser Goldfinches make their homes in chaparral, open woodlands, and urban green spaces throughout the western U.S. They primarily enjoy seeds from the sunflower family, but will also eat elderberry and madrone fruit, as well as willow and oak buds.

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

FROM OUR PARTNERS: UCLA Botanical Garden

Join the UCLA Botanical Garden in celebrating autumn at their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There will be food trucks, live music, and lots of fun activities, including weaving, seed bomb making, iNaturalist training by the Los Angeles Public Library, and representatives from incredible organizations such as the California Native Plant Society, Theodore Payne Foundation, Bruin Birding Club, and more!

FEATURED STORY: Indigenous People’s Day

When we’re out birding and enjoying the West Coast’s incredible biodiversity, it is imperative to recognize the history of the land. Join us in honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 14th. 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.

Fowler Museum at UCLA: Read about how to actualize land acknowledgments, 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.