Ventura Audubon Society

Ventura Audubon Society Ventura Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society located in Ventura County, California

06/18/2026

By six weeks old, Great Horned Owlets leave the nest as wobbly “branchers,” climbing tree limbs with their talons since their wings aren’t ready yet. A week later they attempt their first short, clumsy flights—fluttering, tiring fast, but absolutely sending it anyway🦉

📸 Rudy Viereckl/Audubon Photography Awards
🎥 Freddy Moyano/Audubon Photography Awards

Thank you Santa Barbara Zoo for having us out for your World Ocean Day celebration! This event highlights the importance...
06/16/2026

Thank you Santa Barbara Zoo for having us out for your World Ocean Day celebration! This event highlights the importance of our oceans and the wildlife that depends on them🪸🐋

We had fun being set up next to our neighboring Audubon chapter, Santa Barbara Audubon. As it turned out, we weren’t the only western snowy plover group in the bunch (shoutout Coal Oil Point Reserve and Santa Barbara Zoo 🤗)—but that helped to strengthen our collective message even more. By the time visitors reached our booth, they were already well versed on this threatened species and ready to take action.

Join us in being a voice for and protecting this special shorebird—express your interest to [email protected]

📸 M. Perkins & K. McKenna

06/11/2026

No rush, no fuss—American Goldfinches like to do things on their own schedule! These flashy songbirds wait until June and July to nest, building soft, sturdy nests from plant fibers and spider silk hidden among shrubs and small trees. Their late start means plenty of seeds are available to feed hungry chicks.

📸 Murray Head/Audubon Photography Awards
🎥 Nicholas Mancuso/Audubon Photography Awards

Small birds, big beach—that means there’s always something happening at Ormond☀️1. Nest failure :( documenting the evide...
06/03/2026

Small birds, big beach—that means there’s always something happening at Ormond☀️

1. Nest failure :( documenting the evidence and determining the predator
2. One western snowy plover egg with an interesting shell coloration
3. WSP fledgling. Do you notice the scalloped/mottled plumage?
4. Anybody know what kind of fish this came from?!?
5. Can you see the nest?
6. Male WSP, just vibing
7. Three WSP eggs nestled together
8. A 3-4 week old WSP chick. This little one still has some neck feathers to grow in!
9. Common murre rescue. Thank you for all that you do
10. Because this nest was in a vulnerable location, biologists decided to transport the eggs to the , where they can hatch safely
11 & 12. Who can tell us what kind of lizard this is?
13. Three WSP eggs amongst driftwood, arundo, and dried velella velella’s
14. A killdeer family bidding me farewell after a long morning of surveying🥲

📸K. McKenna

05/27/2026

Spa day or dance warmup?!

This Killdeer may look like it’s busting a move, but all those head dips and butt bobs are just part of bath time🛀🏽

🎥Sunil Bhavsar/Audubon Photography Awards
📸Michael Sandoz/Audubon Photography Awards

We had a fantastic turnout for our Beach Naturalist volunteer training this weekend! The day started in the classroom be...
05/25/2026

We had a fantastic turnout for our Beach Naturalist volunteer training this weekend!

The day started in the classroom before heading out to Ormond Beach for field training. We didn’t even need our decoy snowy plovers — a small flock was waiting for us on the beach!

These volunteers will help monitor Ormond Beach, educate beachgoers, and serve as ambassadors for Western Snowy Plovers and California Least Terns throughout the nesting season.

This was our last training of the year, but if you’re interested in volunteering, reach out to [email protected]

📸 K. McKenna

05/21/2026

Using mud, grass, and tiny bits of straw, Barn Swallows build cup-shaped nests tucked beneath sheltered spots—think bridges, barns, porches, garages, and underpasses! Both parents help gather materials, turning hundreds of little mud pellets into a cozy home for their chicks.

Did you know some Barn Swallows return to the exact same nesting site year after year?

🎥Sean Graesser
📸Christopher Paulin/Audubon Photography Awards

During spring and summer, Black-necked Stilts nest near water in shallow wetlands, mudflats, and salt ponds, choosing ba...
05/13/2026

During spring and summer, Black-necked Stilts nest near water in shallow wetlands, mudflats, and salt ponds, choosing bare open ground or slightly elevated areas for their nests. Their nests may be simple scrapes in the soil or small mounds built above the water level, lined with pebbles, shells, and other nearby debris.

Their chicks are precocial, meaning these tiny fluff balls are up and running around shortly after hatching!

📸1: Andres Leon/Audubon Photography Awards
📸2: Audubon Photography Awards
📸3: Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards

A small glimpse into the world of a field biologist at Ormond Beach📝🐣
05/10/2026

A small glimpse into the world of a field biologist at Ormond Beach📝🐣

MARK YOUR CALENDARS🗓️Nesting season is in full swing, which means we need Beach Naturalists out supporting our local sho...
05/05/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS🗓️

Nesting season is in full swing, which means we need Beach Naturalists out supporting our local shorebirds! What the heck is a Beach Naturalist, you ask?

After a half-day training, volunteers earn the Beach Naturalist badge of honor—becoming protectors and advocates for the threatened western snowy plover and endangered California least tern. From March–September, beaches become nurseries, and we need extra eyes and voices to help share the message and look out for these incredible birds.

The workshop starts in the classroom at The Port of Hueneme (lunch provided!), then resumes out at Ormond Beach for hands-on field training. We’ll cover snowy plover and least tern biology, diet, habitat, chicks, and ways to get involved as a volunteer.

Head to the link in our bio and select “Become a Beach Naturalist” to learn more and sign up for the May 23rd training. Questions? Email [email protected]

Address

P. O. Box 24198
Ventura, CA
93002

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