POMONA VALLEY BIRD ALLIANCE
A chapter of the National Audubon Society (Formerly Pomona Valley Audubon Society)
Serving the Birds and the People who Love Them in Southern California's Pomona Valley since the 1950s
Special Meeting. Special Date and Time
The June community meeting, celebrating the end of the birding year and featuring unique events like a silent auction, the Photo Showcase and Photo Challenge, and elections of chapter officers will be on JUNE 11 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. More details coming soon
MEETINGS, TRIPS AND EVENTS
NEWS AND RESOURCES FOR BIRDERS
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate
Enjoy one of the richest birding sites in Southern California on our fourth Sunday of the month Bonelli Bird Walk. We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Walk Leader: Patty Thorne pattythorne99@gmail.com
Patrick Gavit – iNaturalist – Stories from the Front Lines
Discover how everyday observations can lead to extraordinary discoveries using your phone with iNaturalist! Pat will introduce what iNaturalist is, how it works, and why it has become such a powerful tool for science, conservation, and community. Through fascinating real-world stories, you’ll learn how observations shared by people like you have led to new species records, range expansions, and meaningful conservation action. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the world around you, this talk will inspire you to see—and share—nature in a whole new way.
Patrick is a retired biochemist who worked in the biotech industry for 37 years. He developed a deep interest in the natural world during his childhood in semi-rural Michigan and became especially interested in birds after a high school science club field trip to a local wildlife refuge. It wasn’t a single bird but the entire experience that sparked his passion. His favorite bird is the Swainson’s Hawk, and reptiles are his favorite group of animals.
1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=985c2206-f0c0-46bb-894f-85a2a59603c3 If you have difficulty getting around and would like to bird from the tram, please contact the garden at registrar@calbg.org to reserve a spot.
4890 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 Difficulty: Strenuous (rocky, uneven terrain, 3.5 miles 800+ ft elevation gain) with a moderate option to survey the southern edge of the park.
Twice a year we gather bird population data for the County of San Bernardino by doing what we love – birding! Join us for all or part of the day. Specialties include Bell’s Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, and other open country species. We will be taking our usual counterclockwise route on the main trail making us easy to find, so feel free to join us at any time. Meet at Beryl Park at the West Parking Lot, 6501 Carnelian St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 for a 7 AM departure to the preserve. This is a hike and not a walk, please bring sturdy footwear, a portable lunch, water, snacks, and layered clothing for about 6 hours in the field. Please RSVP with Trip Leader: Mike Brossart mjbrossart@gmail.com
JUST ANNOUNCED: This year’s Photo Challenge will be “Birds Preening” Each year at the June meeting/party marking the end of the birding year, you are invited to submit 15 or so of your favorite bird or birding photos for the PHOTO SHOWCASE and 1 or 2 pictures of birds preening for the PHOTO CHALLENGE which will be anonymously judged and the winner will get 12 months of bragging rights. Contact Seth Thompson polpsych@gmail.com for more information.
Winners of past challenges can be seen here https://pomonavalleybirdalliance.org/meetings/
SPECIAL DATE, SPECIAL START TIME 6:00 pm
watch here for more details
PVBA members and friends observed a total of 139 species during the Claremont Christmas Bird Count, conducted on Saturday, December 20th, 2025. This is near the long-term average for number of species of this count, which is centered at the intersection of Mills Avenue and Mt. Baldy Road in Claremont — roughly half in Los Angeles County and half in San Bernardino County. A total of 75 birders participated.
We had four new countable species on this CBC, which is great for a count in its 54th year. Those count firsts were: Common Poorwill in San Dimas Canyon; and Neotropic Cormorant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Northern Waterthrush at Bonelli Regional Park.
We also had our first Swinhoe’s White-eyes, which have only been present in the area for the last few years.
Other species of note for our count were:
– Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Marsh Wren, and Summer Tanager at Bonelli
– Vermilion Flycatcher- a new high total for the count of 5, with 3 at Bonelli and 2 at Bellevue Cemetery
– Painted Redstart at San Dimas Canyon Park
– Thick-billed Kingbird at Bellevue Cemetery
A few species that we usually see but missed on count day included Rock Wren, Northern Pintail, and White-throated Swift.
The latest edition of the Chaparral Naturalist is now available HERE
You can contribute a story to the Chapparal Naturalist by checking out these Story Submission Guidelines and emailing the editor Sam Atwood
Local sources for rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds: Always call first to see if they take the type of bird you’ve found. And PLEASE do not drop off ill, injured or orphaned birds without contacting the rehab facility first!
FOR PERCHING BIRDS (Passerines – Doves, Sparrows, Finches, and Corvids – Crows and Jays etc.)
Please start with this link from the Pasadena Humane Society –
https://pasadenahumane.org/services/wildlife/finding-baby-wildlife
Scroll down to RESCUING BABY BIRDS, use the flow chart to determine if the bird needs rescuing. If you’re not sure if your bird is a fledgling or what species it is, scroll to HOW TO IDENTIFY A FLEDGLING.
Songbird Care and Education Center in Fountain Valley – Vicki Anderson (714) 222-6817 http://www.songbirdcareandeducation.org/home.html
Pond Digger Ranch Wildlife Rehab in Cherry Valley – Leslie Triplett, 909-800-7676, (Operates under Bear Paw Ranch listed below) Corvids and Passerines https://www.ponddiggerranchwildliferehab.com/home
Sunshine Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation in Riverside – Currently operating from a temporary location as their new facility is being built, they have limited intake from 11 am to 3 pm only.
https://sunshinehavenwildlife.com/
Los Angeles Hummingbird Rescue – Terry Masear, 310-804-3715. Rehabilitation orphaned and injured hummingbirds in the LA area (including Santa Monica, Lest LA Beveryly Hills, Malibu Pasadena, the South Bay and San Fernando Valley.)
www.losangeleshummingbirdrescue.org
FOR RAPTORS/BIRDS OF PREY (Hawks, Falcons, Owls, etc.)
San Dimas Raptor Rescue in San Dimas – Contact volunteer manager Kristine Koh (626) 559-5732. Located at the San Dimas Canyon Nature Center, drop-offs are by appointment only. (Please do not leave an ill, injured or orphaned bird at the Nature Center.)
Bear Paw Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation in Oak Glen – Kandie Cansler (909) 790-1010 and her cell is (909) 289-0166. For Transport/Triage for Injured Wildlife call: Marsha: 909-289-2845
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3916463995252519/announcements
FOR SHOREBIRDS, SEABIRDS & WATERFOWL (Pelicans, gulls, sandpipers, ducks, geese, etc.)
International Bird Rescue is the best source for sick or injured seabirds and waterfowl. Contact info is on their website: https://www.birdrescue.org/contact/found-a-bird/helping-a-debilitated-bird/
The Grow Native Nursery at California Botanic Garden
for all of your native plant gardening needs. Expert staff can answer your questions and help you work towards a beautiful and biodiverse native plant-filled yard, patio, or balcony.
Visit https://www.calbg.org/grow-native-nursery/gnn for additional information and current days/hours.
At her recent presentation to PVAS, Dr. Allison Shultz mentioned that her current research project focuses on understanding the effects of wild fires and smoke on birds. You can now read a full account of the work here