About Kern Audubon Society
Tehachapi Group
The Kern Audubon Society has many members in the Tehachapi area. Thus the Tehachapi Group of the KAS was created in 2009. It conducts programs and outings. Members are very involved with the Western Blue Bird Nest Watch Program. It inspects nest boxes in the spring to determine success of bird nests.
Meetings
The Tehachapi Group meets four times a year in the Golden Hills Elementary School cafeteria, 20215 Park Ave. from 7 to 9 pm.
Future meeting dates are:
- April 30, 2024
Refreshments and a raffle are added bonuses.
Outings are intermittent throughout the year. See event section for updates.
April 2024 Meeting
Kern Audubon-Tehachapi Presents: Western Bluebird Nest Box Program
Tuesday, April 30
7 pm to 9 pm
Golden Hills Elementary School Cafeteria
20215 Park Road in Tehachapi
Raffle and refreshments will be included.
Delve into the world of avian conservation and citizen science! This upcoming meeting promises an enriching experience for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Karen Pestana, a renowned wildlife biologist with a passion for avian conservation, will present Tehachapi Audubon’s long-running Western Bluebird Nest Box Program. With over 24 years of dedication to the initiative, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
Attendees can expect a comprehensive overview of the program, including instructions on how to become a Citizen Science nest box monitor and set up a nest box in their own yard.
In addition to discussing the nesting behaviors of Western Bluebirds, Karen will shed light on other local bird species that utilize the nest boxes, highlighting the interconnectedness of Tehachapi’s avian community.
Since the Bluebird Nest Box program began in 2000, Karen has been instrumental in coordinating volunteers to maintain and monitor over 60 nest boxes. The data collected through these efforts is invaluable, contributing to research initiatives such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Nest Watch Program.
Karen’s has a background in wildlife biology, including positions at Edwards Air Force Base, California Fish and Wildlife, and the National Park Service.
The meeting promises to be a great meeting full of people passionate about birds.
We hope you’ll join us to share in the natural heritage of Tehachapi and its avian inhabitants. Refreshments and raffle included.
Information
For more details or questions contact:
Carol Gates
661-300-1429 or carol.gates18@gmail.com
2022 Western Bluebird Nest Box Program Results
A total of 68 nest boxes monitored
- Western bluebirds fledged = 176 (average = 170)
- First egg of season = 21 March (average = 1 April)
- Success rate = 56% (average = 69%)
- Other species fledged:
oak titmouse = 7; violet-green swallow = 4; ash-throated flycatcher = 3
Total western bluebirds fledged for 23-year program = 3,649