Ventura River Estuary and Emma Wood State Beach
We will explore the Ventura River Estuary for any migrating shorebirds and gulls. Then, we will explore Emma Woods State Beach shoreline and forest. Park along Shoreline Drive at Surfer's […]
A catio (short for "cat patio") is an enclosed outdoor space that lets a cat experience fresh air, sunshine, and the sights and smells of the outdoors, without the risks of roaming free. It's one of the simplest changes a household can make that's good for birds and good for the cat.
Free-roaming cats are the single largest human-caused source of bird mortality in the U.S., ahead of window strikes, vehicles, and every other human-caused factor combined. That's not a knock on cats, it's just what happens when a skilled natural predator has unrestricted outdoor access to a landscape full of nesting birds.
It's not one-sided, though. The outdoors is dangerous for cats too. Indoor cats live an average of 10 to 15 years, according to research out of UC Davis, while free-roaming cats average only 2 to 5. Vehicles are the leading cause of death for outdoor cats, and here in the Conejo Valley, resident coyote and bobcat populations, along with great horned owls and red-tailed hawks, all pose a real risk to a cat left outside unsupervised.
A catio gives your cat the enrichment of the outdoors while removing nearly all of that risk in both directions: birds are safe from the cat, and the cat is safe from cars, predators, and disease exposure from other animals.
Catios scale from small and simple to elaborate, and there's a workable option for almost any home:
We will explore the Ventura River Estuary for any migrating shorebirds and gulls. Then, we will explore Emma Woods State Beach shoreline and forest. Park along Shoreline Drive at Surfer's […]
Head to higher elevations and hopefully see some mountain birds (Mountain Chickadees, Clark’s Nutcrackers, White-headed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper). Bring a day pack with food, water and clothing layers; weather is […]
Meet at Surfer's Knoll parking lot. We will walk along the beach looking at shorebirds and gulls, specifically the nesting California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers! Trip leader: Marc […]
Join us at 6:30 p.m. at Margaritas Mexican Grill for some delicious food and socializing before our evening field trip! Please text or call Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098 if you […]
Join us as we do some nighttime birding (aka "owling"). We will listen and look for Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, and Western Screech Owls! Meet at the Sunrise Meadows […]
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walks at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each […]
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with […]
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with […]
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with […]
In this special, online event, you will learn the ins and outs, tips and tricks, do's and don'ts of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird platform! Whether you are a […]
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walks at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each […]
The Santa Clara River Estuary (SCRE) is a great place to look for shorebirds during fall migration. Target species include Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Red Knot, phalaropes, and […]