$2,370

Raised of $1,500

Based on 140 estimated species observed each worth $16.93

Megan Jankowski

115/140 species observed

Feb 10 - May 16, 2025

Support our birds, support our birders

Before I ever became active with GGBA I worked as a nest searcher for five summers in Arizona as an employee of the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. (The photo above is me in 2008 with a Steller's Jay nestling in my hand). Co-op units are a federal-state partnership. I was a state employee, but my boss was a federal USGS scientist, and we operated with federal funding, such as NSF grants. The work I contributed to furthered understanding of biology, of climate interactions, and for me personally was a formative experience. I worked in a beautiful National Forest living out of a tent for three months at a time, experiencing the Ponderosa Pine forest in ways that few truly do; waking up to bird song or squirrel chatter through a thin canvas wall, hiking 9 hours a days finding birds' nests and measuring their eggs and young, not showering for a week at a time, living through monsoon hailstorms. It was hard work, I was not paid enough, and I loved it.

I am deeply concerned with the current wholesale purge of scientists and public lands workers from the federal government. This directly affects people I know, great scientists who worked alongside me, as well as many dozens who worked and trained at that field site over 20 years. It will reduce our knowledge of the natural world, lead to declines in species and mismanagement that will lead to more destructive fires. Federal funding touches many people, and the work that federal employees does is a bedrock that impacts us all.

I believe if our government is good for anything, it should be to keep its citizens prosperous and safe, and a large scale purge of federal workers is the antithesis of a functioning, healthy society. I have a passion for birds and wildlife but I understand that not everyone does. To some people, money towards wildlife research might be seen as frivolous, government waste. I would counter that most of that money spent goes to salaries which keep people employed, housed, and sends money right back into the economy. There is so much important work in our world that doesn't turn a profit or increase shareholder value but is invaluable to some, and financially supportive to many. Who else but the government will fund such a thing?

I do not believe there is an easy way out of our current situation, it will take work. I also believe that we are not a fundamentally different country than perhaps that of fifteen years ago. There are still many people who care about science, about caring for community (whether that be people or nature). I believe that we are stronger together. I also believe that "No one way works. It will take all of us shoving at the thing from all sides to bring it down" -- or to build it up. Please believe that you have agency and what you do matters, whatever it is.

If one of those things is donating to Golden Gate Bird Alliance, here's my pitch: Golden Gate Bird Alliance is a great Bay Area community and resource and I'm very proud to be a volunteer. Since 2018 I've led free bird walks for GGBA. I'm a Master Birder graduate (class of 2018) and I've also benefited greatly from the classes on gulls, winter shorebirds, evolution and birding by ear. Donating to GGBA supports the talented staff who facilitate not only the field trips and adult education classes, but also conservation efforts, eco-ed classes for children, the monthly speaker series and the annual Christmas Bird Counts.

If you believe everything political is personal, that everything personal is local, then throw some $$$ to your local bird group if you can. If my bird walks have inspired at least one person to advocate for birds, I'd consider it a success. If you can't donate at this time, or want to focus on national issues please join us on a bird field trip!

This year I've been committed to doing one eBird checklist a day for the entire year. It's been a great way to make sure I'm doing one grounded activity per day and spending time paying attention to the world around me.

You can pledge a flat amount at any time or pledge per species (yes, it allows pledges less than a dollar per species!) and your credit card will be charged when the campaign ends. Thank you!

18

species observed

$16.93

Per species observed

$304.74

Earned

I had a great GGBA bird trip last Sunday at the SF Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Despite the threat of rain, it remained dry and we had a great time. I co-led with Carolyn Espey while Kevin Schwartz and Krish Maypole led the other group. Highlights of the day were a Varied Thrush and Golden-crowned kinglets, both found by Kevin and Krish who alerted us to their location. Our group found a Pacific Wren building a nest. The group had great looks as she returned again and again to pick up moss. We also got great looks at a Red-breasted Sapsucker. They are worth every look since soon they will be migrating.

Yesterday my boyfriend and I went to Middle Harbor Shoreline at low tide. There was a decent number of birds, dozens of avocets and a big group of Short-billed Gulls.

It really feels like spring with a lot of bird song every morning. Last week I confirmed a Mourning Dove has returned to the exact location that it fledged three broods last year. I also found a new bushtit nest. I'm looking forward to finding more nests in the coming weeks.

97

species observed

$16.93

Per species observed

$1,642.21

Earned

I've seen 97 species since Birdathon started on February 10th. The vast majority of those I saw at Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District in Marin with my friend Sharon. I've been birding for almost 20 years, and I had never seen a Least Bittern before! We got great looks as it fished in the reeds.

Last weekend my boyfriend and I went to Point Reyes National Seashore to see the breeding elephant seals. I understand this was actually a record breeding year for them. On the way back we stopped for late lunch in Point Reyes Station. I was looking at a bare tree with about 10 robins in it, trying to find the Cedar Waxwing that I could hear. As I was looking an odd sapsucker flew into the tree. I knew right away it was one of our rare visitors. It ended up being a Yellow-bellied sapsucker! I often get to see rare birds that other people find, but I rarely find them myself. So it was super exciting!

Contributions 8