Jane Haley hopes to raise awareness about local species
diversity as Audubon members ready for annual bird count
Even with a gusty wind blowing from the south and the Wildlife
Education and Rehabilitation Center bird-watching outing she was
supposed to lead canceled, Jane Haley took a few minutes to count
the birds along the Coyote Creek Trail on Saturday.
For Haley bird watching is a way of life.
The annual Audubon Society bird census takes place Sunday Jan. 29 at scattered locations across the U.S., including the South Valley, where many nonnative species migrate for the winter.
Jane Haley hopes to raise awareness about local species diversity as Audubon members ready for annual bird count
Even with a gusty wind blowing from the south and the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center bird-watching outing she was supposed to lead canceled, Jane Haley took a few minutes to count the birds along the Coyote Creek Trail on Saturday.
For Haley bird watching is a way of life.
Bundled up in a jacket with hands covered by black leather gloves, she scans across the quarry ponds along Coyote Creek. She works with her naked eye, a set of field glasses and, occasionally, stops to drop the tripod of a spotting scope slung over her shoulder for closer inspection. When she finds a new bird, Haley moves excitedly, occasionally pulling out a book to identify it. She usually sees between 20 and 30 different species of birds during the two-hour excursions.
Haley hopes to bring attention to the rich diversity of bird species in these riparian zones of the South Valley.
“Winter is really good for water birds around here,” says Haley. “All of the coastal ponds and lakes around here are places where birds over-winter.”
The mild winters of Central California attract birds from harsher climates and the bodies of water provide natural habitat for migratory animals.
With nearly 20 years of experience as a docent with the National Park Service, Haley is an incredible resource for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of the wildlife in the South Valley. She said that she tries to lead at least one guided tour a month and sees the outings as filling an important void in wildlife education by targeting adults, an age group that is often forgotten.
“This is to educate the community as a whole rather than just kids in schools,” says Haley while fixing her spotting scope on a Blue Heron hunkered down on the water’s edge.
As Haley’s trip between the quarry ponds comes to an end on this moist morning, she slings her spotting scope over her shoulder once again and heads back to her car. Overhead two red tailed hawks take flight and along the waters edge a flock of American Coots forage, their tiny black bodies bobbing on windblown swells.
The birds will still be here after she’s gone. Haley’s only hope is that she can get a few people to slow down and take the time to appreciate them.
To find out the date of the next bird outing call 408-779-9372.
