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Join us at the Western Bird Banding Association Annual Meeting in the Los Angeles area! This meeting will be held at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center.

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Early May is peak spring migration in the greater Santa Clarita area, especially in the Bear Divide. The Bear Divide is a new locale in Southern California to witness dawn migration flights. Over 10,000 birds have been documented in a single morning flying through this pass and over 140 species have been observed in the last three years. While watching birds quickly zipping by in flight can be a challenge, it is such a spectacle to witness. In addition, the area is especially suited for birders with disabilities; all birds can be observed standing or sitting in a single area. Some expected species include west coast warblers such as Wilson’s, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, Townsend’s, Hermit, Nashville, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray, and the occasional Common Yellowthroat. Aside from warblers, multiple Los Angeles summer resident species are returning to the area, including Ash-throated Flycatchers, Lazuli Buntings, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Hooded Orioles. Other migrants that can easily be observed are Western Tanagers, Warbling Vireos, Cassin's Vireos, Phainopeplas, and Swainson’s Thrush. And we have not even touched on the chaparral and Southern California endemics yet! In the area, possible resident birds include California Towhee, California Quail, California Thrasher, Mountain Quail, Wrentit, and California Scrub-Jay.  Lastly, see up to six hummingbird species in the area including Anna’s, Allen’s, Rufous, Costa’s, Black-Chinned, and the smallest bird in the United States, the Calliope Hummingbird. You do not want to miss this meeting!

We will have active workshops featuring the latest and greatest gear and techniques in field ornithology and banding. A new Motus tower was recently installed in the Bear Divide area! Some potential topics will include Motus tag deployment and set-up, molt techniques, and feather analysis. There will also be a visit to the recently established Bear Divide Banding Station.

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Also featured is a full schedule of keynote speakers and scientific talks given by ornithologists, ecologists, students, and banders on current topics and innovations. Special awards will be given for student presentations. We will also be holding our regular auction. Nature related item donations are accepted.

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Registration

Registration form, including costs can be found here.

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Call for Papers

We invite abstract submissions for oral presentations, workshops, and posters. While bandings birds constitutes much of what we do, the WBBA and its members encompass much more within ornithology, and every year we showcase this fact at our annual meeting. Click here for the abstract submission information. 

Housing Options

There are many hotels, Airbnbs, bed & breakfasts to choose from for accommodation. Campsites can be sparce in the area. We advise attendees to make reservations as early as possible.

Hotels and Motels

Santa Clarita, Newhall, and Valencia accommodations. There are many hotels and motels in the area starting at $80 per room double occupancy, and up, with many at about $120 and up. While there can be cheaper options in the greater Los Angeles area, we recommend to stay North of the San Fernando Valley. Traffic can heavily fluctuate in the morning.

VRBO and Air BnB

Their websites have some rentals that can accommodate several people at comparable rates to motels and hotels.

Camping

Campsites in the area can be sparse and most are privately owned. The nearest established campsite operated by a government agency is more than a 40 minute drive to the Placerita Nature Center and in open chaparral area, however below are a couple other private RV/camp parks.

Santa Clarita—River’s End RV Park 13130 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 Phone: (661) 888-4272

https://www.facebook.com/riversendscv/photos

Closest campsite to the Meeting venue and Bear Divide. Approximately 15 minutes. Includes multiple camping site and RV sites.

Soledad Canyon— 7601 Soledad Canyon Rd, Acton, CA 93510 Phone: (661) 268-1214

https://larvresort.com/index.php

Approximately 25 minutes. Includes hundreds of camping sites and RV sites.

Angeles Forest—While established campsites operated by the Angeles Forest are over an hour away from the meeting venue, dispersed company is allowed in the area that can be explored.