Birding Info: Do you love Northern Saw-whet Owls? Julie Woodruff will provide an update on her Northern Saw-whet Owl banding project, a local program supported by Mt. Diablo Audubon Society.

Main Program: Tricolored Blackbirds with Xerónimo Castañeda

Xeronimo Castañeda is a Conservation Project Manager with Audubon California. A native of California he has lived and worked from Monterey to Arcata, ventured to the east coast and eventually finding his way to Sacramento. His work with Audubon focuses on habitat restoration and enhancement through multi-benefit management of Central Valley wetlands, agricultural operations, and groundwater recharge projects to benefit birds and people.

Current conservation work Xeronimo will present on this evening are 1) the protection of at-risk Tricolored Blackbird colonies, 2) development of multi-benefit groundwater recharge projects in target regions to benefit birds and communities, and 3) on-farm habitat enhancement using cover crops and through riparian restoration. Away from work, Xeronimo spends time backpacking, riding bikes, cooking, and of course birding.