NESTING IN THE CITY

With Daniel S. Cooper PhD

Bird populations, particularly in urban areas, are in constant flux, with some species adapting and thriving, and others declining.  Daniel S. Cooper Ph.D. will describe two studies he recently conducted as part of his dissertation for his Ph.D. from UCLA (Biology, 2020). First, he examined patterns of urban tolerance in nesting raptors of the upper Malibu Creek watershed along the Ventura-Los Angeles county border between Thousand Oaks and Calabasas. Here he found major changes in the distribution of nesting raptors since earlier surveys were conducted in the 1970s and 80s, with certain species becoming very urban-tolerant, and others not. He also investigated the role of ecological and behavioral traits that maybe accounting for distributional shifts in more than 50 species of nesting birds in the Los Angeles area, using two datasets separated by over 20 years. He will discuss trends in species distribution and abundance, explore traits that appear to confer success in urban areas, and offer predictions as to which species – or types of species – will continue to thrive in urban and urbanizing Southern California. He will also discuss species that declined during this time period, and offer suggestions for their conservation.

Daniel S. Cooper is a lifelong resident of Southern California, and is regarded as an expert on the birds of the region. Through research and independent consulting, he has spent more than 20 years conducting surveys and analyzing bird populations from the deserts to the coast, including rare and protected species such as the California Gnatcatcher and the coastal Cactus Wren. Dan has served on many environmental advisory boards and committees, including most recently on the Oak Park – Park and Recreation Planning Committee. Since 2012, he and his family have made their home in Oak Park, where he enjoys the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, even if his two kids don’t.

To attend this meeting, use this link: https://zoom.us/j/6155249106