PRESIDENT'S PEN
Do you know about the "good old days" of Fort Worth Audubon? As a person who rarely thinks about what I did yesterday and is always planning my future and am now involved in helping to plan our chapter's immediate future, it's taken me nearly five years of living in Fort Worth to wonder about our Fort Worth Audubon chapter's past.
Do you know when our chapter was formed? Were you there at the beginning, or maybe just after that? Do you know who founded the chapter, and who led its field trips, produced its newsletter, chaired its committees, found its speakers and gave its programs before you were part of the chapter? I'm afraid that I must answer "no" to all of these questions—and I want to be able to answer "yes" to at least some of them. And even though I'm aware that somewhere there are written documents on this, I'd rather hear the stories directly from people who were there then. I'd like to know what were our chapter's goals and successes, what things didn't go so well, what were the birding adventures—who among us knows these things?
If you are a relatively new member of Fort Worth Audubon and do not know the answer to these questions, would you like to know more about these things too?
If you know the answer to some or all of the above questions, particularly if you were active in our chapter in the "good old days," I'd be interested in learning from you and maybe others would too. Would you like to reminisce about it?
I'd like to hear if there's any interest in having an informal get-together for the knowledgeable to reminisce and for those of us who want to know the stories to listen and ask questions. Please contact me at dalybar@aol.com or 817.361.7131 to let me know if you are interested, and if so, whether you would be best categorized as among the informed or the uninformed (or partially both) on our chapter's history. If I get enough interest, I'll try to organize a get-together. Whether or not that happens, I'm going to try to talk to more of you at the refreshment time before the monthly meetings to learn about our chapter's history, and those who made it happen.
See you October 14!
Lynn Barber, President
PS—The chapter would benefit from having our own small, portable sound system. If you know someone who might donate one, let us know.
MEETING INFORMATION
The Fort Worth Audubon Society meets the second Thursday of each month, September through May, at 7:30 PM. All meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings are held at:
UNT
Health Science Center
3500
Camp Bowie Boulevard
Research
and Education Bldg.
Everett
Hall Room 100
Easiest entrance is from parking lots A or C off Clifton Street. Doors are west end of building, lowest level.
This month's meeting: Ray Little, Whooping Crane expert
"PRACTICAL GREEN"
What you can do in your everyday life to reduce your impact on the environment.
by D.D. Currie
This month's topic: Vehicle Fuel Economy
Buy a car that gets good gas mileage....we all know this is a smart thing to do, but have you ever put pen to paper to see the impact of a fuel-efficient car on the environment (and your pocketbook)? Let's compare a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon (MPG) to one that gets 25 MPG. If you drive 20,000 miles per year (not unusual for an avid birder) and you keep your car 7 years, you could end up consuming approximately 1400 FEWER gallons of gasoline over that period of time. Less fuel burned means fewer natural resources are used and less pollution is created from the extraction and processing of the fuel. Less fuel burned also means less greenhouse gases (unburned hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulate
matter, and carbon dioxide) are added to the atmosphere1. By choosing a vehicle that achieves 25 MPG rather than 20 MPG, you can prevent the release of about 30,000 pounds of greenhouse gas pollution over the lifetime of your vehicle2. Using the example above, consuming less fuel can also result in less impact to your pocketbook to the tune of $2590, based on the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline3. New spotting scope, anyone?
References:
1 http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/whycare.htm
2 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2004.pdf
3 http://www.fuelgaugereport.com
THE
TRAVELING BIRDER
By
Lynn Barber
Tarrant County Lakes and Fields
It's time to stake out the lakes! And the fields! Whether we're ready or not, Fall is just about here and Winter cannot be far behind. And what happens then? As the shorebirds dwindle down, sparrows, hawks and ducks start to arrive, and who knows what else might appear? Soon, long-time Tarrant County birders with well-engrained birding patterns will probably switch seamlessly from woodland warbler hunts to lakeside and roadside surveys. And if they have telescopes, they'll probably carry them more regularly for the next few months. For those of us who are relatively new birders, or are relatively new to North Texas, we may be wondering where to go birding when our favorite birding spots seem to run out of birds.
On our Fort Worth Audubon web site, at http://fwas.org/area_birding.asp you can find information on sites to bird in Tarrant County, compiled by Carl Haynie a number of years ago, but still of great value. In his article you can learn about some of the less well-known spots in addition to the old favorites such as the Fort Worth Nature Center and Village Creek Drying Beds, and can find directions on how to get to them.
For example, Cement Creek Lake near Meacham Airfield can be a great place to find sparrows and ducks in winter, and ducks and gulls may be found at Benbrook Lake as viewed from Mustang Park on the south side (Mapsco 101S), Bear Creek Park on the southwest side (Mapsco 100Y) and Holiday Park on the west side (Mapsco 101A). During the summer these Benbrook Lake parks often have restricted times when birders and other non-campers can enter, but in winter these restrictions often are dropped. You need to check at the particular park, of course, since the hours and open times may vary from year to year as well as from season to season.
Lake Worth also has been the site of many winter-wonder birds, with Mosque Point on the north side of Lake Worth (Mapsco 59C) and Camp Joy Park (Mapsco 44V) being two places where you can go to view the lake from public land. There's also a good ducky area in Cityview—a drainage area just south of I-20 and east of Bryant-Irvin Road. That's where I was introduced to Fort Worth birding nearly 5 years ago when we stayed at a nearby motel, and I saw both Lesser and Greater Scaup there, plus Buffleheads, Gadwalls, and Northern Shovelers.
If you have the time, I'd suggest plotting out a route for yourself around Fort Worth before the winter birds arrive, using for example, Carl Haynie's article mentioned above or Wauer & Elwonger's Birding Texas, so you know where to go find the good spots, or when you hear about a good bird at a particular location. Or just find a map of Tarrant County and head out to explore. Maybe you'll even discover a great birding spot that you can tell us about.
You can also go to the Fort Worth Audubon Society's website (http://www.fwas.org) to learn about what others are seeing, and you can join other FWAS members at meetings and field trips. Schedules for these are also on the website as well as in this newsletter.
ORNITHOLOGY
REPORT
by Greg Keiran
NOTEWORTHY RECORDS
Mid-August to Mid-September
Rufous Hummingbirds: Individual lingering birds reported in SW Fort Worth and Bedford since August (Lynn Barber and Rachael Dugas)
Hagerman Reports: 8/25/04: Today at Hagerman in 5 hours we saw 52 birds. Highlights: Yellow Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and a Black-crowned Night Heron. At Dead Woman Pond there were 4 young Anhingas still in the nest. This is the first nesting record for Hagerman NWR, and Grayson Co. Good birding. Lee
9/2/04: Here at 76 Vaughn there were a late Broad Wing Hawk and a Mississippi Kite soaring around. Still lots of Scissortail Flycatchers around also.
9/3/04: This morning I had 3 White-wing Doves on my driveway.
9/8/04: This morning while walking on the banks of the Red River below the Denison Dam I saw an immature Osprey FOS. Good birding. Lee
TEXBIRDS: 8/19/04: At VCDB yesterday there were 37 Wood Ducks and in a single group, 32 immature White Ibis. Also, two families of Black-bellied Tree Ducks, one with 7 ducklings and one with 5. Among the many Black-necked Stilts were found Solitary Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, many Least Sandpipers, and a lone Long-billed Dowitcher. Also present were several White-faced Ibis. Simone Jenion, Benbrook, TX
8/20/04: Greetings... During a wildflower walk-about yesterday evening through Garland's Spring Creek Park Preserve, I found, and several others got to see, a juvenile Golden-cheeked Warbler flitting around one of the oak islands in the prairie. This sighting marks the third time in four years I have observed a Golden-cheeked in the north Dallas area, and all about this same time of the season. Good twitching. Mike Moore, Plano, TX
8/22/04: Hello Texbirders, The turf farm along Burleson County Road 443 at FM50 was very active again this afternoon with shorebirds. The county road is now paved to the creek crossing (about a mile and a half of pavement) courtesy of the owner of the turf farm. No more fish-tailing on the road when it is wet:) Good thing the road is paved, as a thunderstorm passed over the turf farm while Marsha Seyffert and I birded the county road at mid-afternoon. Below is our complete bird list: Great Egret(5), Snowy Egret(3), Blue-winged Teal(3)(FOS), Killdeer(25+), Greater Yellowlegs(2), Upland Sandpiper(12+), Sanderling(2) [my third sighting of this species at the turf farm since 2001], Least Sandpiper(10+), Baird's Sandpiper(7+), Pectoral Sandpiper(4+), Buff-breasted Sandpiper(200+), Long-billed Dowitcher(2), Wilson's Phalarope(1), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher(3), Horned Lark(7+), Bank Swallow(4), Cliff Swallow(50+), Cave Swallow(10+), Barn Swallow(50+), Best regards and good birding, Darrell Vollert, Chappell Hill
8/25/04: Texbirders, I just wanted to alert North Central Texas birders that there is a Glossy Ibis at the Village Creek Drying Beds in Fort Worth/Arlington. Although no longer a true rarity in Texas, this is still a good record for North Central Texas. Greg Cook, Arlington, TX
8/30/04: Texbirders, Finally a bird movement through NCTX. For the past two weeks the land birding has been very slow and the shorebirds practically non-existent due to too much rain filling all the local reservoirs. Well, after the cool front passed on Saturday and the south winds abated, I figured the birds would be moving. They were last night. With the nearly full moon I could see numerous migrants passing, perhaps as many as 30 per half hour. I heard numerous Upland Sandpipers and Dickcissels last night during the moon watching. Radar also indicated there was a good deal of stuff in the air: birds and bugs. Today in North Dallas and at White Rock Lake, Peter Billingham and I found a few birds in the trees but most of the action was early-morning flyovers. Uplands were again fairly common along with Dickcissels. We had a total of about 50 flyover Eastern Kingbirds, several Yellow Warblers, 20-30 Baltimore Orioles, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 3 Indigo Buntings and a few other unidentified. In the trees we saw a few Empids and lots of Baltimore Orioles. Northern Waterthrush at Prairie Creek Park along with 4 Chuck-will's-widows. At the old fish hatchery White Rock Lake we found our best bird: a nice male Blue-winged Warbler in the SW section near the power line and within 100 meters of the Monk Parakeet colony. We also had White-eyed Vireo and Warbling Vireo, probably lingering summer residents. Tonight some of these birds should be lifting off but I suspect the best moon-watching was last night. Good Birding. Brian Gibbons, Dallas
9/1/04: The turf farm along Burleson County Road 443 at FM50 is indeed a mecca for Buff-breasted Sandpipers. When the Central Brazos Valley has a rain event during fall migration, the fields at the turf farm are hopping with shorebirds. If you take 443 all the way down towards the east until you reach a "T" and turn right and head south, the road parallels the Brazos River for a few miles and there are usually migrating passerines along the road. The Corps parks at Lake Somerville can offer good birding, particularly the nature trail at Yegua Creek Park on the south shore. Best regards and good birding. Darrell Vollert, Chappell Hill
8/31/04: I don't know how much it means but a second Prairie Warbler was seen at Lake Tawakoni (Rains Co.) Aug. 29, by Ron Baltzegar. The other was July 27 at Lake Tawakoni State Park. In the past 20 years we have less than 10 records. Odd? Also seen by Ron Aug. 29 in the same area: Osprey, Black-throated Green Warbler, 2 Nashville Warblers and Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. This morning at Lake Tawakoni I saw 4 Avocets, 1 Northern Waterthrush, 1 Neotropic Cormorant and 4 Pelicans. Richard Kinney
9/1/04: At Lake Tawakoni State Park today a few birds took advantage of the cool weather and moved south. Highlighted by: 35-40 Yellow Warblers, 6-7 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, 2. Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Blackburnian Warbler (very rare in the fall here,) and a surprisingly early American Goldfinch. A total of just 34 species for the trip, but lots of migrants. Among the missing: Barn Swallow, any empids, and Mockingbirds....go figure.... Richard Kinney
9/9/04: This morning, while refilling my bird feeders, I heard a Pine Warbler singing from a pine tree (a very early record away from the piney woods of southeast Van Zandt Co. Anybody want to explain that? Richard Kinney
Report your sightings to:
Greg Keiran
9 S. Kingston Ct.
Bedford, TX 76022
(Home) 817.282.3312 (Work) 817.280.7598 email: gkeiran@AOL.com
THE AUDUBON ADVISORY
SENATE SET TO TAKE ACTION ON MEASURES IMPACTING BIRDS
Their Actions Can Help, But They Are Considering Actions That Will Hurt
As early as next week, the United States Senate is expected to take additional action on key conservation programs and issues, specifically setting its final funding levels for a number of Audubon priority bird conservation programs in the Department of the Interior's budget. Your Senators will vote on a bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on September 15th that recommended funding levels for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, State Wildlife Grant programs, Land & Water Conservation Fund, our National Wildlife Refuge System and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund—programs that you know are of critical importance to Audubon for the direct impact they have on birds and the habitat they need to survive. The good news out of the Committee is they passed funding levels for some programs higher than the U.S. House of Representatives did earlier this year, however, they are still not as high as we were hoping for to adequately expand these programs.
Now the bad news: in addition to voting on funding levels for bird conservation programs, the Senate may also cast votes on a number of amendments to either remove provisions from the Committee-passed bill that are harmful to the environment, or fight to keep new destructive provisions from being added to it. These include:
· · Efforts to remove from the Committee-passed bill a provision that gives critical habitat within Alaska's Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge to an oil company for drilling under the guise of "land exchange."
· · A provision that categorically exempts the renewal of grazing permits for many grazing allotments on National Forest lands from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, effectively cutting the public out of public lands decisions.
· · A provision that seeks to interfere with the independence of the federal judiciary, by telling judges they only have 180 days from the filing date to decide lawsuits challenging logging projects in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. The provision also attempts to cut off completely the public's ability to challenge projects if they cannot file lawsuits on Tongass logging projects within 30 days of the Forest Service's decision to go ahead with them.
· · It's also possible we'll see a fight to add a provision to the bill to override existing law to promote the largest public lands logging project in modern history—the Biscuit post-fire logging project on the Siskiyou National Forest. The proposal would prohibit judicial review and citizen appeals, eliminating all public involvement and putting roadless areas, ancient forest reserves, wild and scenic rivers and salmon runs at risk.
We need your help to ensure that the full Senate not only supports the highest funding levels possible for bird conservation programs for Fiscal Year 2005—the good news—but that they also remove environmentally destructive proposals from the bill and fight against any effort to add any additional environmentally damaging proposals to it—the bad news! As every member of the U.S. Senate is to vote on this proposal, and with the vote scheduled for as early as next week, please click on this link now to instantly send your two U.S. Senators a message in support of birds, other wildlife and our environment today! http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=347&flow=2
HELP TODAY TO PASS A CRITICAL BILL FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS
Both the House and Senate have a chance to pass legislation that will go a long way to protect migratory birds—and we need your help to encourage both chambers to do so before Congress adjourns for the year!
Presently awaiting a vote by the full U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are two identical bills, HR 4114 and S 2547, which not only seek to reaffirm the original intent of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)—a law that has been in place for nearly a century—but also reauthorizes and expands the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, our nation's premiere law focused on protecting the habitat of migratory songbirds.
We need your help today to ensure both the House and Senate take final action on these bills, so they are signed into law this year! Please click on this link now to instantly send a message to your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative, urging your lawmakers to take up and pass H.R. 4114 and S. 2547 this year, to protect songbirds and all of America's migratory birds! http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=332
AUDUBON WEIGHS IN FOR CASPIAN TERNS:
On September 21, Audubon and our partners in bird conservation sent a 14-page letter to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with significant, science-based suggestions for its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Caspian Tern Management in the Columbia River Estuary. Caspian Terns, the largest species of terns in the world, are social birds that nest in large colonies on flat, rocky islands, beaches, and sparsely vegetated coastal areas. Of the 30,000 pairs that reside in North America, 10,000 pairs nest in the lower Columbia River estuary, between Oregon and Washington. Their diet consists almost entirely of fish such as salmon, herring, perch, and smelt—and that's where the trouble lies. The National Marine Fisheries Services and other agencies unsubstantially claim that Caspian Terns and other fish-eating birds are responsible for declines in salmon stock. There is no credible, scientific evidence that the Terns and other fish-eating birds in the area are negatively impacting salmon populations. In fact, fish-eating birds have co-existed with their prey species for many years, and both have flourished. What NMFS and other agencies seem to be ignoring are the human activities that have greatly reduced fish populations, including dams, logging, grazing and mining. Audubon and our partners in conservation want to ensure any final management plan is based on sound science, not conjecture. We have been concerned with management activities related to Caspian Terns in the Columbia River since 1998 when federal agencies first proposed moving Terns out of the Columbia River and, since then, have consistently called for the formation of scientifically rigorous policy decisions with respect to Tern management. For more information on this issue or to receive a copy of our letter to the USFWS, please contact audubonaction@audubon.org.
DFW WILDLIFE COALITION
Every year in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, thousands of birds, squirrels, opossums, cottontail rabbits, beavers, raccoons and other native wild animals are unnecessarily orphaned, injured or euthanized.
A new hotline launched recently by the DFW Wildlife Coalition aims to reduce that number significantly. The hotline is staffed daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. by trained volunteers from the Texas Master Naturalist program.
For callers who have found a juvenile animal, the volunteers provide information on how to reunite the baby with its parents if possible. In the case of sick, injured or orphaned animals, hotline volunteers connect callers with licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
For callers having problems with wildlife on their property, the volunteers provide information on effective, humane solutions. The hotline is an excellent source of information on how to deter wildlife from destroying your landscaping or how to gently evict them if they've moved into your attic.
Contrary to what many people think, live trapping is neither a humane nor an effective way to solve wildlife conflict situations. Homeowners and pest control companies frequently use live traps to capture squirrels, raccoons and opossums that are living in attics or under decks. These animals often are lactating females. A few days after the adult animal is trapped and relocated, homeowners are surprised and dismayed to hear the cries of starving babies.
Even in cases where the animal isn't a lactating female, live trapping still can result in suffering and death. Relocated animals often do not survive in unfamiliar new territories due to difficulty finding den sites and food sources.
In addition to being inhumane, live trapping is ineffective. Urban wildlife is plentiful enough that as one animal is removed, another from the surrounding area will soon take its place.
A humane, effective solution is to determine why the animal is attracted to the property and use deterrents that encourage it to find a different den site and other food sources. For example, here are five simple steps to prevent wildlife problems:
1. If you have a chimney, make sure that it has a secure cap. Chimneys without caps are open invitations to pregnant animals desperately looking for nice, dry "hollow trees" in which to have their babies.
2. Carefully inspect your eaves and other areas where the roof and house join. Repair deteriorating boards, warped siding and loose shingles.
3. Trim overhanging branches and cover attic openings with heavy-duty, rust-proof hardware cloth, not chicken wire.
4. Do not leave cat or dog food outdoors overnight. Close pet doors at night by sliding the template in place.
5. Put garbage cans out for pickup in the morning, instead of at night.
For more information on ways to peacefully co-exist with your wild neighbors, call the hotline at 214-234-WILD.
FOR INJURED OR ORPHANED BIRDS
In Dallas County, take injured or orphaned birds to:
A&B
Animal Clinic9027
Garland Road
Dallas,
TX 75218
214.328.7055
OR
go to the following web page for lists of licensed Texas wildlife ehabilitators by county:
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/research/rehab/main.htm
You may also report injured birds locally to AUDUBON REHABILITATION HOTLINE 972.480.5370 Monitored 24 hours a day.
SIGN UP NOW OPEN FOR THE FORT WORTH AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER-ONLY MEMBERSHIP 2005
Single membership: $20
Couple at same address: $30
Send your name, address, phone number, and email address to:
FWAS
Membership
2801
Hitson Lane
Fort
Worth TX 76112
Make checks payable to Fort Worth Audubon
Please indicate if you want to receive the newsletter in print form.
Special incentive: Another beautiful Gintling Brothers print to be awarded to a lucky Chapter-only Member who renews or joins for the 2005 calendar year!
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS OF DOOR PRIZES FOR THE SEPTEMBER MEETING:
Wild Birds Unlimited, Camp Bowie
Wild Birds Unlimited, Cooper St.
Big Pockets (via Nancy Smith)
Ann Hoover
...and special thanks to those who brought snacks for the social hour.
Mindy and Ann Halligan, hospitality co-chairpersons, would love to hear that you will bring goodies to some future meeting.
OCTOBER EVENTS AT THE FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER
All events are open to the public. All programs meet at the Hardwicke Interpretive Center, 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, unless otherwise indicated. Programs with a (require pre-registration. Programs marked with a J are wheelchair accessible. Members of the Friends of the Nature Center (FONC) receive reduced or free program fees for most programs. Please call 817. 237.1111 for more information or to register.
Every Thursday & Saturday in October, 9AM-Noon
Natural Guard: Individuals can help keep the Nature Center beautiful by volunteering for the Natural Guard. Natural Guard members assist Refuge staff in trail maintenance, brush clearing, bridge building and much more! Please call 817.237.1111 for information on projects and meeting places. FREE.
Every Saturday in October, 10 AM-Noon
Naturalist-led Nature Hikes: Stop in and join a naturalist for a leisurely hike on the trails of the FWNC&R. Hikes feature current natural events such as blooming wildflowers, commonly seen insects, birds and other animals and current projects on the Refuge. Water and appropriate clothing suggested. (All ages). $5/FONC FREE.
Saturdays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, 10AM-4PM
(Docent Training: Learn all about the Nature Center during these training classes. Prepare to become an ambassador for the Refuge. Learn how to give tours and programs to our visitors. It's fun and very rewarding. Join us for the time of your life. FREE.
Sunday, October 10, 1-3 PM
Fall Fun Hike: It is Fall and time for a big change at the Refuge. Cooler temperatures and changing colors will be part of this special hike. Bring your hiking shoes and plenty of water. $5/FONC FREE.
Fridays, October 15 & 22, 10:30-11:30 AM
(J Preschool Discovery Club: We invite preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their adult companions to join us in discovering the exciting world of nature! October's activities will explore the nocturnal lives of a flying creature...bats! $5/FONC $2.
Saturday, October 16, 8:30AM-Noon
( Canoe Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River to view ducks, herons, beaver, and other critters. Sunscreen, water, and weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Lifejackets, paddles and canoes provided. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Registration ends Thursday, October 14 or when filled. Maximum of 12 participants. $15/adult, $10/child/FONC $10/$6.
Saturday, October 16, 1-3 PM
J Skulls & Bones: Get your bones straight on the facts about skeletons, skulls, and bones left behind by our refuge animals. See the skull of North America's only marsupial or the impressive teeth of Texas carnivores. Come by the Nature Center and discover new facts to tell your friends. FREE.
Sunday, October 17, 12-4 PM
Canoe Fest: Come out and enjoy a bit of canoeing on your own on the quiet waters around Greer Island. Canoes, paddles, and lifejackets provided. Children must be 5 years or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. NO REGISTRATION NEEDED, FIRST COME—FIRST SERVED. Meet at Greer Island. $5/FONC $3.
Saturday, October 23, 1-3 PM
Nature en Español: Join a bilingual naturalist on a hike on the Refuge trails in search of interesting plants and animals. Whether Spanish is your first or second language, these hikes provide a new opportunity at the FWNC&R. $5/FONC FREE.
Sunday, October 24, 1 & 3 PM
J Wild Bird Feeding Workshop: It is time to learn about feeding our wild friends, the birds. What types of feeders, seeds and location of feeding stations will be discussed. Bring your bird feeding questions to this class. FREE.
Thursday, October 28, 7-9 PM
( Nature Center Night Stalkers: Enjoy a different kind of hike on the Nature Center's trails as we explore the nature of twilight and darkness. Evening is the best time to see many of the animals that make the Nature Center home. Bring water and wear weather-appropriate clothing. $5/FONC FREE.
Saturday, October 30, 8:30AM-Noon
( Canoe Tour: Tour a stretch of the West Fork of the Trinity River to view ducks, herons, beaver, and other critters. Sunscreen, water, and weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes that can get wet) are recommended. Lifejackets, paddles and canoes provided. Children must be 5 years or older. Parents must sign a liability waiver for minor children. Registration ends Thursday, October 28 or when filled. Maximum of 12 participants. $15/adult, $10/child/FONC $10/$6.
Saturday, October 30, 1-3 PM
? Night Prowlers: What animals work the night shift? Who are they? Join us in finding out how creatures have adapted to a darker environment by having amazing senses. Discover who sleeps by day and prowls by night in your backyard. FREE.
Wild Bird Centers Bird Walk Schedule
16 Oct. Botanical Gardens
Birds, Blooms, and great weather. Leader: Sonny Hines
23 Oct. Old State Fish Hatchery
This is the spot we've been helping to preserve for native wildlife habitat. Come see why this is such a special place.
Guest Leader: John Zihlman, Fort Worth Audubon Society
Note: We will meet at the Wild Bird Center at 7:30am.
6 Nov. Village Creek Drying Beds
Great location for ducks and other winter residents. Leader: Sonny Hines
FORT WORTH AUDUBON SOCIETY — 2004-2005 BIRDING OUTINGS SCHEDULE
Lake Grapevine October 9 8:00 AM Barbara Tompkins, leader
Half-day trip to Walnut Grove Park on south shore of Lake Grapevine—Take Hwy 114 west from Grapevine 3-4 miles to White Chapel Road. Turn north and follow it 3 miles to the dead end at the dirt parking lot at Walnut Grove Park. Bring drinks and snacks if desired. Expect shorebirds and early migrants. Known for rarities.
Old State Fish Hatchery October 23 John Zilman Watch web site for details
Whooping Crane Stakeout October 30 Various 9616 Heron Drive; Winscott-Plover Rd; Lake Weatherford; Mosque Point
Dallas Southside Water Treatment Plant November 20 Ruth Games/Bob Stone Joint w/ Dallas Audubon
Benbrook Lake December 4 Simone Jenion
Tarrant County Christmas Bird Count December 18 Daniel Floyd
VCDB Christmas Bird Count December 26 Jim Sipiora Date to be confirmed
Longspur Hunt January 15 TBD Possibly include Lake Tawakoni
Raptor Rave January 29 Bob Smith
River Legacy East February 12 Charlie Amos
Hagerman NWR February 26 D.D. Curie
LBJ National Grasslands March 12 TBD
Fort Hood March 26 TBD Trip not yet confirmed
Lake Caddo April 9,10 Gail Morris
High Island April 23-24 Daniel Floyd
Spring Bird Count May 7 Daniel Floyd
Longhollow Ranch, Erath County May 21 Lee Clauser Trip not yet confirmed. Target birds: Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo & Ash-throated Flycatcher
Field trips are open to all, members and nonmembers, beginners to world-class birders. We especially want to encourage and welcome first-time birders to come on our local trips in the Fort Worth area. These trips are an excellent way to get started learning the birds and the best locations and seasons to find them. There are always people on these trips who are willing and able to answer any question about birds. We try to help everyone see all the birds we find. Don't let bad weather deter you. Often the best birding is in the worst weather. Miserable conditions certainly build camaraderie. Come prepared. Warm weather trips may bring mosquitoes, chiggers, etc. Always bring along food and water because lunch is always in the field. If you have any questions call Phil Craighead, Field Trip Coordinator at 817.596.3227, or by email: PHILMARGI@aol.com
The Southwestern Flyer is published ten times a year; September through May and one summer issue. Send newsletter items to Editor at news@northtexas.org. Individual subscriptions to the Southwestern Flyer are $10 per year. Please call Jean Ferguson at 817.478.8544 to subscribe.