with an update of the new initiatives being taken to conserve and enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife on the Yucatan Peninsula. She will also give a brief demonstration of the 2 interactive CDs, 200 Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula. The bilingual CDs will be on sale with the proceeds going to Niños y Crías A.C., an education program about birds for children.

Barbara is a founding member of Amigos de Sian Ka’an, a biosphere south of Tulum. She is also a member of the Alliance for the Conservation of Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula.

April 14

Coastal Update 2010: Ike and the Whooping CranesSpeaker: Jim Blackburn

Jim Blackburn will present an overview of the two major issues facing the Texas coast as we start the second decade of the 21st century. He will discuss the threat to the continued

The

There are already migrants at High Island – when are you coming? We have lots of great things happening this spring.

The guides from Tropical Birding will be back leading free bird walks from April 1 to April 30. There will be 4 bird walks every day. It is great fun to go birding with those knowledgeable fellows.

Helpful HAS volunteers will staff the Boy Scout Woods kiosk from March 24 to early May. They will be ready to answer your questions, sell you a patch, or help you purchase t-shirts and birding supplies. Of course the High Island sanctuaries are open year round from dawn to dusk so you don’t have to wait until March 24 to go birding. Remember the proceeds of admissions and sales at High Island support Houston Audubon’s 3000+ acre sanctuary system.

When you visit the Rookery, watch for Andrew McInnes. He is a Texas A&M University at Galveston graduate student who is studying Great Egret productivity in the Rookery. He is usually found on the observation platform

NaturalistMarch/April 2010

Contents:

Storms and Dikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

High Island Spring 2010 . . . . . . . . .2

Trees for Bolivar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Birdathon 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Bringing Nature Home Lecture . . .3

HAS Board Nominations . . . . . . . . .4

Birding Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

Species Profile Ruddy Turnstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Festival on the Bayou . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Birding Trip to Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Vounteer Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Spring Portraits at ELMNS . . . . . . . .7

farthest from the parking lot with a large photo identifying and numbering the nests. He takes pictures so that he can compare the birds and nests from one visit to the next. You will also notice that Andrew has a foreign accent. He is Australian and was born in Papua New Guinea. He is definitely interesting to chat with if you and he can break away from watching the birds.

continued on page 2

Make Your Plans for High Island This Spring! by Winnie Burkett, Sanctuary Manager

existence of the Aransas Whooping Crane flock and the challenges facing the Upper Texas Coast after Hurricane Ike. Aspects of the Ike Dike and the possible Bolivar National Seashore will be presented along with the potential litigation against officials of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for their role in the “take” of Whooping Cranes last winter. Blackburn will conclude by reading a poem or two from Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision. A discussion will follow his presentation.

An attorney for more than 30 years, Jim is a partner in Blackburn Carter, P.C., a firm devoted to environmental law and planning. He is also a Professor at Rice U., teaching courses in sustainable development and environmental law.

Find out more about our speakers and programs atwww.houstonaudubon.org

Membership Meetings

Place: United Way Center 50 Waugh DriveTime: 7:00 p .m . Social 7:30 p .m . Meeting

March 10

Bird Conservation in the Yucatan Speaker: Barbara MacKinnon

The Yucatan Peninsula is vitally important for birds in both hemispheres. About 50% of all of Mexico’s bird species and some 58% of all North American birds are found in the Yucatan. Over 128 species from North America regularly overwinter in the Yucatan. With spring migration fast approaching, Barbara MacKinnon will return

Celebrating 40 Years of Bird Conservation

Naturalist

This female Blackpoll Warbler was one of many migrants that enjoyed High Island hospitality

last spring . Who will turn up this spring?

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Vol . 29, No . 2 March/April 2010

Houston Audubon Societyis a chapter of the National Audubon Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT Jim WinnPAST PRESIDENT Joy HesterPRESIDENT-ELECT Mary CarterCORPORATE SECRETARY Judith BoyceTREASURER Andrew LopezDIRECTORSJohn Bartos Ginger ColemanLynn Forster Richard GoldfarbKathryn Hale Bernice HotmanBen Hulsey Jeffrey MillsGeoffrey Newton Laurie WilliamsJeffrey Woodman

Galveston Group Representative: Alice Anne O’Donell

BOARD OF ADVISORSGerard A. Bertrand Sara BettencourtPeggy Boston Caroline CalleryClaire Caudill Gary W. ClarkFred Collins Scott DavisVictor Emanuel Ted Eubanks, Jr.Julia Garrett Stephen GastGene Graham Terry HersheyFord Hubbard, III Ann Wier JonesMavis P. Kelsey, Jr. Robert McFarlaneJeff Mundy Donal C. O’Brien, Jr.Heidi Rockecharlie Rob RowlandAndrew Sansom Steve SmithKathryn Smyth James R. Stewart, Jr.Lucie Wray Todd Lettalou Whittington

STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gina DonovanSANCTUARY MANAGER Winnie BurkettSR. SANCTUARY STEWARD Flo HannahSANCTUARY STEWARD Andrew BeckEDUCATION DIRECTOR Mary Anne WeberENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR Vicki VrobleCOMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR Robin LeonardCOMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Andrea RitchieCONTROLLER Barbara ThompsonOFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Juanita Perkins

CONTACT INFORMATIONHAS Office 713-932-1639Education Office 713-640-2407FAX 713-461-2911E-mail info@houstonaudubon.orgGalveston County Group 409-772-3126

AUDUBON DOCENT GUILD COORDINATOR Bethany Foshéedocent@houstonaudubon.org 713-464-4900

www .houstonaudubon .orgwww .narba .org

The Naturalist is published bimonthly.Editor: Susan Billetdeaux

A full color version of The Naturalist in PDF format is available on our website.

Naturalist E-News is published monthly. To receive The Naturalist by e-mail, sign up for

Naturalist E-News on our website.

The Naturalist is made possible by a generous gift from Terry Hershey.

Hurricane Ike came ashore on 9/13/08 and with it a realization of vulnerability

to life and property here on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. The search for a solution to eliminate this threat is underway. The solution chosen will have long term implications for the ecology of the area – the economic health of Galveston Bay, the suitable habitat for birds and wildlife, and the beaches and ocean views.

The initial suggestion was for an all-encompassing dike stretching from west of San Luis Pass to east of High Island. It would stretch across Galveston Island (GI) and Bolivar Peninsula (BPe) with gates at San Luis Pass and the Houston Ship Channel to be closed in front of an oncoming storm.

Since then many questions have been posed – design, financial, economic, political, environmental, and social. Populations and industry exist in the vulnerable low elevation areas on GI, BPe and north on the mainland. Should nature be challenged head on with dikes protecting the status quo, or should the barrier island status of GI and BPe be recognized and more limited protection given to selected / critical areas such as UTMB at Galveston, NASA, the east end of GI, and industries along the Houston Ship Channel. (FEMA has recently made funds available for purchasing tracts on BPe from willing sellers.)

Sustaining the essential mix of ocean water and fresh water flows into Galveston Bay

while also eliminating a destructive storm surge up the Channel is one of the thorny issues confronting planners.

While some commercial interests are supporting dike protection, with no mention of the ecological cost, there are studies underway which may suggest a more long term sustainable solution involving wetlands to cushion storm effects and restricting activity on some portions of barrier lands to recreation and storm buffering.

Assuming the final solution will involve dikes, how might birds, fish, shrimp, and other wildlife be affected? Habitat on both sides of any dike on land will potentially be impacted.

And if there is a gate across the ship channel, Bolivar Flats and Horseshoe Marsh could be substantially impacted depending upon the gate location and the anchoring structure.

The governor has created a six county government corporation to provide a regional solution. A study of options by this corporation is yet to be made.

The final solution will have broad ramifications for these low lying areas, including a potential restructuring of the ecological landscape. Houston Audubon is participating along with other environmental organizations in these discussions. The solutions chosen will be of great interest to all residents of the Upper Texas Gulf Coast, and certainly to members of Houston Audubon.

Storms and Dikes by Jim Winn, President

High Island Spring 2010

Bird Walk ScheduleBoy Scout Woods: 8 a .m . Meet at the kiosk.

Bolivar Flats: noon Meet the guide at the vehicular barrier.

Smith Oaks: 4:30 p .m . and 6 p .m .Meet in the picnic area at the end of the parking lot. These walks are to look for migrants and check on the progress of the nesting season in the Rookery.

Eagle OpticsThe folks from Eagle Optics are coming to Boy Scout Woods in April to help you pick out new binoculars and/or scopes. Part of the income from sales goes to Houston Audubon. Check our website for the exact date.

High Island Plant SaleIf you want to attract more hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard, plan to visit the annual High Island Plant Sale at Boy Scout Woods. The sale will start April 1 and last until the plants are gone. The plants on sale are selected because they are beneficial to butterflies and hummingbirds. Gardening for wildlife helps to extend areas of habitat in our over-developed world. Shop early for the best selection.

Barbecue LunchesThose great cooks at St. Mathew’s Methodist Church will once again be serving delicious barbecue lunches at the church every Saturday in April. They start serving at 11 a.m. and are usually sold out by 1 p.m. Having lunch at the church is a gastronomic treat and a good way to support the community.

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Spring is fast approaching and so is Birdathon 2010! Every year, thousands of

people nationwide participate in Birdathon, and we’d like to invite you to be one of them. On your own or with a group of friends, Birdathon is a great way to spend time outdoors, add the excitement of competition to your usual birding pursuits, and raise money to support Houston Audubon’ s mission to promote the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.

The competition is simple. First, register your team on our website or with Robin Leonard (rleonard@houstonaudubon.org or 713-932-1639). Next, solicit donations from family, friends, and local businesses. Pledges can be per species or lump sums. Then, pick any 24-hour period between March 27 and May 2, 2010, go birding, and count the species your team encounters. Finally, file your team report and collect your pledges. It couldn’t be any easier.

To add to the fun, Houston Audubon is giving

away great prizes based on how many species you see and how much you’re able to raise through pledges. The list of prizes includes guided birding tours, overnight stays in exciting places, gift certificates to fine restaurants, theatre tickets, and much, much more. These fantastic prizes will be awarded on May 12 as part of the Membership Meeting at the United Way Community Resource Center.

Last year, Birdathon raised more than $40,000 with 21 teams in the field. This year, we’ve joined forces with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and the Great Texas Birding Classic (see p. 5) to increase participation. Whether you’re participating in Birdathon or the Classic, you can use your birding day observations to compete in both.

Cover the coast, plot a course through the urban jungle, or chart a route combining both. Young or old… novice or expert… team member or financial supporter… we need everyone’s involvement to make Birdathon 2010 a success. So, register a team and go birding for a worthy cause. We’ll see you out there!

Birdathon 2010 March 27 through May 2 Chase the birds you love, and help protect them too!

Houston Audubon has been on the ground since the first week after Hurricane Ike. Not

only did our sanctuaries suffer damage from salt water, floating debris, and FEMA cleanup, but the entire 46 square miles of the peninsula were part of the same story. Luckily those early days of cleanup are history now, which calls for the ever important role of stewarding habitat recovery in the present, for a thriving ecological environment for the future.

In the spring of 2009, Houston Audubon began putting a plan together that would serve as a vehicle to realize the recovery of Bolivar’s extensive wildlife habitat corridor, while working to raise awareness of our efforts and the importance of our goals. The Houston Audubon sanctuary department came up with Trees for Bolivar, a native tree distribution program for peninsula residents who lost trees during the storm. With grants from our partners, Houston Audubon gave away over 1,500 trees to over 200 residents and business owners, allowing yard landscapes and the complex of empty lots to become wooded corridors for birds.

The great enthusiasm Bolivar residents have shown towards Trees for Bolivar has been amazing. Everyone had storm stories they

want to share, and everyone who lost their trees has the skeletal remains looming above, providing only roosts for birds. Many of the old live oaks in Port Bolivar were planted from acorns by children, who are now parents and grandparents. Understanding the role the old dead trees had in the community makes our Trees for Bolivar campaign equally as important for the people as it is for the birds.

Trees for Bolivar continued through January and will resume next winter. With the help, of Bolivar residents and generous contributions by our allied conservation groups, Houston Audubon is helping to realize real native habitat recovery on the storm beaten peninsula for birds, wildlife, and community.

Trees for Bolivar by Andrew Beck, Sanctuary Steward

Partners: National Audubon & Toyota’s TogetherGreen program, The Apache Tree Foundation, and Environmental Resources Management (ERM).

This project is one of the most rewarding and wildlife beneficial projects I have participated in for Houston Audubon. It was Winnie’s idea to deliver the trees directly to each home, which has made the individual contact with homeowners possible. Andrew has been in the lead and has born the weight of organizing and delivering over 1,500 native trees in the last 3 months. Although our main goal is to repopulate the barren peninsula with wildlife habitat, we are also giving the residents an opportunity to talk about their terrible losses during Hurricane Ike. It isn’t until you look at each individual lot that you realize all the trees and shrubs are gone. This project will go a long way towards restoring future bird habitat on the peninsula.

Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward

Bringing Nature HomeLecture by Douglas Tallamy

March 31, 2010

Social: 6:30 p .m . Lecture: 7-8 p .m .Panel Discussion: 8-8:30 p .m .

Hamman Hall at Rice University

Douglas Tallamy, Chair of the University of Delaware’s Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Department, presents what individuals can do to stem biodiversity loss. Dr. Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, has sparked a national conversation about the link between healthy local ecosystems and human well-being.

This event is co-hosted by: Houston Audubon, Center for the Study of Environment and Society, Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum of Rice University, Outdoor Nature Club, Ornithology Group, David and Linda Knowles, Don Verser, Katy Prairie Conservancy, Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston, Nature Discovery Center, and Shell Center for Sustainability.

Note that there is a $5 parking charge (credit card only) for the lot next to Hamman Hall.

Andrew plants a tree for a Bolivar Peninsula couple .

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Reservations are required for all Houston Audubon field trips. Remember to bring your binoculars, scope, camera, sunscreen, insect protection, sturdy shoes, hat, raingear, water, and snacks or a lunch if you want to bird into the afternoon. For more information about the field trips and resource links, see the description in the Birding section of our website. Participants, please check the website for any last minute updates.

Houston Audubon Field Trips

Winnie Burkett will lead this trip through the HAS High Island sanctuaries. We will

meet in the grandstands in Boy Scout Woods and then will bird where the birds are. Planned stops include the old home site in Smith Oaks to look at historical remains of the former residents in Smith Oaks, and the Rookery to check out the progress of the nesting season.

Winnie Burkett is Houston Audubon’s Sanctuary Manager. Her main interests and concerns are habitat protection and bird conservation.

Reservations: Sign up at the HAS Membership Meeting or with Skip Almoney (skipalm@aol.com) at 713-524-4285.

Directions: High Island is on the coast just off Hwy. 87. It can be reached by taking I-10 east from Houston, and then taking the exit at Winnie to go south on Hwy. 124. Another option is to use the free Galveston - Bolivar ferry and proceed up the coast on Hwy. 87. Plan on at least 90 minutes from downtown Houston to High Island.

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Saturday, March 27, 8:30 a .m .

GCBO personnel will be doing their monthly bird banding on this day. This

will give everyone an opportunity to observe banding, see some good birds up close, and do some photography. Banding starts at 8 a.m., but we will not meet until 8:30 a.m. At about 10 a.m. Cecilia Riley will lead the group on a birding hike through the forested trails looking for resident and migratory birds of the bottomlands till lunch time. We will then lunch in the GCBO Pavilion. After lunch, for those who wish to continue, the group will either drive to Quintana, or stay in the bottomlands, perhaps visiting Hudson Woods (FWS) and/or the new FWS tract in Lake Jackson out on Old Angleton Road. Kevin Poling will determine which area will be birded after lunch.

Cecilia Riley is the GCBO Executive Director. A native Texan, biologist, and avid bird watcher, she has committed her life’s work to avian research and natural history in both North America and Latin America.

Reservations: Sign up at the HAS Membership Meeting or with Kevin Poling (kevin.poling@gmail.com) at 832-689-6956.

Directions: From Houston, take 288 south to Lake Jackson. As soon as you arrive in Lake Jackson, take a right onto 2004 west. Continue on 2004 west to the 2nd traffic light, which will be HWY 332, turn west (right). On 332 you will see the Girl Scout camp on the left, then just before you get to the bridge over Buffalo Camp Bayou take a left onto a semi-paved road. Look for the large white sign with the GCBO name in blue letters. Drive down through the red gate and through the woods to the GCBO building on the right. You cannot see the building from the road. Plan on at least 75 minutes from downtown Houston.

High Island Saturday, April 24, 8:00 a .m .

The nominating committee of the HAS Board of Directors recommends the

following slate for election to the Board of Directors on May 12, 2010. Elections will be conducted at the May membership meeting. Also, according to the Bylaws, nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Bernice Hotman, Corporate Secretary: Bernice fell in love with bird watching during spring migration 1999. Since that time she’s birded across the country and around Texas. Bernice participates in both Houston Audubon and the Ornithology Group (OG). She served on the board of OG as Secretary, Programs Vice-chair, and as Chairman. Bernice currently does accounting for a commercial wall covering wholesaler

John Bartos Director-at Large: John is a Houston attorney who enjoys canoeing, kayaking and of course birding. He serves on the board of the Galveston Bay Foundation and is a member of the Region H Water Planning Group and is vice-chair of the Galveston Bay Basin Stakeholder Group.

Judy Boyce, Director-at Large: Judy Boyce began volunteering at Houston Audubon in the late 1980s and has served on the board in various capacities since 1996. She most recently served the last four years as Corporate Secretary. Professionally, she is Executive Director of the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation, an environmental grantmaking foundation. She brings to Houston Audubon a knowledge of the local environmental and philanthropic community.

Ginger Coleman, Director-at Large: Ginger’s professional career has been in the legal field for more than 25 years. She has enthusiastically supported Houston Audubon in a variety of capacities, including serving on the Birdathon and Benefit Committees, and is looking forward to continuing that support. Ginger is an active certified Texas Master Naturalist.

Dr . Kathryn Hale, Director-at Large: Kay is a physician who first became fascinated by birds on a trip to Africa in 1991. Since moving to Texas in 1993, she has been active with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, and her local neighborhood

association. Habitat conservation and birds are her particular interests.

Ben Hulsey, Director-at Large: Ben has had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and protection of habitat. His interests include fly-fishing, hiking, skiing, singing, and bird photography. He has an MBA, and has spent over 20 years as an automobile dealer in Houston. He is very excited to have the opportunity to be involved with an organization like Houston Audubon that is impacting favorably not only future generations of birds for years to come but many future generations of Houstonians.

Jeffrey Mills, Director-at Large: Jeffrey is a lifelong birder. He along with his family all are HAS volunteers. A graduate of UT Austin, he works through his company, IO Communications, as a documentary filmmaker specializing in historical, environmental, and preservation subjects. Jeffrey has produced several of the recent Benefit videos for Houston Audubon and hopes to use his media and marketing skills to increase awareness and community support for Houston Audubon.

Nominations to the HAS Board of Directors

February 24: MeetingBirds: A Collection of Verse & Vision with Jim Blackburn

February 27: Field Trip Quintana & Bryan Beach via Blue Water Hwy

March 24: MeetingSpring Migration with Jim Stevenson

March 27: Field TripJustin Hurst WMA (Peach Point)Preregistration required with Barbara Rapstein, 409-789-3811

May 1: Galveston Spring Bird Count

Details on our website or contact Alice Anne O’Donell at 409-772-3126

Galveston County Group

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Species ProfileRuddy Turnstone by Glenn Olsen

The Ruddy Turnstone derives its interesting common name from the

reddish color of the upper parts in breeding plumage and the feeding behavior of walking along and using its stout bill to turn over shells, stones, clumps of dirt or seaweed, and debris in search of food that may be hiding underneath.

In breeding plumage these birds are easy to spot in their calico colors of reddish-brown and black upper parts, black and white head and facial pattern, white under parts, and orange legs. Roughly the size of a killdeer but with a compact, squatty look rather than the elongated appearance of the killdeer, turnstones can be observed as they meander along the boulders of jetties in search of food or rooting with its bill like a pig in the beach sand for sand fleas, worms, or other morsels.

The Ruddy Turnstone breeds along the northern coast of Alaska, the northern coast of Canada, Baffin Island and other islands of the Arctic Ocean. This species winters along the coasts of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and along the shores of Caribbean islands.

Now is a good time to visit our gulf shores in search of the Ruddy Turnstone to see the bird in winter plumage. Make another trip in April or May to see the calico colors of the breeding plumage.

Ruddy Turnstone – Arenaria interpres

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with Glenn OlsenSpring Warbler Identification

March 23 – April 10, 2010

Breeding Birds of the Upper TX CoastMay 4 – May 22, 2010

Each class consists of two informal classroom meetings and two field trips.

Details and Registration Form at www.houstonaudubon.org

HAS Birding Classes

If you are interested in learning more about the identification and life histories of shorebirds, check out the Shorebirds Class co-sponsored by Houston Audubon and held at Rice University’s Continuing Studies Department.

Find this profile in the Bird Gallery of our website:www.houstonaudubon.org

Bird Counts and Competitions

Bird CountsSwifts Over HoustonWeekly swift counts in Houston (led by Pam Smolen) and Dayton (led by Barbara Tilton) will begin in mid-March. This season Pam plans to monitor the Whole Foods, Persh-ing, St. Paul’s, and Sugar Land sites. Check our website for details.

Armand Bayou SurveyLeader: Andrew HamlettMonthly on the second Saturday

Hogg Bird SurveyLeader: Aaron StoleyThis new survey at Hogg Bird Sanctuary (adjacent to Bayou Bend) will start in March. Check website or call Aaron at 713-781-1372 for details.

West 11th St. Park SurveyLeader: Mary DodsonMonthly on the third Tuesday

Willow Waterhole SurveyLeader: John SchneiderMonthly on the third Saturday

Check www.houstonaudubon.org for details and any last minute updates

Great Texas Birding Classic by Carol Jones, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, GTBC Tournament Coordinator

The 14th Annual Classic will be held April 24 - May 2. It is not too late to get your team registered. The deadline for registering without late fees is March 22. There is a tournament for every kind of birder from the casual backyard bird watcher to the serious and highly competitive. As you may know, the conservation mission of the Classic is achieved through awarding grants. Winning adult teams choose projects that have submitted proposals, and each was reviewed and approved by a committee. There are many worthy conservation projects along the Texas Coast and the Classic is proud to have contributed $686,000 dollars for on the ground habitat conservation. Since 1997 Classic conservation grants have enabled the permanent protection and restoration of over 3,000 acres and increased access for birding and nature viewing at dozens of sites. There are many ways that you can support this effort. Your purchase of items from the Classic online auction directly supports the conservation grant program. You could sponsor a team, purchase an advertisement for the Winners Report, help out with a kids team, or donate prizes for the teams or auction items. Find full details at www.gcbo.org.

Galveston Spring Bird Count: May 1Come help us celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by participating in our Spring Bird Count. Galveston County includes some great birding: High Island, the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston Island, Pelican Island, Texas City, and the mainland as far north as the Harris County line and as far east and west as Chambers and Brazoria counties. Everyone is welcome! This is your opportunity to learn about a part of Galveston County you might not know already.

Teams are organized to cover different areas, and participants can bird for part of the day or for the entire 24-hour period. Beginning birdwatchers will be teamed up with more experienced birders, so don’t be afraid to help due to lack of experience! If you are simply going to be birding in Galveston County on May 1 and don’t want to be on a specific team, you can still participate by getting the forms and keeping records of your sightings. Contact Norma Rubin at nhrubin@utmb.edu, (preferred) or call 409-763-0667.

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$5,000+

ERM Group Foundation, Inc. • Gulf Coast Bird Observatory • Houston Endowment IncHRH Foundation • Mary Gwen & Ben Hulsey • The Hillcrest FoundationKathrine McGovern • David Woodard

$1,000-$2,499

Amegy Bank • Susan & Brad Billetdeaux • Capricorn Foundation • Jean & Don GrayBarbara & Edward Hickl • Ann & Arthur Jones • George B. and Irene Lindler FoundationElizabeth Mellor • Don Verser • Betsy & Jim Winn

$500-$999

Anonymous • Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program • Patricia Cravens • Mary Decker • Francine Fleming • Bernice Hotman The Hussey Foundation • Lynne Johnson • LaNell & James Neel • Edie & William O’Brien • Emilee Peters • The Powell Foundation Christopher Runk • Shell Oil Company • Martha Ann Sloan • Lucie Wray Todd • Lettalou Whittington

$100-$499

Lee Abrams • Jane & Mike Allen • Debbie & Rick Armes • Cindy & John Bartos • Sandra & Walt Bates • Mary Ann Beauchemin & Gary Gray Karen & Phil Beekman • Anastasia Benton • Gary Binderim • Bobette & John Bisbee • Catherine Black • Judy Boyce • Robin & Richard Brooks Jeanette & Frank Bumgardner • Caroline & Charles Callery • Jane Campbell • Mary Carter • Claudia & Tom Cola • Ginger Coleman Margaret & John Crowell • Eugene Decker • Bonnie & Stanley Deming • Mary Dodson • Michael Dumont • Cynthia & Michael Dunigan Rosalyn Forster • Winnie Gage • Julia & Phil Garrett • Elizabeth & Steve Gast • Wallis Gregorcyk • Trudy Guinee • Alan Hadfield • Elizabeth Hall Babette & Tod Harding • Marion Hargrove • Siew Bee & Kenneth Hartman • Betsy & Harry Harwood • Loral Haus • Lynda & Lionel Head Joy & Bill Hester • Bernice & William Jackson • Wendy & Mavis Kelsey • Georgia & Stephen Kimmel • Georgia & John Koonce • Gwen Kunz Barbara Kyse • A. H. Laughter • Audrey & Robert MacLean • Susan & Ronald Martin • Mary & Ken Marx • Stefanie Matta • Gwen & Neill McKinneyBarbara & Robert Meineke • Robert Mitchum • Margaret Montana • Debbie & Jack Moore • Jeff Mundy • Robert NailingVirginia & Roger Norton • Nancy & Richard Pautsch • Jet Prenderville • Peggy Randall • Becky & Ralph Reed • Beverly & Ellis RudyDorothy & Kenneth Russell • Laurie Saxton • Cheryl Sedivec • Kathie & Al Shultz • Agnes & Pete Stanley • Janis & Scott StevensonJames Stewart • Pamela & James Strachan • Barbara & Mark Thompson • Eliot Tucker • Mark Vagasky • Jane & Lloyd VanderbiltCaroline Vetterling • John Walsh • James Watson • Gordon White • Betty Williams • Nyla Woods • Lee & Andrew WooleyMartha & Dick Wright • Paula & Bob Wynhoff • Sylvia & Norman Young

$1-$99

Aetna Foundation, Inc. • Margaret Aeschbach • Dwain Akins • Judy Bailey • Timon Barr • Mark Barr • Molly Bean • Robert BehrstockPeggy Boston • BP Foundation, Inc. • Elizabeth Braun • Donna Bray • Thomas Brooker • Anne Bunting • Leslie & Roger CalvertJan & Gardner Campbell • Alta & Richard Cate • Kelle Clark • Sue Ann Cox • Rodney Crowl • Kevin Cummings • Dr. & Mrs. Louis DailyNorma & Wallace Davenport • Peggy & Joe Jack Davis • Louis Debetaz • Joan & Harold Denkler • Sheila Dickie • Susann & Jerry DowlingEdna Duffy • Sherri Dunlap • Harlan Evans • Malcolm Fletcher • Rae & Ronald Gilbert • Bill Graber • John Graves • Terry GrierSibylle Hanauske-kriebel • Laurel Hanscom • Shelia Hargis • Denise Herzberg • Ron Honefenger • Maggie & Bob HonigBarbara & Ervin Howard • Burgess Jackson • Linda Johnson • Linda & James Johnson • Carolyn Johnson • Virginia & John JoinerMonica & Kevin Jordan • Mary & Andrew Kean • Michael King • Peter Knight • Serena Kramer • Ann & William Kuhn • Linda KullamaDiane & John Landon • Pamela Lightbody • Mary & Timothy Love • Frances & Peter Macgregor • Elizabeth Maxim • Cynthia McCarthyDale McClanahan • Stennie Meadours • Gary Mechler • Donna & Mark Meyer • Jeffrey Miller • Sue Mohring • Eva Moldovanyi • Brad Moloney Mr. & Mrs. H. R. Moore • Kathleen & Ronald Moore • Sandra Moore • Diane Neff • Fred Nevill • Ann & Elmer Newman • Ariana NizzaRoy Patrick Norris and Associates, PC • Thomas Olson • Suzanne & Arthur Otermat • Cee Cee & David Parker • Richard Plumb • Carey Porter Colette & Curt Prudhomme • Barbara Railey • Marion Reid • Michelle Rozales • Beverly & Erik Sandvik • Frank Schaeffler • Rita Schaulat H. Schneider • Judith Schott • Sue & John Schwaller • Mrs. Saint Seifert • Mary Sherwood • Lillian & James Skogsberg • Susan Smith Vernon Smith • Pam Smolen • Richard Steele • Sadako & John Stroehlein • Cynthia Thompson • Jane & Frank Vanderbilt • Steven Vealey Leslie Wagner • Tom Walters • John Ward • Karen & Armin Weinberg • Kathleen West • Lydia Westbrook • Doug Wetzel • Carl Wilkerson Laurie Williams • John & Patricia Williams • Marilyn & Ed Wojcik • Dale Wolck • Mary & Andrew Wood • Marion Zachary

Gifts In-Kind

Sharon Chapman • Katie Emde • Hannah Native Grasses

And finally, we thank all our new and renewing Members, the lifeblood of Houston Audubon

Donations received and processed by January 21, 2010

Thanks to Houston Audubon’s Generous Donors!

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The Naturalist • March/April 2010The Naturalist • March/April 2010

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International Migratory Bird Day by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director

International Migratory Bird Day was created in 1993 by visionaries at the Smithsonian

Migratory Bird Center and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. From 1995 to 2006, the program was under the direction of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because of its consistent growth, IMBD is now the premier education project of Environment for the Americas.

IMBD continues to focus attention on one of the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird – its journey between its summer and winter homes. Today, it is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and

FestivalsHouston Audubon presents

5th AnnualFestival on the Bayou

May 8Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center

Mark your calendars now to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with us!

Activities for all ages, live animals, crafts, games, special guests, food, and fun!

Tickets will be available April 1 and at the gate.

$5 per ticket. Kids 3 and under are free.

Woodland & Wildlife Expo

May 1–2Conroe

Helping you manage your piece of Texas

A one-stop shop for homeowners and landowners in Texas, hosted by the Texas Forest Service. Information booths, live

demos, free tree give-a-ways. Family events include a rock climbing wall.

Mary Anne Weber and Flo Hannah will make presentations during the expo.

Don’t miss out on the exciting adventures awaiting kids at the

HAS camps at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center

and the Audubon Docent camps at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary!

Sign up today!

Details at www.houstonaudubon.org.

Summer Camps

Orientation for New VolunteersPlease join us at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary for our Spring Training on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m to noon. We’ll explore the many ways you can get involved with Houston Audubon. Whether you like to work outside or in the office, with adults or kids, we have something for you! RSVP to Juanita Perkins at 713-932-1639, jperkins@houstonaudubon.org.

8th Annual

FeatherFestApril 8 – 11 in Galveston

Register now for this spectacular family friendly festival!

Volunteer to help at our booth by contacting Juanita Perkins,

jperkins@houstonaudubon.org

High Island Work Day: March 13We work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but volunteers are welcome whenever they show up. Houston Audubon supplies lunch, water, and some tools. If you have favorite tools, please bring them along. To sign up, please email Andrew Beck (abeck@houstonaudubon.org)

Calling All Kiosk Volunteers!Please sign up to volunteer at the High Island kiosk. The season begins on March 24 and runs through May 2. The birds and the birders make this an exceptional experience for everyone. To sign up, contact Juanita Perkins at 713-932-1639 or jperkins@houstonaudubon.org.

Central America through bird festivals and bird walks, education programs, and Bird Day!

We invite you to join us in this important celebration. Houston Audubon will be celebrating IMBD 2010 on May 8th at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center. The 2010 theme for IMBD is The Power of Partnerships. The thousands of IMBD events that will be held in 2010 will be celebrating the amazing ability of collaborative partnerships to benefit bird conservation. JOIN US, VOLUNTEER, and SPREAD the WORD!

Birding in Idaho: June 5 - 13, 2010

Houston Audubon is sponsoring a birding trip to Idaho this coming June. The leader will be

Steve Gross. Steve has birded Idaho extensively and holds the record for the Big Day in Idaho. The trip will be limited to 12 people. Destinations include the McCall, Snake River, Pocatello, and Island Park areas as well as near Boise. There will be excellent owling opportunities, with the possibility of Great Gray Owl.

Costs are estimated to be between $1200 to

$1500 per person, not including airfare to Boise. The trip will begin and end in Boise. Included in the cost will be a donation of $200.00 to Houston Audubon. Registration begins at the HAS membership meeting on April 14. After the meeting, registration can be made on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. by calling Skip Almoney, HAS Field Trip Coordinator, at (713-524-4285).

Find additional information in the Birding section of our website.

Get Involved – Volunteer!Spring Portraits

Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

Saturday March 27 & Saturday, April 38:30 a .m . – 4:30 p .m .

Have your family – children, moms & dads, pets – photographed in the springtime beauty of the Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary.

Portrait photographer Shannon Donahue will feature your family amid the trees and spring wildflowers surrounding the historic 1932 log cabin. Shannon is an active member of the Audubon Docent Guild, and the proceeds from this project will benefit the Guild’s environmental education and conservation programs.

To schedule your sitting, please contact Bethany Foshée at 713-464-4900 ordocent@houstonaudubon.org. Leave your name and best number if you cannot reach us. We will call you back promptly.

Details in the Audubon Docent section of our website.

The Naturalist • March/April 2010The Naturalist • March/April 2010 www.houstonaudubon.org

Naturalist

27 Galveston Group Field Trip: Justin Hurst WMA (Peach Point)

31 Lecture: Bringing Nature Home with Douglas Tallamy (see p. 3)

April

Weekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, SBUNC

Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, ELMNS

3 Spring Portraits at ELMNS (see p. 7)

8-11 FeatherFest in Galveston

10 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey

14 Membership Meeting: Coastal Update: Ike and the Whooping Cranes with Jim Blackburn (see p. 1)

15 After-School Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS

17 Family Nature Explore Club: Bolivar Peninsula & High Island

17 Willow Waterhole Survey

20 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey

24 HAS Field Trip: High Island sanctuaries (see p. 4)

May

1 Galveston Spring Bird Count (see p. 5)

2 Houston Audubon Birdathon ends

8 Festival on the Bayou, SBUNC (see p. 7)

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March/April 2010

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Bulletin BoardFebruary

27 Spring Orientation for New Volunteers, ELMNS (see p. 7)

27 Flying WILD Workshop, SBUNC

27 HAS Field Trip: Mayes Trace and Lake Charlotte

27 Galveston Group Field Trip: Quintana and Bryan Beach

March

Weekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, SBUNC

Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, ELMNS

10 Membership Meeting: Bird Conservation in the Yucatan with Barbara MacKinnon (see p. 1)

13 High Island Work Day (see p. 7)

13 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey

16 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey

18 After-School Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS

20 Family Nature Explore Club: Washington on the Brazos

20 Willow Waterhole Survey

24 Galveston Group Meeting: Spring Migration

27 Houston Audubon Birdathon begins

27 Spring Portraits at ELMNS (see p. 7)

27 HAS Field Trip: Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (see p. 4)

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Houston Audubon Society promotes the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.

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