texas master naturalists rolling plains...

NEWSLETTERVol. 6, No. 1 January 2014http://txmn.org/rollingplains

LOCALE V E N T S

ROLLING PLAINS CHAPTER — 1 — TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST

Welcome!January 7: Rolling Plains Chapter monthly meeting is at Riv-er Bend Nature Center. Location: 2200 3rd Street, Wichita Falls, Texas. Time: 7:00 p.m. Program: David Graf will do a presentation on salt cedar control.

January 25, 2014: Lake Clean-up Location: Lake Arrowhead State Park. Time: 9 a.m. to noon

February 15, 2014: Great Backyard Bird Count Location: Lake Arrowhead State Park by the fishing piers Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

February 16, 2014: Great Backyard Bird Count Location: Wild Bird Rescue, 4611 Lake Shore Drive Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

February 22-23, 2014: Arts Alive! 2014 Home and Garden Festival Location: Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall, 1000 5th Street. Larry has tickets available for the Home and Garden Show. Tick-ets are $5.00 with $4 from every ticket sold going into our chapter’s treasury. Get your tickets

early! Don’t forget to sign-up to man our booth.

Benefiting the Arts of Wichita Falls through

the Kemp Center for the Arts

SATURDAY * FEBRUARY 22 * 9 AM to 6 PM

SUNDAY * FEBRUARY 23 * 11 AM to 5 PM

Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall * 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls

$7 per Person * $5 Active Military * $5 In Advance

A r t s A l i v e ! 2 0 1 4 H o m e a n d G a r d e n F e s t i va l

(Children 12 and under admitted free and must be accompanied by adult)

(Advance ticket sales end at the close of business; Friday, February 23)

Grand Prize!

$1000

Co-Sponsored By:

Gift Certificate to any

Home & Garden Vendor

(No Cash Value)

I would like to welcome the new officers for 2014. Jim Hensley will be the chapter president this year, moving up in the ranks. Jim has served as vice-president for the last few years. New to the reigns are Becca Herd who will become chapter vice-presi-dent and Cynthia Archibald, our new secretary. Both of these fine ladies

are 2013 trainees and we appreciate them jumping right into the middle of things. Larry Snyder is our constant-- thank you Larry, for agreeing to remain as our treasurer; and serving as our TMN hours guru. I will remain involved with the chapter as the Activities Chair. Big thank yous to Tami Davis for maintaining our website at txmn.org/rolling plains, and to Paula Savage for her great job in putting out the newsletter you are reading now. And a special shout out to Robert Mauk for continu-ing to serve as our chapter advisor. I would like all of our excellent chapter members to make a New Year’s resolution to help forward the good works the Rolling Plains Chapter has accomplished in the past. We have a group of dedicated volunteers that are making a difference in our community. Thank you to all for making this chapter what it is. Our chapter may be small, but we are mighty! The time is now to recruit future members. The training class is being scheduled as we speak with classes set to begin March 11 at Midwestern State University. The Home and Garden Show at MPEC is our major re-cruitment event and we will have a booth February 22 and 23 to announce the classes. Dian Hoehne is doing her part by arranging TV schedules for us. Dian (and any volunteer that would like to attend with her) has the following days set up to talk about the chapter and training: Feb 10, the morning show on KFDX, Feb 11 noon show at KAUZ, Feb 12 noon show on KFDX. Thank you, Dian! It has been a privilege to serve as your president for the last 4 years, and I know Jim can count on your support in the future. I am proud to be as-sociated with such great people. Keep up the good work!

Terry McKee

ROLLING PLAINS CHAPTER

Texas Master Naturalists


Several members of the Rolling Plains Chapter participated on the count this year including: Tami Davis, Sue and Warren King, Penny Miller and Terry McKee. The day was blustery and cool. Species count was about average for the yearly count although individual bird numbers were way down.

Canada Goose . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238(Cackling form). . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Gadwall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37American Wigeon . . . . . . . . . . . .18Mallard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .626Northern Shoveler . . . . . . . . . . . .37Northern Pintail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Canvasback-seen count weekRedhead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Ring-necked Duck . . . . . . . . . . .16Lesser Scaup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Bufflehead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Common Goldeneye . . . . . . . . . . .2Hooded merganser . . . . . . . . . . . .3Ruddy Duck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Pied-billed Grebe . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Double-crested Cormorant . . . . .45Great Blue Heron . . . . . . . . . . . .12Northern Harrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Sharp-shinned Hawk. . . . . . . . . . .2Cooper’s Hawk count weekRed-tailed Hawk . . . . . . . . . . . . .18American Kestrel . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Results of the 40th AnnualAudubon Christmas Bird Count

December 14, 2013

The Thirsty Tree: TamariskAKA Salt Cedar

by Terry McKee

Merlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2American Coot . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Sandhill Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Killdeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Ring-billed Gull . . . . . . . . . . . .242Rock Pigeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .689Eurasian Collared Dove . . . . . .148White-winged Dove . . . . . . . . . .89Mourning Dove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Inca Dove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Great Horned Owl. . . . . . . . . . . . .1Barred Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Belted Kingfisher . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Red-bellied Woodpecker . . . . . . . .5Ladder-backed Woodpecker . . . . .1Downy Woodpecker . . . . . . . . . . .3Northern Flicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Red-shafted race. . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Yellow-shafted . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Eastern Phoebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Loggerhead Shrike . . . . . . . . . . . .4Blue Jay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63American Crow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

The tamarisk was introduced to the United States as an ornamental shrub, a windbreak, and a shade tree in the early 19th century. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, tree-planting was used as a tool to fight soil erosion on the Great Plains, and the trees were planted by the millions in the Great Plains Shelter-belt.

Eight species are found in North America. They can be divided into two sub-groups:evergreen speciesTamarix aphylla (Athel tree), a large evergreen tree, does not sexually re-produce in the local climate and is not considered a seriously invasive species. The Athel tree is commonly used for windbreaks on the edge of agricultural fields and as a shade tree in the deserts of the Southwestern United States.

Horned Lark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Carolina Chickadee . . . . . . . . . . .21Tufted Titmouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Black-crested Titmouse. . . . . . . . .1Red-breasted Nuthatch . . . . . . . . .2Carolina Wren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Bewick’s wren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Eastern Bluebird . . . . . . . . . . . . .35American Robin . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Northern Mockingbird . . . . . . . .42European Starling . . . . . . . . . . .490Orange-crown Warbler . . . . . . . . .1Yellow-rump Warbler . . . . . . . . .12Spotted Towhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Fox Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Song Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Harris’ Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13White-crown Sparrow . . . . . . . . .8Northern Cardinal . . . . . . . . . . . .57Red-wing Blackbird . . . . . . . . .119Eastern Meadowlark . . . . . . . . . . .5Western Meadowlark . . . . . . . . . .3Brewer’s Blackbird . . . . . . . . . . . .3Common Grackle . . . . . . . . . . . .49Great-tailed Grackle . . . . . . . . .311Brownheaded Cowbird . . . . . . . .50House Finch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105American Goldfinch . . . . . . . . . .61House Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . .130For those wanting to participate in another bird watching event, check out the Great American Backyard Count February 14th through 17. A chapter sponsored count will be held February 15.

Deciduous speciesThe second sub-group contains the deciduous tama-risks, which are small shrubby trees, commonly

known as “saltcedars.” These include Tama-rix pentandra, Tamarix tetranda, Tamarix gal-lica, Tamarix chinensis, Tamarix ramosissima, and Tamarix parvifolia.These deciduous trees establish themselves in disturbed and undisturbed streams, waterways, bottom lands, banks and drainage wash-es of natural or artificial

water bodies, moist range-lands and pastures, and other areas where seedlings can be exposed to extended periods of saturated soil for establishment.

Invasive speciesIt is commonly believed that Tamarix disrupts the

The second sub-group contains the deciduous tamarisks, which are small shrubby trees, commonly known as “saltcedars.”


structure and stability of North American native plant communities and degrades native wildlife habitat, by outcompeting and replacing native plant species, sali-nizing soils, monopolizing limited sources of moisture, and increasing the frequen-cy, intensity and effect of fires and floods. While it has been shown that individual plants may not consume larger quantities of water than native species, it has also been shown that large dense stands of tamarisk do consume more water than equivalent stands of native cottonwoods. There is an active and ongoing debate as to when the tamarisk can out-compete native plants, and if it is actively displac-ing native plants or it just taking advantage of distur-bance by removal of natives by humans and changes in flood regimes. Research on competition between tamarisk seedlings and co-occurring native trees has found that the seedlings are not competitive over a range of environments, however stands of mature trees effectively prevent native species establishment in the understory, due to low light, elevated salinity, and possibly changes to the soil biota. Thus, anthropogenic activities that preferentially favor tamarisk (such as changes to flooding regimes) are associated with infes-tation. To date, Tamarix has taken over large sections

of riparian ecosystems in the western United States that were once home to native cottonwoods and willows, and are projected by some to spread well beyond the cur-rent range.

ControlsThere are several ways to

deal with pest popu-lations of tamarisk in the United States. The National Park Service has used physically removing the plants, spraying them with herbi-

cides, and introducing northern tamarisk beetles (Dio-rhabda carinulata) in the National Park System. This has been done in the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado along the Green and Yampa Rivers, during the summers of 2006 and 2007. After years of study, the USDA Agricultural Research Service has found that the tamarisk beetles eat only the tamarisk, and starve when there is no more tamarisk available. No other native North American plants have been found to be eaten by the introduced tamarisk beetle. Progress is slow, but proves that containment of the tamarisk is possible in the long term.

Recent Chapter Activities Include First Day Hike

and Lake Arrowhead Clean-upPhotos by Terry McKee

Top: Members of the Rolling Plains Chapter talk about the lotebush as they lead a nature hike along the 1/4 mile trail at Lake Arrowhead on January 1 during the First Hike event. Above: After a successful First Hike at Lake Arrowhead State Park on January 1 everyone gathers at the trailhead.

Becca, Jonathan, Terry, Laura, Betty and Laramy take a break from the December 28 Lake Arrowhead Cleanup. About 2000 pounds of trash was pulled from near the fishing pier in 3 hours. The next cleanup at Lake Ar-rowhead will be January 25 starting at 9 a.m.

The Wood-Eating Catfish is a new species of armored, wood-eating catfish found in the Amazon rain forest. Other so-called suckermouth armored catfish species use their unique teeth to scrape organic material from the surfaces of

submerged wood. But the new, as yet unnamed, spe-cies is among the dozen or so catfish species known to actually ingest wood.


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Chapter Contacts:Terry McKee, President 766-4097; Jim Hensley, Vice President 569-4713; Sue King, Secretary 761-2511; Larry Snyder, Treasurer 569-4534Committees Chairperson:Leslie Fernandez, RiverBend Liaison 767-0843; Paula Savage, Newsletter Editor and Designer 691-0231, [email protected]; Tami Davis, Website Manager 224-0131; Activities Chair: Terry McKee 766-4097; Dian Hoehne, Communication Chair 692-7234advisor: Robert Mauk, TPWD Advisor 766-2383

The “Ninja” Slug, boasting a tail three times the length of its head, is found only in the high mountains of the Malaysian part of Borneo. This slug

shoots its mate with “love darts” made of calcium carbonate and spiked with hormones—hence its nickname: ninja slug.

World of AmimalsTo subscribe: www. http://imagine.subscribeonline.co.uk/all-titles/world-of-an-imals or visit the apps store on iTunes.

Invasive Spotlight:Brown Tree Snake

A journey into nature like no other, World Of Animals allows its audi-ence to learn the secrets to Earth’s weird and wonderful wildlife, offering a rich and wholesome educational experience. With spec-tacular photos, stunning diagrams and captivating features, World Of Animals provides a rare opportu-nity for people of all ages to enjoy their favourite creatures in a whole new way. It’s a brand that connects with audiences across the world and across media as a celebration of one of the most enduring and beloved topics.

This groundbreaking magazine launches alongside digital editions for iOS and Android available from greatdigitalmags.com and is ac-companied by a brand-new com-panion website: animalanswers.co.uk.

The newfound Leio-lepis ngovantrii is no

run-of-the-mill rep-tile—the all-female

species reproduces via cloning, without the

need for male lizards.

The brown tree snake is a slender, climbing snake with large eyes and vertical pupils, for improved nocturnal vision. The head is considerably wider than the neck. Markings may be either vague or distinct blotches on a brownish-yellow background. Black specking may also be present on some individuals. Brown tree snakes are about 38 centimeters at hatch-ing and may reach two to three meters in length at adulthood.

While brown tree snakes have been re-ported in Texas, they are most commonly found on Guam where they have been decimating birds and herpetofauna.

Federal officials are delivering a special present to the naughty invasive snakes on Guam this year, in the form of 2,000 toxin infused air dropped mice wearing tiny cardboard parachutes.

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