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Signal SmokeThe Newsletter of Travis Audubon * VOL. 69, NO. 6 Nov./Dec. 2021
1
A Note FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hello Travis Audubon friends and members, Early this summer, things were looking good as I began to make preparations to resume our monthly Hornsby Bend bird walks, a very popular event that I have coordinated for several years. Then Austin took another plunge on the Covid rollercoaster, and Travis Audubon was back to virtual-only programs. A discouraging turn for sure, especially for an organization like TAS that always had a packed field trip calendar before the pandemic. Interest in birding has never been higher, and our membership rolls have grown significantly during the pandemic. Our staff and volunteers have been so eager to engage with these newly hatched birders to share our love for nature and all of the fantastic birding locations around Austin.
Now as we head into November, I am again cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind us, and that we will see a gradual resumption of our field trips and other in-person events. In October, we finally had our first Hornsby Bend field trip since the pandemic began, attended by 23 enthusiastic birders. A sign of better days ahead!
I can’t thank you enough for your support again this year at our virtual Victor Emanuel Conservation Award event, honoring Greg Lasley. Greg was a brilliant naturalist and photographer, and it was gratifying to have many of his friends from around the country join us for this event. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, please check out the recording of the program on our website.
Finally, I again have to thank our intrepid Travis Audubon staff and volunteers. Your enthusiasm and creativity have kept the TAS family engaged in our mission over this difficult time. I hope to see you all out on the trail soon!
Good birding! Eric
Eric Stager President
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People AT TRAVIS AUDUBON
Staff
Executive Director Nicole Netherton Land Manager and Educator Chris Murray Program Manager Caley Zuzula Development Manager Cheyenne Moore Finance and Operations Manager Judith Allen Design Director & Website Producer Nora Chovanec
Committees Adult Education Jeanette Larson Advocacy Clif Ladd John Bloomfield Baker Team Clif Ladd Carol Ray Blair Woods Core Team Mark Wilson Chaetura Canyon Management Paul Kyle
Georgean Kyle Chimney Swifts Paul Kyle Commons Ford Ellen Filtness Michael Sims Field Trip Celeste Treadway Hornsby Bend Eric Stager Inclusion, Diversity, Equity,
and Access (IDEA) Lino Mendiola Memberships and Outreach Jane Tillman Chris Gunter Purple Martins Shelia Hargis Youth Mary Kay Sexton
Board of Directors President Eric Stager Vice President Karen Bartoletti Treasurer Celeste Treadway Secretary Chris Gunter Directors Jason Garcia
Suzanne Kho Richard Kostecke Julia Marsden Lino Mendiola Dennis Palafox Flo Rice Virginia Rose Vidhya Sundar Mark Wilson
Advisory Council J. David Bamberger Valarie Bristol Frances Cerbins Victor Emanuel Sam Fason Shelia Hargis Bryan Hale Karen Huber Mary Kelly Susan Rieff Andrew Sansom Carter Smith
Thank You TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS
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Upcoming Events WITH TRAVIS AUDUBON
06NOV,21FIELDTRIPS Beginners’BirdWalk:BarkleyMeadowsPark 4529SSH130,DelValle,TX78617
06NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS BlairWoodsBioblitz:AnOfficialRoots&WingsPop-UpEvent 5401EMartinLutherKingJrBlvd,Austin,TX78721,USA
10NOV,21CLASSES “IDon’tDoGulls”GullsClass2021(FULL) 14NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS CommonsFordBirdWalk(FULL) 614NCommonsFordRd,Austin,TX78733
17NOV,21CLASSES Class:BirdPhotographyWorkshopatRoyG.GuerreroPark
17NOV,21CLASSES Class:IntroductiontoBirdsandBirdingWinter2021 18NOV,21SpeakerSeries:TheMigrationofShorebirdswithDr.Cin-TyLee 20NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, YOUTH&FAMILY YoungBirdersClub:RichardMoyaPark RichardMoyaPark,10001BurlesonRd,Austin,TX78719,USA
21NOV,21RuffledFeathersBookClubMeeting 23NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS CommonsFordBirdWalk 614NCommonsFordRd,Austin,TX78733
27NOV,21YOUTH&FAMILY
YoungBirdersClub:RoyG.GuerreroColoradoRiverMetroPark 400GroveBlvd,Austin,TX78741,USA
28NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, LET'SGOBIRDINGTOGETHER Let’sGoBirdingTogether:CommonsFord 04DEC,21FIELDTRIPS Beginners’BirdWalk:RichardMoyaPark 10001BurlesonRd,Austin,TX78719
11DEC,21YOUTH&FAMILY YoungBirdersClub:BarkleyMeadowsPark BarkleyMeadowsPark,4529TX-130,DelValle,TX78617,USA
26DEC,21FIELDTRIPS, LET'SGOBIRDINGTOGETHER Let’sGoBirdingTogether:CommonsFord
Thank You TO OUR 2021 VICTOR EMANUEL
CONSERVATION AWARD CELEBRATION SPONSORS
Golden-cheeked Warbler Sponsors Chuck and Mary Kay Sexton
Crested Caracara Sponsors
Julia Marsden Shield Ranch
Peggy & Matt Winkler
Ferruginous Hawk Sponsors Austin Water
Paula & Ernest Smith Jo Wilson & Carol Bennett
Food Sponsors
Antonelli's Cheese Kellie’s Baking Co.
Painted Bunting Sponsors Austin Parks Foundation
Judith Bailey Karen Bartoletti
Frances & Oskar Cerbins Shannon Davies
Alice & Chris Gunter Chris Harte Carol Ray
Nona & Dr. Andrew Sansom Eric Stager & Friends
Texas Ornithological Society Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
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Thank You TO OUR 2021 VICTOR EMANUEL
CONSERVATION AWARD CELEBRATION SPONSORS
Swallow-tailed Kite Sponsor
Crested Caracara Sponsor
Ferruginous Hawk Sponsor
5
Thank You
TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED IN 2021 FOR INSPIRING CONSERVATION IN THE HEARTS OF CENTRAL TEXANS!
Adeline Fox Akash Rajeev
Al Morgan Alex Moreland Alexis Puchek Alice Mabry
Alison Joseph Allan Seils
Amber Lancelot Amy Bishop Amy Sugeno Andi Napier Andrea Petit
Andy Balinsky Andy Filtness Andy Sansom
Anne Donovan Barbara Keir Ben Opeka Bill Reiner
Bob Powell Brad James Bryan Hale
Byron Stone Catherine Cuddihy
Cathy Pepper Celeste Brancel
Celeste Treadway Charles Stephens
Chris Garza Christen Warkoczewski
Christy Esmahan Chuck Sexton Cinda Crosley Cindy Cannon
Clif Ladd Dan Smith
Daniel Puckett David Murphy Denise Dailey Dennis Palafox Doug Booher Ellen Filtness Emily Novak Eric Stager Erik Sauder
Flo Rice
Frances Cerbins George Kerr
Hannah Mindeman Shuman James Giroux Jane Tillman
Janel Nye Jason Garcia Jean Martin
Jeanette Larson Jeff Patterson
Jeffrey Jackson Jennifer Bristol Jess Morrisey
Jim Pauff Jo Wilson
John Abbott John Bloomfield
Jonny Scalise Joseph Hunt
Joyce Bertolacini Judith Bailey Julia Balinsky Julia Heskett Julia Marsden Justin Bosler
Karen Bartoletti Karen Hall Hagemann
Katherine Tombs Kathleen Gallagher
Kendra Abbott Kimberly Grant
Lacey Smith Lance Felber Lauren Wojcik
Laurie Foss Leslie Menikoff Leslie Morris
Lino Mendiola Lisa Audiffred
Liz Adams Lonnie Perkins
Lori Malloy Louise Ridlon Lucy Flanagan Marc Frazier
Marjie Palmer Mark Wilson
Mary Ann Robalino Mary Kay Sexton
Maura Powers Michael Jewell Michael Sims
Miranda Fontaine Nan Hampton
Nautasha Gupta Niki Lake
Nona Sansom Noreen Baker Pamela Boyd
Pat Yingst Paul DiFiore
Paul Montgomery Paula Levihn-Coon
Peter Beck Rhodney Williams Rhonda Marple
Richard Deulofeut Richard Kostecke Robert McLemore
Robin Dennis Rose Ann Reeser
Sally Hamilton Sam McChesney
Sandy Smith Sarah Fekete
Sharon Richardson Shelia Hargis Skip Mencio
Stan Van Sandt Stephanie Putnam
Suzanne Kho Suzie McCann Sylvia Henry
Tania Homayoun Terri Siegenthaler
Terry Banks Terry Virtue
Victor Emanuel Vidhya Sundar Virginia Rose
Virginia Williams Wendy Carnegie
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Updates FROM THE SIGNAL SMOKE BLOG
WhatMakesaBirder?AdvaitMarathe:ParallelJourneysPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER8,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME
ByJohnBloomfield
Inthisongoingseriesweexaminewhatmotivatespeopletoenjoybirdsandbirding,frombackyardbirderstochroniclistersofallagesandabilities.
*****
CoppersmithBarbet,takenbyAdvaitMarathe.
Onemorningwhenhewasaboy,AdvaitMaratheremembersstandingonthebalconyofhisfamily’shomeinMumbai,India,wherehespottedabrilliantbird:itwasallcrimson,yellowandgreen–aCoppersmithBarbet.
Althoughthenamewasbeyondhimatthetime,thesightinghelpedsparkajourneyasbirderthatparalleledapersonaljourneythattookhimfromIndiatoIndianatoAustin,whereheispursuingacareerininformationtechnology.
Anaccomplishedbirderandphotographer,AdvaitandImetatCommonsFordRanchMetropolitanParkonadrizzlysummermorning.“Thisisoneofmyfavoriteplaces,agoodplaceforbirdsandphotography,”hetoldme.“HereandHornsbyBendandReimersRanch,thesearetheplacesIvisitmost.Duringmigration,IloveRiataPond,nearwhereIlive.AndMillsPondtoo,ofcourse.”
Aswebeganourwalkalongsidetheprairiegrass,weweretreatedtothesightsandsongsofPaintedandIndigoBuntings.Avolebravedoutintotheopen,safefromraptorsforthetimebeing.WepointedourcamerasataPaintedBuntingbutthemistwastoothickforagoodshot.Advaitsighed:“AftertwoyearsIstilldon’thaveaPaintedBuntingphotothatIlike.”
Aswewalkedtogether,Advaitsharedhispersonaljourneywithmeaswellashisevolutionasabirder.
“Nooneinmyfamilywasintobirds,”hesaid.“Ipickedituponmyown.Irememberweusedtodosomebirdwatchingatsummercamp,butIdidn’thavebinoculars,soitwasn’tthebestexperience.”
Eventuallythebinocularscame,andasmallcamera.Anewworldopenedupforhim.
Soonhewasconsumingfieldguidesanddoinginternetsearchestolearnaboutwhathewasseeing.Hebeganmeetingotherbirdersandwasinvitedonfieldtrips.Thoughhisinterestwasgrowing,hehadtobalanceitwithEngineeringStudiesattheUniversityofMumbai.Foratime,birdinghadtotakeabackseat.
Butnotforlong.OnedayhewasonFacebookwhenhestumbledontosomebirdinggroups.Helookedatme:“Youknowtheones,theoneswherepeopleshareaphotoandwanttoknowwhatbirditis?SobacktothefieldguidesIwentuntilIcouldstartidentifyingthemmyself.Thatwaswhenthebirdingreallystartedtotakehold.”
Itdidn’thurtthatSanjayGandhiNationalParkwasaten-minutewalkfromhishouse.
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Withitsabundantplant-andwildlife,cavesandwaterfalls,theparkattractsmorethantwomillionhumanvisitorsayearaswellasnearly350recordedbirdspecies,includingexoticbulbuls,drongosandsunbirds.
Advaitbeganhelpingonbirdsurveysatthepark,soakingupmoreinformationonfieldmarksandvocalizations.“Itkindofsnowballedafterthat,”hesmiled.“So,lookingback,itwasn’tonethingbutaprogressionofthingsthatmademeabirder.”
MovingtotheU.S.forgraduateschoolpresentednewchallenges.Inadditiontotheculturaladjustments,theprocessoflearningnewsights,soundsandbirdbehaviorsstartedallover.
“HereIwasatIndianaUniversity,andIdidn’tknowanybody,”Advaitcontinued.“Therewasthechallengeofbeinginschoolfulltimeagainafterworkingforafewyearsaftercollege.Nothavingacarlimitedmyabilitytogobirding.ButonceIhadmyscheduleandcourseworkfiguredout,Istartedtaggingalongwithsomeawesomepeoplewhotookmeundertheirwing,sotospeak.”
OneofhisfavoriteplaceswasGoosePond,apreservesouthofTerreHautewithmorethan9000acresofmarshandprairiehabitat.“IrememberonedayseeingthousandsofSnowGeesethere,oneofthegreatestwildlifespectaclesI’veeverwitnessed.”
Hedidhisfirst(andthusfaronly)ChristmasBirdCountinIndianawithfriendsfromSassafrasAudubonSocietyinBloomington.“That’swhenIfirstrealizedthatnomatterwhereIwas,IcouldalwayscheckwiththelocalAudubonchapterandgofromthere,”hesaid.
AftertwoyearsinIndiana,itwasanothermove,thistimetoTexas,anothertimetoreadjust,meetnewpeopleandlearnthelocalbirdinglandscape.
“IstartedgoingonfieldtripswithTravisAudubontoplaceslikeEnchantedRock,PedernalesFallsStateParkandhereatCommonsFord.“Meetinglike-mindedpeopleandenjoyingthebirdingherehelpedmede-stressandmeetthechallengeofbeinginanewplaceonmyown.”
AdvaitrememberedseeingaBlackScoteronhisfirstvisittoHornsbyBend.“IwassonewIhadnoideaitwasararity.Ijustphotographeditandmovedon.ThensomeonecomesuptomeallexcitedandaskedifI’dseenit.Isaid,yeah,itwasfloatingoverthere.Ishowedhimthepictureandhewasamazed.”
AdvaitmetfellownewcomerNickKomaronaTravisAudubonwalkandthetwobegantobirdtogether.“Nickwasdoingabigyear,andhewashappytohavemetagalongwithhim.Wesawsomeawesomebirds,andIlearnedalotfromhim,”Advaitrecalled.
Chestnut-collaredLongspur,ararityseenbymanylocalbirdersearlier
thisyearatBobWentz-WindyPointPark,takenbyAdvaitMarathe.
Thencamethepandemic.“Birdingwasoneoftheonlythingsyoucouldreallydotogetoutsideandenjoyyourself.IstartedbirdingatRiataPondwhichisjustashortwalkfrommyhome.Duringmigrationitwasamazing,andinnotimeatallIsawabout125species.Thebirdingisgreatthereinthespringtimebutnottoomanypeopleknowaboutit.”
Reflectingonhisownjourney,Advaitofferedsomeadviceforpeoplejustgettingintobirdingandphotography.
“Startwithaninexpensiveoptionintermsofcameras.Therearemanygreatpoint-and-shootsuperzoomcamerasthatyoucanpickuptogetstarted.Onceyoustartgettingdecentphotos,thinkofupgrading,butyoudon’thavetospendafortunepickingupthehobby.
“Investinginbinocularsisagamechanger.Somemayarguethatlookingthroughthecameralensisthesamething,butthere’snocomparison.InvestinafieldguideandagoodbirdingapplikeSibleyBirds.Mostofall,bepatient.Learningbirdscanbechallenging,butonceyougetthehangofit,itissomuchfun.”Aswewerewrappingup,wesawapairofWesternKingbirds,thenAdvaitspottedtheirnest,withthebeakofatinybirdprotruding.Beingabletoexperiencethejoyofthatmomentiswhatmakeshimabirder.
FeaturedimageofAdvaitMaratheoutinthefieldtakenbyJohnBloomfield.
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BlairWoodsandtheHistoryofFt.ColoradoPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER10,2021 CATEGORIES:SANCTUARYNEWS,SIGNALSMOKEHOME
ByMarkWilson,TravisAudubonBoardMember
TravisAudubon’sBlairWoodsPreserveisawonderfuloasisinthemiddleoftheAustinurbanenvironment.Opentoalleverydayfrom9a–4p,itoffersapeacefulplacetoenjoybirdsandnature.ButBlairWoodsisalsoasanctuaryforthehistoryoftheAustincommunity.OneimportantpartofthatstoryisFortColorado.
ManypeoplehavenoticedtheTexasCentennialmarkeronEastMLKBlvd,justoutsidetheBlairWoodsfence,markingthegenerallocationofthis19thcenturyoutpost.FernBlair(sheandherhusbandWFrankdonatedthepreservetoTravisAudubonintheirwill)sharedlocalstoriessheheardaboutthefortanditslocationnearColemanSprings,locatedinBlairWoods.Itwassaidmaterialsfromthefortwereusedbyareafarmersinbuildingtheirhomesandbarns.Shefoundartifactsonthe10acressheandWFrankowned,anddonatedtoarcheologistsinvestigatingthefortinthemid-1960’s.
In2020,theTravisAudubonBoardauthorizedtheuseofgrantfundstoenableSergio&MelindaIruegas,archeologistsandownersofGITEnvironmental,LLC,toexplorethehistoryofBlairWoods.Usingarchivalresearchandshoveltesting,SergioandMelindadocumentedtheamazinghistoryofthepreserve,andthehighprobabilitythatpartofthehistoricfortwaslocatedinBlairWoods.FortColoradowasconstructedonlandgrantedtoJessieTannehillbytheMexicangovernmentin1830(hefoundedthecommunityofMontopolistothesouth).In1836,afterthebattleofSanJacinto,GeneralHoustonappointedColonelRobertMColemanascommanderinchargeoftheRepublicofTexas’sadinterimgovernment.ColemanbuiltaseriesoffortscircumventingtheCoahuiltecanvillagesoftheRancheriaGrande(centralTexas),withFortColoradoasthefulcrum.Thepurposewastomanage,maintainandprotecttradealongtheElCaminoReal,the
traditionaltradingrouterunningfromLouisianatoMexico.
FortColoradowasoccupiedfor2years.WehavestoriesaboutlifeatthefortashandeddownfromNoahSmithwick,recordedbyhisdaughterin1900whenhewasinhis90’s.Heservedasblacksmith,mechanic,interpreterandnegotiator.HedescribednegotiationsandtradewithneighboringComancheandCoahuiltecantribes,whocampedinthevicinityofColemanSprings.Aswale,ordepressionformedinthelandfromyearsandyearsofcontinualtraffictoandfromthesprings,canbeseentodayleadingupfromColemanSpringstowardsthehighgroundusedforcampingandthefort.BasedontheinvestigationsbySergioandMelinda,andwiththehelpofmembersoftheTravisCountyHistoricCommission,BlairWoodshasbeennominatedforinclusionintheNationalParkService’sElCaminoRealdelosTejasNationalHistoricTrail.Thiswillbeamulti-yearprocess–staytunedforupdates.Ifyouareinterestedinfurtherreading,acopyof“TheArcheologyofBlairWoodsNaturePreserveHistoricFortColorado”bySergioandMelindaIruegasisavailableintheTravisAudubonLibrary,aswellastheAustinHistoryCenter.NoahSmithwick’smemoirs“EvolutionofaState”canbefoundonAmazon.
FeaturedimageaboveisofSergioandMelindaIruegasdoingashoveltestatBlairWoods.
OurStrangeSummerofSwiftsandotherUpdatesfromChaeturaCanyonPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER23,2021 CATEGORIES:SANCTUARYNEWS,SIGNALSMOKEHOME
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Thereare18ChimneySwifttowersontheChaeturaCanyonSanctuary.MostaremonitoredonlyperiodicallyandthennestingsuccessisevaluatedaftertheswiftshavedepartedforSouthAmericainthefall.However,threeofthetowersareequippedwithaudioandvisualequipmentandaremonitoredthroughoutthenestingseason:thecinderblockcastleandthetwo24-feettallwoodentowersontheresidence(“North”and“South”).
WefocusthistaleontheSouthTower.ThisyeartherewasadditionalmonitoringequipmentinstalledbyDr.CarlosRodrigueswiththeUniversityofTexastohopefullycapturetheontogenyoftheswiftsandbeabletostudytheirvocalizationswithinthenestingstructure–somethingwhichtodatehasneverbeendone.Itwasayearlikenoother.
ChimneySwifteggsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.
SwiftsintheSouthTowerbuilttheirnestandlaidtwoeggsinMay.Buteachtimeanadditionaleggwaslaid,athirdswiftentered,andtheterritorialscuffleendedwiththeeggknockedoutofthenestandbrokenonthebottomofthetower.Bytheendofthemonth,thepairwasstillintheSouthTowerandstillworkingonthenest,buttherewerenoeggs.
OnJune22nd,acoupleofweeksafterthelasteggwaslost,thepaironceagainbegantomateandcontinuedtoworkonexpandingthenest.Shortlythereafter,aneweggwaslaid.Theparentsreturnedfrequentlytocheckonandcuddletheegg.Thateveningabirdenteredthetowerandobviously,purposelyejectedtheeggfromthenestusingitsmouth.Inmorethan30yearsofobservation,wehaveneverbeforewitnessedthisbehaviorandponderedthesituation.
So,whathappened?Didanadultreturnwithoutamate,takeanothermateandtheoriginalmateshoweduplater?Swallowsoftentossouttheeggsofrivalmates,buttoourknowledgethishasneverbeendocumentedwithChimneySwifts.
WhenwecontactedDr.CharlieCollins,co-authorofthespeciesaccountforChimneySwiftsinBirdsoftheWorld,heconcurred.Charliesuggestedthatcompetingfemaleswereperhapstossingoutarival’segg.
Ifthiswasthecase,assoonastwoeggswerelaidtheactivitywouldcease–sincetheycouldnolongerdistinguishtheirowneggfromthatoftheirrival.Turnsout,hewascorrect.
Welinedthebottomofthetowerwithsoftmaterialsothatiftheactivitycontinued,wecouldhopefullyretrieveandreplaceanunbrokenegg.Fortunately,thatdidnothappenandegglayingresumed.However,therewerestillseveralscuffles.
OnJune26th,thereweretwoneweggsintheSouthTowernest–whichwasnowmuchlargerduetoongoingconstruction.Becauseaneweggislaideveryotherday,weexpectedathirdonthe28th.Butbymid-morningonthe28ththerewerefoureggs…what?AfemaleChimneySwiftisnotexpectedtobeabletoproduceenoughcalciumtolayaneggexcepteveryotherday–theirdietiscalcium-poor.Hadanotherfemaleenteredandlaidheregginasurrogatenest?OnJune30th,afiftheggwaslaid.
OnJuly1st,thereweresixeggsinthenest–againtoosoonforthesamefemaletolayanotheregg,andtwomorewerelaidbyJuly4thforatotalofeight.Themostwehaveeverdocumentedisseven,andneverinsuchrapid,dailysuccession.Clearlytwofemaleswerelayingeggsinthesamenest.
ChimneySwifthatchlingsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.
ByJuly20th,sevenoftheeighteggshadhatched.Thenestlingsgrewrapidly,andweoftenobservedthreeadultsfeedingthem.
OnJuly31st,thenestlings’featherswerecoveringtheirpreviouslynaked,pinkbodies,theireyeswerebeginningtoopen,andtheycompletelyobscuredthenestwheretheyclungsteadily.Normaldevelopmentcontinuedoverthenextfewweeks,andbytheendofAugust“TheMagnificentSeven”hadsuccessfullyfledged.
Meanwhile,toourdelight,intheNorthTowerasizableroostformed.Itfluctuatednightlyfrom150to318individuals.
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ButtheSouthTowerfamilypreferredtoremainintheirowntoweratnight–oftenjoinedbyhalfadozenorsootherswhoperhapsdidnotenjoytherowdycrowdinTheNorth.
ChimneySwiftfledglingsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.
Wehavebeenstudying,watchingandwonderingattheChimneySwiftsofChaeturaCanyonsincewebuiltourfirsttowerin1989.Andeveryyeartheystillteachussomenew.
Therelativelymildsummerwaskindtothevegetation,andwith6.54inchesofrainAugustwasoutwettestmonthoftheyeartodate.ThisfallpromisestobeverycolorfulwithgreatstandsofPrairieAgalinisandaridiculousamountofPlateauGoldeneye–thelatterofwhichhasbeenover-performing.Althoughthelocalpollinatorswouldlikelydisagree.
WehaveworkedonourownformonthstoclearthetrailsfollowingtheiceandsnowdamagefromtheFebruarystorm,butthereisstillmuchresidualdamageandalargequantityofslashtobehauledoutandchipped.Wearehopefulthatoncetheweathercools,wewillbeabletohostafewStewardshipDays.ButwiththeDeltasurge,wewillhavetowaitandsee…
GeorgeanandPaulKyleSanctuaryStewardsChaeturaCanyon
HornsbyBendStakeholderUpdateSeptember2021POSTEDONSEPTEMBER29,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME
Thisupdateincludesthefollowing:
- Updateonthetreeremovalprojectandmowingalongthetreatmentpondembankments
- Updateonconstructionprojectprogressandroadclosures
- Progressontheoldaquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationdemolition
AlthoughwehadhopedtoberestartingtheHornsbyBendStakeholderPublicMeetingsthismonth,thecurrentCOVIDstagepreventsmeetinginperson,butwewanttoupdateeveryoneonconstructionprojectprogressandtheannualpondroadclosuresforthetreeremovalproject.
Treeremovalandtreatmentpondembankmentmowing–• WearerequiredbytheTCEQtoremovealltrees
fromthetreatmentpondembankmentsbecausetheycanthreatenthestabilityoftheembankments.Onlytreesunder6”trunkdiameterordiseased,damaged,dyingtreeslargerthan6”trunkdiameterarebeingremoved.Largerhealthytreeswillremainuntiltheybegintodieorgetdamaged.Asembankmentsarecleared,wemustmowthemtocontroltreeregrowth.
• Topreventnegativeimpactsonbirdnesting,weonlydothetreeremovalandembankmentmowingoutsideofmigratorybirdnestingseasonasdelineatedbytheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(March15–September15),andsoallworkonthepondembankmentscanonlybedonebetweenSeptember16andMarch14eachyear.
• ThisyearthecontractorhasbegunthepondembankmentworkSeptember28thstartingattheeastendofthepondroadbetweenPond1and2.Whileworkingonanembankment,theywillclosethatsectionofpondroadforthesafetyofvisitors.Otherpondroadsremainopenforvisitoraccess.
• Overthecomingweeks,thecontractorwillworkontoothersectionsofthepondembankmentsandtemporarilyclosesectionsofpondroadswhiletheywork.
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Constructionprojectprogressandroadclosures–• Overthelasttwoyearsthesidestreamplanthas
beenrebuilttohelpimprovethewaterqualityofthe“sidestream”water(thewaterremovedfromthesewagesludgeaswethickenitfortreatmentandrecycling)beforeitentersthetreatmentponds.ConstructionworkonthesidestreamtreatmentplantatthewestendofPond1and2hasfinishing,andthenewplanthasbegunoperation.Howeverthewesternpondroadswillremainclosedduringthetransferpumpstationconstruction.
• Thenewtransferpumpstationconstructionprojectbeganthisspring2021andisscheduledtobedonein2022.ItwillbelocatedontheembankmentatthewestendofPond2andwillreplacetheoldpumpstationbelowPond2neartheaquaticgreenhouse.Thetransferpumpstationwilldotwothings.Firstly,itwillpumptreatmentpondwaterfromPond2toournewcenterpivotirrigationunitswhicharecurrentlybeinginstalledinthehayfieldstothenorthandsouthofthemainentranceroad.Secondly,itwillallowustopumptreatmentpondwaterinapipelineundertheriverwhichwillconnecttoalargewastewaterlinethatgoestotheSouthAustinRegionalWastewaterTreatmentPlant.Thisnewpipelinewillassurethat,evenwitheverincreasinginflowstotheHornsbyBendPlant,thetreatmentpondswillneveroverflow.
• Thewesternpondroadswillremainclosedtovisitorvehiclesuntilthecompletionofthetransferpumpstationconstructionproject.
Aquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationdemolition• Aspartofthenewtransferpumpstationproject,
theoldaquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationarebeingdemolished.Thatworkisexpectedtofinishbytheendofthisyear.YoucanfollowtheprogressofthedemolitionthroughphotosontheCERFacebookpage.Afterdemolitionandsitecleanup,theareawillbeallowedtoreturntoriparianforest.
• WehavetemporarilyclosedtheRiverTrailwhichrunsnexttothegreenhouseandpumpstationduringthisdemolition,but,whendemolitioniscomplete,theconstructionfenceswillbepulledbacktotheareawherethenewpumpstationandpipelinearebeingbuilt,andtrailaccessthroughthisareaandtoPond3willbereopened.
Lastly–theCERisopen7daysaweekforrestroomaccess,andtheHornsbyBendsite(boththemaingateandPlattLane)isalsoopen7daysaweekdawntodarkforvisitorstochasebirds,bugs,andotherwildlifeorjusttositbytheriveranddonochasingatall.WelookforwardtoeveryonegettingvaccinatedandCOVIDlevelsdroppingtowherewecanrestartourweekendactivitiesagain.WatchourFacebookandInstagrampagesforupdatesonrestartingriversurveytrips,fieldtrips,andvolunteerworkdays.
–KevinM.AndersonPh.D.
CelebratingaNaturalist’sLegacyPOSTEDONOCTOBER12,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME
ByRobertMcLemore
BecauseofthegenerouscontributionsofthemembersandcommunityofTravisAudubon,wehavebeenabletopivotduringthepandemicandcontinuetofulfillourmissionofconservation,educationandadvocacy.Ahallmarkisthebeautifulandprofessionalproductionofthisyear’sVictorEmanuelConservationAwardCelebrationheld“AtHome”honoringGregLasley.Ifyouwanttowatchorre-watchthisCelebration,youcanseeitatthislink.GregstartedouthisoutdoorenthusiasmasanEagleScoutearningtheBirdingMeritBadgeandcontinuingthruhiscareerinlawenforcement.Butitwasn’tuntilhe“retired”thatittrulyblossomedintoapassionandfriendshipacrosstheglobe.TwentyyearswithVictorEmanuelNatureToursandtensofthousandsofpeoplehelpedoniNaturalisttrulygaveourlocalheroaworld-widereach.Likemanyofus,Greg’spassionforbirdingtookrootwhenhesawaPaintedBuntingonhisfeeders.Itisonlyappropriatethatmuchofthisyear’sfund-raisingimageryfeaturesaPaintedBuntingaswellasadragonfly.Manywillagreethathispassionfor“bird,bugs,andtheoutdoors”hasgonealongwaytowardsmanybirdersalsohavingthesamejoyswithdragonflies.ChuckSextonservedastheEmceefortheeventandstartedofftheVirtualFOG(FriendsofGreg)meeting.Lotsofhisfriendssharedwonderful,lovingandinspirationalstoriesoftheirsharedmemoriesbirding,pursuingdragonfliesandhisphotography.“EverytimeIseeadragonfly,IthinkofGreg.”“Imissyou,Greg”.ThroughoutthecelebrationweweretouchedwiththeimpactsthatGreghadonhisfriendsandcommunity.AustinMayorSteveAdlerevendeclaredthedayofOctober8,2021tobeGregWLasleyDay!EricStagerandKevinAndersonkickedoffthestorytellingofGreg’sconservationlegacyfromHornsbyBend,theirnaturalhabitat.I’vebeentheredozensoftimesbutneverrealizedthattheartworkinthevisitor’scenterwasfromGreguntilnow.Personally,IcanpictureGregatHornsbyBendwithhisintensitywhilephotographingthefallmigration.I’llreflectonthosetimesasthefallseasonbeginsinearnest.
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VictorEmanuelwarmlyrecognizedhisgoodfriendandhelpedseguetojustahandfulofthemanylivestouchedbyGreg.Victorisalsotheconsummateprofessionalinhisreminderthattheeventisbothanopportunitytorememberandhelptocontributetotheon-goingworkofTravisAudubon.GayleStallingswasthefundraisinghostasshehasdone“inperson”overthelast12years.Youcoulddonateataselectlevelorchooseyourownamount.Thegoalofthisyear’sfundraisingwas$110,000andtherewerealotofwonderfulauctionchoices.Atthetimeoftherecordingwehadreached$85,000andnowitisover$97,000!Wow.AndthebestwaytocontinueGreg’sworkandlegacyistohelpsupportTravisAudubonatthislink.AtthebottomyoucanensurethatyourtributegoestothememoryofGregLasley.Remember–TravisAudubonhasbeenaroundforalmost70yearsandGregwasapartofthatlegacyfor40.Thosewere40yearsactivelyhelpingwithourfriendsandcommunity
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Aspecialthankstooursponsorsformakingthisfundraiseranincrediblesuccess!Seethefullsponsorlisthere.
WhatMakesaBirder?LaurenStokesandColbyWatkins:LoveofSeabirdsPOSTEDONOCTOBER15,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME
ByJohnBloomfield
Inthelatestinstallmentofourblogonlocalbirdersandwhatinspiresthem,wefollowAustinbirdersLaurenStokesandColbyWatkinsontheirfirstpelagicjourneyinthegulfwatersoffPortAransasthisSeptember.ThetripwasledbyGarettHodne,veteranof25yearsofbirdingintheGulfofMexico.
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DawnwasslowincomingonSeptember18.Ormaybeitjustseemedthatwaysincewewereonthewaterat5a.m.Justwhenitseemedlikethedarknesswouldneverlift,burstsofyellow-orangelight,likeheatlightninginthemorning,piercedtheink-blacksky.Itwasshortlyafter7a.m.Soontheskyturnedpinkandlightblue,andyoucouldfinallyseethewatersoftheGulfofMexicobelow.
MagnificentFrigatebird.CourtesyofJohnBloomfield.
Whenthesunbrokethrough,wesoonwesawourfirstbirds:Royal,SandwichandBlackTernsplusMagnificentFrigatebirdsmillingaroundashrimpboat,ourfirstofseveralMaskedBoobies,evenamigratingDickcisselspeedingonalong-distancerunoverthegulf.
Pelagics.Birderslovethemorhatethem,andeitherwaytheyarethesubjectoflore.Onthisday,aboardaboatcalledtheKingfisher,thirtybirdersincludingsomeofthebestinTexas,joinedGarettHodneandagroupofexpertguidesforthesecondofthreepelagictripsrunthisyearbyGarett’sTexasPelagics.GaretthasbeenbirdingoffthecoastofTexassince1994butwasreallybitbythepelagicbugfouryearslaterwhenhejoinedthelegendaryDebbieShearwaterfortreetripsofftheCaliforniacoast.Ononehesawanestimatedhalf-millionSootyShearwaters“inahugeswirlingcloud”thattheirboatcruisedbelow.AYellow-nosedAlbatrossoffSouthPadreIslandin2003sealedthedealforhim.
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GarretHodne,coordinatorforTexasPelagics.PhotocourtesyofTodd
White.
HestartedtheTexasPelagicswebsitein2007tohelpadvertisethetrips,andin2014succeededEricCarpenterinorganizingthem.
“Wegetalotoffirst-timepelagicbirders,andwereallyenjoyhelpingpeoplefindseabirdsandgetgoodlooksatthem,especiallyifthey’relifers,”Garretsaid.Ofcourse,wehopesomewillgethookedonpelagicbirdingandwanttocomemoreoften.”
AmongthefirsttimerswereLaurenStokesandColbyWatkins,ayoungcouplefromAustinwhohavebeenbirdingsince2019.AmongtheirsparkbirdswasaCaliforniaCondorspottedaboveahighrockformationatZionNationalPark.
“Thecondorrepresentstwothingsforus,”saidColby.“First,wehaveanever-presentawarenessthattheearthisundergoingmajorchanges,andthere’sasenseofurgencyforustoseeasmuchofnatureandwildlifeaswecanbeforeitgoesawayorisalteredforever.Thesecondisanotionofwhatispossiblewhenpeoplecareaboutsomethingandtrytocorrectcourse,astheCaliforniaCondorwasnurturedbackfromthebrinkofextinctionbypeoplethatdecideditwasworthsaving.”
SoonaftertheirvisittoZion,ColbyandLaurenbegantoconnectwithotherbirdersinAustin,goingonaTravisAudubonbeginner’swalkatHornsbyBendandparticipatinginmonthlysurveysthere.Fromthestart,theyfeltthestrongsenseofcommunityamonglocalbirders.SaidLauren:“Welovehowwhenyouseesomeoneelsebirdingyouknowforafactthatyoushareatleastonethingincommonwiththatperson,soeveryonefeelslikeapotentialfriend.”
There’splentyoftimetomeetandtalkwithnewfriendsonapelagic,butwheneveryonestartsscurryingaroundlikepaparazzi,youstoptalkingandgetreadyforaction.Thathappenedmidwaythroughourtrip,wheneveryonerushedtothefrontoftheboatasjetsofwaterbeganspewingat45-degreeanglesfromanotherwisecalmsea.
Spermwhales.
Foragoodtenminutes,asmallpodtantalizeduswithaslowdancenearthesurface,nearlybreachingthewatermanytimes,offeringglimpsesoftheirenormousbacksandtailsflippinginagentlebutpowerfulrhythm.
SpermWhale.PhotocourtesyofGarretHodne.
SpermwhalesareresidentintheGulfofMexico,buttheirpresenceisthreatenedbybusyshippingchannels,noisepollutionandclimatechange,amongotherfactors.SaidGarret,“Weonlyseethemonabouttento20percentofourtrips,butwhenwedo,theyarealwaysthemainattraction.”
Laurenagreed,statingitwasincredibletoseethewhalesintheirelement.Itwasthetoppertoadaywheretheysawsixlifers:BrownandMaskedBooby,MagnificentFrigatebird,Audubon’sandCory’sShearwaterandBand-rumpedStormPetrel.
“Thebestpartoftheexperiencewasthesharedsenseofexcitementwhenevertheopportunityoccurred,”Colbysaid.“Itwasnicetobeinthecompanyofotherpeoplewhounderstandwhyseabirdsandbirdsingeneralareworthgettingexcitedabout.”
MaskedBooby.PhotocourtesyofJohnBloomfield.
Headded:“Thereweresomanyskilledbirdersontheboatcallingthingsoutthattherewasn’treallyamomentthatwewerelookingatsomethingunidentified.Thebiggestchallengeisthatyouareneverreallystationary.
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Thereisaconstantrockofthewaves,soit’sachallengetokeepyourbinocularsstillandtakegoodpicturesforID.Wewerefortunate,though,togetmanycloseviewsofthebirdswewereseeing.”
ForGarretandhisteam,thesatisfactionofturningonnewbirdersandgettingrepeatparticipantsyearafteryearisworththelonghoursspentcharteringboats,determininglocations,breakinginnewcaptains,keepingthewebsiteup-to-dateandcommunicatingwithparticipants.
“Iprobablydoalotmoreworkthanisnecessary,becauseIalwayswanttotrytoexpandthenumberoftripsIrunandmakesuretheyrunsmoothlyandsuccessfully,”Garretsaid.
Hisapproachseemstobepayingoff.LaurenandColbywillbeoutwithhimforanotherpelagicinOctober,andthey’realsothinkingabouttripstoNorthCarolinaandCaliforniawithothercompaniesnextyear.
“Itwasauniqueandawesomeexperience,”Laurensaid.“We’rehooked.”
RememberingEthelKutacPOSTEDONOCTOBER29,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME
EthelKutac,abirder,environmentalist,andmemberofTravisAudubonforover40years,passedawayonSeptember25thofthisyear.Describedasa“forceofnature,”shetouchedsomanywithintheAustinbirdingcommunityalone.Herewehavestoriescelebratingherwit,strength,andsenseofhumorfromfriendsshemadethroughoutherlife.
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ImetEthelintheearly90’s.IhadjoinedTravisAudubonwithmyson,Scott,whowasworkingonhisBirdStudymeritbadgeonhiswaytoattaintherankofEagleScout.IbecameamemberofthebirdrecordscommitteeassistingEdKutac,hissisterEthel,andotherearlybirderparticipants.WhenEdleftAustin,Ethelhostedthosemonthlyevents.I’llalwaysrememberherspecialbakedcookiessheserved.
Duringthe90’sItookadayofffromworkonoccasiontojointheweeklybirdgroup.In1994,LawrenceBufordtookoverfromEdandchangedfromThursdaytoWednesday.Ethelwasamajorpartofthegroup,alwaysneedingabreakfasttacotobegintheday.HerfinaloutingwasFriday,July2nd,2021,toTaylorwhichincludedBBQforlunch.EthelvolunteeredatWestcavePreserve.ShehelpedorganizetheChristmasBirdCountandservedwithmeasacoordinatorfortenyearsbeginningJanuary3rd,2004.Shehelpedarrangeforparticipantstoleadthemanyareasofthecountcircle.Andshealwaysmanagedtofindtheperfectrestaurantforthecountdown.ForseveralyearsshehostedagroupofbirdersatafamilyhomeinGalvestonthelastweekofAprilwhichcoincidedwithbirdmigrantsinthearea.Shealwaysknewthebestrestaurantsforseafood.Ethelwasaworldtravelingbirder.Sheenlightenedusalluponherreturn.Shehadastrongwillandcharacteranddidn’tmindspeakingheropiniononvariousmatters.Sheneverletherfailinghealthdeterherfromoneofherfavoritepassions.Ethelwasonebirderwe’llneverforget.–DanCallaway
MyfavoritememoriesofEthelarefromtheWednesdaymorningbirdingoutings.TherewasneveradullmomentwhenEthelwasthere.WhentheWednesdaygroupcametoourranch,thewalkingwasalittleruggedforEthel.SheeagerlytalkedJohnintotakingheraroundintheRanger.Theyusuallyreturnedforlunchwithtalesofbirdsthattherestofusneversaw.Ethelwasnevershyaboutaskingthemeninthegrouptohelpherintowhatevervehiclewasgoingwheresheneededtogo.Sheenjoyedknowingthattheyalllovedtocometoheraid.Etheladdedgoodideasandfuntoanygroupshejoined.Wewillmissherbutenjoyrememberingthefunshebroughttous.–AnnDonovan
Wednesdaybirdingonaslowday:Weallmeetandsetout.Wepileoutofthecarsatthefirstsound.Wefindafewbirdsandkeeplooking,hopingforthebest.Folksstartchatting.Afewofusstartgiving“maybeweshouldmoveon”eyebrowraisestoeachother.Ethel:Aren’twedonehereyet?We’reburningdaylight!Let’sgo!AlwayscountonEtheltokeepthegroupmoving!EthellovedtoeatatDonn’sBBQonFM969beforebirding.ShealsolovedLee(Wallace).Hewasherfavoritepersonalstabilitydeviceandifshereallywantedtoseeabird,shecalledhimtofinditforher.Wewillmissher.–DebWallace
WemetEthelaboutfiveyearsagowhenwestartedgoingbirdingwiththeWednesdaygroup.Shewasalotoffun!Shewasalwayssointerestedinwhatwehadbeendoing,eventhoughitwasonlyaweeksincewehadseenherlast.ThethingIwillalwaysrememberwashowweworkedtogetheronthebirds.DebwouldsetupherscopelowforEthelandwewouldstarttowork.
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Sometimesshewouldtakepityonusandsay“Ohyes,Iseeit,”butyouknewshedidnot.Youcouldalwaystellwhenshedid.Theexcitementinhervoiceandthewayshewouldlingeratthescopeappreciatingthebird.Thegroupwouldallcheer.IalsoremembertheTOSmeetinginAlpinewhereshecameupandtoldmeabouttheWesternScreechOwlthatshehadseenandhowsomeinthegrouphadnot.Ibelievethispicture(below)wastakenatReimer’sRanch.WehadwalkedaboutasfarasEthelwaswillingandsheflaggeddownthisyoungmantogiveherarideback.Shereallyenjoyedtheride.–LeeWallace
Ethelwasaforceofnature.Shewasaworldtraveler,ateacher,adevoutCatholic,ayellowdogDemocrat,anavidreader,avolunteer,aKutaclegend,andaBIRDER!IfirstmetEthelin2006.IlivedclosetohersohadthehonortogiveherridestoTASeventsandsomeofherWednesdayBirdinggrouptrips.Everytripwasaneducationandadventure!ImisshereverytimeIpassherstreet;Imissherwonderfullaughandstrongopinions!–FrancesCerbinsIwasafanofEthelKutac’sandcherishedthetimesIgottobewithher.Shewasanexceptionallycaringperson,anavidbirder,apassionateeducator,anadventurouswomanandrefreshinglyoutspoken.Iknewhertobeaquickstudyofpeoplewithagifttoeasilyconnectacrossmanyspectrums.Shewassocuriousandlovedhearingothers’stories.Hervoicewasstrong,herinteractiondirect,hersenseofhumorfantastic,andherlaughcontagious.Ifeltdrawntoherrightaway,20+yearsago.OneofmyEthelmemoriesthatisn’taboutbirding:OnacoldeveninginDecemberwithachanceofprecipitation,IshowedupfortheTravisAudubonholidaypartyandsilentauctiontohelpwithset-upfortheevent.Ethelwasalreadytheresettingouttheauctionitems.Wechattedandcaughtupwitheachotherwhileworking,andImentionedthatIhadmadeaveryexpensivemistakeatawell-knownsocialserviceorganization’ssilentauctiononce.Ethelturnedtofacemeandsaid“Ohtellme!”IsharedthatIthoughtIhadreadthelargegalacrowdwellandsensedalotofmoneyintheroom.
Manypeoplekeptfilingpastthebidsheetsandbidswerequicklyincreasingonmanyhigh-valueitems.IwantedtoparticipateandnotjustwalkthroughthelinesoIaddedmybidtoa6-nighthotelstayfortwoinHawaii,assumingI’dbeoutbid.WellIwasn’t!AndIendedupgivingthatorganizationahugedonationthatnightfortheHawaiiitemIcouldn’taffordtouseatthetimebecauseitdidn’tincludeairfare.ItoldEthelIlearnedmylesson.Shelaughedandlaughed.Andthenshesaid“Letmetellyou,Ilearnedmylessontoo!”andshetoldmethatshemadeanevenbiggermistake.AtapreviousTASsilentauctionwhenshewassettingouttheitemswithbidsheets,shewentthroughandputhernameonEVERYbidsheettogetthebiddingstarted,andnotjustattherecommendedstartingbid.Onthatnight,itwascoldandicy,andhardlyanyonecametotheeventbecauseofhowtreacheroustheroadswere.Muchtoherembarrassment,shehadtoshelloutalotofmoneyfornearlyalltheitems!Shesaid,“IloveTravisAudubonandintheendIdidn’tmindgivingthemallthatmoney,butI’llNEVERdothatagain!”Webothhadfunlaughingaboutthosesilentauctionexperiences.–TerriSiegenthaler
EthelwasmyroommateforseveralTexasOrnithologicalSocietymeetings.MostlysherodewithJaneTillmanandroomedwithme.However,theyearthatTOSwenttoAmarillo,sherodewithmeaswell.IenjoyedthecompanyofherfamilyinAmarilloandIappreciatedherlowkeystyleoftraveling.IcanhardlybelievethatshewillnotbecallingmeuponsomeSundayafternoonanymore.IwassogladtoreadsomanythingsIdidnotknowaboutEthelinherobituary.ItseemsliketheendofanerawithEthelgone.–GeorginaSchwartz
IfirstmetEtheloveradecadeago.ShewasalongtimememberofTravisAudubonandtheWednesdayBirdingGroupledbyDanCallaway.AtthetimeIwasafledglingbirderandtheWednesdayBirdingGrouphelpedmesatisfymydrivingneedtolearnmoreaboutbirdsandbirding.Thegroupwouldhopinsomeone’scarandspendthewholedaybirding,anadventurethatIlovedandIhaveneverquitefoundanythinglikesince.Idon’tknowhowlongEthelhadbeenabirder,butithadbeenalongtime.Herbrother,EdKutac,hadafollowingintheAustinBirdingcommunityasoneofthestate’sbestbirders,awonderfulteacher,andsomeonewhohadapassionateinterestinbirds.Ethelfollowedalong,andshebecamejustaspassionateasEd.Ethelwasastrongenvironmentalist,andtheloveofbirdingfellrightalongwithherpassionfortheenvironment.Duringourtrips,wewouldalltalk,andIlikedlisteningtoEtheltalk.ShewasfromadifferentagethanIwas,anageinbetweenmygrandparentsandmymother,andIlikedtohearhertalkaboutherlifegrowingupinYokumwheresheandherfamilyprettymuchtookcareofthemselveswhiletheirwidowmotherwenttoworktosupportthefamily.
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Inmymind’seyeIseeEthelinasleepylittletown,runningaroundtheneighborhoodhavingfunyetatthesametimetakingcareofthechoreshermotherhadassignedthechildren.ShesaidthatthewholecommunitykeptaneyeoutfortheKutacbrood,makingsuretheywereokay.Ethelgothereducationasateacherinatimewhenwomenreallydidn’tgeteducationbeyondhighschool,andshewenttoliveinEuropeandtaughtintheAmericanschoolsoverseas.Again,thatwasnotacommonchoiceforawomantomakeinthosedays.IguessshemusthavepickedupherloveoftravelduringthoseyearsbecauseforaslongasIknewEthelshewasalwaysgoingsomewhereexciting,usuallyonabirdingtrip.Ilovedhearingherstoriesofthosetimes.Yes,Ethelcouldtalkaboutherpastandhertravels,butEthelwasnotonlyrootedinthepast–shehadagoodknowledgeofcurrentevents,muchbetterthanmine,andshefrequentlyaskedmeifI“tookthepaper”(IconfessedthatIdidn’tandshewouldshakeherhead.)Shewasastaunchdemocratandasthelicenseplatestickersaidonthebackofhercar,“Ivotefortheenvironment.”Herconversationwasalwayslively,andshewasfuntobewith;shewouldalwaysbesmiling,joking,teasing.Duringouradventuresbirdingshewouldstartconversationswithpeoplewhowemetupwith,andshewasalwayscuriousaboutwhatotherpeoplethoughtandshewouldtalkaboutbirdsandbirdingwiththem.Once,Ibroughtmydaughteralongbirdingwithus,andEtheltookherunderherwingandexplainedbirdingtoher–shewasakindlyolderpersonwhohadpatiencewithyoungchildren.ItookacoupleoflongertripswithEthel–oneyearwewentonaWhoopingCraneCruiseinRockport,andanothertimewetookTimFennell’sfantasticshorebirdclasstogether.Shewasalwaysagoodtravelcompanion,funandexcitedabouttheadventure,willingtodoanythingtoseeabirdorlearnaboutbirds.Yes,shewasalwayslearningandperhapsthatiswhatIlikedmostabouther.Evenwhenshewasconfinedtoherhouseaftersurgeryshewouldtellmeabouttheinterestingprogramsshewouldwatchandthepeopleshemetalongherlife’svariousadventures.(Votingat90+yearsinthetimeofCOVID,conversationsshehadwithherpriest,thepeoplewhowouldcometoseeher.)Ilovethefactthatshecouldgobackandforthinhermindbetweenpresenttimesandherpastlife,andtotheendshewassharp,curious,andoptimistic.Iwillmissherandherstories,thefunpersonshewas,andtheadventureswehad.–TerryBanks
TerryBanks,EthelKutac,andIngridHuskeyonabirdingtrip.
Ican’tsaywhenIfirstmetEthel,butthankstoeBird.orgIknowthatsheaccompaniedmyhusband,Mark,andmetotheDavisMountainsbackinAugust2010onaTexasOrnithologicalSocietytrip.EthelsharedseveralbirdingadventuresandChristmasBirdCountswithusovertheyears.Whenyouspendlongdaystogetherandinthefieldyougettoknowsomeone.Ethelwasalwaysfunandeasycompany.(Itneverceasedtoamazemehowcompactlyshetraveled–justthreetinybagsatmost–notevenasuitcase.Iguessshelearnedthatskillwithallheroverseastravelsearlierinlife.)
OneofthemorememorabletripsthatEthelandItookwastochasearareCollaredPloverdownnearRaymondville,TXinAugust2014.IpickedupEthel,wemadethe4.5hourdrive(probablywithastopforcoffeeasEthelwasneverfarfromacup),andsetuponaleveeoverlookingadriedplayainlateafternoon.Thetempwas103degreeswhenwearrived,anditwaswindy–Ethelandherchairalmostblewover.Theploverwasnoteasytosee,andIwasnotthattalentedingettingthescopefocusedonitatEthel’sseatedlevel.Thankfully,upwalkedEricCarpenterwhotookchargeandgotheronthebird.(Latershealwayscalledhim,“suchaniceyoungman.”)ThebackstorywasthatEthelattendedaTexasOrnithologicalSocietymeetingnearUvaldeseveralyearspriorinMay,1992.HerfieldtripleaderaskedthegroupiftheywantedtomakeasidetriptotheUvaldeFishHatcherytoseethefirstU.S.recordofCollaredPlover,andonewomansaid“IbelieveI’dliketogetbacktothehotel.”ThatdidnotsitwellwithEthel,andIamgladshefinallygottoseeone.Beforewewenttothehotelwehadtogofindabeerforhertocelebrate.Ethellikedherbeer.DuringCOVIDIdidweeklygroceryshoppingforEthelatHEBandoftenvisitedafterwards.Itwasapleasuretotalkofmundanethingslikegoodrecipes,goodfoods,happeningsinourfamilies,movies,andcurrentevents.Ethelhadinterestsinsomanythings,anditneverflagged.ShecouldtalkabouttheLadyLonghorns,UTfootballandbaseball,recentbooks,whatwasrightorwrongaboutpoliticsandpoliticians,etc.Iloveditwhenshe’dlowerhervoiceandsayalittlemoreslowly“inMyOpinion.”Religionwasveryimportanttoher,butwheneverEthelhadtomissSundayMass,duetoabirdingweekend,shesaidshewasthinkingofthedivineoutintheCathedralofNature.Ialwayslikedthatexpression.IttickledmethatEthelhadsuchanetworkoffriends,whoeachhelpedherinvariousways–someonedidherRandall’sandWalgreensruns,otherstookhertovariousappointments,someonebroughthernewspaperuptoherhome,someonebroughtthetrashcansupfromthecurb,andothershelpedwithplantwatering,changingfilters,etc.Sheneveroverworkedanyoneofus,whetherbyaccidentordesign.ThoseofuswhoknewEthelknowhowshecouldsqueezeapenny.Stretchleftoversfromrestaurantsinto2or3meals,alwaysbuytheleastexpensivebrandofx,yorzunlessyouhaveareallygoodreasonforthehigherpriceditem,anddon’ttakethetollroadwhenregularroadsjusttakealittlebitlonger.
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Theseeconomieswerepartofhergameinlife,andtheyallowedhertotravelwellintoher80sandsupportcharitiessheloved.What’snottolikeaboutthat?ItwasaprivilegetoknowEthel.Sheknewhowtolivelifefully.–JaneTillman
BurnetChristmasBirdCount(January4,2013).Fromlefttoright:
TerryBanks,JaneTillman,JaneneRowan,KenZaslow,DanCallaway,
EthelKutac,DaveSeal,IngridHuskeyandCatfishKelly.