July-August 2009 Naturalist Newsletter Houston Audubon Society

8/9/2019 July-August 2009 Naturalist Newsletter Houston Audubon Society

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atural i s t The

N July/August 2009

Houston Audubon is celebrating Texasbottomland hardwood orests and their

importance tomillions o migratory

songbirds, waterowl, andresident birds by hosting

the Birds & Bottomlands

Benefton October1, 2009 at the Omni

Houston Hotel rom 6:30

p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Ranked as one o the

most endangeredecosystems in the United

States, bottomland

hardwood orest systems are among the mostdiverse in Texas. While they also contribute to

water quality, carbon sequestration, and stormwater retention, they are o special importance to

birds.

These orests along the Upper Texas Coast and inEast Texas are located in the heart o the Central

Flyway Zone, a migratory bird superhighway.

Houston Audubon has identied two landscape-scale conservation projects that protect this

dwindling habitat: the Columbia Bottomlandsproject on the Upper Texas Coast, which supports

The

Natural i s t Celebrating 40 Years o Bird Conservation Houston Audubon Society

In This Issue

Horse Races and

Other Challenges 2

Notes rom HAS Sanctuaries 2

HAS 40th Inspires

History Project 3

Ken Burns & Early HAS History 3

Explore the Bottomlands! 3

Birdathon Awards 4

Species Profle

Prothonotary Warbler 5

HAS July 4 Field TripSunset on the Katy Prairie 5

Festival on the Bayou 2009 6

Sims 2009-2010 Programs 7

Swit Night Out 7

more than 230 species o migratory and residentbirds, and the Neches River project in East Texas,

which sustains more than 270species.

Both projects will be

eatured during the eventwith awards presented or:

Outstanding Achievement

in Columbia Bottomland

Conservation to U.S. Fish &

Wildlie Service, National Fish& Wildlie Foundation, Trust

or Public Land, and MagnoliaCharitable Trust; and

Outstanding Achievement

in Neches River Bottomland Conservation to

Former U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson, Ellen &

Buddy Temple, The Conservation Fund, and TexasConservation Alliance.

Carolyn and Scott Davis, and Bonnie and Richard

Donovan have graciously agreed to serve as theevents Honorary Chairs. Festivities will include

live and silent auctions; live music by Jazz Avenue;

cocktails, hors doeuvres, and desserts.For details about purchasing tickets, sponsoring

the event, or contributing an item to the auctions,please visit www.houstonaudubon.org.

Save the Date or Houston AudubonsBirds & Bottomlands Beneft

Wood Duck: Greg Lavaty

A Sketch o Two Bottomland Conservation Projects

The Columbia Bottomlands

The Neches River in East Texas is the largestcontiguous wildlie corridor let in the state.The bottomlands are not only important or manyrare breeding birds, such as the Swallow-tailed Kite

American Woodcock, and Swainsons Warblers, butare also essential or land birds during migration.

The river supports threatened and endangered

species, including the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon,Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Ranesques

big-eared bat, Louisiana black bear, paddlesh,and alligator snapping turtle. Numerous state

and ederal agencies, conservation groups, and

individuals have partnered in protecting this vitalecologically diverse bottomland system.

The Columbia Bottomlands are centered inBrazoria County where the US Fish and WildlieService (USFWSs) goal is to protect a bioreserve

network o critical bird habitat. Houston Audubon

members are amiliar with the ColumbiaBottomlands rom the many occasions we askeddonors to help us partner with the USFWS, the

National Fish and Wildlie Foundation, the Trust or

Public Land, and the Community Foundation oBrazoria County. Partnering has meant Houston

Audubon is conserving more critical habitat thanever. Currently, the USFWS has 15,000 acres under

conservation, but the agency has a long-term goal

o conserving 55,000 additional acres.

The Neches River

Learn more about the bottomlands and Houston Audubons involvement in protecting them in the

Birds & Bottomlands section at www.houstonaudubon.org


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Vol 28, No 4 July/August 2009

Houston Audubon Society

is a chapter o the National Audubon Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Jim WinnPAST PRESIDENT Joy HesterPRESIDENT-ELECT Mary CarterCORPORATE SECRETARY Judith Boyce

TREASURER Andrew LopezDIRECTORS-AT-LARGEJohn Bartos Ginger ColemanLynn Forster Richard GoldarbKathryn Hale Bernice HotmanBen Hulsey Jerey MillsGeorey Newton Laurie WilliamsJerey Woodman

Galveston GroupRepresentative: Alice Anne ODonell

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Gerard A. Bertrand Sara BettencourtPeggy Boston Caroline CalleryClaire Caudill Gary W. ClarkVictor Emanuel Ted Eubanks, Jr.

Stephen Gast Gene Graham Terry Hershey Ford Hubbard, IIIAnn Wier Jones Mavis P. Kelsey, Jr.Robert McFarlane Nancy Powell MooreJe Mundy Donal C. OBrien, Jr.Ellen R. Red Heidi RockecharlieRob Rowland Andrew SansomSteve Smith Kathryn SmythJames R. Stewart, Jr. Lucie Wray ToddJohn L. Whitmire Lettalou Whittington

STAFF

EXECUTIVE 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 ThompsonEXECUTIVE LIAISON Britt JonesADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kathryn Grigsby

CONTACT INFORMATION

HAS Oce 713-932-1639Education Oce 713-640-2407FAX 713-461-2911E-mail [email protected] County Group 409-772-3126

AUDUBON DOCENT GUILDCOORDINATOR Bethany Foshe

[email protected] 713-464-4900

wwwhoustonaudubonorg

wwwnarbaorg

The Naturalistis published bimonthly.

A ull color version oThe Naturalistin PDF ormat

is available on our website.

Naturalist E-News is published monthly.

To receive The Naturalistby e-mail, sign up or

Naturalist E-News on our website.

The Naturalistis made possible by a generousgit rom Terry Hershey.

Iwatched the Kentucky Derby last May andsmile whenever I think about it. Mine ThatBird, a gelding ew had heard o, and ewer

thought had a chance to win, did! Aterone mile, he was last in a eld o 19 horses.

Then the jockey gave him the reins, hollered

lets go and go he did. Finding an openingwhen he needed it, he passed horses like a

motorcycle going 50 mph passing cars driving30 mph. And when he passed the leaders he

just kept going, nishing 6 lengths aheado the second place winner. It was truly a

remarkable sight to see.

Purchased by a couple o ellows rom NewMexico or $9,500 and trained by a ormer

rodeo wild bronco riding cowboy, this little

horse bested several million dollar plusavored stallions, including that o a Middle

Eastern sheik! For us who love seeing theunderdog win, it was the American story all

over again! Its exciting and inspiring!

So whats it all have to do with HoustonAudubon, beside the champions name?

HAS successully completed a race lastspring which began with Ikes devastation

and continued to the beginning o spring

migration. The challenge was to protect andclean up the Bolivar Sanctuaries and to clean

up, replant trees, and clear trails at the HighIsland Sanctuaries in time or avian and human

visitation. Both arrived in late March and bothound what they hoped or shelter, ood,

and rest or the migrants and beautiul birds

or us! It wasnt easy, but volunteers and sta

Horse Races and Other Challengesby Jim Winn, HAS President

and supporters rom

here and beyond theTexas borders made it

happen.

Now we are working with that secondchallenge which also began last September

with the collapse on Wall Street. We all know

o this challenge because we all have beenaected one way or another by the resulting

economic slowdown and the accompanyinguncertainty. Nonprots have been aected

because their supporters have been aected.HAS has no immunity and a tight budget

has been adopted or the coming year (FY

7/1/09 6/30/10). Sta and board are anxiouto move ahead with several new projects in

addition to normal operations. But some plannow must wait or better economic times, as

our challenge today is dictated by reduced

operating income.

HAS has beneted rom loyal supporters or

orty years now, and your continued support

will carry the day going orward. There aretwo ways you can be o real help. First, as you

consider your situation, please leave HAS inyour giting budget. Secondly, we ask that

you support us as you are currently able so todo. Just stay with us through these lean times

and the birds and HAS will continue to be

there or you now and when the economy harecovered, as recover it will!

Have a good summer and we will see you at

the September 9 membership meeting.

Notes rom HAS Sanctuaries

North Deer IslandThis past spring North Deer Island was

designated a Global Important Bird Area bythe National Audubon Society and BirdLie

International. Houston Audubon is grateulor the additional recognition o what is the

most productive colonial waterbird island inGalveston Bay. The island is co-owned and

managed by HAS and Audubon Texas.

High IslandThanks to grants rom the William A. &

Madeline W. Smith Foundation and the Ralph

H. & Ruth J. McCullough Foundation, we havebeen able to undertake restoration projects

at Smith Oaks, including improvements tothe boardwalks and levee trail by the Rookery,

a covered picnic shelter or the Smith Oaks

picnic area, as well as proessional tree workand privet removal. We will be engaged in

restoration work on the Bolivar Peninsulathroughout the summer.

BP Cleans Up Bolivar FlatsHow wonderul it is to see the bus pull up at

Bolivar Flats with the hard-working volunteersrom BP! They always have their work cut

out or them when they come to clean upthe beach. Although the major part o the

hurricane debris was cleaned up during thewinter, many bits and pieces had foated in,

and many plastic bags were lled.

On May 6 the Exploration Division o BPheld their 14th cleanup at Bolivar Flats. They

removed tons o trash rom the beach and let

it a much cleaner place.

Mark Steuer, a long time Houston Audubon

member and BP employee, began the BP

beach cleanup tradition, and we greatlyappreciate his eorts. Mark has recently

retired, but ortunately or us the beach clean-up tradition will continue. We look orward to

BPs return to Bolivar Flats in October.

Thanks BP!!!

The Naturalist July/August 200


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HAS 40th Inspires History Project

The approach o Houston Audubons 40th

anniversary later this year has inspired a

much-needed eort to organize and preserve

the dynamic history o Houston Audubon. Ledby Peggy Boston, a member o the HAS Board o

Advisors, a team o volunteers has worked sincelast summer to organize and archive inormation

ound in HAS les. Key people rom HoustonAudubons past have been interviewed, andmore such interviews are planned.

A skeleton timeline o the history o the

organization has emerged that will be a livingdocument that can grow with the organization

and guide uture documentation o its history,thanks to HAS Webmaster Susan Billetdeaux.

That timeline can be seen and ollowed onthe HAS website, along with other pertinent

inormation and links about the history o the

organization. An In Memoriam section honorsextraordinary HAS supporters who are no

longer with us.

The article below describes part o that history.

It is the last o a series written by Joy Hester or

The Naturalistwhen she was Executive Directorin an attempt to capture the history o Houston

Audubon rom the perspective o some o itsearly leaders. It was an eort that she stresses

was random and incomplete. There are many

extraordinary HAS heroes that have yet to beinterviewed and recognized, which the History

Project hopes to do.

To nd the History section on our website, click on

About Us on the home page.

When Houston Audubon was incorporatedas a nonprot organization in 1969, EdithL. Moore still lived in the log cabin on RummelCreek that would later become its home.

High Island and Bolivar Flats were known toa ew birders, but the properties that would

become world amous HAS bird sanctuarieswerent even a dream yet. There was much

to be done and no sta to do it, so board

members along with other volunteers did allthe work o the organization. Attorney Ken

Burns was one o those early board memberswhose contributions helped build HAS into the

extraordinary organization we know today.

When Houston Audubon was ormed, Ken andhis wie Laura were living in the house theyd

built next door to Edith L. Moore on Rummel

Creek. They beriended Edith and her dogs, asdid early HAS president Rob Deshayes and his

wie Mabel. By the time Ken became presidento HAS in 1979, Edith had willed her cabin and

surrounding 18 acres to Houston Audubon, andHAS had the challenge o dealing with the back

taxes owed on the property. Over the years

prosperous subdivisions had grown up aroundEdiths land, and valuations o the property had

become an annual burden or her that HASwould now have to shoulder. The exemptions

that landowning nonprots depend on today

did not exist at that time, so it was a dilemmathat might have kept HAS rom being able to

keep this wonderul git. Through the eortso Ken Burns and others such as prior president

Bruce McCandless, the back taxes owed to

various taxing authorities were paid and, withthe help o Kens contacts in the legal and

legislative communities, the present exemptionrom taxes on land owned by nonprots (up

to 1,000 acres in a county) came into being.

Without that change in Texas law, it is unlikelythat Houston Audubon would hold the 3,300

acres o sanctuary lands that it owns today in

several counties.

Serving as HAS president rom 1979 to 1982, and

serving on the board o directors or 12 years,Ken Burns was also instrumental in the early land

acquisitions that became the HAS High Island

sanctuaries. Because the rst purchase o landat High Island required that HAS take on debt

or the rst time, there was considerable andsomewhat heated debate within the board. The

purchase price o $50,000 was, it was argued,

too high a price to pay. Fred Collins, a membero the board at the time, credits Ken Burns or

a quote that helped sway the decision toward

taking on the debt and buying the rst HighIsland tract. According to Fred, Ken asked the

board, How do you value a painting? Thecanvas and oil paint the artist uses, or as a

Picasso would? A painting is valued by thosewho purchase it! Fred, who went on to become

a president o Houston Audubon himsel, hasalso said that HAS would not be the organization

that it is today were it not or Ken and Kens

predecessor Rob Deshayes. As HAS president,Fred continued the work o building the High

Island sanctuaries, as did Freds successor as HASpresident, Pete Peltier.

Ken Burns & Early HAS Historyby Joy Hester, HAS Past President

The log cabin at Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuaryin the early 1970s

Summer Escapes

Explore the Bottomlands!Tips by Gina Donovan & Flo Hannah

Columbia Bottomlands

Visiting the Columbia Bottomlands is now

more un and accessible than ever.

San Bernard and Brazoria National

Wildlie Reuges: In addition to birding

there are new public shing opportunities.

At the Brazoria NWR, a new launching ramp

was built to allow access or kayaks and

canoes into the Salt Lake recreation area.

At San Bernard, a new pier and trail provide

shing and birding access to Cedar Lake

Creek.

Hudson Woods Unit: New trails and

a boardwalk leading to a Scoby Lake

observation platorm.

McNeil Unit: A -mile boardwalk leads to

the largest known Live Oak tree in the Stateo Texas. For access to the San Bernard

Oak, call the reuge headquarters.

Carolyn Raizes Davis Bird Sanctuary:

This HAS sanctuary is part o the Columbia

Bottomlands conservation project. There

are no amenities or ormal trails, but the

public is invited to walk in and ollow

Chocolate Bayou that is lined with a diverse

mature orest.

Neches River Bottomlands

A canoe is the best way to experience what

makes the Neches River so special.

Mary Carters Canoe Rentals in

Lumberton (409-791-0040) oer great

prices and excellent service.

For wonderul camping and hiking

adventures, visit: Angelina National

Forest & Boykin Springs Campgound,Davy Crockett National Forest & 4Cs

Hiking Trail, Big Thicket NationalPreserve & Village Creek State Park, andMartin Dies, Jr State Park

Find more inormation, maps, and links to

resources in the Birds & Bottomlands section

at www.houstonaudubon.org

Flo and the San Bernard Oak

July/August 200The Naturalist


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Birdathon 2009 Award and Prize Winners

Iwant to personally thank everyone orparticipating in this years Birdathon. Weraised over $40,500, not bad or these tough

economic times. The birding was wonderulthis spring, I even got a lie bird. I hope to see

you all again next year on your existing teams,and maybe on a second team with some

Birdathon Rookies!!!!!

Have a wonderul summer, and Ill see youagain next year!!!!!

Leslie Calvert, Birdathon Chair

Grand Prize

Winners: Three Cranes and a Curlew

Oberholser Cup Most Birds Identied

1st Muddy Buddies 131 species

2nd Three Cranes and a Curlew 127 species

Whittington Award Most Money Raised

1st Three Cranes and a Curlew over $7,400

2nd Baker Blue Jays over $6,4003rd Wandering Warblers over $4,048

4th Bird and Bean Counters over $4,0075th Sharp Shins over $3,500

6th Muddy Buddies over $1,900

Most Pledges Received1st Rockport Hummers

2nd Bird and Bean Counters

Best Bird1st Honeyguides Grasshopper Sparrow

2nd Phab Phour Phalaropes fock oSwainsons Hawks and Dickcissels

Most Great Blue Herons Seen

1st Sharp Shins

HAS Sanctuary Bird Sightings1st Rockport Hummers

2nd Avid Avosits

Magic Moment / Funniest Story1st Screaming Seagulls

2nd Raven Maniacs3rd Wild TurkeysSpecial Award Golden Eagles (youth team)

Green Team Award1st Galveston Bay Kingshers

Sitting Duck Award

1st Avid Avosits

Mentor Award1st Jef Sexton2nd Arlette Keene

Find the ull list o award and drawing winners as wellas the Magic Moment / Funniest Story entries in the

Birdathon section at www.houstonaudubon.org.

Thanks to all our Birdathon Donors!

Beverly & Ben Aderholt Victoria Agee Mary Alfred Judith Amstutz Mary Lou Anderson Maria Anderson Medrith Appling

Martha Armentrout Odie Asscherick Erin Baldwin Ann & David Barb Norma Barnes Glenda & Hugh Barrett Sarah Bassett Roselyn Batcheller

Francesca Beaumont Karen & Phil Beekman Kathleen Benbrook Debra Benedict Theodore Berman Susan & Brad Billetdeaux Betsy Black

Lyn Birmingham Catherine Black Annetta Black Beth Black Garland Kerr & Jim Blackburn Dorothy Blackwell T. Blome Peggy Boston

Je Botkin Judy Boyce James Boyd Ron & Marcia Braun Joan Brennecke Anne Brinkerho Melanie Brook-Lander Craig Brooks

Richard Brooks Shannon Brotherton Cheryl Burns David Burns Mary Jo & Harlan Busse Leslie Calvert Margie Camp Deborah Carpe

Mary Carter Michael Carter Patricia Casey Gloria Casson Kim Chao Lorraine Cherry Chevron Matching Gift Program David Citek

Jane Cizik Don Clampitt Laura Clyburn Ginger Coleman Debra Collins Debra Sue Collins Marilyn Crane Helen Crawford Linda Crist

Ronald Cude Arthur Cunningham Kathryn Daniels Bruce Darlow Gayle DeGeurin Denney Ranch 2 Nature Preserve Mabel Deshayes

John Dickinson Donna Diggons Edith Dillon Nancy Dobbs Mary Dodson Glenda Dole Gina Donovan Melinda Droege Gary Eichelberger

Jacqueline Elders Katy Emde Susan & Barry Engel Marjorie Farmer Charles Ferguson Lourdes Fernandez Alan Finger Phyllis Finn

Graham Fleming Lynn Forster Martha Foster Rosanna Francis Susan Fulgham Javier Galvan Bill Gann Julia Garrett Barbara GaseJoy Gates Rebecca Giot Paul Glaves Carolyn Gore Bill Graber Harold Grace Jim Graves Susan Green Clifton Grim Layton Guinn

Patricia Gutierrez Ann Haisler Dorothy Hale Mary Hale-Hogue Rita & John Hannah Babette Harding Rob Harnded

Carolyn & Tommy Harris William Harwell Fawaz Hashmi Wanda & Sergio Henao Nancy Henerek John Hernandez Rick Herron

Denise Herzberg Joy Hester A. Hill James Homan B.J. Hollingsworth Marci & Sonny Holub Maggie & Bob Honig Ann Hoover

Lydia Hoover Bernice Hotman Dee Howell Ben Hulsey Marcie Hysinger Bernice Jackson Jun Jaing Charles Jamison Nancy Jenkins

Karen Jenner Philip John Ellen Johnson Donna Jones Ann Wier Jones Bonnie Jones Matthew Kardesch Joan Keahey Arlette Keene

Betty Keith Darlene Kelleher John Kelley Lynn Kelly Mavis Kelsey David Key Suzanne Kitchens Bill Kleh Larry Knippa

Linda & David Knowles Lee Kobayashi Linda Kuhnen Barbara Kyse Rose Lauzon Julia Lawhon Charles Lawler S. Lede Gene Lege

Stephanie & Paul Leonard John Leonard K. Leonard Bette Lester Susan Levy Bill Lindemann Sue Ling Linscomb and Williams Todd Little

Anne Loesch Andy Lopez Anna Lopez Gibbs MacDaniel Robert Macintyre Barbara & Bob Malone Rex Marzke Barbara Massey

Deborah Matocha Cheryl & Rodney McKellar Pat McLeod Peggy McNealy Cathleen McQuillan Stennie Meadours Kay & Larry Medford

Evelyn Merz Marjorie Milby Shiela Miller Debbie Mitchamore Pamela & Bob Moore Jim Morgan Elayne Morgan Chris & Donald Mullen

Christine & Donald Mullen Nadine Murphy Stephen Newland Paula & Georey Newton Deana Nguyen Andrea & Edward Nove

Alice Anne ODonell Robert Ohmart John Old Bobbie Oldeld William Owens Charles Parker Jo Parks Quinn Passey Marion Peace

Richard Peake Pelletier Glenda Perry Rob Peterson Richard Plumb Natalie Ponder Pam Pool Jet Prenderville Warren Pruess

Nancy Purcell Brad Rae JoAnn Raine James Reeder V. Revere Pamela Richardson Patricia Roberts Ellen Rodriguez J.P. Rose

Peggy Rowell Marlene Rubin Bertha Rutherford Dora & Doug Rutledge Carey & Douglas Rutledge Allison Ryder Clarence Sanders

Dolores Sandling Bill Saulmon John Schneider Susan Schneider Steve Schneider Judith Schott Kathie Schultz Robert Schwartz

Richard Senechal Linda Sexton Linda Shead Robert Sherwood Kathie & Al Shultz Virginia Simons Laurie Sines Lillian & Jim Skogsberg

Frank Smith Maja Smith Pam & Steve Smolen Paul Smolen Jose Solis Susan Spence Richard Stade Robert Staneld Sybill Stephens

James Stewart Eleanor & JC Stormberger Rosemary Sullivan David Swaim Gretchen Thoman Barbara & Mark Thompson Barbara Tilton

Brenda Tinsley Sonia Townsend Eliot Tucker Tobi Troxell Pamela Urban Don Verser Grace Versfelt Theodore Vora Miriam Vyles

Wallcoverings International Deean Watson Virginia Wells Gerry Wells Weston Solutions Lettalou Whittington Anne White

Rowena & Jack White Robert White Sherry Wilkerson Laurie Williams Tom Williams Betty Williams Page Williams Glenn Wilson

Betsy & Jim Winn Ardis Wipf Johanna Wolfe Michele Wood Anita Woods Steve Woodward Martha Wynn Brenda Zeh Elizabeth Zivley

Photo: Greg Lavaty



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Although many eel that July is just toohot or a eld trip, early morning and lateevening can be comortable, especially awayrom the heat-retaining concrete o the city. The

Katy Prairie, only an hour or so west o Houston,is just such a place to enjoy those comortable

hours. So HAS will reprise last years very

successul Katy Prairie July 4th eld trip (OK, tobe perectly accurate, it actually was July 5th

in 2008). We will explore grasslands, wetlands,and tree lines to observe the diversity o wildlie

and fora on the Katy Prairie all on properties

owned by the Katy Prairie Conservancy (KPC,

www.katyprairie.org), which has protectedthousands o acres in west Harris County andeast Waller County. We hope to see a variety o

birds (possibly Painted Buntings and Orchard

Orioles on territory), butterfies visiting fowers,and dragonfies cruising over ponds. At sunset

we plan to be near a wetland where manyWhite-aced Ibis, as well as other waterbirds,

may return in the evening to roost; and we hopeto be treated to a chorus o rogs and toads,

insects, displaying Common Nighthawks, and

maybe even a King Rail or two.

HAS Summer Field Trip

July Natural History Sunset on the Katy Prairie

Saturday, July 4, 2009 5:00 pm until dark (about 9:00 pm)

Guide: Bob Honig As a member o the KPCs

Board o Directors and a requent KPC volunteer,

Bob is very amiliar with the Katy Prairie. Bob hasbeen an avid naturalist or many years, regularly

leading eld trips and lecturing (in recent yearson dragonfies in particular) or southeast Texas

conservation groups. Bob was Compiler o theBualo Bayou Christmas Bird Count or 21 years,

was co-ounder and an initial Co-Compiler o

the Brazos Bend CBC, and served as Chairman othe Outdoor Nature Clubs Ornithology Group.

Bob and his wie, Maggie, live on the Katy Prairiejust down the road rom our eld trip meeting

site on property bordered by KPC land.Directions: Meet at KPCs Field Oce in WallerCounty at 5:00 p.m. From Houston go west

on Interstate 10 Take the Exit 737 Pederson

Rd. and turn right (North) on Pederson Rd. Gonorth on Pederson Rd. about mile until it tees

into US 90 (note: no sign or US 90 here). Turnlet (west) on US 90 and go about mile to the

rst right (turn north) which is FM 2855. Go 6miles on FM 2855 to the intersection with FM

529. Continue straight across FM 529 you are

now on Morrison Rd. Ater 1 mile, Morrisonmakes a sharp let turn continue 1 more mile

to Pattison Rd. Turn right (north) onto PattisonRd and go north or 3 miles where Pattison

tees into Hebert Rd. Turn let (west) on HeberRd.; go 1 mile to the Katy Prairie Conservancy

Field Oce sign on the let 31950 Hebert

Rd. Turn let (south) through the entrancegate and go about 400 yards to the oce.

See our website description or a link to otherdirections.

Reservations are required. To sign up,

contact Bill Saulmon ([email protected]) at281-537-6924. You must sign a KPC release o

liability orm to get on KPC property. (Formsare available at www.katyprairie.org). Bring a

fashlight (with a red lter i you have it); alsowear ootwear that you dont mind gettinga bit wet, in case we have a rainy spell; and

dont orget water, a hat, sunscreen, andinsect repellent. Regardless o the weather,

please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

It may be buggy, so you may also want towear long sleeves. For more ino on the eld

trip and a link to the KPC release orm, seethe description in the Birding section o the

HAS website. Participants, please check the

website or any last minute updates.

Species Profle

Prothonotary Warbler

by Glenn Olsen

The Prothonotary Warbler is the iconicbreeding warbler o bottomlands, woodedbayous, creeks, rivers, and swamplands o the

eastern United States, including those habitats

in the eastern hal o Texas.This denizen o the dark bottomlands andswamps glistens like a golden fame as it darts

about deending territory or in search o ood.

The head, throat, breast, and belly o the maleare a rich, bright, golden yellow. The blue-

gray wings and yellow-green back go almostcompletely unnoticed, so compelling is the

bright yellow. The emale looks very similar but

is not as brightly colored. A.C. Bent thoughtthat a more betting common name or this

species should be Golden Swamp Warbler.This name seems quite appropriate both or the

color and habitat o the bird, but it just makes

too much sense to be accepted.

This species begins arriving in Texas mid to late

March. Many more arrive in April, and mostcontinue northward to other breeding ranges.

Once a suitable territory is located, the Golden

Swamp Warbler begins to search or nestingcavities. This species has the unique habit

o nesting in natural cavities and abandonedwoodpecker holes within its breeding range. It is

the only eastern warbler known to do so. Femalesarrive, courtship begins, and the timeless story o

raising a amily is retold.

Once the young are sel sucient, much quickerin warblers than humans, individuals begin their

all migration to the southern areas o Central

America and northern South America wherethey will remain until the ollowing March.

Most individuals have let the U.S, by the end o

October.

I encourage you to nd a bottomland, wooded

bayou, or swamp and search or this strikinglybeautiul bird beore they begin leaving our area.

Find this prole in the Bird Gallery o our website:

www.houstonaudubon.org

Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citreaP

hoto:WayneWendel with Glenn Olsen

Introduction to OrnithologyJune 25 July 23, 2009

The rst in a series o classes to study the

remarkable physiology o birds that makes

them such amazing creatures o fight,migration, and beauty.

Hawk Identifcation & MigrationAugust 20 September 12, 2009

Hawk Migration is a great opportunity

to see large numbers and many species

o these beautiul birds. Learn how and

why hawks migrate and the key elements

that enable you to identiy hawks in fight.

Classroom sessions and eld trips.

Details and registration orms atwww.houstonaudubon.org

HAS Birding Classes

Toh Festival de AvesNovember 19 22, 2009

HAS is a sponsor o this annualYucatan Bird Festival.

Birding, Workshops,

Competitions, Exhibits, & More!

www.yucatanbirds.org.mx



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$2,500+

BP Foundation, Inc. Connie & Je Woodman S. Craig Damuth

$1,000-$2,499

Jamie Fairchild Hobby Family Foundation Marilyn Lummis Alice Anne ODonnell

$500-$999

BP Fabric of America Patricia Cravens ExxonMobil Francine Fleming William Lyons The Powell Foundation Antionette Taylor

Nancy Thompson

$100-$499

Richard Alexander Barbara & John Arnett Brenda Bennett Catherine Brown Chevron Matching Gift Program John Cody

Mary Lou Fowler Arlyne & Robert Gibbs Shelia Hargis Paul Herman Dana & Ken Kromka Sarah Lane Eva Moldovanyi Melanie Myal

Sandra & Robert Poppelreiter Outdoor Nature Club Ornithology Group Lee & Ray Roeder Rice Epicurian Norma & Sandy Rubin

Ann Satterback Michael Smith Town & Country Garden Club Wachovia Foundation Ann Wales Ron Weeks Safeway, Inc.

Stephen Williams Betsy & Jim Winn Norman Young Horacio Zea

$1-$99

Dwain Akins John Baker George Bathey Christine Battan Geraldine Beck Judy & Ronald Bell Gary Binderim Geraldine Block

William Bouldin Roger Breedlove Thomas Brooker Heather Burket Alta & Richard Cate Chevron Matching Gift Program Henri Childers

William Clendenen Kristin Coleman Judith & Richard Cooper Diane & James Dallas David Dean Don Dunnington Joel Dunnington Toni Duperies Edward Earles Sandy Elers Alex Gaines Barbara Gardner Susan Gardner Thomas Gederberg James Gensheimer

Janet Graney Greater Park Place Janet Griths Laurel Hanscom Terry Hershey Denise Herzberg Jim Hinson Mary Hooper

Katya Horner Benjamin Hortsman Barbara Howard Kathleen Hunsdorf Brandy Ischy Monica Jordan Judith Kammerer Joanne Kamo

Betty & Henry Keith Linda & William Kimball Jackie Klieger Andrea Krona Ann Kuhn Charles Lawler Donna Lewis Brad Lirette

Karl Long Gene Luhn Sonny Manley Harry Marr Sheryl Maruca Dale McClanhan Betty McCutchan Sandra McHone Shirley Mohney

Janet Neath Ken Noack Bryan Patrick Richard Payne Patricia Pease Eloise Powers James Tapner Shari Provenzano Julie Rabik

Barbara Railey Timothy Robbins Kenneth Russell Otto Schreiber Sue & Jack Schwaller Lawrence Semander Marsha Seyert

Hazel Shaughnessy Theresa & James Sigmund Nina Sitra Fielding Smith Susan Snider-Osterberg Doris Spiegel Ann & Alvis Starr

Mary Anthony Starz Barbara Stern Jane & John Stormer Joann Thompson Newell Tilton Ayse Tobey Jarka Trojan Sarah Tyler

Arthur Vallier Steven Vealy Elise & John Vroble Gay & John Vroble Shirley Wagner Jacqueline Weaver Carl Wilkerson

Sherry Wilkerson Paula & Bob Wynho Dennis Wysong Mary Yurkovich

*Donations received and processed by May 20, 2009

Thanks to Houston Audubons Generous Donors!

Festival on the Bayou 2009by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director

The annual celebration o InternationalMigratory Bird Day was another bigsuccess at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center.

This is the 4th Festival on the Bayou, and each

year it gets better.

For this years May 2 estival, the grounds o

the nature center were converted into anoutdoor classroom about birds and othernative auna and fora. Flo gave prairie chats

in the pocket prairie, and visitors enjoyed thelie size bison that Vicki painted. It looked

amazing! Houston Wilderness and Mothers

or Clean Air spread the message o greenliving and discovering the wealth o natural

resources around the Houston area.

Mr. Clint the snake man wowed the kids withhis collection o reptiles and gave a great

talk about snake identication. We added30-minute chats under the big tent and were

ortunate to have Clint and Sharon Schmaltz

rom Wildlie Rehab and Education availableto share with the crowd. Sharon brought our

wonderul raptors. All are non-releasable andhelp with their education eorts.

Ginger Coleman staed her popular TexasMaster Naturalist booth, and our garden club

rom Park Place Elementary gave garden tours

and shared their newly learned culinary skills.Our new volunteer, Nancy Russell, shared her

gardening expertise and delicious gardenbread with the visitors while helping at the

Junior Master Gardening booth. Bob and

Paula Wynho took care o the nature store,while volunteers rom Baker Hughes, girl

scouts, and Westside High School studentshelped sta booths and the registration

table. Pam Smolen educated everyone aboutChimney Swits and our Swits over Houston

initiative. Lucy Goldsmith arranged or her

wonderul AARP volunteers to assist with activities,and the Meadowbrook Garden Club hosted a plant

sale. Linda and Flavio Del Angel kept the kids busy

at the turtle booth, and Andy Lopez, his daughterAna, and Ron Jones were crucial help with set

up. The HAS sta spread the bird conservationmessage at the HAS booth, and Andy Lopez and

Michael Williams helped visitors spot birds along

Sims Bayou. HAS sta also helped set up tents andbooths and stayed late to drag everything back to

the barn. Bayou Buddies graduation was a huge hior parents and buddies alike.

This estival is only possible with all the help we

receive rom the community and supporters. Wethank them all! Mark your calendars or May 1, 201

or our 5th annual Festival on the Bayou!

Bayou Buddy Mikayla Olumba (sportinga wonderul ace painting by a talented

volunteer parent rom Park Place Elementary)



7/8

Summer Bird Counts

Houston Bird Survey: June 2009

Dont orget to report your sightings!Online report orms are on the website.

Armand Bayou SurveyLeader: Andrew Hamlett

Monthly on the second Saturday

Bolivar Bird CountLeader: Tom Kihn

Monthly on the third Saturday

Swits Over HoustonLeader: Pam Smolen

Weekly on Tuesday evenings

Swits Over Dayton

Leader: Barbara TiltonWeekly on Thursday evenings

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

Willow Waterhole SurveyLeader: John SchneiderMonthly on the third Saturday

Check www.houstonaudubon.org or

details and any last minute updates

Bayou Buddies

Reunion & Registration or New ClassesJuly 31, 2009 10 am 12:00 pm

Veterans and newcomers interested in the

program can mingle at this un event. Makecrats, enjoy snacks, and learn and see what

Bayou Buddies is all about! Receive a scheduleo all the creatures the youngsters will be

learning about in the coming year.

Bayou Buddies is an educational and un classor 3-5 year olds. Each week we explore a

dierent native Texas animal or habitat as we

work our way through the alphabet.

New this year, you may choose Friday morning

or Friday aternoon sessions. In addition tothe classes, the price includes a youth T-shirt,

and graduation packet (cap, diploma, photo

collage). Please note that you must register

or the entire year. Because o this programspopularity, registration or a single session isno longer possible.

Girl Scout Badge Workshops

The schedule o workshops through January is

now posted. Sign up now!

Family Nature Explore Club

Houston Audubons Family Nature Explore Cluballows amilies to explore the natural resources o

the Houston area. There are no age requirements

and everyone is welcome. You can join at any

time. We meet at Sims to caravan and carpoolto our destination. You can also meet the groupat the destination i that is easier. Times and

details will be sent by email. There is no ee,

but all amilies are asked to consider becomingHAS members. Membership unds go directly

to conservation and education eorts on theUpper Texas Coast. Family Nature Explore Club

membership cards will be given out at the rst

meeting in September and to new members asthey join. Come and explore the natural world,

make new riends, and create lasting memorieswith your children and grandchildren.

For ull details and destinations, visit the Family

Nature Explore Club page on our website.

Outreach Programs

Important programming note or educators: Due

to increased demand or educational outreachprograms and eld trips to Sims Bayou Urban

Nature Center, we are encouraging all educators

to contact us at the beginning o the school yeareven i they are booking or spring o 2010.

Repo on the Bayou and a Sad Goodbye

by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director

Iknow it sounds like a bad paperback butthe story is true. Vicki and I bade arewellto Katerina Graham on May 27. She and heramily are moving to the open country o

Colorado. Ater being so ortunate to haveKaterina and her expertise or almost two

years, it was hard to let go. Her knowledgeand work ethic brought our gardening

program to new levels, and our mission to

create the highest quality native gardens andnatural play areas moved orward by leaps and

bounds under her guidance, instruction, and

sheer hard work.

You have probably heard us say over and

over that no two days at Sims Bayou UrbanNature Center are alike, and Katerinas last day

was no exception. Katerina had planned tosimply come in and nish some work on the

computer, and then we would head o or a

long overdue lunch together as the educa-tion team. At lunch Vicki reminded us that

someone had stolen the canoe, and it was tiedup a ways down the bayou. Well, why not take

Katerina out or her rst and most denitely

last chance to paddle Sims. What ensued was

a tale o thick clay mud hillsides, mucky messes,

waterlogged canoes, crazy ants, and more mud.Find the ull drippy account in the Education

Blog on the website. At the end we were all amess but the job got done. Repo complete!

It seems like only yesterday that Katerina came

into our little nature center and started makingsuch a great impact, and as quick as she was

here, she was gone. She drove o in the rain,covered and smelling o good ol Houston bayou

mud and muck. What a way to nish! We willmiss you, Katerina!

Mark Your Calendars to Join Us orSwit Awareness Events!

Dayton: Thursday, August 27Bellaire: Tuesday, September 1

On August 5, 7-8:30 p.m., Pam Smolen will

present a ree program on Chimney Switsat the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire

to kick o our special events.

The Bellaire Swit Night Out isco-sponsored by the Nature Discovery

Center and Whole Foods Market.Well meet at 7 p.m. at the Whole Foods

parking lot at 4004 Bellaire Blvd.

Swit Night Out in Dayton begins at 7 p.m.

in the parking lot o the old rice dryer.

Visit the Swits Over Houston section o our

website or details on all events.

Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center 2009-2010 Programs



8/8

27-31 ADG Nature Explorers Summer Camp 8, ELMS

31 Bayou Buddies Reunion and Sign-up or the new year, SBUNC

(see p. 7)

August

Weekly Pershing/Whole Foods Market Swit Count on Tuesdays

Weekly Dayton Swit Count on Thursdays

3-7 HAS By the Light o the Moon Summer Camp, SBUNC

3-7 ADG Survivor Camp, ELMS

5 Chimney Swits with Pam Smolen, Nature Discovery Center(see p. 7)

8 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey

10-14 ADG X-treme Pond Camp, ELMS

15 Bolivar Bird Count

15 Willow Waterhole Survey

18 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey

20 Hawk Migration Birding Class, ELMS

22 Hawk Migration Field Trip (see p. 5)

27 Swit Night Outin Dayton (see. p. 7)

September

1 Swit Night Outin Bellaire (see p. 7)

Nonproft OrgU.S Postage

PAIDHouston, Texas.Permit No. 9349

The

NaturalistThe

Naturalist

Solicited mailTime-sensitive material

DO NOT DELAY

Address Service Requested

Houston Audubon Society440 Wilchester Boulevard

Houston, Texas 77079-7329

July/August 2009

HAS Membership Form

Bulletin Board

June

25 Introduction to Ornithology Class, ELMS (see p. 5)


30 Last Day o Houston Bird Survey

July

Weekly Pershing/Whole Foods Market Swit Count on Tuesdays

Weekly Dayton Swit Count on Thursdays

2 Introduction to Ornithology Class, ELMS

4 HAS Field Trip to the Katy Prairie (see p. 5)



11 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey

13-17 HAS Nature Detectives Summer Camp, SBUNC



18 Bolivar Bird Count

18 Willow Waterhole Survey


21 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey


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Documents

July-August 2009 Naturalist Newsletter Houston Audubon Society