Travis Audubon Society
3710 Cedar St. ,Box 5
Austin, Texas 78705

512.300.BIRD (2473)
info@travisaudubon.org

Our General Membership Meetings

We work hard to bring to you interesting, knowledgeable speakers on
birds, wildlife, and conservation topics. We also put together resources
for you to expand your knowledge on the topic; see below.


No Meetings in June, July, August. See you   
September 16th for the new membership party.

****NOTE THE NEW PERMANENT LOCATION:








September

September 16, 2010
Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter English
Topic: Physiology & Adaptation of Birds

Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization is a community
organization founded by local music attorney and birding enthusiast
Ed Fair and is comprised of over 50 birders, conservationists and
wildlife supporters.  The organization has pulled together a coalition
of partners, including Austin Parks and Recreation Department,
Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Travis Audubon Society, Native
Prairies Association of Texas, Natural Resources Conservation
Services and Austin Parks Foundation.  The coalition's sole purpose
is to restore a 40-acre tract within Commons ford Ranch Metropolitan
Park (located in west Austin) to native prairie status.  This exciting
and important project is particularly relevant given its close proximity
to a major metropolitan area.

The initial phases of the project encompass a two year period which
include removing invasive species and replacing them with native
grasses and wildflowers.  The resulting native prairies will provide
habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife.  Ed Fair will discuss the
details leading up to the project's inception including the forming of
the coalition, fundraising efforts and the specific steps and schedule
for implementation of the plan.

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park and Ed Fair are linked in the
minds and hears of Travis Audubon members.  Ed leads frequent field
trips to the park, and he claims it as his own.


Past Speakers

May 20, 2010
Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter English
Topic: Physiology & Adaptation of Birds

The best parts of birds: from physiology to mixed-species flocks in
Amazonia"

Peter English graduated from Williams College and later received his
Ph.D. in Zoology from the UT-Austin in 1998.  He has studied birds for
over 30 years and has extensive experience both as a researcher
and an ecotourism professional.  As a Watson Fellow he spent two
years working with conservation groups in Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Venezuela, and Brazil.  As a Fulbright Scholar he studied the ecology
of mixed-species bird flocks in Amazonian Ecuador.  Since 1987, Dr.
English has been a tour leader for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, a
premier bird-oriented nature tour company.  He has led approximately
150 tour groups throughout the United States and 16 other countries
in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.  He has
published articles on new bird discoveries in the Amazon Basin,
authored an audio cassette and three CDs on bird calls in Ecuador
and Peru, and spent six years as the CEO of a non-profit organization
based in Washington DC that used ecotourism lodges to support
conservation efforts in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil.  He is most
proud of his work developing the Napo Wildlife Center, which protects
80 square miles of Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, recently shown to
be the most biodiverse location on earth.  Dr. English is currently a
lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.

Drawing on decades of interest in birds and years of experience
researching them, Dr. English gave a wide-ranging talk on what he
considers the best parts of birds.  The talk moved from one
interesting topic to another, encompassing the full array of incredible
adaptations that have drawn generations of inquisitive minds towards
the study of birds.

The talk started with a survey of the physiological traits that make up
a modern bird - these included the uni-directional flow of air through a
bird’s lungs and a body temperature so high that proteins are literally
cooked each day.  Then moved on to a consider the wide array of
plumage and foraging adaptations that make birds so unique.  Finally,
we looked at the incredible behavioral adaptations of birds, including
the multi-species bird flocks that underpin the diversity of the tropics.  
These flocks are the focus of Dr. English’s research and the most
complex multi-species interactions known on Earth.  

April 15, 2010
Guest Speaker: Jim Blackburn
Topic: The Aransas Project

In the winter of 2009-2009, 28 Whooping Cranes starved to death on
their wintering grounds here in Texas.  There is a significant risk of
more starving to death this winter.  The root cause of their starvation
is the lack of adequate freshwater inflows into the bay system.  The
lack of adequate water flows into the bay causes a crash in blue
crabs, which are the primary food for the cranes.

In light of the extremely serious threat to the cranes, the board of the
Travis Audubon Society voted to join with Houston Audubon, the
International Crane Foundation, Aransas County, and other diverse
groups to seek court intervention to protect the Guadalupe River
watershed and inflows into the bay.  This effort is known as "The
Aransas Project."

Attorney Jim Blackburn is the lead attorney for The Aransas Project.  
He  briefed the TA membership on the efforts to save the cranes.  In
2004, Texas A&M Press published The Book of Texas Bays written by
Jim, with photos by renowned Houston photographer Jim Olive.  He is
an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in Environmental Law in the
Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department of Rice
University.

March 18, 2010
Guest Speaker: Dr. David Kattes
Topic: Insect Diversity

It is common knowledge that insects are an important component of
any ecosystem. Insects feed on plants, eat other insects, and serve
as food for birds and other animals. They are also important
pollinators and in the recycling of organic matter. But have you ever
really considered the diversity of these tiny creatures? In this
program, we explored the vast niches that insects occupy and
discuss how they can survive in this peril-filled world.

The program began with an overview of the importance of insects in
the food web and the interdependence of these creatures with other
organisms.  We then explored the numerous methods used by
insects to find food and to keep from becoming food themselves.

Dr. Kattes is a full professor at Tarleton State University as well as the
author of Insects of Texas; A Practical Guide, published by TAMU
Press. His current research covers a variety of topics including
insects, wildlife, native and exotic grasses throughout Texas.

February 18, 2010
Guest Speaker: Paul and Georgean Kyle
Topic: Chaetura Canyon: Preserving a small but special piece of
Central Texas

Georgean and Paul Kyle grew up in Houston, met in high school and
were married in 1969. They moved to a small canyon in northwest
Travis County in 1972. Over the next three decades they built their
house with their own hands, founded Austin’s only all wooden toy
store (Rootin’ Ridge Toymakers) in 1975, rehabilitated wildlife for 19
years, ran a U.S Fish and Wildlife Service bird-banding station for 15
years, and created the world’s only Chimney Swift observatory.  All
the while they were building trails, restoring habitat, and buying up
adjacent property as it became available.  

In 2006 they donated their house and property and the rest of their
lives to Travis Audubon creating the Chaetura Canyon Bird Sanctuary.
Located in a subdivision that was platted in the early 1970s long
before the term “Green Belt” was coined, this deep cleft that drains
into the Colorado River just below Mansfield Dam is home to more
than 30 nesting avian species.

Today, TAS members can enjoy Chaetura Canyon by participating in
educational workshops, taking guided tours of the trail system,
watching Chimney Swifts raising their young via live video feeds,
attending various fundraising dinners and other special events. We
joined the Kyles for a presentation about their remarkable 40-year
journey to their current status as Sanctuary Stewards and the
creation of this jewel in the TAS sanctuary system.

January 21, 2010
Guest Speaker: Prof. Robin Doughty
Topic: What bird is that?

Robin Doughty asked a very simple question: “What bird is That?”
Robin provided answers given by painters and poets, and illustrate
and read from art and literature that explores our relationship with
birds in
unusual and interesting ways.

Robin Doughty is a faculty member in the Department Geography
and the Environment at the University of Texas, Austin. He has
written a number of books and articles about wildlife conservation,
especially related to birds, and remains committed to promoting
concerns for wildlife diversity and habitat protection both in North
America and elsewhere.
--------------------------------------

no December meeting

----------

November 19th, 2009
Guest Speaker: Jim Hailey
Topic: Birds in Alaska

The talk featured photos taken from the trips he led in Alaska each
year for the Texas Ornithological Society.  Jim Hailey has been
leading these trip for the past 5 years.  It focused on birds but also
had shots of animals and the beautiful scenery there.  He also had a
short portion focusing on the TOS and what it does.

Jim Hailey is a retired business man.  His last position was as CEO for
a company with 100 + employees and 5 locations.  He has also been
an adjunct Professor at TAMU--Kingsville for the past 10 years.  Hailey
has 25 years of teaching history experience and a MS from Texas A &
I University as well as an ABD from Texas A&M University in History --
his field is Texas History.  As for birding, he has been President of the
Monte Mucho Audubon Society for the past 7 Years, served a 3 year
term on the board of Texas Audubon and is currently Vice President
of the TOS and Field Trip Director.  He has been an active (actually
fanatical) birder since 1990.  Hailey is married to Ermine (a half-day
birder) and recently moved from our ranch in South Texas to
Georgetown where they now reside.  Hailey is currently enrolled in the
Texas Master Naturalist program in College Station and on the
steering committee to form a TMN chapter in Williamson County.  He
continues to teach internet courses for TAMUK.  His hobbies are
birding, hiking, nature photography and travel.  


October 15, 2009
Guest Speaker: Lynn Barber
Topic: An ABA Big Year

Lynn Barber talked about and showed pictures from her  “ABA Big      
Year” adventure that began in Rockport, Texas in January 2008.
During that year, she sought birds from Alaska and California to
Newfoundland and Florida, plus many places in between, including
Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota. She tallied 723
different species of birds in the continental United States and Canada
(the ABA area) that year, before ending in Arizona.

Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in several states including
Alaska, Oregon, North Carolina and Texas. In 2005, she broke
the previous record for the most bird species seen in Texas
during a single year. When she’s not birding, she is a registered
patent attorney in solo practice in Fort Worth, Texas. She has a
Ph.D. in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and a J.D. from Duke University Law School. Currently, Lynn is
the President of the Texas Ornithological Society, and Treasurer
and Past President of the Fort Worth Audubon Society. She is
an avid photographer and maintains her own birding web site, where
you can see some of her photos.

September 17, 2009
Guest Speaker: Jim deVries
Topic: The Birds of Australia

As an amateur photographer and avid birder, Jim with his wife Karol,
now in their retirement years travel the world for birds. Jim shared
some of the amazing birds he photographed in October of 2007 with
Victor Emanuel Nature Tour Guides Dion Hobcroft and Susan Myers.  
These amazing guides took them all over the central and eastern part
of Australia. This fascinating country has a lot of biodiversity.  They
travelled to the cool green surrounds of the Sydney area, to the hot
humid lush steamy tropical Top End in the Northern Territory and
Queensland, and to the semiarid mulga shrubs, mallee and sand
dunes of the centre of the country.

Adding to the wonderful variety of birds in these various habitats are
the exciting and interesting areas visited.  Hattah Lakes, Deniliquin, O’
Reillys, Kingfisher Park, Mt Lewis and Molloy, Quaid Dam, Daintree
River, Cairns Esplanade, Cassowary House, Michaelmas Cay,
Centennial gardens, Royal National park, Katoomba, the Blue
Mountains, Capertee Valley, Palmerston Sewage Treatment Ponds,  
Fogg Dam, Nourlangie, Bardedjilidji, Cooinda, Mataranka, Edith falls,
Katherine, MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, just to
name a few.

Over 200 species were shown.  A handout was provided listing the
species, families, where the photograph was taken, endemics, size
and wingspan both metric and non-metric.


May, 21, 2009
Guest Speaker:  Adrian Binns
Topic:  Watching East Africa's Unique Wildlife

Whether he's leading birding trips around the globe or presenting
programs to local clubs, Adrian brings passion, enthusiasm and
humor to all experiences.  Raised in Morocco and educated in
England, Adrian's diverse background and interests led him to
southeastern Pennsylvania where he worked in ecological landscape
design and began leading eco-tours for a variety of organizations.  
Now the Field Director for Wildside Nature Tours, Adrian leads groups
to experience birds and other wildlife in many different countries.   
Adrian has served as past president of the Delaware Valley
Ornithological Club (DVOC), one of the oldest bird clubs in the country,
and was part of many winning Nikon/DVOC World Series of Birding
Teams.  He is currently a member of Nikon's Birding ProStaff.  Adrian
is an accomplished avian illustrator and well-published photographer,
as well as a popular speaker and field trip leader at birding festivals.

Watching East Africa's Unique Wildlife

From the savannahs of Kenya to Uganda's rainforest, from the
Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania to the lakes in the Rift Valley, the
abundant display of wildlife in East Africa is unparalleled. With such a
large concentration of both mammals and avian species it is not
surprising that a number of different inter-actions and relationships
can be found between them. We explored some of these unique
relationships and took a look at some of the 14 (of 16 African)
endemic avian families that East Africa hosts.

April 16, 2009
Guest Speaker:  Wayne H. McAlister
Topic:  Paddling the Guadalupe

For more than forty years, Wayne H. McAlister has canoed the
Guadalupe River, sometimes called the "top recreational river in
Texas." In his talk, based on his book Paddling the Guadalupe, Wayne
described and showed slides of the 400-mile river whose waters
spring from the limestone of the Hill Country in Kerr County, meander
across the broad Coastal Plain, and finally empty into the Gulf of
Mexico at San Antonio Bay.

Wayne introduced his audience to the places, people, plants, and
animals--large and small, aquatic and terrestrial--that depend on the
Guadalupe for either their livelihoods or their existence. He  also
discussed the development and consequences of  human activity
along the river's course, from the headwaters west of Kerrville to its
mouth near Tivoli, just east of Refugio. His love of the natural world
enhances anyone's knowledge of the Guadalupe, from experienced
birders to canoers and  family vacationers.

Wayne H. McAlister was born in Cuero in 1935 and grew up mostly on
the family ranch near Cuero. After schooling in Cuero, he went to UT
Austin for BA, MS and PhD in Zoology. He is married to Martha and
they have two grown daughters.

Wayne spent 2 years as Instructor at Universtiy of Chicago, but
decided the big city didn't suit and returned to be an Instructor in
Biology at Victoria College. After 30 years he retired from the college
to take on the job of Environmental Education Specialist with US Fish
& Wildlife Service, developing a program for Matagorda Island NWR.

After 10 great years on the island, other aspects of life beckoned and
he retired, again. He now lives on the family land where he grew up,
on the Guadalupe River near Thomaston, spending many hours just as
he did as a boy, walking around the place observing wild things. He
spends many more hours working on identifying plants and animals.

All those years teaching and observing Nature qualifies Dr. McAlister
as a WGA, a World's Greatest Authority on Texas outdoors, and
especially around the coastal area. In addition to lab manuals for his
classes, including Trees of Victoria, he has written Guidebook to the
Aransas NWR, A Naturalist's Guide to Matagorda Island, Life on
Matagorda Island and Paddling the Guadalupe, published in June 2008
by Texas A&M Univ Press.

March 19, 2009
Guest Speaker: Jim Giocomo
Topic: Bird Habitat Joint Ventures in Texas: Partnerships for Habitat
Conservation

Jim’s presentation introduced the new habitat Joint Venture (JV), the
Oaks and Prairies JV, and how Joint Ventures brings new
opportunities for cooperation among conservation groups to help
focus scarce conservation resources.  Joint Ventures are regional,
self-directed partnerships of government and nongovernmental
organizations, corporations and individuals that work across
administrative boundaries to deliver science-based conservation,
focusing on bird populations. JVs work in support of national and
international conservation plans by helping step the larger plans
down to regional or landscape scales, and are organized by
landscape areas with similar communities, habitats, and resource
issues called Bird Conservation Regions.  

In Texas, two new Joint Ventures recently formed to bring the total
number of JVs in North America to 18, covering most of the United
States and parts of Canada and Mexico.  The Oaks and Prairies Joint
Venture covers almost 60 million acres of Texas and Oklahoma,
basically running from San Antonio, TX to Tulsa, OK, including the
Post Oak Savanna, Blackland Prairies, Cross Timbers, and the
Edwards Plateau.

JVs focus on a broad spectrum of activities including “on the ground”
projects like habitat protection and restoration as well as landscape
scale conservation planning, outreach, monitoring and research, and
they raise money for these activities through partner contributions
and grants.  Joint Ventures will bring new opportunities for
cooperation among conservation groups to help focus scarce
conservation resources.

Jim Giocomo has been the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture
Coordinator working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
since 2007.  Jim has done research and monitoring of bird
productivity in forest and grassland settings since 1992. His work
focused on Ovenbirds in Pennsylvania (at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary),
and Henslow’s Sparrows in Tennessee and Kentucky (at Fort
Campbell Army Base working in the drop zones used for training by
the 101st Airborne Division).  Jim received a BS in Biology from
Millersville University in Pennsylvania, an MS in Ecology from the
Pennsylvania State University, and a PhD in Natural Resources from
the University of Tennessee in 2005

.February 19, 2009
Victor Emanuel
Topic:  Bird Tours of the World

Victor’s presentation described over 30 years of bird tour leading,
how his company, VENT (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours), got started,
and some memorable moments along the way.  VENT is the largest
company in the world specializing in birding tours.  VENT has played a
pioneer role in helping develop ecotourism and is a strong advocate
of supporting local conservation organizations.

Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 60 years ago at the age of
eight.  His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas
of concentration being Texas, Arizona, Mexico, Panama, and Peru.  He
is the founder and compiler for 50 years of the record-breaking
Freeport Christmas Bird Count, and served a term as president of the
Texas Ornithological Society.  Birds and natural history have been a
major focus throughout his life.  He derives great pleasure from
seeing and hearing birds.

Speaker:  Ted Lee Eubanks
Topic:  Faces of flight – Birds of the Upper Texas Coast

Ted’s presentation covered aspects of the avifauna as outlined in his
two books (copies will be available).   He described the impacts of
Hurricane Ike, and what we can expect as a recovery over the next
severa years.

Ted Lee Eubanks, currently residing in Austin and Galveston, received
a BA in Journalism from the University of Houston in 1978, and since
1984 has been involved in the founding and development of a series of
businesses.  Eubanks founded Fermata  in 1992, and since that time
has been engaged in studying and promoting experiential tourism and
outdoor recreation as sustainable approaches to community
revitalization and conservation.

Eubanks frequently speaks and conducts workshops on nature-
based tourism and its economic potential for communities, agencies,
and landholders.  Eubanks addresses state tourism conferences,
wildlife meetings, and economic development forums.  Eubanks’
natural history writings and photographs are widely published.  His
books, published by Texas A&M press, include Birdlife of Houston,
Galveston, and the Upper Texas Coast, coauthored with Bob
Behrstock and Ron Weeks, and Finding Birds on the Great Texas
Coastal Birding Trail, coauthored with Bob Behrstock and Seth
Davidson.

Robin Doughty
The Whooping Crane

A very Texan Bird, given its status fifty years ago, North America's
tallest and most iconic bird, the Whooping Crane has staged a
remarkable comeback.

A whole range of efforts from bird laws and habitat preserves to
hands-on experiments in breeding, transplanting, and releasing birds
into the wild has counteracted the hunting and killing trophies that
brought the great white crane to the brink of extinction.  The US Fish
and Wildlife Service continues to dedicate time an effort into saving
the Whooping Crane from extinction.  Robin Doughty detailed these
efforts through his research and experiences with these birds that
resulted in his book, and updated and explained recent moves to
return birds to their former ranges within the US.

Robin Doughty is a faculty member in the Department of Geography
and the Environment at the University of Texas, Austin.  He has written
a number of books and articles about wildlife conservation, especially
related to birds, and remains committed to promoting concerns for
wildlife diversity and habitat protection both in North America and
elsewhere.

Bob Petersen
Images for Conservation Fund
Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance

Images for Conservation Fund (ICF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization,
creates sustainable development of rural economies through the
establishment and prosperity of the Private Lands Nature Photo
Tourism Industry. Ninety-four percent of Texas land and 90% of the
Western Hemisphere is privately owned.  ICF photo tournaments,
programs and economic incentives encourage private landowners to
restore, preserve and enhance wildlife habitat.  The inaugural Pro-
tour photography tournament was held in the Texas Hill country in
April 2006.  The second Pro-tour event was recently complete in April
of 2008 in the Texas Coastal Bend region.  

The Texas Hill Country Nature Photography Alliance is a group of
conservation minded landowners who have opened their ranches up
to guests for the purpose of nature photography, bird watching and
eco-tourism.  All member ranches were participants in the ICF  2006
Pro-tour of nature photography and continue to promote the Texas Hill
Country region as a destination for Nature Photographers.

Mr. Petersen presented an overview of these two organizations and
the important role that private landowners play in conservation.  The
presentation was filled with magnificent images take by the
professional photographers that participated in the ICF 2006 Pro-tour.

Mr. Petersen has spent 25 years in the high tech industry.  He holds B.
S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University-
Carbondale.  He has held numerous development and executive
positions in the aerospace, robotics and computer industries, most
recently with Dell Computer Corporation.

An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Mr. Petersen has been a
supporter and member of numerous environmental causes and
organizations over the years.  Mr. Petersen is Vice-Chairman of the
Images for Conservation Fund, served as chairman of the 2006 ICF
Pro-Tour of nature photography.  Mr. Petersen serves on the Texas
advisory board for The Environmental Defense Fund, the advisory
board for the Texas State University Freeman Ranch and the advisory
board for The Hill Country Alliance.  Mr. Petersen is the founder and
serves as President of The Texas Hill Country Nature Photography
Alliance.  

Mr. Petersen owns a ranch in central Texas where he has been
focusing his conservation efforts on managing the ranch and
restoring its habitat to benefit of endangered species and other
wildlife native to central Texas.  

Mr. Petersen believes that the future of conservation is dependent
upon the activities of private landowners and has been working to
educate landowners and the public about conservation activities
taking place on private lands.  He is very interested in developing
opportunities for landowners to manage their properties for the
benefit to wildlife while also generating income from those activities
to sustain the habitat over the long term.

Kitty Coley
The Galapagos

Kitty Coley is the perfect naturalist to talk about the Galapagos, a  
unique archipelago  through which she has led more than 20
expeditions.  She has been photographing, diving, snorkeling and
hiking throughout the islands since 2001. Trained as a geologist,
Kitty's knowledge of volcanoes combined with her love of nature and
ornithology make her knowledgeable about  the volcanoes, birds,
and marine mammals of these remarkable islands. She is an
enthusiastic lecturer who took us on a stunning and informative
photo tour of the Galapagos, in September's opening lecture to the
2008/09 Audubon program year.

As a geologist, naturalist, and avid birder, Kitty Coley has been
leading and teaching on expeditions since the mid-90’s.  Working
with National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Victor Emanuel Nature
Tours, among others, Kitty has led more than 80 expeditions --
spending extensive time in remote rain forests and rugged geologic
settings around the world. Her love of nature has led to exploration
through scuba diving, backpacking, white-water and sea kayaking,
and biking. Kitty is an enthusiastic teacher, an experienced observer
and an excellent lecturer.

Dr. Andrew Kasner
State of the Birds:  Audubon Texas Bird Conservation Programs
May 15, 2008

Dr. Kasner gave an overview of the Audubon State of the Birds reports
and the new Audubon Watchlist, and also spoke about our Texas bird
conservation programs, spending most of the time on the Important
Bird Areas Program.

Dr. Andrew C. Kasner is Director of Bird Conservation and Deputy
Director for Audubon Texas.  He obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees in
Biology from Angelo State University and Ph.D. in Wildlife and
Fisheries Sciences from Texas A & M University.  He has conducted
research on freshwater fishes in West Texas, ecology and natural
history of shorebirds and waterbirds, and ecology and conservation
of endangered Interior Least Terns in Texas.  While on the biology
faculty at Lamar University, he taught courses such as ornithology
and marine biology and directed student research on passerines,
waterbirds, and shrimp.  In his current role with Audubon, Dr. Kasner
directs the on-the-ground conservation efforts of Audubon Texas,
focusing on their Coastal Stewardship Program, Quail and Grassland
Birds Initiative, and Important Bird Areas program. In addition, he
continues to collaborate on research and management efforts on
colonial waterbirds, shorebirds, grassland birds, and endangered
species such as Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler.

Kevin Connally
Sr. Environmental Resource Management Specialist Travis County
Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
April 17, 2008

"The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve: A Community-Based
Conservation Model"

Travis County and the City of Austin recognized by the early 1980's
that our region's unique rugged beauty was home not only to a vibrant
and rapidly growing center of higher education, medical
advancement, technological innovation, a rapidly diversifying
economic engine and the seat of state government, but also to a host
of plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. In order to
ensure the continued strength of the local economy while protecting
the area's unique native wildlife, the Balcones Canyonlands
Conservation Plan (or BCCP) was created.

The BCCP is a US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act
permit jointly-held by the City of Austin and Travis County.  The Plan
provides a quick and efficient pathway for the permit holders and
private landowners to comply with federal law and mitigate for
impacts that their land use practices may have on protected species.
In exchange for local management of the mitigation process, USFWS
required that 30,428 acres of habitat and a number of unique cave
features and rare plants be set aside and managed in perpetuity as
the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.

The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (or BCP) protects 8 endangered
species, including the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped
vireo, as well as 27 species of concern throughout 7 watersheds in
western Travis County.  The BCP preserves a unique cross section of
the flora and fauna along the Balcones Escarpment of the Edward's
Plateau and strives to maintain functioning ecosystems by managing
for the  benefit of all our native vertebrates, invertebrates and plants,
regardless of their regulatory status.

Today, almost 28,000 acres (including Travis Audubon Society's
Baker Sanctuary) have been set aside to create the BCP for the
benefit of our unique native wildlife. Thousands of visitors each year
have the opportunity to visit and learn about the natural treasure in
our collective backyard. Volunteers annually dedicate thousands of
hours to  maintaining and restoring the different habitats found in the
BCP. Students from elementary grades to graduate schools visit and
explore the preserve each year. The BCP Hike and Lecture Series
provides monthly guided hikes with the managers of the BCP as well
as opportunities for the public to delve into the issues related to
managing wild lands from some of the leading experts in the field of
conservation throughout the year.

Perhaps most importantly, national attention is being focused on the
model of community-based conservation that seeks to balance a
heathy economy with healthy ecosystems that was created right here
is Austin by the BCP.

Biographic info:

Travis County's Senior Environmental Resource Manager Kevin
Connallyl spoke at the April Membership Meeting about the history
and current status of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. As the
very first multi-species regional Habitat Conservation Plan in the
nation, the BCP forged a model that is being emulated and tailored to
meet the needs of communities across the country.

Kevin spoke about the "Funnel Effect", described how the Lone Star
State is changing right before our eyes, and discussed how local
efforts are working to save what National Audubon has described as
one of the nation's "10 Most Endangered Birds": the Golden-cheeked
Warbler.

For more about the BCP, see Travis County's website at:
Travis County.  

Kevin Connally has been working on land management and natural
resource issues for eighteen years, and has been dedicated to the
Balcones Canyonlands Preserve since 2001. His previous resource
management experience includes time with the Nature Conservancy
in remote west Texas, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
performing salmon and steelhead research in Hell's Canyon and
working to restore declining fisheries on the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Kevin
is a member of the Travis Audubon Society and the Wildlife Society
and uses his time as a TPWD-certified Master Hunter Education
Instructor to forge a wider conservation consciousness among
current and future generations of
Texans. When not scrambling around in remote corners of hidden
wilderness chasing fish or watching birds, he is often found
volunteering his time to engage the public in wildlife and conservation
issues.


Dr. Wayne H. McAlister
March 20, 2008

MATAGORDA ISLAND--an Enchanting Ribbon of Sand.

Matagorda Island is not pristine but it retains much of its natural  
aura: royal terns and brown pelicans loaf on the beach, sheepshead  
killifish dart amid stalks of smooth cordgrass in the bayside  
shallows, wands of sea oats wave over the sand dunes and ghost
crabs  scuttle across the sand. The routine number and diversity of
birds  rises to a veritable plethora during spring and fall migration.  
Although it is not really disjunct from the rest of the world, the island
is an isolated, discrete ecosystem. It has a well-defined  
edge, a topography absolutely dominated by the whim of the Gulf of  
Mexico and a select cadre of well-adapted creatures forced into tight
alliance by the unforgiving barrer environment. A visit to the island  
is a lesson in ecology, a rare delight at experiencing a wild place  
still wild, a chance to release and indulge yourself and always, in  
one way or another, an adventure.  At your March meeting they took a
photo tour of the island to whet your appetite for a scheduled  
visit on  April 12th.

Dr. Wayne H. McAlister is a retired instructor in biology at Victoria  
College who took a position as environmental education specialist  
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was stationed on  
Matagorda Island from 1993-2003. He and Martha immediately fell
under  the trance of their barrier island home.While leading field  
excursions with visiting groups they learned many of the island's  
secrets, some of which they reveal in Life on Matagorda Island.  The
McAlisters now live near Victoria. When the opportunity arises they  
still enjoy returning to Matagorda to guide tours and renew ties.

February 21, 2008
Speaker:  Steve Shunk
Where the woodpeckers are:
Woodpecker distribution in Texas, and Beyond

Texas hosts over half of the North American woodpecker species at
some time of year, and ten species breed regularly in the state. Owing
to its immense land area, many Texas woodpecker populations
occupy distantly separated eco-regions, with only the East Texas
Pineywoods supporting a broad diversity of nesting species. How did
the different species get where they are today, and what adaptations
have they acquired that restrict them to certain habitats?

Oregon naturalist and woodpecker specialist Steve Shunk mapped
out Texas woodpeckers and shed light on their unique natural
histories and behaviors. Steve discussed prehistoric and current
distribution in Texas and beyond, as well as hybridization and range
fluctuations occurring in the state.

For the last 10 years, Steve Shunk has studied woodpeckers on the
east slope of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and across the continent,
and he is nearing completion of the Peterson Reference Guide to
Woodpeckers of North America. Steve leads birding tours across
western North America through his company, Paradise Birding, and
he coordinates bird surveys for various agencies and organizations
from his home base in Central Oregon. Steve co-founded the East
Cascades Bird Conservancy and served as its first President. He also
co-founded the Oregon Birding Trails program and coordinated its
flagship project, the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail.

January 17, 2008
Speaker:  Steve Holt
Winter and spring in the Rio Grande Valley

Climbing a giant redwood, getting licked by a Brazilian tapir and
slogging through waist-deep mud are just part of the job for Steve
Holt.  Steve started his professional photography career when he
lived in Austin just over 20 years ago. He received his degree in
wildlife management from the University of Maryland, and to this day,
he remains broadly focused on wildlife, threats to the natural
environment and constructive solutions to environmental problems.  
He has photographed in Ecuador the Caribbean, Mexico, New Zealand
Australia and New Guinea as well as every state in the
Union and most in Canada.  His photographs have been published
internationally by TV networks, newspapers and magazines, including
ABC, Audubon, BBC Wildlife, Birder's World, Defenders, Discover,
Environment, International Wildlife, Ranger Rick, Scientific American,
Sierra, the New York Times, and many others.  He has been sole
photographer for three children's books and his photographs have
been exhibited at numerous museums, including the Academy of
Natural Sciences, the Field Museum and the Smithsonian Institution.
Steve lives in the Southern Coast Range of Oregon with his wife and
"too damn many cats".

Steve showed his stunning images of birds and wildlife of the Rio
Grande Valley and talked about the great places to go in the valley to
see its specialties for yourselves.  He also discussed the history of
the Valley's habitat and the present wildly contradictory impulses in
federal policy of increasing habitat connectivity and installing border
fences. We saw a mix of migrants and native specialties of the Rio
Grande Valley.

Steve visits the Valley often, and he and his wife have entered the
Valley Land Fund Contest three times.   He won first place for Deer in
the most recent VLF contest.  We viewed a broad range of wildlife
photos from snakes and scorpions to deer and a broad variety of
birds.

For more information on Steve Holt, go to Stock Pix

November 15, 2007
Sonia Ortiz El Cielo, a Model for Sustainable Development through
Birding In Tamaulipas, Mexico

Ms. Ortiz spoke about El Cielo Biosphere Reserve located in the State
of Tamaulipas in northeast Mexico, the northernmost cloud forest in
the American Continent.  This reserve is important not only because
of its richness in biodiversity, but also for its role as a major
watershed.  Ms. Ortiz told the story of sustainable development
through nature tourism efforts carried out in the area since 2003,
including the training of local birding and butterfly watching guides
and the festivals that are held every year in El Cielo.    Her
presentation included pictures of the beautiful landscape and some of
the most representative birds, including endemics such as Altamira
Yellowthroat and Bronze-winged Woodpecker.  Ms. Ortiz was born
and raised in Monterrey, Mexico.  She received her chemistry degree
from the University of Colorado in 1983.  Since 1996 she has been
actively involved in conservation and sustainable development
projects throughout Northeast Mexico such as the Kemp’s Ridley Sea
Turtle Recovery Team and Laguna Madre’s Management Plan.  She is
founder and President of Gestoria Mexicana de Turismo Sustentable
A.C.  She is the author of Tamaulipas Birding and Butterfly Map, and is
currently working, as a co-author, on Northeast Mexico Birding Guide,
to be published in 2008.


October 18, 2007 Greg Lasley Birds and Other Wildlife of the Prairie
Grasslands

Greg presented images taken on a trip he took in June, 2007, from
west Texas to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Montana to
photograph some prairie nesting birds.  Some of the nesting bird
species included Burrowing Owl, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah
Sparrow, Baird’s Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Chestnut-collared
Longspur, Lazuli Bunting, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Wilson’
s Phalarope, Short-eared Owl, Eared Grebe, both Clark’s and Western
Grebe and others.  Also included were images of the rare and elusive
Swift Fox and an American Badger.  Greg first pointed a camera at a
bird in 1971, a Horned Lark at Great Salt Lake, Utah, while he was in
the U.S. Air Force.  By 1976, as a novice, but enthusiastic bird-
watcher, he became interested in documenting appearances of rare
birds by photographing and tape-recording them.  From the late 1970s
until the late 1980s, most of Greg's wildlife photography focused on
documenting rarities and obtaining slides of birds to illustrate his
lectures for Audubon Societies or other nature-oriented groups. In
1988, Greg took some photos of the Golden-cheeked Warbler, an
endangered species which nests only in Texas. One of these photos
was published on the cover of a birding guide-book, which led to other
requests to publish Greg's bird photos. In the next several years many
of Greg's photos were published in Texas Highways Magazine, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Magazine, American Birds, Wildlife Conservation,
and a few of other publications. After these initial publication
successes, Greg became more serious about his photography. Over
the next few years he continually upgraded his camera equipment,
developed the skills necessary to become a good wildlife
photographer, and traveled the state of Texas and much of the United
States photographing birds. Through the 1990s, hundreds of his
photos found their way into various publications.    In 2000, Greg,
along with Larry Ditto of McAllen, Texas, a fellow photographer and
friend, entered the Valley Land Fund Wildlife Photo Contest as
partners. The contest is a six-month-long wildlife photo competition in
far south Texas.  Participants included more than 100 other
accomplished photographers from around the country. Greg and
Larry spent long hours on a single piece of land, working to capture
wildlife images in 50 different categories. This contest forced Greg
out of his "photographic comfort zone" of birds and into the world of
spiders, dragonflies, mammals, and other types of wildlife. Greg and
Larry won first place in this prestigious contest in 2000 and finished
third in 2002. Since then Greg has continued to branch out with his
photography, finding new subjects at which to aim a lens. Dragonflies
and damselflies have been a favorite subject for him in recent years,
however birds are still a prime focus as well. Greg's photo credits
now exceed 2000 published images in more than 100 books and
different magazines. Please see Greg's photo image use page for a
listing of these publication credits.

Greg spent 25 years in law enforcement, retiring from the Austin
Police Department in 1997 as a lieutenant. From 1997 through early
2005 he divided his time between photographing wildlife and leading
bird-watching trips over much of the western hemisphere for Victor
Emanuel Nature Tours. He had also led trips for VENT part-time from
1985 to 1997. In March, 2005, Greg decided to take a sabbatical from
regular tour leading and now concentrates on photography and other
wildlife pursuits. He still leads occasional trips for Victor Emanuel
Nature Tours (VENT). His photos appear regularly in a variety of nature
and wildlife-oriented books and magazines. He and his wife, Cheryl
Johnson, reside in Austin, Texas.

September 20, 2007
Lynn Barber
Great Big Year of Texas Birding

Lynn Barber spoke about the highlights of her record-breaking Texas
Big Year in 2005 and will show pictures of some of the birds seen and
the sites visited. During that year, she drove more than 90,000 miles
and observed 522 bird species in Texas. Her quest, in a year with a
remarkable influx of birds from the south, took her to practically every
nook, canyon, forest, and beach in Texas.

Lynn has been a birdwatcher/birder since she was seven years old,
and has birded across much of the United States and in many other
countries. She has given many talks about her birding travels, and
since her big year in 2005, she has spoken to many groups about the
experience. She has also taught a number of courses in beginning
birding at local colleges.

She was born in Wisconsin and has lived in Alaska, Oregon, North
Carolina and, since 2000, Texas. She is a registered patent attorney in
solo practice in Fort Worth.  She has a Ph.D. in bacteriology from the
University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a JD from Duke University Law
School (1985).  She has been active in local Audubon organizations
for many years, and is currently president elect of the Texas
Ornithological Society and past-president of the Fort Worth Audubon
Society.

Information about birds she saw in her big year and a few pictures of
them, as well bird lists for some of the other years since she’s been
in Texas can be found at www.lynnbarber.com

Thursday, May 17, 2007
Jeffrey Green and David Bamberger

"Award-winning author Jeffrey Greene provides a portrait, by turns
lyrical and provocative, of J. David Bamberger’s unlikely transform-
ation from first, a vacuum cleaner salesman, then co-founder and
CEO of Church’s Fried Chicken, to a locally and internationally
recognized conservationist. In fact, Greene tells two integrally related
stories: the evolution of one man’s business sense, applying profit
incentives to land restoration and nature conservancy; and the
creation of a Texas Hill Country preserve where he effectively
demonstrates his own principles, prevailing over skeptics.”
- From the book jacket of Water from Stone.

Jeffrey Green received his PhD from the University of Houston. He is
the author of the memoir French Spirits, appearing in nine countries,
and three collections of poetry. He is the winner of the Discovery/  The
Nation Award and the Randall Jarrell Prize and has been supported by
the National Endowment for the Arts, the Connecticut Commission on
the Arts, and the Rinehart Fund.
Texas conservationist J. David Bamberger will speak about his work
and his ranch, which is open to visitors for selected tours,
educational workshops, and field days. Bamberger bought what he
describes as “the sorriest piece of land in Blanco County” and spent
decades restoring the ecological balance of 5,500 acres that had
been virtually destroyed by more than a century of misuse. Naming
his preserve Selah, from the Old Testament term meaning “pause
and reflect,” Bamberger dedicates himself and his resources to
protecting species and educating school children, conservation
groups, government officials, and everyone else who will listen to his
central message: We must take care of the earth, and anyone can
help. David and his wife, Margaret, have received many awards, and
he has been featured in The New Yorker, in Audubon, and on CNN and
network news. Copies of Water from Stone will be available for
signing and purchase at the meeting.

__________________________

Thursday, April 19, 2007
Dwight Wilson
Exploring Nature through Tracks and Sign

Have you ever wondered who left those footprints in the mud or what
prompted a robin's alarm call? Dwight Wilson will share his
experiences exploring nature through reading the tracks and signs
that are left behind. He will share personal stories and photographs.
Learn how birds lend an amazing element to tracking because they
vocalize what is going on in the forest floor. It is possible for you to
understand the signs that nature gives and add a new dimension to
your outdoor experiences.
Dwight Wilson has over 20 years of tracking experience with wildlife
and humans, and has trained with Charles Worsham, Paul Rezendes,
Stanley Liston, Nate Kempton, Jon Young’s Wilderness Awareness
School, and Tom Brown’s Tracker School. He has been asked to
provide his services for the National Park Service, Texas law
enforcement officers, and the Dallas FBI (ERT). He also gives classes
on wildlife tracking and behavior, land navigation, and wilderness
survival.  

From the TAS office on nature tracking:
On-line resources:
www.princeton.edu/~oa/nature/tracking.shtml  The Outdoor Action
program at Princeton University, this site includes a section on
animal tracking with very detailed guides, instructions, tracking
cards, and more.
www.bear-tracker.com/birds.html This commercial site features bird
tracks including excellent images of 16 species’ tracks. It also has
sections on tracks of many mammals, some reptiles, and other
animals.
On-line for kids:
www.concord.org/~btinker/guide/tracks/tracks_activities.html
From the Concord Consortium, a nonprofit educational organization,
a set of interactive activities and “lessons” that teach tracking and
will definitely appeal to kids.

Recommended reading:
  • Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore
Walking by Jim Arnosky (HarperCollins, 2002)
  • Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species by
Mark Elbroch (Stackpole Books, 2003)
  • Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks: Third Edition, by Peterson
Field Guides (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)
  • Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and
Signs by Paul Rezendes (Collins, 1999)

__________________________

Thursday, March 15, 2007
Mike Leggett, Austin American-Statesman
Birding in a Hunting World

Leggett will be talking about bird watching in a hunting world. He
writes, "I've come to appreciate birds more and more over the years
and they add a dimension to hunting that makes it that much more
enjoyable for me. Birding and hunting are compatible in any number of
ways and we'll talk about how that works and how it could work even
better."  He will also present a short slide show of wildlife photos. he
has taken during hunting trips.

Mike Leggett has been Outdoor Writer at Austin American-Statesman
since 1985. Prior to that he was a news editor at the Houston Post
and managing editor at Huntsville Item and Marshall News
Messenger. Leggett has received Associated Press Managing Editors
and Sports Editors awards for column writing, environmental stories
on endangered species and canned hunting, and Dallas Press Club
awards for stories on Texas Parks and Wildlife. He lives in Burnet
County with wife Rana and three dogs.

__________________________

Thursday, February 15, 2007
Richard Donovan, Texas Committee on Natural Resources
Paddling the Wild Neches

This talk and slide presentation chronicles Donovan's 235-mile canoe
trip down the Neches River from U. S. 175, just northwest of
Jacksonville, downriver to B. A. Steinhagan Lake. The purpose of the
24-day camping trip was to call attention to the natural beauty of the
area that threads the very heart of the Central Flyway and to create an
awareness of the great variety of birds and animals that inhabit the
water and the hardwood bottomland forest along the river's trace.
Donovan writes, "I was totally surprised at the abundance and variety
of the birds and animals that crossed in the front of the canoe each
day. I was also surprised at the wildness, remoteness, and beauty
that still exist along much of the Neches bottomland forest."

A Texas native, Donovan chairs the Texas Committee on Natural
Resources' Forest Task Force. His book, Paddling the Wild Neches,
published in May 2006 by Texas A&M University Press, is now in its
2nd printing. The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club awarded him
the Evelyn R. Edens Award, and the National Wildlife Federation
named him a Conservation Hero for his efforts to protect the Neches
and the 200 species of trees, 300 species of birds, 50 species of
animals and countless species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles that
live in the river and its bottomland hardwood habitat.

__________________________

Thursday, November 16, 2006
Mark McClelland, TAS Member
Birding Panama's Canopy Lodge and Canopy Tower

TAS members Mark and Teri McClelland spent 10 days at Canopy
Tower and Canopy Lodge this past January (2006), and took hundreds
of digital and digi-scoped photos of the accommodations,
surroundings, plants, insects, reptiles, mammals, and (mostly!) birds.
Panama is a wonderful destination for tropical birding, and Canopy
Tower is the country’s top birding location. Canopy Lodge was newly
opened at the time of their visit, but is quickly becoming a top birding
destination as well. Mark’s presentation will focus on the various
habitats visited during their stay, and the birds and other treasures
located in those areas. He’ll also discuss accommo-dations at the
Tower and Lodge, the guides, the food, and anything else that
potential visitors might be interested in exploring. Mark has lived in
central Texas since 1968, and became interested in birding at the age
of 20. He has taken nearly all of the TAS birding classes, and has led
field trips to Bastrop and Pedernales Falls. Their trip to Panama was
the third tropical birding trip taken by Mark and Teri. They had
previously visited and birded Trinidad/Tobago and Belize.

_________________________

Thursday, October 19, 2006
Alicia Craig, American Bird Conservancy
The Mexican Grasslands Project

Alicia Craig will talk about an area, located near the city of Saltillo in
northern Mexico, that is a biologically rich grassland owned by private
individuals and communities, and is threatened by conversion to
potato farming. The Saltillo Savannas comprise a patchwork of key
grassland sites maintained as shortgrass prairie by the grazing of the
endangered Mexican prairie dog. Several migratory bird species of
conservation concern are dependent on these grasslands, including
globally significant concentrations of the Mountain Plover (11% of the
global population) and Long-billed Curlew (15% of the global
population). The endangered Worthen’s Sparrow has its global
stronghold in the area. Other priority birds in the area include
Burrowing Owls, Sprague’s Pipits, and Ferruginous Hawks. The
presentation includes photographs of these key bird species and the
significance of the conservation work in the area.
Alicia Frances Craig is Director of the Bird Conservation Alliance for
the American Bird Conservancy. The Bird Conservation Alliance is a
network of organizations whose focus is the conservation, study, and
observation of birds. More information about the Mexican grasslands
project is at Bird Conservation Alliance.

_________________________

Thursday, September 21, 2006
Walt Dabney, Director of State Parks
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Dabney's presentation is an overview of the park idea, the purpose of
parks, the Texas State Park System, the economic importance of
parks, the budget problems in the park system, and the future needs
of parks in Texas. Dabney is responsible for 8 regions, 120 state
parks, and over 1,200 employees. Texas has the third largest state
park operation in the US.

From the TAS office on public parks:
On-line resources:
www.environmenttexas.org
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
www.texasoutside.com/parks.htm
www.wildtexas.com/parks

Recommended reading:
  • The Future of the Wild: Radical Conservation for a Crowded World
    by Jonathan S. Adams (Beacon, 2006)
  • The Invention of the Park by John Wills and Karen Jones (Polity,
    2005)
  • “Once Again, Why Public Parks? The Meaning of Nature:
    Wilderness, Wildlife, and Ecological Values in the National Parks,”
    article by James A. Pritchard (PDF file)
  • Our National Parks by John Muir (Houghton Mifflin, 1901)
  • Parks & Recreation, the journal of the National Recreation and
    Park Association (www.nrpa.org)

__________________________

Bird of the Big Woods: An Ivory-Bill in the 21st Century
Thursday, May 18, 2006
David Luneau, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Travis Audubon is delighted to bring to Austin, for our last  member-
ship meeting until Fall, a key member of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
research team, who will speak about the search. David Luneau was a
member of the core team on the recent year-long search for the Ivory-
billed Woodpecker in eastern Arkansas and is a veteran of previous
ivory-bill searches. He confirmed the rediscovery of the ivory-billed
woodpecker in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas in 2004 with the
only video ever taken of the bird. Previously, he was a member of the
six-person international team that searched the Pearl River area of
Louisiana in 2002, and he organized and led a search for the
woodpecker in the White River National Wildlife Refuge in 2003. He
continues to search for the bird, and he serves on the species
recovery team for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

From the TAS office on Ivory-billed Woodpeckers:
About the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (IBWO):
- Latin name: Campephilus principalis
- Status: Rediscovered or extinct?
- Threats: Loss of habitat
- Habitat: Mature forests, esp. cypress swamps, large hardwoods
- Where: Formerly in Eastern Texas and Southeast U.S.; Cuba

Did you know that IBWOs …
  • Are 18-20 inches in size (wingspan about 30 inches)
  • Eat insects, fruit, and nuts
  • May mate for life
  • Have a bill (in adults) more than 7 cms. long

Recommended reading:
The Grail Bird: Hot on the Trail of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, by Tim
Gallagher (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)
The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, by Phillip Hoose (Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, 2004)
In Search of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, by Jerome A. Jackson
(Smithsonian Books, 2004)
Big Woods Bird: An Ivory-bill Story, by Terri Roberts Luneau (Kury
Lane, 2005) [for children]

Web sites:
www.ibwo.org David Luneau’s site
www.ivorybill.org The Big Woods Conservation Partnership
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/rediscovery/ Rediscovering the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker
www.livescience.com/animalworld/060316_woodpecker_debate.html
Current state of the debate

Joining the search:
The Arkansas Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has
issued a set of guidelines for those considering a visit to look for the
IBWO. Seasonal and other restrictions apply. The Web site includes
links to Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges with
maps, suggested viewing areas, and more:
www.fws.gov/arkansas%2Des/BigWoodsBirding

__________________________

Black-capped Vireos in Northern Mexico
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Craig Farquhar, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

The Black-capped Vireo (BCVI) is a special bird to Central Texans and
we delight in seeing it in our area. But only sparse information is
available on Mexican populations of the federally endangered BCVI
during the breeding season. Breeding habitat and a handful of nests
had been described only from northern Coahuila, prior to a
collaborative study by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and
the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México. This 4-
year project, funded by the Endangered Species Act, began in 2001
and was recently concluded. Researchers, including Farquhar, now
have significant new data on habitat, nesting, geographic distribution,
and conservation threats for breeding populations of this species as
far south as SW Tamaulipas. These new data offer advantages and
challenges to the conservation of this federally endangered species,
and Farquhar will discuss these topics with special attention to the
BCVI’s recovery and listing status.

From the TAS office on Black-capped Vireos:
About the Black-capped Vireo (BCVI)
Latin name: Vireo atricapillus
Status: Endangered (on U.S. and Texas lists)
Threats: Loss of habitat; Brown-headed Cowbirds
Habitat: Low thickets in scrub-oak woodlands, arid hills
Where: Largest concentration of BCVIs is in Central Texas

Did you know that BCVIs …
  • Nest in Texas April - July
  • Winter on the western coast of Mexico
  • Build cup nests only 2-4 feet from the ground
  • Live 5-6 years
  • Return year after year to the same area to nest

Some places to look for the BCVI in Texas:
- Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Devils River State Natural Area
- Kerr Wildlife Management Area
- South Llano River SP
- Balcones Canyonlands NWR
- Government Canyon SP
- Buck Wildlife Management Area

On-line information about the BCVI:
animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr
www.friendsofbalcones.org/birding.htm
www.fws.gov/endangered/
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/bcv/

On-line images of the BCVI:
www.greglasley.net/bcvireo.html
www.windowsonnature.com

_________________________

Backyard Wildlife Habitats
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Bill Stout, National Wildlife Federation

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat program gives people the knowledge to
turn their backyards into valuable wildlife refuges and teaches them
the rewards of connecting with nature by inviting wildlife into their
lives. Through this program people learn that habitat restoration is
critical for wildlife survival in urban and suburban settings, where
commercial and residential development has eliminated most natural
areas.  

From the TAS office on backyard habitats:
On-line resources:

Recommended reading:
- Kids' Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats: For Small Spaces in City-
Suburbs-Countryside by Emily Stetson et alia (Williamson, 2004) [for
kids aged 9-12]
- National Wildlife Federation Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Backyard
Wildlife by David Mizejewski (Creative Homeowner, 2004)
- The Natural Habitat Garden by Ken Druse (Timber, 2004)
- Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife by Noreen Damude and
Kelly Conrad Bender (Texas Parks and Wildlife Press, 1999)

Related local organizations:
- Capital Area Master Naturalists www.camn.org
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center www.wildflower.org
- Native Plant Society of Texas www.npsot.org
- National Wildlife Federation Gulf States Natural Resource Center
www.nwf.org

__________________________

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas
Thursday, February 16, 2006
John C. Abbott, University of Texas

The last five years have seen an amazing increase in the interest
surrounding dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) in the United
States. As with birds and butterflies, Texas is a fabulous place to
observe and learn about these insects. There are 223 species of
Odonata (over half the North American fauna) known from Texas and
more are being discovered every year. John will provide an
introduction to the behavior, life history, and biogeography of this
group, with special emphasis on Texas and Austin area species.  He
will also discuss how this growing interest in odonates can be utilized
by scientists through citizen science projects. Abbott's book, on
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-central United
States, will be available at the presentation.

From the TAS Office on odonates:
What is a dragonfly (or damselfly)?
In a sentence, it’s a large, predatory, aquatic insect with two pairs of
net-like wings.

Major organizations and their Web sites:
- Dragonfly Society of the Americas
- International Odonata Research Institute
- Worldwide Dragonfly Association

On-line resources and images:

Recommended reading:
A Dazzle of Dragonflies, by Forrest Mitchell and James Lasswell
(Texas A & M University Press, 2005)
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United
States: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico,
edited by John C. Abbott (Princeton University Press, 2005)
Dragonflies through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North
America, by Sidney Dunkle (University of Oxford Press, 2000)
Dragonflies (Wild Guide), by Cynthia Berger (Stackpole Books, 2004)

Did you know?
Dragonflies and damselflies have popular colloquial names such as
darner, darning needle, devil's darning needle, mosquito fly, mosquito
hawk, needle, skeeter hawk, and spindle.

_________________________

Native Prairies in Central Texas
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Jason Spangler, Native Prairies Association of Texas

"Prairie" is defined as a diverse community of native plants and
wildlife, dominated by native grasses and flowers in successions
throughout the year with sparse to few trees. Prairie once made up
over half of Travis County and most of Williamson County, but now is
almost completely gone due to plowing for both fertile soils and
development. The tallgrass prairie is the most endangered large
ecosystem in North America with less than 1% remaining, and even
less is left of Texas' own Blackland Prairie. Grassland birds, whose
native habitat is the prairie, have shown more declines than any other
group of North American species. We need to protect what little
remains of our prairies as habitat for the birds, other wildlife, and
native plants that live there, and restore prairie to recreate habitat
that has been lost. Jason's presentation will give an overview of
Texas's Blackland, Grand, and Coastal Prairies, grassland birds
whose habitat is the prairie, and highlight the few remaining prairie
remnants in the central Texas area that need protection.

From the TAS Office on prairies:
Read the Austin Chronicle's December 22, 2005 feature on prairies,
"Dreaming of Buffalo," in which Jason Spangler and other local
experts discuss Texas prairies.

Prairie definitions (from the Environmental Literacy Council)
• Tallgrass prairie: The tallgrass prairie in the easternmost third of the
Great Plains is predominantly made up of Indian grass, switchgrass,
and especially, big bluestem. The tallgrass prairie has much taller and
denser grasses than the western prairies. An acre of intact tallgrass
hosts between 200-400 species of native plants - 3 out of 4 of them
wildflowers.
• Mixed-grass prairie: Here the soil is less productive and native
grasses don't grow as tall. This section is known as the mixed-grass
prairie and is basically a transition zone between the tall grasses of
the Midwest and the very short grasses that lie just east of the Rocky
Mountains. Typical grasses of the mixed-grass prairie are little
bluestem, green needlegrass, and prairie dropseed.
• Shortgrass prairie: The far western prairie in the shadow of the
Rockies is the shortgrass prairie. This region is dominated by drought
tolerant plants that grow only 6-12 inches high. The dominant grasses
are blue gamma and buffalo grass. Sagebrush and other shrubs are
numerous and cacti are fairly common.

Major organizations:
- Native Prairies Association of Texas
- Friends of the Prairie Learning Center
- The Prairie Enthusiasts

General information on prairies:
- National Park Service Tallgrass Prairie

Recommended reading:
The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas, and
Woodlands ed. by Stephen Packard & Cornelia Mutel (Island, 1997)
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide by Doug Ladd (Falcon,
1995)
Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie by John Madsen
(University of Iowa Press, 2004)

__________________________

Watching Hummingbirds in Texas: Better than Reality TV
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Cliff Shackelford, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Cliff discussed the new book (of which he is senior author),
Hummingbirds of Texas: With Their New Mexico and Arizona Ranges
(2005, Texas A&M University Press). He also covered the detailed
lives of several of our state's hummingbirds by poking fun at the titles
of several reality television shows, in a humorous as well as
informative presentation. Cliff and one of his collaborators on the new
book were on hand to sign copies, which was for sale by the Naturally
Curious bookstore. Royalties from book sales go back into the
TPWD's Hummingbird Roundup Program.   

From the TAS Office on hummingbirds:
- The major organization is the Hummingbird Society.  
- The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory has excellent
information on seeing hummers in Arizona.  
- Texas Parks & Wildlife's Hummingbird Roundup Program has a
wonderful, rich resource on Gardening for Hummingbirds.  
- In a hurry? Read the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center's brief on
gardening for and safely feeding hummingbirds (PDF file).
- Amazing on-line images of hummer nestlings - a must-see.  

Did you know that hummingbirds:   
  • Generally weigh 2 to 20 grams  
  • Number approximately 330 species  
  • Feed on nectar and insects  
  • Can fly up, down, left, right or hovering  
  • Have feet designed for perching, not walking  
  • Live only in the Western Hemisphere  
  • 28 species are endangered or vulnerable   

A few recommended books:   
Hummingbirds of Texas: With Their New Mexico and Arizona
Ranges, Shackelford et al., Texas A&M University Press, 2005  
Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide, Steve      
Howell, Princeton University Press, 2003  
A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field
Guides), Sheri Williamson, Houghton Mifflin, 2002  
Hummingbirds of North America, Paul A. Johnsgard, Smithsonian
Books, 1997  
Hummingbirds: Their Life and Behavior, Esther Quesada Tyrrell,
Crown, 1985    

__________________________

Bird Window Kills in Downtown Austin and Beyond  
Thursday, October 20, 2005
David W. Hall, University of Texas

Annual U.S. window-kill mortality is estimated to be 100 million birds
or more. Dave presented his ongoing research that seeks to reduce
window kills in general and to determine the extent of window kills in
Austin. He also discussed how Travis Audubon members can help
with these projects, such as adopting a particular Austin building to
monitor or monitoring a site for specific dates each year. Dave
welcomes you to contact him at davehall(at)uts.cc.utexas.edu.
A senior lecturer in biological sciences at the University of Texas at
Austin, Dave also talked about UT's collection of "study skins," a
teaching collection of preserved birds.

From the TAS Office on window collisions:

This is one of first research articles on avian window collisions, by
scholar Daniel Klem, Jr.:   
"Bird-Window Collisions," Wilson Bulletin 101: 4 (1989) [PDF file]   

Organizations doing key work on window kills and to informational
reading (including preventative how-tos):
- Chicago Bird Collision Monitors  
- Toronto’s Fatal Light Awareness Program  
- Birds and Buildings   

On-line reading materials:   
- “Window Collisions” from Bird Conservation Network  
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology's “How To Avoid Window Collisions”  
- Audubon’s “Minimizing Window Collisions”vvOctober 15, 2009
Guest Speaker: Lynn Barber
Topic: An ABA Big Year

Lynn Barber will talk about and show pictures from her  “ABA Big      
Year” adventure that began in Rockport, Texas in January 2008.
During that year, she sought birds from Alaska and California to
Newfoundland and Florida, plus many places in between, including
Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota. She tallied 723
different species of birds in the continental United States and Canada
(the ABA area) that year, before ending in Arizona.

Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in several states including
Alaska, Oregon, North Carolina and Texas. In 2005, she broke
the previous record for the most bird species seen in Texas
during a single year. When she’s not birding, she is a registered
patent attorney in solo practice in Fort Worth, Texas. She has a
Ph.D. in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and a J.D. from Duke University Law School. Currently, Lynn is
the President of the Texas Ornithological Society, and Treasurer
and Past President of the Fort Worth Audubon Society. She is
an avid photographer and maintains her own birding web site, where
you can see some of her photos.
Click below for a Yahoo map
of our meeting location.
Scroll down this page to
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meetings

  • Physiology and Adaptation
    of Birds
  • The Aransas Project
  • Insect Diversity
  • Chaetura Canyon
  • What Bird is That?
  • Birds in Alaska
  • An ABA Big Year
  • Birds of Australia
  • Watching East Africa's
    Unique Wildlife
  • Paddling the Guadalupe
  • Bird Habitat Joint
    Ventures in Texas
  • Bird Tours of the World
  • Birds of the Upper Texas
    Coast
  • The Whooping Crane
  • Images for Conservation
    Fund
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Westminster Presbyterian Church
3208 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX
Rm 9 & 10 (adjacent to Fellowship Hall)