The coastal prairie, home to hundreds

of species of plants and animals, is a critically imperiled ecosystem. There is a groundswell of interest in preserving and restoring what remains. Our coastal prairie was once 6.5 million acres of tallgrasses and wildflowers, but is now estimated to be less than 65,000 acres. The good news—together we can make a big difference.

There are many ways you can help Houston Audubon’s stewardship of this important habitat. Join us September

September /October 2010

Contents:

Coastal Prairies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill . . . . . . . 2

Birds and Bluestem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

CPP Prairie Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Fall Volunteer Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Species Profile Dickcissel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Case for Membership . . . . . . . . . . 6

Audubon Docent Fall Programs . . . . 7

30 for the Birds and Bluestem gala. Or, help us collect native seeds, volunteer for native plant rescues, help us plant at our restoration projects, or help us by growing out flats of native grasses and wildflowers at your home.

If you have an opportunity to visit one of the few remaining prairie remnants, GO. Our coastal prairies are beautiful and filled to the brim with diversity. They are rich with hundreds of different wildflowers, grasses, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and INSECTS—the ultimate bird

food. Please join us in celebrating them and join us in our efforts to protect them.

Coastal Prairies—Discover, Visit, Protect by Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward

Membership Meetings

international conservation since 1969. He is the co-founder of The World Land Trust where he serves as Honorary President and the American Bird Conservancy. He was the first Chairman of the Global Council for BirdLife International where he is currently a Vice-President. Jerry is also a member of the Houston Audubon Board of Advisors.

October 13

South America: Birds, Birdwatching, and ConservationSpeaker: Bennett Hennessey

South America, well-known as the “bird continent”, has more bird species than anywhere on earth. Recently, more and more birdwatchers are interested in visiting this “hotbed” for birds. Bennett will talk about the bird diversity in South America, how best to approach birdwatching the continent, and the bird conservation challenges and advances unfolding in South America.

After years of ornithological field research in Bolivia, including the rediscovery of

the Wattled Curassow and the Palkachupa Cotinga (after 98 years), Bennett Hennessey, a native Canadian, became the executive director of the Bolivian bird conservation nonprofit, Asociacion Armonía, a partner organization to American Bird Conservancy, BirdLife International and World Land Trust-US. Bennett, the first author of the Annotated List of the Birds of Bolivia (2003), most recently has been involved in developing private reserves with the World Land Trust in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

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

September 8

Saving the World’s Rarest Birds Speaker: Dr. Gerard (Jerry) Bertrand

Twelve percent of the world’s bird species, including dozens of U.S. species, are threatened with extinction. With photos and graphs, Jerry Bertrand will examine some of the key efforts to save species and habitats around the globe and reasons why those efforts are succeeding or falling short.

Jerry Bertrand has been active in environmental science and conservation for over thirty years. His work in habitat preservation and bird conservation has been recognized with the President’s Medal by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in England and through the President’s Medal of BirdLife International. Jerry was President of the Massachusetts Audubon Society for eighteen years and has been active in

Wattled Curassow

Texas coneflowersin a prairie near Winnie, TX

TheNaturalist Celebrating 41 Years of Bird Conservation

Naturalist

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Vol. 29, No. 5 September/October 2010

Houston Audubon Societyis a chapter of the National Audubon Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT Jim WinnPAST PRESIDENT Joy HesterPRESIDENT-ELECT Mary CarterCORPORATE SECRETARY Bernice HotmanTREASURER Andrew LopezDIRECTORSJohn Bartos Judy BoyceGinger Coleman Lynn ForsterRichard Goldfarb Kathryn HaleBen Hulsey Jeffrey MillsGeoffrey Newton Laurie WilliamsJeffrey Woodman

Galveston Group Representative: Alice Anne O’Donell

BOARD OF ADVISORSGerard A. Bertrand Sara BettencourtPeggy Boston Dale BushCaroline Callery Claire CaudillGary W. Clark Fred CollinsScott Davis Victor EmanuelTed Eubanks, Jr. Julia GarrettStephen Gast Gene GrahamTerry Hershey Ford Hubbard, IIIAnn Wier Jones Mavis P. Kelsey, Jr.Robert McFarlane Jeff MundyDonal C. O’Brien, Jr. Heidi RockecharlieRob Rowland Andrew SansomSteve Smith Kathryn SmythJames R. Stewart, Jr. Lucie Wray ToddLettalou Whittington

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

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

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

www.houstonaudubon.orgwww.narba.org

The Naturalist is published bimonthly.Editor: Susan Billetdeaux

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

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

Naturalist E-News on our website.

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

In April of this year, the nation’s Gulf of Mexico coastline suffered a blow

that will be felt for decades, both economically and biologically. The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 workers, injuring 17 others, and damaging the productive estuaries that serve as nurseries for shrimp, oysters, crabs, and numerous species of fish.

To date, the Texas coast has received minimal impact as a result of this catastrophe. Houston Audubon Sanctuary Steward, Andrew Beck, has been conducting site inspections along the Bolivar Peninsula and on July 9 noted a few oil-coated vegetation clumps at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the United States Coast Guard swiftly removed oiled vegetation on the peninsula to ensure minimal soil contamination. Officials believe the debris was “washed” in as a result of the recent tropical storms in the Gulf. Houston Audubon monitors the beach at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary weekly for oil, tar balls, and oiled birds.

The sanctuary team is recording data on eBird.

If the oil slick makes its way to the Upper Texas Coast, Houston Audubon has a protection plan for Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary on file with the GLO. Houston Audubon Sanctuary Manager, Winnie Burkett, has worked closely with the agency in preparing this important protection plan.

Houston Audubon has recently formed a partnership with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) to conduct shorebird surveys on the Upper Texas coast. Developing baseline data is vital in preparing effective response strategies if the Texas coast is heavily impacted by oil.

Texas’ highly productive coastal resources may become the biological reserve for the United States. A strategy of maximizing the protection and enhancement of those biological resources will be critical for long-term sustainability of the ecology and fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and the United States.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill by Gina Donovan, Executive Director

C ongratulations to the 2010 Great Texas Birding Classic grand prize winners, REI Environmental Partners. RRI Energy’s winning team members, Bill Baker, Tom Roberts,

and Andy Dietrich, selected Houston Audubon’s grant request for $20,000 for the Columbia Bottomlands. The grand prize money will be added to USFWS’ Austin’s Wood Conservation Plan which has placed over 16,000 acres of important bird habitat under long-term conservation. Houston Audubon is proud to partner with RRI Energy and the USFWS in protecting the Columbia Bottomlands.

Columbia Bottomlands Receive Birding Classic Grant by Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward

Relive spring migration with the Bolivar Peninsula Report 2010. The report includes a review of the spring season by Winnie Burkett, bird list for January–May 2010, volunteer list, and photos of some of the birds seen on the Bolivar Peninsula during spring 2010.

Find the Bolivar Peninsula Report (in PDF format) in the Sanctuaries section of our website.

www.houstonaudubon.org

Bolivar Peninsula Report 2010Great Birding from High Island to the Ferry

The Naturalist • September/October 2010

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Sanctuary Wish List

Dos Vacas Debris CleanupHurricane Ike left a great deal of debris throughout the back portion of Dos Vacas Muertas Bird Sanctuary. Funds are needed to hire contractors to remove the debris from the tide affected area, as the job is too difficult for volunteers to manage.

Pickup TruckWe are collecting funds for a pickup truck to be our work truck on the coast. We’ve made a great start—please help us reach our goal!

Power ToolsEdith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary needs to replace a theft of our power tools in May. About $500 is still needed.

Contact Andrew Beck at 713-932-1639, abeck@houstonaudubon.org for details.

November 4 kicks off Coastal Prairie Partnership’s 2nd Annual State Of

The Prairie Conference at Houston Zoo’s George R. Brown Education Center Hall. Keynote speakers are prairie restoration specialists Daryl Smith of the University of Northern Iowa and Randy Arndt of The Nature Conservancy of Missouri. Other noted conference speakers include Dr. Fred Smeins, Jason Singhurst, Matt Wagner, Andy Sipocz, and Mike Lange. The second day of the conference (November 5) features field trips to area high-quality prairie remnants. The public is welcome.

Costs: The first day at the Zoo is $50. The field trip on the second day is $25. For more information, contact Flo Hannah at fhannah@houstonaudubon.org

Bluebells, also known as prairie gentian (Eustoma exaltatum)

Houston Audubon’s auspicious (1. What?) fundraising gala (2. Why?), Birds and Bluestem (3. Bluestem?), is just around

the corner, and we need you to make it a success. Please join us on September 30, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Houston Country Club for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a little jazz, silent auction, and dinner as we celebrate birds, prairies, and those passionate about prairie preservation. At one time, Texas boasted 6.5 million acres of native prairie, where little bluestem, purple lovegrass, Indian blanket, and a multitude of other native grasses and wildflowers thrived. Today less than one percent exists.

To applaud the efforts of those working to protect and preserve what remains, Houston Audubon will present awards for Outstanding Achievement in Prairie Conservation. With great enthusiasm, we announce three distinguished honorees who have worked tirelessly to protect this vanishing habitat:

• King Ranch• Katy Prairie Conservancy• Houston Audubon’s own Sr. Sanctuary Steward, Flo Hannah (4. Wherefore these three?)

You may purchase an underwriting table for 10 with premier seating and other benefits starting at $2,500 and up. You might consider teaming up with a friend—each of you purchasing half a table—5 seats each. Or perhaps individual tickets is more your purchasing style, in which case, check your mailbox. Invitations were mailed mid-August. Individual seating is $225 per person.

The short of it is, we can’t celebrate, we can’t have dinner among friends, we can’t raise any money, and we can’t honor our award recipients with the enthusiasm that is due unless you are there. We’re counting on you. Please join us!

For more information and to escape further odd communications from the gala chair, visit the Houston Audubon website and click on Birds and Bluestem.

1. Auspicious: from the Latin meaning “a good omen; to tell the future with bird signs.” And the signs are excellent for you to have a grand time that evening, so that we can ensure a healthy future for birds and their habitats. 2. Houston Audubon’s annual galas are festive occasions, and a heck of a lot of fun, but they also raise critical funds that enable us to put our mission into tangible action through conservation and education. For the 2010–2011 year, the gala represents an importance piece of the budget.3. You may have noticed a trend in our gala themes. Each year, Houston Audubon celebrates birds and a particular habitat. Prior galas have been Birds and Bayous, Birds and Beaches, and Birds and Bottomlands. This year’s focus is native coastal prairie, thus the name Birds and Bluestem.4. You don’t need me to tell you why these three are deserving because their accomplishments speak for themselves. We’ll speak about them at the gala though, during our video tributes ... and I’m not about to let the bird out of the bag ahead of time. You’ll just have to come see, and hear for yourself.

Our generous donors to the Birds and Bluestem Gala will be acknowledged as a whole in the next issue of The Naturalist.

Birds and Bluestem by Sara Morse Bettencourt, Gala Chair

CPP Prairie Conference by Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward

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Celebrating Birds and Their Environments

September 30, 2010www.houstonaudubon.org

Celebrating Birds and Their Environments

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Bolivar Flats Beach CleanupSeptember 25, 9 a.m.–Noon

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

High tides from tropical Storm Alex floated Hurricane Ike boards out of the marsh and into the sanctuary. We need lots of hands to pull them out. Houston Audubon will supply water, gloves and mosquito spray. Bring your sun screen. Meet on the beach at the vehicular barrier.

It's once again time to start looking forward to spending 2nd Saturdays with the most

dedicated conservation volunteers around Galveston Bay. October 9 is our first fall work day to prepare the High Island sanctuaries for birders and to improve habitat for birds and all other forms of wildlife.

The first work day is always a lot of fun as we return to the trails, boardwalks, and habitat restoration areas we know so well. And yet the first work day is also like walking into the sanctuaries for the first time as we check in on how things have grown, and what areas need the most work. Depending on how much rain we’ve had, you can usually expect to see a big brush pile ablaze, dutifully turning plant debris into carbon and vapor and warming the hands of volunteers who need a break.

•October 9• November 13• December 11

• January 8• February 12•March 12

2010/2011 High Island Work Days

Fall High Island Work Days by Andrew Beck, Sanctuary Steward

We start work around 8:30 a.m. and work until about noon, when we break for lunch, provided by Houston Audubon and prepared by the lunch crew. Lunch at the picnic area of Boy Scout Woods is a good chance to visit with other volunteers and recharge from a morning of exercise and work. After lunch, we take about an hour to tie up any loose ends and clean up.

Come be a part of sanctuary maintenance, habitat restoration, and Houston Audubon’s amazing volunteer workforce. Email me at abeck@houstonaudubon.org for more information or to be put on the email list.

September 18 Whether you like to work outside or in the office, with adults or kids, we have something for you! Come to Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary for our Fall Training on Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m–noon. We’ll explore the many ways you can get involved with Houston Audubon. RSVP to Juanita Perkins at 713-932-1639, jperkins@houstonaudubon.org.

New Volunteer Orientation

New! ELMNS Work DaysSeptember 25, October 23 Join us at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary on the 4th Saturday of each month for a morning of gardening and sanctuary maintenance. We work from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Bring a sack lunch. If you can participate, please contact Flo Hannah at fhannah@houstonaudubon.org or 713-932-1639 by the prior Wednesday.

Swifts Over HoustonWeekly swift counts in Houston (led by Pam Smolen on Tuesdays) and Dayton (led by Barbara Tilton on Thursdays).

Armand Bayou SurveyLeader: Andrew HamlettMonthly on the second Saturday

Hogg Sanctuary Bird SurveyLeader: Aaron StoleyMonthly on the first Monday

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

Willow Waterhole SurveyLeader: John SchneiderMonthly on the third Saturday

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

Smith Point Hawk Watch14th annual hawk watch sponsored by Gulf Coast Bird Observatory August 15–November 15 Check www.gcbo.org for details.

Family-friendly!

Sugar Land: August 25Dayton: August 26

Whole Foods Market: August 31St. Paul’s: September 24

Nature Discovery Center: September 26

October 2: Take Me Outdoors Houston at Discovery Green, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

October 7–9: Bulb & Plant Mart at Westminster United Methodist Church

October 16–17: Bike Around the Bay

Enjoy these events and also help out Houston Audubon! Contact: Juanita Perkins at jperkins@houstonaudubon.org or 713-932-1639.

Booth Volunteers

with Glenn Olsen

Introduction to BirdwatchingOctober 12–October 30, 2010

Sparrow IdentificationNovember 16–December 4, 2010

Each class consists of two informal classroom meetings at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary and two field trips.

Details for these and other classes at www.houstonaudubon.org

Birding Classes

Bird Counts

Birds like this American Oystercatcher, photographed trying to eat a snail at Bolivar, will appreciate a clean beach!

Photo: Joanne Kamo

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The Naturalist • September/October 2010

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Species Profile

Dickcissel

by Glenn Olsen

Grasslands or prairies are one of the most endangered ecosystems in

North America. While many people may view a prairie as dull and lifeless because they do not see lots of trees; a prairie is actually teeming with abundance and diversity in plants, insects, and birds. Originally our prairies were a web of life consisting of an amazing diversity of grasses and wildflowers that supported the bison, antelope, deer, numerous species of birds, an abundance of insect species, and other wildlife.

While we have almost no original prairie ecosystems remaining, the ranchland and farmland that now occupies part of the original Katy Prairie Area does offer an opportunity to observe birds, plants, and insects associated with grassland habitat. The protection of this open land is critically

important to many species of birds.

The Dickcissel is one species that depends upon grasslands, fields, and open pastures for its existence. Breeding males are quite handsome with a gray crown, yellow eyebrow, a yellow breast, and a black bib below the white chin; this pattern is similar to a meadowlark, another grassland-dependent bird. Females lack the black bid and have muted colors and appear sparrow-like in appearance.

During the breeding season, Dickcissels feed their young thousands of caterpillars and soft-bodied insects such as flies. The diet of adult birds consists of about one-third insects (mainly grasshoppers), and two-thirds seeds.

Dickcissels are Neotropic migrants. Their primary winter range extends from Mexico to South America, with most residing in the northern countries of South America. They arrive in our area in April, and some remain to breed while others continue north. The primary breeding range consists of the states of the central U.S. By early November most have departed the U. S. for their tropical wintering grounds, which are grasslands, field, pastures, and farmland.

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Reservations are required for all Houston Audubon field trips. Sign up at the HAS Membership Meeting or with Skip Almoney (skipalm@aol.com) at 713-524-4285. Remember to bring your binoculars, scope, camera, sunscreen, insect protection, sturdy shoes, hat, raingear, water, and snacks or a lunch if you want to bird into the afternoon. For more information about the field trips and resource links, see the description in the Birding section of our website. Participants, please check the website for any last minute updates.

Houston Audubon Field Trips

We will visit two great birding areas on this trip, both on Houston’s

southwest side . The first is Cullinan Park near Sugar Land. There should be plenty of waterfowl on the lake and around the boardwalk area. One target species is the Purple Gallinule, which has been seen in this park. There is also a good chance for some raptors. After birding the boardwalk, we will check the wooded areas for migrating passerines. We will continue our birding at Willow Waterhole for more waterfowl and raptors. Both locations provide excellent opportunities for birding—find out more about them in the website description.

Our guide will be Stanley (Skip) Almoney, who is Houston Audubon’s coordinator for field trips. Skip served for many years on our Board of Directors and has worked as a volunteer on work days at High Island and Bolivar Flats, as a mentor at the Boy Scout Woods rookery, and at the High Island kiosk. Skip has also served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Ornithology Group of the Outdoor Nature

Club and is a certified Texas Master Naturalist.

Directions: Cullinan Park is located off State Highway 6 just north of US 90A in Sugar Land. If coming from Houston, take US 59 South and exit at SH 6 North. After approximately 3.4 miles north on SH 6, the entrance to Cullinan Park will be on the left (west). Follow the entrance driveway about 0.5 miles to the parking area.

Cullinan Park and Willow Waterhole Saturday, September 25, 8:00 a.m.

Bolivar Peninsula Saturday, October 23, 8:00 a.m.

Birders will explore a variety of habitats on the Bolivar Peninsula, including

the grassy area of Fort Travis, the roadside marshes along Frenchtown Road, the mud/sand flats of Bolivar Flats, plus many more hotspots. If time permits, the afternoon will include birding at the High Island sanctuaries. Last year a Burrowing Owl was found during this field trip. Be prepared for the unexpected!

Tom Kihn will be the field trip leader. Tom has led the monthly bird count on Bolivar Flats and has unique knowledge of the habitats on Bolivar Peninsula.

Directions: We will meet on the eastern side of the Bolivar Ferry. Traveling from Houston, go south on I-45 through Galveston to the Bolivar Ferry. After leaving the ferry, pull into the parking area on the south side of the road. As this is a long trip, please try to car pool. Those who sign up via e-mail will enable Houston Audubon to facilitate carpooling.

So, if you missed seeing a Dickcissel during spring migration, fall migration is another good time to observe this beautiful bird. Look for it in fields, pastures, and grasslands.

Find this profile in the Bird Gallery of our website.

November 27: San Bernard NWR

December 18: Houston CBC

January 21: Katy Prairie

February 26: Mad Island/Clive Runnels

March 26: TBA

April 23: West Galveston Island

May 28: Anahuac NWR

Future Field Trips

www.houstonaudubon.org

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$5,000+Ducks Unlimited, Inc. • The Helm Foundation • Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation • The Whitmire Foundation • Lettalou Whittington The Wortham Foundation

$2,500-$4,999National Audubon Society • Betsy & Jim Winn

$1,000-$2,499Baker Hughes Incorporated • Jean & Don Gray • Houston-Galveston Area Council • Nancy Powell Moore • Ray C. Fish Foundation

$500-$999Patricia Cravens • Strabo Tours • Urban Outfitters • Susan & John Whitmire

$100-$499Steven Abbey • Jonni & Skip Almoney • April & Kurt Andres • Erin Baldwin • Gary Ballard • Gerard Bertrand • Connie BrooksLeslie & Roger Calvert • Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program • Kathy & Gary Clark • Michael Clark • Kassie & Fred CollinsChristopher Dunford • Rebecca & William Edmondson III • Ann Francese • Lisa Francisco • Kathy Greer • Jean & Bill Harwell Justine & Donald Henley • Sandi & Richard Hoover • Michael Lynch • Noelle Macgregor • Judy & Robert McFarlane • Jeff MundyBillie Nowak • Lynn & John Old • Joann & William Owens • Marjie Pierce • Dolores Sandling • Sylvia Schmidt • Sheltered Wings, Inc.James Stewart • Stephen Turnipseed • Ron Weeks

$1-$99Beverly & Ben Aderholt • Amazon Services, LLC • Pat & Les Berkheiser • Peggy Boston • BP Foundation, Inc. • Jan & Gardner CampbellConnie & Mike Carden • Phyllis Carney • Diane & David Citek • Loren Dickson • Margaret Dickson • Melinda & Daniel Droege • R. Eagan Gary Eichelberger • Dana Euler • Mary Beth Hanlan • James Hein • Sara Komenda • Ann & William Kuhn • Hal MarchCheryl & Rodney McKellar • Marion & Frank Peace • Sumita & Rupe Prasad • Warren Pruess • Martha Schwartz • Kathie & Al ShultzLaurie Sines • Don Verser

Gifts In-KindKaty Emde • Mary Gwen & Ben Hulsey • Linda & David Knowles • Vopak Terminal Deer Park

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

Donations received and processed by July 20, 2010

Thanks to Houston Audubon’s Generous Donors!

I am sometimes asked why it is important to become a member of Houston Audubon.

My experience has been that every member has his or her own answer to that question. The most common answer is that at some point they felt a connection to the organization that led them to want to make a tangible statement of support.

That feeling of connection usually starts with a belief that a healthy bird population is a good thing .... that birds are important.

The next step is a conviction that birds need our help. We have not made it easy to be a bird in today’s world. Urban sprawl, deforestation, pollution, climate change, invasive species, wetlands loss, etc., all negatively impact birds and their habitat. It is a long list, most of it created by us, and there exists an even greater stewardship responsibility in the Greater Houston area due to the abundance of birds and diverse habitat and the importance of the area to migrants.

Finally, those who have felt connected have looked at the work of Houston Audubon

and seen an organization that is uniquely qualified to provide that help. Most of the difficulties we have created for birds we have the power to stop or reverse. That is exactly what Houston Audubon strives to do though our work in the protection and restoration of habitat, education programs, and advocacy. This newsletter provides a great snapshot of the breadth and depth of that effort.

In short, somewhere along the line a lot of people have said to us, “I like what you are doing. I think it is important, and I want to be a partner with you in the effort.” Whatever the level of that partnership commitment, the fact is, members are the lifeblood of Houston Audubon. We do what we do at their direction through their Board of Directors, and we do it with their resources of time, talent, and funds.

If you are not yet a member of Houston Audubon I hope you will give it consideration. If you are only a member of National Audubon Society, please consider joining Houston Audubon as well. Only a very small part of your National Audubon’s dues

The Case for Membership by Ben Hulsey, Houston Audubon Board of Directors

supports programs in this area whereas your membership in Houston Audubon supports local efforts. Houston Audubon and the birds and other wildlife we support can use all the partners we can get, and you will be demonstrating tangibly where you place your values and support.

Stand Up and Be Counted

Become a Member!

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Family Nature Explore Club

August 31: FNEC Kick Off, 7:15 p.m.Swift Night Out at Pershing Middle School

September 11: SBUNC , 9–noonBring sack lunch to picnic afterwards.

October 9: SBUNC, 6:30–8:30 p.m.“By the Light of the Moon”Owls, Bats, Spiders—OH MY!Live owls, owl pellet dissection, night hike and more!

Flying WILDNext Workshop: October 16

Details at www.houstonaudubon.org

On the Calendar

Every summer Houston Audubon presents a variety of summer camp options for

children between the ages of 5 and 12. Vicki and I look forward to camp each summer and reuniting with our awesome camp counselors. Our counselors volunteer their time and energy to help before, during, and after camp.

This past summer we were delighted to have Laura Mills and Jadan Weber assisting with Nature Detectives Camp and Wild about BIRDS camp! Laura Mills also assisted with Habitat Heroes Camp, along with Linda Del Angel and Jeanette Lambert who both live in the neighborhood around SBUNC. Former bird campers Rachael and Ryan Lanier came out from Katy, TX to volunteer every day for Bird Camp. It was great to see how much they had grown up.

We truly appreciate this volunteer help each year and hope we make their experience just as rewarding and educational as the campers’ experience. Laura Mills says, “Camp is AWESOME at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center because the kids are really interested in nature and I always learn new things each year.”

Give a Cheer to Our Sims Camp Counselors! by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director

Now that the summer camp season has come to a close, Houston Audubon’s

Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary (ELMNS) is once again offering our environmental education programs for children and families. The 18-acre preserve provides a special place to experience nature in our city, and we hope you’ll join us for outdoor family fun this fall.

Preschool Story Hour: Titmouse ClubTitmouse Club is our preschool program for children ages 2½ to 5 years. Through stories, crafts, hands-on activities, and nature walks your children will be inspired with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world around them. Resuming on September 14, Titmouse Club meets on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through mid-May, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Moore Log Cabin Open HousesBuilt in 1932, the Moore Log Cabin is a State Historic Landmark and home to Houston Audubon’s ELMNS education programs. Open Houses are held on the second Saturday of each month, September through May. Families can explore the cabin and learn about the fascinating history and ecology of ELMNS. Join us for our first Open House of the fall on Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m–1 p.m.

Owl ProwlsOwl Prowls begin with a lively program on these fascinating nighttime hunters, including a chance to meet the Houston Audubon rehabilitated owls at the Moore Log Cabin. Then we take owl recordings out onto the ELMNS wooded trails in hopes of attracting our resident owls who are busy setting up their nesting territories. This year, owl prowls will be held on November 12, December 17, January 21, and February 18.

Afterschool Nature Explorers ClubNature Explorers Club is designed for school-age children who are interested in investigating the natural world. Each month, we’ll explore a different ecology topic, focusing on our own native plants and animals. We’ll make a craft to take home, go on a nature hike, dip-net in the ponds, and get to know the plants and animals of the Bayou City! Nature Explorers Club is held on the third Thursday, September–May, beginning on Thursday, September 16.

Halloween Night HikesGet ready for a night of adventure as we learn about life after dark in the ELMNS woods! Wear your costume and stop by the cabin for candy, crafts, guided hikes, and nighttime nature activities! This year’s Halloween Hikes program will take place on Friday, October 29.

Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary Fall Family Programsoffered by the Audubon Docents Guided Tours

We offer guided natural history tours of ELMS for all interested groups. Tour programs include: a guided walk in the woods, lessons on native flora and fauna, pond dip-netting, a tour of the cabin, and an opportunity to meet our education animals.

Children’s Birthday Parties Available for children ages 4–10, docent-led birthday programs feature private use of the log cabin for your child’s party, a guided hike in the woods, pond dip-netting, nature games, and crafts.

Details at www.houstonaudubon.orgor contact Docent Guild Coordinator

Bethany Foshée at 713-464-4900,docent@houstonaudubon.org.

www.houstonaudubon.org

Naturalist

25 HAS Field Trip: Cullinan Park and Willow Waterhole

26 Swift Night Out, Nature Discovery Center

30 Birds and Bluestem Gala, Houston Country Club

OctoberWeekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, SBUNC

Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, ELMNS

4 Hogg Bird Sanctuary Survey

9 High Island Work Day

9 Family Nature Explore Club: By the Light of the Moon Owl, Bats, Spiders—Oh My!, SBUNC

9 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey

9 Log Cabin Open House, ELMNS

13 Membership Meeting: South America: Birds, Birdwatching, & Conservation with Bennett Hennessey

16 Flying WILD Workshop, SBUNC

16 Willow Waterhole Bird Survey

19 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey

21 Afterschool Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS

23 HAS Field Trip: Bolivar Flats

23 ELMNS Work Day

29 Halloween Night Hikes, ELMNS

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Houston Audubon Society440 Wilchester BoulevardHouston, Texas 77079-7329

September/October 2010

Houston Audubon Membership Form

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August25 Swift Night Out, Sugar Land

26 Swift Night Out, Dayton

31 Swift Night Out, Whole Foods Market. Kick off for Family Nature Explore Club at this event.

SeptemberWeekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, starting Sept. 10, SBUNC

Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, starting Sept. 14, ELMNS

6 Hogg Bird Sanctuary Survey

8 Membership Meeting: Saving the World’s Rarest Birds with Dr. Gerard Bertrand

11 Family Nature Explore Club, SBUNC

11 Armand Bayou Nature Center Bird Survey

11 Log Cabin Open House, ELMNS

16 Afterschool Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS

18 New Volunteer Orientation, ELMNS

18 Willow Waterhole Bird Survey

21 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey

24 Swift Night Out, St. Paul’s Methodist Church

25 Bolivar Flats Beach Cleanup

25 ELMNS Work Day

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All funds remain with Houston Audubonin support of its mission and local sanctuaries.

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Mission Statement

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

Audubon Foundation of Texas represents Houston Audubon in the Earth Share of Texas payroll deduction plan for charitable giving.

Naturalist