l
f
I
Recurring Birding Events
No Field Trip this Month
*First Saturday of Each Month-Friedrich
Wilderness Park offers a free guided general
natural history hike. For info, call698-1057. ,
*Second Saturday of Each Month-Bexar
Audubon sponsors the "Second Saturday"
program at Friedrich Wilderness Park. $2
donation requested. For more information and
reservations, call 698-1 057.
*Second Saturday of Each Month-san
Antonio Audubon Society's Beginners'
Blrdwalk. Meet at the Judson Nature Trail in
Alamo Heights at 8:00AM. Visitors are
welcome. For information, call at 342-2073.
*Fourth Saturday of Each Month-Birding
at Mitchell Lake. Meet at the gate at 8 am.
Led by Ernie Roney of the San Antonio
Audubon · Society. Call 656-4239 for more
information.
mA&S
BEXAR
AUDUBON
SOCIETY
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
Thursday, April IS, 1999-Chapter Meeting
The Texas Legislature Is in Session,
What Are ·They Doing To (or For) Us
7 p.m. -Social Time
7:30p.m. -Speaker's Program
Free and open to the public
Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia (east of McCullough; take Mulberry exit off 281)
For VIA public transportation: take Route 5 (St. Mary's/McCullough/ North Star Mall) to Magnolia
The Texas Legislature is in session! Should you run for the hills? If you do, will the hills
still be there? Find out the. answers to these and other questions critical to your future at the
April BAS meeting.
Helping you to understand what seems to being going on in Austin and what is really
happening behind the scenes, will be a panel of experienced legislature watchers, some
who have had substantial experience testifying before legislative committees and trying to ·
accelerate or impede the progress of legislation through that august body.
There is an outside chance (way outside) that an actual member of the legislature will
be on hand for a progress report. What happens in the state capital and capitol in this
session will have a major impact on the Texas environment for years to come. Come to the
meeting for a look at your future.
Susan Rust Reports on San Antonio Enviromental Network Meeting, March 2, 1999:
Bexar Nature Preserve System System Making Real· Progress
On Tuesday, March 2, an audience of more than 80 citizens, staff, and community leaders was on hand for a progress report on the
development of the Bexar Nature Preserve System (BNPS). The enthusiasm was contagious, as the work of the last few months was
presented by the Chairmen of the Steering Committee (SC) and the four Working Groups (WGs).
Eric Lautzenheiser reviewed the immediacy of the need to preserve examples of our region's rich natural heritage and reviewed the
history of the BNPS concept and the process being used to give clarity to the project elements. He commented that from now until the
end of the year, the SC would continue to coordinate the activities of the WGs and would be working with agency and organization
representatives to develop tile legal documents and secure the commitment necessary to formalize the system.
Darcie Woodruff reported that the Operational WG has developed drafts of the formal institutional structure and operational procedures
for the BNPS. She read the BNPS' inspirational Vision Statement and commented that the WG will now be working to draft the Strategic
Plan and Memorandum of Understanding. They have chosen Chicago Wilderness as the most appropriate working model for shaping
the BNPS, since it is a large regional system operated through the collaboration of multiple agencies and organizations.
Jill Askins reported that the Financial WG has been compiling profiles of funding agencies and potential contributors, and are now
developing funding mechanisms and marketing objectives for the coming year.
Fred Wills reported that the Biological WG has been assembling information on the six natural community types which occur in the
county, developing a body of reference materials. For much of the remaining year they will be working to refine BNPS' parameters for
prioritizing community types and preserve selection, and developing basic management standards for the preserves.
Margaret Rasor reported that the Education WG has been developing a list of community information and outreach projects for the
coming year which might include publication of a brochure, production of a video, and selected field trips to examples of each of the six
community types.
A response panel which included Malcolm Matthews (SA Parks & Recreation Department), Wade Oldham (Bexar County Parks
Department), George Kegley (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department), Barbara Bergmann-Lackey (SA Water Systems), Jeff Weigel (Texas
Nature Conservancy), and June Kachtik (Bexar Land Trust) commented on how they felt their agency/organization might be involved
with the BNPS as it becomes a formal institution.
After a period of questions and answers, attendees continued to discuss the project informally, sign up to participate on the SC or
a WG, and examine the excellent maps prepared for the BNPS by Ernie Hart (SA Public Works Department). Other graphics and
information for the meeting were provided by the SA Open Space Advisory Board and the American Institute of Architects' Committee
on the Environment, both of which had sponsored the forum.
For further information or to participate in this exciting initiative, contact Eric Lautzenheiser (698-1 057) or Susan Rust (826-4698).
P. 0. Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 7820
" 210-822-4503 . ~ '.
GOALS
The Chapter's primary goals are
to pr6mote species and habitat
conservation and environmental
education in the community.
OFFICERS
President Biii·Sain 't71634.230@compuserve.com) ... 408-7731
Vice Pres. Mike Mecke ...... (mmecke@saws.org) ........ 344-3737
Treasurer Betty Minyard ... (mink@texas.net) .............. 344-6128
Secretary Deborah Robinson ........................................ 493-4663
" ........................ (dlr2spirit@compuserve.com)
Past Pres. Susan Hughes . .. .................................... :. 532-2332
" ........................ (Susan@wordwright.com)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS·
Term Ending 1999:
Kim Hoskins ...................................................................... 696-3780
Jane Nelka ......................... usneal@texas.net) .......... 561-0313
Harry Noyes .............. :......... .. ...................................... 490-3124
Term Ending 2000:
Chris Dullnig ......................... (cdullnig@juno.com) . 830-980-8156
Maria Elizalde ..... o.................. .. ...................................... 695-4256
Janis Merrit ......................... .. .................................... 698-1095
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Adopt-a-Park Bill Woller............... .. .... 696-3186
Aud. Adven. Betty Minyard ... (mink@texas.net) .............. 344-6128
Birdathon Bill Sain (71634.230@compuserve.corri) .... 408-7731
Conserv. Richard Pipes .. (rjpipes@flash.net) .... 830-281-2452
Education Mary Kennedy .. (mbkenned@aol.com)698-7175x267
............................... . ............. available
Hospitality Nancy Johnson ............................................ 655-1338
Memb. Deborah Robinson ...................................... 493-4663·
" ........................ (dlr2spirit@compuserve.com)
Naturallnit. Tom Wilson ...... (twilsond@AOL.com) ........ 492-4799
Outings ...................................................................... available
Programs Chris Dulfnig .... (cdullnig@juno.com). 830-980-8156
Publicity ....................... available
SAEN Coord. Fred Loxsom .... (floxsom@trinity.edu) ........ 736-7425
Ways & Means Bill Sain (71634.230@compuserve.com) ..... 408-7731
Bexar Tracks Tom Wilson ...... (twilsond@AOL.Qom) ........ 492-4799
Editors Jill Sandeen .......................................... 830-980-3277
Osondeen@ NetXPress.com) ........ Fax: 830-438-7393
Mailing Karen and Mel Shupp ................................... 494-3134
Bexar Tracks is your newsletter.
We welcome your contributions.
Next deadline: April 16, 1999
Please fax Jill or email Tom as above; diskettes
and hard copy should be sent to Tom Wilson,
13227 Hunters Spring, San Antonio, TX 78230.
l·'­\
Printed with soy ink on
recycled paper.
Visit Bexar Audubon's
Web Site:
http://www.audubon.org/chapter/tx/bexar/
Suggestions and contributions are welcome.
Please c.ontact Bill Hurley at
BILLHUR@aol.com
April1999
Re,lectiol1s
~'-~~~~~~~~ -:
·. Our fund raising drive is -underway. 'AS, you saw in last month's newsletter, our
goal is to raise $3,000 by th·etend ot,May. It has been a little over a week !?ince you
· recieved your last newsletter and we already have pledges of $260 (actually $160
· of this has already been recieved). Please take a few minutes right now and send
· your:tax-deductible donation; ;let's not only meet the goal, let's sha,tter ·it.
April is a ve.ry busy month with Viva Botanica, Fiesta (including Earth Day), and
the crunch of spring migration. Gorden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos
are arriving and nesting activities will be going full tilt. Hummingbirds w!ll be visiting
newly opened flowers {and feeders) and the roadsides will be colored with wildflowers.
The weather will still bE) relatively nice, so make sure you spend some time enjoying
nature during April. ·
-Bill Sain
• &
CHAPTER NEWS by_ Bill Sain
February 26 -28, '1999, Outing Recap
·Welder Wildlife Refuge
Eighteen folks spent the weekend visiting the Welder Wildlife Refuge just north
Sinton TX. We started the weekend early, meeting just south of S.A. at 9 a.m. on
Friday. We stopped off at Choke Canyon State Park (near Three Rivers) and walked
the birding trail and lunched at 90-Acre Lake. Highlights include up close views of
10-15 javelina gorging on prickly pear cactus, 2 great kiskadee, and a green jay. We
were joined on our walk by a couple from Corpus who were camping at the state park.
We then headed to Welde_r where we were met by intern Liz Ackers. Liz showed
us around the headquarters ancj told us a little about the history of the refuge. After
dinner in Sinton, we rejoined Liz for a night drive around the refuge. We saw quite a
few white-tailed deer and skunks while on this drive. The next day, we were joined by
Selma Glasscock who, ably assisted by Liz, led the tour for the day. We started off
walking around the headquarters area. Here we spied, among others green jay,
chachalaca, and a wonderful view of two white-tailed kites. After a lunch break where
many of us saw the buff-bellied hummingbird that Selma said frequented a feeder
outside her office, we boarded the bus once again.
This time we got to see the refuge in the daytime. Selma told us about many of
the research programs that have been undertaken on the ranch. We spotted quite a
few more birds and white-tailed deer. Bird highlights included the anhinga, sandhill
cranes, quite a few species of ducks, both double-crested and neotropic cormorants,
two species of tern, and both great-horned and barred owls.
We saw a total of 95 bird species during the two days of birding. Add to that
several mammal iJ.nd reptile species, as well as hundreds of plant species and I'm sure
you will agree that we had a very productive trip.
As usual, it was the people on the outing that made it a special event. Both Dick
Pipes and Jerry Brite had onced interned at Welder so they provided many insights
into what life was life on the refuge in the past years and how the landscape had
changed. I hope that each of the participants had as much fun as I did. I hope to see
each of them at upcoming Bexar Audubon events.
Saturday, Mar.ch 20, 1999, Outing Recap
A PersQnal Tour of Mitchell Lake Wetland
Following several days of rain, Saturday morning dawned cool and cloudy. Small
showers remained in the area and this probably convinced a number of folks to stay
huddled under the covers. Three hardy souls, however, journeyed to Mitchell Lake
and were treated to a beautifully sunny day with birds everywhere. Highlights included
the first sCissor-tailed flycatcher and black-necked stilts I've seen this year. The purple
finches also cooperated nicely as did the cinnamon teal, immature vermilion flycatcher,
and other colorful birds of Mitchell Lake. We saw a total of 52 species during our time
at the lake.
2 Bexar Tracks
LOCAL NEWS
April6- June 27, 1999:
Va:n~shing Wildlife Exhibit Set
For Institute of Texan Cultures
The Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio will host an art exhibit of threatened and
endangered Texas plant and animal species April 6 through June 27 iQ the Lower Gallery.
Vanishing Wildlife of Texas, a collection of more than 50 paintings by internationally known
artist Gamini Ratnavira, was created to illustrate a book of the same name.
The exhibition shows the value of nature and the need to balance the demands of
civilization with the conservation of nature. "We're trying to show people that the
encroachment of man upon the wilderness is upsetting the balance of nature in ways we
have not begun to understand," said Frank Salzhandler, director of the Endangered Species
Media Project.
The Institute, at Bowie and Durango in HemisFair Park in downtown San Antonio is
open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for Lower
Gallery exhibits; however, admission is charged for the Exhibit Floor.
Bird Counters Also Name Chickadee America's Favorite Bird
Great Bac~yard Bird Count
Backs Punxsutawney Phil
Ithaca, NY, March 8, 1999-Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his
shadow this groundhog's day, and maybe rightly so.
Some 42,000 reports rolled in during the Second Annual Great
Backyard Bird Count (February 19- 22, 1999), a BirdSource project
<http://birdsource. cornell.edu>. Preliminary results suggest
an early spring.
"Last year, we saw robins in higher-than-average numbers
farther north than usual," says Frank Gill, National Audubon's vice
president for science. "This year, the largest concentrations were reported in Florida and
other areas where you would expect to find them in February, but sizable flocks were also
noted in the Maritime Provinces-Nova Scotia, New Brunswick-where they were not
reported during last year's count, he said."
This situation coincides with sightings of large flocks of red-winged blackbirds in parts
of the Northeast in February, and with early wildflower appearances in Texas and Maine.
"There are always more robins wintering in northern regions than most people realize,"
explains John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. "But some of
the flock sizes reported during this year's count would suggest that a good many of these
birds are migrants on the move, rather than overwinterers."
Meanwhile, the 42,000 reports-triple the number from last year-means that
BirdSource researchers will have plenty of GBBC data to keep them busy. Mourning dove
appeared on the most number of report forms (23,709 forms), followed by northern cardinal
(21,310), dark-eyed junco (20,866), American crow (17,205), and house finch (16,981).
The most numerous species (species reported in highest numbers) were European starling
(217,253 birds reported), Canada goose (188, 189), house sparrow (170,864), common
grackle (161 ,763), and dark-eyed junco (161 ,326).
Participants were invited this year to vote for their favorite bird. The "Top Ten List" put
the chatty little black-capped chickadee at the top, followed by northern cardinal,
ruby-throated hummingbird, eastern bluebird, great blue heron, bald eagle, common loon,
and Carolina wren.
The Great Backyard Bird Count made tremendous strides this year in contributing to
the BirdSource database," says Audubon's Gill. "We couldn't have done this without the
many bird enthusiasts. They're an important part of this team effort, and we hope they'll join
us for next year's GBBC and for the many other BirdSource projects."
Editor's note: Shortly after this was written the Northeast suffered a series of paralyzing
snow storms. P. Phil was not heard from. Further, BAS congratulates those of its members
who participated.
April 1999 3
Earthday Set for
Saturday, April 20
Now an official Fiesta Event, this year's
Earthday celebration will take place from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at
Woodlawn Lake Park. There will be food,
fun and entertainment for the whole family.
No admission fees.
Wilderness Pow Wow
Features Longleaf Ridge
Everyone is welcome to the 20th
Annual Texas Wilderness Pow Wow April
23 - 25, 1999, at the Caney Creek
Recreation Area in the Angelina National
Forest near Zavalla, with . walks into
Longleaf Ridge, long proposed by Texas
Committee on Natural Resources (TCONR)
and other groups as a National Recreation
and Wildlife Area.
The Caney Creek .Recreation Area
features developed campsites, running
water, rest rooms, and an amphitheater for
the Saturday program. You are invited to
bring your camping gear (or come for the
day) to enjoy these beautiful woods and to
learn how you can help protect them. We
hope you can join us!
DIRECTIONS TO CANEY CREEK: Go
east on Hwy 63 from Zavalla to FM 2743.
Take FM 2743 several miles almost to its
end. Turn left onto Forest Rd 336 at the sign
for Caney Creek Recreation Area.
To pre-register, include your Name,
Address, City/St/Zip, Phone, Fax, Email and
mail to the address indicated below. There
is no registration fee. However, donations
are welcome to help defray event expenses.
Please make check or money order payable
to TCONR and mail to address below.
For additional information contact
Texas Committee on Natural Resources
(TCONR) at 1301 South IH 35, Suite 301,
Austin, TX 78741, 512-441-1122, Fax
512-411 ~ 3300, tconr@mindspring.com
Upcoming Chapter
Meetings for 1999
May- Lisa O'OonneU ·various U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service programs to clear
juniper.
June - Andrew Ballnsky - great
photography of Costa Rica birds
Bexar Tracks
Please Help Bexar Audubon
Reach Its Goal for Our New
Pledge Drive:
Pledged: $260
Goal: $3,000
Please use the form below and send in
your tax-deductible donation.
Folks, please help us ... we will be applying
approximately half of the funds toward
our environmental education projects,
the rest for operating expenses. We need
to raise this amount by the end of May.
We really need your help. $2 from every
one of the 1500 members would do it!
Thank you! r------------.. Introductory Membership 1
and Donation Form I
National Audubon Society I
Bexar AudubonSociety
(Chapter Code W19)
New memberships to National
Audubon Society, including a subscription
to Audubon magazine, are $20 ($15 for
seniors or full-time students). This includes
membership in Bexar Audubon and a
subscription to Bexar Tracks,as well.
Makes a great gift!
Name ___________ _
A~~-----------------
~--------------------
State ________ Zip ____,-------
Phone: ( ) -----------
Mail this coupon and your check-payable
to "National Audubon Society, Chapter
W19" to:
Bexar Audubon Society
P. 0. Box 6084
San Antonio, TX 78209
If you would like to be a checkbook
activist and participate in our 1999 Pledge
Drive, please fill out your name and
address and write the amount of your tax­deductible
donation to Bexar Audubon
Society here: $ ___ _
Please make your check payable to
"Bexar Audubon Society".
Please send this form and check to
the above address. Thank you very much
for supporting our society.
W19
7XCH
~Ap-ril- 1-99-9- --------.1
Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.
P. 0. Box 6084 .
San Antonio, TX 78209
Address Service Requested
~~~vs~~rlf~As
6900 N LOOP 160~ W
SAN ANTONIO TX
March 18, 1999, Chapter Meeting Recap:
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
San Antonio
Permit #590
W19
NOV99
78249-1130 )
Make Your Yard Bird, Critter Friendly
Lots of hands-on tips to make members' yards more hospitable for birds and other wild
critters were dispensed at the March BAS meeting by Patty Martin of the Little Nature Store
in Leon Springs, a zoologist with many years of wildlife management experience.
Examples: nectar too old for the hummingbird feeder can be put out for the butterflies,
along with old, squashed bananas which will also attract protein-rich fruit flies for hummers.
If you are plagued by wasps in your birdhouses, coat the underside of the roof with
Ivory soap. If you can't reach your hand inside, drip Palmolive Dish Soap (a very thick
brand) onto the roof. Birds are most vulnerable when wet so make sure there is plenty of
open space around your birdbath so the cats can't sneak up on them. A perch under the
hole in the birdhouse is not only unnecessary, it provides a handy toehold for predators.
Martin detailed several methods of getting rid of unwanted critters, from raccoons to
deer. Among the most effective, she said, are cayenne pepper solutions, which are available
commercially (eg., NIMBY) or which can be home-brewed with cayenne peppers, water
and a little oil (let soak, then filter the particles out). If you want to repel squirrels with
pepper spray, you must provide an alternative squirrel haven in another part of your yard or
the little rodents will grimace a little but keep on eating your bird feed. If you use it for
raccoons, beware-they get mad and may maliciously destroy things. Birds, by the way,
have no taste buds that react to pepper so it doesn't bother them and is a source of Vit. A.
She recommends that for the safety of your yard's wildlife population you "go organic"
with fertilizers, pesticides, etc., but caution that many organic substances, if used or mixed
improperly, can cause damage to plants and wildlife. So homeowvners, take care.
Finally, want lots of hard-working ladybugs controlling the plant pillagers in your yard?
If so, buy a package of the little insects and (yes) a ladybug house. Put the house in the
yard and the ladybugs in the refrigerator. When ttw little bugs are dormant then put them
in the ladybug house. They will awaken slowly, imprint on the house and stick around to
eat what's eating your roses. Unrefrigerated ladybugs tend to wander off after a day or so,
leaving you at the mercy of wave after wave of aphids.
-Tom Wilson
4 Bexar Tracks