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Thursday, January 21, 1999-Chapter Meeting
Lions and Giraffes and Elephants, Oh My!
BEXAR
AUDUBON
SOCIETY
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
Speaker to Share Experiences Combating
Wild Game Poaching in Tanzania
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
Our speaker for the January meeting will be James Stinebaugh of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of International Affairs.
Among many exciting and potentially dangerous assignments he has had, Stinebaugh has taken part in two assessments of law enforcement
activities in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.
These assessments, involving informational and educational exchanges, were conducted by the FWS Office of International Affairs
and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Stinebaugh will explain how these analysis and information exchanges are providing Tanzania with the technical law enforcement
skills necessary for the development of an effective long-term anti-poaching program in that African country.
Vanishing
Texas
River Cruise
Saturday, January 31, 1999 -Chapter Outing
Your Opportunity to See an Eagle
Vanishing Texas River Cruises
"Ultimate Eagle Cruise''
Date: Saturday, January 31, Check-in at 8:45 am; Departure at 9 am SHARP
What: 4 hour- 40 mile cruise on Lake Buchanan & the Colorado River: Winter
at Lake Buchanan and in the Colorado River Canyon is dominated by an estimated
25 bald eagles that spend the winter there. On clear days, you will see our national
symbol soaring through crisp cloudless blue sky. Rainy days offer spectacular views
of the birds sitting majestically on their treetop perches. You will also have unique
views of other Texas Hill Country wildlife and habitats. Lunch is included. Worried
about the cold? Don't be, you can see everything from the heated cabin and steaming
refreshments are also available.
Where: Meet at the dock. The Vanishing Texas River Cruise docks are located on
the eastern shore of Lake Buchanan, approximately 120 miles north of San Antonio.
Allow 2 Y2 to 3 hours for the drive from San Antonio. From San Antonio, head north
on Highway 281 to the intersection with Highway 29 in Burnet. Head west on Highway
29 for 3 miles to FM2341. Turn right (north) and go 14 miles to the cruise entrance.
A map is available on their website (www.vtrc.com).
Cost: If we have fewer than 15 people, $26.95 adult and $21.95 for children 2-12
(Includes Lunch). At least 15 people-there will be a slight discount (amount unknown
at press time).
" To reserve a space and inquire about car-pooling, call Bill Sain at 408-7731.
BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY
Chapter of the National Audubon Society
P. 0. Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209
210-822-4503
GOALS
The Chapter's primary goals are
to promote species and habitat
conservation and environmental education
in the community.
OFFICERS
President Bill Sain (71634.230@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 ......... ................ Qsneal@texas.net) .......... 561-0313
Hanry Noyes ......................... .. ...................................... 490-3124
Term Ending 2000:
Chris Dullnig ......................... (cdullnig@juno.com) . 830-980-8156 '
Maria Elizalde ........................ .. ...................................... 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.com) .... 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 Dullnig .... (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.com) ........ 492-4799
Editors Jill Sondeen ..................... ..................... 830-980-3277
Qsondeen@NetXPress.com) ........ Fax: 830-438-7393
Mailing Karen and Mel Shupp ................................... 494-3134
Bexar Tracks is your newsletter.
We welcome your contributions.
Next deadline: January 22, 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.
() Printed with soy ink on
recycled paper.
Visit Bexar Audubon's
Web Site:
http://www.audubon.org/chapter/txlbexar/
Suggestions and contributions are welcome.
Please contact Bill Hurley at
BILLHUR@aol.com
January 1999
I hope every one of yo·u enjoyed the holidays and our ever-changing Texas
weather. You have all made a list of New Year's resolutions and, if you are like me,
you have already broken most of them. I hope that each of you made a resolution
(and intend to fulfill this one) to continue your love for wildlife and the habitat that is
so vital to its survival. 1999 will be full of challenges for the environment and full of
opportunities for those who care to meet those chalfenges.
The Texas Legislature will be in session, so please contact your State Senators
and Representatives and let them know that you care about the environment and
will be closely monitoring their actions in Austin. Don't forget, of course, about your
Congressmen in Washington. Why not send them a list of New Year's Resolutions
that you hope they will keep.
You also will have the opportunity to get involved in the success of Bexar
Audubon. We are always looking for folks interested in helping us with education
programs, planning/leading outings, writing articles for the newsletter, bringing
refreshments to the meetings, etc. Let us know if you have any program or outing
suggestions. If you don't have any volunteer time available, feel free to make a
tax-deductible donation.
I hope you all have a marvelous 1999, and I hope to see you at one of our
meetings or an outing.
-Bill Sain
r------------ .. I
I
I
I
I
Introductory Membership
National Audubon Society
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 ______________________ _
Add~·--------------------
c~----~-------------
state ________ Zip __ .o..._ ____ _
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
I
I
LOCAL NEWS
I We Goofed
I Setting the
Record Straight
Editors note: The following message was
received from Ginger Hall Carnes,
Director of Community and Public
Relations for Palo Alto College regarding
an article in last months Bexar Tracks.
We appreciate your interest in the
good news for the Southside with A&M
considering a location near Palo Alto
College. It is true that Texas A&M
University is considering putting an
upper-division campus near Palo Alto
College. However, it is NOT true that
the two would merge as part of this
plan. Palo Alto will maintain its identity
while A&M is available for students
taking junior and senior-level classes.
If A&M reaches the 5,000 students, it
could become its own full-fledged
university, but again, Palo Alto would
remain an open-admission community
college. .. ____________ ..
2 Bexar Tracks
CHAPTER N..EWS
Education Committee Report on December 5, 1998. Activity
They Got Wild ... You Can Too
"Shhh .... Close your eyes .... Listen ... What nature sounds do you hear?"
Home-school moms, science teachers, Master Naturalists, and Friedrich
Interpretive Guides learned about the ecosystems of the Hill Country and the
wildlife of Friedrich Park as they participated in hands-on activities during the
6-hour Project WILD! workshop held at Friedrich Park on Saturday, Dec. 5.
The recent workshop was facilitated by Mary Kennedy, Bexar Audubon
Education Committee Co-Chair, Vicki Marshall Silvas, a Friedrich Park
Naturalist, and Holly Morgan, a Bexar Audubon member. It should be noted that the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department is the state sponsor of this wonderful program.
"Learning to Look, Looking to See" participants spent time alone on the Forest Range
Trail, getting close to their surroundings. They drew pictures and wrote poetry while recording
their observations and impressions of the calm woodland environment.
In the game "What's Wild?" the differences among wild, tame, and domesticated animals
were emphasized. A picture of a wild animal was placed on the back of each participant
without that person being able to see the animal depicted. Each participant quizzed the
other, in order to determine what animal picture he or she was wearing on his or her back.
After guessing their animals, the participants grouped themselves in a variety of ways to
show scientific classification.
"Habitat-Lap-Sit" taught the importance of food, water, shelter, and space in the proper
arrangement for the golden-cheel<ed warbler. A "balanced" habitat for the bird was simulated
as participants became habitat components, .formed a circle, and sat in the lap of the
person behind them!! If one person/habitat component failed, then the whole circle failed,
just as in real habitats.
While dissecting "Owl Pellets" we heard ... "What's this?" ... "Oh look, a skull!" .. "Where
did this come from?" as the neatly packaged fur ball was taken apart. This activity
emphasized predator-prey relationships and gave the participants the opportunity to
understand more about habitat requirements of owls.
The Bexar Audubon Society Education Committee has decided to sponsor Project
WILD! at Friedrich Park each Spring and Fall. This important learning experience enables
participants to become Project WILD! teachers. Each participant receives a manual of 80
activities for hands-on learning about wildlife. For information and registration for the Spring
Project WILD! workshop, contact Vicki at Friedrich Park, 698-1057.
-Karen Peissinger
Ready, Set
Mark Your
Calendars!
Thesday, March 2nd, 7:00pm
Witte Museum Auditorium
The next San Antonio Environmental
Network Environmental Issues Forum in
March will be cosponsored by the San
Antonio Open Space Advisory Board and
American Institute of Architect's Committee
on the Environment. All meetings are free
and open to the public.
The topic will be "Bexar Nature
Preserve System Progress Report" and will
include presentations from Steering
Committee and Working Group chair
persons; responses from Texas Nature
Conservancy, San Antonio Water System,
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, San
Antonio Parks Department, and Bexar Land
Trust representatives.
More information will be provided in
next month's newsletter on this meeting.
Please mark your calendars and come and
learn about the exciting development of our
nature preserve system.
-Susan Rust
Editor's Note: See related article on page 4
of this newsletter.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday-February 26 to 28, 1999, Chapter Outing
Sign Up Now for this Exciting and Rare Opportunity! ·
Welder Wildlife Refuge
Here it is, folks, a major outing to the largest privately endowed wildlife refuge in the world. This is a chance to see more nature in
three days than San Antonio can offer in three months. It will be interesting, intriguing and we need you to sign up now to assure the
minimum number of 15 required to make this trip.
Here are the details, some of which are subject to minor changes as planning progresses.
February Outing: Welder Wildlife Refuge (Sinton, TX) and Beyond.
Depart: San Antonio Friday, Feb. 26 in private car caravan.
Return: San Antonio Sunday, Feb. 28 at about 3 p.m.
Cost: An estimated $25 which includes accommodations for two nights and a $5 donation to Bexar Audubon. All meals on your own.
Itinerary: (subject to change) We will start the weekend with an afternoon stop at Choke Canyon State Park. We will arriver at Welder
Wildlife Refuge at about 2 p.m. After settling into the bunkhouses (19 bunk beds on the women's side and the same number for the
men) we will take a tour of the facilities and the surrounding area before heading into town for dinner.
Saturday morning we will board the WWR bus to tour the refuge. Our tour will be led by Selma Glasscock, WWR Conservation
Education and Texas Audubon Society Board member. You should bring your own breakfast and lunch for Saturday and you can find
dinner that evening in the restaurant of your choice in nearby Sinton, Rockport/Fulton or Aransas Pass.
Saturday morning we will leave WWR and visit several nearby Texas Coastal Birding Trail sites before returning to San Antonio.
We need a minimum of 15 people for this trip. If we fall short of that number the trip will be canceled and full refunds made.
For more information or to reserve a space call Bill Sain, 408-7731.
January 1999 3 Bexar Tracks
CONSERVATION NEWS
Audubon Tackles Restoration in Chicag~
Edito~ ~Not~: Susan Rust forwarded this article on Audubon's par:ticipation in Chicago Wilderness,
explammg,. This is the rnodelfor our local Nature Preserve System." Web Site: www.chiwild.org
When the histQry of ecological that is focused on wildlife and habitat
restoration is ~ritten, the Chicago region will seemed best for some of the next ,steps."
stand as th~ birthplace of community-based One of the real challenges for Chicago
conservation and Wilderness turned out
ste~ardship. This to be that of restoring
reg1on ha~ spaw~ed ~L habitats big enough for
many mnovat1ve JfJii_ the animals Packard
techniques and c H 1 c AGo wILDERNEss says. Anoth~r was the .
approaches. It's also the ' A Regional Nawre &serve synthesis between the
Voters Think Big. Wide Open. in Fact
States Approve
Open Space Initiatives
Editor's Note: This article, frorn the Winter
1998~'99 Issue of the Land Trust Alliance
Newsletter LTA Landscape, was forwarded by
Susan Rust.
Voters overwhelmingly approved ballot
measures to protect open space on
November 3, 1998, voting for eight of 10
home of the Volunteer human and the natural state initiatives and a vast majority of county
Stewardship Network (VSN), involving communities. ·vet another was the need to ' and municipal open space measures:
th~usands of volunteers, hundreds of highly bring good science-based de~ision-making
tramed staff and volunteer leaders, and into the economic and political centers of
dozens of age~cies. power. Among the scores of. Chicago
The next b1g development was Chicago Wilderness organizations, there are many
Wilderness-a broad-based initiative which that excel at various aspects of this work.
now, in its third year, has formally enlisted ·But at times it -was difficult to unite the
more than 70 organizations and agencies; science, politics, activists and decision-including
all the federal conservation and makers.
en.vir?nmental agencies (EPA, Fish & "We would have agreed upon some
Wild.ilfe, Forest Service, Corps, Park great initiatives among the biologists, .·
Serv1ce, etc.). Focused on the restoration planners and federal agencies. And then
of more than 200,000 acres of rare prairie, some village manager or county board
oak savanna and related communities in the member would throw a monkey wrench in
Windy City metropolitan area (parts of three the works. We clearly needed to unite the
~tat~~), the Project is based on the counter- science, the community, arid the decision-
IntUitive fact that the Chicago metro area is makers to move ahead. We gradually
home to the largest and best remnants of learned that we needed business folks
!he original wilderness that survive in the students, editorial writers, and clergy_:and
corn belt: the rest is heavily farmed from we needed staff to foster wise, generous,
fencero~ to fence~ow. friendly, strong coordination among all.
Ch1cago Wilderness has pulled Many ofthe participants knew what needed
together more than 60 scientists and scores to be done. But it didn't fit their rol~. Nobody
oLplanners, educators, and land managers was stepping up to the plate/'
to conduct more than 80 major projects for Audubon offered to till the need "This
which they have raised and spent more than · new Audubon initiative doesn't at first have
$7. million. Projects include the full-color a lot of resources.,. but we have· some,"
popular magazine Chicago WILDERNESS, Packard said. "We. hope to assemble a
restoration demonstration projects, a NASA- small team, maybe four people as a.start,
funded assessment of the changing quality and grow from there." Packard is looking
of th~ region's natural landscape using for people with a variety of expertise to join
sat~lilte P.ho~os, ~he development of a the initial Audubon team-people with skills .
reg1onal b1od1vers1ty recovery plan, and in restoration, conservation science, land
many lo?al, ed~cational, and on-the-ground advocacy, project administration, grassroots
restorat1on proJects. participation; and public relations. "We
At the height of all this, Steve Packard, humbly hope to change tha culture of the
the fellow who initially conceived of both the region," says Packard. "We imagine that a
Volunteer Stewardship Network and love for nature will combine· with sensible
Chi~~go v:'ilderness, leaves an influential economics to make the Chicago region the
pos1t10n w1th. The Nature Conservancy to · first place on Earth where a modern society
g? to the, Nat1onal Audubon Society. What lives in a sustainable, harmonious way with
g1ves? ·nature."
"Working at conservation on this Good luck, Steve. Good luck, new
augmented scale, we have some very large . Audubon team . .
new needs," says Packard, "And a science­based,
grassroots, advocacy organization
January 1999
-by Debra Shore·
Editor, Chicago WILDERNESS Magazine
4
*Alabama passed a constitutional
amendment authorizing $110 million
in bonds to acquire, renovate, and
maintain parks and historic sites.
*Arizona authorized spending $20
million annually for open space over
the next 11 years.
· *Florida permanently reauthorized
the Preservation 2000 bond program
for land acquisition and required a two­thirds
vote of the state cabinet to
authorize any sale of land bought with
these funds.
*Michigan dedicated $50 million of
a larger bond issue to parks and
recreation.
*Minnesota dedicated 40 percent
of lottery proceeds to an Environment
and Natural Resources Trust Fund for
25 years, which is projected to raise
at · least $700 million for land
protection.
*New Jersey came out with the
largest measure, designating $1.45
billion over 1 0 years to protect open
space.
*Oregon dedicated lottery funds for
parks and salmon restoration, which
is projected to raise $'700 million over
the next 15 years.
*Rhode Island authorized a $15
million bond issue for acquisition of
greenways.
The Lard Trust Alliance tracked 134
state, county and municipal ballot initiatives
for open space ranging from property tax
levies to bonds, and found that 85 percent
of these measures were approved.
"All across the country, the public voted
to invest in protecting open space in their
communities," said LTA Director of Public
Policy Russell Shay. 'This should send an
important message to political leaders that
the same sentiments t~at have supported
the growth of land trusts across the country
are being heard at the ballot Q.ox."
Bexar Tracks
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ·
When You Talk about BiQdiversity,
You're Talking ~bout Texas~ Partner
Editor's Nqte: the following analys.is wasJurnished by Ted Eubanks via the Internet.
In the recent announcement of a new
web page for the Upper Texas Coast (UTC)
and the Pineywoods, I noticed the following
quote in the introduction of the web page
itself: "With 418 identified species, the
Southeast Texas regioA is arguably the
greatest birding spot on the North American
Continent."
The UTC is where I began my birding
activities nearly 30 years ago. I dearly lov,e
this part of the world, and could not agree
more that the UTC and the southern
Pineyw'oods are among tMe most
fascinating spots in the nation to enjoy
wildlife viewing, particularly birding .
However, over the past several months I
have been involved in two separate projects
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), and
one of the reports we are compiling il")volve$
an environmental profile of the region.
Consider the following.
In this case, we are concerned with
only four counties: Willacy, Cameron,
Hidalgo, and Starr. The birding trail will
extend as far up river as Zapata County;
- so, for the sake of argument, let's consider
the total to be five counties. Within this
rather small region, the following specie'S
have been documented:
Birds-484 species-highest diversity
. of any area in North America; 52 percent
·. of all North American birds; dozens of rare,
threatened, and endangered species;
· crossroads of migration between the
Americas
· Mammals-50+ species-c::-4 speCies of
cats (mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot,
jaguarundi)-more than anywhere else in
North America
Bats-13 species-more than most
states in the U.S.
Audubon Bulletin Hemisphere-Wide
Amphibians-more species than in
most of the western United States and
Canada
Reptiles-67 species, including 22
lizards, 1 0 turtles (including endangered sea
turtles), and 34 species of snakes-nearly
one-third of all -snake. species in North
America ·
Fre~hwater Fish-a diverse
assemblage of 112 species, many of which
are found no farther north.
Butterflies-291 species-41 percent
of all species north of the Mexican border
and more species than in all states except
two; 29 speqies are seen nowhere else in
the United States or Canada
Odonates (Dragonflies and
Damselflies)-We are in the process of .
compiling a list of odonates for the LRGV.
However, a few weeks ago Bob Behrstock,
myself, and others photographed in Santa
Ana NWR the first Gynacantha mexicana
in the United States, a Mexican species of
dragonfly that, to my knowledge, does not
_even have a common name yet.
This is only a rough draft of what will
. be included in the final report. Complete lists
. of all the above will be included 'in the
appendices. However, I do believe that this
gives you a taste for the unparalleled
diversity of the LRGV. The Valley is tci Texas
what the Everglades are to Florida and the
Chirichahuas q.re to Arizona. The LRGV
may very well be the rl)OSt biodiverse region
in the contiguous United States, not just our
state. I can conceive of no conservation
project in this country that is more deserving
· of our support and efforts. "
Tim Brush, Mike Quinn, Bob Behrstock
Brad McKinney, and others hav~
contributed to our efforts, and we thank
them all for their generosity.
First Edition of Latin America Bulletin Posted on Internet .
New York: NY_ Dec~mber 1 ~-The .~ational Audubon Society, in an effort to strengthen its
pa~nersh1p. With Latm Amencan affthates and other organizations from the Caribbean and
Latm A~enca, has posted the first edition of the Latin America Bulletin, audubon.org/
local/latm.
"Th~ La~in America Bulletin will be posted in both English and Spanish in hopes that
commumcatton between North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America will be secure
for ~he future ~nd help facilitate further Audubon projects throughout the hemisphere," said
AleJandro GraJal, National Audubon Society Director for the Latin American and Caribbean
region. He hopes that members will use the Bulletin and provide him with input and feedback.
January 1999 ',
5
The Problem Is in the Details:
Baca Ranch to Go Public or
Public Lands to Go Private?
Legislation has been introduced in the
Senate to transfer some of the finest fish
and wildlife habitat in North America to the
U.S.Forest Service (USFS) and National
Park Service (NPS). The New Mexico area
is' known as the Valles Caldera and currently
is managed by the Baca Land and Cattle
Company. Under the legislation, S. 2621,
about 94,000 acres would be designated
as the Valles Caldera National Preserve and
added to the National Forest System. And,
845 acres would go to Bandelier National
Monument, which is part of the NPS.
Valles Caldera actually is a large lava
dome inside an old and very large volcano.
It harbors one of the country's finer elk herds
and is noted for its trout fishery.
S. 2621 requires that the national forest
portion of the area continue to be managed
as a working ranch in an eclogically
sustainable manner. The idea is for the
Preserve to become financially self­sustaining.
Management would be through
a trust which would collect funds from
private and public sources and create an
endowment. The trust will be dissolved after
20 years, at which time it will become part
of the Santa Fe National Forest.
Aside from establishing the Preserve,
S. 2621 also directs that the USFS, Bureau
of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife
Service, and NPS identify private inholdings
in "federally designated areas," such as
national monuments, wildlife, refuges,
scenic rivers, and national recreation areas.
The agencies would report to Congress on
inholders who wish to sell their property.
· The inholdings then could be purchased
with funds..from the sal~ of "surplus" public
· land. The "surplus" public l.and would be
that identified by the agencies under
approved land use· plans.
Some conservationists are
concerned that the "surplus" land sale
authority may give administrations
better opportunities to dump public
lands into private hands, as has been
·tried numerous times. It is especially
unsettling that the authority apparently
would, for the first time, give the Forest
Service authority to dispose of National
Forest System lands. USFS currently may
swap lands, but it may not dispose of lands
outright.
Editor's Note: Susan Rust forwarded this
article noting that some grass-roots action
may be called for here.
Bexar Tracks.
Did You Know That?
Killer Caracaras?
Editor 's note: remember the Gary Larson cartoon of some years ago with two buzzards sitting on a
branch, one turns to the other and says, "Patience, hell, I'm going to kill something." Apparently
caracaras, often considered to be carrion eaters, saw it too. The following exchange is from the
TEXBIRDS listserv. .
Jose Hernandez of Houston commented, "They also reported
seeing a crested caracara kill a live rabbit in one of these corn­strewn
senderos.
"The times that I have seen crested caracara eating, they
seemed to be eating carrion. When I have seen them perched or
in the air, I have never had the impression that they were hunting.
It looks like I have been missing out.
"What proportion of their diet is fresh kill and how much is
carrion? What hunting methods do they use? What prey do they
go after?"
Allen Merton responded:
I don't know the answers to your questions. Just a personal
observation or two.
. I ha~e personally witnessed caracaras killing a Rhode Island Red rooster at my
n~1ghbor s barn. I have also see.n a caracara kill a cottontail on FM 2336 near the junction
w1th ~wy 95. The caracara was walking along the. grassy shoulder when he jump-started a
rabb~t. Th~ caracara ~ade a combined running, leaping and flying attack and caught the
rabbit. I Witnessed th1s from about 50 feet away. I had gone to this location to watch for
?aracaras after ~riving by and seeing a family group feeding on road kill. This road junction
IS a good place m Bastrop County to see caracaras as they nest in the vicinity.
Then Janet Goings contributed the following:
Last January, my husband and I were driving on FM 239 around Austwell on our way
to ANWR and we spotted approximately 20 caracaras in a field. We stopped and watched
them for about 20 minutes. They were apparently just grazing in the field, as they were
scattered all over. There didn't seem to be any carrion present.
It was an interesting experience.
Ted Eubanks explained:
In my experience, one of the favorite foods of crested caracaras is dung beetles. They
shred cow patties while looking for the dung beetles that reside within.
Book Review:
Shedding Water on a Difficult Issue
"Watershed Stewardship: A Learning Guide' is a valuable resource for watershed
grou~ members, landowners, land managers, workers, and volunteers. It is a practical
learnmg tool. This 22-chapter guide is an easy-to-use resource that will help readers learn
how to:
* Know the parts of their watersheds and how they fit together
* Understand assessments of watershed conditions
* Develop strategies for enhancing watershed resources
* Implement effective enhancement projects
. The guide was written by a team of Oregon State University Extension educators with
1nput fro.m watershed councils, federal and state agencies, industry, private groups, and
academia.
To order, request publication EM 8714, an·d send a check, purchase order, or money
order for $32.00 per copy (payable to Oregon State University) to: Publication Orders-WS1
Extens~on & Station Communications, Oregon State University, 422 Kerr Administration:
~o~alhs, OR 97331-2119, FAX: 541-737-0817, e-mail: puborders@orst.edu, Their web
s1te 1s: eesc.orst.edu.
January 1999 6
Recurring Events
*Second Thursday of Each Month­Bexar
Audubon Society Board Meetings.
Members welcome. Call 408-7731 for
more information.
*Third Thursday of Each Month (except
August)-Bexar Audubon Society
General Meetings, Open to the Public,
Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia, 7 pm, Call
822-4503 for more information.
*First Saturday of Each Month­Friedrich
Wilderness Park offers a free
guided general natural history hike. Call
698-1057 for more information.
*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
698-1057.
*Second Saturday of Each Month-San
Antonio Audubon Society's Beginners'
Birdwalk. Meet at the Judson Nature Trail
in Alamo Heights at 8:00AM. (except in
the summer, June through August, when
it is 7:30) Visitors are welcome.
Membership is not required and we have
a few binoculars to lend. For more
information, call at 342-2073.
*Fourth Saturday of Each Month­Birding
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.
*First Tuesday of Each Quarter (March,
June, September, December)-San
Antonio Environmental Network meets
at the Witte Museum auditorium, 7 pm.
Free and open to the public. Call 822-
4503 for more information.
Useful Numbers
*San Antonio Audubon
Bird Sightings-308-6788
*Wildlife Rescue & Rehab-698-1709
*Report local water waste-227-6143
*Smoking vehicle hotline (TNRCC)
(license #, date, time,and location of
sighting are requested: 1-800-453-SMOG
Upcoming
Chapter Meeting
February 18, 1999- Master Naturalist
Program - TPWD
Bexar Tracks
BIRD TALES
Tales from the Sandwich Bar
"This Merlin Is Not about Magic, or Is It?"
By Mari Bailey
The merlin is back. I spotted him swooping
across the backyard. Now I know cold weather
is approaching, as his annual return precedes
the frost.
The birds at the feeders have reacted to
the merlin's presence, as they do every year,
with increased wariness; some of them seem
to post themselves as sentinels and frantic
scattering of the birds seems to be the most
common defense mechanism when a shadow
is spotted. The merlin finds things in this
neighborhood to his liking and will remain until
early spring-his aerial acrobatics result in many a meal furnished by the ill or careless
birds of the neighborhood.
Many years ago a beloved neighbor who had once raced pigeons asked me to "shoot
the hawk" that was taking the doves and sparrows at his wild bird feeders. Or course, I
politely refused. Yet, since that time I often read accounts from those who feed birds which
sound as though there is a horror in the actions of the birds of prey.
Likely these are the same folks who watch the Discovery Channel and never flinch
when lions bring down zebras. Some of these folks may even be hunters of wild game
themselves and possibly even hunt over corn feeders or sunflower fields. Many of them
own domestic cats-well-known predators, who often kill just for fun, not survival. How
ironic that these folks find Nature in the Backyard to be unac9eptable somehow. Through it
all they have missed a very essential point-a bird of prey is a bird too, albeit a carnivorous
one. The birds at seed feeders are its feed. I once read-and see if you don't believe it
too-that Nature isn't Cruel, Nature just Is.
Those of you who host the Drama of Nature in your yard and-who realize the above
-will find yourselves with a ringside seat to a real-life "Discovery Channel", and you won't
need cable or a satellite dish to view it, just a window. {This Voice of Experience warns that
a HUGE adrenaline rush accompanies the incredibly swift "fly-by" of a merlin just a few feet
from your head as you look out your window!)
Yes, there will be fewer birds at the feeders by the time the merlin departs, but the
survivors will be "the fittest" and .... the parents of the next generation. Nature as it has
always been and you are there to witness it.
Illustration from Rodale Press Book of Outdoor Building Projects
January 1999 7
February Is Coming Up
Help Cerebrate Wild
Bird Feeding Month
Editor's note: the following release was ­issued
by the National Bird-Feeding Society.
"February is Wild Bird Feeding Month,
the sixth observance since the event was
established by the National Bird-Feeding
Society. The reason, of course, is because
that month is one of the most difficiJit in
much of the U.S. and Canada for birds to
survive in the wil~ .For example, cMsider
that: .
* A typical backyard bird weighs as
much as two nickels.
*They spend most of their waking hours
searching for food-without the help of
"hands" and "fingers."
* In below-freezfng temperatures, the
only "water',_they may be able to find is
snow. ,
*They may consume 20 percent of their
body weight overnight just keeping
warm enough to survive.
* Like the mailman, they're outside in
snow, wind, and cold.
Thus North Americans have taken to
feeding their feathered friends, particularly
during the winter but increasingly
year-round. And they spend ever-increasing
amounts of money to do so.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says
that in 1996 some 52 million Americans over
the age of 16 fed wild birds around their
homes. That is fully one-fourth of the adult
population.
And they spent $2.7 billion on feed and
another $832 million on feeders, houses,
water warmers and other foods and
accessories to continue this entertaining
hobby. That total is up some 16 percent from
the amount spent five years earlier.
Providing wild birds with food, water
and shelter supplements their natural diet
and helps them survive. A Wisconsin study
showed that chickadees with access to
feeders made it through a severe winter
better than those without.
Wild bird feeding continues to be the
most poplar wildlife-related recreational
activity around the home, according to the
US Fish and Wildlife Service.
It is the principal remaining connection
most people have with wildlife, considering
the continued trend toward moving into
urban areas.
Seven out of ten wildlife-related
recreationists fed wild birds during 1996,
according to the Service.
Bexar Tracks
aububon applau~t
Karen Peissinger, Co-chair of our
Education Committee, has done a wonderful
job for the Education Committee and we are
glad to hear that she will continue as a
member of that committee. Thank you Karen
and good luck in your studies.
Congratulations to Ernie Roney and
San Antonio Audubon for another successful
San Antonio Christmas Bird Count (CBC).
Thanks to all the Bexar Audubon members
who participated.
Congratulations to $ue Wiedenfeld for
coordinating the Boerne CBC.
Keep an eye on future editions of the
Sun newspapers for an article on our own
Susan Hughes and her election to the Board
of Directors of the National Audubon Society.
14NTBD:
Someone to house the BAS answering
machine, listen to and forward incoming
messages, and update outgoing messages.
BAS will cover the phone line cost and, if
requred, installation of the service. Call Bill
Sain at 408-7731 if you can spare a corner of
a desk and spare a little time for a really easy
job, done entirely at your convenience.
This is the best job yet for a time-pressed
volunteer!
Saturday, January 16, 1999
Rescheduled Due to Inclement Weather
Volunteer for a Rewarding Experience!
Bexar Audubon to Take
Part in Girl Scout
Environmental Program
The Bexar Audubon Society will help
staff one of five stl).tions at the Girl Scout
Botannica ornithology session to be held on
Saturday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 :30
a.m. at the Botanical Gardens. BAS Education
Co-Chairs Mary Kennedy and Karen
Peissinger will lead the girls in the game
Habitat-Lap-Sit.
Approximately 250 Girl Scouts and Troop
Leaders are expected to attend Girl Scout
Botannica. If you are free to assist with this
event, please contact Karen Peissinger at
(210) 738-3209 between 7a.m.- 9 p.m. (or
peissinger46@atc- enviro.com).
Editor's Note: For a description of the Habitat­Lap-
Sit game, see the article on page 3.
January 1999
Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.
P. 0. Box 6084
San Antonio, TX 78209
Address Service Requested
UNIV Of TEXAS
LIB SERIALS
6900 N LOOP 1604 W
SAN ANTONIO TX
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
San Antonio
Permit #590
W19
NOV99
78249-1130
Great Volunteer Opportunity Available for BAS Member!
New Year Brings Change, Opportunity
For Bexar Audubon Education Committee
After a short, but productive, time as Co-chair of the Education Committee, Karen
Peissinger has made the difficult decision to step down as Co-Chair as of December
31, 1998. Karen will be pursuing her Masters of Science in Environmental Science at
UTSA beginning this January while working full-time as a consulting environmental
scientist. Karen will remain on the committee to assist with future programs and activities.
However, this opens up an opportunity for a lucky Bexar Audubon Member (or
Member-To-Be) to "step up to the plate" and work with Mary Kennedy as Co-Chair of
the Committee. The primary requirements are a desire to communicate with people, a
willingness to learn, and a commitment to approximately two to three hours each week
of committee work, most of which is accomplished when your schedule allows. You do
not have to be the ultimate expert on all Bexar County species, habitat, and environmental
issues AND the fastest bird counter in the West. You need only have a sincere interest
in learning and a desire to share that knowledge with others through the Education
Committee activities and programs.
Please contact BAS President Bill Sain (408-7731) to express your interest in
becoming the new Co-Chair of the Education Committee.
A personal note from Karen Peissinger: Please seriously consider this opportunity
to serve as Co-Chair of the Education Committee. It has been a rewarding learning
experience for me and I regret I cannot continue. Mary Kennedy has been wonderful to
work with because she has extensive knowledge regarding the biology/ecology of Bexar
County, the Hill Country, and Texas and she has a "can-do" attitude! Don't let this
opportunity pass you by to bring environmental education to the adults and children
served by BAS. Thank you! ·
8 Bexar Tracks