The
Naturalist Celebrating 40 Years of Bird Conservation
Audubon Texas Wardens Receive Recovery Champion Award
by Winnie Burkett, Sanctuary Manager
O
n April 15, Dr. Benjamin Tuggle,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Regional Director for the
Southwest, presented the Recovery
Champion Award to the Audubon Texas
wardens. This award was given to them
in recognition of their efforts in the
recovery of Brown Pelicans in Texas. By
the mid-1960s due to the effects of DDT,
the Brown Pelican population in Texas had
dropped to just a few pairs that nested
on the lower Texas Coast. Outlawing DDT
and the protection of waterbird colonies
by Audubon wardens have enabled the
recovery of Texas Brown Pelicans. Now
more then 5,000 nest on the Texas Coast,
with most on islands owned or managed
by Audubon Texas. The wardens’ work
to manage the islands and educate the
public are part of the reason that the
population has rebounded so successfully.
July/August 2010
Contents:
Audubon Texas Wardens . . . . . . . . . . 1
A Welcomed Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Joy Hester NAS Board Nominee . . . . 2
Birds and Bluestem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sanctuary News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Birdathon Prize Winners . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Summer Birding and Counts . . . . . . . 4
Katy Prairie Field Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Species Profile
Black Tern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Festival on the Bayou Report . . . . . . 7
Audubon wardens have
watched over Galveston Bay
waterbird colonies since the early
1920s when wealthy Houston
lumberman James Carroll became
interested in photographing
waterbirds and developed a
passion for protecting their
breeding colonies. First he
personally patrolled the bay
checking for problems with
colonies, but later he hired
Bob Benson, (Audubon Texas ED), David Newstead
Audubon wardens to do the job, (Coastal Bend Warden), Joe Whitehead, Benjamin Tuggles,
paying their salaries and expenses Winnie Burkett, and Bob Gallaway.
out of his own pocket.
Early wardens protected islands from Deer, Jig Saw and several small islands used
fishermen who used chicks to bait crab by skimmers and terns. Joe Whitehead lives
traps and burned island vegetation to on Smith Point and takes care of the East Bay
provide large open areas to dry and mend colonies including Vingt-et-un, Smith Point
their nets. Carroll, a photographer himself, Island and the islands in Rollover Bay. Bob
recognized that the new hobby of nature and Joe, both hunters and fishermen, have
photography presented special problems for developed a great appreciation for birds
bird protection. Photographers often landed during their time outdoors and have felt
on the islands, keeping adults off nests while compelled to do something to protect them.
the eggs and helpless chicks broiled under
Pelicans disappeared from Galveston Bay in
the hot sun.
the 1950s. Breeding birds returned in 1991
There are currently 10 Texas Audubon when 6 pairs nested on Little Pelican Island.
wardens protecting Texas waterbird colonies. This year 2,500 pairs of Brown Pelicans are
We have two in Galveston Bay. Bob Gallaway nesting in Galveston Bay on islands watched
takes care of waterbird colonies in West over by Audubon Wardens. The Recovery
Galveston Bay including North Deer, South Champion Award is well deserved.
This image, taken by Andrew Beck on May 24, 2010 during a colonial waterbird survey at North Deer
Island, shows part of the thriving Brown Pelican colony. Visit our website for full results of the survey.
Vol. 29, No. 4 July/August 2010 A Welcomed Challenge
Houston Audubon Society
is a chapter of the National Audubon Society by Jim Winn, President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
PAST PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Jim Winn
Joy Hester
Mary Carter
M ost challenges are problems to
be solved and often looked upon
with dread; however, Houston Audubon
$20,200 has been
pledged, so we are
$14,800 away from the
CORPORATE SECRETARY Bernice Hotman recently received a different type $70,000 goal. The campaign is coming to an
TREASURER Andrew Lopez “challenge,” which is most welcomed! end soon, and we need everyone’s help now to
DIRECTORS reach the goal. We hope you will join us in this
John Bartos Judy Boyce The organization has received a $35,000
campaign.
Ginger Coleman Lynn Forster gift to underwrite a Board of Director’s
Richard Goldfarb Kathryn Hale Spring Fundraising Challenge. All These gifts will help us continue educating
Ben Hulsey Jeffrey Mills contributions to this campaign will be the next generation, advocating for support
Geoffrey Newton Laurie Williams matched dollar for dollar up to $35,000. of the natural environment, and providing the
Jeffrey Woodman
It’s not often one’s investment can be necessary habitat for birds and wildlife.
Galveston Group doubled so quickly. Each dollar received
Representative: Alice Anne O’Donell Thank you. Hope you are having a good
becomes two dollars for Houston summer!
BOARD OF ADVISORS Audubon! WOW! We started working on
Gerard A. Bertrand Sara Bettencourt this challenge right away!
Peggy Boston Dale Bush Donations can be made online by using the
This fundraising challenge is all about Donation Form at www.houstonaudubon.org, by
Caroline Callery Claire Caudill
Gary W. Clark Fred Collins the birds, and supporting the people calling the office at 713-932-1639, or by mailing a
Scott Davis Victor Emanuel working to preserve them. All members check to Houston Audubon, 440 Wilchester Blvd.,
Ted Eubanks, Jr. Julia Garrett of the HAS Board of Directors, as well as Houston, TX 77079. Please note your donation as
Stephen Gast Gene Graham the Helm and Wortham Foundations, are a Challenge Gift.
Terry Hershey Ford Hubbard, III contributing to the challenge. To date,
Ann Wier Jones Mavis P. Kelsey, Jr.
Robert McFarlane Jeff Mundy
Donal C. O’Brien, Jr.
Rob Rowland
Heidi Rockecharlie
Andrew Sansom
Joy Hester Elected to be a Nominee to the
Steve Smith Kathryn Smyth National Audubon Board of Directors
James R. Stewart, Jr. Lucie Wray Todd
Lettalou Whittington

STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SANCTUARY MANAGER
Gina Donovan
Winnie Burkett
T he National
Audubon
Society has
was a Director-at-Large (2000-2001), Executive
Director (2001-2005), President-elect and
President (2005-2009). She has also served
SR. SANCTUARY STEWARD Flo Hannah announced on the board of directors for Audubon Texas
SANCTUARY STEWARD Andrew Beck the results of (2006-2009) and on the boards of Texas Land
EDUCATION DIRECTOR Mary Anne Weber the Southwest Trust Council and Galveston Bay Foundation.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR Vicki Vroble
Regional Election In 2005 she was awarded the Founders Award
COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR Robin Leonard
COMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Andrea Ritchie
of a nominee to by the Citizens Environmental Coalition.
CONTROLLER Barbara Thompson the NAS Board
We are excited about the experience,
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Juanita Perkins of Directors. Houston Audubon Past
capability, and interest that Joy will bring
President and former Audubon Texas
CONTACT INFORMATION to the National Audubon Board. Chapters
board member, Joy Hester, has been
HAS Office 713-932-1639 in the Southwest Election Region - Arizona,
elected. Joy will be included on the slate
Education Office 713-640-2407 Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas –
FAX 713-461-2911
of Board nominees voted upon at the
will be well served. Congratulations Joy!
E-mail info@houstonaudubon.org Annual Meeting of Members in January,
Galveston County Group 409-772-3126 2011. Her three year term begins with
the January, 2011, Board Meeting.
AUDUBON DOCENT GUILD
COORDINATOR Bethany Foshée In her Statement of Candidate, Joy Database Volunteer Needed
docent@houstonaudubon.org 713-464-4900 wrote that since birding brought her
www.houstonaudubon.org to Audubon and bird conservation, she The Community Relations Department
www.narba.org values the efforts of chapters to provide needs a Database Volunteer to process
quality birding experiences for the donations, thank you letters, update
The Naturalist is published bimonthly. public as a way to bring new converts donor records, and run reports. Periodic
Editor: Susan Billetdeaux
to bird conservation. Her experience in administrative duties will also be part of
A full color version of The Naturalist in PDF format
is available on our website.
working with Audubon at the chapter this volunteer position. Previous data-
Naturalist E-News is published monthly. and state level during the past ten years base experience is desired.
To receive The Naturalist by e-mail, sign up for has prepared her to take on this role with
Naturalist E-News on our website. understanding and enthusiasm. Please contact Juanita Perkins at
jperkins@houstonaudubon.org or
In addition to serving on the Houston
The Naturalist is made possible by a generous 713-932-1639 for more information.
Audubon Board as Past President and a
gift from Terry Hershey. member of its Executive Committee, Joy

2 The Naturalist • July/August 2010

Spring Planting Events Save the Date
Project Blazing Star

H ouston Audubon is actively involved in the Coastal Prairie Partnership (CPP) and its
projects. On April 17, CPP reintroduced coastal prairie to Hermann Park with 1300 1-gallon
rescued or grown-out native grasses and wildflowers. The CPP event was in
cooperation with the Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston Zoo, Katy Prairie Conservancy,
Texas Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter, Student Conservation
Association, and the Clinton Foundation. The planting day was hugely successful.
Take a walk in the park or ride on the zoo’s train to see phase 1 of a long term project to restore
coastal prairie to Houston’s park system. Please watch for website and newsletter notices of
additional planting dates.

LeConte’s Sparrow: Greg Lavaty

On the Coast

I n April, Houston Audubon sanctuary staff

and volunteers worked with the Bolivar
community on habitat and outreach projects. Celebrating Birds and Their Environments
Together we planted over 60 trees in Port Bolivar September 30, 2010
Park and Ft. Travis Seashore Park. The trees had www.houstonaudubon.org
been purchased with funds from a grant from
Ducks Unlimited. On April 21, we worked with
Denise Parsons and the students at Crenshaw
Elementary School in Crystal Beach planting Sanctuary Wish List
native oaks, mulberries, elms and yaupons. Earth Day Planting Event at Crenshaw
The habitat will help educate students about Elementary School. Dos Vacas Debris Cleanup
the importance of native plants for migratory
Hurricane Ike left a great deal of debris
songbirds. All of the kids did a wonderful job planting and caring for the trees. During the
throughout the back portion of Dos
morning, we planted over 25 trees for birds, insects, and students to enjoy for years to come.
Vacas Muertas Bird Sanctuary. With
some help from Blackman Mooring, a
Volunteers Make It Happen! large pile of debris was consolidated
in an open area but was never actually
removed off site. Houston Audubon
2009-2010 High Island Work Day Volunteers needs to remove this pile of debris
Skip Almoney • Nabil Bani • Barbers High School Key Club • Norma Barnes from the tide affected area. We will
Mary Ann Beauchemin • Betsy Black • Peggy Boston • Judy Boyce • Vicky Briones hire a cleanup contractor to remove
Marcie Brown • David Burkett • Debbie Burnett • Carlton Collier • Sue Davison the debris in roll-off dumpsters.
Matt Ellsworth • ERM INC • Harlan Evans • Joanna Friesen • Julia Garrett • Doris Graham
Gary Gray • Milton Gray • Veda Hackell • Jean & Bill Harwell • Denise Herzberg Pickup Truck
Jenny Herzberg • Erik Heyman • June Hill • Bernice & Ed Jackson • Andy Jordan
John Kirschner • Kulsoom Kishwar • Kristen Kondra • Cynthia Kwik • Eleanor Kwik We are collecting funds for a pickup
Ken Kwik • Sheryl Maruca • Sandra Moore • Janet Neath • Frank Ohrt • John Old truck to be our work truck on the coast.
Erica Post • Alice Richardson • Jane Rierson • Lauren Rollins • Sean Rubino We’ve made a great start – please help
Student Conservation Association Houston • Judith Schott • Richard Senechal us reach our goal!
Kulsoom Shah • Sam Smith • Pam Smolen • Gail Sondergaard • Virginia Squires
Mike Stelling • Aaron Stoley • Jane & Jay Stormer • David Swaim • Barbara Tilton Mulching Lawnmower
Debbie Valdez • Arturo Vale • Don Verser • Kelly Walker • Jim Winn
Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center is
2010 High Island Kiosk Volunteers greatly in need of a new or gently used
mulching mower.
Shirley Adams • Beverly Adderholt • Skip Almoney • Mary Lou Anderson • Ann Barb
Norma Barnes • Betsy Black • Peggy Boston • Marcie Brown • Debbie Burnett
Power Tools
Richard Carey • Ginger Coleman • Richard Conner • Sue Davison • Donna Diggons
Nancy Dobbs • Dianna Eickhorn • Mike Fredericksen • Lou Fowler • Joanna Friesen Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary needs
Shirley Garies • Julia Garrett • Carol Beth Gore • Lucille Gottschius • Doris Graham to replace a recent theft of our power
Jean Hackney • Mary Hannigan • Jean & Bill Harwell • Betsey Harwood tools in May. Our Tuesday Trail Crew
Barbara & Ed Hickl • Lisa & Gary Holmes • Bernice Hotman • Fae Humphrey does magnificent work in building
Bernice & Ed Jackson • Linda Kuhnen • Bette & Paul Lester • Carol Lynn & Andy Loker boardwalks and maintaining the trails
Caroline Marcos • Barbara & Dick Massey • Sandy McHone • Sandra Moore and grounds, but they need their tools!
Celeste & Paul Newton • Maureen O’Conner • Pat Park • Pat Pease • Glenda Perry Approximately $1,000 is needed.
Ann Richardson • James Saxon • Lillian & Jim Skogsberg • Elsie Smith • Becky & Sam Smith
Contact Andrew Beck at 713-932-1639,
Jim Stewart • Billie Strickland • Gretchen Thoman • Barbara Tilton • Debbie Valdez
abeck@houstonaudubon.org for details.
Lettalou Whittington • Jana Whittle • Sherry & Carl Wilkerson • Betty Williams
Laurie Williams • Mary Yurkovich • Liz Dear-Zivley

www.houstonaudubon.org 3
Birdathon 2010 Prize and Award Winners

Photo: Greg Lavaty

O nce again Birdathon was a huge success,
raising over $38,000. We could not have
done this without the wonderful teams and their
Grand Prize
Winners: Baker Blue Jays
HAS Sanctuary Bird Sightings
Oberholser Cup – Most Birds Identified
members, and without our generous donors who 1st Muddy Buddies
1st VENT Vagrants – 230 species
pledged to the teams. I also want to recognize the 2nd High Island Crew – 181 species Magic Moment / Funniest Story
various businesses and individuals who donated 3rd Phab Phour Phalaropes – 149 species Phab Phour Phalaropes
their time and/or prizes to help make Birdathon
Whittington Award – Most Money Raised Cheep Tricks
so successful. I have enjoyed being involved in
Birdathon, by being on a team, leading a Youth 1st Three Cranes and a Curlew Green Team Award
Team, and being the Chairperson. But the real 2nd Baker Blue Jays 1st Tweety Dee Tweety Dums
credit go to each of you for participating, and to 3rd High Island Crew
Sitting Duck Award
my committee members who helped so much: 4th Muddy Buddies
1st Avid Avosits
Pam Smolen, Robin Leonard, Andi Ritchie, and 5th Avid Avosits
Juanita Perkins. Best Flyer or Letter
Most Pledges Received
1st Tweety Dee Tweety Dums
I only hope you all had as much fun as I have had, 1st Three Cranes and a Curlew
2nd Cheep Tricks
and continue to enjoy being a part of Birdathon in 2nd Katy Prairie Puddle Ducks
the coming years. Best Team Photo Ever
Best Bird
Katy Prairie Puddleducks
Good luck to each of you, and enjoy the summer. 1st Baytown Birders – Fork-tailed Flycatcher
I’ll see you in the fall. 2nd Raven Maniacs – Bachman’s Sparrow
Find the full list of award and drawing winners
– Leslie Calvert, Birdathon Chairperson Most Great Blue Herons Seen at www.houstonaudubon.org.
1st The Ducksters

Bird Counts and Summer Birding

There are some great birding opportunities in July and
August on the Upper Texas Coast!
On the Bolivar Peninsula, shorebird migration starts around
the first of July, and landbird migration is not far behind.
Not to be missed is experiencing the magic of the Rookery
at Smith Oaks at sunset when thousands of birds come
to roost. Bolivar Flats is spectacular at sunrise; evenings
the flats are full of young birds being fed by parents. The
Smith Point Hawk Watch begins in mid-August.
Take part in one of our bird counts! You never know what
will be found, even within Houston’s city limits. Last spring

Photo: David Burkett

birders at Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary were treated to a
family of Hairy Woodpeckers and nesting Wood Thrushes.
Summer evenings in the city are meant for relaxing
in a lawn chair and watching the Chimney Swifts and
Nighthawks overhead.
Make your own summertime discoveries! Details and links Sunrise at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
to resources are in the Birding section of our website.

Houston Bird Survey Hogg Sanctuary Bird Survey

The last day for the Houston Bird Survey
is June 30. Please remember to send us
your reports!
Swifts Over Houston
Weekly swift counts in Houston (led by
Pam Smolen on Tuesdays) and Dayton
(led by Barbara Tilton).
Armand Bayou Survey
Leader: Andrew Hamlett
Monthly on the second Saturday
Leader: Aaron Stoley
Monthly on the first Monday
in August and September at locations
West 11th St. Park Survey
Leader: Mary Dodson
Monthly on the third Tuesday
Willow Waterhole Survey
Leader: John Schneider
Monthly on the third Saturday
Swift Awareness Events
throughout Houston!
Bellaire: Tuesday, August 31
Sugar Land: TBA
St. Paul’s: Friday, September 24
Check the Swifts Over Houston section of the Houston
Audubon website in August for details.

4 The Naturalist • July/August 2010

Species Profile
Black Tern
by Glenn Olsen
W e have eight species of terns that
can be easily observed on the Upper
Texas Coast at the proper time of year and
in proper habitat for each species. Some
species, like the Forster’s and Royal Terns
can be seen throughout the year. Others,
such as the Common Tern or Black Tern
must be observed during the few months
that they are here. For the Black Tern, the
best months to see this species are May,
and July through September.
Although the plumage of this species is
not brightly colored, it is nonetheless a
stunningly beautiful tern. One would not
think that the basic, dull colors of black,
white, and dark gray could combine to
produce such an attractive bird.
In breeding plumage the head, nape,
mantle, breast, and belly are black. The
wings are dark gray, and the under tail
coverts and vent area are white. In non-
breeding plumage the back is dark gray
and the under parts are white and only
the nape is black. We may see the bird
in either of those plumages or in one of
several stages of molt in between.
Houston Audubon Field Trip
Katy Prairie Natural History
Saturday, July 3, 5:00 p.m. till dark
Guide: Bob Honig
L eave the hot concrete of the city behind
and spend a few hours on the Katy
Prairie, only an hour or so west of Houston,
where summer evenings can be very
comfortable. This is the third consecutive
year that HAS will visit the Katy Prairie on
Independence Day weekend.
We’ll explore grasslands, wetlands, and tree
lines to observe the diversity of life on the
prairie – on properties owned by the Katy
Prairie Conservancy (KPC, www.katyprairie.
org), which has helped protect almost
18,000 acres in west Harris County and east
Waller County. We hope to see a variety
of birds (possibly Painted Buntings and
Orchard Orioles), butterflies visiting flowers,
and dragonflies cruising over ponds. At
sunset we plan to be near a wetland where
thousands of White-faced Ibis, as well as
other waterbirds, may settle in to roost
for the night; and we hope to be treated
to a chorus of frogs and toads, insects,
displaying Common Nighthawks, and
maybe even King Rails and Least Bitterns.
www.houstonaudubon.org
Photo: Greg Lavaty
Black Tern – Chlidonias niger
The Black Tern is a small tern, larger than a Least
Tern but smaller than a Forster’s Tern with a small
bill and rounded head. It breeds in small, loose
colonies in freshwater marshes, ponds, and lakes
of the northern United States and southern
Canada. The primary winter range is along the
coast of northern South America. We see the
species primarily during migration.
In flight, the species has a buoyant, slightly erratic
flight pattern as it searches for food. Rarely does
this species dive into the water but most often
drops gracefully and plucks prey from the surface
of the water or marsh.
I encourage you to make a trip to the coast and
spend a few minutes enjoying all of our terns and
look for a few of the Black Terns that will be in with
a mixed species group of resting birds.
Find this profile in the Bird Gallery of our website.
Guide: Bob Honig – As a member of the
KPC’s Board of Directors and a frequent KPC
volunteer, Bob is very familiar with the Katy
Prairie, and he co-authored a checklist of Katy
Prairie birds. Bob has been an avid naturalist
for many years, regularly leading field trips
and lecturing (in recent years on dragonflies
in particular) for southeast Texas conservation
groups. Bob was Compiler of the Buffalo Bayou
Christmas Bird Count for 21 years, was co-
founder and an initial Co-Compiler of the Brazos
Bend CBC, and has served as Chairman of the
Outdoor Nature Club’s Ornithology Group. Bob
and his wife, Maggie, live on the Katy Prairie just
down the road from our field trip meeting site
on property bordered by KPC land.
Directions: Meet at KPC’s Field Office in Waller
County at 5:00 p.m. From Houston go west
on Interstate 10 – Take Exit 737 Pederson Rd.
and turn right (north). Go north on Pederson
Rd. about ½ mile until it tees into US 90 (note:
no sign for US 90 here). Turn left (west) on US
90 and go about ½ mile to the first right (turn
north) which is FM 2855. Go 6 miles north
on FM 2855 to the intersection with FM 529.
Continue straight across FM 529 – you are now
on Morrison Rd (which gets a little bumpy).
Birding Classes
with Glenn Olsen
Hawk Identification 101
August 24 – September 12, 2010
Introduction to Birdwatching
November 2 – November 13, 2010
Sparrow Identification
November 16 – December 4, 2010
Each class consists of two informal
classroom meetings at Edith L. Moore
Nature Sanctuary and two field trips.
Details and Registration Form at
www.houstonaudubon.org
Photo: Joanne Kamo
Black Terns – nonbreeding plumage
April 4, 2010: High Island
After 1 mile, Morrison makes a sharp left
turn to the west – continue on Morrison 1
more mile to Pattison Rd. Turn right (north)
onto Pattison Rd and go 3 miles to where
Pattison tees into Hebert Rd. Turn left (west)
on Hebert Rd.; go 1 mile to the Katy Prairie
Conservancy Field Office sign on the left –
31950 Hebert Rd. Turn left (south) through
the entrance gate and go about 400 yards to
the office. See our web site description for a
link to other directions.
Reservations (required): Contact Skip
Almoney (skipalm@aol.com or 713-524-
4285). You must sign a KPC release of
liability form to get on KPC property. A link
to this form and other information are in the
field trip description on the HAS website.
Bring a flashlight (with a red filter if you
have it); also wear footwear that you don’t
mind getting a bit wet, in case we have a
rainy spell; and don’t forget water, a hat,
sunscreen, and insect repellent. Regardless
of the weather, please wear long pants
and closed-toe shoes. It may be buggy, so
you may also want to wear long sleeves.
Participants, please check the website for
any last minute updates.
5
Thanks to Houston Audubon’s Generous Donors!
$5,000+
Anonymous • Sara & Mark Bettencourt • The Brown Foundation, Inc. • Farm Service Agency • National Audubon Society • Connie & Jeff Woodman
$2,500-$4,999
Audubon Foundation of Texas • Betsy & Jim Winn
$1,000-$2,499
ExxonMobil Foundation • Rick Goldfarb • Kathryn Hale • Mary Gwen & Ben Hulsey • Kay & Larry Medford • RR Family Foundation
$500-$999
Judy Boyce • Patricia Cravens • Carolyn & Scott Davis • Nancy & Richard Dixon • Jean & Bill Harwell • Joy & Bill Hester • Ann & Arthur Jones
Paula & Geoffery Newton • Alice Anne O’Donell • Victoria Rosenfield • Joanne Wilson • Elizabeth Zivley
$100-$499
Anonymous • Mary & Wayne Alfred • Mary Lou Anderson • Anita Woods • Judy Bailey • Norma Barnes • Cindy & John Bartos
Karen & Phil Beekman • Katherine & Howard Bell • Susan & Brad Billetdeaux • Beth & David Black • Esther Boxall • BP Fabric of America Fund
BP Foundation, Inc. • Sara & Thomas Braud • Joan Brennecke • Melanie Brook-Lander • Cheryl & Johnny Burns • Caroline & Charles Callery
Leslie & Roger Calvert • Richard Carey • Linda Carey • Jeanne Chaffee • Ginger Coleman • Carol Coleman • Anne Conner • Craig Damuth
John Dickinson • Marilyn & Arthur Dickinson • Mary Dodson • David Dolan • Deborah Douglas • Terzah & James Doyle • Christopher Eckert
El Paso Corooration • Shelli & Steven Ellerbe • Marie & Charles Ferguson • Lynn & Robert Forster • Julia & Phil Garrett • Larry Gibson • Beverly Grice
Rita & John Hannah • Betsy & Harry Harwood • Wanda & Sergio Henao • Terry Hershey • Denise Herzberg • Ann & Joe Hightower
B.J. Hollingsworth • Hollis Energy Resource Services • Albert Hoppe • Bernice Hotman • Steve Huddleson • Bernice Jackson • Leslie & Doug Joyce
Arlette Keene • Lynn & Tynan Kelly • Mavis Kelsey, Sr. • Wendy & Mavis Kelsey Jr. • Nancy Kerby • Garland Kerr & Jim Blackburn • Bette & Paul Lester
Janet & Bill Lindemann • Linscomb & Williams, Inc • Dwayne Litteer • Todd Little • Kathy & Andy Lopez • Marilyn MacInnes • Paul Mansfield
Stuart Marcus • Sheryl Maruca • Barbara & Dick Massey • William McCullough • Marilyn Gore McGill • Margaret McNealy • Cathleen McQuillan
Marjorie & Charles Milby • Barbara & Jeff Mills • Rick Mock • Joe Moody • Elayne & James Morgan • Sally & Don Munford • Celeste & Paul Newton
Bobbye & Andy Parson • Emilee Peters • Marjie Pierce & John Miers • Gayla & Michael Pomykal • Natalie Ponder • Pamela & James Pool
Helen & Rush Record • Betty & Harry Reed • Donna Rybiski • Safeway, Inc. • Evelyn & Kevin Shanley • Nancee & Dan Sherick • Laurie Sines
Nina Sitra • Vicki & Steve Smith • Joyce Arrington Smith • Pam Smolen • James Stewart • Jane & John Stormer • David Swaim
Swede’s Beach Properties, Inc. • Nancy Syler • Barbara & James Tilton • Stephen Turnipseed • Judith Vollbrecht • Miriam Vyles
Lettalou Whittington • Heidi & George Wilkinson • Betty Williams • Glenn Wils
$1-$99
Steven Abbey • Annette Abernathy • Shirley Adams • Lynne Aldrich • Barbara & John Arnett • Marie & Odie Asscherick • Helene Baird
Ann & David Barb • Timon Barr • Glenda & Hugh Barrett • Judith Behrens • Christina Bell • Ellen Bell • Tom Benbrook • Nina & Mark Bik
Melissa & Michael Blessington • Bernadette Bonnivier • Ann Bradford • David Bradford • Carol & Gene Bruggeman • Richard Bryan
Debbie & Jack Burnett • Brian Cain • Theodore Campbell • Connie & Mike Carden • Mary Carter • Alta & Richard Cate • Florian Chalfant
Lois Chanslor • Lorraine Cherry • Peter Coleman • Greg Collins • Alan Conway • Marilyn Crane • Helen & Warren Crawford • Ron Cude
Julie & Gerrit D’Ablaing • Bruce Darlow • Cathy & Jeff Day • David Dean • Bebe Descoteaux • James Dick • Donna & William Diggons
Edith & Michael Dillon • Brenda Donaloio • Peggy Duke • Anne Ekblad • Sandy & Karl Elers • Ruth Elvig • Katy Emde • David Espinoza
Virginia Estrada • Marjorie Farmer • David Feigelson • Gene Feigelson • Wanda Fenoglio • Graham Fleming • Martha Foster • Mary Lou Fowler
Michael Francis • Mildred Fredricksen • Sarah Frewer • Kathy Fry • Lori & William Gouldin • Bill Graber • Doris Graham • Melanie Graves
Louann & Milton Gray • Ginny & Michael Gremillion • Mary & Edward Hannigan • Babette & Tod Harding • Eleanore & Warren Harrington
Mary & Robert Heath • Billy Heinze • Elizabeth Henderson • Carolyn & Walt Hesson • Sandy & Ted Hicks • High Island RV Park
Maggie & Bob Honig • Ann Hoover • Jody Hornback • John Hottovy • Elizabeth Houston • Dee Howell • Grant Jense • Jun Jiang • Philip John
Kathleen Johnston • JPMorgan Chase Foundation • Betty & Henry Keith • Shirley Knott • Sharon Kohout • Marina & Sergej Konopleva
Steven Kornblau • Sara & Michael Kowalski • Linda & Carl Kuhnen • Carol Labreche • Phuong Le • Helen Legrand • Barbara & Joseph Lesak
Richard Lieber • Karl Long • Deborah & Gene Luhn • Lauren Luke • Barry Lyon • Robert Macgregor • Deborah Martin • Pattie McBride
Polly & Andrew McCullough • Michael McGinity • Kathrine McGovern • Sandra McHone • Sam McManus • Joanne Mills • James Miner
Sandra Moore • Pamela & Robert Moore • Tina & James Murray • Janet Neath • Virginia & Roger Norton • Andrea & Edward Nove • Brent Ocker
Robert Ohmart • Nancy Oliver • Winifred Oliver • Caroline Parks • Quinn Passey • Nancy & A.D. Patton • Marion & Frank Peace • Patricia Pease
Jan & Edward Peine • Carolyn Peterson • Mark Phillips • Ellen Pickett • Mary Porter • Ella Prewitt • Dee & John Rafferty • Kathy & John Rambeau
Patricia Rankin • Nancy Red • Sharon & Bruce Reed • Ken Reed • Janice & Kenneth Roberts • Ellen Rodriguez • Rosanne & Bob Romero • Lisa Roy
Vicki Ruman • Bertha Rutherford • Clarence Sanders • Kay Scanapico • Susan Schaezler • Rebecca Scheer • Joan Scheuer • John Schneider
Dixon Schultz • Shirley & Mark Seale • Cheryl Sedivec • Richard Senechal • Margaret & Barry Shanler • Phyllis & Tom Sherrick • Frank Shonka
Delrena & Jim Sides • Lillian & James Skogsberg • Donna & Houston Sliger • Jay Smallwood • Elsie Smith • Becky & Sam Smith • Sybil Stephens
Aaron & Karen Stoley • Billie Strickland • Gerald Syler • Alicia Talley • Jeanne Taylor • Gretchen & Mike Thoman • Laura Tolic • Susan Tourtellot
Cheryl Travis • Lawrence Chun Chui & Twee Tsao • Sarah Tyler • Sue Tyrone • Marilou & Benigno Valdez • Kevin Van Winkle • Janice Vanliere
Paul Vejvoda • Nancy Vicklund • Lidia Vogelsang • Brigitte Von Wolf • Janet & Henry Wagner • Kefei Wang • Kay Warhol • Robert Waterbor
Ron Weeks • Mary & Thomas Whitworth • Sherry & Carl Wilkerson • Laurie Williams • Cynthia Young • Sylvia & Norman Young • Richard Yuill
Gifts In-Kind
Alamo Inn • Anthony’s by the Sea • Casa De San Pedro • Corelli’s Italian Cafe • Haynes and Boone, LLP • Hill and Parker, P.C. • Houston Grand Opera
Houston Museum of Natural Science • Mockingbird Bistro • Phil Norton • Park at Chalk Bluff • Picnic • Sloan Sisters Ranch • William Tabb
The Raven Grill • Utopia on the River • Elizabeth Witte

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

Donations received and processed by May 19, 2010

6 The Naturalist • July/August 2010

Festival on the Bayou 2010
by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director
T he annual celebration of International
Migratory Bird Day was another big
success at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center.
This was the 5th Festival on the Bayou, and
each year it gets better. For this year’s May
8th festival, the grounds of the nature center
were converted into an outdoor classroom
about birds and the struggles they face on
migration.
As always we had a fantastic team of
volunteers who helped us put on a great
event. Vicki and I would like to thank all our
great volunteers!
This is the second year that Baker Hughes
have sent a team of employees out to help
us serve pizza and drinks and help the
kids migrate along the “Great Migration
Challenge.”
Mr. Clint the “snake man” wowed the kids
with his collection of reptiles and gave a
great talk about snake identification. Lucy
Goldsmith organized another great group
of folks from AARP to help with registration
and activities. Rachel Gosch from Taylor
High School in Katy brought her “Taylor Goes
Green” club to run the bird house painting
booth.
Rosalia Guerrero came out from Air Alliance
Houston to teach simple ways to make non-
toxic household cleaners and how we can
all help improve air quality in Houston. Ross
Markwort represented Houston Wilderness
and provided Wilderness Passports for all
the kids. SBUNC is one of the destinations in
the passports so kids were able to get their
first stamp. Ross also helped introduce all
the Bayou Buddies during the graduation
ceremony.
Rachel Schumann came out with her family
to run the “Bird Danger Booth”. She is a great
teen that we met through the Texas Nature
Challenge last summer. Suzanne Dawkins
brought her girl scouts to help them earn a
Bronze Award. The girls created three unique
“bird” crafts for festival participants to create.
It was a very popular booth!
www.houstonaudubon.org
Tom Chambers brought one of the Raul
Yzaguirre School for Success students and
their fabulous photography display. Vicki and
I had traveled with these students to Bolivar
and the Big Thicket. The students did an
amazing job with their photographs.
Sumita Prasad came out to teach festival
goers all about bird banding. She brought
out her equipment and helped “band” kids as
they arrived and measured their “wingspan”
to compare with our avian friends.
Cheryl Folkes and Ginger Coleman, both Texas
Master Naturalists, provided two more fun
activities. Cheryl ran the “Just Ducky” booth
where the kids learned all about waterfowl
migration and the National Wildlife Refuge
system. They then had to throw rubber ducks
through holes in a map and land on refuges
along their migration. Ginger brought her
great bird beak demonstration. Kids had to
figure out what type of food a particular bird
eats based on type of beak.
We also had two great volunteers from the
University of St. Thomas. Karina and Luz
Rocha helped wherever we needed them
including at our nature store that we set up
in the barn. Linda and Flavio Del Angel were
once again a huge help at the festival. Flavio
arrived at the crack of dawn to help set up
tents and Linda manned the garden club
booth where we offered tasty treats, and our
garden club students led tours of the garden.
Andy Lopez, who is a neighbor and member
of the Board of Directors, came out early to
help set up tables and activities. Barbara
Thompson took care of the “Watch the Birdy”
booth, Gina Donovan hosted our member-
ship/information booth, and Juanita Perkins
took care of the nature store.
This year we also had special guests – Glenn
and Cherie McBride! Many of you are familiar
with Cherie’s beautiful bird art. They gave
kids tutorials all day on how to draw a bird.
They even discovered some future artists. It
was a great treat to have them at the festival!
Thanks to everyone for a spectacular festival!
Family Nature Explore Club
T his club is for “family” members
of Houston Audubon and meets
each month at Sims Bayou Urban
Nature Center or another natural area
for birding, hiking, crafting, discovery,
and much more. The club is geared
towards families with children ages 3
to 12. Please join us for all the fun and
learning! Registration is open now!
2010-2011 Schedule
August 31: FNEC Kick Off - 7p.m.
Swift Night Out at Pershing Middle
School
September 11: 9:30 a.m. – noon
Bring sack lunch for picnic after.
October 9: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
SBUNC – By the Light of the Moon
– Owls, Bats, Spiders – OH MY!
November 20: 9:30 a.m. – noon
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve Field Trip
December 4: 5 – 8 p.m.
SBUNC – Holiday at the Cabin
January 8: 9:30 a.m. – noon
SBUNC – All Creatures Cold-Blooded
February 12: 9:30 a.m. – noon
Brazos Bend State Park Field Trip
March 19: 9:30 a.m. – noon
SBUNC: – Wild for Wildflowers and
Butterflies
April 9: all day
Bolivar/High Island Field Trip
May 14: 9:30 a.m. – noon
SBUNC – Celebrating Migratory Birds
Girl Scout Workshops
An exciting series of
badge workshops
for Girl Scouts and
Brownies at Sims Bayou
Urban Nature Center.
Topics include Eco-Explorer, Animal
Try-it, Junior Outdoor Creativity, Earth
Connections, and more! We also offer
the Birds and Bayous Badge!
The schedule for September through
May workshops is now available. See
the Girl Scout Workshop page in the
education section of our website for
more information.
7
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Mission Statement
Houston Audubon Society promotes the conservation and
appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.

Bulletin Board
July August
Weekly Swifts Over Houston, Swifts Over Dayton Weekly Swifts Over Houston, Swifts Over Dayton
3 HAS Field Trip to the Katy Prairie (see p. 5) 2 Hogg Bird Sanctuary Survey
5 Hogg Bird Sanctuary Survey 2–6 Art in Nature Camp, ELMNS
5–9 Nature Explorers Camp, ELMNS 9 – 13 X-treme Pond Camp, ELMNS
6 Birding Class: Ornithology 14 Mission Possible Closing Ceremonies, SBUNC
8 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey 14 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey
12 – 16 Backyard Bugs Camp, ELMNS 15 Smith Point Hawk Watch begins
12 – 16 WILD about BIRDS Camp, SBUNC 17 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey
13 Birding Class: Ornithology 21 Willow Waterhole Survey
17 Willow Waterhole Survey 24 Birding Class: Hawk Identification 101
19 – 23 Frontier Camp, ELMNS 28 Birding Class Field Trip
20 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey 31 Swift Night Out, Bellaire
20 Birding Class: Ornithology September
26 – 30 Survivor Camp, ELMNS Audubon Foundation
8 HAS Membership Meeting of Texas represents
26 – 30 Habitat Heroes Camp, SBUNC Houston Audubon
30 Birds and Bluestem Benefit in the Earth Share
Houston Country Club of Texas payroll
deduction plan for
charitable giving.

The Naturalist is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper.