| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). SPEC C.OLL Volume XIV. No. 6 June, 1996 Every citizen owns, in trust with other citizens, an equal share in nearly a million square miles of rivers and lakes, shorelands, forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts, and meadows. Ownership includes all contained therein, such as fresh air, watersheds, wilderness adventures, spiritual renewal and a staggering diversity of plant and animal species on which the health and productivity of all future life depends. These are the National Lands, held in trust for every American and administered for the common good by the federal government of the United States. · As co-owner of these 623 million acres, every citizen is responsible for their stewardship and is also entitled to certain property rights, including the right to have our lands managed wisely and in perpetuity. Ownership is established at birth and the estimated value of OUR National Lands is price- . less and irreplaceable, What We Own National parks, cultural and historic sites and places of unsurpassed beauty, the 369 units ofthe National These Are Our Lands Park System are found in every state except Delaware. The National Forest System's 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands from the panhandle of Alaska to the jungles of Puerto Ric~ record more "visitor days" by recreation-seeking Americans than any other public land system. The 508 National Wildlife Refuges, originally established to protect migratory birds, are located in all SO states, and provide habitat for a wide array of wildlife, from tiny desert pupfish to manatees. The Bureau of Land Management administers 267 million acres, -- almost all located · within · , ·,.~ the western states, · )\:<'~ including Alaska. ' -~ · These lands, which range from ancient forest to desert and everything in between, are r~ch in biodiversity and archeological resources. Wilderness, where the Earth and its community of life ai:e .untrammeled by man, arc areas within any of the lands systems mentioned above. Wilderness offers much for wildlife, recreation, spiritual renewal. There are currently 104 million acres of designated wilderness, located within 44 states. BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY San Antonio Texas Threats to Our Property Rights Powerful lobbying by special interests has too often meant economic development takes precedence over wise stewardship: • Subsidized grazing by welfare ranchers leads to overgrazing. • The timber industry logs timber from National Lands at prices so low it costs taxpayers to kill trees. • Clearcutting in forests in the Pacific Northwest, aside from destroying forever our old-growth forests, has also destroyed the salmon-fishing industry. ~ The mining industry takes tens of billions of dollars in minerals from the National Lands without paying a nickel in royalties. • Now industry groups are pushing to dispose of the National Lands altogether, by selling them outright to special interests or transferring them to the states. These Are Our Lands Transferring the National Lands to the states could result in the best lands being sold off to wealthy individuals and · corporations, since states lack funding and staff to maintain .them. In fact, many states are constitutionally bound to maximize profits from their lands. Protect your property rights by speaking out for yow lands. Write your elected representatives in Congress and demand that your property rights and your National Lands are protected. -A tan Gregory Conyngham PA BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY P. 0. Box 6084, S~m Antonio, TX 78209 210-822-4503 Chapter of the National Audubon Society The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation, and environmental education in the community. OFFICERS AND BOARD President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Past President HarrietWiygul 534-7505; fax 534-7319 Katie Nava-Ragazzi 804-12:! 6 Bill Sa in 408-7731 Joyce Pipes 281-1452 Claire Drenowatz 599-4168 Chris Dullnig · 82 8-40 I 7 Genevieve Kerr 824-6241 John Langan 49 1-0692 Richard Pipes 2 81-2452 Bill Woller 696-31 86 Susan K. Hughes 532-2332; fax 532-2023 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Adopt-a-Park Aud. Adventures Birdathon Conservation Earth Day Education Hospitality Membership . Bill Woller Betty Minyard Kim Fluetsch Richard Pipes Dana Bohne Katie Nava-Ragazzi Nancy Johnson Natural Initiatives Harriet Wiygul Outings Patty leslie Pasztor Programs Chris Dullnig Publicity Susan K. Hughes SAEN Coordinator Russell Smith 2:! 3-32 81 344-6128 655-0543 281-2452 738-1342 804-1226 .655-1338 534-7505 824-1235 828-4017 532-2332 Ways & Means Bill Sain 408-7731 Elexar Tracks Editor Claire Drenowatz 599-4168; fax599-3545 seedy@txdirect.net Bexar Tracks is your newsletter. We welcome your contributions. Next paper (hard copy, fax) deadline 6/24, electronic (diskette, email) deadline 6/28. Please send fax or em.ail to Claire Drenowatz, as above; diskettes and hard copy should be sent to Claire at P. 0. Box 63137, San Antonio, TX 78247. Bexar Audubon Society general meetings are held on 3rd Thursdays at 7:30 pm, ·at the Ruble Center, 419 East Magnolia; board meetings usually 2nd Thursdays at 7:00 at Whole Foods. · Introductory memberships to NAS, including AUDUBON Magazine, cost only $20. Send check to BAS (payable to NAS) at address above. Note chapter code W19, and name, address, and phone number of new member. USEFUL NUMBERS: 210-733-8306 Rare bird alert number. 210-698-1709 Wildlife Rescue 210-227-6143 To report local water waste. June 1996 lick-Transmitted Diseases: Cause for Concern? Tick-transmitted diseases are frequently in the news and are a serious concern to people who enjoy outdoor activities in the field and bush. At BAS's June meeting,Dr. Ray KutzmaJ:l will discuss the life history of these fascinating members of the arachnid family, as well as ways to avoid ,contracting diseases they-can transmit to humans. · "Any of numerous small bloodsucking parasitic arachnids of the family Ixodidae, many of which transmit febrile diseases." That's what the dictionary* says about ticks. Join us to hear what Dr. Kutzman to hear what Dr. Ray Kutzman has to say about them. During his master's work in parasitology, Kutzman gained what he calls "a full appreciatio~" for creatures that feed on and live in humans. His credentials include his first-hand experience with Lyme disease, which he contracted in 1979. Kutzman will introduce us to both the life history and biology of ticks and the early symptoms of tick-transmitted diseases endemic to North America. Individuals who love the outdoors will travel to all parts of the country to enjoy new an'd attractive environments:· These activities take us to the habitats of ticks, whi~;h may be c~rryi~g a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Although Lyme disease is in the news frequently these days, there are several other tieR-transmitted diseases with which people who spend time in the field and bush should be familiar. We needn't shun outdoor activities, though. If we arm ourselves with knowledge, we can enjoy the outdoors confidently, avoid substantial suffering, and possibly save someone's life . even our own. *American Heritage Dictionary, Softkey International, v3.6, 1994. Who should attend? Those who enjoy the out-of-doors and wish to do so safely; those who are intli!rested in or concerned with ticks and other human parasites; those interested epidemiology. Students are especially come. Meeting Specifics: Monthly meeting of the Bexar Audubon Society, Thursday, June 20, 1996, 7:30pm. Free and open to the public. R6ufreshments available prior to the meeting, at 7:00. Come early to socialize. For more information, _call822-4S03. Conservation Committee: Meeting at 6:00pm at the Ruble Center. Location: Ruble Center, 410 East Magnolia (between McCullough and IH-37, Hwy 281). Nearest freeway exit is North St. Mary's, offHwy 281. . Public Transportation: VIA RouteS (St. Mary's-McCullough-North Star Mall) to Magnolia Street. June Outing: Honey Creek SNA . Join us for a leisurely birding/natural history walk at this beautiful state naturaLarea adjacent to Guadalupe River State Park. Meet at the park entrance at 8 am. We will stroll and observe flora and fauna until11 am. If you wish, bring· a lunch and a swimsuit for a picnic and dip in the river before heading home. Fee per person is $3 state park entrance plus $2 Honey Creek tour fee. If you have a Conservation Passport you pay only the $2 fee. For reservations and directions call Patty Leslie Pasztor at 824-1235. ,1 Bexar Tracks I ! LOCAL NEWS Perambulations I went on Birdathon this year. Really, I spent a very special Sunday not only spotting, but identifying, birds in the San Antonio area. Thanks to the splendid efforts of Kim Fluets~h, with able assistance from husband Dave, a unique Birdathon was organized and executed to the fun and delight of those of us lucky enough to go along. · Although I , have been associated with Audubon on and off for many years, I have never really considered myself a birder. I took a class several , years ago through the Northside Continuing Education program titled How To Identify Birds. I wanted to be more adept at recognizing these elusive creatures. The three S;1turday classes culmi- · nated in a trip to Mitchell Lake so the class could try out its newly acquit;ed skills. It was my first visit to the lake, so I was not prepared for its riches. I was immediately taken with ,the snowy egrets along the side of the road, and while I was trying to absorb the wonder of these birds within thirty feet and not on the pages of my Peterson's field . guide,' a flock of cormorants flew di- · reedy over me. They were low, preparing to land in or near the lake, and an interest in birds became a passion when I looked one ofthese magnificent creatures in the eye. I still visit the moment I was privileged to witness: their quiet passage across the road and be!lind the nse. That d~y I saw a Mexican eagle, blue herons, kestrels, meadowlarks, pelicans, and red-winged black birds. I saw red-tailed hawks ride the thermals in the blue, blue October sky streaked with cirrus clouds. And I saw lots oflittle brown birds, a species I run into time and again. I just can't convince these feathered guys to stay still long enough while I get the binoculars out, focus them, loo),C; peruse the guide book, look again, and return to the guide until I find a match. They move fast, and sometimes all I can hope for is a glimpse. Skills. improve with use, so gradu- · ally I have come to feel less awkward on Bexar Tracks bird trips-still an amat~ur, just not quite so rank. I do.n't' spot or recognize half of the species my companions find, but it doesn't matter. Just being outside, in, all we~ther,, with other fellow travelers is often more than enough. · ·There are those rare moments when my binoculars stumble across a · magnificent creature, on the hunt, at play, at rest. As the image sharpens in the viewfinder, every sense comes alive. For a few precious seconds, I am an extension of the ground, sound and smell linking with the visuaL I wish my heart; normally a quiet worker, wouldn~t pound so hard' (it makes the binoculars shake) as this wonder of strength and beaqty moves before my reverent eyes. We had so much fun this year, we are already working on next year's Birdathon. Yes, it is a money raiser-BAS designates half of·the money · to the Audubon Adventures program and half to the regional office. · It' is so much rp.ore than that, though, It is a chance to see a part of San Antonio we may pass ev,ery day, but are u.naware of, as we move along fixed paths in our air conditioned cocoons. Earth's creatures struggle Of\ in spite of our best efforts to -remove their habitat or destroy their (ood supply. It is truly a miracle, and I encourage you to wit- , ness it, be a part of it, and share the story of it. - Harriet Wiygul ·Outdoor Concert ' Come to, a benefit Father's Qay concert featuring Narada recording artists Tingstap & Rumbel at-Cibolo Wil. derness Trail in Boerne, June 16 at 6pm. Enjoy a peaceful evening under a canopy o( oaks and listening to jazz, classical, folk, and progressive rock; Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the . gate. Picnic with desserts aud wine is available for $5; $7.50 at the gate. Advance tickets are available in San Antoni.o at Apple Records, Whole Foods, Big Red Nature Store, or call Cibolo Wilderness. at 210-249-4616. 3 Devil of a Good Time! The troupe of hardy souh; who ventured out to Devil's River State Park on March 23 were rewarded with far more than just your a_verage good time. The morning was cool, windy and overcast as everyone· gathered at the infamous bakery in Castroville. After sweet sustenanc.e was consumed and acquired for future needs, we set out for the park with a short stop at San Felipe Springs, to note the great kiskadee and several long-billed curlews. The scenery just got better and better as we put more and more distance between urban settlement and the open space~ of south Texas ranches. Although some of us questioned our leader's navigational skills as we wound on and on along the dusty ranch roads, we arrived at our destination in time for lunch. The mess hall was pretty upscale, and the bunkhouse accommodations were downright delightful. . The afternoon was spent enjoying · a wonderful Devil's River trip and dip, and casual birding, botanizing and butterflying. After a grand evening meal of lasagna with all the peripherals, the sky cleated and everyone was treated to the awesome sight of Comet Hyakutake befo_ re' retiring for the night. Day two dawned with a thinner overcast, lighter breezes, and warmer temperatures. However, breakfast allowed those who had spend the night in tents to elaborate on the subtle joys of . wind. The morning was spent explor. ing the pictographs on the upper canyon walls, and getting up close and personal with the resident canyon wren. Then lunch, packing up, and heading out again with lovely memories and promises to return soon. In addition to dozens of birds spot- . ted, several species of snakes, many butterflies, armadillos, jackrabbits, cottontails, deer, and numerous unknown invertebrates and fishes further enhanced the pleasures of the adventure. Kudos to Patty Pasztor for making this such a memorable outing for us all. -Susan Rust June 1996 IN OUR BACK YARDS Natural-Initiatives Receives Support The San Antonio Area Foundatio·n has awarded a $3,600 grant to support development and printing of a landscape design brochure by the Natural Initiatives Program Builders' Subcommittee. Treasurer Bill Sain represented Bexar Audubon at the May 28 awards ceremony, and Texas Parks & Wildlife -urban Biologist Judit Gowen repre~ ented the Natural Initiatives Steering Committee. This grant, which is from the Lila G. and Vesey R Taylor Fund and the William and Fay Sinkin Environmental Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, complements an earlier grant received from the San Antonio Water System. , Natural Initiatives, a San Antonio community-based public awareness program in which Bexar Audubon is very active, promotes wildscaping and xeriscaping practices thro-ugh a variety oflocal projects. As Natural Initiatives volunteers met with homeowners they often heard the comment that a lot of good information was available on what plants would benefit wildlife and require little watering and maintenance (since most were native plants), but not on how to design a landscape with them. or years, as time and money allow. The brochure includes a few recommendations of drought-loving plants that also benefit local urban wildlife and are readily available. at local nurseries. · The subcommittee plans to develop a procedure through each of the groups represented to get the brochure out to the public. This current time of drought presents an excellent opportunity to inform and interest people. The landscape design brochure will be available in local nurseries by July. In addition, we plan to provide copies to builders and/or . developers that supply information packets to their customers. Agencies, such as the San Antonio Water System, may provide additional distribution programs. Bexar Audubon sincerely appreciates the support of the San Antonio Area Foundatipn, The Lila G. and Vesey R Taylor Fund, the William and Fay ' Sinkin Environmental Fund, and the San Antonio Water System for the Natural Initiatives Program. If you want more information about Natural Initiatives or would. like to volunteer to help with Natural Initiatives' many gratifying community projects, please contact Harriet Wiygul, 534-7505, or Judit·Gowen, 349-2174. - Judit Gowen "Internet Exchange As a natural areas manager, I am· often asked to justify the removal of alien species from parkland and pre- . serves. I have been challenged to prove the loss of diversity in our native species caused by the invasive species. Can anyone refer me to research on this subject? I am particularly interested in woodland and savanna ecosystem research. - Loren Lawn· Natural Resources Specialist Polk County Conservation Board Most insects are rather specific about what plant species they use as a food source. Exotic trees and shrubs were introduced without the insects that lived on them in their native lands. Thus exotics don't have a diverse fauna of insect · prey for birds, lizards and other predators. A bug net taken to an exotic shrub usually comes up empty. · Further, because exotics don't have caterpillars munching their leaves, weevils devouring their seeds, and grubs boring into their heartwood they have. an advantage over natives which they may slowly push out of a habitat. The result is a green, but la~gely sterile habitat. -Mike Plagens I.n resp~nse, the Natural Initiatives Maricopa Audubon Steering Committee formed a Builders' Subcommittee to encourage homeowners to implement watersaver and wildlife- friendly yards, instead of just filing away all that good information. An Apple a Day? The subcommittee members represent the following groups: builders (Paul Allen Homes), wholesale nurseries (Lone Star Growers), chain retail nurseries (Builder's Square), private retail nurseries (Landscape Marketplace), landscape architects (Terry Lewis Landscape Architects), horticulturists (San Antonio _Botanical Gardens), water agencies (San Antonio Water System), and biologists (Texas Parks & Wildlife). The subco~mittee decided to put together a free brochure that offers a landscape design that can be in~talled all at once, or over a matter of months Jm~ 1996 Here's an interesting way to illustrate th~ productivity of agriculture. Take an apple;which will represent the world. Cut it into four equal parts. Three of those parts represent the oceans. The other part is equal to the land. Now cut the "land" portion in half lengthwise. -one section represents de- . serts, swamps, mountains, and arctic regions. The other section represents ·land where we live and grow food. Next slice this one-eighth section crosswise into four equal parts. Three of these sections are areas that are so 4 rocky, wet or hot, or contain such poor soil that food-production is not possible. These sections include cities, roads, housing developments, ;tnd buildings. Now peel the last one-thirty-second portion. This small peel represents the top layer of soil we depend on for food. The next time you eat an apple, remember that the tiny peel is our lifeboat that sustains us on this earth . And think about it whenever you see good farm land being sold off for yet another commercial or housing development.· - Candye SexJon, Okemah, OK in Progressive Fanner, March 96 B~xar Tracks IN OUR BACK YARDS Biological Control of Imported Rre Ants At the May meeting of Bexar Audubon Dr. Lloyd Morrison of The University ofTexas Brackenridge Field Laboratory in Austin spoke about Solenopsis invicta, the imported fire ant, and the research he is involved in to introduce a natural predator from the ant's home in Brazil. Here iue a few notes from the meeting. , The imported fire ant arrived in the U.S. at the port of Mobile in the '40s and began their succes-sful march east, north, and west. Their nor:thern expansion is presently· limited by cold weather and their western expansion is being limited by drought (finally, a benefit of drought!). The most significant effects of the&e ants is on biodiversity. While much foraging goes on underground, , the ants are omnivor~us. Solenopsis invicta attacks baby birds in their l)ests in trees. This sometimes-results in the babies being driven from the nest a·nd, as yet unfledged, they may fall to their deaths. Ground-nesting birds are especially affected, as are deer, cattle, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. On the positive side, fire ants do control corn ear worms and ticks, but . that hardly seems to balance their costs, which add up to as muc~ as $1 billion annually in Texas, counting· direct losses and the expense of chemical treatments to control them. Chemical controls kill not only im'ported fire ants, but all ants, resulting in the spread ofSolenopsis invicta, which can recolonize 'more 'quickly. than their competitors. Morrison believes that the effects of today's chemicals on other wildlife are questionable, and that chemicals are not the key to control. So, how about biological controls? The phorid flies native to our areas have a definite affect on controlling their prey, native fire ants. Predators such as these keep populations in balance. Solenopsis invicta is not ·as abundant in South America as they are here, where densities are five times greater. In Brazil, however, they have more than 200 natural enemies: fungi, nematodes, other insects. Bexar Tracks Ohe of the most promising is a specific phorid fly that not only controls t~eir populations, but allio modifies their behavior. When phorid flies are in the area, the ants restrict their daytime foraging and remain underground. This allows other ants to compete more effectively for food and other resources. Phorid flies-tiny humpbacked insects- are rarely seen unless 'one ob- ' serves a disturbed: ant mound. Then they appear for the. opportunity to reproduce. A phorid fly attacks an ant and deposits an egg in the thorax of the ant. The egg hatches and the larva migrates , to the ant's head. When it is mature, it emerges, killing the ant. A common name for the phorid fly is the "ant decapitator fly.'' It is classified as a parasitoid, because it kills its host. ' · . A single fly, 'which may have as many as 100 eggs, may attack as many as 200 ants. The success rate of-attacks- one that results in an egg being depo~ited-is 20 to ,30 percent: one fly per ant host. The cycle from egg to adult take,s four to five weeks. The UT Lab researchers and their colleagues in Brazil ·have identified about 20 speCies 6f phorid flies and have tested eight species intensively so far. They must be carefu• to ensure that flies screened in , Brazil do not carry parasites with them as they travel to the . U.S. Some species of phorid flies will · attack , only Solenopsis invicta, not the native fire ant, which is very important. Our native fire ants already have their own specific native phorid fly predators that control their populations. A year ago the UT Lab received permission from USDA to release imported phorid flies outdoors. The researcher~ are now trying to determine the optimal conditions both for rearing larvae and for 'releasing them. In final comments Dr. Morrison poixhed out that imported fire ant queens may live as long as twenty years and mate with many males. The recent obs~rvation of polygene (multi-queen) colonies means that imported fi're ant ' control will only become a more difficult problem. How does one 'distinguish native fire ants from imported? The native fire ant's head is disproportionately large for its body, but one has to study them carefully to become adept at distinguishing them. · How to control imported fire ants? Morrison recommended after a rain when mounds build, or in the early morning of summer days, to remove the top layer of the mound with a shovel, check for the brood, and pour boiling water into the mound. It will kill plants in the immediate area, but it does not involve poisons and is effective. If you · choose to use poisons, always follow label directions accurately . - Susan Hughes Pelagics g Dolphi~s g Humpbacks, Oh Boy If you're planning a trip to the East Coast . The Dolphin fleet of Provincetown has scheduled five all-day whale watches (8-10 hours) fo.r 1996. These cruises will be targeting offshore areas with high concentrations of whales. The dates of these cruises are as follows: 30 June, 7 July, 21 July, 4 August, and 25 ·August. Most of last seas!ln's all-day trips visited the Great South Channel area and sighted from 100-150 humpbacks, fin whales and other great whales. Many hundreqs of dolphins and pilot whales were also seen. Al~o ,seen were coun~less numbers of pelagic birds. For more information, call800-826-9300. Closer to home, several deep-water trips are planned fdr this summer, on June 29, July 27, August 24, and September 21, from Port O'Connor. Trips last year spotted fourteen pelagic species, as well as a variety of fish, dolphins, and whales. To make a reservation, call Dwight Peake at 409-740-4621 (evenings), or write him , at 39 LeBru~ Court, Galveston, TX ·77551-1566. 5 June 1996 BIRD TALES Hummer's Delight Lonicera sempervirens The coral or evergreen honeysuckle is a great native alternative to the more aggressive and wide-spreading Japanese variety often seen in landscapes. Coral honeysuckle, also known as woodbine, is a twining shrub with smooth, glossy leaves and branches. The leaves have various shapes, from round to oval and pointed, depending upon where they appear on the plant. The brilliant coral-red flowers often have yellowish throats, with yellow stamens protruding. They are held in multiple whorls, each comprising 6 to 12 blossoms. Flowers appear all spring, summer, and fall, and even during warm spells in our central Texas winters. Hummingbirds and butterflies really enjoy coral honeysuckle flowers, and the· bright red fruits are very showy. Its evergreen foliage is also a recommending feature. Coral honeysuckle thrives in full sun and works well on arbors, trellises, and fences. Strong and sup- ·-~·1111" ple, . honeysuckle vines can be stripped of their leaves and used to weave baskets. Reprinted with pennission from the June 1994 San Antonio Gardener. Illustration adapted with permission from drawing by Kathy Brown in Jill Nokes's How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest. Text adapted from Nokes, Texas Monthly Press, 1986, and Campbell & Lynn Loughmiller, Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide, University of Texas Press; 1984. Backyard Birdathon Water, food and habitat means good backyard bird watching during the dry season we have been experiencing. To our delight we have seen many birds for the first time in our yard. We had a visitor from Baltimore, Maryland, whom we met while birding in Peru. At that time we told him about the excellent birding to be had in Texas. He proved it by adding 38 species to his life list, including whooping· crane and roseate spoonbill, during his short stay. The scissortails had just begun arriving, and this was one species he was eager to see. Beside American and lesser goldfinches and house finches, we had male and female orchard orioles and Scott's orioles drinking from the cups above the hummingbird feeders. At the bird baths we've seen indigo buntings and black and white, yellow-throated and magnolia warblers. The week before Birdathon male and female painted buntings appeared and stayed the whole week. The male made a good show for our group of Jme 1996 birders, and I haven'tseen him since. Also a good show was a Carolina chickadee. Birdathon was a great experience for us this year. We took two classrooms of students from Pleasanton Elementary to our park, just behind the school. Each student who participated received a special Birdathon Certificate, and a list ofthe 21 birds spotted. Our thanks to the interested and concerned principal and teachers Jane Stewart and Terry Echigo, who worked quickly to bringing this about. Next year we hope to be able to get more students involved. In addition to turning some children on to the wonderful diversity of birds, each class raised funds to provide Audubon's education materials for their classrooms. This was the first event of its kind at Pleasanton Elementary and we hope this can just be the beginning of Bexar Audubon's efforts to use Birdathon as a tool to reach out to school children. -Joyce Pipes 6 The Eyes Have It Two experiences with owls have increased my respect for this creature oftassociated with the word wise. A while back, I was showing my brother Eric, a large cave with an amphitheater- like entrance in north Bexar County. I was about thirty feet ahead of him when he spotted something on the cliff, paused, and said "John." I stopped and followed the direction of his gaze at a large great horned owl. As soon as our eyes met, he took off, and flew straight at me. As he was only approximately twenty feet away, about all I had time to do was duck. I was both awe-struck by the proximity of this impressive creature and scared by having it fly right at my head. My brother confirmed that had I not ducked, I probably would have been sporting talon tracks in my forehead. Thinking the owl might be protecting a nest, my brother and I left the area, reflecting on the thoughtfulness of this bird. He had obviously seen both of us before we had seen him, and since I was closer, was the greater threat. He remained silent and motionless until our eyes met, and as soon as he knew I had spotted him, he "attacked." My second owl experience, although not as jolting, was similar. While • inspecting a large, decaying warehouse building at a former manufacturing facility, I noticed a number of small scats with tiny rodent bones in, them. When I looked up at the ceiling, the barn owl who was observing me took off, again as soon as our eyes met. He went to a nearby tree and was greeted with raucous indignation from the local mockingbirds. One can't help being impressed with the intelligence of these owls who are obviously cognizant of our eyesight, and the potential hazards of being spotted by humans. -John Langan Bexar Tracks The 1996 Birdathon Outing held on May 5th was a wonderful success! A big THANKS to all those who participated in the event as a sponsor, birder, or team coordinator! Results from this year's Birdathon appear in the accompanying table. A grand total of 141 different bird species were spotted in and around San Antonio on Birdathon day! As you may know, each spring the National Audubon Society sponsors a Birdathon, as a fundraising event for its chapters. Audubon's Birdathon is similar to a walk-a-thon or bike-a-thon. Sponsors agree to pledge a specific amount for each bird species identified by a counter in one 24-hour period. This year, Bexar Audubon sponsored the all-day birding event on May 5th. Both experienced and beginner birders formed five teams led by the team coordinators, Patty. Leslie Pasztor, Susan Rust, Marge Lumpe, Dick Pipes and me. Prior to Birdathon day, participants gathered pledges from friends, family, and work associates. During the Birdathon the team coor-dinators led groups around to major birding hot spots in and around San Anto-nio. The day's goal was to locate as many bird species as possible. Added incentives were the prizes awarded to ·the team with the highest count at dinner that evening. My Birdathon team consisted of Dave Fluetsch, Allison Fluetsch (4 months old), Kim Moses, Cricket Bexar Tracks BIRD TALES Birdathon Outings Successful Braun, John Braun, and Cally Braun (2 months old). We definitely had the youngest participants in Birdathon this year! Our team birded at Friedrich Wilderness Park in the morning, then at Mitchell Lake later in the afternoon. We observed a total of65 different bird species throughout the day. Dick and Joyce Pipes teamed up with Bob and Jane Stewart of Pleasanton. In the morning this team conducted their own annual spring bird count in Pleasanton, in conjunction with Birdathon.-Later in the day they all visited Mitchell Lake. They managed to identify 60 species in spite of a near misadventure with a feral hog sow! Marge's team included Harriet Wiygul, Bill Sain, and Ron Lumpe. They observed a total of 78 different bird species after a full day of birding! This team birded around Bulverde Road, Friedrich Wilderness Park, Olmos Park, and Mitchell Lake. A special thanks to Marge's team for escorting a film crew around for most of the day. This film crew, Steve and Ari Sheinkin, is producing a video for National Audubon to promote Birdathons with Audubon Chapters across the country. No doubt the film crew slowed this team down a bit, but they may all be starring in the upcoming Birdathon promo~ tional video. Patty's team consisted of Steve Hawkins, Knox Miller and Greg Pasztor. This busy team visited Olmos Basin, Brackenridge Park, Friedrich Wilderness Park, and Mitchell Lake. All had a great day, spotting 84 species! The team spotting the most species ofbirds called themselves "Fancy Feathers." Fancy Feathers (Susan's team) counted 110 different species throughout their day of birding! Way to go!! Susan's team members included Charles Bender, Linda Blodgett, Susan Hughes, Blair 7 Richter, Mike Scully, Bill Woller, and Dale Thurber. They visited Friedrich Wilderness Park, Camp Bullis, UTSA, Olmos Basin, Brackenridge Park, S.A. Botanical Gardens, South Side Lion's Park, and Mitchell Lake. After the sun set, Birdathon participants from all teams gathered for a dinner at the Santa Fe Cafe, a little restaurant located near Mitchell Lake. Here we shared tales of the day's birding adventures, awarded prizes to the winning "team members, enjoyed a Mexican meal, and met some new friends! What a great ending to a funfilled day! See the list on the next page for the species spotted by each team. Many birds were seen by one team only, making it even more special for them. Money raised this year by the Bexar Audubon's Birdathon will go directly to our chapter's environmental education efforts. These donations are needed to continue sponsoring area classrooms so that they receiveAudubon Adventures, an educational newsletter and study guide which teaches grade school children to appreciate nature. Some of the donations also go directly to the Southwest Regional Office's conservation efforts. Currently many of the participants are still collecting pledges from their sponsors. I hope next month to report on the money raised by the 1996 Birdathon! Thanks again to all those who got involved in Birdathon 1996! Thanks to the team coordinators who rallied folks for the big day! Thanks also to Harriet Wiygul and Katie Nava-Ragazzi for making prizes and tee-shirts available for the event! And a special thanks to Bill Sain for handling all the donations which will be coming in .from this fund-raiser. Birdathon once again proved to be a lot of fun for those who participated! What could be more fun than a full day birding at the most beautiful spots around town! Join us next year! - Kim Fluetsch Birdathon Coordinator June 1996 BIRD TALES 1996 Birdathon Spotters' lists Team Leaders: S=Susan Rust, P= Patty Pasztor, M=Marge Lumpe, K= Kim Fluetsch, D= Dick &Joyce Pipes Team Leaders s p M K D Team Leaders s p M K D Team Leaders s p M K D pied-hilled grebe X Franklin's gull X loggerhead shrike X X X American white pelican X X X X rock dove (pigeon) X X X X European starling X X X X X olivaeeous cormorant X X white-winged dove X X X X X white-eyed vireo X X X comt oran t species X mourning dove X X X X X solitary vireo X great blue heron X X X X Inca dove X X X X X yellow-throated vireo X X great egret X X X yellow-hilled mekoo X X X Nashville warbler X X snowy egret X X X X greater roadrunner X X X yellow warbler X X little blue heron X X X X barred owl X magnolia warbler X triwlored heron X X common nighthawk X X X X black-throat green warbler X X cattle egret X X X X X chuck-will's-widow X golden-cheeked warbler X X X X green heron X X X X chimney swift X X X X American redstart X y. c. night-heron X X X ruby-throat hummer X Wilson's warbler X roseate spoonbill X X X black-chinned hummer X X X X X summer tanager X h. h. whistling duck X X X X X golden-front woodpecker X X X X northern cardinal X X X X X wood duck X X yellow-bellied sapsucker X pyrrh uloxia X mallard X X X ladder-hack woodpecker X X blue grosbeak X X blue-winged teal X X X X X least flycatcher X X X painted bunting X X X X X northern shoveler X X X X X eastern phoebe X X X dickcissel X X X gadwall X great-creasted flycatcher X X olive sparrow X American widgeon X X X X X ash-throated flycatcher X X chipping sparrow X X canvasback X X Couch's kingbird X day-colored sparrow X X X redhead X X west.em kingbird X X X X X lark sparrow X X X scaup species X eastern kingbird X savannah sparrow X X X black vulture X X X X X scissor-tailed flycatc~1er X X X X X song sparrow X X turkey vulture X X X X purple martin X X X X Lincoln's sparrow X Mississippi kite X tree swallow X white-throated sparrow X Cooper's hawk X X n. rough-winged swallow X white-crowned sparrow X X X X X Harris' hawk X bank swallow X red-winged blackl>ird X X X X red-shouldered hawk X X cliff swallow X X X X meadowlark species X red-tailed hawk X X X X cave swallow X Brewer's blackbird X ferruginous hawk X barn swallow X X X X X great-tailed grackle X X X X crested car.tcara X X blue jay X X X X common gmckle X wild turkey X scrub jay X X X X bronzed cowbird X northern bobwhite X X X American crow X brown-headed cowbird X X X X X American coot X X X X X Carolina chickadee X X X X X orchard oriole X X killdeer X X X X X tuft.ed titmouse X X X X X Bullock's oriole X X black-necked stilt X X X X cactus wren X house finch X X X X X American avocet X X X X X Ca.rolina wren X X X X lesser goldfinch X X X greater yellowlegs X X X X Bewick's wren X X X X American goldfinch X X X X lesser yellowlegs X X X X house wren X house sparrow X X X X X yellowlegs species X ruby-crowned kinglet X Peking duck X spotted sandpiper X X X blue-gray gnatcatd1er X conunori rooster X semipalmated sandpiper X X eastem bluebird X Muscovy duck X western sandpiper X wood thrush X least sandpiper X X X American robin X X X total species = 143 110 Baird's sandpiper X X X northern mockingbird X X X X X 84 pectordl sandpiper X X ln:own tl1r.tsher X 78 stilt sandpiper X X X X X long-billed thrasher X X 65 long-billed dowitcher X X X X X curve-billed thrdsher X 60 Wilson's phalarope X X X X X cedar waxwing X X X June 1996 8 Bexar Tracks ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The Most Serious Problem Facing the World? Whatever environmental or hu- College in New York, showed that the man-suffering issue you talk about to- increase of carbon dioxide in the earth's day, there is a population connection atmosphere has followed almpst exstanding behind it. It's evident that the actly the growth of the popul~tion over environment is being severely damaged the last century. The correlation of by the impact offast-growing popula- carbon dioxide to population size has tions. For instance, the destruction of · been 99.89%-virtually a orie-to-one earth's tropical rain forests is directly relationship. and indirectly related to population. One of the scientists stated, " . In Brazil, desperate people from everyone must recognize that it is peaoverpopulated areas are moving by the pie and their activities which cause thousands into the Amazon rain forest. carbon dioxide. The only solution that There they use slash-and-burn tech- will w:ork is to control population niques to create farmable land. The growth." , poor soils of the region soon wash away, The ·alarming fad: is that the popuor bake into an untillable hardpan, So lation threat to the environment is the people move deeper into the jungle. growing by the minute. And the destructive cycle is repeated, • To reach the earth's first billion over and over. took from the dawn of humanity More subtle is the effect of over- until 1830. population halfway around the world, • The second billion took only 100 in Japan. Rather than denude their pwn years-from 1830 to 1930. country for h~rdwoods, the Japanese • We had reached five billion in only are major contributors to the denuding 60 years, in 1990. of the South American rain forest. · • The next billion will take only 11 In the Himalayan mountainsides if years, unless ther~ is a tremendous N epa!, excessive population growth has . effort to slow world birth-rates. depleted their fuel for cooking and Population growth in developing heating. So what do the people do? countries around the world is creating They strip the hillsides of trees in their a vicious circle for economic and social steadily widening search for firewood. development of people ·who lack even Torrential monsoon rains, without for- the basics for a decent life. est cover to hold them back, wash the . As governments attempt to estabsoil off the mountainside and descend · lish a social infrastructure to get ahead, on Bangladesh in ever-more-devastat- . their efforts are pulled back or overing floods. whelmed by more mouths to feed, more On it g~es, with large and growing sick to care .for, more hospitals and populations destroying the rain forests, schools to build. and upsetting the ecological balance of Population growth saps the energy the world. In Brazil. In The Phillippi- and resources of all good and caring nes·. In Indonesia. In Zaire. people who want to move their coun- Then there is the direct connection tries forward but who insteaq are held between population and global warm- back-or pushed back-by a crushing ing and the greenhouse. effect. wave of more and more people. Recently a study by two scientists, · There -is not one environmental or one at the American Museum ofNatu- social issue which will be made bette.r ral History and the other from Queens · by more population. What can you do? Kudos to Uncertain Audubon Society's co-founder Ruth Culver! Through her community organizing talents, the EPA denied TNACC's request to lower water quality standards in East Texas! Bexar Tracks, See the related article on cuts to funding for international family planning for starts. And call me to see how you can get involved in other ways. - Richard· Pipes (Excerpted from Population · Communications International) 9 Your Action Needed Federal funding levels for fiscal 1996 have resulted in devastating cuts to efforts by third-world countries to slow their population explosions. The amount approved for international family planning programs for · 1996 is $72 million, down from $580 million in 1995. This is a crippling blow and will soon destroy the progress which has been made in slowing population growth in several third-world countries. The hopes raised by the Cairo Conference have little chance of becoming a reality. Our failure could well result in other nations reducing their contributions. Congress is now working on the fiscal-year 1997 budget. We must begin now to urge them to correct their terrible blunder. Please write to both Texas Senators asking them to budget $615 million for interna tiona! family panning under the Foreign Operations Bill for 1997, without restrictive amendments. Write Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison at the same address: Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510. Representatives Anthony Beilenson and Constance Morello are circulating a letter to their fellow representatives, requesting adequate family-planning money under the Foreign Operatiol!s Bill for 1997. Please write your representative plus . one more, asking them to sign the MorelloBeilenson letter. Address: House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. You can reach all representatives and senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Some points ~o make: The drastic cut in the 1996 budget for international family planning will offset much of the progress made in stabilizing popula- , tion growth. This will result in a much greater dollar cost later on, increased starvlftion and disease, and continued depletion of fresh water and other natural resources. This is so important! Please write today. - Richard Pipes Conservation Chair June 1996 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Dolphins at Risk Again? The House Natural Resources Subcommittee approved a bill last month which would take us back to the bad old days of fishing for tuna on dolphin. On a party-line split the Republicans voted to support a Clinton administration initiative to alter· U.S. policy on dolphinsafe tuna. Our current policy does not allow tuna fisherman to encircle dolphins with tuna nets in the hopes of catching tuna. For reasons unknown, dolphins seem to like swimming with yellowfin tuna. Why is this issue before the Congress atthis time? Because NAFfA and GATT don't allow countries to prevent the importation of products based on how they were harvested or produced. Under trade law tuna caught on dolphin are the same as those. that are not-therefore, dolphin unsafe tuna cannot be subject to an import embargo . . In calling for this change the Clinton administration is trying to do just exactly what they claimed they would never do when the NAFfA was being debated by the Congress. During the great NAFfA debate the US Trade Office asserted that NAFfA would not allow member countries to challenge our strong environmental laws. The Sierra Club and other environ-· mental organizations protested that the trade agreements gave us no legal ground to stand on. Surprise, we were right! The House Resources subcommittee bill codifies the Clinton administration backed Panama Declaration-an international agreement signed last fall by the US, Mexico and 10 other nations. The agreement allows the signers to . return to the practice of catching tuna by encircling dolphins as long as they promise not to kill the dolphins. It's a promise that cannot be enforced! The packers would also be allowed to continue using the "dolphin .· safe" term on the cans. We believe that this amounts to outright deception of the public! Dolphin lovers must unite to shoot down this bill, too! June 1996 Texas Delegation Voting Records This month's voting record report is on Representative Lamar Smith. He couldn't rate any lower than 0, which is how the League of Conservation Voters scored him on his votes in 1995. On. such key environmental votes as logging without laws, closing national parks, giving away Alaskan timber and mining resources, funding research fo,r renewable energy sources, removing the safeguards of the Clean Air Act, crippling the EI:JA, and witholding the US contribution to the United Nations Population Fund, Smith voted with the anti-environment crowd every time. He also voted in 1996 to override President Clinton's veto of the anti-environment budget bill. On votes on amendments to delete harmful riders from HR 2405, the Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization, such as prohibiting the use of funds for EPA to conduct indoor air pollution research, or EPA's Climate Change Action Plan to investigate global warming, Smith voted to keep the riders. He also voted to keep the 17 EPA-crippling riders attached to HR 2099, the VA/HUD/Interior bill which President Clinton vetoed. Project Vote Smart reports that Smith is rated between 90 and 100 per cent by business-related special interest groups. One group rates him at 87 per cent on the environment: however, the Competitive Enterprise Institute is hardly environ-mentally friendly. · PAC contributions to Smith's 1994 campaign totaled $104,830. The top five categories of contributors were: Finance, insurance & real estate 25,911 Energy & natural resources 15,550 Agriculture · 13,600 Communications & electronics 10,250 Transportation 8,750 We'll report on 1995 and 1996 figures when they become available. As we reported in February, Physicians for Social Responsibility rated Smith an F in such key areas as foods, schools, water, air, and general environmental protection issues. Forest Service Costs Are Worse than You Think The General Accounting Office-the government's own study-the-problem division-issued a report that shows Uncle Sam is losing millions of dollars annually because the US Forest Service charges owners of power lines, telephone lines and pipelines only a fraction of what the same utilities pay for state or private land access. The GAO concluded that the USFS fees do not reflect fair market value as required by several laws. For example, a natural-gas pipeline owner last year paid California $130,726 per acre for access to state-owned land but gained similar Rep. George Miller (D-CA) said that Rep. Wayne Gilchrest's (R-MD) bill represents all that is wrong with NAFfA and GATT. "Americans knew N AFf A and GATT would be indirect terrorists. [H.R. 2823] is the first test, we are the first committee to embrace this challenge," said Miller. Miller offered an amendment to protect the. dolphin- free definition. It failed on a party line vote. · access to federal public land for only $814 per acre. More typical were cases in CO, VA, MT and WA, where the USFS collects about 10 cents for every dollar non-federal landowners charge. Overall, the USFS last year brought in $2.2 million in fees from the 5,600 special-use permits it issued. The GAO recommended the USFS raise its raJes,but did not forecast how much income would increase. USFS says the agency is reviewing the report, but has -Sierra Club Action Line no immediate plans to raise the fees. 10 Bexar Tracks ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Takings Watch: Remember the Exxon Valdez? In an effort to cripple federal agencies ch.arged with protecting our environment, Bob Dole has been pushing taking's legisll!tion. (S 605,, the bill to make . taxpayers pay polluters and developers whenever complying with public health and safety or environmental laws reduces their profits). ,. .~ Political pundits say that Bob Dole is too smart to risk having it introduced in the Senate while he is running for President. After all, even his own Republican pollster has warned that the American people do not want Congress messing with mother nature or their e'nvironmental safeguards, and there's no w:;~y Dole can disassociate himself from the bill-he sponsored it.· So the smart money says no takings bill th:is 'year. BUT this is Washington DC, where politics and mo'uey mix in strange ways. Informed sources say that Dole has promised lobbyists forthe real estate industry (developers who wapt to pave over wetlands, even ifit floods the neighbors, are some.ofthe big bene'ficiaries · of Dole's bill) that the will be brought up for a vote, even though he may not have the votes to pass it. And, of course, should he be elec~ed . Meanwhile, in Alaska . Dole's bill isn't even law yet, but a subsidiary of Exxon seems to like the concept. A few years back, Alaska's federal representatives ·quite reasonably banned the Exxon Valdez fro~ operati.ng in Alaskan waters after the ship marinated the state's ·sensitive shoreline in millions of gallons of crude. The ship's owners claim they're losing millions of dollars as a result' of the regulation, and they want compensation from U.S. taxpayers, claiming a Taking . . Dole has no comment on the matter. -compiled partly [~om an artitle in the Los Angeles Times 5/4/96 Library of Congress Folklife (~enter ·Endangered Rep. William Thomas (R-CA) has The Center has done extensive re-introduced a bill to abolish the Ameri- · cord,ing of the repertoires of such piocan Folklife Center in the Library of neers of American music as Leadbelly, Congress by repealing the American · Woody Guthrie, Son House and Jelly Folklife Preservation Act of 1976. The Roll Mor~on. It maintains one of the bill, HR 3491, has been referred to the . largest archives in the world ofAfricanHouse Committee on Oversight, of American tradftional music. · which Rep. Thomas is the chair. And the Center has issued record- . ~ Mad About Birds World of Audubon Special Mad about Birds Premieres june 16 on TBS Birds exert a fascination over so many people,.;_it's estimated that more than 25 m-illion Americans consider themselves birders. In the upcoming World of Audubon ·special, Mad About Birds, join us for a captivating look. at people's fascination with birds: the intrigue of the search, the challenge of the identification, and the e~hilaration of spotting rare species in -the wild. Mad About Birds premieres Sunday, June 16 at 9 pm on TBS. • Perched high dn a breathtaking cliff, a South.African ornithologist struggles to measure the wing of a vulture chick. The Natal Province is' the ideal plac~ to scope the Cape vulture; ornithologists flo~k here despite the fact the task is both dangerous and extremely messy. • ,On the Isles of Scilly in England, 400 enthusiasts wait patiently in a reed bed. Their reward is a brief vi'ew of a smallish brown bird .bloW!J off course by the· autumn gale. ' • In Pennsylvania, a house builder takes time off to construct an or- · nate "condominium" for purple martins--a communal nestbox for 120 feathered families. • In Wa~saw, Poland, ornithologists · Christian and Y ergi Desselberg live iQ an apartment with 76 birds. And at the crack of dawn in Centr-al Park in New York City, scores of avid The American Folklife Center has ings that present the finesfin America's been an integral part of the Library of traditional music, including. fiddle Congress since 1977; the Archive of . tunes, work songs, gospel music and Folk Culture (form!!rlY the Archive of prison songs, all drawn from authentic Folk Song) has been part of the Library field recordings of primary sources. · since 1928. ' We need. more places like this, rtot.· This unique national collection of f~wer! The telephone ~imiber for Rep. · manuscripts, sound recordings, photo- · fhomas is 202-225-2915 ,(no e-mail); graphs, films, videos and periodicals is the number for. the Committee qn the place where John and Alan Lomax Oversight is 202-225-8281. ·. birders embark upon a most unusual contest, Aud"!lbon's Annual Birdathon. This segment was filmed in New York dn Tuesday morning, May 14. did their pioneer work in documenting Please take the time to contact your the music and culture ofthe American · Represe~tative and the Committee; it people. is their votes. that are the most crucial It was to the Archi¥e that composer. now. It is also important to contact your Aaron Copland came to learn fiddle Senator; if this bill passes, it can still be tunes for his ballet Rodeo, and the ~.blocked in the Senate. Shaker hymn that is at the heart of App~lachian Spring. \ Bexar Tracks - Paula Ford Juniata VaJLey AS (PA) : II · With the premiere of Mad About Birds, Audubon will be launching a spe-' cial electronic bulletin board: 'tv@audubon.o-rg'_. Viewers can e-mail . their queries (via the Internet) to 'tv@audubon.org' and an Audubon expert will respond. M(ldAboutBirds reprises Monday, June 17at _l1:35 pm; Sunday,Jui).e 22 at 10:05 am; and Monqay, June 24 at 1:35 am. June 1996 SUMMER PLANNING CALENDAR t Bexar Audubon Event § More Information Inside CONTACTS FOR RECURRING EVENTS First Saturday at Friedrich Park, guided general natural history hike, free. 698-1 05 7 for reservations. Second Saturday at Friedrich Park sponsored by Bexar Audubon. $2 donation requested. 698-1 05 7 for reservations. Second Saturday: Beginners Bird Walk at Alamo Heights Nature Trail. Georgina Schwartz of SA Audubon Society 342-2073. Fourth Saturday: Birding morning at Mitchell Lake with Ernie Roney, SMS. Meet at ML at 8 am. 733-8306 for more info. JUNE 13t 16§ 16§t 20§t 25 BAS Board Meeting, 7 pm. Father's day concert, 6 pm. 'Cibolo Wilderness Trail in Boerne. BAS Outing, Honey Creek State. Natural Area. See inside. BAS General Meeting. Native Plant Society, Show-off . 29 JULY II 18 27 Night. Members and guests are invited to bring prints or up to I 0 slides· of their yards. travels. or favorite plants or landscapes to share with the group. Lion's Field Clubhouse. 2809 Broadway at Mulberry. 7 pm. Peggy McCray 64 1- 6543 for more info. Pelagic birding trip. from Port O'Connor. Dwight Peake. 409-740-462 I evenings. BAS Board Meeting. 7 pm. BAS General Meeting. 7:30pm. Pelagic birding trip. from Port O'Connor, Dwight Peake. 409-740-4621 evenings. Other conservation organizations: please add Bexar Audubon to your mailing list if we're not already on it. and we 'II be glad to include your events in our calendar each month. @BOX10LYDIAN = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers many nature activities for an·nual Texas Conservation Passport Holders ($50 per year). Call for event listings: 800-937-9393. Bird Photos Needed A colleague and I are writing an educational brochure on the ecology of Caddo Lake (NE Texas and NW Louisiana). We are in need of bird photos that we can use, royalty free, but with credit to the photographer. These are the birds we might want to use: American white pelican, doublecrested cormorant, snowy egret, cattle egret, green heron, blue-winged teal, American coot, belted kingfisher, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, barn swallow, brown-headed nuthatch, and pine warbler. If you would be willing to let us use your photos, contact us ASAP. Dr. James L. Ingold, Department of Biological Sciences, LSD-Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport, Louisiana 71115 or 318-797-5236 or email jingold@pilot.lsus.edu. June Meeting: Ticks . l 1~ June Outing: Honey River . l Chapter & local. . 3 Backyards & Birds . .4 Environmentallssues . 9 0 Bexar Audubon Society. Inc. P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio. TX 78209 Address Correction Requested BIRDS ONLINE Here are some more good reasons to go on line. Subscribers to audubontexas- birds receive weekly reports from several locations around the state, of birds sighted on trips, or compilations of reports of bird sightings in one area, and rare bird alerts. Locations range from Lubbock to the Coast. To subscribe, email rrtajordomo@igc.apc.org leave. the subject line blank, or put in it only a period(.) In the message area, type subscribe audubon-texas-birds. The Texas Bird Records Committee web site was recently updated and enhanced. It can be reached via the following URL: http:/ /www.metronet.com/ -chaynie/ Check out new photographs taken · by Greg Lasley of the kelp gull and a drake masked duck. Also, there are a number of other new additions to the content including a draft of our 1995 annual report. - Carl B. Haynie Texas Bird Records Committee chaynie(ri>metronet.com See my Web Page "Birds of the Upper Texas Coast" at http:/ /www.infocom.net/ -dsarkozi/ -David Sark~zi, Houston dsarkozi @info com. net Non-profit Org mization U. S. Postage Paid Sm Antonio, TX Permit #590
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