| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). ., ·aexAas . - TR CK BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY SAN ANTONIO · · TEXAS Thursday, September ·11, 1998-Chapter Meeting • > ' '• 7 p.m. -Social Time · 7:30 p.m.-Speaker's Program Free and open to the public uble Cen~er, 419 E. Magnolia (east of McCullough; take Mulberry exit off 281) r VIA public transportation, take Route 5 (St. Mary's/McCullough/North Star Mall) to Magnolia ' . Our program thi~ month features Dr. David Bowles, one of Texas Parks and Wildlife D~partment's most knowlecjgeable conservation biologists regarding salamanders. He has been part of TPWD's River Studies Program, which is involved in determining the quantity and quality of water necessary to conserve aquatic ecosystems in Texas. ' · Dr. Bowles has been very involved in the battle to protect the minnow-sized Barton Springs salamander which depends on a single underground water system' for survival, the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The -amphibian is at the center of Austin's fights over water quality. As described by Mark Kirkpatrick in the Spring 199~, UTAustin Biodiversity Newsletter: The salamander is the "canary in the coal mine." It is so sensitive to pollution because of its permeable skin and external gills-which it retains throughout its adult life-that it has toxic reactions to plastic containers and detergent residues. This sensitivity makes the salamander an incorruptible indicator of water quality in Austin's watershed. But now, the watershed is being threatened by Austin's exponential growth. Urban runoff is polluting the aquifer with silt, heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other toxins. These trends have accelerated dramatically in just the last few years:. . 0 ' Sound familiar? Dr. Bowles will no doubt let us know that' lessons learned from the Barton Springs battle are just as applicable to protecting the wate.r quality and ,quantity of our own segment of the Edwards Aql!ifer. Saturday, September 26, 1998__:.Chapter Outing Wildlife Rescue and Reha_bilitati~n, Inc. Boerne, ·Texas Most BAS members know that there is a small group of dedicated people 'who devote countless hours, mostly on a volunteer basis, to try to rescue wildlife who have been enmeshed in the coils of civilization and to rehabilitate those critters who have been injured in the process. ' . But we probably don't really understand how such operations really work. Is 'there an animal triage or. are , heroic efforts made to save everyone, regardless of extent of injury and membership in the endangered species list? What is the success rate? . Which species respond to treCJ,tment and which resist it? How are the bills paid? How can I volunteer, and how much time and effort would it entail? ;_ . . For the answers to these and any other questions you may have BAS will sponsor an outing to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation facility on HighWay 46 near Boerne on Saturday; September 26. The tour will take approximately two hours. Because the size of the group must ba limited to 15 people so as not to interfere with rescue operations there will be a morning tour and, if enough people sign up, an afternoon tour as well. ·Participants should meet at 8:15a.m. or 1 :15·p.m., depending which tour they signed up, for car pooling in the parking lot between Taco Cabana and Barnacle Bill's at the H.EB Shopping Center at IH10 and DeZavala. The tours start at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. ' . ' Reservations are -requested and can easily be ina,de by calling BAS President Bill Sain at 408-7731. BEXAR AUDUBON .SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084, San An_tonio, TX 78209 210-822-4503 GOALS The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. President Vice Pres. Treasurer Secretary Past Pres. OFFICERS Bill Sain (71634.230@compuserve.com) . 408-7731 Mike Macke . (mmecke@saws.org) . 344-3737 Betty Minyard . (mink@texas.net) . 344-6128 Deborah Robinson . 493-4663 " . (dlr2spirit@compuserve.com) Susan Hughes . . . : . .-. 532-2332 " . (Susan@wordwright.com) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Term Ending 1999: Kim Hoskins . 696·3780 Jane Nelka . (jsneal@texas.net) . _. . 561-0313 Harry Noyes . . . 490-3124 Term Ending 2000: Chris Dullnig . , . (cdullnig@juno.com) : 830-980-81-56 Maria Elizalde . . . 695-4256 Janis Merrit . . . 698-1095 COMMITTEE CI:IAIRS Adopt-a-Park Bill Woller . 696·3186 Aud. Adven. Betty Minyard . (mink@texas.net) . 344-6128 Birdathon Bill Sain (71634.230@compuserve.com) . 408-7731 Conserv. Richard Pipes . (rjpipes@flash.net) . 830-281-2452 Education Mary Kennedy . (mbkennedy@.aol.com) . 698-2864 Karen Peissinger . 266-4300 Hospitality Nancy Johnson . 655-1338 Memb. Deborah Robinson . 493-4663 " . (dlr2spirit@compuserve.com) Natural I nit. Tom Wilson . (twilsond@ AOL.com) . 492-4799 Outings , . " . , . available Pragrams Chris Dullnig . (cdullnig@juno.com) . 830-980-8156 Publicity Rita Heck . : . . SAEN Coord. Fred Loxsom . floxsom@trinity.edu . , 736-7425 Ways & Means Bill Sain . (see above) . .'408-7731 Bexar Tracks Tom Wilson . (twilsond@AOL.com) . 492-4'799 Editors . Jill Sandeen . 830-980-3277 (jsondeen@NetXPress.com) . Fax: 830-438-7393 Bexar Tracks is your newsletter. We welcome your contributions. Next deadline: September 18, 1998 Please fax Jill or email Tom as above; diskettes and hard copy should be sent to Tom Wilson, 13227 Hunters Spring,_ San Antonio; TX 78230. () Printed with soy ink on recycled paper. Visit Bexar Audubon's · Web Site: http://www.audubon.org/chapter/t~bexar/ Suggestions and contributions are welcome. Please contact Jill Sondeen at jsondeen@ netxpress.com September 1998 ' Sain Re,lections ~ ~'*~ As I write this on August 28, the flood waters of Tropical Storm Charley are still making their way down the Rio Grande. Hurricane Bonnie is continuing its track along the East Coast. All the native plants (and the grass that is left) have been growing and blooming wildly since the little over 5 inches of rain we had from Charley. The last month has been'very busy for c.hapter members. We had a suc,:cessful Annual Planning Meeting last weekend, despite the rain. Our new Education Committee Co-Chairs, Mary Kennedy and Karen Peissinger, have been meeting to discuss their plans for that committee. Dr. Fred Loxsom, a Physics Professor at Trinity and a Master Naturalist, has volunteered to fill the role of San Antonio Environmer;ttal Network (SAEN) Coordinator and is busily planning our future quarterly SAEN public Issues Forums. Bill Hurley is working with a variety of local experts to develop a guide to the nature/ecosystems/environmental issues of our area. This guide will be furnished. to policy makers in the cities and counties of our area to provide them with the information they need to make decisions that impact us all. 'A number of BAS members have spent many hours over the last month working on the framework for a regional system of nature preserves. Others have worked to organize and publicize the Sept 1 SAEN meeting. Still others work on the day-to-day needs of our chapter, things like publishing and mailing bur newsletter, paying bills, etc. We have many exciting programs and events in the planning stages which include many opportunities for other members to become involved in the success of our chapter. Whether you can volunteer for one hour a month or forty hours a week, there is an opportunity waiting for you. If you don't want to voluntesr, you can still participate in the events being planned. Attend a meeting or an outing and learn more about the environment around us. Come join the fun. August Planners _Need Your Help · Name Our Sevice Area Contest Bill Sain, ·Mike Mecke, Deborah Robinson, Chris Dullnig, Fred Loxsom, Janis Merritt, Karen Peissinger, Jill Sondeen, and Bill Wolier met at the Dullnigs' house during a rainy Saturday for the Annual Planning Meeting. Ideas for future programs included coordinating with upcoming National 1/Vildlife Refuge Week, World Population Awareness Week) and legislative and water issues. Other suggestions were programs on the Master Naturalists, Green Developers, and San Antonio Forest. Some thoughts on possible outings were to visit Kerr Wildlife Manageme.nt Area, Government Canyon, Botanical Center, Lost Pines and/ or Lost Maples State Park~. and Nature Conservancy sites. Also there were suggestions for trips to see whooping cranes, bats, and hawks. · We also worked on a Vision Statement for our chapter. This is where we need your help. Our service area includes many zip codes from several counties in the San Antonio Metropolitan/ Bexar County area including the cities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Floresville, Lytle, Bulverde, $pring Branch, and others. We also discussed that Bexar Audubon doesn't have an immediate place recognition except to the local people. What suggestions do you have to better describe who we are? Please help us fill in the blank in the following Vision Statement: Bexar Audubon Society is an effective organization that works to preserve and restore the natural environment through education, advocacy, land · protection, and community leadership in _________ _ Examples we came up with were: · Bexar County and Surrounding Areas; Bexar County Area, San Antonio Area, San Antonio and Surrounding Areas, Lower Hill Country and South Central Texas. Help! Please call .Bill Sain (408-7731), email Bill at · (1634.230@compuserve.com), or write to BAS Contest, P. 0. Box 6084; San Antonio, TX 78209. We woul_d like your ide~s by Monday, September 21, 1998. Thanks! · · -Jill Sandeen Bexar Tracks -E-d-u-~c~a~ti-o-n- -C-o-m--m~it~te-e- ~i·n~,!G ~ea~r- -fo--r -a- -G-r~e-a--t -Y-e-a-r-!~ The Bexar Audubon Society (BAS) is pleased to announce new leadership for the Education Committee. Mary Kennedy and Karen Peissinger have volunteered to co-chair the committee for the upcpming year. Mary is already known among BAS members for her efforts on behalf of Freidrich Wilderness Park. What members may not know is that Mary is a full-time teacher of high school biology at Texas Military Institute and leads the TMI Environmental Explorers, a scouting program for high school students. She has been a teacher for 18 years and · her experience in the educational field .will strengthen BAS's environmental education ' efforts. Karen is an environmental scientist with a consulting firm and an avid outdoorsperson. Karen's past experience as a camp counselor and technical trainer will lend itself well to future environmental education programs.· M~uy and Karen ar~ enthused to be collaborl'lting as co-chairs C?f the Education Committe.e and laying the groundwork for fun and effective educational programs. A greater focus will be placed on Audubon Adventures, the National Audubon program serving school-age children, so that more classrooms in the BAS service area will be reached. In November, Texas Public Radio will have an all-day Hands-On Adventure Progrf}m (details forthcoming). ' The committee has planned ,tentatively to show an interactive display (compliments of our friends at SAWS) focusing on the Edwards Aquifer and how it is affected by non-point I)OIIution . . In the long term, the cqmmittee plans to develop a mobile display that can be used at various events, such as Viva . Botanicfl and Earth · Day; to educate the general public on specific issuel;1 and Bexar Audubon in gene(al. . And of course, there are other ideas under consideration. However, to bring these ideas to fruition, the committee will need assistance from members. If many people offer their help, the work will be lighter for all of us, 'While at the same time our mission ·of providing quality environmental education to the community will be achieved. , ' Mary and Karen would appreciate your input and assi_stance as well as hearing your ideas, interests, and connections with other like-minded organizations. Contact Mary at 698-7175 ext. 267 or e-mail her at mbkenned@aol.com. Call Karen 738-3209 (before 9 pm) or e-mail her at peissinger46@atc-enviro.com. _ . . . · · -Karen Peissinger and Mary Kennady liK~ ~\J,.-~\tt~\J~If~ ' - ' " Nom·inations. Comm,.ittee It is time once again (finally) for us to form a Nominations Committee to develop a slate of officers and board members for next year's elections. Bill Woller has once again agreed to chS~ir this committee. and he needs some assistance. If you are interested in playing a vital role in the operation of your chapter, please cal~ Bill and volunteer to serve on the Nominations Committee. Or, call him and express your interest in serving on our board. You will rarely find the opportunity for such a fulfilling experience. Call Bill Woller at 696-3186. · · August 15. 1998 Outing Recap Visit to Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey ·conservancy Nineteen people got a rare treat to learn about and walk amongst magnificent raptors, in9luding eagles, and owls, at the Last Chance of Prey Conservancy outing on Many of the birds turned in to the facility are injured. After surgical setting and 'Of bones, the birds get .August 15, 1998. Many thanks Kim Hoskins (who is also a BAS board member) and Sherry McDaniel for giving us a tou{!.of this impressive facility. d·::·~dB Sixty-five to eighty percent of the birds rehabilitated here are well enough to . be released back to the wild. Those which cannot be released may be incorporated into the educational program 'or are placed in propagation projects, educational facilities at zoos or preserves, or humane research projects. LCF ave(ages about 250 rescues per year from all over the state. There is a lot of paperwork involved in this raptor rescue-the staff must apply to the state for a permit for each bird rescued. September 1998 3 such surrogate who successfully raised over 20 owlets this year alone. They get a lot of vultures at LCF. In fact, they had a couple of baby black vultures some private person had found and inadvertently let imprint on him. These birds ·· wed Kim down the hall and into- the ~ m where they interacted with us tourists. the difference between black and turkey (TV) vulture behavior. TVs , have a tremendous sense of · , and generally dine alone. TVs usually are the first on the scene ·of a kill-they prefer their dead prey fresher. The BVs fly lower, follow the TVs, eat in a grol!p, and like their killed prey after it's had a chance · to ripen a bit. · Visit their homepage at www.lastchanceforever.org. At the conclusion of the tour, Bill presented Kim and Sherry a donation to LCF . from B'AS. -Jill Sandeen Bexar Tracks __ LOCAL NEWS Remarks on the San Antonio River Improvement Projects Editor's Note: ,Last month, Bill Sain gave some intriguing statistics' qn the number of people from other states and foreign countries who visited our local sanctuaries and wondered what could happen if we actively promoted birding in this area. Susan provides additional information in her comments. at a recent public hearing sponsored by the San Antonio River Authority. Good evening. I am Susan Hughes, effect" of the $29.2 billion Americans spent convenient airport serving the Valley and Council District 5 representative on the in 1996--is an impressive $85.4 billion. This the Lower Texas Coast. Mission Trails Oversight Committee and a report shows that nationally and locally Wildlife viewing in Texas already member of the ad hoc citizens' committee · investments in wildlife and wild places are generates almost $1.5 billion of economic on the south reaches of the San Antonio investments in this country's natural activity each year. The Wall Street Journal River. I am also past-president of the Bexar resource legacy, and in its economic future. wrote that "birders are some of the most Audubon Society, which will be reflected in According to the report, wildlife affluent travelers around." We'd like more these remarks. watching creates more than 1 million jobs, of their dollars in San Antonio. Here is a The San Antonio River has long been contributes $24.2 billion Jn employment great opportunity. recognized as a major contributor to San income, and generates $323.5 million in When we consider what the lower Antonio's position as a tourist destination. state income tax and $3.8 billion in Federal reaches of the San Antonio River can add Not only do we attract recreational tourists, income taX. Wildlife watching also produces to the economy of San Antonio, the magnet but also tourists inter~sted in history and $1.04 billion in state sales tax. In addition, it could be foJ nature tourism cannot be culture. One group we offer little to, however, spending by wildlife watchers increased by underestimated. Nearby Mitchell Lake has is the nature tourist. What we presently offer 21 percent since 1991, when the figures are recorded birdwatchers from 38 states and in the way of birding opportunities is a pretty adjusted for inflation. 7 fo~eign <:ountries. And it's not even easy well-kept secret, and what we could offer Texasranksnumberoneinthenumber. to go there! If our planning and has not been recognized by local leaders. . of bird species in the US at more than 600- implementation result in converting the Nevertheless, we find ourselves well over three-fourths of all species occurring lower stretches from a weed-lined ditch to positioned to benefit from what has become in the US are considered ''Texas birds." San a kinder, gentler environment rich in native a $30 billion industry in the US. Antonio is positioned at a strategic link ·biodiversity, not only will the journey to the According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife between the Te~as Gulf Coast and the Rio missions be aesthetically enhanced, but Service report, 1996 National and State Grande Valley-where some 75 percent of there will be lots of opportunities to stop Economic Impacts of Wildlife Watching, these 600 species can be seen-and the along the way to enjoy plants and wildlife, Americans spent $29.2 billion to observe, Hill Country, where two popular endangered and plenty of reasons to extend a local stay, feed, and photograph wildlife in the United species nest among a rich array of other to patronize businesses in the river corridor, States. native wildlife. We get the occasional border and to make San Antonio itself a premier If wildlife-watching were a Fortune 500 vagrant in the San Antonio area, which can nature tourism destination. company in 1996, it would have ranked cause a quick influx of hard-core Thank you for the opportunity to 23rd. The total industry output tor wildlife · birdwatchers, since we are the most address these issues. watching-the overall economic "ripple -Susan Hughes !t!t!t!t~!t Plans for the Organization ofthe San Antonio Forest The organization of the San Antonio Forest is the first step in establishing a formal, citizen-based, non-profit entity to work with th~ City of San Antonio (COSA) in establishing and maintaining an urban forestry program. The main contribution will be sweat equity, stewardship, fund raising, field work, inventory, planning, and support. SAF will cooperate and collaborate with all present and future COSA and/or priva~e entities in the area of urban forestry or related fields. These include, but are not limited to greenbelt forestry and open space initiatives. Also, private business, organizations, home-owner associations, etc., will be included in every phase of the program to the greatest extent possible. Every ·effort to restore, restock, protect, and preserve natural forests, to include flora and fauna, in an effort to educate and p,rovide September 1998 pleasure and/or recreation 'to the citizens of San Antonio, are within the scojje of SAF objectives and goals. The option ·of zoning, as a means to ensure protection and/or restoration of general plant species, ecosystems, or rare and/or endangered species is. included within the realm of goals and objectives. The process SAF wishes to establish within COSA is long term in scope. Trees take time to grow-many· of them have longer life spans than humans. Some trees planted will last 7 to 15 years; others up 50 years. This long-range program will provide a legacy for future generations of ecological and psychological benefit. . . -Dominick Dina Editor'$ Note: BAS Veep' Mike Mecke forwarded this wonderful news. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS Proposed Delisting of Wolves In what is being declared as a clear sign that the Endangered Species Act is working, Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt announced in late June, 1998, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose delisting gray wolf-populations in Minnesota, , Wisconsin, and Michigan. The proposal also calls for downlisting Rocky Mountain and Northeast region gray wolf populations from endangered status to threatened; reintroduced wolf populations in this area would be unaffected. Downlisting wolves to threatened status would increase -recovery planning flexibility and shift responsibility for maintaining the populations to state and Native American tribal governments in the area. -J.Zane Walley in RANGE MAGAZINE Bexar Tracks ____;;;;ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS__,_.,. ______ ___, Postscript on the July 23. 1998. Egret Massacre Reported in Last Month's Newsletter: Egret Rookery on Prime Real Estate in Carrollton Bulldozed ' At the Carrollton City Council meeting August 4 almost. 400 citizens packed the council chambers and flowed out into the lobby to express their outrage and grief and to insist that nothing like this should ever happen again. Denise Munger, an area rehabber who participated in the rescue effort, said the hero of the rescue operation was the crane operator, Dean Stewart, who stayed with them till 10:30 that night, carefully and skillfully picking up each downed tree branch so they could remove birds. There were few dry eyes in the house. Cathy Rogers reported to Council that 300 birds arrived at her center in the first wave. Numbers fluctuate; as some are released, more are brought in (especially youngsters grown weak enough to be captured). Including immediate euthanasias, 37 deaths occurred the first week, and 23 more birds did not survive; 68 were stabilized and released; 21 of the youngest were in intensive care being tube fed; 128 were being treated, monitored, and fed; 150 to 200 of the birds would likely need care for as long as 60 days. They go through ·. ten bundles of newspapers a day and ten loads of laundry. Volunteers make sure every bird eats, hand-feeding whel) required. The cost of large helpings of crickets, worms, mice, fish, and other meat is as high as $29 per bird per day. Some volunteers have been working up to 18-hour days. The center's normal business of rescuing wounded wild animals has been seriously disrupted, plus the media coverage has resulted in more injured wildlife being brought in. While some Council members originally balked at paying for the birds' care and rehabilitation out of taxpayer dollars, after four hours of citizen testimony the Council voted unanimously to pay Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center the $125,000 estimated cost for the birds' rehabilitation and care. But the City's payment was only part of the resolution . The Council denied allegations that the City devised the public health scenario as a rationale to clear the site for a new library or senior center, and The Peregrine Falcon Is Back! , promised to form ·a citizens' committee to study what to do with the land. They will also investigate what ordinances the City should pass to prevent this from happening again. They were advised to reduce or eliminate any further activity around the surviving birds, building a fence or posting signs, and to repair the dam to enable the birds to reach water safely, since it is too deep now. Some weaker birds have drowned. A Carrollton taskforce for wildlife is being formed comprising representatives of environmental organizations, and Council is considering having an ongoing environmental commission . Texas Population and Habitat activist Carole Wilmoth wrote, "I think that Carrollton, in wanting badly to improve their image, may become the model city in environmental awareness. At least it could-this was a good start!" Something constructive must evolve from this tragic conflict between people and wildlife. -Susan Hughes Proposal to Remove World's Fastest Bird from Endangered Species List The world's fastest bird has pulled out of a dive toward extinction and once again is soaring. The peregrine falcon is expected to be removed from the endangered species list according to a proposal announced by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, marking one of the most dramatic success stories of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). "Every American should be proud," Babbitt said. "In 25 years, the people of the US have rescued this awesome raptor from the brink of extinction. We have proved that a strong Endangered Species Act can make a difference. We don't have to stand idly by and watch our wildlife go extinct. We can bring species back. We have proved it with the peregrine falcon." The banning of DDT made the recovery of the peregrine falcon possible. But the protections provided by the ESA and the extraordinary efforts of the Service, in Septem.ber 1998 partnership with state wildlife agencies, universities, private ornithological groups, and individuals, accelerated the pace of recovery through captive breeding programs, reintroduction efforts, and the protection of nest sites during the breeding season. Similar efforts took place in Canada, where the Canadian Wildlife Service and Provincial agencies took the lead in a major captive breeding and reintroduction program. Currently, there are at least 1 ,593 peregrine breeding pairs in the United State~ and Canada, well above the overall recovery goal of 631 pairs. Although a final determination to delist the peregrine would remove it from the Act's protection, ·it would still be protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. Act. The MBTA prohibits the taking, killing, possession, transportation, and importation of migratory birds, their eggs, parts, and nests except 5 when specifically authorized by the Interior Department, such as in the case of regulated hunting seasons for game birds. In addition, the Service will work with state wildlife agencies to monitor the status of the species for a minimum of five years, as required by the Endangered Species Act. If it becomes evident during this period that the bird again needs the Act's protection, the Service would relist the species. The Servic·e's proposal to delist the peregrine falcon was to be published in the Federal Register on August 26, 1998. The public may comment on the proposal in writing until November 23, 1998. Comments should be sent to: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003. Bexar Tracks As the worldwide ocean fishermen become more and more efficient, they. are in danger of destroying the very abundance on which they depend. As the larger fish are over-harvested, smaller and smaller fish are appearing in the markets. In his excellent book, Song for the Blue Ocean, Carl Safina likens ocean life to the bison of the ·last century. He predicts that a continuation of preset:~t trends will lead to widespread fishery collapses. Fishery managers must rebuild . fish populations within large, no-take, marin~ protected zones. The collapse of the North Atlantic Cod Fishery is a warning to the world that even the most seemingly abundant ,resource can be destroyed. · · If you want to take your conscience to the market or restaurant with you, . the handy wallet-sized card at right is just what you need. Based on guidelines from the Living Oceans Program of National Audubon Society, it lists those fish whose stocks are most threatened in bold Italics; those which are only mildly threatened in italics; those whose stocks are stable in plain type, and a~undant species in plain boldface. Feel free to copy this and distribute it widely. Ask your favorite chef or fish market to avoid carrying the most threatened species. -Sangre de pristo Audubon Society Newsletter ESA Reauthorization- _ .Audubon's Gui·de ·to Eating Fish Sharks Orange Roughy Salmon - Don't Eat Swordfish Groupers Monkfish, Flounder Atlantic Red Snapper · Cod, Pollack, Haddock Bluefin Tuna Avoid Bigeye, Yellowfin, & Albacore Tuna Pacific Rockfish (Snapper) OK Skipjack Tuna Summer Flounder (Fluke) · · Ye!lowtail Snapper Have Seconds Striped Bass Dolphinfish, Mahi-Mahi Halibut Bluefish Mackerel Another No-Go? , It>~-~._ ( 1998 may mark yet another year in ~ ~ -. ____________________ _, which Congress fails in 'its efforts to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act. . · Last fall, a powerful, bipartisan coalition-~., including Senators John Chafee (R-RI}, . Max Baucus (D-MT), Oirk Kempthorne ' (R-ID), and Harry Reid (D-NV) introducep . ·. an ESA bill (S. 1180, "The Endangered Species Recovery Act") that passed easily ' through the Senate Environment and Public · Works Committee. Although the qill was widely criticized by the environmental community, it received a nod of approval cfrom Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt and was supported by many industry interests. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) has indicated that he will not allow the bill to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote unless additional changes are made to make it even friendlier to industry and private landowner interests. The !;>ill's authors have been unable to collectively. agree to Lott's request ahd as a result, the bill has languished in legislative limbo. With the end of the session rapidly approaching . and all eyes focused on the upcoming . elections, it seems increasingly unlikely that the ESA will be voted on this year in the Senate and the House of Representatives . · has indicated that it will not take up an ESA bill until the Senate produces one. Editor's Note: So there is still time to write, · . call, fax, email, or visit your Senator and Representative urging support for a strong ESA. Read elsewhere 'in this newsletter about how succes$ful the ESA has been! September 1998 Sep 17-20. 1998 . Rockport~Fulton Hummer/Bird Festival A whole schedule of events, outings, and displ~ys is focused on the hundreds of hummingbirds (mostly Ruby-throated} passing through the Rockport-Fulton area just north of Corpus Christi. Call 800-826-6441 for details. ' Sep 25 - Oct 4. 1998 Hawks _Celebratio·n of Flight Where: What: : Hazel Bazemore County Park & Calallen High School in Corpus Christi A celebration of Hawk migration will be held at one of the premier hawk watch sites in the U.S. Interpretive displays and the hawkwatchers will be at Hazel Bazemore Park. Programswill'be 'at the Calallen High School Auditorium. Programs: Sep 26 -Pete Dunne (author and Executive Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory), "The Wind Masters" Sep 28 -Steve Hoffman, "Hawk Watch International" , Oct 1 - "The Return of the Aplomado Falcon" by the Peregrine Fund Oct 3 - Brian Wheeler, "South Texas Raptors: A Visual ,Experience" Cost: A fe.e ·is charged for each program. Call Kimberly Lemley at 512-881-1812 for more information. Directions to the Park: · South 1-37 to Exit 14, US 77 South. Proceed 0.5 miles to exit for FM 624 (Up River Road}. Turn right at the light, then 0.75 miles to the entrance sign on the right. You will pass the Hi9h School just before you reach the park entrance. 6 Bexar Tracks . Tales from the Sandwich Bar " Invasion of the Seed Snatchers"-Part II By Mari .Bailey Yes, I took pleasure in watch[ng whitewing doves stymied by my new feeders. They would perch if possible atop them and turn their heads sideways to study the seeds now ·"out of their reach." I gloried in my success and gullibly fell for the 'snake oil seed salesmen's' pitch that more expensive feedstuffs would bring in greater varieties of birds since "lowly" doves only want milo al'ld cheaper seeds. r sprung for ~The Good Stuff and happily filled the vertical feeders. I also began my peanut-butter-and-seed sandwiches for the suet feeders (some were double deckers and some had overhanging roofs)e I still spotted an occasional whitewing on the ground. UNDER . these new "tricky" feeders, but most of them now gathered at my "all-purpose" commercial wild bird mix feeders and gorged themselves there. And I was seeing more house finches, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, starlings, arid blue jays at the new feeders. All seemed right with my bird world . ·Then one day I spotted a whitewing hanging ON THE SlOE of one of my vertical feeders. Impossible! How could this happen? Upon close inspection I could see just "how"the bird had one foot on the tiny bottom perch and the other foot grasping the wooden side of the feeder. As his feet did "the splits" his beak merrily gobbled those$$$ seeds from the seed opening that was 2 openings above the one by his foot! Once the whitewings conquered that vertical feeder, all others quickly fell to their cunning. They managed to reach the seeds from incredible angles. They developed a pronounced preference for the $$$seeds, particularly pecans an.d p_eanuts and, yes, even the peanut butter! ' : And they were no longer frightened by my voice. My warning of "Birds!". when I exited the house to fill the feeders had the effect of conditioning them to sounds from people! The power lines behind my home sagged with the weight of FAT whitewings, awaiting their "dinner bell" call of "Birds"! Life with whitewings had changed since the ·birds' first appearances at my feeders - could it change any more? Next issue: The Invasion of the .Seed Snatchers-Part Ill . . ·, Missing Links F.o~n Paleontologists seeking to trace the evolution of reptiles into birds have long been huntin'g a creature that would prove once and for all what many researchers already believe: that the dinosaurs didn't die out completely but instead took wir\g aQd evolved into what we now call birds. Two , years ago, a chicken-sized dinosaur feather-like filaments bristling along its raised hopes, but researchers could agree that the bristles were really Now a team of Chinese, American paleontologists claims fossil beds in China the real get around feathers on Jrs~1ift;~Jldjjlj}'fo one of the authors. on these flightless l!"'I;.'JOLJY\,IL::O<>L<> that feathers did flight but were used for . , •• .-.,., display, or some other purpose. related to Ve/6ciraptor of Jurassic me, th'e new discoveries sit ·.M <>Yin'l<>w~•or" between tl;lose meat~eaters and .i.:::~"·Afctlaeom•enrx in the evolutionary chain. discovery is not wifhout its Some think that where there are feathers; there must be birds, and that these are just a group of flightless birds, 'descendants of earlier birds that could fly. osaurs have :Jilij~-~iilliiiJ!tliiiO~""""'""""'"i unmistakable feathers fanning out from their -Science · \ September 1998 7 ' How Sweet It Is Getting Ready for Winter??? ·Sweet-tasting ethylene glycol used in traditional antifreeze products is attractive to animals and acco·unts for tens of thousands of animal deaths each year, according to private research. New Sierra Antifreeze-Coolant is made of propylene glycol, which is reported to be less toxic and safer for pets, wildlife, and children than ethylene glyco,l-based antifreeze products. An· article in Dog Fancy Magazine says Sierra provides comparable temperature prote4::tion, and the price appears comp·arable, as well. For more information or to locate the nearest retailer, contact Sier'ra .at 4065. Commercial Ave, Northbrook, IL60062-1851, (800)289-7234, . www.sierraantifreeze.com. The. Mystery of Peanut Heaven Everwonder what to do with· all those "peanuts"? With more and more of us using mail- and online-ordering to avoid the malls, we occasionally find ourselves with boxes . and boxes full of that "loose-fill" material . ·made of plastic or sometimes even a biodegradable substance. But what a sha.me to just discard them! But where to recycle tnem??? Now there's an answer: . Call the "Peanut Hotline" for th'e location of the loose-fill collection center nearest you. {They tend to be packing and mailing services.) It's toll-free, Mqnday through Friday, 8am-8pm. 1.-800-828-2214. Something to Crow About Carrion crows in Japan have learned to use passi'ng automobiles to crack walnuts so they can eat the meat. The crows appear to do this when the nuts are too hard to crack .by dropping them on a hard suface. They have been'. observed placing walnuts where ·passing cars would crack them and even (on 12 occasions) waiting at a traffic signal until a car stopped and then placing the walrwt directly in front of the car's tire. In one case, a crow walked in front of a slowmoving car until it stopped, then placed the walnut in front of the wheel. -BWD Skimmer Bexar Tracks aububon applautit Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. P. 0. Box 6084 Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid San Antonio Permit #590 Newsletter Mailing Party-Thanks to Bill Sain and Deborah Robinson for opening their home to the mailing horde. Thanks to the horde consisting of Mike Mecke, Jill Sondeen,_Jane Nelka, anq Beth Landry. And thanks to Susan Hughes for doing the labels. · Annual Planning Meeting-Thanks to Chris · and Carolyn Dullnig for offering us their home for the Annual Planning Meeting. @~ttttta\QJ uoo·~ F--· -·- Wrong Date Given Last Month for: Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society's Teacher's Environmental Workshop The date should read October 1 o, 1998 The Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society will offer their fourth Environmental Workshop on Saturday, October 10, 1998. This workshop focuses on grades K-5 and is limited -to 15 participants. Like the previous workshops, there will be some field work at Mitchell Lake. Unlike the previous workshops, the classroom activities will focus more sharply on the principles and strategies of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills test (TEKS) for Elementary School Science. Call 210-732-5392 for additional information. r --- ., 1 Introductory Membership . 1 I. National Audubon Society 1 San Antonio, TX ?8209 . Address Service Requested UNIV OF TEXAS bl19 NOV98 LIB SERIALS 1604 ~ 6SA9N0 0 ANNT LOONOIOP TX w 78249-1130 ' REGURRING EVEN:fS II '- ~ 0 Bexar AudubonSociety 1 (Chapter Code W19) 1 Second Thur.sday of Each Bexar Audubon Society Board Meetings. Month. Call408-7731 for more info. Members_ welcome ' --of New memberships to National : Third Thursday of Each Month ' Bexar Audubon Society General Meetings, Open Audubon Society, including a subscription to Audubon magazine, are I $20 ($15 for seniors or Jull-time I students). This includes membership in I Bexar Audubon a:nd a subscription to I Bexar Tracks,as well. _I Makes a great gift! I Name --- '--- I Address 1 --- ~ --- ~--~ --- 1 City --- ~ --- 1 State ____ Zip --- . I Phone: ( ) I (except Aug) Call 822-4503 for info. · First Saturday of Each Month. Call 698-1057 for more info. · ' ' Second Sat~Jrday of Each Month. Fo'r information arid reservations, call 698-1 057 Fourth Saturday of Each Month. Call 308-6788 for more information First Tuesday of Each Quarter March, June, September, December. Call 822-4503 for more info to the public, Ruble Center, 419 E . .-Magnolia,7 pm Friedrich Wilderness Park offers a free guided general natural history hike · Bexar Audubon sponsors the "Secorid Saturday'' program at Friedrich ~ark $2 donation requested Birding morning at Mitchell Lake- meet at 8 am Led by Ernie Roney (656-4239; San Antonio Audubon Soc.) San Antonio Environmental Network meets at the Witte Museum auditorium, 7 pm. Free and open to the public l Mail this coupon and your check ~ .I payable to "National Audubon Society" 1 1 YOLUNTEERSrMAKE THE DIFFERENCE! . to: · · Bexar Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209 I I . . ____________ .I. ' September 1998 · Volunteer Opportunities Hospitl:!lity Co-chair- please call Nancy Johnson at 655-1336. · Out'ings .Chair- please contac~ President Bill Saili at 408-7731 . 8 Bexar Tracks
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