| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). S~e c. c()' 1 fol1'o Q L£~ q .ILl ~ L.\ ~ Volume XIX, No. 1 December 2000/ January 2001 Tuesday, December 5, 2000 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY SAN ANTONIO, TX San Antonio Environmental Network Forum (SAEN) NOV 2 8 2C]{) A river runs through it lJ The ri. ver t ha t ha s rna de our ci. ty uni.q ue ani TSA J-~-ed ', 1. Needs help in defining its future course and condition 6:30p.m. -Social Time; 7:00p.m. -Program Free and open to the public-Extra parking across Broadway Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway (Take Hildebrand exit off 281) For VIA public transportation: take Route 9 or 14 to the Broadway/ Pershing/ Toledo intersection Join us to learn about plans very crucial to the future of 'The River City." A draft plan will be presented for public input regarding future plans for the development, within the City, of the upper and the lower San Antonio River. The program will be presented by Nancy Fleming, Kevin Shanley, and John Dupuy of the SWA Group, the design consultants. The River Oversight Committee is charged is to oversee the planning, design and construction of improvements to the San Antonio River from Hildebrand to Mission Espada. The upper portion is from Hildebrand, near the historic San Antonio Springs, downstream to the downtown area. The lower portion is from Alamo Street south to Mission Espada. The improvements for the Central (River Walk) Section have proceeded separately due to the urgency for repairs from the 1998 flood damage. The length of the river included in the project is 13 miles and the anticipated timeframe for design and construction is ten years, costing approximately $102 million. Funding is anticipated from Bexar County and the Corps of Engineers for the flood control elements and the City of San Antonio and the private sector for non-flood control elements. The plan, which is to be finalized very shortly, should be of interest and concern to all San Antonio residents, especially natives and those living and working along the river. Citizen interests and concerns range from flood protection to restoration of our city's portion of the San Antonio River as a viable, functioning aquatic and riparian ecosystem. Other major interests are historical, cultural, economic, aesthetic and recreational in nature. Come out and join us for a major presentation· on our city's lifeline-the San Antonio River. Without the San Antonio River, historically fed by the San Antonio Springs and the San Pedro Springs, there would be no San Antonio. San Pedro Springs Park, the second oldest park in the US, is already in the midst of rehabilitiation. San Antonio Springs have not fared so well, with the majority lying under the campus of Incarnate Word University. Yananguana, as the local Coahuilitecans call the river, should always be high among our priorities for protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable development. Park manager tells all Tuesday, January 2, 2001, Chapter Meeting Same time and place as December meeting- see above Birding at Pedernales Falls State Park With opportunities for all levels and skills Bill McDaniel, Manager of Pedernales Falls State Park, will tell BAS members at our January meeting about the ecology of the Hill Country and how-at this very beautiful park--it contributes to a variety of experience for birders of all levels of interest and enthusiasm. Those anxious to find the most rare of species will be directed to trails that lead you away from the hard road, while those with less time or ambition will be informed of the new park viewing station built last year. McDaniel will show a colorful variety of slides of the park and will play recordings of birds singing in the park. He will be happy to answer questions about the park, birding, recording vocalizations, and bird behavior and biology. In addition he will bring a few door prizes for the folks in the audience. A 21-year veteran of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, McDaniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Stephen F. Austin University and has studied ornithology at Southwest Texas University. Before his assignment to Pedernales Falls 11 years ago, he was manager at Sea Rim State Park at Sabine Pass, Texas. BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY Chapter of the National Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209 21 0-822-4503 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 Tatjana Walker (tatjana@wordwright.com) . 532-2332 . . . evening: 832-8681 Mike Mecke (sustainableagh2o@aol.com) . 344-3737 Rita Banda (WaterHawk2@aol.com) . 830 606-1946 Susan Hughes (Susan @wordwright.com) . 532-2332 Bill Sain . . . . Moved to New Mexico BOARD OF DIRECTORS Term Ending 2000: Chris Dullnig . (cdullnig@juno.com) . 830-980-8156 Bill Hurley . (billhurley@msn.com) . 341-?676 Janis Merrit . . . . , . 698-1095 Bill Barker Harry Noyes Tom Wilson Term Ending 2001: . (barker@texas.net) . . (harrynoyes@juno.com) . 490-3124 . (twilsond@AOL.com) . . 492-4799 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Aud. Adven. Betty Minyard . (mink@texas.net) . 344-6128 Birdathon . available Conserv. Harry Noyes . (harrynoyes@juno.com) . 490-3124 Education . available Hospitality . available Memb. . . available Naturallnit. Tom Wilson . (twilsond@AOL.com) . 492-4799 Outings . available Programs . available Publicity Rita Banda (WaterHawk2@aol.com) . 830 606-1946 SAEN Coord. Mike Mecke (sustainableagh2o@aol.com) . 344-3737 . . . . . . available Bexar Tracks Tom Wilson . (twilsond@AOL.com) . . 492-4799 Editors Jill Sondeen . 830-980-3277 Osondeen@NetXPress.com) . Fax: 830-438-7393 Mailing . . . available TxAS Bd. Tatjana Walker (tatjana@wordwright.com) . 532-2332 Bexar Tracks is your newsletter. We welcome your contributions. Next deadline: Lay-up final deadline: Jan 5, 2001 Jan 12, 2001 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.BexarAudubon.org Suggestions and contributions are welcome. Please contact Bill Hurley at billhurley@ msn.com December 2000/January 2001 Walker on the Wild Side By the time you have received this newsletter, we will know who will be the next President of the United States [Ed. Note: We hopen, the composition of the Congress, and what changes will be occurring in our state and local government leadership. But today, as I write this, we don't know at all, and in this uncertainty, I find it more important than ever to my mental health and well-being that I identify some positive things that won't be greatly affected by the election. Bexar Audubon will (no matter who wins!): • Offer seven great public programs a year focusing on wildlife and habitat management issues. • Host four meetings of SAEN to promote the exchange of ideas and the existence of community among conservationists and others in our city. • Share the development and provision of Second Saturday programs at Eisenhower Park with our wonderful San Antonio Parks and Recreation Natural Areas staff. • Partner with an incredibly wide range of groups to help private landowners manage their land better for themselves and wildlife at our Spring South Texas Farm and Range Forum. • Support other organizations in their work-look for our February meeting and fundraiser for the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society. • Advocate environmentally and economically sound policy from the local to national levels by meeting with decision-makers, providing testimony, and writing letters. (Think Proposition 3, protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and supporting Texas Parks and Wildlife at the Sunset Hearings!) • Enjoy the natural world with our friends at outings like the recent trip to Bracken Bat Cave (which raised funds for Bexar Audubon and for Bat Conservation International from our generous members and friends). • Show this community how to bring nature to our homes with wildscaping though the Natural Initiatives program and partnerships. • Inform you and others with our website and our award-winning newsletter. (First place in our size chapter division in the National Audubon contest.) • Grow Audubon state-wide by participating actively in the Texas Audubon Society. • Need . your support and your membership. While a relatively small group does most of the hands-on work described above-and we'd welcome you among the group--it takes a strong base of members of National Audubon Society to do all this . Your membership is the basic financial support to this chapter that helps us provide our newsletter and programs. There is no better time for your friends and family to join Audubon or for you to take care of your holiday gift list. National Audubon is conducting a fall membership campaign that will really help chapters. Through December, every NEW membership that is PLACED THROUGH OUR CHAPTER will result in a $30 rebate to Bexar Audubon. (Renewals do not apply to this program.) Share the good things Bexar Audubon brings you with your friends. Check out the membership form included in this issue of Bexar Tracks and select the level of membership--introductory at $20, or full-time student/senior at $15. Send in your gift membership information for each recipient, as well as your own name, address, and phone. We will send a gift acknowledgement in time for the holidays. The recipient of your gift will be a full-fledged member, getting Bexar Tracks and Audubon magazine as well as all the other benefits of belonging to Audubon. This is a great way to help our chapter and give a wonderful gift at the same time. Send your check (payable to National Audubon Society) to us at: GIFT --BAS, PO Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209. Happy Holidays! Taljana Walker, President P.S. Don't forget that you can note that a member's name not be sold, borrowed, or traded--National Audubon will respect those wishes. Present members can request their names be suppressed from mailing list exchanges, telemarketing, etc., by phoning Audubon magazine customer service at 1-800-274-4201. Alternatively, you can contact National Audubon's membership department at 212-979-3117 or email Kathy Vullis at KVullis@audubon.org. 2 Bexar Tracks MEMBER MEETING RECAPS Tuesday, October 3, 2000, Meetin~ Recap: Citizen concern essential A beautiful, threatened cat that purrs Described at October BAS meeting The founder of the new Mountain Lion Foundation of Texas, Dr. Dede Armentrout, was our speaker at the well-attended October meeting. The Foundation's web site is www.mountainlions -texas.org Why do we need a mountain lion foundation in Texas? Because Texas has so little public land, the need for citizen interest in and understanding of the Puma conco/or (the cat of one color) is vital to the preservation of the species and to its survival in the wild in what was a major part of its range. Mountain lions were once the most widely distributed mammal in the western hemisphere, occupying almost any habitat with large mammals for prey, water, and a place to use for cover. Today they have withdrawn from most of their historical range due to habitat destruction and persecution by humans. The mountain lion is the largest of the purring cats. It does not roar. It is able to jump 30 feet horizontally and 18 feet vertically from a standing start. With a body that is mostly muscle and sinew, a lion's light skeleton will fit into a hiking boot box. Mountain lions are solitary hunters. They do not share food except with cubs, and they will not eat carrion or steal the remains of another animal's kill. Each individual depends upon its own hunting skills to survive, so they cannot afford to be injured, and they take care to avoid situations in which they might be. The mountain lion will typically make a kill every 7-16 days, although a pregnant female or one with cubs may kill more frequently. The lion will return to its kill until it is all consumed or, in hot weather, until the meat has spoiled. With a life span of about 1 0 years in the wild (up to 35 years in captivity), the mountain lion is solitary and typically coexists by avoiding others of its species. The range of an individual male mountain lion is 60-600 square miles, the range of the female is 13-1 00 square miles. Concerns about mountain lion attacks were also discussed. In Texas there have December 2000/January 2001 been no fatal mountain lion attacks on humans. Of four recorded attacks, three have been in Big Bend National Park. A list of "dos and don'ts" if you are in mountain lion country is included on the web site. The Mountain Lion Foundation is focusing its program on habitat conservation-since loss of habitat is the greatest threat to the lion, and habitat loss is occurring at a rate of about one million acres per year. The Foundation has a threeyear working plan, comprising: • scientists and landowners forum; • information and education; • economic and recreation opportunities; • private and public initiatives. Scientists will be involved in status evaluations, defining the natural history, formulating management plans, and building cooperative links with landowners and volunteers. Landowners will contribute livestock protection strategies, research, natural history knowledge, and economic opportunities. The foundation will work to provide conferences and workshops, media packets, and internet accessible information through their web site. Economic and recreational opportunities sought include ecotourism, sale of products and artifacts from mountain-lion-friendly ranches, and tax reform for protecting open · spaces. The group also plans to recognize the work of various partners and leaders in the efforts to protect lions and habitat. On December 11-14 in San Antonio, the Sixth National Mountain Lion Workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk. Co-hosts are the Mountain Lion Foundation of Texas, Sui Ross University, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The public is welcome and registration information is available through the website noted above. Plan to attend this joint project of mountain lion research scientists, landowners, state game agencies, and conservationists. Dr. Armentrout indicated the Foundation is in need of computer equipment and a video projector, GPS equipment, design and layout services for their publications, a sturdy back-country vehicle, volunteers of all sorts, people who can help make links with landowners, and conference help. Contact her at dede@ mountainlions-texas.org for info. -Susan Hughes 3 Thesday, Nov. 7, 2000 Recap Turkeys are all Over Texas Texas turkeys live predictable-if sometime hecticlives, are found all over the state and, thanks to their keen senses and elusive qualities, are a challenging target for hunters, who often pay large sums to be disappointed. The small but keenly interested group that turned out for the November BAS meeting on a dark and stormy election night, learned these and many more interesting turkey facts from Steve DeMaso, Upland Game Program Coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife. DeMaso's program, illustrafed by a computer driven program that functioned without a hitch, started by defining Texas turkeys, who come in three subspecies: Rio Grande, occupying a broad center portion of the state; eastern, living as the name implies in the far eastern regions; and Merriams, found in the trans Pecos and Davis Mountain areas. For our purposes, the following discussion relates to the Rio Grande subspecies, the most commonly found and hunted in the state. The three subspecies can be differentiated by their tail feathers which the males will gladly show you if you happen to be an attractive hen. Turkeys are easily recognized as turkeys, but the females are generally smaller and less flamboyant than the males, who - in breeding season - deck themselves out in a patriotic red, white and blue coloration, long beards and fighting spurs on their heels. Males are called jakes when they are immature and gobblers when they reach breeding age at 3 to 4 years. An annual cycle for turkeys begins with a breeding season in April and May, followed by a nesting period when females lay a dozen or so eggs while the males go off on their own. Poult (infant turkeys) mortality is high until the little birds are a couple of weeks old and can fly up into trees at night for protection. The poults leave their mother in 10 to 12 weeks. In the fall and winter, turkeys congregate in flocks of up Continued on page 4 Bexar Tracks TEXAS STATE NEWS Governor's Conservation Task Force Issues recommendations for 21st Century AUSTIN-The Governor's Task Force on Conservation approved a set of specific recommendations about how Texas can meet our state's conservation and outdoor recreation needs in the 21st century. Governor Bush created the twelvemember task force by Executive Order on February 24, 2000. He charged its members with studying the issues of conservation, land-fragmentation; public parks, outdoor recreation, and nature tourism, and making recommendations for how best to protect and enhance the state's natural resources and increase outdoor recreation opportunities for Texans. "I commend this task force of" conservation leaders for outlining a bold vision for Texas' future," Bush said. "The task force has recommended ways for a dynamic and growing Texas to better protect our natural resources, including open spaces, habitat and water, and to provide more accessible outdoor recreational opportunities for generations to come." The task force makes the following recommendations in three major categories: private lands, public lands, and water. Recommendations on Private Lands. Ninety-seven percent of the land in Texas is privately owned, so any comprehensive conservation effort in Texas depends on private landowners' participation and cooperation. The task force recommends that the state provide landowners additional incentives and partnership opportunities to better care for and conserve their lands: • Create a statewide Purchase of Development Rights program to compensate willing landowners for restricting future development of their lands. The Legislature would create the fund and a council to administer the fund. • Reform federal and state tax laws to encourage conservation by private landowners. • Expand incentives and assistance to landowners for habitat management, including expanding the use of Wildlife Management Plans, conservation agreements and the Landowner Incentive Program, increasing technical assistance to landowners, and forming more voluntary Wildlife Co-Ops to help improve our precious wildlife habitats. December 2000/January 2001 Encourage outdoor recreation development opportunities on private lands, including nature tourism, by encouraging partnerships between public and private sectors, and examining liability issues that may inhibit private participation in recreation and conservation projects. Recommendations on Public Lands. The task force found that as Texas continues to grow and the demand for recreation and natural resource conservation continues to grow, the State's current park lands will not be able to meet future needs. The Task Force recommends that the State assess local and state needs and resources and develop a strategic, statewide plan to meet the identified conservation and outdoor recreation demands. • Develop a comprehensive system to address conservation and to assure easily accessible outdoor recreation, including urban nature centers and outdoor recreation programs. • Ensure funds to repair, maintain, and develop our existing public lands, and to acquire lands that meet the state's strategic conservation and outdoor recreation needs; create a blue-ribbon panel to identify state sites that should be transferred to other entities. • Strengthen the ability of local governments to address conservation and outdoor needs by increasing grants for local parks and conservation, and giving fast-growing counties more tools to address growth. Recommendations on Water. The task force found water to be the most critical conservation issue in Texas. The Senate Bill 1 regional water planning groups and several legislative interim committees are also addressing Texas' water needs. Water is the limiting factor for all aquatic life, plants, wildlife, and many types of recreation. The task force found that as the State faces increasing water demands for municipal growth, industry, and agriculture, we also must provide water to meet the needs of our natural resources. Recommendations include: • For new water use, ensure adequate quantity and quality of water to support healthy land and water ecosystems. 4 • Incorporate the needs of fish and wildlife into existing water resource management. • Promote agricultural water uses that also benefit wildlife. • Protect Texas springs that are an important contributor to many Texas streams and rivers. The Task Force recommendations serve as a blueprint that legislators can draw from in the 2001 Session and sessions to come. Implementing these recommendations will position Texas as a leader in conservation and enhance the quality of life of our citizens for generations to come. Editor's Note: Dr. Jim Teer, chairman of the board of the Texas Audubon Society, served on the task force. MEETING RECAP Thrkeys: continued from page 3 to 1 QO birds, usually living near streams or lakes, foraging during the day and roosting in the trees at night. Turkeys need different environments for different purposes. The seven essentials are: nesting cover, poult rearing cover, loafing cover, escape cover, roost sites, food and water. DeMaso said that ranchers who can tailor their ranches to meet these needs will easily encourage large turkey populations on their properties. And, a large turkey population can be a major income producer for Texas ranchers and for in-town merchants and hostelers as well. Last year turkey hunters contributed $158 million to the Texas economy, some in direct payment for hunting privileges (success not guaranteed) and also for food, lodging, equipment and entertainment. The two turkey hunting seasons each year-spring and fall-bring a total of 160,000 hunters into the field from all over the nation and foreign lands as well. These nimrods shoot about 100,000 birds and since the bag limit for the year is 4 birds, you can see that many are disappointed. The turkey population, while fluctuating over the years, is quite stable, but is still being constantly monitored by Texas Parks and Wildlife, since its habitat is continuously being <:;hanged or threatened by development in parts of the state, DeMaso said. -Tom Wilson Bexar Tracks WATER-THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT IN LIFE Riparian zones, vital to environmental quality, Deserve protection, enhancement in Texas Editor's note: The following is another in a series of articles on Water, the essential ingredient in life and an issue of increasing contention as population outstrips supply. This article was pr~sented at the first meeting of the Texas Riparian Forum by BAS vice president Mike Mecke, one of the founders of this new organization. The meeting was held in Austin last ~uly. Riparian areas, or zones, are extremely watersheds as the high rainfall and humidity crucial and vital ecosystems, which occur wil l generally support some level of along watercourses or at the edges of water vegetation in spite of major abuse, so the bodies. The common presence and effects riparian areas are still green. In drier areas of water produce a lush, generally green, of Texas, our stream riparian areas often belt of vegetation, which makes riparian suffer badly due to a higher degree of areas among the most productive and pressure being placed upon the scarce important of all land types. water resources and a much slower Due to the presence of a water ecological recovery rate. resource, riparian areas are vigorously In the San Antonio and adjoining Hill sought after by recreationists, domestic Country region, it is common to find many livestock, wild big game animals and other miles of our creeks, rivers and lakes totally wil dlife , rea l estate developers and developed for homes, marinas and other purchasers, road and utility rights-of-way, recreational interests. This tendency of man and irrigators. wanting to live on, camp on or utilize water The benefits of a naturally vegetated fronts is destructive not only to the water riparian area in good condition are many: resources and riparian areas, but to man- • Improved water quality, due to vegetative made structures as well, since flooding now filtration, absorption and reduced soil becomes a certainty. Also, many miles of erosion popular river, stream and lake banks are • Quality wildlife habitat for many species, stripped bare of vegetation, soi l-compacted from insects to big game animals and decorated with all types of trash from • Quality livestock grazing from the lush, ' fishermen, tubers and other recreationists. high value and diverse vegetation We must raise the level of riparian • Quality drinking water for wildlife, livestock .awareness and knowledge among all and people Texans and our mil lions of visitors. This is • Improved aquatic habitats due to cooler, as true in major cities as it is in rural areas. cleaner water, and more food sources The majority of voters in Texas are now in • Reduced downstream flooding as stream urban areas. These TE:lxans must be taught flows are slowed and absorbed into soils to understand, appreciate and properly and shallow aquifers manage riparian areas. This is equally true • Increased physical beauty of streams, for rural Texans: farmers and ranchers who rivers, and lakes actually control most of the state's riparian • Aquifer recharge due to the slower zones. Agricultural operators and owners passage of water and improved water can learn to properly manage and conserve movement into soils and underlying strata the resources that they manage. This is· an • Improved recreational attributes for awesome responsibility to conserve and people, for example, the beautiful Frio River improve these natural resources. versus a concrete ditch I returned home to Texas in 1993 • Creation of wildlife corridors that are critical having worked for many years in several to many species, especially in urban areas other western states where universities, • Improved environmental conditions in agencies, organizations and stockmen all towns and cities due to atmospheric cooling, cooperated in workshops, projects and air cleansing and sound absorption meetings to promote riparian restoration Are these enough good reasons to and improved management. I have wanted protect, manage and restore Texas' riparian to ass ist forming a Texas Riparian areas? I believe so and have no doubt that Association or some similar organization most Texans, when aware of the facts, that would help accomplish those goals. I would agree. think maybe, that NOW is the time and THIS I have seen severely damaged and is the place to kick off this educ.ational and sometimes totally destroyed riparian areas cooperative effort. There are many, many in every part of our state. The damage is potentia l agency, un iversity and often less evident in the wetter eastern organizational partners out there. We need December 2000/January 2001 5 to contact these groups and to see that they are brought into our group in some appropriate fashion. Being actively employed by a water resources agency and having knowledge of the critical condition of many of our state's water resources, I can only underscore the importance of the needs in Texas and for future Texans. In urban areas, non-point pollution, degraded/paved watersheds and the channelization of streams are often the major causes of riparian area destruction. On many Texas farms and ranches a great many watersheds and riparian areas have experienced varying degrees of abuse and neglect, due to poor livestock management or farming practices. Overuse of riparian vegetation by native or exotic big game animals causes similar damage. Fortunately, the recovery and restoration of riparian vegetation can often be fairly rapid due to the generally higher moisture levels and higher organic matter content of riparian soils. Lateral water movement from the water body and occasional flooding assist in improving this recovery in many cases. But, we must cooperatively review each situation, and our state 's needs and establish the appropriate goals in attempting to achieve a high level of riparian excellence. -Mike Mecke Bexar Tracks CONSERVATION NEWS West Nile virus can be transferred from bird to bird Editor's note: In sending BAS this news release, Joan Glass of Texas Parks and Wildlife noted that "this might be a good time to remind your readers about 'nine parts water and one part bleach' to su;rilize feeders and water bowls (and be sure to rinse, too) if sick or dead birds are found. Also be sure to use· plastic bags or gloves to pick up dead birds." Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey said today that the West Nile virus can be transmitted from bird to bird in a confined laboratory setting. It had been thought that the virus was only transmitted through mosquito bites. Scientists from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin, placed infected birds in the same biocontainment aviary as healthy birds. The infected birds died five to eight days later. Most of the healthy birds, the researchers found, also became ill from the virus and died five to eight days after the . first infected bird died. "It confirms a suspicion that we had anp wanted to verify," said Dr. Robert SECOND SATURDAY PROGRAM Second Saturdays are co-sponsored by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department and the Bexar Audubon Society. Eisenhower Park is located at 19399 N. W. Military Hwy., about 2 miles outside of Loop 1604 on the city's northwest side. Take the FM1535 I MilitaryHwy I Shavano Park exit, go north on FM1535, and the park will be on the left, just before you reach Camp Bullis. Saturday, December 9, 2000 Animal Signs What are the signs that animals are around even if you cannot see them? How do you read tracks? What is scat and how can you tell an animal by its scat? If you have ever wondered about the answers to these questions, come to the December Second Saturday program on animal signs, Judit Gowen will provide you with valuable clues to finding and reading the signs. Second Saturdays are co-sponsored by the SA Parks and Recreation Department and Bexar Audubon Society. Reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations please call 698-1057. A $2.00 donation is requested. Call the number above for the January program infomation. December 2000/January 2001 Mclean, director of the USGS National Wildlife Health Center. "The setting was a very controlled scientific experiment and we're not sure if or how this relates to what is happening in the wild. Mosquitoes are the primary means of transmission of the virus between birds and to humans. But this certainly opens up a host of new questions." Chief among the questions, Mclean said, is exactly how the virus moves from bird to bird. He·said he and other scientists are working on that question now. "We know that crows are highly susceptible to the virus and that they are more likely than other bird species that live in close contact with one ano~her to transmit the disease to other crows," he said. "We know that the virus attacks the craw's entire body and often affects all the major organs. So far we don't know how sensitive other bird species are to the West Nrle virus." Mclean reported his findings at a recent meeting of American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Houston. He said that even though the research is significant, it means more to the wildlife community than the public health community as the threat of humans contracting the virus directly from birds is slim. He emphasized that anytime someone finds a dead animal, regardless of whether it is a dead bird or a neighborhood pet, they should avoid handling it, or use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out to protect their hand. EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS Second Saturday Recaps Night Hike and Storytelling On September 9, 2000, there were 24 participants, 6 staff, and storyteller Gwendolyn Quezaire attending a night hike in Eisenhower Park. $45 was collected and a $50 honorarium paid to the storyteller. Three groups hiked through the park led by SA Parks staff and listened to night sounds in the moonlight. We heard folk tales and scary stories at a perfectly spooky spot along the trail. Ethnobotany and You Mary Kennedy reported that seventeen participants ($33 donations) enjoyed the ethnobotany hike at Eisenhower Park for the November 11, 2000, second Saturday program. Thanks to Patty Pasztor for a great time! TIDBITS Your opinion, please TPWD is asking people to vote on a new conservation license plate design at their web site: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us. Also birding trail nominations can be sent to: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ birdingtrails Editor's Note: Be sure to visit this web site. This new birding trail has received a TXDOT grant and will be coming! 6 Girl Scout Botanica On Saturday, October 7, 2000, I had about 140 little girls and 50 adults in five different groups at the Bexar Audubon presentation at the Botanical Center. Our focus was migration and habitat. We talked ·about migration of birds and monarch butterflies through Texas in October. They got to hold and observe monarch larvae and pupae. I had about 30 larvae 5th instars and a few chrysalids for them to observe. Then we played Habitat Lap Sit as we talked about food, water, shelter, and space for monarchs as they migrate to Mexico. It was a great morning. The girls and especially the adults loved it. ### A very educational morning was held on October 28, 2000, for 125 girl scouts and their leaders. Mary Kennedy, Harry Noyes, and Tatjana Walker led them to play an interesting ecosystem game in which 2-4 girls take turns at removing pieces one at a time from a structure (think house of cards) representing the ecosystem, with the others watching. When the "ecosystem" comes tumbling down, it was explained how the game relates to removing species from a real ecosystem. The girls also tagged and released monarchs and looked at owl pellets. -Mary Kennedy Bexar Tracks ' 1 A compendium of our knowledge Brush, Water & Wildlife Symposium To be held in Kerrville, Nov. 30- Dec. 1, 2000 For those who have speculated that we would see a day when water was more valuable than oil, their prophesy is true! Water issues are at the forefront of natural resource conservation in Texas. Controlling brush on arid rangelands to enhance water yield has become especially topical in recent years, and will continue to be as Texas seeks avenues for satisfying an increasing water need for urban and agricultural uses. Brush control on rangelands can be an effective habitat management tool for many species of wildlife, especially the economically important games species like white-tailed deer and bobwhite. Clearing brush can be positive for wildlife, provided one knows when to say when. Generally, removing over 70percent of the brush would not be recommended for enhancing wildlife habitat, yet clearing intensities exceeding 85 percent may be necessary before appreciable water benefits are realized. Landowners who (a) enroll in brush · clearing programs and (b) realize a significant economic impact from hunting leases need additional information about the effects of brush control on resident wildlife species. Similarly, as additional watersheds are being evaluated for expansion of statefunded brush control programs, decision makers need background information on how wildlife habitat may be affected (positively or negatively) in different portions of the state. Symposium purpose: To assemble the state of the science relative to integrating Internet ready wildlife concerns into brush management decisions, specifically as they relate to watershed management. Further, to include viewpoints on the topic by various stakeholder groups. Audience: Legislative aids, conservation groups, environmental groups, regulatory agencies, commodity groups, landowners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Site, time: YO Ranch Resort & Conference Center Kerrville, TX. Begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 and concludes at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Organized by: Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Agricultural Extension ~ervice, Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board. Co-sponsored by: Edwards Aquifer Authority, Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, Lower Colorado River Authority, Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, TAMU Dept. Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Texas Wildlife Association. Registration fee is $30 at the door. Registration includes a copy of the symposium proceedings arid refreshments. For more information, contact Dr. Dale Rollins at (915) 653-4576 or email drollins@ tamu.edu. Check http:// texnat.tamu.edu for program updates. Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. A block of rooms has been reserved at the YO Ranch Resort .& Conference Center at a reduced rate of $55 (single occupancy). Call toll free 1-877-967-3767, or locally 830-257-4440 and request a room in the Texas Ag. Brush, Water & Wildlife Block. AGENDA Thursday, November 30: Session 1 : Situation statements • Water needs for Texas • The Premise: Brush Control = Water • The North Concho River Case Study • Incorporating Stakeholder Concerns Session 2: Brush Control & Wildlife: What are the issues? • Game Animals, Nongame Animals, Endangered Species • Landowner's Perspective, Hunting Outfitter's Perspective, Brush Contractor's Perspective Friday, December 1: Session 3: Related Issues • Habitat Fragmentation • Factors Affecting Rural Land Value • Integrating Management Options • Ecosystem Perspective Session 4: Stakeholder Perspectives Panelists consisting of the following perspectives: • Livestock • Wildlife • Water • Environment • Nature Tourism • Regulatory Audubon lists available for most environmental interests Editors note: Constant readers have noticed many references to TEXBIRDS listserve as a source of varied information about birding. Thanks to alert former BAS President Bill Sain, we have the address for that list and many others provided by Texas Audubon members on a variety of environmental and wildlife topics. Audubon lists hosted by volunteers for Texas Audubon are now available at the following addresses: *TexBirds http://list.audubon.org/archives/texbirds.html. This is the list for discussions of Texas birds and birding. 1,182 subscribers. *Tx_Butterfly http://list.audubon.org/archives/tx_butterfly.html. This is the list for discussion of butterflies/moths & others in Texas. 165 subscribers. *Tx_General http://list.audubon.org/archives/tx_general.html. This is the list for discussions of Audubon conservation issues in Texas. 111 subscribers. *Mex_Bird http://list.audubon.org/archives/mex_bird.html. This is the list for discussions of birds and birding in Mexico. 360 subscribers. December 2000/January 2001 7 National Audubon and its new provider, Sohonet.com, have begun working to restore the historical archives of these lists. While this work is underway to replicate the archives, there may be temporary periods that the archives are not available. For your information, National Audubon hosts more than 173 lists that generate on average 27,000 emails per day. A complete list of public Audubon lists is at http:// list.audubon.org/archives/index.html -E.G. White-Swift, TexBirds List Owner, Central Texas Audubon Society, Waco Bexar Tracks Our no-hassle web site Bexar Audubon Has new Web address The National Audubon web site has been going through some major reorgan izations lately and our own site has now its own web address as a result. You can still get to us by going to the national site first (www.Audubon.org) and clicking thru the "hotlink" titles, but you can get to our site quicker and with less hassle now by slmply typing www.BexarAudubon.org on the address line. Coming soon to a computer near you will be the San Antonio Environmental Network's own web site. This site in currently under construction and is expected to be completed by February 2001. For more information contact Bi ll Hur l ~y at BiiiHurley@msn.com. Be a part of it Christmas bird count Set for December 17 San Antonio's participation in the annual national Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Sunday, December 17. This all day event is being organized by Ernie Roney of the San Antonio Audubon Society. After a day of bird counting a Countdown Dinner will follow. Those interested in participating can call Ernie at 656-4239. Counters will cover a circle in Southwest Bexar County centered at 1-35 and Loop 410. r --- "1 Membership Form National Audubon Society Bexar AudubonSociety (Chapter Code W19) Membership rates are: Student/Senior $15 Introductory 1-year $20 (2-year: $30) Basic $35 Lifetime Individual $1000 Dual $1500 Name ____________________ Address. __________________ _ City_ ___· S tate_ Zip_ ______ Phone: ( ) _____ _ For a new membership, mail this coupon and your check-payable to "National Audubon Society, Chapter W19" to: Bexar Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209 W19, 7XCH Bexar Audubon Society, Inc. P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209 Address Service Requested Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid San Antonio Permit #590 r --- ~ Gift Membership I Please send gift membership(s) to: (can use extra paper if needed) Name ___________________________________________ Address. ___________________________________________ City ____________________ State _________ Zip ____ _ [ ] Introductory $20 ] Student/ Senior $15 • From: (BAS will send a card announcing your gift to the recipient(s)) Name ______________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ____________________________________________ _ State ________ Zip _______ __ Phone: ( Mail this coupon and additional gift information with your check for the total of your gifts, payable to "National Audubon Society, Chapter W19" to: GIFT- Bexar Audubon Society P. 0. Box 6084 San Antonio, TX 78209 Make your year-end tax-deductible donation of$ payable to "Bexar Audubon Society." Thank you for supporting our programs. ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ December 2000/January 2001 8 Bexar Tracks
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