The

Naturalist Celebrating 40 Years of Bird Conservation

Sweet News for Birds and Birders Alike

November/December 2009 by Mary Anne Weber, Education Director

Contents:
At the Crossroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Seed Collecting for the
Bolivar Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Addition to the Bird Pond Unit . . . 3
Dos Vacas Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Bolivar Restoration Project
Planting Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Christmas Bird Counts . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Species Profile
Lincoln’s Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Holiday at the Cabin . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
I
n late summer there were chirps of excitement
building across Houston. Our area is known
worldwide for an abundance of bird species,
especially during spring and fall migration. Most
birders head to protected habitats near the coast,
the eastern pineywoods, and the bottomlands to
enjoy the migration. However, birder and casual
observer alike rubbed elbows beneath an old
sugar refinery situated on a major interstate and
surrounded by the suburbs of Sugar Land.
The Imperial Sugar Company and the refinery
were founded in 1843 and claim to be the oldest
While humankind no longer resides in the
continuously operating business in the state of
structure, a new resident took the opportunity
Texas. The refinery stopped refining in 2003 and
to claim squatter’s rights and has arrived in great
has remained just a quiet reminder of days gone
force. Chimney Swifts have discovered the old
by to the busy citizens of Sugar Land. The char
smoke stacks and have apparently spread the
house building has scattered broken windows
message to swifts from far and wide.
and a rusty historical marker hidden and forgotten
in the front yard under the old live oaks.
continued on page 7

Membership Meetings
Place: United Way Center
50 Waugh Drive
Time: 7:00 p.m. Social
7:30 p.m. Meeting
November 11, 2009
The Attu Experience and Other
Aleutian Adventures
Speaker: Ron Weeks
For many years, the ultimate in American
birding adventures was a trip to Attu
Island at the end of the Aleutian chain.
Nowhere else could one expect to see so
many Asian vagrants in one spot. Each
day on the island began full of hope that
lifers such as a Bean Goose, Far Eastern
Curlew, or maybe even a new North
American record would be waiting in the
fog. Although annual organized trips
through Attour Inc. ceased in the year
2000, Ron Weeks will take us back in time
to when one could still “easily” visit this
Alaskan outpost. His talk will not only
cover the birds, but the birders and World
War II history of Attu. We will also visit the
Pribilof Islands.
Ron is a research &
development engineer
with the Dow Chemical
Company. He is the
Immediate Past President
of the Texas Ornithological
Society, co-author of Birdlife of Houston,
Galveston and the Upper Texas Coast and A
Birder’s Guide to the Texas Coast, a member of
the Texas Bird Records Committee and a regional
editor for North American Birds magazine.
December 9, 2009
Climate Change and the Northward
Movement of Birds
Speaker: Greg Butcher
Gregory Butcher, Ph.D., is Director of Bird
Conservation for National Audubon. He is the
co-author of a report on climate change and its
effects on bird movements, which was published
in February, 2009. Findings were based on
Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
which continues to grow in popularity and
has become the world’s longest uninterrupted
repository of bird
population information.
An analysis of CBC data
over the past 40 years
allows scientists to see
how more than 300
species of birds that are
common and widespread during early winter
respond to warming winter temperatures. A
strong northern shift in the center of abundance
over the past 40 years for almost 60% of the
species in the study was found. Come hear the
implications of the results of the analysis of this
data.
Greg oversees Audubon’s State of the Birds
analyses and other research related to bird
conservation. He also works closely with
Audubon’s partner organizations including Bird
Conservation Alliance, BirdLife International, the
North American Bird Conservation Initiative, and
Partners in Flight.
Find out more about our speakers and their progams
as well as links to resources for further information at
www.houstonaudubon.org
Vol. 28, No. 6 November/December 2009 At the Crossroads
Houston Audubon Society by Jim Winn, President
is a chapter of the National Audubon Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Year Past volunteers to fund

A
these and the many
PRESIDENT Jim Winn s this is written, one year has passed since
activities in which
PAST PRESIDENT Joy Hester Hurricane Ike came ashore on 9/13/08.
PRESIDENT-ELECT Mary Carter we are engaged. The
Part of Ike’s legacy has been the significant
CORPORATE SECRETARY Judith Boyce myriad of activities occurring at Houston
debris left behind in the Bolivar and Galveston
TREASURER Andrew Lopez Audubon is apparent with a visit to the home
sanctuaries. Debris removal has been an
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE page of our website. To our many supporters
John Bartos Ginger Coleman
added task for sanctuary staff, volunteers,
providing the essential support for all these
Lynn Forster Richard Goldfarb commercial contractors, FEMA and Galveston
programs and activities, we are most grateful.
Kathryn Hale Bernice Hotman County.
The continued support of all our friends will
Ben Hulsey Jeffrey Mills Another part of Ike’s legacy has been a be critical in the coming year. We cannot do it
Geoffrey Newton Laurie Williams
public discussion of storm surge protection. without you.
Jeffrey Woodman
The suggested solutions have been all
Galveston Group
encompassing for Galveston Island and the The Years Ahead
Representative: Alice Anne O’Donell
Bolivar Peninsula. Some proposals have In September 1969, a handful of visionaries,
BOARD OF ADVISORS implications for significant areas on the including Edith Moore who later left her
Gerard A. Bertrand Sara Bettencourt island and the peninsula, including Houston 17.5 acres along Rummel Creek to Houston
Peggy Boston Caroline Callery Audubon’s sanctuaries. We have joined with Audubon, chartered the Houston Audubon
Claire Caudill Gary W. Clark
other organizations in the environmental chapter of the National Audubon Society.
Fred Collins Scott Davis
Victor Emanuel Ted Eubanks, Jr.
community in advocating careful, thorough They had no office, or staff or sanctuary. But
Julia Garrett Stephen Gast study of all proposed solutions. with the charter, they had a start. Today
Gene Graham Terry Hershey Our High Island sanctuaries were not Houston Audubon manages over 3,300 acres
Ford Hubbard, III Ann Wier Jones of protected sanctuaries, provides natural
penetrated by the storm surge. The woods are
Mavis P. Kelsey, Jr. Robert McFarlane science education presentations (over 475
Jeff Mundy Donal C. O’Brien, Jr.
healthy, trails were cleared, and the birds are
back. Invasive species removal and replanting last year ) to youth and adults (over 21,000
Heidi Rockecharlie Rob Rowland
with natives are continuing tasks. individuals last year), and provides an active
Andrew Sansom Steve Smith
Kathryn Smyth James R. Stewart, Jr. voice seeking protection for bird life.
Lucie Wray Todd John L. Whitmire So where do we go from here? The
Lettalou Whittington opportunities exceed our capacity to address
STAFF the needs. Given adequate resources, we
could double our activity in a matter of
Photo: Greg Lavaty

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gina Donovan

SANCTUARY MANAGER Winnie Burkett months, in every area of our mission. The
SR. SANCTUARY STEWARD Flo Hannah constraint is not opportunity, it is resources
SANCTUARY STEWARD Andrew Beck – funding, facilities, and personnel. The
EDUCATION DIRECTOR Mary Anne Weber
challenge is evident. The solution will be
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR Vicki Vroble
COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR Robin Leonard found with increased community recognition,
COMMUNITY RELATIONS ASSOCIATE Andrea Ritchie Kentucky Warbler at High island growth in membership, growth in corporate
CONTROLLER Barbara Thompson Returning migrants found a welcome giving, growth in bequests, an operating
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Juanita Perkins sanctuary at High Island this spring. endowment, and your continued support. It’s
CONTACT INFORMATION all quite possible here in Houston. Help us
HAS Office 713-932-1639 Many resources – financial, management and make it happen!
Education Office 713-640-2407 labor – have been expended and continue
FAX 713-461-2911 to be required. We continue to partner
E-mail info@houstonaudubon.org with others – government agencies, private
Galveston County Group 409-772-3126 Houston Audubon
foundations and other non-profits - to protect
AUDUBON DOCENT GUILD and restore the natural areas that sustain birds
2009 Annual Report
COORDINATOR Bethany Foshée and wildlife. These areas provide commercial, Find our latest report on the Publications
docent@houstonaudubon.org 713-464-4900 recreational, and intangible benefits for us and page (Reference section) of our website.
www.houstonaudubon.org for future generations.
www.narba.org
Nature (hurricanes) and man (collapse of
The Naturalist is published bimonthly. Wall Street) have combined to present an
Editor: Susan Billetdeaux unusually challenging time for Houston
A full color version of The Naturalist in PDF format Audubon. Unlike the commercial sector,
is available on our website. activity for Houston Audubon has remained
Naturalist E-News is published monthly.
high. Evaluation of prospects for land
To receive The Naturalist by e-mail, sign up for
Naturalist E-News on our website. protection are ongoing, new programs have
been initiated, such as the Young Professionals
group, and many advocacy issues are being
The Naturalist is made possible by a generous
addressed. We must continue to generate
gift from Terry Hershey.
the financial resources required for staff and

2 The Naturalist • November/December 2009

Seed Collecting for the Bolivar Peninsula
by Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward
T he Sanctuary
Department’s focus
since Hurricane Ike has
been debris cleanup.
We are not finished
yet, but the next phase
has begun, collecting
native wildflower
and grass seed for
restoration projects on
the Bolivar Peninsula.
Through a very hot, dry
summer, we have been Rudbeckia texana, Winnie Prairie
collecting seeds at
least one day a week in
Chambers, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties.
By asking permission from landowners,
we gained permission to collect seeds
on two beautiful hayfields in the town of
Winnie, more at the U of H Coastal Center
in Texas City, and also on the most diverse
remaining coastal prairie, the Mowotny
Houston Audubon Partners for an Addition to the Bird Pond Unit
by Flo Hannah, Sr. Sanctuary Steward
H ouston Audubon partnered with
the US Fish and Wildlife Service and
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
to acquire a 28-acre addition to the Bird
Pond Unit of San Bernard NWR, using
Great Texas Birding Classic prize money
and matching funds from the Houston
Audubon Land Rescue Fund.
The pond at Bird Pond covers
approximately 80% of the 100-acre tract.
Acquiring this property will provide a
Cleanup at Dos Vacas Muertas
by Andrew Beck, Sanctuary Steward
O n August 29 Dos Vacas Muertas, our
West Galveston Island sanctuary, got
some much needed attention. Blackmon
Mooring, a company out of Houston,
Galveston and all points in-between, came
out to the sanctuary to help clean up debris
still strewn throughout the trees and shrubs.
They had originally planned on operating
heavy equipment, but with threats of rain
on Friday night, they just used manpower
on the ground.
Accompanied by our intern Nathan, I
worked with the tractor Friday evening,
mowing walkways through the tall brush,
www.houstonaudubon.org
Prairie on the Nash
Ranch near West
Columbia. Dr. David
Rosen has identified
330 different native
species at the two
Nash Ranch prairies.
Photo: Don Verser
Both prairies are in
desperate need of
protection.
When seed
collecting, we are
seeking native plant
diversity. With plant
diversity comes
insect diversity, and insects are bird food! As
the summer unfolded, I realized how little I
knew about all the beautiful wildflowers that
bloom in the hottest months. As a native grass
enthusiast, I have always had the luxury of
collecting seed in the cool fall months when
our tallgrass prairie blooms. I was thrilled
buffer zone around this important wetland
and will allow for a nature trail. The Bird
Pond Unit is an important breeding
and overwintering component of the
Columbia Bottomlands. Bird Pond is a site
with extensive populations of wintering
waterfowl that include Priority Species
from the Texas Wildlife Action Plan,
including Mottled Duck, Northern Pintail,
Swainson’s Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and
many others.
so Saturday’s crew could easily maneuver
to make a large pile out of all of the found
debris. Nathan planted oaks, mulberries,
sweet gums, native grasses, and wax myrtles
to find mile after mile of native milkweeds,
bluebells, and coneflowers filling the ditches of
Chambers and Brazoria Counties. Each week,
something new was blooming: blue waterleaf,
purple pleatleaf, or cluster bushmint. The best
resource to carry is the USFWS / USGS’ pamphlet
Paradise Lost? The Coastal Prairie of Louisiana
and Texas. The pamphlet can be viewed online
at http://library.fws.gov/pubs/paradise_lost.pdf,
but it is far better to carry a copy. Although out
of print, some USFWS refuge headquarters have
a few copies.
Now that fall is here, I hope many of you will
join me in seed collecting. Find our fall seed
collection schedule on page 4 and check our
website for more information.
Find a photo gallery of native coastal
wildflowers in the Sanctuaries section of our
website as well as plant recommendations
for the Bolivar Peninsula and other resources.
Flo will speak on “What Bird Food Looks
Like” at the Galveston Group’s meeting on
November 18. Her talk is based on Bringing
Nature Home by Doug Tallamy.
Photo: Greg Lavaty
Mottled Ducks, a Texas Priority Species
while I mowed. By Friday’s end, Dos Vacas looked
completely different.
Saturday morning started early with Blackmon
Mooring’s crew working on piling the debris in
a place a loader could get to easily in order to
remove it all off site. Nathan and I lent a hand and
with the tractor were able to extract large pieces
in less accessible areas. By day’s end, a large pile
was created and some thick vegetated areas were
cleaned up.
Houston Audubon sincerely thanks Blackmon
Mooring and General Manager Paul Shulze for
their hard work at making Dos Vacas a safe and
clean place for birds, wildlife, and guests. Next
time you are on the West End, stop by Dos Vacas
and enjoy the birds.
3

Young Professionals
NIGHT OWLS
The launch of the NIGHT OWLS on Sept. 10
was a huge success! Check our webpage
for photos and news about our upcoming
events.
November 14: Cocktail Owl Prowl
Galveston County Group
Wednesday, October 28 Meeting
Shorebird ID & History with Glenn Olsen
October 31: Field Trip
Fall Hot Spots of Galveston Island
Meet 8:30 a.m. at the east end of the seawall.
Wednesday, November 18: Meeting
What Bird Food Looks Like with Flo Hannah
November 21: Field Trip
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Meet at Fat Boy’s at 7:30 a.m.
December 15: Galveston CBC
Contacts: Dick Peake (409-744-4301) or
Gordon Nunn (409-740-0082).
For more information contact
Alice Anne O’Donell at 409-772-3126
Monthly Counts
In December, Houston Audubon’s monthly
counts and field trips will not be held.
Instead, we encourage everyone to
participate in Christmas Bird Counts.
Armand Bayou Survey
Leader: Andrew Hamlett
Monthly on the second Saturday
Bolivar Bird Count
This count is currently being retooled. Please
check website for updates.
West 11th Street Park Survey
Leader: Mary Dodson
Monthly on the third Tuesday
Willow Waterhole Survey
Leader: John Schneider
Monthly on the third Saturday
Check www.houstonaudubon.org for
details and any last minute updates.
4 The Naturalist • November/December 2009
Get Involved!
“Team T.L.C” Cabin Crew
Join the “Team T.L.C.” at
the Edith L. Moore Nature
Sanctuary! We meet every
Monday to give the log
cabin and its gardens
some heartfelt TLC. We
work from 10 to11 a.m. It’s a great way to enjoy
the outdoors and meet like-minded friends! On
the TLC agenda are such items as filling bird
feeders, sweeping, prepping craft supplies or
caring for the animals. For more information,
contact Juanita Perkins, telephone 713-932-1639.
If possible, please let us know you’re coming so
we can have supplies ready, but drop ins are also
welcome.
Wildflower Seed Collecting
If you would like to help us collect coastal
wildflower seeds, please contact Flo Hannah,
fhannah@houstonaudubon.org, 713-932-1639.
Seed Collecting Days:
Friday, October 30, 8:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Friday, November 27, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
U of H Coastal Center in La Marque
Find more information and other volunteer opportunities in the
Volunteer section of our website.
Bird Counts
Christmas Bird Counts
T
he 110th annual Christmas Bird Count
is scheduled for December 14, 2009
to January 5, 2010. Organized by National
Audubon, this all-volunteer effort takes a
snapshot of bird populations to monitor their
status and distribution across the Western
Hemisphere. The results are compiled into a
database that is shared with federal, state, and
private authorities. Past data can be viewed on
National Audubon’s website. Counts are open
to birders of all skill levels. Novices are placed
in groups with more experienced birders. The
Upper Texas Coast is fortunate in having over
20 counts in our region.
This year the Brazosport Birders are bringing
back the Brazoria CBC! Scheduled for Jan. 3,
this count includes Hudson Woods, Columbia
Lake, southern Nash Ranch, and other exciting
areas. Houston Audubon sanctuaries are
included in many of the counts: Buffalo
Bayou CBC (Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary),
Bolivar Restoration Project
Planting Events
Saturday, October 31, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, November 17, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
We will plant native grasses and wildflowers
provided by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service at Houston Audubon’s bird sanctuary
on either side of the Fort Travis Seashore Park
entrance road (900 SH 87, Port Bolivar). We need
many volunteers to help us with this large-scale
planting. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP
to abeck@houstonaudubon.org so we have an
accurate count.
High Island Work Days
Saturday, November 14, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The weather is cooler – it’s a great time to be
outside! We work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but
volunteers are welcome whenever they show
up. Houston Audubon supplies lunch, water,
and some tools. If you have favorite tools,
please bring them along. Please sign up with
Andrew Beck, abeck@houstonaudubon.org or
713-932-1639.
Texas Christmas Bird Counts
December 14 – January 5
Vermilion Flycatcher: Wayne Wendel
Galveston CBC (Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
and Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary), and Bolivar
Peninsula CBC (High Island).
Houston Audubon will once again carry
descriptions of all the Texas CBCs on our website.
In addition the CBC section has the descriptions of
last year’s counts, a list of all the counts traditionally
held in Texas, and resource links to the National
Audubon CBC section and other websites.
New to CBCs? Join us in the fun! Discover new
areas to bird which may not be normally accessible
and take advantage of this great opportunity to
bird with some of our foremost birding experts.
Start your own goals! Whether you do one or ten,
your participation is vital to the success of this
grand tradition!
Species Profile
Lincoln’s Sparrow
by Glenn Olsen
A
ll of our native sparrows are uniquely
attractive birds. I would choose
watercolors to paint the softness, subtlety,
and nuances of the browns, grays, and whites
of these intriguing winter visitors.
Before we learn to identify sparrows, we often
refer to them as LBBs (little brown birds).
or LBJs (little brown jobs) as they all look so
much alike. Without a doubt sparrows are
challenging to identify but with practice,
patience and experience they become fun
and exciting. I look forward to winter and
the arrival of sparrows and thoroughly enjoy
seeing these remarkable and attractive birds
every year.
Lincoln’s Sparrow is named after Thomas
Lincoln, a companion to John James
Audubon. When Lincoln and Audubon were
in Labrador on a collecting expedition, Lincoln
collected (shot) a specimen, and it became
the first “described” of this species. Audubon
named the species after his friend. Originally
the species was called Lincoln’s Finch.
We now refer to certain members of the
Houston Audubon Field Trip
Reservations are required for all Houston Audubon field trips. Sign up at the HAS Membership
Meeting or contact Skip Almoney (skipalm@aol.com) at 713-524-4285. Remember to bring your
binoculars, scope, camera, sunscreen, insect protection, sturdy shoes, hat, raingear, water, and
snacks or a lunch if you want to bird into the afternoon. For more information about the field trips
and resource links, see the description in the Birding section of our website. Participants, please
check the website for any last minute updates.
Brazos Bend State Park
Saturday, November 28, 8:00 a.m.
B ill Godley will lead us through the
wonderful Brazos Bend State Park. This
park is located only 28 miles southwest of
Houston. Most of the park is in the Brazos
River floodplains, but there are also areas of
flat upland coastal prairies. Numerous swales
and depressions become freshwater marshes
during periods of heavy rain. In addition to
the Brazos River, Big Creek winds diagonally
across the park and is associated with sloughs
and cutoff meanders called oxbow lakes.
Other lakes have been created by levees. The
creek and riverbanks are lined with sycamore,
cottonwood, and black willow. Trails run
along the lakes and through bottomland
hardwood forests.
Facilities include an observation tower and
www.houstonaudubon.org
Photo: Wayne Wendel
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Melospiza lincolnii
Emberizidae family as sparrows, hence Lincoln’s
Sparrow.
The primary breeding range of this species
extends throughout Canada, southern Alaska,
and into parts of the north central United States.
The wintering range includes the Pacific coast,
the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of
Central America.
Early migrants begin to arrive on the Upper
Coast in early October but they are more readily
located in November and later, but they are
not abundant. By the end of April most have
departed our area to return to their breeding
grounds.
Like many other sparrows, the Lincoln’s back and
platforms for wildlife observation/photography
of the more than 300 species of birds on the
checklist for the park. In addition, there is almost
a 100% chance of seeing the American alligator.
We will bird the main park trails along the lakes
in the morning followed by a picnic lunch. For
those who wish to continue, in the afternoon
we will either bird more areas in the park or visit
the Davis Estates area, providing another several
hours of birding.
When Bill Godley moved to Houston two
decades ago, he discovered the natural beauty
within the area and, most significantly, Brazos
Bend State Park. He has been a volunteer there
ever since. As a birding enthusiast, Bill leads bird
hikes at the park and elsewhere regularly. He
organizes and compiles the Brazos Bend SP CBC
each December and is an active volunteer with
Texas Master Naturalists as well. Butterflies, tropi-
cal hibiscus and chasing grandchildren take up
any spare time remaining.
HAS Birding Classes
with Glenn Olsen
Sparrow Identification
January 21 – February 6, 2010
Secretive and challenging to identify are what
make this group of birds Fun! The Upper
Texas Coast is a great place to see wintering
sparrows. Learn the key principles of
identification that will enable you to separate
the 17 different species that are possible.
This class consists of two informal classroom
meetings and two field trips.
Details and Registration Form at
www.houstonaudubon.org
wings are streaked with shades of brown and
black. However, the distinctive characteristic of
the adult is a pale, buffy orange breast band with
thin, fine, dark brown streaking and a white belly.
The grayish face, reddish brown crown with
a central gray stripe, buffy eye ring and buffy
orange submoustachial stripe (along the chin)
and flanks (along the sides) give the Lincoln’s
Sparrow a distinctive appearance that helps in
identifying this attractive species.
The Lincoln’s Sparrow is frequently found around
freshwater marshes, around brushy edges
of ponds and lakes and the edges of damp
weedy fields. Song and Swamp Sparrows are
sometimes found in the same habitat. When
this occurs, it presents a great opportunity to
compare and contrast the three species.
I encourage you to take a trip to a marsh to
observe and learn about our wintering sparrows.
You may find that you enjoy, as I do, the subtle
beauty of sparrows. If so they will no longer be
just LBBs (little brown birds), but become BLBs
(beautiful little birds).
Find this profile in the Bird Gallery of our website:
www.houstonaudubon.org
Directions: We will meet in the parking lot at
Forty Acre Lake. From Houston, take Highway
59 south to the Crabb River Road exit (TX
99 – Grand Parkway) just past the Brazos River
bridge. Turn left and follow FM 762 to just
before its southern end. Look for signs to the
park. The entrance to the park will be on the
right. Alternatively, take highway Hwy 288
south to FM 1462 exit west, then head north on
FM 762 following the signs. The park will be on
the left. Please make every effort to car pool to
this event.
Join Bill for the BBSP CBC on December 19!
Details are in the CBC section of our website.
5
Thanks to Houston Audubon’s Generous Donors!
$5,000+
ConocoPhillips • Ducks Unlimited, Inc. • Gene Graham • Terry Hershey • Lynne & Joe Hudson • Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
William A. & Madeline Welder Smith Foundation • Connie & Jeffrey Woodman • The Wortham Foundation

$2,500-$5,000
Claire & John Caudill • Greater Houston Community Foundation • Helen & Thomas Smith • Betsy & Jim Winn

$1,000-$2,499
Blaine Adams & Patrick Falcon • Audubon Docent Guild • Baker Hughes Incorporated • Sara & Mark Bettencourt • Judith Boyce • Caroline & Charles Callery
The Garden Club Of Houston • Mr. & Mrs. Hall • Ann Wier Jones • Strabo Tours • Susan & John Maclin Whitmire

$500-$999
Halina & Joseph Caravello • Bettie Clark • Patricia Cravens • Audubon Foundation Of Texas • Marian Harrison • Kay & Larry Medford
National Air Traffic Controller Association Charitable Foundation • La Nell & James Neel • Evelyn & Kevin Shanley • James Taylor • Patricia & John Williams

$100-$499
Mrs. & Mr. Michael Ables • AIG, Inc. • Jonni & Skip Almoney • Kim & Shari Anson • Judy Bailey • Cindy & John Bartos • Sara & Mark Bettencour
Susan & Brad Billetdeaux • Debora & Yochai Birnbaum • Brenda & Ron Bisbee • Eleanor & Robert Borda • Peggy Boston • Craig Bourgeois • BP Foundation, Inc.
Marcia Brazaitis • Carolyn Breslin • Anne Bushman • Barbara Butler • Georgia Carter • Mary Carter • Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program • Ginger Coleman
Carol Coleman • Vivian Cromwell • Leslie Davidson • Alfred Davis • Melissa & Brit Davis • Mary Decker • William Dirks • Mary Dodson • Gina Donovan
Terzah & James Doyle • Avon Duson • Mr. & Mrs. Eckert • Rebecca & William Edmondson • El Paso • Emily Estill • Samuel Febba • Gene Feigelson
Lynn & Robert Fort • Lynn & Newman Fort • Lori & William Gouldin • Gene Graham • Jean & Don Gray • Kathy Greer • Beverly Griffith • Trudy Guinee
Halliburton Global Impact • Rita & John Hannah • Mary & Edward Hannigan • Marion Hargrove • Kenneth Hartman • Barry Hayes • Joy & Bill Hester
Gurline & John Hruska • Madeleine & William Hussey • Wendy & Mavis Kelsey • David Kring • The Kroger Company • Dina & Robert Kuykendall • Gary Levering
Janet & Bill Lindemann • Nan & Gibbs Macdaniel • E. MacNaughton • John McCreary • Polly & Andrew McCullough • Nancy Moore • Celia Morgan
Shannon Morrison & Mike Lothringer • Clinton Morse • Jeff Mundy • Ginger Nisbet • Brent Ocker • Frank Ohrt • Cheryl & Glenn Olsen • Don Quaintance
Deborah & Ellis Pickett • Helen & Rush Record • Norma & Sandy Rubin • Anne Runge • Safeway, Inc. • Thomas Scarsella • Rosemary Seidler
Martha Ann Sloan • Joanne & Albert Smith • Kathryn Smyth • James Stewart • Lisa Stone • Allsep Tammi • Lucie Wray Todd • Stephen Turnipseed
Mary Van Kerrebrook • Lettalou Whittington • Melanie Wiggins • Laurie Williams • Isabel Wilson • Sara & James Wilson • Martha & Dick Wright

$1-$99
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John Cobb • Lynn Cole • Dixie Coleman • Marie & Frank Coleman • Brian Connelly • Jesse Couch • Linda Daichman • Carolyn & Scott Davis
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Nancy & Don Fisher • Diane Flynn • Cheryl Folkes • Karen & David Fronick • Placido Garay • Kathleen Gibson • William Godley • Julie Gold • George Goloby
Royal Oaks Garden Club • Martha Grambau • Elizabeth Gresser • Joan Grimma • Patricia Gutierrez • William Hamilton • Margaret Harger-Allen • Eileen Harris
Rick Harrison • Virginia Hartman • Jean & Bill Harwell • Carl Haynie • Stephen Herrmann • Patricia Hill • Barbara Hoffmann • Barbara & William Holloman
Lillian Holt • Maggie & Bob Honig • Marianne Hosford • Barbara & Ervin Howard • Debra & Gregg Howsmon • Cindy Ivey • Brenda & Fred Jackson • Jane Jackson
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Heather Kopecky • William Kuchar • Kathy Kukura • Rita Lacaria • Melinda Lamoreaux • Carol Lee • Ed Lindsay • Carolyn Long • Carol & David Lowrey
Kai-wei Lui • Dixie Lum • Michael Lynch • Andrew Mackie • Carol Maddox • Allyson Marceau • Ronald Marek • LaVerne Martin • Sarah Mason
Dana Mattice & Thomas Ebersole • Pattie McBride • Elizabeth & Paul McCarty • Lawrence McCloskey • Mary McGuire • Sandra McHone • Margaret Mckee
Keats McKinney • Gwen & Neill McKinney • Harry McLaughlin • Margaret McNealy • The Mercer Society • Timothy Miller • Kip Miller • Ann Mitchell
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Katherine Smart • Carolyn & Kent Smith • Evelyn Smith • Jenny Smith • Megan Smith • Loy Spargo • Ann Sparker • Robert Stavinoha • Carol & Micheal Stelling
Danielle Stillman • Billie Strickland • Lisa & Kelly Tarbell • Texas Master Naturalists, Heartwood Chapter • Mariann Thornton • Barbara & James Tilton • Terry Todd
Ning Tsao • Alison Tyler • Karen Vargas • Vicki Vroble • Miriam Vyles • Jo & Charles Wallace • John Walsh • Donna Waugh • Alexander Webb • Christina West
Doug Wetzel • Bernard White • Betty Williams • H. Wohlford • Susan & Charles Wolcott • David Wright • Betty & Charles Wyatt • Tootsie Zeis • Natalie Zelt
Elizabeth Zivley • Bush Zunich

Gifts In-Kind
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Captain Clark’s Flagship • Kathy Adams Clark • Fred Collins • Susan & Peter Conaty • Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau • Cypress Bend Resort
Cypress Valley • Canopy Tours • Da Camera of Houston • Craig Damuth • Eagle Optics • Victor Emanuel • Events Gifts • Janet & David Griffiths
Haak Vineyards & Winery • David Hogue • Flo Hannah • Denise Herzberg • Houston Ballet • Houston Camera Exchange • Houston Symphony
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Katherine & Jeff Mundy • Naturally Curious, Inc. • Jeff Offeman • Glenn Olsen • Omni Corpus Christi Hotel • REI-Recreational Equipment Inc
Ricca Face & Body Care • Scarborough Farm • Sense of Touch Massage • Ten Thousand Villages • Texas State Aquarium • The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society • Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod • Gloria & John Tveten • Don Verser • Victor Emanuel Nature Tours • Whole Earth Provision Company

Donations received and processed by September 17, 2009

6 The Naturalist • November/December 2009

Sweet News for Birds and Birders Alike
(continued from page 1)

The severe drought in 2009 has been difficult
for bird and Texan alike. Perhaps the natural
creeks and manmade lakes in Sugar Land
along with the watered lawns attracted the
great numbers of the aerial insectivores or
perhaps the continued pressure from loss
of nesting and roosting sites pushed them
further into the city. For whatever reason, the
swifts came and delighted young and old,
novice and experienced bird watcher.
To many the best part of the story is that the
discovery was made by a local resident, Gene
Odom. He and his wife Kathy live just down
Oyster Creek from the old sugar refinery
and enjoy feeding the turtles and fish from
the dock in their backyard. They had been
observing small dark birds darting and circling
over the water for a few weeks. They both had
guessed they were watching Purple Martins.
When an article appeared in the Houston
Chronicle about the Swifts over Houston
initiative, the light bulb flicked on. These
birds were Chimney Swifts! They read about
the counts happening in the Houston area,
including one at an old abandoned rice dryer
north of town. Gene and Kathy were curious
about where their swifts were going after dark.
They looked up the creek, and there stood
the old sugar refinery. They ventured out and
discovered possibly the largest roost outside
of Virginia. Gene started emailing the folks he
read about in the article, and the word spread.
Counts in the thousands were happening
every night. It wasn’t long until the crowd of
interested observers was over 50.
These birds are a great hook for all ages. They
circle and spin as if in a tornado between the
smoke stacks and the old silos. It is quite a
spectacle. Nature always seems to find a way
to delight and survive in the midst of so much
development and economic woes. These birds
bring together folks from all walks of life, all ages,
and all levels of interest. There is no long drive
to get to the swifts. No long buggy hike to reach
their location. No long wait. Just pull into the
parking lot at 7:30 p.m., and the show begins. At
8:00 p.m., as if by magic, the old “Imperial Sugar”
sign turns on as if to welcome these new guests.
The swifts disappear in the darkening sky by
8:15, and you can go home knowing that you
have watched a very special event.
By the end of October the swifts will have
departed for wintering grounds in South
America, perhaps to delight a people separated
from us by geography, politics, and language. It
is now up to the newly formed “swiftaholics” to
make sure the swifts’ new favorite roost will be
waiting for them next September. Moments
like this are too important in terms of education
to let just drift by. We would never belittle the
migration of any bird, but when you can bring
a teacher, parent, student, and retiree out to a
parking lot to watch thousands of swifts get
comfortable for the night, it is an opportunity
not to be missed.
The story is still unfolding, and there is much
work to be done to ensure the security of the
stack and the education of the local residents.
Keep up with the latest news in the Swifts Over
Houston section of our website.
at Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center
Food, Fun, Crafts, and much more...
Take a picture with
Santa’s favorite rooster –
Scooter!
10% off your purchases at the
SBUNC Nature store.
December 5, 2009 5 PM – 8 PM
3997 River Drive, Houston, TX 77017
Shopping Ideas
Support Houston Audubon
when you shop online!
By making your purchases using the links
on our website, we will receive a portion of
the dollars you spend with our
shopping partners, including
Amazon, Eagle Optics, REI and many more!
For The Birder On Your List
Gift membership in NARBA
(North American Rare Bird Alert).
Proceeds from gift memberships
benefit the Bolivar Restoration Fund.
Splurge Present: Experience the
best in explorations with our partners
in world travel, Tropical Birding and
Kathy Adams Clark!

Swift Night Out 2009 – It’s a Wrap!

Details and more ideas at
www.houstonaudubon.org

I t’s been quite a season for Swifts Over

Houston, with dazzling numbers of swifts,
dramatic increases in community involvement,
and everything culminating in multiple Swift
Night Out events throughout late August and
early September. St. Paul’s United Methodist
Church joined us this year. They hosted a
wonderful event in early September with 73
people and 346 swifts participating! Over 90
folks turned out to watch 675 swifts entering
the chimney at Pershing Middle School. The
Imperial Sugar Refinery put our ace swift
counters to the test – just how does one
accurately count several thousand swifts
entering a stack?
Swifts have been chittering and chattering in
our chimneys and skies for longer than we can
imagine. Their populations have reacted as we
have manipulated and changed their habitats.
Monitoring wildlife populations over long
periods of time provides
important information
about the future status of a species. Monitoring
swifts requires patience, a good set of eyes, and
a strong neck. Houston Audubon is fortunate to
have many dedicated swift counters who take
time out of their personal lives after hours to
watch as the moon rises and the sun sets, the
swifts entering their evening roosts and nesting
sites. In addition to these “swiftaholics”, folks
from every walk of life from around Houston
send us information about nesting swifts and
roosting swifts. The information gathered is
tremendously important to the future of swift
populations and the biodiversity of the region. Rio, the Houston Audubon Swainson’s
Hawk, or any of our other education
Swift watchers and counters have been
animals would make a great holiday gift.
instrumental in saving previously unknown swift Adoption certificates can be
roosts and nesting sites. We are forever grateful personalized with a special message.
to these “citizen scientists”. Keep watching and
keep counting!

www.houstonaudubon.org 7
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Bulletin Board
October 19 After-School Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS
28 Galveston Group Meeting: Shorebird ID and History 20 Owl Prowl, ELMNS
with Glenn Olsen
21 Willow Waterhole Survey
30 Seed Collecting at Armand Bayou Nature Center (see p. 4)
21 Galveston Group Field Trip: Bird Banding at GCBO
30 Halloween Night Hikes, ELMNS (see website for details)
27 Seed Collecting at U of H Coastal Center in La Marque (see p. 4)
31 Bolivar Planting Event at Fort Travis Park (see p. 4)
28 HAS Field Trip: Brazos Bend State Park (see p. 5)
31 Galveston Group Field Trip to Galveston Island Hot Spots
December
November Weekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, SBUNC
Weekly Bayou Buddies on Friday, SBUNC
Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, ELMNS
Weekly Titmouse Club on Tuesday & Wednesday, ELMNS
5 Holiday at the Cabin, SBUNC (see p. 7)
11 Membership Meeting: The Attu Experience & Other Aleutian
9 Membership Meeting: Climate Change and Birds’ Northward
Adventures with Ron Weeks (see p. 1)
Movement with Greg Butcher (see p. 1)
14 High Island Work Day (see p. 4)
12 High Island Work Day (see p. 4)
14 Armand Bayou Nature Center Survey
14 Christmas Bird Counts begin
14 Family Nature Explore Club: Family Day at
17 After-School Nature Explorers Club, ELMNS
Katy Prairie’s Nelson Farms
18 Owl Prowl, ELMNS
14 NIGHT OWLS Cocktail Owl Prowl (see p. 4) Christmas Bird Counts
17 Bolivar Planting Event at Fort Travis Park (see p. 4) Visit the CBC section of our
17 W. 11th St. Park Bird Survey website for details on Texas
Audubon Foundation of Texas represents Christmas Bird Counts.
18 Galveston Group Meeting: What Bird Food Looks Like Houston Audubon in the Earth Share of Texas
payroll deduction plan for charitable giving.
with Flo Hannah
The Naturalist is printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper.