Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR News

RE-POST-MAKE REFUGES #!! ACTION REQUIRED! DEADLINE SOON!

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:16:03 GMT

This is a re-post from the National Wildlife Refuge Association

MAKE REFUGES #1!!!

Last April, President Obama announced the “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative in an effort to start a national dialogue about the great places across our nation to get outside and how the federal government and private citizens can help protect these places for future generations. After months of collecting input from Americans, the President will announce how he plans to conserve our great outdoors this Fall. That means there’s only about 2 weeks left to tell the President about the National Wildlife Refuge System!!

Refuges need YOUR help to make sure they are key part of any Presidential announcement -- don’t let the National Wildlife Refuge System remain America’s best kept SECRET!

Please go to America’s Great Outdoors website and cast your vote for the National Wildlife Refuge System – we need AT LEAST 4000 votes!

The National Wildlife Refuge System ought to be a cornerstone of this Initiative. As committed refuge supporters you’ve experienced the wonders of refuges and you know how important creating and conserving refuges are to preserving our natural legacy. So please cast your vote now and tell the President how valuable refuges are to the American public.

If you haven’t already registered with the website, click here to register. After you’ve completed the process, follow the instructions below.

If you have already registered with the America’s Great Outdoors website, click on this link to go to Conserving America’s Wildlife Heritage: Strengthening our National Wildlife Refuge System There’s a box on the left with an orange border that shows the vote total so far. Click on the GREEN “Promote” text to cast your vote and leave a comment about your refuge if you wish.

If you are a “Friends” member - Please ask your membership and other supporters to cast a vote by mid-September and make sure to post this appeal on your website and your Facebook page! We need to make sure the Refuge System is no longer America’s best-kept secret. Thank you for speaking up for wildlife and the refuges they call home!

Regards,

Joan Patterson

Director of Grassroots Outreach

National Wildlife Refuge Association

1250 Connecticut Ave., NW

Suite 600

Washington, DC 20036

office phone: 202.292.2422

cell phone: 202.290.5594

fax: 202.292.2435

email: jpatterson@refugeassociation.org

web: www.refugeassociation.org

Twitter: @WildRefuge

Facebook: National Wildlife Refuge Association

Honoring Our Sustaining Business Members

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:21:17 GMT

Friends of Balcones honored the Lago Vista and Jonestown Chamber of Commerce with a plaque recognizing their ongoing support and contribution to The Balcones Songbird Festival. At one time a Chamber event, the festival is now presented each year by the Friends.

Ruth Lyon and Sharon Macut present Chamber president Chuck Wills a plaque which reads: In appreciation of your continuing commitment to land and habitat conservation in the pursuit of a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

Ceremony at City Hall honoring the life of Sam Hamilton - Austin City Council Meeting 7-29-10

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:35:32 GMT

Deborah Holle and I attended the Austin City Council meeting on July 29, where the BCCP Coordinating Chair, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and member, Commissioner Karen Huber presented the ordinance to rename the Balcones Preserve property known as Bull Creek Site to the Sam Hamilton Memorial Reserve, honoring Mr. Sam Hamilton, former Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to his family and friends in attendance. The ordinance was approved at the same meeting. Travis County is expected to approve a similar resolution for an adjourning tract in the watershed.

This excerpt from the Travis County Commisioners Court July 27 expresses our mutual appreciation of Sam Hamilton's legacy....

"...(With the) passing of Samuel "Sam" Davis Hamilton on February the 20th, 2010, the citizens of Travis county lost a true friends who contributed greatly to preserving the environmental legacy of central Texas through his efforts to establish the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan. Sam Hamilton's efforts to protect our natural resources, undertaken as Texas state administrator of the u.s. Fish and wildlife service from 1991 to 1995, often placed him at the center of controversial issues and in highly contentious circumstances. And whereas through his tenure in central Texas, Sam Hamilton also exhibited -- a willingness to listen fairly and an ability to deal evenhandedly in his professional undertakings. Supporting a vision of environmental quality and wildlife protection in balance with the community needs and during his 30 year career, as a senior biologist and manager for the u.s. Fish and wildlife service, Sam Hamilton consistently proved his commitment to the highest standards of public service and demonstrated an ability to effectively address important and complex issues."

We will miss him.......

Friends present Award to Lago Vista

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:05:48 GMT

Cathy Harrington, immediately past president of Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, presents The City of Lago Vista with a plaque in appreciation for their continuing support of the annual Songbird Festival. Accepting the award is Mayor Randy Kruger.

Harrington acclaimed, "The City of Lago Vista has consistently been a valued partner in the Balcones Songbird Festival. We wish to express our gratitude for your continuous contributions throught the 10 years of the Festival."

The Songbird Festival encourages the preservation of the Refuge's critical habitat through the festival's education tours, exhibits, and children's activities which provide the opportunity to experience the animals, plants and habitats of the Texas Hill Country. Next year's event is already scheduled for April 29-May 2, 2011.

Other upcoming events are in celebration of National Refuge Week, October 23, 2010 and SparrowFest, February 2011.

NWRA Urges Donations to Aid Gulf Coast Refuge Friends Groups

Mon, 10 May 2010 19:48:36 GMT

Washington, DC- The National Wildlife Refuge Association, which works with tens of thousands of volunteers across the country in support of the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, today launched a Gulf oil spill relief fund and volunteer registry. With oil expected to severely impact critical wildlife refuge habitat in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, funds and volunteers will be vital in supporting the efforts of local volunteer refuge "Friends" organizations.

"There are 20 national wildlife refuges in the immediate path of the oil spill, and they depend on Friends organization volunteers to provide critical support to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service professionals," said Evan Hirsche, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. "20% of the work done on our federal refuges is already being done by volunteers; the disaster in the Gulf is going to require an even greater volunteer commitment."

While BP must be held accountable for clean up costs, groups such as the Friends of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge on the Alabama coast are doing whatever they can to help refuge professionals now to prepare for oil which is expected to reach their refuge by the weekend. Friends groups and volunteers at refuges in the path of the spill will assist refuge staff gather as much baseline data as possible before the oil makes landfall. From water samples to bird, mammal and turtle counts, Friends will help refuge staff accurately detail what could be lost.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified an additional five national wildlife refuges that are under most immediate threat by the oil spill: Delta NWR, LA; Breton NWR, LA; Bayou Sauvage NWR, LA; Grand Bay NWR, MS and Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, MS. These refuges are historically and ecologically significant and the timing of the spill could not happen at a worse time. Birds that are nesting right now include wading birds such as egrets and herons, seabirds, and beach nesters that live in large colonies, such as gulls, terns and skimmers. Contact with a drop of oil as small a dime can cause fatalities in many birds.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association works with more than 220 Refuge Friends Groups throughout the country, of which 192 are affiliates. These local not-for-profit organizations along with dedicated volunteers nationwide are crucial to protecting our national wildlife refuges and Americas wildlife heritage.

To donate to NWRA's fund, register to volunteer, or learn about how oil will impact Gulf refuges and wildlife, visit:

http://www.refugeassociation.org/new-issues/delta.html

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge Association is to conserve America's wildlife heritage for future generations through strategic programs that protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System and the landscapes beyond its boundaries that secure its ecological integrity.

# # #

NWRA Presents Vision for 'America's Great Outdoors'

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:45:59 GMT

NWRA Presents Vision for 'America's Great Outdoors'

Washington, DC- At the White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors, the National Wildlife Refuge Association today commended President Obama for launching a nation-wide discussion on the future of conservation in America, and released "Conserving America's Great Outdoors," a report that presents a vision and set of guidelines to help inform the President’s vision. Read the Report here!

re-printed from the NWRA Press Release

The Spring 2010 Canyonlands Crier is OUT!

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:54:42 GMT

Read our newsletter here!

In this Issue:

News from the Refuge

Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar presented his State of the Birds address in Austin on March 11 to a group of dignitaries and
birders at Zilker Park. Then he came out to the Refuge! Read more

In Memorium

Service Mourns the Death of Director Sam Hamilton. Read more

Updates on Sparrowfest and the CBC

Upcoming Events

Friends Committee Announcements

Endangered Species in the Spotlight

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:39:29 GMT

The Endangered Species Act works quietly behind the scenes to provide a safety net for our nation's most imperiled plants and animals. Don't miss out on the opportunity to educate your community about the importance of preserving our natural world and protecting our most vulnerable plants and animals by celebrating Endangered Species Day, May 21.

This marks the fifth anniversary of this national celebration to bring attention to the plight of endangered species and highlight success stories like the American Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon, and most recently, the Brown Pelican, all brought back from the brink of extinction. The threats of climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pesticides and all the rest continue to make species protection a challenge. Public understanding and support is crucial to our success.

Part of the effort every year is a endangered species art contest. The deadline for submission is March 26 and an application form can be downloaded here.

Get a toolkit of ideas your chapter can use to highlight the importance of protecting endangered species by emailing audubonaction@audubon.org. We'll send you a list of event ideas, organizations you might partner with, a draft letter to the editor you can place in your local paper, and other information and materials.

The Chimney Swifts are Coming!

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:00:31 GMT

The first Chimney Swifts of the season have been sighted on the Gulf Coast retuning from their wintering grounds in South America. As in past years we will be plotting the swifts' movements northward over the next few months. Please let us know when you see the first ones in your area. This year's results will be posted on our web site at: WWW.CHIMNEYSWIFTS.ORG along with past years' efforts.

This year's "A Swift Night Out" dates will be August 6,7, 8 and September 10, 11, 12

We look forward to hearing from you!

Paul and Georgean Kyle

Project Directors
Driftwood Wildlife Association
www.ChimneySwifts.org

SPECIAL OFFER! FREE WindowAlerts

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:55:05 GMT

From March 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010, while supplies last, the Wisconsin Humane Society’s “WIngs” program will once again be distributing FREE WindowAlerts (8 WindowAlerts per request) with NO CHARGE for shipping and handling, to help you protect birds from collisions with windows at your home or office this spring. For more information about protecting birds from collisions with windows and to find out how to request your free WindowAlerts, visit the WIngs web site at http://www.wihumane.org/wildlife/wings/default.aspx

This offer is made possible by a grant from the Jeff Rusinow Family Foundation.

(Note: For requests for free WindowAlerts received prior to March 1st, and after April 30th, our standard $2.50 shipping and handling charge will apply.)

Oct. 28, 2009 - NWRA Announces 2009 Refuge Photo Contest Winners

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:03:52 GMT

Washington, DC- The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Refuge Photography Contest, a digital photography contest showcasing the stunning scenery and wildlife of Americas national wildlife refuges.

More than 2,000 images taken by photographers in 44 states and territories were submitted in this fourth annual Refuge Photo Contest, testimony to the allure of wildlife refuges as amazing places to experience wildlife and wild places. Images were submitted by upload through the contest website from May 1st through July 15th, 2009.

"Images of spectacular wildlife and landscapes tell the Refuge System story: that these 550 conservation gems are vital to sustaining Americas diverse wildlife heritage," said Evan Hirsche, President of the NWRA. "These photos will help us illustrate why its so important to protect and conserve our wildlife and habitats for the benefit of future generations."

The top prize was awarded to Ted Steinke, for an explosive image of dueling northern harriers taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT. Mr. Steinke will be awarded $5,000 in cash, generously provided by ATP Oil and Gas Corporation. Chairman and CEO of ATP T. Paul Bulmahn stated, "ATP is proud to be a 2009 Premier Sponsor. All of the images submitted showcased the beauty of our national wildlife refuges and national landscape. We congratulate the winners of the photo contest, and applaud NWRA's mission to conserve Americas wildlife heritage for future generations"

After Steinke, the remaining top prize winners are: 2nd place -- Mike McBride of Afton, WY; 3rd place -- Steve Dimock of Beaverton, OR; 4th place -- Jim Burns of Scottsdale, AZ; Judy Lyle of Tallahassee, FL; Les Zigurski of Scales Mound, IL; Jack Rogers of Oviedo, FL; and Timothy Vidrine of Church Point, LA.

Additional prizes awarded to contest finalists and runners-up include two round trip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines, and offerings from Barbaras Bakery, Wild Bird Centers of America and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The contest was generously hosted by Zenfolio, a premier photo-hosting site, and images and entries can be viewed at: http://nwra.zenfolio.com/2009-winners

A full list of contest winners and honorable mentions can be viewed at: http://www.refugeassociation.org/contest/2009winners.html

Fish, Wildlife, Climate Change and a New Conservation Legacy -- By Tom Strickland and Sam Hamilton

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:46:08 GMT

For more than a century, America’s hunters, anglers, and explorers of the outdoors have been among the first to warn the nation of threats to the great landscapes and wildlife of our continent. And since President Teddy Roosevelt – himself an avid hunter – established the world’s first wildlife refuge at Pelican Island in Florida, they also have been the first to respond.

Today, climate change poses a new threat to our nation’s land,fish,wildlife, and water. And, once again, America’s outdoor enthusiasts are among the first to witness its effects. Hunters are seeing wildlife migration patterns shift because climate change has affected the location and abundance of food supplies; anglers are seeing fish populations dwindle as river and lake temperatures rise; and boaters are seeing rising sea levels overtake wetlands and marshes near coastal communities that are vulnerable to floods and hurricanes.

For too long, the impacts of climate change have been clear to Americans who live and recreate on the land, but nearly invisible in the priorities and policies in Washington D.C.

But now, with a new Administration and a growing sense of urgency among citizens, it is time for our country to rise to the challenge that climate change poses to the places we love.

President Obama and his Administration have gotten off to a fast start in changing our nation’s energy policy, in tackling the pollution that is causing the planet to warm, and in preparing for the effects that a changing climate will have our world.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced that the federal department that oversees one-fifth of the nation’s landmass - including the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park System, and the National System of Public Lands - has developed a first-ever coordinated and comprehensive framework for managing the impacts of climate change on America’s water supplies, wildlife, and landscapes.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service plays an important and integral role in the Department of the Interior’s coordinated climate change response strategy.

The Service has released a draft Climate Change Strategic Plan focusing on helping fish, wildlife and plants adapt to changing climates. As part of this plan, we will expand efforts to capture and store carbon in the ecosystems we manage, such as in hardwood forests and other natural carbon sinks.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has already made great progress. For example, in partnership with the Conservation Fund, American Electric Power Company, and Entergy Inc. we have developed an innovative carbon sequestration program in the Lower Mississippi Valley that is also restoring native habitats to bolster populations of wildlife and migratory birds. Together we have added more than 40,000 acres of habitat to the National Wildlife Refuge System and reforested more than 80,000 acres, sequestering 30 million metric tons of carbon over the project’s 70-year lifetime.

The Service will also help create a network of locally-driven, solution-oriented Landscape Conservation Cooperatives that will allow federal, state and local partners to develop shared science capacity to inform conservation actions that help priority species and habitats withstand the impacts of climate change.

To cite an example of the visionary partnerships we plan to replicate, at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, efforts are underway to combat saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels. We’re working with The Nature Conservancy, Duke Energy, and other partners to create a management response that includes building resilience into the land and connecting Refuge lands to other important habitat.

We are also prepared to walk the walk when it comes to reducing heat-trapping pollution by playing a key role in the department’s broader Carbon Footprint Project.

These steps represent an ambitious Department-wide approach that acknowledges climate change is bigger than any agency or organization. It also needs your support and input. That’s why we hope you will visit a national wildlife refuge soon and talk to our wildlife professionals about how climate change is affecting our world and what you can do to help. We also hope you will learn more about our strategic plan for climate change and give us your feedback at http://www.fws.gov/home/climatechange/

A crisis, it is said, is an opportunity we can’t afford to waste. Let’s tackle the impacts of climate change with determination. Let’s build a clean energy economy that creates new jobs. And let’s build a conservation legacy for America’s future hunters, hikers, anglers, birders, and boaters to enjoy for all time.

###

Tom Strickland is Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks , Department of the Interior.

Sam Hamilton is Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Oct. 30, 2009 - NWRA Applauds Record Funding Level for National Wildlife Refuge System

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:05:21 GMT

Washington, DC- The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) applauds Congress for including a $40 million increase to the National Wildlife Refuge System’s (NWRS) operations and maintenance budgets for next year with the passage of the 2010 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. This builds upon strong increases over the past two years and brings Refuge System funding to an all time high of $503 million, surpassing the amount appropriated during the System’s Centennial in 2003. The bill also doubles the amount of land acquisition funding for refuges through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to $86 million.

“Just a few short years ago the Refuge System was forced to close refuges, curtail popular recreational programs and eliminate 20% of their workforce due to devastating funding shortfalls,” said Evan Hirsche, President of the NWRA. “With this increase, Congress has made conserving our diverse wildlife heritage a priority, while providing outstanding recreational and educational opportunities for the American public.”

Backing Congress’ decision to make refuges and wildlife a priority are 250 local refuge Friends groups, 38,000 refuge volunteers and over 20 national conservation and recreation groups with a combined membership of more than 14 million Americans. Along with the NWRA, these groups and individuals support annual Refuge System funding of at least $808 million. The impacts of global climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss pose serious threats to wildlife - from polar bears, to whooping cranes, to manatees - and funding our national wildlife refuges will help to ensure the survival of these species for future generations while providing ecosystem services such as clean air and water and storm protection.

Congress’ doubling of Refuge System land conservation dollars will also meet critical inholding acquisition and refuge completion needs, simplifying management, and reducing cost. In addition, funds will underwrite creation of new wildlife refuges that will help achieve vital species conservation objectives.

“The Refuge System was started over 100 years ago by President Theodore Roosevelt during turbulent economic times; it is gratifying to see Congress and the American people continue to uphold these same values in our own challenging economic times,” said Hirsche. “We look forward to working with the President and leaders of the House and Senate to fully fund the Refuge System at $808 million by the end of President Obama’s first term, and maximize the System’s capacity to conserve America’s rich diversity of wildlife.”

More details on Refuge System funding in FY10 can be viewed at:

http://refugeassociation.org/New-issues/FY10_Fundingpriorities.html

Refuge Update -- By Deborah Holle, Refuge Manager

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:14:55 GMT

The new Administration recently named Sam D. Hamilton, as Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Sam is from Mississippi and was the Regional Director in Atlanta, Georgia. Many of you may not know that Sam was also the Field Supervisor for the Austin Ecological Services Office and later was the first State Administrator for Ecological Services in Texas.

During the early 1990’s Sam helped guide the Balcones Conservation Plan. This plan allowed for the protection of endangered species habitat and development of private property in Travis County and Austin. Balcones Canyonlands NWR was established as the Federal government’s contribution to the habitat conservation planning effort to protect nesting habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo and various cave invertebrates.

Sam is a strong advocate of refuges and supports expansion and addition to refuges as an essential step in maintaining America’s wildlife and habitat diversity and abundance. One of Director Hamilton’s first official acts was to designate Dan Ashe as his Deputy Director for Policy. Dan is a former Assistant Director over the NWR System and was Chief of Refuges in Washington. Dan has a strong background in Refuges and will provide strategic program direction and be responsible for developing policy and guidance to support and promote program development to fulfill the Service mission.

Climate Change

Many FWS staff attended a statewide meeting on climate change in August. Discussion of climate change can be controversial at times. No matter what causes climate change, wildlife biologists are already noticing impact climate change to wildlife and vegetation. You may have noticed some species moving farther north such as the White-winged Dove. We do not know what the impacts will be on the Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo, or other species in the future.

Some species will be more vulnerable to change; for example, endangered species which are already living at the limits of their survival (Attwater’s Prairie Chicken), plants and animals living within confined geographic ranges with limited abilities to move rapidly and respond to changes (Barton Springs salamander), and species migrating to new areas where they meet increased competition for habitat or food. We do not know if the warbler or vireo will meet increased competition, but a species that depends on one plant, Ashe juniper, for its nesting material could be in trouble if the juniper does not move north as quickly as the warbler does. History tells us that species will either adapt to change, become rare, and some species will disappear.

So what can we do?

The FWS is already working with partners to address climate change effects on wildlife. We are also developing a strategic plan to address how we can manage our refuges. The plan includes identification of knowledge gaps, efforts to fill those gaps, increased efforts to plan and work with our partners like Texas Parks and Wildlife, and to identify habitats most important across the landscape to wildlife. In addition and most important, we can engage the public in our efforts to conserve the nature of America.

A challenge to the Service will be to translate climate change projections into reliable prediction of how wildlife populations and habitat will change in response. We will have to be open to adaptive management as we get more information in the coming years. For now, one of the easiest things we can do is conserve energy and reduce our reliance on oil imports. We can reduce, reuse, and recycle, and become greener at the Refuge to reduce our carbon imprint and most importantly – engage our Friends in this challenge.

The 2009-2010 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:20:10 GMT

The “Duck Stamp” - went on sale Friday, June 26. Raising approximately $25 million annually for conservation of migratory bird habitat, the Duck Stamp is a vital tool for land conservation nationwide. Since the stamp’s creation in 1934, more than $700 million has been raised to help purchase or lease over 5.2 million acres of wetlands and grasslands from California to Connecticut. You might be surprised to learn that some of YOUR refuge was acquired with Duck Stamp dollars.

Read more at the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge needs immediate help

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:17:22 GMT

Developers are prepared to build on a beautiful portion of the Hill Country in Burnet County, forever adding another subdivision adjacent to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge has been trying to protect the Cow Creek Ranch with the help of the Texas Nature Conservancy, but due to lack of Federal Funds, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy have been unable to purchase this property which is included in the planned acquisition boundary for the Refuge. Now, development is planned for the 3034 acre Cow Creek Ranch unless it can be purchased outright, and that's what we're asking for help with.

Please consider making a donation towards the purchase of this property to the Friends of Balcones National Wildlife Refuge at PO Box 4678, Lago Vista, TX 78645, or contact them by e-mail or phone at , 512-339-9432. Your donations will be used to attract other Federal and private funds, so anything you can give will be of great benefit towards our goal of purchasing this property. If we can generate the funds to purchase all or a portion of the Cow Creek Ranch, we may also be able to secure the protection of an additional 751 acre tract nearby through the generous offer of a local conservationist.

If you can make a larger donation, please contact the Nature Conservancy of Texas or Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (512-339-9432) directly to make donations over $10,000 and tell them you want to protect the head-waters of Cow Creek for the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

See our Conservation Giving Program for details on how you can help with any donation amount that will be designated for land purchase.

Thank you for considering this request, and thank you in advance for your generous support of the Refuge.

Celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Golden-cheeked Warbler

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:53:28 GMT

Please mark this date on your calendar: 4 November 2009. I'm not sure such a moment has been previously noted for any songbird, but it seems only appropriate to recognize the 150th Anniversary of Osbert Salvin's discovery of the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

On 4 November 1859, Osbert Salvin was riding up and over a high ridge on a mountainous road in the Alta Vera Paz province of Guatemala en route to the village of Tactic where he intended to spend the evening. His attention was drawn to two birds, which he managed to collect. He mentions in his 1876 account of the "Yellow-cheeked Warbler" that he was "too intent upon securing the specimens to observe much of their movements and habits." He and Philip Sclater described the species, new to science, the next year in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.

Nice article about Hiking at Balcones Canyonlands

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:30:23 GMT

The Absolute Best Hiking Spots in Central Texas
The author describes three favorite autumn hiking spots in the Central Texas Hill Country.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2098627/the_absolute_best_hiking_spots_in_central.html