Bexar Audubon Society

is a chapter of the
National Audubon
Society. Its primary
goals are to promote

Bexar Tracks
species and habitat
conservation and envi-
ronmental education
Volume XXV, No. 1

in the community.
January-February 2007

For the latest news & updates, see http://www.bexaraudubon.org & http://www.sa-naturecenter.org

Thursday, January 11•6:30PM gathering; 6:45 announcements; 7:00 program

Trinity University Cowles Life Sciences Building, Room 336 (see map, p. 2) •Free & open to the public
Geology of the Canyon Lake Gorge, a Glimpse at
Central Texas during Early Cretaceous
Following days of tumultuous rains on July 4,
2002, Canyon Lake rose high enough to pour
over its spillway for the first time in history. In
hours, the gently sloping creek valley below the
spillway was transformed into a long gorge,
excavated as much as 30-40 feet below the for-
mer ground level. The new canyon exposes a
200-foot-thick section of the Glen Rose
Formation, deposited in a shallow sea about 110
million years ago. Also spectacularly exposed in
Canyon Lake Gorge is a stretch of the Hidden
Valley Fault of the Balcones Fault Zone.
Dr. Bill Ward will discuss these unique features
and how they give insight into the flow of
groundwater in limestone aquifers. The Canyon
Lake Gorge site is owned by the Corps of
Engineers and is presently leased by the
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, which has
plans to open up trails on a limited basis for
research and education.
Dr. Ward is Professor Emeritus of Geology,
University of New Orleans. He received Geology
degrees from UT Austin and Rice University. His
research has focused on limestones and other
sedimentary rocks in the Yucatan Peninsula,
northeastern Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Egypt,
the U.S. Gulf Coast, and Central Texas. Bill is
now retired, living in the Hill Country near
Boerne. He is active with Native Plant Society of
Texas and the Cibolo Nature Center. He provides
instruction in geology for Master Naturalists and
other groups.

Canyon Gorge Field Trip (near Canyon Dam)

January 13th •10AM – 1PM. Leader – Dr. Bill Ward. Trip limited to 25 people.
For reservations & details call Patty at (210)824-1235 or email pasztor@ix.netcom.com.
The alternate date in case of inclement weather is February 3rd.

Thursday, February 8•Same time and place as above •more on p.2

Mike Mecke on
Rainwater Harvesting:
What's Old Is New Again!
Rainwater Harvesting
Join us as Mike Mecke explains
the benefits of Rainwater
Harvesting in Texas. With
a 4,000 year history, rainwater
collection was common practice
in Texas until the early 1900s.
Today, there is new interest
in using rainwater, not only for
landscape, but also for pets,
wildlife, businesses, and live-
stock. Another new use is for
fire protection—now happen-
ing at UT’s McDonald Obser-
vatory in the Davis Mountains.
Mike will describe the history,
benefits, and methods of catch-
ing and using rainfall: tradi-
tional rooftop systems and
landscape and stormwater
catchment methods. Handouts
will be available.
Mike is a Water Management
Specialist at the Texas
A&M Extension Center in Fort
Stockton. A graduate of Texas
A&M and the University of
Wyoming Graduate School,
Mike had a 15-year career with
the US Dept. of Agriculture,
where he advised Texas ranch-
ers and farmers on land and
natural resource manage-
ment. Then, with the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, he managed range
and cropland divisions for
tribes in AZ, NM, and WY. He
retired from San Antonio Water
System in 2002 as a Water
Resources Planner and Ag
Conservation Coordinator.
He is co-author of “Harvesting
Rainwater for Wildlife,” pub-
lished by the Texas Cooperative
Extension Service. Mike served
as president of Bexar Audubon
Society and is a co-founder of
the Texas Riparian Association.
Bexar Tracks
Insights from the Wood
Bexar Tracks Is Back . . . for a while, at least
First, let me say a huge t hank s to our benefactors of Bexar
Tracks. A few generous contributors have kept our hard copy
newsletter coming to your mailbox for the present time. If you
want more frequent reminders of Bexar Audubon events than you
get from the bi-monthly Bexar Tracks, please drop an e-mail to
bexaraudubon@bexaraudubon.org . Ask to be added to the elec-
tronic announcement mailing list. Eventually
we may shift to an electronic version of
Bexar Tracks for environmental reasons. But
for now we will all continue to enjoy a
printed version. Thank you!
Global Climate Change — It seems
that the winds are changing. Those political
winds do not change as often as the meteo-
rological winds. But the direction can some-
times be as distinct as a blue norther. As I
listened to NPR today I heard interesting discussions about the
shifts in Washington. It now seems like every branch of our
Federal government has taken up the banner of global warming.
To be fair, the Supreme Court is still trying to decide if they will
engage, too, but it looks like they might. Thanks to the winds and
the voices of the voters.
But, as with many endeavors in life, there are often two steps
forward and one step back . . . . if you are lucky enough to have
the wind at your back. Lately our local environmental movement
has learned that we need more effort and more perseverance. The
M a p t o Cowl es Li f e S cie nc es Buil di ng, Tri ni t y Univ er s i ty, wes t of Hig hwa y 281
Chapman
Library Laurie
Cowles
Cowles is just uphill from the Laurie Auditorium
and adjacent to the Library and the Chapman
Graduate Center. Handicapped parking is across
from Cowles. Park by the Laurie or in lots or on
streets to the west. Call Patty for additional
directions (824-1235) or see additional map at
bexaraudubon.org/map.jpg
2 January-February 2007
San Antonio tree preservation Half Way There
ordinance has been diluted sig-
Generous donations from our
nificantly by recent council
readers have funded about half
actions. My honest concern is
of our year’s expenses to pro-
that migratory birdlife that
duce B ex a r Tr a ck s. To continue,
comes through our region, and
we need to raise an additional
other dependent organisms, will
$2,000.
suffer as we intentionally
get involved in WildFest 2007, Pl ea s e ma k e a n end- of - y ea r,
remove natural and indigenous
San Antonio’s 1st Annual Bird & t a x - deduct i bl e dona t i on t o
biodiversity from our urban and
Nature Festival, May 4-6, 2007. s uppor t Bex a r A udubon.
suburban landscapes.
Bexar Audubon Society will be a The Chapter works hard to rep-
As you look to the holiday sea-
sponsor of this event. The festi- resent the interests of the mem-
son, consider your new year’s
val will include a broad spec- bership on issues in the city and
resolutions. Commit to keeping
trum of workshops and fieldtrips the region. Your donation is
your diversified indigenous
that will draw nature-oriented used locally — it does not leave
ecosystem as much a part of
tourists to our area and will help our area and it reaches and, we
your overall priorities as you can.
get local children involved in hope, influences readers, voters,
Vote, purchase, and teach envi-
nature. and other decision-makers to
ronmentalism.
Please visit their website for make wise choices about con-
WildFest 2007 — One way for new details and developments. servation right here.
you as Audubon members to www.wi l df es t s a na nt oni o.com. W e honor a nd a ppr eci a te
participate this spring will be to H.A. Tony Wood, December 1, 2006 “ check book a ct i v i s t s ” !

Does y ou r em p loy er of f er
t h e Ea r t h S h a r e a l t e r n a t i v e ?
F o r i n f o r m a t i o n ca l l
8 0 0 - GR E E N T X o r e - m a i l
e s t x @e a r t h s h a r e - t e x a s . o r g .

January-February 2007 3 Bexar Tracks

 EVENTS CALENDAR
Also see www.s a - na t ur e program meeting. See page 1. workshop. 10AM - noon. Co-
cent er.or g /conser v a t ion/
conser v a tion.ht ml H sponsored by SA Parks &
Recreation Natural Areas and

p
Ja nua r y 13 — Bexar Audubon Bexar Audubon. Reservations
Outing to Canyon Gorge. See p1. required; details occasionally
M i t chel l L a k e A udubon Center
e change. Call (210)698-1057.

10750 Pleasanton Road (on the
left, 0.7 miles south of Loop
410 at exit 46, Moursund Blvd)
Saturday & Sunday 8AM-4PM,
weekdays by appointment.
Regularly scheduled guided
birding tours: 8AM on 2ND
Tuesdays and 3RD Sundays with
Ja nua r y 13 — Second Saturday:
Winter Skies — Star gazing with
the SA Astronomical Society.
6:30-8:30PM. Co-sponsored by SA
Parks & Recreation Natural Areas
and Bexar Audubon. Reservations
required; details occasionally
S
Febr ua r y 10- 11 — Eaglefest,
Emory. www.ea g l ef es t .or g
Unofficial results show 51
Eagles were sighted on Lake
Fork during the 2006 Texas
Parks & Wildlife count.

Helen Rejzek and Georgina
Schwartz, 4TH Saturday with
Ernie Roney; also every Tuesday
afternoon. Call (210)628-1639
or visit: www.tx .a udubon.or g /
mitchell .htm
c
change. Call (210)698-1057.
D Febr ua r y 16-19 — The 10th
Ja nua r y 25-27 — Statewide Land Annual Great Backyard Bird
Trust Conference, Austin. Count. The Cornell Lab of
Sponsored by the Texas Land Ornithology and Audubon are

m
Fir st Sa tur da y s — Interpretive
Walks are scheduled at the SA
Natural Areas. Confirmed reserva-
tions are required; hike locations
vary. Call (210)698-1057 for
times and locations.
Trust Council. Contact: cpitts@ challenging people everywhere
t e x a s l a nd t r us t co unci l . or g to “Count for the Record” by par-
u ticipating in greater numbers
than ever before to provide more
Febr ua r y 3 — Kids Birding 101 information about bird popula-
9-11AM. Learn to use binoculars tion trends and better inform
and about bird identification, conservation. A downloadable
behavior, & habitat. Free, but poster and information are at:

r
J a nua r y 5 — Conservation
Easements 2007: A Year of
Opportunity. Bexar Land Trust. SA
Public Library, Central Branch
Auditorium, 8AM-2PM. Call
(210)222-8430 for tickets or
www.bex a r la ndtr ust.or g
x Wood Treasures. Hear Randy
J a nua r y 6 — Walker Ranch
Historical Park. 9-11AM. First
Saturday Interpretive Walk. SA
Natural Areas. Confirmed reserva-
tions required: (210)698-1057.
J a nua r y 11 — Bexar Audubon
Bexar Tracks
reservations required. Mitchell www.bir ds our ce.or g /g bbc. To
Lake Audubon Center. Call be a GBBC ambassador in your
(210)628-1639. community email Jennifer Smith
z at jls39@cornell.edu with “GBBC
ambassador” in the subject line.
Febr ua r y 8 — Bexar Audubon
program meeting. See pages 1-2. R
Febr ua r y 15- 17 — Brownsville
a International Birding Festival.
Febr ua r y 10 — Second Saturday: www.br ownsv ille.or g /2006Bir d
Fes t /. Field trips, seminars and
Goad, local woodcarver and field other events exploring the bio-
guide for the natural areas, talk diversity of South Texas and
about local trees and their won- Northern Mexico.
derful wood. His chronology of N
woodworking includes authentic Combine the Brownsville bird-
tools from his grandfather’s ing festival with:
4 January-February 2007
 EVENTS CALENDAR
Febr ua r y 18-22 — El Cielo
Biosphere Reserve Nature Festival.
All inclusive birding/butterfly
watching trips departing from the
Texas Valley. The northernmost
cloudforest in the American
Continent; 397 species of birds,
e.g., Solitary Eagle and Ornate
Hawk-Eagle. Local guides. Call
011-52-81-837-85-926,write
elcielofestival@gmail.com, or visit
www.elcielof estiv a l .com
Inglet. 10AM-noon. Co-sponsored
by SA Parks & Rec Natural Areas
and Bexar Audubon. Reservations
required; details occasionally
change. Call (210)698-1057.
d and deepen participants’ exper-
Apr il 14 — Second Saturday:
Bizarre and Beautiful Bugs. Join
Gail Dugelby to meet the bizarre
and beautiful in the world of
bugs. 10AM-noon. Co-sponsored
and more
Island Camp in Maine. Early
signups encouraged to take
advantage of scholarship opportu-
nities. Designed especially for
active Chapter leaders to build
tise and ability to enhance
Audubon’s effectiveness at all lev-
els. Call Maine Audubon’s camp
registrar at (888)325-5261 x215
or visit http://www.ma ine
a udubon.or g /ex plor e/ca mp/hi_

C
by SA Parks & Rec Natural Areas a dult08132007.shtml

F
and Bexar Audubon. Reservations
Febr ua r y 23- 25 — 11th Annual required; details occasionally
Celebration of Whooping Cranes change. Call (210)698-1057. Test Your Bir d B r a in
and Other Birds. Guided trips by
land and water to see Whooping I Brush up on your identification
skills by taking the brand new
Cranes and other birds, lectures M a y 4-6 — WildFest. See p. 3. video birding quiz on our All
by birding experts, photography
and watercolor workshops, tours o About Birds web site www.bir ds.
cor nell .edu/Al lAbout Bir ds/bir d-
of the Animal Rehabilitation M a y 10 -13 — The Cornell Lab of i ng 123/i dentif y /quiz. You’ll see
Keep, and a marine education Ornithology is sponsoring a video footage of each bird and
bus. Early registration ends nationwide “Celebrate Urban hear its sounds. If you really get
February 14. Call 800-45-COAST Birds!” event. To participate or stuck there’re hints. It’s a good
or visit www.por t a r a ns a s .or g help organize activities in your way to practice for the both the
community, visit www.ur ba n-
h bir ds.or g /celebr a tion for ideas,
Great Backyard Bird Count and
“Celebrate Urban Birds!”
Febr ua r y 24 — Community and free registration.
Volunteer Day at Mitchell Lake
P B
Audubon Center. Come help as A udubon Tex as announces its
we spruce up our gardens and M a y 12 — Second Saturday: Plant newly re-designed website is now
trails! Please call for times and Hike with Janis Merritt, native LIVE and available for you to
details: (210)628-1639. plant expert, to enjoy spring flora browse. http://www.a udubon-
and get ideas for using native
Z plants in your yard. 10AM-noon.
t ex a s.or g /

February 27 — Ecosystem Service Co-sponsored by SA Parks & “ If k nowledg e a lone wer e

Markets: Everyone’s Business. Recreation Natural Areas and e noug h t o i ns pi r e a ct i on, t he
Westin Galleria, Houston. See p7. Bexar Audubon. Reservations wor ld would a lr ea dy be a bet-
http://tf sr eg ister.ta mu.edu. required; details occasionally t er pla ce.” A. Goodman
}
change. Call (210)698-1057. Act on y our k nowledg e t oda y.

M a r ch 10 — Second Saturday: Q W ith mor e a ctiv e v olunteer s,

B ex a r Audub on ca n be ev en
Winged Adventures — Explore the Aug ust 19-25 — Audubon mor e ef f ecti v e. Ca ll a ny boa r d
world of birds with Tom and Patsy Leadership Workshop at Hog member. BAS needs y ou — now.
January-February 2007 5 Bexar Tracks
 NEWS & REMINDERS
Sonor a Ca v er ns’ B ut ter f l y
For ma t i on Va nda l i zed
The signature Butterfly formation
at the Caverns of Sonora was
vandalized shortly before
Thanksgiving, according to a
news release from the park.
About two-thirds of the right
wing was broken off the distinc-
tive—and perhaps unique—for-
mation. The cave system is 90
percent active: most of the for-
mations are still growing as
minerals are deposited by perco-
lating water within the caves.
Of the unusual helictite forma-
tions that grow in whatever
direction they want, best known
is the Butterfly — quartz fins that
grew as a pair facing each other,
mimicking the form of a butter-
fly. It is the only known forma-
tion of its kind.
Sonora Caverns, considered a
national natural landmark, is
located about 8 miles west of
Sonora off Farm Road 1989.
Anyone with information about
the wing can call the caverns at
(325) 387-3105. [Reported by
Matthew Phinney at:
www.g os a na ng el o.com/news /
200 6/dec/05/br ea k i ng - news ]
Bexar Tracks
Cur bsi de Recy cl i ng #7. Look for the recycling sym-
i n Sa n A nt oni o bol on the bottom. Remove lids
and rinse any remaining food or
liquids from containers or trays.
Examples include: beverage
bottles, shampoo and lotion
bottles, meat trays, condiment
bottles, prescription and medi-
cine bottles, plastic grocery bags
tied together into a bundle.
Gl a s s B ot t l es a nd J a r s A l l
Col or s : Remove lids and rinse
all food and liquids. Examples:
beverage bottles, food and
condiment bottles and jars
(jelly, mustard, mayonnaise).
M et a l Ca ns : Aluminum, steel
There’ve been some changes and tin beverage and food
made. The following items are cans—rinse all food or liquids;
now acceptable in your green aerosol cans—empty, remove
curbside bin: nozzle; baking tins—rinse and
Pa per : Most types of paper, remove remaining food.
such as ad circulars, catalogs, Thanks to the City of San
carbonless paper, dry goods Antonio! This list is far more lib-
packaging with liners removed eral than it had been. Now —
(example: cereal, pasta, rice, how can the City make it easier
beer/soda cartons), envelopes, for SA businesses to recycle?
file folders, flattened cardboard, Need a recycling bin? Go the
junk mail, magazines, newspa- city’s website at www.s a na nto-
pers, office paper, paperback ni o.g ov , choose “services,” then
books, paper bags, paper “recycling.” Or call 311 on your
towel/toilet paper cores, phone telephone . . . one-stop calling
books, non-metallic gift wrap. for city services of all kinds and
P l a s t i cs : L a bel ed #1 t hr ough a good number to know.
W h o ’ s W ha t ?
a n d how t o c o n t a c t t he m
Pr es id ent , To ny W oo d — 210-492-4684 — tonywood@sbcglobal.net
VP & W ebmaster, Harr y Noyes — 210-490-3124 — harrynoyes@satx.rr.com
Tr ea s u r er, Ca r y l Swa nn — 210-653-2860 — cjswann1@earthlink.net
Secr et a r y, Ji l l Son deen — 830-980-2377 — jls2003@gvtc.com
A t - l a r ge: K a r a R y f — 503-803-2856 — kararyf@hotmail.com
A my L . W h i tl ey — 210-340-0114 — nueces66@yahoo.com
Ed i to r, Sus a n Hugh es — 210-862-1150 — editor@bexaraudubon.org
Pr ogr ams /Out i ngs , Pa tt y Pa s z t or —210-824-1235—pasztor@ix.netcom.com
6 January-February 2007
 IMPORTANT WORK
Ecosy stem Ser v ice M a r k ets: • How can the market be used to this pledge, which includes
Ev er y one's Business establish values and prices for $900,000 for land purchase and
ecosystem services? Case studies $100,000 for other conservation
February 27, 2007
will be discussed. work from New York philan-
The Westin Galleria
• How can service delivery be mea- thropist Robert Wilson.
5060 West Alabama
sured and ensured over time? This year alone, ABC and its part-
Houston, TX 77056
• What is the current state of the ners have protected twenty-eight
Sponsored by: Texas Forest
market for ecosystem services? tracts of land in Central and South
Service, USDA Forest Service, Texas
• Where is the market going? America that provide core habitats
A&M Institute of Renewable
• What is the state of science that for more than seven hundred bird
Natural Resources, Greater
underlies this evolving market? species, including four that are
Houston Partnership, Houston
Leaders in government, business, globally endangered: the Santa
Advanced Research Center,
academia, and the non-profit sec- Marta parakeet, the jocotoco
Conservation Capital, Ltd.
tor need to address these critical antpitta, the black-breasted puff-
As businesses, government, uni-
issues proactively. Mainstreaming leg, and the long-whiskered owlet.
versities, and the non-profit sector
market-based ecosystem service ABC will use the grant, which stip-
strive to understand and apply
transactions is challenging ulates a three-to-one match, to
new concepts of “sustainable
because of fragmented govern- leverage additional support and
development,” a recurring theme
ment rules and policies, difficult encourage others to participate in
is the inability of market forces to
property rights issues, and the a land-acquisition campaign. “With
prevent the fragmentation of func-
complexities of matching supply the average cost to acquire land in
tioning ecosystems. The economic
and demand. At this conference South America only $100 per
importance of healthy, functioning
industry representatives, private acre,” said ABC president George
ecosystems is widely recognized.
landowners, government leaders, Fenwick, “this generous challenge
Wetlands purify our streams and
university researchers, and non- grant means many more imperiled
ground water and assimilate our
profit organizations will discuss bird species will have a permanent
wastes. Estuaries mitigate the
economic-based approaches to place to call home.”
impact of storms and floods.
protecting ecosystems-strategies Worthen’s sparrow and the long-
Forests provide timber and fiber
that employ a combination of billed curlew in Mexico, the
for human use, while stabilizing
enforceable regulatory constraints Honduran emerald hummingbird,
our climate and providing habitat
on ecosystem impairment and the chestnut-capped piha in
for plants and animals.
meaningful economic incentives Columbia, and Lear’s macaw in
Can society find practical ways to
for ecosystem conservation. For Brazil are species in immediate
provide incentives, through market
more information, see: need of habitat protection.
mechanisms, to protect function-
htt p://tf s register.tamu.edu “These funds will be targeted
ing ecosystems? This conference

R
towards priority sites for species
will focus on the scientific, public
that are very rare or declining fast,”
policy, and economic foundations
said Fenwick. “But it is not only
of emerging markets for “ecosys-
Amer i ca n Bi r d Conser v a ncy birds that will benefit. Biodiversity,
tem services.”
Topi cs Receiv es $1 M ill ion Pledg e including declining frogs and other
f or La nd-Acqui si tion amphibians, reptiles, mammals,
• What is an “ecosystem service”?
The ABC and various partners and plants, can all benefit from the
• Who might buy such a service?
seeking to acquire habitats for management of these lands as
• Who might be able to sell such a
endangered bird species received protected reserves.” 11/28/06.
service?
January-February 2007 7 Bexar Tracks
Bexar Tracks is the official newsletter
of the Bexar Audubon Society, a
Non-profit
Bexar Audubon Society, Inc.

The Economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Environment. — Tim Wirth

Organization
Chapter of the National Audubon P.O. Box 6084 U.S. Postage Paid
Society. The Chapter’s primary goals San Antonio TX 78209-0084 San Antonio TX
are to promote species and habitat
Permit #590

conservation in the community.

Your membership includes National
and Bexar Audubon and subscrip-
tions to Audubon and Bexar Tracks.

Adopt - a n- Ocel ot !
A major problem facing the
endangered ocelot in South
Texas is loss of habitat. Help sup-
port habitat protection and con-
tinuing research for ocelots at the
Laguna Atascosa NWR and in
South Texas.
“Adopt-an-Ocelot” is sponsored
by Friends of Laguna Atascosa
NWR, a non-profit group. Tax-
deductible contributions may be
sent to:Adopt-an-Ocelot, P.O. Box
942, Rio Hondo, TX 78583.
Sponsoring an individual ocelot
is $20; a family may be spon- research, as well as habitat pro-
sored for $30. Make checks to: tection information. After choos-
Friends of Laguna Atascosa NWR. ing the ocelot or family you
Your adoption packet has pho- would like to adopt and returning
tos of ocelots available for adop- the postcard in the packet, a cer-
tion, plus life histories and tificate of adoption suitable for
information about each ocelot framing will be mailed to you or
and a synopsis of ongoing to a person of your choice.

Mem be rs hip & Sup port — Than k Y ou & Ha ppy New Yea r!
Bexar Audubon welcomes new members to join through the chapter. This brings 100 per cent of the
first-year’s dues directly back to support local work. The same applies to gift memberships placed
through the chapter. Your a ddi t i ona l tax-deductible donation is also appreciated. Bexar Audubon
receives only a few thousand dollars each year from National Audubon as dues share. The rest we
must raise ourselves. Your help is needed, and your donations will be put to good use right here in
South Central Texas. Individual introductory memberships are $20; seniors and students join for $15.
Provide the following information for each personal subscription or gift:
Name $_________subscriptions $_______additional donation
Mailing Address (including Zip code)
AC & Phone + e-mail, if available
Indicate whether you wish to opt out of other mailings by Audubon or those with whom it shares lists.
Make checks payable to “Bexar Audubon Society” and mail to the address above.

January-February 2007 8 Bexar Tracks