Legislature Endorses Birdwatching
Wildlife Refuge Vote 2000 Goes Electronic
Trip Reports by Sei Tokuda
Burrowing Owls at Kirkland
Hummingbirds Are On The Way
Audubon Programs
Birdathon 2000

Legislature Endorses Birdwatching

   One of the rockiest and tumultuous sessions of the New Mexico legislature, birdwatching got the unanimous and bipartisan approval of the Senate and House. Senate Joint Memorial 34, introduced by State Senator Ben D. Altamirano, Catron, Grant and Soccoro Counties, asks the State Department of Tourism to promote birdwatching in New Mexico as an important tourism attraction. Senator Altamirano, a Silver City resident who is in his eighth term as a state senator and chairs the important Senate Finance Committee, is an avid birder. We thank him for his efforts and agree wholeheartedly with the words of the memorial that ecotourism "should present a powerful incentive to government policy-makers and local people to conserve natural and cultural resources that attract outside visitors." A quick civics lesson: a joint memorial as opposed to a single body memorial, requires passage by both the House and Senate. S.J.M. 34 is called a Senate Joint Memorial because that was the body of the legislature in which it was introduced. A memorial, joint or otherwise, does not get presented to the Governor for approval or veto, and does not have the force of law. The Department of Tourism does not have to comply with it. We have spoken with the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Ms. Janet Green, and she already is taking steps to publicize New Mexico birding.

Back to top of page

Wildlife Refuge Vote 2000 Goes Electronic

   Last fall, Audubon released the America's Hidden Lands report, which calls attention to longstanding problems with the management and leadership of the National Wildlife Refuge System and introduces a solution: to establish a National Wildlife Refuge Service in the Department of the Interior that would focus on the full-time job of managing the 93-million-acre Refuge System. This change would lift the Refuge System to a status equal to that of other major federal land systems, such as national parks and national forests. Over the past 30 years, a series of studies and reports have all arrived at a similar conclusion: Unless refuges receive greater autonomy and stature, they will be unable to meet their conservation goals.

   Refuge Vote 2000 is an opportunity for refuge supporters to vote for Audubon's proposal, which is designed to pressure Congress to establish a National Wildlife Refuge Service. We need you to cast a vote today go to: www.audubon.org/cgiwin/polyform.exe/refugevote. Vote now and help put refuges on the map!

Back to top of page

Trip Reports by Sei Tokuda

Saturday-Sunday, January 29-30 Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs
Eleven birders were on this trip to view wintering birds at the Las Vegas and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuges. The weather was on the cold side with single digit overnight lows. It was breezy at times, but the roads were clear. Over 50 species were sighted. The highlights of the weekend were a number of outstanding views of Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks and a close up view of a Prairie Falcon feasting on a road-kill Horned Lark. In addition, relatively large numbers of Common Goldeneyes and American Tree Sparrows were seen.

Sunday, February 13 Cochiti Lake
Eleven birders were on this trip on a clear but cold February day. 24 species were sighted. The highlights of the day were a beautiful display of over 200 Mountain Bluebirds, close up views of a flock of Cedar Waxwings and a Sage Thrasher. Only 2 Bald Eagles were sighted plus a mystery bird which looked like a Gray-breasted Jay. At least, it was not a typical Scrub Jay.-2650 Ext. 1070 for more information.

Back to top of page

Burrowing Owls at Kirkland

   Burrowing Owls, and Carol Finley, need your help! You'll remember Carol's entertaining and informative program for us in October about her Burrowing Owl research statewide. With spring upon us, she's hard at work at Kirtland Base, continuing that research. On March 1 she reported that eight owls had returned in one week! Carol needs help with behavior observations, trapping and banding the owls. Volunteers would even get to hold the owls and help with documentation of measurements. Call Carol at work 343-0111 or home 891-1548, or e-mail cfinley@psn.net

Hummingbirds Are On The Way

   Believe it or not, hummingbirds are already reported in the Albuquerque area. Be ready for their return to your yard by providing a nectar mixture of 1 part plain white sugar and 4 parts water. Stir the sugar water mixture until all the sugar is dissolved, refrigerate unused portion and avoid harmful food coloring. Wash your feeder regularly with warm soap and water. For you green-thumbed birders, a Southwestern hummingbird wildflower garden could include Indian paintbrush, skyrocket, larkspur, pink wild snapdragon, lupine, scarlet bugler, beebalm, Rocky Mountain penstemon, toadflax, scarlet runner bean, desert beardtongue, and Rocky Mountain columbine.

Back to top of page

Audubon Programs

Programs begin at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments are served from 7:15. Come to St.Timothy's Lutheran Church, northwest corner of Copper and Jefferson.

Thursday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. Third Class in Audubon's Birding Academy 2000 - Birds of Spring by Song taught by Jim Place using a methodolgy developed by Jim Travis. Class price $5.

Thursday, May 18, 7:00 p.m. Science and Dessert
This year's Science Fair winners will have their exhibits on display. Jim Bailey, former Director of the Endangered Species Program with New Mexico Game & Fish, will update us on the status of the Lesser Prairie Chicken in New Mexico and Dave Henderson, from Randall Davey Audubon Center in Santa Fe will define Audubon's role - past, present, and future - in fighting to protect this species in New Mexico. Bring your favorite desserts to share with everyone.

Back to top of page

Birdathon 2000

   The CNMAS Birdathon is an annual event to raise money and have fun in the process. It's a great race to count as many bird species as possible. You can join any of the following teams on their Birdathon outing, we ask you to pledge, then and there, a minimum of $5.00. Your tax-deductible pledge can be a flat rate or an amount per species (75 species at 10¢ each is a $7.50 donation). Join one or more teams, pledge to one or more, and support your Audubon Chapter's education and conservation activities right here in New Mexico.

   If you pledge per species, you'll receive a postcard with the pledge amount calculated or the team(s) you sponsored. If you birded with a group, pay up front or send your pledge with the form below by May 26. If you're making a tax-deductible donation, do it now!

Team 1

Saturday/Sunday May 6-7 Silver City and Percha Dam
Sei Tokuda will lead this trip. There is a good likelihood that we still see the Red- faced Warbler, Painted Redstart, Greater Pewee and the Black-Hawk. Other possibilities include the Olive Warbler and Zone-tailed Hawk. We will overnight in Silver City. Meet at 7:00 AM at the UNM Physics Building parking lot. Call Sei at 266-2480 for details.

Team 2

Thursday, May 4 Bosque del Apache NWR
Thursday Birders will lead this trip. Meet on Thursday, May 4 at the Plaza Inn parking lot, I-25 and Lomas, at 7:00 a.m. for a full day of birding at Bosque del Apache. There will be birding opportunities along the way as well. Call 299-2565 to confirm and for carpooling information. These folks leave right on time so get there early.

Team 3

Saturday, April 29 Percha Dam
Celestyn Brozek will meet us at 8:00 a.m. at the Percha Dam entrance for a day filled with spring migrants ‹ warblers, orioles, tanagers ‹and with White-winged Doves ever in the background. An afternoon departure assures a stop at Bosque del Apache, where we'll quickly increase the species tally as we add ducks and shorebirds to our lists. Call Celestyn Brozek at 925-8611to join this team.

Team 4

Saturday, May 27 Rinconada Canyon /Mt. Taylor in the National Forest
Hart Schwarz will lead this group. Besides Acorn Woodpeckers, tanagers, and warblers, our target species include nesting Hammond's Flycatchers; Gray, Cordilleran, Dusky and Olive-sided Flycatchers; Western Wood Pewees, Cassin's Kingbirds ‹ well, come see for yourselves! An easy five-mile round-trip walk. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Pendleton Men's Store at Fashion Square, NE corner of San Mateo and Lomas. Call Hart Schwarz at 266-1810.

Back to top of page