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April - May 2002
Vol. 31 No. 3

Table Of Contents (Please let the whole page load before clicking on the links.)

Birdathon 2002, CNMAS Style
CNMAS Field Trip Reports
Thursday Morning Birding Group
Audubon Programs

CNMAS Field Trip Schedule
Cycles
Tim Parker - Off He Goes!
Paying It Forward . . .

Congratulations to Hannah Porter
Birding For Science - Another Opportunity
New Mexico Audubon Council Report
Predator and Prey

CNMAS Plan Plan Plan. . . .
The Hummers Are Coming!!!
HawkWatch International Observations
Rosy-Finch Feeder Installed At Sandia Crest

Recycling Bird Pics

Birdathon 2002, CNMAS Style

IN 2001, more than one million dollars was raised by the National Audubon Society via its annual Birdathon events! Thanks to the efforts of you, CNMAS raised about $1200. We want to do more!

      Our knowledgeable, generous, enthusiastic leaders have put together a smorgasbord of appetizers for this year's event. Plan to attend one or all three. These are the only field trips for which we request a donation ­ all the other ones are free, folks! And remember, we're not asking just those of you who come birding to pledge that $5, $10, or $XXX. We're asking you to ask YOUR friends. Get your kids and grandkids to make a pledge in your name! Ask your fellow churchgoers, your book club buddies, your cronies, your mentors, your co-workers, your dance partners, your mechanic, your in-laws. After reading Helen's article inside, you'll be inspired by all that CNMAS does. The pledges you raise will go directly toward our youth environmental education programs, scholarships, and initiatives. It's an investment that goes farther than that night at the movies or the three-topping pizza ­ and it's even more fun.

      Please use the form below to make your pledge or to send in your children's inheritance now. All donations are tax-deductible ­ thank you!

Team 1: Sei's Leisurely Long Day - Saturday, May 4
This will be a noncompetitive and leisurely day of birding to see if we can find at least 100 species of birds before 6 P.M. The areas to be covered will be Socorro, Water Canyon and Bosque del Apache. Bring lunch, water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, etc. Meet at 6 a.m. at the UNM Physics Department parking lot. Call Sei at 266-2480 for details.

Team 2: Thursday Birders Plus - Wednesday & Thursday, May 8 & 9
The Thursday Birders are going to break tradition this year and begin the Birdathon day on a Wednesday ­ we will, however, end our 24 hours on our namesake day, Thursday! We will be birding from 10:00 a.m. Wednesday May 8 till 10:00 a.m. Thursday May 9, and will stay overnight at a motel in Socorro. This schedule was worked out in the hopes that it will enable us to get as many birds as possible per mile and per hour! We'll be targeting specific birds as we bird in the Manzanitas, at Manzano Pond and Quarai, at Bosque del Apache and Riverine Park, and at Water Canyon. The group will meet to carpool at the Four Hills Shopping Center at Tramway and Central on May 8 at 9:30 a.m. Please contact Rebecca Gracey (242-3821, mrgracey@earthlink.net) or Karen Boettcher (281-6726, nmkestrel@aol.com) for more information or to sign up for the trip.

Team 3: Celestyn's Sandia Seekers - Saturday, June 8
Celestyn's treasures of last year ­ the Yellow-throated Vireo and Black-throated Gray Warbler ­ will be among the sought-after birds, as well the Lazuli Bunting (there's been a pair documented by Andrew Rominger) and the always delightful Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Celestyn has planned the trip for a bit later this year to take full advantage of migrants which arrive and nest later in the higher elevations. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the north end of Smith's parking lot at Central and Tramway on Saturday, June 8. Call Celestyn at 925-8611 to let him know you'll be bringing enthusiasm and some friends.

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CNMAS Field Trip Reports

by Sei Tokuda

Saturday, January 29: Bernardo and La Jolla WR
This trip was led by Rebecca Gracey. There were 19 birders on that nice and warm January day. They saw more than 40 species of birds including 5 Bald Eagles, Pyrrhuloxia and numerous Sandhill Cranes.

Saturday, February 9: Las Vegas NWR
This cold and windy day trip was led by Art Arenholz. There were 11 birders and they were rewarded by finding 6 Tundra Swans swimming in a nearly frozen lake. They also observed a Mature Bald Eagle snatching a duck on McAlister Lake. Other notable species included Tree Sparrow, four duck species including 3 dozen Canvasbacks and both the light and dark morphs of the Rough-legged Hawk.

Sunday, February 17: Los Lunas and Belen Area
This trip was led by Christopher Rustay and there were 22 participants. The sites visited were Isleta Ponds, a 95-acre parcel of land recently acquired by the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District (see 'Birding For Science' below) and Casa Colorada. The greatest excitement of the day was caused by the sighting of a western Red-shouldered Hawk. Other notable sightings were a pair of Lewis' Woodpeckers, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk and high-flying migrating Northern Harriers.

Saturday, March 9: Santa Rosa Area
This trip was led by Christopher Rustay. There were 15 birders (three of them were from Santa Fe). It was a cool day with temperatures mostly in the 30s. Santa Rosa lake was being drained and yet, close to 50 species of birds were sighted. The highlights of the day were Eastern Blue Jay, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eurasian Collared Dove, Tree Swallow, Bald Eagle, Sage Thrasher and White Pelican.

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Thursday Morning Birding Group

Weekly birding outings every Thursday. Meeting time and location, as well as duration, vary. Call Margaret Wallen at 291-1595 for details of outings. A Birdathon trip is scheduled, see above for details.

Central New Mexico Audubon Society assumes no responsibility for injuries, personal or otherwise, incurred while attending society-sponsored activities and will not be held liable for such accidents. You attend at your own risk.

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Confused by color phases, morphs, plumage of those magnificent raptors? Still hung up on distinguishing a female Sharp-shinned from a male Cooper's? John DeLong, raptor specialist from HawkWatch International, will en"raptor" us with sound, scientific, sensible clues to recognizing the pole sitters, sky skimmers, and feeder raiders.

The cost for this class is $6, and another raffle of the Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior will take place, $1 for one ticket, $5 for six tickets. The raffle of a watercolor painting by young birder Andrew Rominger will also be held this night (see below for a photo of the artwork).

This CNMAS sponsored program takes place Thursday, April 18, at 7:15 p.m., at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church (Copper and Jefferson NE). Refreshments will be served before the program begins.

Thanks for making the Birding Academy series so wildly successful! We're going to end this season's programs on that high note and, accordingly, there will be no May meeting this year. Thanks for your support, come out for Birdathon and our other adventures, and we'll see you at the next general membership meeting in September!

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CNMAS Field Trip Schedule

http://www.newmexicoaudubon.org/cnmas/

Saturday, April 6 - Bosque del Apache
This is an all day trip. Dress appropriately, bring food, water, snacks, etc. Meet at 7:30 AM at the UNM Physics Department parking lot on the NE corner of Yale and Lomas Blvd. Call Art Arenholz (298-1724) or Sei Tokuda (266-2480) for details.

Saturday - Sunday, April 13-14 - Fort Sumner, Bitter Lake and Mescalero Sands
This is our annual trip to search for the Blue Jay and the Red-headed Woodpecker in the Fort Sumner area, the early shorebird migrants at Bitter Lake and if the conditions permit, the display of the Lesser Prairie Chickens at Mescalero Sands. We will overnight in Roswell in order to get a 4:45 AM start to the lek site. Meet at 7 AM at the Four Hills Shopping Center parking lot directly across the street from the Travelodge Hotel on Central Ave. SE and west of Tramway Blvd. Call Sei Tokuda (266-2480) for details.

Sunday, April 28 - Belen and vicinity
This will be a half day trip. The sites to be visited will include the Whitfield ranch property that was recently acquired by the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District, the Willie Chavez Park area and Casa Colorada. Meet at 7 AM at the UNM Continuing Education parking lot off University Blvd. and north of Indian School Road. Wear appropriate clothing and bring sunscreen, food/snacks and water. Call Christopher Rustay (255-7786) for details.

Saturday, May 4 - Annual Long Day of Birding
Sei's Birdathon trip, see above.

Wednesday-Thursday, May 8-9 - Thursday Birders Plus
Birdathon trip, see above.

Saturday, May 18 - Jemez Canyon National Recreation Area
This is an interesting riparian area that birders normally do not visit and it is practically unknown for its bird life activity. This is a time of year when anything could turn up. It may be a half day or it may end up being a full day trip. Be prepared for the elements as well as well as hunger/thirst pangs. Meet at 7 AM at the UNM Continuing Education parking lot. Call Christopher Rustay (255-7786) for details.

Sunday, May 26 - Cedro Canyon
This will be a half day trip. The target birds are the late migrating warblers, Hepatic Tanager, Indigo Bunting and the Black-throated Gray Warbler. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Meet at 7 AM at the Four Hills Center Shopping Center parking lot directly across the street from the Travelodge Hotel. Call Nick Vaughn (265-1350) for details.

Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 - Water Canyon Bird Survey
The leader of the 2002 annual Water Canyon Bird Survey will be Andrew Rominger. For those interesting in owling, please meet at the south end of Water Canyon campground on Friday evening at 7 PM For all others, please be at the campground on Saturday at 6:30 AM to receive your assignment for the day. Novice birders are very welcome and will be paired with experienced birders. Camping sites are available. Call Andrew (243-7355) for details.

Saturday, June 8 - Celestyn's Sandia Seekers
Birdathon trip, see above.

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Cycles

by Beth Hurst-Waitz

The CNMAS year is coming full-circle again, drawing to its fiscal close, just as Spring is reminding us that there aren't really endings, only new beginnings. As we welcome returning migrants (are birds our hopes and dreams with feathers?) and blossoming flowers (new possibilities?), I want to thank all of you in spirit, and many of you by name, who do so much for the birds and for us earthbound people who care about such things: Thank you Sei, Jeff, Sylvia, Tim, Dianne, Ed, Ron, Helen, Art, Ruth, Turtle-Bear, Christopher, Melissa, Hannah, Celestyn, Mary Lou, Anne, Dolores, Joan, Deanna, David, Tom, Les, Lannois, Rebecca, Bobbie, Lynda and David, Andrew, Jerry, Laurel, Judy, Tamie, Ryan, Lori and Joel, Ken and Mary Lou, Karen and Gary, Nick, Sally, Sondra, Hart, Mike and Cindy, Steve and Nancy, and Paula.

      Though that list may sound long, if YOUR name isn't on it, it's too short! We'd love to add you to our "Life Appreciation List." We're looking for a vice-president and two or three board directors who can attend board meetings so that you know what's going on within the chapter. These are self-fulfilling opportunities for dedicated, reliable folks who want to lend their support to Central New Mexico Audubon and become more involved with this great organization and the great people who make us "fly."

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Tim Parker - Off He Goes!

It's with much celebration, that we congratulate Tim Parker, our vice president on finishing his PhD in Ornithology! With it comes a move to Kansas to study neotropical migrant songbirds in riparian corridors, followed by a move next spring to Oxford University, in England to study Bluetits, a bird similar to our chickadees! While all of us on the Audubon Board are very excited for Tim, and his new life, we are sad to be losing a valuable member of CNMAS. Tim has led field trips, written Burrowing Owl articles, and served on the board. Thank you Tim for all that you have done. P.S.: Any articles on Kansas and European birds for future Burrowing Owls would be much appreciated!

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This watercolor painting, "Rough-legged Hawk Over Truchas Mountains" by Andrew Rominger, will be auctioned off (correction "raffled off" - Ed.) at the last Birding Academy class, April 18.

Paying It Forward . . .

Talented, enthusiastic, dedicated, ethical, generous, energetic ­ Hannah, Andrew, and Ryan are all of these, and we at CNMAS want to thank and recognize them. Congratulations, Hannah, on your placement in the ABA/Leica Young Birder of the Year Competition. Thank you, Andrew, for donating your beautiful painting "Rough-Legged Hawk Over Truchas Mountains" and for your generous and gentle spirit. High five, Ryan, for committing to be a monitor and reporter of the bird populations at Whitfield Ranch and contributing to the scientific database on this important project.

      We know each of you gives more and does more... and we want to thank you for all the giving and doing, but especially for the way you have helped us to see into the future. How bright and hopeful it is!

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Congratulations to Hannah Porter

ABA/Leica Young Birder of the Year Competition
10-to-13-year-old category
Honorable Mention:
Young Birder of the Year
Illustration Module
Field Notebook Module

Artwork by Hannah Porter

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Birding For Science - Another Opportunity

Not quite a year ago, Dale Jones, Supervisor of Valencia Soil & Water Conservation District, contacted CNMAS about a piece of property known as the Whitfield Ranch in Belen. He wanted to know if we could help with bird censusing and monitoring on this 95-acre property ­ an old dairy with river frontage and significant wetland.

      Thanks to the leadership of Christopher Rustay, a bird list was developed and CNMAS Thursday, weekend, and youth birders have now made this property a regular stop. We are committed to continued monitoring of the property. It may even become a Christmas Bird Count destination! The property is proposed to be donated to Valencia Soil & Water Conservation District to become part of a managed wetland, and bird population baseline information, as well as developing trends, will be valuable information in developing management strategies. To learn more or to become a Whitfield Ranch birder, contact Christopher Rustay at 255-7786.

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New Mexico Audubon Council Report

Fourteen Auduboners from across the state met at Sevilleta NWR on January 26 for the Audubon Council meeting. One highlight of the meeting was setting conservation priorities for the coming year. Auduboners reading this should be impressed with the scope and depth of issues which Audubon-New Mexico is involved with, through the Audubon State Board, the New Mexico Audubon Council, and support from the various chapters.

A. Endangered Species issues
      1) Lesser Prairie-Chicken
      2) Rio Grande Silvery Minnow
      3) Southwest Willow Flycatcher
      4) Peregrine Falcon
      5) Mountain Plover
      6) Aplomado Falcon
      7) Yellow-billed Cuckoo
      8) Mexican Wolf

B. Partnerships
      1) Rio Grande Alliance
      2) New Mexico Game & Fish issues
      3) Valles Caldera National Preserve
      4) State Legislature
      5) Audubon Refuge Keepers (ARK) program
      6) CARA issues
      7) National Park Service anniversary

C. Habitat
      1) Otero Mesa
      2) Salt Cedar removal
      3) ORV limitations in National Forests
      4) Grassland Reserve Program/Farm Bill
      5) Wilderness issues

D. Audubon Initiatives
      1) Important Bird Areas
      2) NM Birding Trail development
      3) NM Hummingbird Connection
      4) National Energy Legislation

The next meeting of the Audubon Council is on April 6, 2002. All Auduboners are invited and encouraged to attend. This is an excellent way to become informed, involved, and excited about the Audubon presence in New Mexico. Call Jeff Myers at 998-1502, (jmyers@peacocklaw.com) for details or to carpool.

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Predator and Prey

by Joann Sheets - 1/24/02

Take that, you snake
and that
and that

The red-tailed hawk in the backyard
had easy-to-read body language
as he grabbed
bit
shook his prey

Wings spread to protect the snake
from other predators
he continued the attack

Umbrellaed by the crow flock and scrub jays
he hopped the length of the snake
as the feathered audience screamed
      Be cawful
      Be cawful

Finally
accompanied by laughter from inside the house
he flew away
leaving behind one long green, very dead, slightly shredded
garden hose

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CNMAS Plan Plan Plan. . . .

by Helen Haskell

So what is the best thing to do on a beautiful warm sunny January morning here in New Mexico? If you are on the Board of Central New Mexico Audubon Society (CNMAS), why, you jump in your car and head over to the East Side of the Sandia Mountains to sit in a meeting all day and plan!

      And that's exactly what we did on January 27th this year. The goal of the meeting was to develop a plan to present to the State office, and National Audubon, about what CNMAS was going to focus on during the next five years. But how to go about that? Where does one begin in that process? For some of us, it was a whole new experience, others brought much appreciated experience.

      We began, after gorging on bagels and cream cheese, by listing all the things that CNMAS has done, is doing, or is considering. One of the reasons I wanted to let you all know about the planning meeting is to show you all what CNMAS has done and does do. The length of the list astounded me, and I realized that I knew very little about many of them. Many of them are done due to the commitment of a single person connected with the organization. Others involve a number of people and other groups. Some of them may not continue if specific people are not longer with CNMAS. Others are under review as we are not sure if we have the personnel and time to adequately pursue the project.

      I am very privileged to work with all of the people on the CNMAS Board, to be surrounded by people who are committed to education and the protection of our lands. I know there are more people of the same ilk out there, and I encourage you to pass on your knowledge, experience, and time, to help CNMAS pursue our mission. Should you, in reading down the list, see anything that catches your eye, that you would like more information about, or can help us with, we encourage you to contact one of us.

      In 'grading' our lists, we kept the following in mind: the mission of CNMAS, ("To appreciate, experience, and conserve birds, other wildlife and their habitats. To encourage and support environmental education in New Mexico.") and the ability of current people presently involved to commit to and fulfill projects.

1. Science and Conservation projects
      a) Belen property (Whitfield Ranch) monitoring
      b) Christmas Bird Counts
      c) Great Backyard Bird Count
      d) Hummingbird Connection
      e) NM Audubon Council
      f) Water Canyon Bird Survey
      g) Important Bird Areas

2. Adult and Youth Education/Outreach
      a) Audubon Adventures
      b) Birding Academy
      c) Evening Programs
      d) Festival of the Cranes
      e) Field Trips
      f) Burrowing Owl newsletter
      g) Thursday Birders
      h) Birdathon
      i) Camp scholarships
      j) NM Science Fair

3. Conservation Advocacy
      a) Audubon Refuge Keepers
      b) Issues advocacy
      c) Legislative bills
      d) National initiatives

4. Partnerships
      a) Randall Davey Audubon Center
      b) Rio Grande Nature Center Festivals
      c) Rosy Finches feeder
      d) Bio Park Bird List
      e) NM State Parks
      f) Budget support to organizations

5. Internal Chapter Administration
      a) Board meetings
      b) Budget
      c) Self-promotion
      d) Volunteer officer recruitment
      e) Membership recruitment and retention
      f) Website
      g) Fundraising

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The Hummers Are Coming!!!

Be ready for the return of our favorite hyperactive hummers around the first week in April. Remember to keep your feeders safe and attractive by providing a 4:1 mixture of sugar water. Boil the nectar, refrigerate unused portion, and avoid harmful food coloring. NEVER use honey to feed hummingbirds, and 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. Enjoy!

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HawkWatch International Observations

Banders and volunteers have set up banding stations for the Sandia hawk watch. Observations continue through May 5. Call Bobbie Posey at 255-7622 for more info.

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Rosy-Finch Feeder Installed At Sandia Crest

Until the winter of 1999-2000, Rosy-finches were rather unpredictable at Sandia Crest. Since then they have been an almost "sure thing." Is their unusual abundance due to provision of bird seed by visitors? Will the addition of a winter feeder keep them coming?

      Since 1993, when Ken and Mary Lou Schneider moved to New Mexico, they heard sporadic reports of Rosy-finches at Sandia Crest. They did not succeed in seeing any until there was an invasion by all three species in early December 1999. They noticed that the birds often fed inside the antenna complex and around its entrance. With some trepidation, Ken spread a small amount of white millet at the margins of the drive that led to the gates. When they visited again a few days later, they saw that the Rosy-finches were taking the seed. They found that the finches also took black oil sunflower seed, and seemed to prefer it. Remarkably, the birds appeared at the seed almost daily until they departed in March 2000.

      Ken and Mary Lou repeated their "experiment" about every week or two during the winter of 2000-01. The north end of the upper parking lot offered great visibility from a parked car, and they deposited seed on the large pile of snow that accumulates there. Flocks of Rosy-finches, including all three species, grew to more than 50 individuals. On January 20, 2001, Ken posted to the NM/AZ RBA list that some "kind soul" had scattered seed at Sandia Crest, and that it was attracting the Rosy-finches. They received requests for information and directions from all over the USA (and a few from Europe). In reply, they suggested that visitors scatter some seed to feed the Rosy-finches. Ken also asked RBA list subscribers to express their opinions about the propriety of artificial feeding. There was a lively discussion, but negative comments were few‹generally concerns that it was "illegal" in National Forest land (baiting of game animals is prohibited). Ken's concerns were about the dangers of avian disease, littering, local degradation of native plant life in the immediate area, and the possibility of introducing exotic weeds. There was an incident in which automobile anti-freeze was drained onto an area where seed had been scattered, raising the specter of unintended poisoning.

      By the winter of 2001-02, the feeding habit was well established. Visitors sometimes scattered huge amounts of seed at the north end of the upper parking lot, and some observers complained that the birds spent too much time under their cars where they could not be seen! Clearly, Sandia Crest was rivaling Taos as a place for birders to observe three new lifers. Less than an hour's drive from a major airport, this has become the most accessible and reliable location in the world to see all three species of Rosy-finch.

      On February 4, 2002 under a cooperative agreement between the US Forest Service and CNMAS, the Schneiders set up a feeder just west of the south end of the middle parking lot. It may easily be viewed from parked cars. They plan to leave the feeder up through late March, or until the Rosy-finches depart. They are feeding only black oil sunflower seed. The Rosy-finches feed from the hopper and the tray, which is about 4 feet above the ground. The wind also disperses seed on the snow underneath the feeder. The feeder was donated by Lynda Geron of Wild Birds Unlimited on Coors (890-3668). The seed, stored in a secure area at the Crest, is provided by Paula Diepolder of "prdseed" in Tijeras (281-SEED). Tom Duncan, Resident Manager of the Crest House gift shop has been keeping the feeder filled. These benefactors are greatly appreciated. Next fall, Ken and Mary Lou may be asking for a few volunteers to help them tend the feeder.

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Recycling Bird Pics

Do you have stacks of bird and nature magazines occupying every corner of your house? Or ­ do you need bird and nature pictures and information for a poster, report, program, or presentation? Karen Boettcher maintains the picture and article file at the Rio Grande Nature Center and is always looking for re-cycled magazines as well as for people who want to use the pictures and articles gleaned from them. If you have magazines to donate, or if you would like to use things from the files, please contact Karen at 281-6726 or at e-mail nmkestrel@aol.com. Please do NOT drop the magazines off at the Nature Center ­ Karen will make other arrangements to get them from you.

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