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June/July/August 2003
Vol. 32 No. 3

Many of these stories are published in the Summer 2003 issue of the New Mexico State Audubon Newsletter, Audubon New Mexico.

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

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS BY CNMAS
      Involve Me and I Understand

CNMAS Field Trip Reports
CNMAS Field Trip Schedule
Thursday Morning Birding Group

BIRDATHON 2003 TRIP REPORTS
      Birdathon Team 1: "Youth Without a Driver's License"
      Birdathon Team 2: Thursday Birders Plus
      Birdathon Team 3: Celestyn's Successful Successors

Students, Teachers, and CNMAS - All Winners In Science Fair

CNMAS BULLETIN BOARD
      Wildlife Rescue Clinic Open
      Green Chapparal Turf Ranch Closure
      CNMAS Slide Library
      Summer Wings Festival
      Dragonfly Festival

Quote
March Birding Academy Photos
E-Newsletter
A Note About Your Burrowing Owl Subscription
Paper Free Audubon Renewal Program
Join Audubon

Environmental Education
Achievements By CNMAS

Involve Me and I Understand

by Helen Haskell

When I woke, the sun was just coming up over the mountain and had not yet reached my tent. I lay snuggled in my sleeping bag, relishing the joy of down feathers. Looking at the walls of the tent, while listening to the bird song, my eyes locked upon strange circular tiny shadow-like things. On closer inspection I was surprised to find ice 'blobs' on the tent. Surprised, as I wasn't high in the mountains winter, but in the Sonoran desert near Tucson in April. As deserts do, the Sonoran desert had got particularly chilly that night, much cooler than average, after a beautiful and soaking evening rainstorm. Jumping up and out of the tent, I realized that very soon the sun would crest the Catalinas to the east and the desert would once again become a hot place. Outside of the tent the life bloomed everywhere. Much needed moisture has sprung forth spring flowers and grasses aplenty, some of which germinate only on occasion, based on the weather. You could hardly see the sand for vegetation. Birds, reptiles, insects and mammals were making the most of the precious harvest the desert had provided.

Again, I lie there in my tent. A bell has rung to wake me up. I sense the sun again will top the mountain soon. I unzip the sleeping bag and step out in to a dusty open area. The same exact area I had camped in the year before. No flowers were to be seen. No grass. The mesquite trees were producing only a small portion of leaves. Here the desert was telling us another story, once of little moisture, of how it's residents adapt to inconsistency between years. I was there to look for the evidence of this story, and learn about it, and relish it, just as I had done the year before.

I was attending the Tucson Audubon Society's Institute of Desert Ecology (IDE), held every year in April at Catalina State Park, just north of the city, in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. This four day residential (camping) institute has the sixty or so participants examining and questioning all the ins-and-outs of the Sonoran desert - the geology, the plant and animal interactions, the birds, insects, cacti, mammals, and reptiles that exist in this incredible place. There is much amazement, many new experiences, much laughter, great food, and a huge amount of learning going on. Teachers, engineers, retirees, writers, students, and others from all walks of life explore the immediate area, taught by a faculty consisting of fantastic professors and consultants in the fields of mammology, geology, botany, ornithology, herpetology, and entomology.

It's hard to describe the feeling that goes on at this institute, the learning, the excitement. You become totally submerged in the desert, away from the city, the traffic, the noise, the neon signs that flash at you constantly urging you to buy/spend/eat/consume. It's the same feeling you get when that first warm breeze hits you after a hard winter, the first migrant warbler lands in your yard, or the smile you have of the view you get from the top of a hill you have just climbed. Picture my eyes almost popping out of my head as the Gila Monster runs through the grass just 10 yards from my feet. My amazement as the scorpion glows yellow under the UV light. Listen with me to the sound of the breeze going through the saguaro spines that the elf owl is perched in. Feel the sand falling through the spaces in my fingers from the arroyo that the first year I waded in, and yet this year is dry. A couple of years on and these memories are still very much alive.

I feel very strongly about the strength of the educational opportunity the IDE provides. As a Chinese proverb says "Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." This institute along with other camps that are offered by Audubon groups around the country are opportunities that are very important. When I returned from IDE for the second time, I realized that I wanted more people to get the opportunity to attend. As a teacher of environmental education, I feel that the outdoors is the best classroom, made even more so by quality educators such as those at the IDE. With much support from the board members of CNMAS and the donations from our members and friends, this year CNMAS is able to send a teacher from the central New Mexico area to the institute. Chris Hilleary is a teacher in the science department at Sandia High School in Albuquerque and has begun teaching an AP Environmental Science course. Our hope is that Chris will be able to bring back skills and knowledge from the IDE and inspire his students in the wonder of the desert life and outdoor learning. He quotes in his application letter "AP Environmental Science offers a teacher an opportunity to foster original ideas when it comes to developing lab experiences that are based on real field study. I would use this opportunity to discuss how to properly discuss a biodiversity study in a desert ecosystem with experts in the field. Based on the description of the workshop, I am sure I will develop many ideas for labs that can be done by the students." Indeed he said, "Last fall I was able to take my students to Los Alamos for a camping experience where they learned about fire ecology by working on restoration of the forest affected by the Cerro Grande fire. This workshop sounds like it would provide me with valuable experience to help me develop a curriculum for another student field trip."

But what of the students themselves? As many of you may know we have a wonderful core of youth birders, and CNMAS feels strongly that we should encourage them in any way we can to continue their interests in birds and natural history. This year we are also able to offer a place in the Coastal Maine Bird Studies program advised by Ken Kaufmann, to Ryan Beaulieu. Ryan is one of our avid youth birders. Already his resume has as long list of birding and environmental achievements including helping the Rio Grande Bird Research program at the Rio Grande Nature Center, helping at Festival of the Cranes, and being president of the St. Pius High School Environmental Club. This summer Ryan will be working alongside Maine Audubon biologists as they monitor Piping Plovers, learn about the Puffin Project, and attend various workshops and discussions as part of the camp. Ryan says "I ...like studying nature and I want this camp to give me a better understanding of this subject. I wish to learn as much as possible about birds and ways to better improve my projects here at home."

The CNMAS board thanks all of you who have made contributions to CNMAS via Birdathon, donations and other avenues. It is through these contributions that we are able to provide these incredible opportunities. Our goal is to continue doing this, with the ultimate goal of sending one teacher and one student each year if we can. I hope you will be able to join us in supporting this venture. It is impossible to measure how much good will be done by doing this, how much knowledge will be passed on from these people to others over the years, but we can rest assured that it will happen. That our deserts, coasts, mountains and plains will be better understood, appreciated and protected by experiences such as these.

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CNMAS Field Trip Reports

by Sei Tokuda

Sunday, March 9: Las Vegas NWR
Twenty birders saw over 40 species of birds on this beautiful day. The most exciting sight of the day was seeing a large group of Ross's and Cackling Canada Geese in the same pond with some swimming side by side. Other treats included Eared Grebe, Common Goldeneye, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk and Black-billed Magpie.

Saturday, March 22: Socorro, NM and Bosque del Apache
Although only eight birders were on this outing, they had great views of over 60 species of birds. We saw a large flock of early migrating Greater Yellowlegs, as well as Lesser Yellowlegs and White Pelicans. Other interesting sightings included Black-crowned Night-Heron, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Audubon and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers and side-by-side comparison of Double-crested and Neotropic Cormorants.

Saturday, April 5: Bosque del Apache
Twenty-one birders made this trip on a day that started with great sightings of raptors: Kestrels, a Golden Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawks, including a Harlan's. Long-billed Curlew, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Harris's Sparrows and Blue-winged Teals soon followed that. The occupants of one vehicle tallied 84 species sighted including Vermilion Flycatchers and White Pelicans.

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CNMAS Field Trip Schedule

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

Friday-Saturday, June 6-7 - Water Canyon Bird Count
Andrew Rominger will lead this annual Bird Count. For those interested in owling, please meet Andrew at the Water Canyon campground on Friday at 6:30PM. Otherwise meet at the campground on Saturday at 6:30AM. The campground is located about 20 miles west of Socorro via US 60. Campsites are available but there is no potable water.
Please contact Andrew at 243-7355 for details.

Saturday-Sunday, June 28-29 - Maxwell NWR
This is an excellent time of the year to seek out the Eastern Kingbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissel and breeding Eared Grebes. Other possibilities are Vesper, Savannah and Lark Sparrows, Loggerhead Shrike, Blue Grosbeak, Great Horned and Burrowing Owls and Bullock's Oriole. We will overnight in Springer or Raton. Meet at 7:30AM behind the Village Inn in the Far North Shopping Center (NE corner of San Mateo and Academy).
Call Sei at 266-2480 for details.

Sunday, August 3 - Jemez Falls and Bandelier National Monument
This will be a day trip. The target birds will include Three-toed Woodpecker, White-throated and Black Swifts, Cordilleran and Gray Flycatchers. Sites to be visited will depend on the recent bird sightings. Bring food, water, and snacks. Meet behind the Village Inn in the Far North Shopping at 6:30AM.
Call Sei at 266-2480.

Sunday, August 10 - Bear Mountains
The target birds for this daylong trip northwest of Magdalena, NM, will be the early migrant flocks of Grace's, Virginia's and Black-throated Gray Warblers as well other species. Meet at 7:30AM in Socorro, at the Taco Bell parking lot on California Street, the town's main street.
Call Christopher Rustay (255-7786) or Glen Finley (872-0775) for details.

Saturday-Sunday, August 23-24 - Fort Sumner and Bitter Lake NWR/Roswell
Fort Sumner is an excellent place to find Red-headed Woodpeckers and Blue Jays; and, the peak season for some of the southbound migrating shorebirds is late August at Bitter Lake. The Roswell area is also a likely spot to find Upland Sandpipers. We overnight in Roswell. Meet at 7:00AM in the Four Hills Shopping Center (Central SE, west of Tramway and across the street from the Travelodge Motel).
Call Sei at 266-2480 for details.

Saturday, September 6 - Albuquerque area
This will be a half-day trip to an Albuquerque site not yet determined. Please meet at 7:00AM at the UNM Physics Department Parking lot (NE corner of Lomas and Yale Blvd.).
Call Sei at 266-2480 for details.

Saturday-Sunday, September 27-28 - Fort Sumner Area
Meet at 6:00AM in the Four Hills Shopping Center at Central and Tramway across from the Travelodge Motel. The first stop will be at Sumner Lake and the campground. Bring lunch for a picnic at Bosque Redondo Park. Two trips will be made to the Melrose migrant trap, 22 miles east of Fort Sumner; once in the afternoon and again the next morning. The group will head back to Albuquerque around 10:30AM.
Call Rebecca Gracey at 242-3821 for information about car-pooling and motel reservations.

Saturday, October 4 - Albuquerque area
This trip to an undetermined site within 50 miles of the city will last until 2 or 3PM. Please meet at 7:00AM at the UNM Physics Department Parking lot (NE corner of Lomas and Yale Blvd.).
Call Art Arenholz at 298-1724 for details.

November 2003: A Sunday trip to the Las Vegas NWR
Details later.

December 6 - Bosque del Apache
Details later.

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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 341-0928 for details of outings. Send an e-mail to Les Hawkins at leshawknm@aol.com to get on the TBer's e-list of scheduled trip announcements.

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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Birdathon 2003 Trip Reports

Birdathon Report: Team 1 - "Youth Without a Driver's License"

by Andrew Rominger

Good weather and good birds made our day on Saturday, April 26. After Percha State Park, a tire repair, Elephant Butte Lake, Bosque del Apache, and Water Canyon we were exhausted, hoarse from laughing and very content with a long day of extreme birding. Our total count was 128 species of birds, 2 reptiles and 3 mammals (counting the Homo sapiens in the car) - and all this on the portentous birthday of John James Audubon, April 26, 1785.

Despite this good omen, some birds just weren't cooperating. Northern Pintails were especially elusive and some birds never showed up at all (Violet-green Swallow... how could we have missed that one?! And where were the Northern Flickers?!) But there were more high points than low points. In truth every bird we saw was a "good bird" as each species is indicative of the biodiversity and sustainable habitats of New Mexico and a reminder of how every species and its habitat warrants our appreciation and preservation. Sightings included Vermilion Flycatchers with two young in the nest, approximately 200 American White Pelicans and four Snowy Plovers congregated off Monticello Point, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Townsend's Warbler, Bonaparte's Gull, Harris's Sparrow, Hutton's Vireo and a first arrival Red-faced Warbler seen singing at sunset from the budding oaks in the Magdalena Mountains.

All three of our Birdathoners worked, walked, ran and drove long and hard to make it happen. Ryan Beaulieu and I would like to give special thanks to Helen Haskell for driving over 300 miles up and down the Rio Grande Valley, for tolerating two teenage boys for that long, and for making the trip twice the fun through her exuberant spirit. And we'd like to thank Central New Mexico Audubon for giving us the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the places and birds we love.

Photo of Andrew, Ryan and Raymond

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Thursday Birders Plus - Birdathon Team 2

by Karen Boettcher

Some of the Thursday Birders almost got to include the Thick-billed Parrot in our Birdathon tally list! Six of us from Team Thursday Birders Plus decided we'd go on down to Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch after concluding our 24-hour Birdathon trip on Friday, May 16. We were already in Socorro, so we decided to make the trip - and we're so glad we did!

CNN Story

Guardian Story

But first for Birdathon: We had just finished our 24-hour Birdathon, begun at our house (with Grace's Warbler) at 10:00 Thursday a.m. and ended at Water Canyon west of Socorro, NM, at 10:00 Friday a.m. We totaled 127 birds for the event (3 more than our team got last year) if we are honest and quit our counting at exactly 10:00 - but we did get two more at about 5 after 10:00. Guess we will be honest, though, and list our grand total at 127! The last honest bird was Brown Creeper, the two late ones were Virginia's and Orange-crowned Warbler. Notable birds for our 24 hours included Little Blue Heron, Sora, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Painted Redstart, Red-faced Warbler. The winds were legendary - or at least typical for New Mexico - so we did quite well!

And the winds may be why the Thick-billed Parrot ended up in the little tiny oasis of a few pine and cottonwood trees surrounding the ranch house at Armendaris, with nothing but absolutely arid desert for miles and miles and miles in every direction. This bird is endemic to the mountains of nw Mexico, where it is a rare species. It once occurred (rarely) in the sw U.S., but the last reported sighting was in Arizona in 1938. An unsuccessful introduction in AZ was attempted in the 80's. A big debate is on-going as to whether or not this could be an escaped captive bird (if the ABA is not convinced of its wild status it won't be accepted as an ABA record). But - even if it is a captive bird, where in the world did it come from ? And - arguments are heavy in favor of this being a wild bird: the bird is not banded, it totally ignores any commercial food offered to it, eating only the seeds of the few pines by the house (causing concern for its future - limited supply of cones), its bill and claws appear to have natural wear as opposed to being pet bird clipped, and the bird exhibits typical wild behavior re. its feeding, roosting, watering, flying habits. Wherever it came from, it's been electrifying the birding world: In the six days since the bird was reported, by the time we were there, 90 people had come to see it, including visitors from New Jersey, Michigan, Florida, California, neighboring sw and w. states, Australia and Costa Rica.

Even without an exotic or rare bird, the experience of birdwatching is exhilarating and rewarding. Thanks to everybody who contributed to the CNMAS Birdathon, whether "our" team or another. You're helping to protect the wonderful diversity of bird life here in New Mexico and to ensure education efforts that introduce the next generation to Audubon's conservation ethic. Like the Birdathon t-shirt says: Birdathon! It's the most fun you'll ever have saving the planet!

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Celestyn's Successful Successors - Birdathon Team 3:
Saturday, May 17

Fifteen people and two dogs joined Celestyn on a beautiful day spent between Bosque del Apache and Water Canyon. The day started in the dark when a ghost of the night, Barn Owl, spotted in the headlight became the first life species of the day for Sharon. Several other participants had their "firsts" with birds such as Sora, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Summer Tanager. Sora, which was frantically feeding on the mud flats early in the morning, provided a rare opportunity of superb views of this usually secretive species. Another elusive bird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, was captured in the telescope while preening and thus allowed for prolonged and detailed observation. Greater White-fronted Goose and Gray Catbirds were among the unusual surprises. However, the greatest treasure was found only in the evening, when a beautiful and very rare Hudsonian Godwit, the 121st species of the day, was discovered on the Marsh Loop by a small group of "die-hards" who were ending the 15-hours birdathon. Everyone contributed to this delightful experience with their charming company and sharp eyes.

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Students, Teachers, and CNMAS -
All Winners In Science Fair

Central New Mexico Audubon Society was formed 32 years ago in August, and for 20 of those years, since 1983, we have been participating in judging and awarding prizes in the NWNM Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

Thanks to our judges this year, Sylvia Chattin, Amy Neel, and Hal and Amy Wagnon, that tradition continues. We send our appreciation and encouragement to EVERY teacher and student who shares their eagerness and enthusiasm, from whom our judges could (alas) choose only four winners. A one-year membership in National Audubon Society, with a subscription to both Audubon Magazine and the Burrowing Owl/Audubon-New Mexico State Newsletter, goes to the teachers. The students themselves receive a $50 savings bond, plus membership as above. The winners, and their winning abstracts, are:

The results of previous experimentation indicated that the aqueous application of corn cellulose forms a polymer film (or "crust") that controlled wind erosion, reconstituted when rained upon, and did not interfere with plant germination during controlled tests where naturally occurring conditions were simulated.

The purpose of this project was to determine whether or not the polymer film formed by the aqueous application of biodegradable plant material to soil is an effective, practical, and economical method of controlling wind erosion.

This was determined by:

* Discovering whether or not the cellulose mixture must be heated prior to soil application.

* Applying a polymer film to both organic and inorganic soil and comparing how effectively wind erosion was controlled.

* Comparing how effectively the polymer film controls wind erosion on a slope with gravity erosion.

* Testing whether or not vegetation can be established in an area prone to wind erosion through a hydroseeding technique utilizing cellulose, seeds, and water.

* Applying a polymer film to eighty-one square feet of soil and observing the durability and strength of the polymer film in the environment over time.

* Analyzing the soil used in both the controlled tests and the "real-world" experiments in order to determine the vulnerability of the soil to wind erosion.

The results of this project indicate that the aqueous application of biodegradable cellulose to the surface of soil may provide an effective, practical, economical, and environmentally friendly solution to the extremely harmful effects of wind erosion.

Problem: How are styrene monomers and the compounds of photo-catalytic degradation of polystyrene affecting the behavior and toxicity of Lumbricus terrestris L. and Tubifex tubifex?

Hypothesis: Styrene monomers and degrading polystyrene at certain concentrations can cause neurotoxic symptoms with a behavioural response. Some sensitive species such as Lumbricus terrestris L. may no longer be able to survive in its environment. LC50 toxicity tests using Tubifex tubifex may indicate a high degree of sensitivity.

Procedure: The procedure for environmental toxicity will be done using the standard tubifex test method which will establish a general toxicity level LC50, and a behavioural test using the Daniel Funnel Procedure, which measures the effect of pesticides on the activity of burrowing earthworms and simulates field conditions. Testing various concentrations of degraded polystyrene should give an indication of the possible environmental impact of these waste products.

Research: Styrene is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including construction materials, food containers, and appliances. Small quantities of styrene monomers can be found in food and ambient air nearly everywhere on the globe. Styrene present in degradation products is suspected of being an endocrine disrupter.

Conclusion: The LC50 of Tubifex tubifex is indicative of a substantial sensitivity to polystyrene. The behavioural responses of Lumbricus terrestris L. indicate that the lower concentrations had a much more significant effect on their behavior. The overall results create a disturbing picture of the effect of degraded polystyrene in the environment.

My science project is about the bark beetle that attacks piñon/pine trees. The Placitas area has experienced many dead piñon/pine trees during the recent drought. The cause is a bark beetle called an Ips beetle or engraver beetle.

The beetle digs into the bark, lays eggs, and eats the nutrient part of the wood just below the bark. The tree creates sap to try and fend off the beetle. This usually works, but if the tree is stressed, it may not have enough energy to fight off the beetle attack. Drought can cause this stress condition. The beetle moves from tree to tree and has two to five generations a year. My hypothesis is that the tall trees will be most susceptible to the bark beetle, because they need more water.

First I found a dead piñon/pine tree and used a saw to cut away the branches and a screwdriver to peel off the bark. I then took samples of the beetle and larva and put them in the sample jar. Using a metric tape measure, I measured five 50-by-50-meter square plots, or a total of 1.25 hectares, around my house in Placitas. I marked each corner with fluorescent yellow spray paint and some kind of rock or pole marker. After all of the plots were marked, I counted all the piñon/pine trees and classified them as short (under 1 meter), medium (1-2 meters), or tall (over 2 meters). I also classified them if they were dead or alive.

There were a total of 57 piñon/pine trees within the five 50-by-50-meter plots. Plots 1 and 2 did not contain any dead trees, but Plot 3 had about 50% dead piñon/pine trees. Plot 4 had about 50% dead trees as well. The last plot, #5, had only about 15% dead. In all plots combined there was 50% dead.

This was interesting to me. Of the 57 total trees, most were small (29). Tall trees were next most common (18), and there were 10 medium trees. Out of all of the trees, 14% of the small were dead, 20% of the medium trees were dead, and 44% of the tall trees were dead. This means that the tall trees are most affected by drought and could not fight off the beetles' attacks.

From this experiment I discovered that the trees closest to our house are not yet affected by the Ips beetles. I never knew that the piñon/pine trees died from a beetle. The ultimate cause of the dying trees is the drought, which weakens them. Tall trees need more water and smaller less, and therefore my hypotheses were correct.

I. Purpose

I did this project because I'm interested in growing plants, especially a vegetable garden. I wanted to see if homemade compost grows healthier plants than plant food from a store.

II. Hypothesis

Homemade compost grows healthier plants than plant food from a store.

III. Procedure

A. Research: I went to Rowlands Nursery and picked up information on how to make compost. I talked to the plant specialist at Rowlands. I used the Internet, and went to the library to get information for my research project.

B. Experiment: After making the homemade compost, I made a tiny greenhouse and planted four tomato plants. Two of them were planted in the compost and the other two were planted in regular potting soil. The two in potting soil, I watered and fed with plant food from a store. My experiment disproved my hypothesis. One plant slowly died in the compost soil, even though I watered both of them. The other plant lived. The other two plants looked healthier with the plant food from a store. They grew bigger and had more leaves than the compost plant that lived.

IV. Results

I learned that my compost pile was probably too strong and needed to ferment longer in order to break down all the mixture into decaying organic matter.

V. Conclusion

It took a while to make the compost pile, and just using a store-bought plant food is easier and requires less time to grow tomato plants. In the future I would still want to experiment making compost and trying to grow other types of vegetables.

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CNMAS Bulletin Board

Wildlife Rescue Clinic Open

New Mexico State Parks is pleased to announce the opening of the new Wildlife Rescue Clinic at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Finally, Wildlife Rescue has its own location from which to offer its valuable wildlife rehabilitation services, along with education and research programs for the Albuquerque area.

Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico will operate the clinic under permits with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with support from the State Parks Division, Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center and the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park Advisory Board. If you find a sick or injured bird, call Wildlife Rescue at 344-2500.

Green Chapparal Turf Ranch Closure

Birders will want to know that in the April 2003 issue of Winging It, John Parmeter submitted an article which stated that, "...the Green Chapparal Turf Ranch, located approximately 40 miles east of Albuquerque, is now closed to birders." Folks, you'll recognize that as the Moriarty Turf Farm.

CNMAS Slide Library

The best of CNMAS' slide collection is now digitized and available for use in digital/computer presentations. The actual slides are available as well. If you want to use the collection in either form, please contact Laurel Ladwig at 505-841-5981 or lladwig@nmmnh.state.nm.us

Summer Wings Festival

Go to Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center website

Dragonfly Festival

The 3rd Annual Dragonfly Festival will be held at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Roswell, New Mexico on August 23 and 24, 2003. Sponsored by Friends of Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge.

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Quote

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to enhance all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

- Albert Einstein

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March Birding Academy

Christopher Rustay and Rob Yaksich were the presenters at our March 2003 Birding Academy session on taking field notes and field sketching.

Christopher tries his hand at Rob's quick field drawing method.

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E-Newsletter

Now you can help CNMAS and the environment...and ultimately the birds! Here's how:

Send your email address to glen@lobo.net and a short note telling us you'd like to receive your Burrowing Owl and New Mexico State Audubon Newsletters on line. You'll be cutting down on paper consumption and postage costs by reading your local Audubon news in cyberspace.

When the four issues of local Audubon newsletters are published - the Burrowing Owl in the spring and fall, and the State Newsletter in summer and winter - we'll send you an e-mail with the proper link to read it on-line.

Send your e-mail today to register!

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A Note About Your Burrowing Owl Subscription

Beginning in September of 2002, CNMAS members began receiving the Burrowing Owl on a quarterly basis. Two of the issues will be encompassed within the New Mexico State Audubon newsletter which includes news from all the state Audubon chapters.

The Burrowing Owl issues will cover March/April/May (Spring), and Sept/Oct/Nov (Fall). The State issue will cover June/July/August (Summer), and Dec/Jan/Feb (Winter).

We do hope you enjoy news from our other state chapters!

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Paper Free Audubon Renewal Program

Audubon Magazine has published a notice of a new option for renewing Audubon memberships. Instead of receiving multiple renewal notices, members can call (800)274-4201 to sign up for Audubon's Paper-Free Renewal Program. Those who sign up will have their membership automatically renewed each year and will receive only one bill approximately 2 months in advance of your membership expiration date. Another way to eliminate those pesky notices is to renew for 2, 3, 4 years - you already know you're committed to Nature for life! Of course, you can cancel at any time. Save paper and simplify your accounting!

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