Randall Davey Audubon Center: A New Era
GIVE TO THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN!
Festival of the Cranes
Introducing...
Call For Volunteers
Birdathon 2000
HawkWatch Observation
Audubon Programs
Audubon Field Trips
Thursday Morning Birding Group
Audubon Field Trip Report
Audubon Adventures
A Note From the New Editor
New Mexico Audubon Council
IBA: Important Bird Areas
Expiration Dates
Burrowing Owl Subscription

Randall Davey Audubon Center: A New Era

    We hope you will join us as we break ground on a new education and visitors' center and a new era for National Audubon-New Mexico, Tuesday, October 3, at 3:30 p.m. Randall Davey hosts over 1,000 Santa Fe area school children each year. Families, senior citizens, birders and nature-lovers - 15,000 of them - walk the nature trails, visit the bookstore, use the interpretive information, and enjoy the natural beauty of this 135-acre wildlife haven. You are invited to join them - and us.

    Why a new building? Why now? The answer is simple - for many years, the RDAC has been outgrowing its present facility. As our demand for environmental education programs increases, we need to grow. Thousands of school children benefit from statewide Audubon educational programs each year. As many of you know, our present classroom once housed a gallery to display works of art done by Randall Davey. This windowless, artificially lit environment is hardly an ideal space for teaching children to appreciate the great outdoors. Most of our programs must take place outdoors, even in inclement weather. The new classroom will be 1,800 square feet of natural light, aided by many windows and skylights. The multipurpose room will include a wet lab, computer lab and lots of storage for the many natural artifacts used in our programs.

    Our nature store will move into the new space, as will our classroom facility. In addition, the building will house interpretive displays and public restrooms. Just around the corner, we will create an amphitheater for outdoor presentations. Our existing building will be renovated to accommodate our growing family of staff and volunteers.

    The nature store will be smaller than currently, but will continue to offer visitors a wide selection of natural history books, children's games and activities, gift items and birdhouses. All visitors will enter the trail through a large, open portal that will serve as a museum of sorts, with rotating natural history displays informing visitors about the flora and fauna they are likely to see around the Center. An informational kiosk will provide maps of the trails and other information.

    This new facility will not only help National Audubon-New Mexico as we grow, but will be available to other non-profits, environmental coalitions and local groups for town meetings, events and conferences.

    The RDAC's new building is the first of many changes you will see at Audubon this year. In our quest to bring Audubon's mission to as many New Mexicans as possible, we are pleased to announce the hiring of a second full-time Education Specialist, Jessica Lagalo. Our expanded education team will be able to cover more of New Mexico and serve a greater number of students both in Santa Fe and throughout the state. Lauren Parmelee and Jessica will work together to design a long-range plan for our education and outreach programs and work to develop new curricula to meet the demand for more extensive environmental education.

    These changes are helping prepare RDAC for the new millennium. There is no sign on the horizon that our public schools will come into an abundance of funding - science is one of the educational staples that continually gets cut back at all grade levels. As these cuts occur, it becomes even more imperative that Audubon help fill the widening gap in our children's education and help them connect with the natural world.

RDAC is at the east end of Upper Canyon Road, next to the reservoir, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Follow Upper Canyon Road, bearing right at the Y in the road, and going one half mile up the dirt road.

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GIVE TO THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN!

Over the next few months, the Randall Davey Audubon Center faces a big challenge: Two foundations have promised us a total of $325,000 if we match that figure with funds raised locally. We need you to help us reach this critical goal! By making a donation to the capital campaign, you are not only ensuring that the Randall Davey Audubon Center can continue its mission of educating New Mexicans of all ages about the importance of protecting birds, wildlife and their habitat - you are helping create what is sure to be the premiere nature center in northern New Mexico.

If you are interested in learning more about the Randall Davey Audubon Center's plans for a new education center, please contact Jackie Camborde, (505) 983-4609 or write to: RDAC, PO BOX 9314, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

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Festival of the Cranes

    Most of the events take place at the Macey Center on the campus of New Mexico Tech in Socorro, and at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is located 19 miles south of Socorro.

    Please consult the Festival's program booklet for details on costs (many events are for a fee, others are free), as well as information on other programs, demonstrations, events and exhibits of interest. Advance registration is recommended. Tickets for events that are not sold out can be purchased at the Friends of the Bosque del Apache Welcome Booth located at the Refuge.

Advance registration for the Festival of the Cranes 2000 can be done by mail, fax, telephone, or the internet. Advance registration will end Nov. 10th.
Socorro Chamber of Commerce
P. O. Box 743 Socorro, NM 87801
(505) 835-0424
http://www.friendsofthebosque.org

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Introducing...

    JIM SAVERY, who just took over as new manager of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Welcome to the challenges and rewards of managing in New Mexico! Jim comes to us from Pocosin Lakes NWR in North Carolina.

    Come on a mini tour of Jim's former post, compliments of The Guide to National Wildlife Refuges:

"Deer, black bears, otters, quail, yellow-rumped warblers, and thousands of ducks, geese, and tundra swans are at home on this fine new refuge of 111,000 acres of 'pocosin'‹upland shrub bogs overlaying spongy peat beds up to 12 feet thick. It is some of the wildest country in the eastern United States, crisscrossed with canals, covered with sweet and loblolly bay, blueberries and huckleberries, so dense that visitors who set out hiking or driving its 100 miles of unimproved roads are urged to take a compass (also snakeproof hiking boots). If rains are heavy... roads can become impassable; if too little rain, the fire hazard to this sedge-covered peat soil (which has been ignited by sparks from a car's battery or catalytic converter, with devastating effect) may temporarily close the refuge. Concentrations of waterfowl [in winter] number [in the thousands]..."

    Jim not only worked there the last 10 years, he actually started that refuge. Jim reports that most of his time was taken up with how to get money for the refuge and establishing cooperative relations with the local community, other agencies, and the public. He brings a lot of valuable experience with him.

    Jim and his wife Barbara, who is a teacher, are settling in and adapting to fiery New Mexico chile‹no word yet on whether they prefer red or green. Bienvenidos!

Call For Volunteers

Volunteering at the Festival of the Cranes has become a tradition for Auduboners from every part of New Mexico. Join our chapter's delegation and meet new people as we greet enthusiastic, appreciative visitors, help identify birds, and share our love of birding. Pick a time slot AND a space on Saturday and/or Sunday, November 18 and November 19. We'll help staff the Audubon Council Tent on the southern Marsh Loop, and be the primary greeters at the newly built Phil Norton Commemorative Photography Blind, which our Chapter funded! Call Jeff Myers, 998-1502, or Beth Hurst-Waitz, 898-8514. It is SO much fun!

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Birdathon 2000

Since the last issue, we wish to add the following to our list of contributors and extend a warm "thank you" to:

D'Elegance, Inc.; Tim Porter Insurance, LLC; Stephen G. Durkovich; Wild Birds Unlimited Westside; Four Points Assoc.; Diana Gilbride

The final tally for this year clicked up to $1,412.50. The purpose of "Birdathon" is to support Audubon on two major fronts: right here at the chapter level; and at the national or state level, as designated by the chapter. CNMAS feels privileged to have the leadership and education facilities of our own State Office, Randall Davey Audubon Center in Santa Fe, available to us and to all New Mexicans. Consequently, we're proud to have presented Randall Davey Audubon Center with a check for one-half our Birdathon proceeds. The Audubon State Office in Santa Fe isn't "theirs," it's "ours"! We urge all of you to take advantage of the facilities and programs they have to offer, and we thank you again for helping fulfill our mission of environmental education in New Mexico.

HawkWatch Observation

    Join the HawkWatch crew at Capilla Peak in the Manzano Mountains for the fall migration count. Daily during October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, weather permitting. Call Bobbie Posey at 255-7622 for a map or more information.

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Audubon Programs

Calendar our programs now before you forget, and make special note of the irregular meeting days, start times, and even places! They're just too good to miss!

Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 P.M.
Owls of New Mexico - Carol Finley, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 3841 Midway Place
We're thrilled to be co-presenting this meeting with Hawks Aloft! Carol will share some of the myths associated with owls, that nocturnal, predatory species well-known for its silent flight. As Carol delves into their ecology, distribution, habitat selection, predatory skills, and reproduction, we will begin to understand their distinctions and uniqueness. Join us as we delve into the secret lives and often mystical myths of these creatures of the night. (See map and directions below.)

Monday, November 13, 7:15 P.M.
Feathers, Fur, and Scales - Talking Talons Youth Leadership, St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, Northwest Corner of Copper and Jefferson
Come find out why this educational conservation program FOR youth, BY youth, has won national recognition! Andrew Rominger and Laurie Wearne will be co-presenters of this fun, interactive, spellbinding program - with help from emissaries such as "Perry" Peregrine, "Monty" Python, "Minnie Mouser" Saw-whet Owl, "Bug Buster" Bat, and/or others. Andrew is well-known to Auduboners and the conservation community as an outstanding young birder and talented artist. Laurie is a science educator and chiropteran specialist with Talking Talons. Bring your kids, invite their teachers, and treat yourselves! This not-for-kids-only program will reawaken the joy of learning in you!

From I-25, take the Jefferson Exit West. Hang a left at the first stop light, then a right on Office. Continue down Office until it runs into a parking lot. Entrance to the lot is just to left of the end of Office. Entrance to meeting room is toward back of parking lot.
3841 Midway Pl.

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Audubon Field Trips

Saturday, October 28 Bosque del Apache
This is our annual fall trip to the Bosque to catch the early migrants, especially the Ross's Goose who are there a bit earlier that the Snow Goose. This will be a day trip. Dress appropriately for the changing weather conditions and bring lunch. Meet at 8 AM at the UNM Physics Department parking lot (NE corner of Lomas and Yale Blvd.). Call Sei at 266-2480 for other details.

Sunday, November 12 Las Vegas NWR
We will go to the Refuge and if the weather permits, we will go on the back roads which are not normally accessible to birders. The gates to the roads will be open at 1 PM and we will be birding in the public areas until that time. This will be a day trip. Dress appropriately and bring lunch. Meet at 8 AM at the Far North Shopping Center (NE corner of Academy and San Mateo Blvd.) in the back of the Village Inn.

Sunday, December 3 Bosque del Apache
This is our annual trip to the Bosque to see the wintering birds in all their grandeur. We expect most of the duck species that are normally there, quite a number of Bald Eagles, an occasional Golden Eagle and a variety of Red-tailed Hawks. This will be a day trip. Dress appropriately for the changing weather conditions and bring lunch. Meet at 8 AM at the UNM Physics Department parking lot.

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.

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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Audubon Field Trip Report

Sunday, August 6: Las Vegas NWR
Ten birders were on this trip on a day that was relatively cool compared with Albuquerque. The sky was clear and there was a constant breeze. We saw a little over 40 species. The most outstanding views were the close up view of a Clark's Grebe that came within 30 feet of where we were standing. In addition, there were a few Western Grebes in the vicinity. It was a wonderful learning experience. The other sights included great looks at Swainson's Hawks and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

Saturday-Sunday, August 19-20: Fort Sumner and Roswell
Ten birders were on this trip on a hot, but breezy weekend. We found over 80 species with several exciting sights. We did see the Red-headed Woodpeckers and Eastern Jays in Fort Sumner. On the road heading to Bitter Lake we saw a number of Common Nighthawks resting on the fences lining the road. At Bitter Lake there were outstanding views of Marbled Godwits, Forster's Terns diving and catching and swallowing fish on the fly, and the most remarkably flight display of a Peregrine Falcon. Wow! In Roswell, we found the Upland Sandpipers and the Mississippi Kites and their young. It was a productive and exciting weekend.

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Audubon Adventures

    I recently received information from Audubon giving me more information about Audubon Adventures that I wanted to share with you all.

    Audubon Adventures comes to participating teachers in the form of a Kit. Each Kit contains multiple issues of the children's environmental newspaper, detailed lesson plans, hands-on inquiry activities, Audubon's Animal Adventures video, research material, and much more! For only $41.95, teachers can receive this Kit, and integrate it with their classroom teaching. New topics this year include: The Living Ocean, Nature's Banquet, From Dying to Thriving: Endangered Species, and Owl Prowl. This year's video is Dolphin Adventures. Kits are aligned to national language-arts and science standards.

    In addition, the Association of Educational Publishers has named Audubon Adventures as a finalist for two "Distinguished Achievement Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing". Audubon was recognized for curriculum and instructional materials and for children's publications.

    Currently, around twenty teachers in the CNMAS area receive this Kit. With individuals, family members, and local businesses, I hope to increase this number over the next school year. Maybe by the end of the year, with your help, the number could be doubled! If you are interested in helping with this program, have any questions, or have a classroom for which you would like to sponsor a Kit, please fill in the coupon, and mail it to me c/o CNMAS.

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A Note From the New Editor

Pauline Turtle-Bear Guillermo

I'd like to thank everyone for welcoming me so warmly. The previous editor, Browning Coke, has helped make this transition very smooth by providing her beautifully designed newsletter layouts and the use of her laser printer, as well as several years of accumulated knowledge. CNMAS President, Beth Hurst-Waitz, has been enthusiastic about my participation in CNMAS and has been great at providing the information I need to do my job. Thanks to them and to all the other CNMAS board members for their kindness and support.

New Mexico Audubon Council

Council Corner for May 20-21, 2000

    The May NMAC meeting was held at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. The first day was dedicated to an Audubon Refuge Keeper (ARK) Workshop, which was well attended by both Auduboners and Fish & Wildlife Service refuge personnel from Bosque del Apache, San Andres, Sevilleta, Maxwell, and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuges.

    The major topics of discussion on the second day were: (1) a bill to protect native reptiles and amphibians from commercial take, to be introduced in the 2001 New Mexico legislative session; (2) the National Audubon Membership Task Force recommendations; and (3) that Important Bird Area (IBA) nominations are due to Christopher Rustay by August 2000.

    The next meeting will be at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2000. The focus will be on education, and all Auduboners are encouraged to attend.

    -Jeff Myers, Secretary

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IBA: Important Bird Areas

The New Mexico Important Bird Areas project has already received almost 90 nominations. However, we are hoping to receive more and so have extended the deadline. This project seeks to highlight those areas which are important to birds, and bird habitat of conservation concern in New Mexico. For information on criteria or to see what sites have been nominated throughout the state visit the Randall Davey Audubon Center website: www.trail.com/~rdac Current nominations in the Central NM Audubon area include:

Bernalillo Watershed
Bosque del Apache NWR
Calabacillas Arroyo
Corrales Bosque
Fourth of July Canyon
Green Chaparral Turf Farm
Kirtland Air Force Base
Otero/Cedro Canyons
Petroglyph National Monument
Quarai National Monument
Rio Grande Nature Center
Three Gun Spring Canyon
Sandia Crest

If you'd like to nominate an IBA you can visit the Randall Davey website or call Christopher Rustay, NM IBA Coordinator at 828-9455.

Expiration Dates

    Pretend your mailing label is a rare bird, and scan it a minute for distinguishing characteristics. You govern-mental agencies, sister chapters, and networking organ-izations won't notice anything new. But the rest of you (the ones with the binoculars!) should note a new feature included thereon - the expiration date of your subscription, not only to National Audubon, but also locally to the Burrowing Owl newsletter. Please check your label for accuracy, and use this new tool to help us help you. When you're renewing through National Audubon Society - which automatically means you'll receive the Burrowing Owl, also - refer to CHAPTER CODE Q51. If you subscribe to the Burrowing Owl only, directly through us, the expiration date on your label will be your only notice. We don't want to lose you!

    Thanks to Ed Dover for his diligence and perfectionism in being such a good steward of our membership list and for entering this new data, member by member! You can alert Ed to any inaccuracies at edover@juno.com or 242-5427.

Burrowing Owl Subscription

You can subscribe to our newsletter without being a member of our chapter. In fact, if you live outside our region you will have to subscribe separately in order to receive the newsletter. The Burrowing Owl Newsletter is published six times a year, February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription is free to Central New Mexico Audubon Society members, $12 to nonmembers. Send checks to: Central New Mexico Audubon Society, 804 Guadalupe Circle, N.W., 87114-1710.

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