Featherless Flyer, December, 2017 P. 1

Coming in December, 2017 Dec 5 -7 - Refuge closed to the public; no Outdoor Crew this month

Dec. 9 - Second Saturday, Sex Lives of Frogs Around the World, Dr. Mi-

chael Keck

Dec. 16 - Christmas Bird Count

NOTE : The Refuge Rocks will not meet in

December. The next session will be on Janu-

ary 20, 2018.

C&E Cardinal Express Tram Tours - Satur-

days & Sundays, plus Wed., Dec. 27, all at 2

pm. No tour Dec. 24, Dec. 31.

Featherless Flyer The Voice of The Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Foundation

December, 2017

Volume 12, Issue 12

Our Twelfth Year

Contents

Contest, Bird Count Calendar, P. 1

Contest, Bird Count, Adopt A Nest Box, P. 2

Birding with Jack, P. 3

Photo News, Coming Soon, Visitor Center, Thank You’s, P. 4

Friends for TODAY support programs and activities for TOMORROW and ensure

that the Refuge will be here for wildlife AND people in the FUTURE!

Winning Entries in the 2017 Hagerman NWR Nature

Photography Contest were announced on Saturday, November

11, by Becky Goodman, Nature Photography Club Chair. Taking

top honors – shown above, Best in Show, as well as First Place,

Advanced Division, Artistic Category, was “Dinner for Two”, by

Denise Remfert.

Bob Brown garnered First Place in Advanced Flora Macro with “Big

Eyes”. Alan Daniel’s “Wildflowers” earned a First in Advanced

Landscape Category and Aaron Hamilton took a First in Advanced

Wildlife, with “Young Buck in Sunflowers”.

In the Beginner/Intermediate Division, John Garbutt’s “Ghost of

Tom Joad” earned First Place for Artistic Category. Julie Jones

won First Place, Flora & Macro, in this division with “Flora & Macro

2”. “Sunset Rocks” brought First Place honors for Landscape to

Kim Morris. For the Wildlife Category, Jeff Gladden won a First with

“The Watchman”.

Additional winners in Advanced, Artistic Category were Dana

Crites, “Hagerman Oil Boomer Sunset”, Second, and Bob Brown,

“Neon Thistle”, Third. For Advanced Flora & Macro, Aaron Hamil-

ton, Second, “Blue Dasher”, and Mike Sweatt, “Mixed Company”,

Third. For Advanced Landscape, Second Place went to Bob

Brown’s “Sunrise Over Hagerman”; “Foggy Sunrise” (See Page 2)

2017 Christmas Bird Count

While many folks are engrossed in holiday shopping, prepara-

tion and parties, enthusiastic birders and bird watchers of all

levels of experience will be assisting in the Annual Christmas

Bird Count at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday,

December 16.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the biggest event in the

birding year, with over 40,000 participants, involving thousands

of volunteers throughout the Americas annually from December

14 through January 5. This is the longest-running citizen sci-

ence census in the world, and is used to assess the health of

bird populations. There are over 2,300 “circles” including the

Hagerman Circle that provide this important information to

Audubon.

According to the Audubon History site, (http://www.audubon.org/history-christmas-bird-count), “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt." They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought (See Page 2)

THANK YOU to all who volunteered, donated auction gifts,

and attended HIGH on the HAWG and special thanks to

Smokin’ Chef Rusty Daniel, Event Chair Pat Crone and music

sponsors, Landmark Bank and First United Bank

Featherless Flyer, December, 2017 P. 2

Adopt-a-Nest Box 2018 - We will have 20 nest boxes up for

adoption for the 2018 season, first come first served, starting De-

cember 1. Adopters get their name on their designated box and

weekly emailed reports, including photos of nesting activity during

the nesting season. The adoption fee is $30.00.

The Adopt-a-Nest Box form can be downloaded at friendsof-

hagerman.com/News, starting December 1, or obtained in the

Nature Nook. Please complete the entire form. Boxes may be

adopted for yourself or as a gift and will be assigned in a drawing

on February 10, 2018.

(Contest, continued) earned Third for Carl Hill. Laura Cooper took

Second Place in Advanced Wildlife with “Eastern Kingbird” while

Bob Brown earned Third with “Breakfast”.

Additional winners in the Beginner/Intermediate Division were:

Artistic, Second Place, “Pale Yellow Petals” by Kristy Beam, and

Third, “Harris Trail Impasse” by Evan Simmons. For Flora & Mac-

ro, Kristy Beam’s “Resting Lady on a Warm Afternoon” earned

Second Place and Third went to George Mason for “Fritillary”.

Barry Burkhardt took Second Place in Landscape in this division

for “Sunset 2” while Third went to “Like a Stone” by John Garbutt.

For Beginner Intermediate Wildlife, “Mallard in Trees”, by Kim Mor-

ris earned Second Place and “Sunrise Song” by Jeff Gladden

earned Third Place.

This is the eighth year that the Friends of Hagerman have spon-

sored the contest, to increase awareness and appreciation of

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. Ribbons were awarded for

First, Second, and Third place in each of the four categories in two

divisions. In addition, a cash prize was awarded for First Place in

each category and the single photo judged as “Best of Show”.

Judges for the contest were Courtney Anderson, Hagerman staff

member, Laurie Lawler, and Tom Judd. All submitted images

were required to be taken within the boundaries of the Hagerman

National Wildlife Refuge within the last five calendar years.

In addition to the annual competition, the Friends sponsor the Na-

ture Photography Club, which meets at Hagerman bimonthly for

technical programs and photo sharing. The next meeting will be at

1 pm on January 20. Visitors are welcome; there are nominal dues

to for membership. For more information see friendsofhager-

man.com/PhotoClub.

All of the winning contest entries may be viewed at friendsof-

hagerman.com/Gallery.

(Christmas Bird Count, continued) in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.”

The site continues, “Conservation was in its beginning stages in

that era... many observers and scientists were becoming con-

cerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas

Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the

then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradi-

tion—a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the

holidays rather than hunt them.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of

Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders,

25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations

ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with

most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern

North America. Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied

around 90 species on all the counts combined. “

For 2016, Audubon reported that “The Top Species this season

was the Amazon Kingfisher at Laredo making its first appearance

on a United States Christmas Bird Count. Other rarities reported

on the 2016 Texas counts included two Tundra Swans on the

Muleshoe CBC, a “Great White” Heron during the Laguna Atasco-

sa CBC, and an American Golden-Plover on the Matagorda

County CBC. Texas set participation records with 112 CBCs,

3333 birders and 7970 party-hours.

The sample area for a count is a circle, 15 miles in diameter, and

varying numbers of volunteers count all birds they see in the circle

during a single day. Volunteers are needed at Hagerman for this

count. Coordinator Dr. Wayne Meyer will divide the circle into

sectors and assign participants to a team led by an experienced

birder; volunteers can register for a half day or a full day. The

count involves car or van travel and some walking; participants

should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, or borrow

those available at the Refuge. If planning to stay all day, bring a

lunch or lunch money. A count social will be held 4 - 6 pm; at that

time all of the team counts will be collated and a light supper will

be served by the Friends of Hagerman, free of charge. Please

use friendsofhagerman.com/Contact or call the Refuge, 903 786

2826, to register as a participant

See the 2016 HNWR Count at http://www.friendsofhagerman.com/BirdSurvey.

Shown below, illustrations accompanying the first mention of the Christmas Bird

Count, in Bird Lore, 1900.

Do you live in Pottsboro, Georgetown, Fink, Sher-

wood Shores, Locust, Cedar Mills, Mill Creek,

Tanglewood, Preston or Gordonville? These com-

munities are within the Hagerman Circle for the

annual Christmas Bird Count, and the birds at

your feeders “count”! Use friendsofhager-

man.com/Contact to learn how to participate

while enjoying birdwatching in your own back

yard.

Featherless Flyer, December, 2017 P. 3

Excerpts from the weekly bird survey write-up

by Jack Chiles, Master Naturalist November 7, 2017 - The story of the day was the arrival of the

white geese in increasing numbers - estimated there were at

least 1000 Snow Geese and 1000 Ross's Geese with more

arriving each day. On our way to the Goode Area we had great

looks at a Red-shafted Northern Flicker. Flickers were

numerous today. Ducks are arriving in good numbers but can

be difficult to see at times because of the vegetation. We saw

nearly 300 Northern Pintails, 160 Gadwalls, 127 Mallards, 64

Northern Shovelers, 43 Green-winged Teal, 21 Canvasbacks,

4 American Wigeons, 4 Redheads and 3 Wood Ducks. We saw

the resident pair of Bald Eagles and had great close up looks at

Lucy. There was also a 2 year old Bald Eagle flying around.

The road to Meadow Pond was good for sparrows and we saw

our first of season Fox Sparrows. We also found an Orange-crowned Warbler near Deaver Pond. We finished the

day with 4 Pileated Woodpeckers. Our species count for the day was 74. Photo is of the Red-shafted Flicker. The

bird is distinguished from the Yellow-shafted Flicker (which is the one you normally see here) by the red malar and

lack of red nape crescent and the reddish wing linings when in flight. It is truly a magnificent bird.

Nov. 14, 2017 - The day started out cloudy and drizzly but by mid morning the sun was beginning to break through

the clouds. White geese are here now in large numbers, approximately 6000. There is plenty of wheat for them to

eat, so they should be around for quite a while. At Dead Woman Pond we observed a Merlin and also found a

Pileated Woodpecker. While there we also saw several Red-tailed Hawks and found at least a dozen before we

completed the count. That was without going out west of the refuge where we usually see more. Franklin's Gulls

were observed in large numbers sitting and flying over the lake. We found eleven species of sparrows but could

not locate a Swamp Sparrow. It is getting dry on the refuge so there is not a lot of water standing in low areas.

They were pumping water into some of the marshes today which will help quite a bit. Killdeer is the only shorebird

we saw but our species count was quite good, finishing the day with 78 species.

November 21, 2017 - A beautiful November day and birds were very active almost everywhere we went on the

refuge. We finished the day with a total of 81 species. There were at least 5000 white geese and more than half of

them were Ross's Geese. Because of the high lake level and the flooded vegetation, it is hard to give a good

estimate of the ducks but we counted over 200 Gadwalls, nearly 200 Northern Pintails and over 150 Mallards. We

saw the male Canvasback that has been hanging around in the back of Deaver Pond. There were two beautiful

male Buffleheads in Steadman Marsh and also an American Bittern lurking near the cattails. We had close up

looks at the Krider's Red-tailed Hawk that has been seen quite a bit on the refuge lately. I hope that all of you

have a very special and happy Thanksgiving.

November 28, 2017 - Today was a windy day and the birds were staying low, but with patience we were able to

get a good number of species. There are now at least 8000 white geese at the refuge, just about evenly divided

between Snow Geese and Ross's Geese. Since there has been very little rain as of late, the wheat is going fast.

So if you want to see a lot of geese I would suggest that you plan on coming soon. We found the first Golden-

crowned Kinglet of the season on Raasch Trail, as well as a large number of Meadowlarks. On the pond at the

south end of Terry Lane we found a good number of

species of ducks, including, a beautiful male Common

Goldeneye, Redheads, Canvasbacks, Ring-necked

Ducks, and Lesser Scaups. We saw at least 15 Red-

tailed Hawks, including the continuing Krider's Red-

tailed Hawk. There were many Gadwalls at Meadow

Pond. We finished the day with 74 species.

See friendsofhagerman.com/BirdSurvey for

complete census data.

Birding with Jack

Begin to Bird in 2018 - Start the New

Year with a new hobby that will last a

life time! Begin to Bird, with Dick

Malnory, will be offered at Hagerman

NWR in two consecutive sessions, free, from

10 am - Noon on Saturday, January 27 and

Saturday, February 3. Please call the Refuge,

903 786 2826, to register.

Featherless Flyer, December, 2017 P. 4

The Voice of

Friends of Hagerman NWR

Foundation

6465 Refuge Road

Sherman, TX 75092

Phone: 903-786-2826

friendsofhagerman@gmail.com

http://www.friendsofhagerman.com

http://

www.friendsofhagermannwr.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/FOHNWR

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

6465 Refuge Road

Sherman, TX 75092

Phone: 903-786-2826

Featherless Flyer

Editor/Publisher: Sue Malnory

Contributors: Jack Chiles, Jean Flick,

Laurie Sheppard, Patricia Crain

Refuge Liaison: Kathy Whaley

VISITOR CENTER NEWS

Enjoy what you’ve read? For a free monthly email link to this newsletter, please visit our

website at: www.friendsofhagerman.com/Contact

FOH Nature Photography Club The club met on November 18, at 1 pm for the pro-gram “Photographing Bears in Alaska”, with speak-er, Tom Savage. The sharing theme for the No-vember meeting was “Autumn”. Winning entries in the 2017 HNWR Nature Photog-raphy Contest are showing on the lobby monitor in the Visitor Center.

The next meeting is set for January 20, 2018, with the program TBA. “Geese” is the sharing theme for the meeting. Guidelines for photo sharing are in the sidebar on the club webpage, friendsofhager-man.com/PhotoClub

Please note: the Godwin, Goode and

Meyers Units will be closed to the

public from 2 pm on Thursday

through Sunday evening Dec. 1 - 3.

The closed area includes Goode Pic-

nic Area, Haller’s Haven Trail, and

Raasch Trail.

HNWR will be closed to the public

Dec. 5 - 7 for hog control.

The Refuge Office, Visitor Center and

Nature Nook will be closed on Dec. 24

and 25.

Coming

in

January,

2018

Jan. 13 - Second Saturday,

“Exploring the Edges of Texas”,

with Walt and Isabel Davis

Jan. 20 - The Refuge Rocks; Na-

ture Photography Club

Jan. 21 - Open House - Volunteer

Opportunities

Jan. 27 - Outdoor Crew, Begin to

Bird (Session II, Feb. 3)

Photo Notes:

Above Left, Enjoying music by Greg Guymon

and Little Big Iron at High on the Hawg, Nov. 4,

photo by Melinda Hill.

Above Right - Dissecting owl pellets at Hoot for

Owl, The Refuge Rocks, on Nov. 18, photo by

Cindy Steele.

THANK YOU’s for November, 2017

The Refuge Rocks - Hoot for Owls - Larry & Helen Vargus, Cindy

Steele, Pam Flaming, Evelyn Bryant, Rebecca Jones.

Second Saturday - TPWD Game Warden Michael Hummert, “Protecting

Wildlife”

Publicity - Patricia Crain; Dorothy San Miguel, Connie Hardesty, Susan

Knowles

Web Content Assistance - Laurie Sheppard

IT/AV Assistance - Dorothy San Miguel, Becky Goodman, Laurie Shep-

pard, Leonard Getrum, Judy Wilkins, John Denton, Bob Folden

Outdoor Crew - Mike Grubb, Jim Russell, Larry Vargus, Courtney Ander-

son, Bill Powell, and Kris Armstrong.

Butterfly Garden Workdays - Bonnie Baker, David Turner, Emmy

McCurley, Karen Brennan, Kathy Nance, Sue Abernathy, Teresa Craw-

ford, Bert Garcia, Linn Cates, Sue Raasch, Wes Crawford, Donna Rog-

ers, Bill Powell, Sue Malnory

Blog - Judy Wilkins, Laurie Sheppard

Event Photographers - Melinda Hill and Becky Goodman

Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society - Grant for purchase of Audio

Conexus audio tour listening devices.