The Randall Davey Audubon Center Newsletter - Spring 2008
Spring is in the Air by Tom Jervis
Temperatures are rising and the snow is melting even in the shady spots. American Robins and House Finches have already been singing for weeks and the buds are starting to swell on the trees. The Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese are leaving their wintering grounds at the Bosque del Apache and the Red-winged Blackbirds are reclaiming the marshes long before the reeds start to turn green. There can be no doubt that Spring is on its way. By the end of this month the Turkey Vultures will be again soaring over northern New Mexico and Say’s Phoebes will be conspicuous.
The coming of spring is always a joy with its promise of renewal and new life, but for those of us who follow the birds—figuratively, if not literally—it is also a reminder of the wonder of migration. More than any other class of animals, birds have evolved to take full advantage of the planet’s seasonal shift of daylight and temperature by moving with the seasons to optimal habitats for breeding where high-protein foods are available to feed their young. Birds have a high level of site fidelity; they return to the same places—sometimes even the same trees—to nest year after year. At the extreme are birds like the Peregrine Falcon, some of which complete a 20,000-mile round-trip migration each year from the rich summers and abundant food of the high arctic to a comparable wintering ground in South America. But even some of our resident birds like Mountain Chickadees and Juniper Titmice move up and down in elevation to take full advantage of the changing seasons.
At the Randall Davey Audubon Center, some of our winter guests such as Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, and Red-breasted Nuthatch will be starting to head north or moving up in elevation by late March. April will begin to see real change. Birds that nest at the center, including Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and several kinds of warblers will be among those arriving in Santa Fe to reside here for the summer.
By early May, migration will be in full swing, and the combination of the movement of birds that winter in New Mexico, those passing through, and those arriving for the summer will peak. All across New Mexico, the annual International Migratory Bird Day on May 10th will see bird counts being conducted county by county across the state. These counts, like the more well-known Christmas Bird Counts, are an opportunity for citizens to provide scientific data that is combined by Audubon and Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology to provide a broad-scale view of the status of birds across the continent.
In New Mexico, counts are organized by local chapters of Audubon, including Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society. Visit our website at www.nm.audubon.org and click on the “Chapters” button for information about how you can participate in these counts. Beginners are always teamed with more experienced birders, so don’t be shy about participating in these fun—and important—events.
The wonder of migration reminds the observant of the coming of Spring, the delight of bird song and the renewal of the natural world. It also provides us with a grand view of the subtleties which evolution has constructed in the natural world and a cautionary tale for the changes we are imposing on that world. For many species, this migration is happening earlier, by several weeks in some cases, driven by a warming planet. As warming is not uniform across the globe, some birds may find themselves out of synchrony with the peak of food supplies to fuel their migration or to feed their young on the breeding grounds.
As the birds return in the spring, they remind us of our obligation to the planet that sustains us all. Audubon’s work to protect birds and other wildlife, whether it is getting young people out-of-doors, counting migrating birds, or advocating for sound conservation policy, is working to preserve the ecosystems that support all life on earth.
Summer Day Camp at the Randall Davey Audubon Center starts June 16th and runs through August 8, 2008 for post Kindergarten - 11 year olds. Each week of camp is filled with science investigations, nature explorations, creative arts, stories, hiking, and active play in the outdoors. Youth Counselor opportunities are available for ages 12-18. Thanks to a partnership with Wild Birds Unlimited, Audubon will offer camper scholarships again this year! Registration begins March 27, 2008 on-line through our website at http://nm.audubon.org. For more information, including applications for Youth Counselors and scholarships, please check first on our website and then email audubonnmedu@audubon.org or call 983-4609.
Your support and involvement have never been needed more than now at the Randall Davey Audubon Center! This year, we mark the 25th anniversary of this Audubon Center thanks to the donation in 1983 from the family and heirs of Randall Davey. Today, we continue to value the natural beauty and wildlife habitat, famous home and significant historic property, Davey art and furniture collection, and much more.
As many of you know, we are facing challenges now – primarily restoration of the historic home in the coming years and growing our membership, staff, volunteers, and board. Our former director, David Henderson, retired after 22 years with Audubon in New Mexico. We honor his legacy with our Henderson Conservation & Education Endowment, which will continue Audubon’s critical work across our state. I look forward to working with you as we embark on our next chapter.
This newsletter is a new look for us and may be revised even further as we rebuild and gain strength in this community and across New Mexico. I invite you to join us in the year ahead as we look forward to our next 25 years! Please take some time to come re visit the Randall Davey Audubon Center soon to see what is new! And we’ll keep you posted on an event later this year as we celebrate together…
With a background in horticulture and teaching experience in art and environmental science, we welcome Natalie Gober as our Spring 2008 education intern. Natalie brings to Audubon her understanding of art and nature education with event and program coordination, including the FeatherFest Schools Program from Galveston, Texas. She has led groups in outdoor settings, including bird habitat field trips along coastal Texas and native plant ecology tours at the National Wildflower Research Center. Natalie has worked at an organic gardening Internet company and made a solo trek through the Pyrenees in France and Spain!
Meredith Jeffreys, our Spring 2008 Center intern, has worked in Santa Fe at the Nedra Matteucci Galleries and as a freelance writer. She studied Natural History in college and composed an undergraduate thesis on the relationship of the community of Balmorhea, Texas, to nearby San Solomon Springs. As an example of her curious nature, Meredith took a two-week canoe trip down Montana’s Missouri River retracing part of the Lewis
& Clark expedition.
Please join me in welcoming Natalie and Meredith to Audubon!
For 25 years, the Randall Davey Audubon Center has protected wildlife habitat, preserved the historic Davey estate and art collection, AND provided exciting nature education programs for thousands of children and families. Thank you for supporting our efforts now and for our next 25 years!
7/17/08