Tyler Audubon Society is devoted to the
enjoyment and safekeeping of the natural world. Through the participation in
birding, education and conservation ventures, we encourage East Texans to join
us in our mission.
The primary objective of the Tyler
Audubon Society is to create an awareness of the natural world's beauty and
problems by promoting an appreciation of birds, other wildlife and habitat,
to promote an awareness of the environmental problems of the past, present and
future, and to find solutions for these problems.
Notices
 | Next Meeting -
March 11th- Jim Day with give a program on Circling Like a
Bat. Birding Class at 6:30 PM
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Field Trips |
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Saturday.
March 8, 2008. |
Change
The location of the field trip
this Saturday, March 8, has been changed. I birded around Lake Tyler
this past weekend and saw nothing but Coots, though I did get 5 Common
Loons. So, instead of going around Lake Tyler on March 8, we will meet
at 8 am at the TPWD Nature Center, off Bascom Rd (FM848). After birding
there, we will go to Dennis Scott's property nearby, which has some good
habitat for passerines. We should be done by noon. Thanks to Dennis for
making his property available.
From the loop in Tyler, take Spur 248 east. Go right on 848 and park in
the Nature Center lot on the right.
Directions.
Meet
at 8:00 am at the Lake Tyler concession area. From Whitehouse, south of
Tyler, take FM346 east out of town, and turn left at the sign to Lake
Tyler. We will meet in the large parking lot by the lake.
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Saturday,
March 22, 2008.
Richland Creek WMA for lingering waterfowl and early spring
shorebirds, herons and passerines. Richland
Creek WMA has extensive ponds that hold many waterfowl and shorebirds,
if mudflats are present. The woods in the south unit host many
breeding landbirds. We expect to see ducks, raptors, shorebirds, and
arriving spring migrants and breeders, such as Northern Parula and
Prothonotary Warbler. Bird diversity is excellent at this time of
year, when 90+ species can be observed in a day.
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Directions.
Richland
Creek WMA is in Freestone and Navarro counties, approximately 75 minutes
drive from downtown Tyler. The north unit is off Hwy 287, near the
junction with FM488, south west of Athens. The south unit is off FM 488,
near the junction with Hwy 287. From Hwy 287 going north, take FM488
left (you can only go left) for 2 miles. Turn left at the green sign
indicating "Richland Creek WMA" onto a PAVED road, stop at the
entrance station and fill out the visitor form. The
field trip will start here at 7 am.
.A few hundred yards before you reach this green sign on FM488,
there is a DIRT road that goes left into the WMA. Do NOT take this road.
Those who arrive between 7 and 8:30 am can drive into the south unit on
the paved road until they find our cars. There is only one road in so
you can’t miss us. By 8:30 am, we will drive to the north unit and
look for ducks and waterbirds. This is predominantly a driving trip,
with minimal walking of short distances from the car.
Everyone
who enters the WMA must have a limited public use permit ($12 per year).
These can be purchased where hunting and fishing licenses are sold, e.g.
at Wal-Mart. There are no food
or restroom facilities in the WMA so come prepared. We will bird
until the early afternoon if it is productive.
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Please
join us as we seek the birds of East Texas. Learn how to spot and
identify some of the 250 species of birds that occur regularly in Smith
County. Enjoy the migration of birds through our area. All you
need to bring is a pair of binoculars, water, and a snack. If you
have a bird field guide, you should bring that too (and it never hurts to
have a pair of rubber boots in the trunk). Tyler Audubon includes
birders at all levels of experience, and beginners and nonmembers are
welcome. Questions? Contact Peter Barnes
Peter.Barnes
(at) uthct.edu or Cheryle Beck beck
(at) tyler.net
We
hope to see you out there!
In case of unfavorable birding conditions we may cancel a trip.
I will email everyone on the email list by 6:00AM and try to call those
who do not have email for whom I have a phone number , or you may call me
at 6:00 AM.
If you would like to be put on a phone/e-mail list for
notification about changes, or possible additional trips to find unusual
birds contact:
Cheryle Beck at 903-586-7769 or tyleraudubon@yahoo.com
