Christmas Bird Count

December 18th was the Wichita Falls area Christmas Bird Count. This is an annual national event sponsored by the Audubon Society. The North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club host the local event. I joined Penny Miller's Lake Wichita Count.

We met at the spillway at 7:30am for a foggy and chilly start to the day. After we documented the birds we saw there we walked over to the old pier and then over to the chat trail and barrow pit. Penny did all the documentation but I do remember a large number of the species we observed.

The list includes Killdeer, Ringed-billed Gulls, Mallards, White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, a Franklin Gull (we think), Blue-winged Teal, Canvasback ducks, Pintails, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, a Common Snipe, Bewick's Wren, Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, Mourning Doves, White-winged Doves, Eurasian Collard Doves, House Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Cardinals, Greater Yellow-legs, Harris' Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Shoveler, Meadowlark (they don't sing this time of year so it is difficult to tell if Western or Eastern), Great Blue Heron, Common Egret (rare for this time of year), Ruddy Ducks, Canada Geese, American Goldfinches, Northern Flicker, four deer and a coyote. OK, we can't count the deer and coyote for the bird count - but they were there also.

Interesting note; we saw a white goose among a flock of Canada Geese. Sometimes Snow Geese will migrate with Canada's. However, they were too far away for a positive I.D. on the white goose. I know I probably left off a species, or two. This is the first year I have participated and I really enjoyed the experience. I look forward to next year's event.

Memorial Dedication

Saturday we dedicated two structures in memory of two young ladies who left us too early in life. Our chimney swift tower is dedicated in Memory of Janiece Vitek. Janiece was killed while attending college in San Marcos. She loved birds and had a deep concern for all wildlife. The picture on top shows her mom, Glenda, holding the bow after the ribbon cutting, good family friend John Hirschi who assisted me in holding the ribbon, and her father John. Missi's Mew is dedicated in Memory of Britani Maye Gossett. Britani was killed in a tragic plane crash two years ago. The ribbon is held by Lila Arnold on the left, our Assitant Director and a former teacher of Britani's, and Board Vice-President Terry McKee. Her Grandmother, Melanie Gossett is cutting the ribbon and her grandparents, Roby & Renee Christie, are behind Melanie along with other family members. The Chimney Swift tower was funded in part by the Vitek family and the general community. Construction was by WBR volunteer Brian Miller. Landscaping by Rehabber Penny Miller. Missi's Mew was funded by the Gossett family, Christie family, Barwise Student Council, students at Jefferson Elementary and the general community. The concrete footing was built by Kynan Franke for his Boy Scout Eagle Award and the enclosure was constructed by the Navy Seabees at Sheppard AFB. Landscaping by Rehabber Steve Pruitt. We wish to thank all who assisted and all those who participated in Saturday's event.

Memorial Dedication Ceremonies

You are invited:

Dedication of the Chimney Swift Tower

In Memory of Janiece Vitek

History

Bob Lindsay

Ribbon

Glenda and John Vitek

John Hirschi, Treasurer

Decication of Missi's Mew

In Memory of Brittani Maye Gossett

History

Lila Arnol, Assistand Director, and Missi, Avian Ambassador

Ribbon

Melanie Gossett

Renee and Roby Christie

TOWER

Constructed by Brian Miller, Landscaping by Penny Miller with plants from the Wichita Falls

Master Gardeners and theRolling Plains Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, Sign and Poster by Bob Lindsay, Donations by the Vitek familyand the Community of Wichita Falls.

MEW

Foundation built by Kynan Franke, Boy Scout Troop 600, Structure built by the Navy Seabees Sheppard Air Force Base, Landscaping by Steve Pruitt, Sign by Bob Lindsay, Donations by the Gossett family, the Christie family, Barwise Student Council, WFISD, and the Community of Wichita Falls.

Refreshments by Steve Pruitt, Rehabilitator

Saturday, December 11th, 2010

Two o'clock

4611 Lake Shore Drive

Wichita Falls, Texas

Winter Sightings & More

This week has been a good birding week right here at the Rescue Center. I saw my first White-crowned sparrows of this year and my first Chipping sparrows of this year.

Other sightings this week; Eurasian Collored Dove, Inca Doves, White-winged Doves, House Sparrows, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Carolina Wren, Bewick's Wren, Robins, Mockingbirds, Ring-billed Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, White Pelicans, Belted Kingfisher (heard - not seen) and Sandhill Cranes.

My wife brought me lunch and as I walked her to her car we heard Sandhill Cranes and finally spotted a flock of about two dozen South of us. After lunch I made a trip to the mail box and heard another flock. Never saw them this time. I was thinking it is a little late for them so I looked them up in the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club's book and sightings this time of year due occur, but are not common.

Great birding week!

Visitor

A squirrel barking his alarm call drew my attention to the cove in front of the rescue center. Up the boat ramp walks a bobcat. She turned east across the open lot and disappeared into the willow trees.

Don't forget we will have a booth at the West Wichita Falls VFD's Arts & Craft Show this weekend. Hours are 10am - 6pm Saturday and Noon - 5pm Sunday. Location is the MPEC J.S. Bridwell Ag Center. Admission is free. We will be in booth E6 - come by and see us.