Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities to fall in love with nature not only on special holidays but any day you visit. During this week alone the geese have been back again, browsing at the Refuge, three otters were spotted by the low water crossing and the birders tallied 70 bird species. And for those who love Bluebirds, a special treat February 11, when Refuge Manager Kathy Whaley gives a Second Saturday presentation on the blue beauties.

Kathy’s presentation will begin at 10 am in the Visitor Center meeting room and will include general information on eastern Bluebirds, as well as information on the three Bluebird trails at the Refuge, and will be followed by a panel of Bluebird monitoring volunteers, to field questions.

Speaking of Bluebird monitors, trail monitoring will begin the last week of February, and those who adopted nest boxes will begin receiving emailed reports of activity in their nest box. If you missed out on getting a box this year, plenty of photos will be posted on the Friends website and Facebook page for all to enjoy.

And finally, here is a link to “Love in the Wild” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Enjoy!

Photo - Harris Creek Bluebird, by Bert Garcia

Hagerman NWR Established 66 Years Ago

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge turns 66 years old this month! The Refuge was established in 1946 with the primary mission of protecting and providing for migratory waterfowl. Acknowledging the anniversary, today we take a look back in history just over a decade before Hagerman was dedicated, thanks to this article adapted from a post by the National Conservation Training Center of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on the Conservation History webpage.

. “Blown out Dust Bowl farmers were not the only victims of the ‘Dirty Thirties.’ Migratory waterfowl also suffered from the harsh climate conditions. As the wheat fields of North America dried up and blew away so did many of the wetlands necessary for the breeding of migratory waterfowl. By the early 1930s the winds were bringing hunters more dust than ducks and drastic measures were required; President Franklin Roosevelt appointed a special presidential committee in January 1934 to discover a means to conserve migratory waterfowl--a New Deal for Ducks. The committee was headed by Thomas Beck, editor of Collier's magazine, and eventually included Aldo Leopold and Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling. The "Beck Committee" urgently requested more funds and better management of the nation's waterfowl. With surprising swiftness both occurred in March as Darling was made the new Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey and Roosevelt signed the first Duck Stamp Act. These two momentous changes came together as the cartoonist Darling designed the first duck stamp of two mallards landing in a lush wetland, a scene ironically rare in North America during this period. Six hundred and thirty five thousand of the stamps were sold at $1 apiece and the program was instrumental in providing a solid financial & foundation for migratory waterfowl protection.”

Cyclical drought and ever increasing development have served to increase the importance of the wetlands and conservation of migratory waterfowl at refuges throughout the U.S. Visits to the Hagerman and other refuges not only bring enjoyment but also understanding and support for this important work. The Friends of Hagerman NWR are grateful for the opportunity to support these efforts and Hagerman NWR.

Photo credit: http://training.fws.gov/History/Articles/DepressionDustDucks.html

Short-eared Owl at Hagerman NWR

The recent sighting of Short-eared Owls at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge has created quite a stir, with photographers and birders vying for a look at the rare visitors.

Jack Chiles checked the bird census reports for the Refuge, and found that this particular owl has not been sighted since 1991, but previous to that was seen every few years.

The following is a list of recorded sightings of Short-eared Owl on the refuge.

1971 - 2 were seen on 2/7, 1 on 2/27, 1 on 3/10 and 3/22.

1974 - 2-5 seen on 11/23 to 12/17

1979 - 1 on 11/30

1982 - 2 on 12/18

1983 - 1 on 1/28 and 2/10

1984 - 1 on 11/11

1986 - 1 on 5/29

1989 - 1 on 1/26 and 2/2

1991 - 1 on 11/10, 11/11, 11/14, 11/16, 11/19

And the current series of sightings starting with the sighting by Skeeter and Marolyn Lasuzzo on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at the marsh on Silliman Rd.

According to David Sibley (Sibley Guide to Birds, Knopf, 2000), the Short-eared is a medium sized owl and so aerial that it may be confused with the Northern Harrier and like the Harrier, is found in open expanses such as marshes and prairie, hunting rodents, often seen during daylight hours. The winter range covers most of the lower half of the U.S. as well as the upper West Coast. Welcome back to Hagerman!

Bird sightings at the Refuge are posted weekly on the Bird Data page, www.friendsofhagerman.com; visit the Friends Facebook page for photos and more sighting information.

Photo - Short-eared Owl, by Mike Chiles

Begin to Bird Class Offered at Hagerman NWR

Would you like to learn more about the birds that are coming to your backyard feeder? Would you like to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/) this year, Feb. 17- 20? Maybe you are thinking of purchasing a bird field guide or a pair of binoculars. Or maybe you would like to be able to identify birds you see at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge will offer Begin to Bird, a free class for beginning birders, starting on Saturday, January 21, from 9:30 – Noon, and finishing on Saturday, January 28, again from 9:30 – Noon.

Led by long-time birder Dick Malnory, the class is recommended for adults and teens. Malnory will address features to look for in purchasing equipment such as field guides and binoculars, and show strategies for learning to identify a number of songbirds and waterfowl.

Participants will register at the door, on January 21; no advance registration necessary. The class will meet in the Multi-purpose Meeting Room in the Visitor Center at the Refuge, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman 75092. You may contact Malnory through the Refuge, 903 786 2826, or through the Friends of Hagerman website (use “Contact”).

Photo - American Robin, by Bill Hurst

Coming Events at Refuge, Jan. 14-28, 2012

Hagerman NWR - Coming Events, January 14 – 28, 3012

Second Saturday, January 14, 2012 - The Sparrows of Hagerman, 10 am, Meeting Room, Visitor Center.

Dr. Wayne Meyer will lead this presentation on the many kinds of true sparrows that migrate to Texomaland during the winter months.

• Identification tips for birders of all levels of ability, including the importance of habitat, in recognizing different species.
• Species can be grouped by habitat such as Grasslands or Trees and Brush, then by physical characteristics such as Zebra Head, Red Cap, Streaky Fronts with Stickpins and others.

Informal lecture at 10 am, followed by a short field trip on the Refuge, weather permitting. Those attending might want to bring field guides and binoculars, and dress for the weather.

PLUS

Second Saturday for Youth, January 14, 2012, 10 am – “Recyclerama”, Audio Visual Classroom, FOH Center

• Mr. Can-head craft project! And - make some music - Toot a newspaper horn, or tap out a rhythm on a cereal box drum!
• Games and activities to encourage recycling and re-use.

For ages 4 – 10 (parents must accompany ages 6 and under, thanks); short nature walk, weather permitting; bring coats, etc. Please call the Refuge to reserve a place for your child, 903 786 2826.

AND

FOH Nature Photo Club – 12:30 pm, January 14, 2012, Audio Visual Classroom, FOH Center

Program, “Physiology of Photography: Why We See Things the Way We Do”, by Dale Thoreson

• Photo sharing – theme – “Winter”. Send photos in jpg format with your name in the file name to fohphotoclub@gmail.com ASAP!!
• Club is open to all photographers interested in nature photography. Visitors welcome!

Bring a brownbag lunch and make it a day at the Refuge.

Still more...

Begin to Bird Class, Saturdays – January 21 AND 28, 9:30 am – Noon, Meeting Room, Visitor Center.

• Learn how to choose and use field guides and optics
• Learn strategies for identifying birds

Free class; register at the door January 21. Leader – Dick Malnory

Programs are sponsored by Hagerman NWR, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, and the Friends of Hagerman. Open to the public free of charge; nominal dues for Photo Club, no charge for visitors to club meetings. No reservations needed except for youth program.

Photo: Harris' Sparrow, by Dick Malnory

"The Rut" at Hagerman NWR

Hagerman Wildlife Refuge has beautiful White-tailed deer within its boundaries. Traveling the roads and trails within Hagerman hoping for a glimpse of one of the magnificent bucks is a common pastime of many visitors to the refuge. One of the best times to see White-tailed bucks in Hagerman is during "the rut". The rut is the time of year when deer breed. During the rut, the bucks move more often on a constant search for does with which to mate. This is also a time when the bucks have their attention focused on finding does and seem to lose a lot of their natural caution. For this reason, White-tailed hunting season runs during the rut. This is also a great time to photograph the bucks. Not only does one have a better chance of seeing a buck, but the bucks look magnificent during the rut.

So when is the rut at Hagerman Wildlife Refuge? According to a three year study done in 1995, the timing of "the rut" varies depending on where you are in Texas. In the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas, which is where Hagerman Wildlife Refuge resides, the rut begins as early as September 30th and extends to January 16th with the average breeding date being November 10th. The biologists' study found that the does had an average of 1.7 fetuses and that 95% of the females had been successfully bred. The biologists also found that 92% of the fawns were born by June 17th. Grayson County lies adjacent to the Cross Timber Region where the rut begins October 13th and last until around the 17th of December. These dates might actually be more accurate for Hagerman. This is the most recent data I have found. This same study also pointed out that over half the White-tailed deer have twins and that triplets were not common, somewhere around 2%. I observed a doe with triplets in Hagerman last year.

My wife and I will hike into the backcountry at Hagerman in an attempt to photograph White-tailed bucks. We will set up a blind along some obvious deer trails and wait for the deer to pass by. This technique usually results in some close up images of numerous bucks. After a morning in the blind, I decided to drive to the west side of Hagerman hoping to see some bucks moving across one of the roads. I stopped on the Big Mineral bridge to photograph a Great Blue Heron in the creek. I had spent about thirty minutes waiting for a Great Blue Heron to fly from its perch in the creek, hoping to get a flight shot. When I decided to give up and put my camera down, the heron flew over to the shore. I again picked up the camera, hoping the heron would fly back to its perch. As I was following the heron as it walked along the shore, it walked into the edge of the water just as a beautiful 11 point buck strolled into my camera's view. Since I had my eye fixed against the camera body, the appearance of the deer in my viewfinder was a pleasant surprise. As a wildlife photographer, one must always be prepared for the unexpected.

Written By: Skeeter & Marolyn Lasuzzo, Photo by Skeeter Lasuzzo

Statistical data from a study and article found on Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

ED Note: Wildlife and nature photographers are invited to the Friends of Hagerman Nature Photo Club which meets bimonthly at 12:30 pm, at the Refuge. The next meeting will be on January 14, 2012.

2011 Headlines & Highlights at Hagerman NWR

As we approach the last days of 2011, it's time to look back on what has been a very good year at the Refuge.

Hagerman NWR turned 65 on Feb 9, 2011.

Rick Cantu named Grand Prize Winner in the 2010 USFWS Employee Photo Contest.

24 nest boxes adopted and three bluebird trails set up and monitored throughout the season.

New electric vehicle, the Bluebird Buggy, dedicated to monitoring Harris Creek Trail.

Kids Fishing event held March 19.

Friends participated in Texoma Earth Day, April 16.

Grayson-Collin Electric Coop provided poles and installed eight owl boxes at the Refuge.

Environmental Day, held May 6, for Pottsboro 4th graders.

Refuge staff began move to new building in late June.

New Friends of Hagerman NWR website online, July, 2011.

New signage added throughout Refuge.

Red River Valley Tourism Association met in new Visitor Center August 3.

First Second Saturday program held in new building, August 13.

Grand Opening, September 8, Deputy Director of Region 2, USFWS, Joy Nicholopoulos headlined event, Refuge Manager Kathy Whaley recognized Jay Noel as Refuge liaison for construction.

Super Second Saturday held September 10.

Native Plant Garden established by Grayson County Master Gardeners.

Nature Nook books and gifts opens along with new Visitor Center.

Youth program moves to Audio Visual Classroom; building dedicated to Friends use.

Refuge Manager Kathy Whaley was selected to attend USFWS Advance Refuge Management Academy.

October 8, winners of second annual Hagerman NWR Photo Contest announced; activity sponsored by FOH.

Photo safaris organized by FOH Nature Photo Club held April 30 and October 15.

Doug Raasch honored in October, with trail renamed Raasch Trail.

Elevation for Lake Texoma level low for the year – 609.78’. The lowest level ever recorded was 599.94’ on March 20, 1957.

Two life members for Friends of Hagerman NWR added in 2011: Carlos and Eulalia Araoz and Jetta Operating Company, Inc.

Pair of whooping cranes visited Refuge briefly on November 17.

High on the Hawg, BBQ Dinner series, held in conjunction with the three Archery Deer Hunt weekends at Refuge.

Species reported at the 2011 Christmas Bird Count: 119 species, representing the 5th highest count ever.

Wetlands restoration and management project completed by Refuge staff.

A big thank you to Kathy and Rick and the staff at Hagerman NWR, and to all who support and enjoy the Refuge. Happy New Year, from the Friends of Hagerman

Photo - Great Blue Heron, by Sandy Boltman