A Message to Friends of Wildlife Refuges

Planning for the "Conserving the Future, Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation" conference is underway. The National Wildlife Refuge Association has stepped up and created a web site and social network to help get everyone actively engaged in this effort.

This is an opportunity for members of the Friends of Hagerman NWR to get involved by creating an account and joining in the conversations taking place. The collective vision for the future of the NWRS will only be as good as the effort we all put into it. . Some folks may be a little hesitant to use social media and some of the other media tools but it really is simple. Just go to http://americaswildlife.org/ and on the right side of the home page you can create an account and start getting involved. If you are already on Facebook you can log in with that account as well. Thank you for all your efforts and best wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving. .

Adopt-a-Nest-Box at Refuge

How would you like to help expand the Bluebird Trail at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge? The Friends of Hagerman NWR are offering the opportunity to adopt a nest box at the Refuge for one nesting season, for a donation of $25. to the Friends. There are currently three Bluebird trails at the refuge and more boxes being added. All the boxes will be monitored weekly by volunteers once nesting begins for the season. These boxes may host Bluebirds, Warblers, Chickadees or Titmice.

To adopt a box for yourself or as a gift for others, go to http://www.friendsofhagerman.com/images/articles/20101118071550_adopt_a_nest_box_form.pdf When your adoption form is received, you will receive an acknowledgement, and if the adoption is made as a gift, the recipient will also receive notification. Before the 2011 nesting season begins, a box will be tagged with your name or that of the gift recipient. Those with e-mail will be notified of the box location, and regular updates, including photos, will be sent about nesting activity in your box. If you do not have e-mail, you will receive a letter summarizing nesting activity for your box, at the end of the season.

The adoption period for 2011 begins November 1, 2010, and ends February 1, 2011.

For more information, please send a request by way of the Comment page at http://www.friendsofhagerman.com. To view the official Hagerman NWR website, go to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/hagerman/index.html.

Photo by Grace Haight.

Tale of a White-tailed and a Bob-tail

By Kathy Whaley

This is one of those stories where you would almost have to had been there to believe it… so I will understand if you’re skeptical.

The first Friday morning in November I was riding north on Oil Field Road when ahead of me I saw the bright flash of a white tail swishing profoundly back and forth, back and forth. As I got closer, I could see that the bushy tail was attached to a very alert deer. Ignoring me, she jumped around, up and down, back and forth, into the weeds, and back out to the road for about 30 seconds. I was quite amused at her antics then came the real surprise: she had a playmate. Out of the weeds beside the road popped a young bobcat. It looked to be about 15-20 pounds and probably a 2010 model. The deer lunged playfully at the bobcat, tail still swishing, and the bobcat just watched as if to say “oh yeah? Well now what cha' gonna do?” They stopped in their tracks about 10 feet apart and stared at each other for about 7-8 seconds before the bobkitty darted back into the weeds…then out again… then in again. The doe looked my direction briefly, then bolted into the woods where her buddy had gone. I thought to myself how cool it was to see such an interesting mixed-species, herbivore/carnivore encounter. When you visit Hagerman, keep your eyes open! You never know what might just be around the next bend.

For more information about what to see and do at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, the official website, including a species list, is http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/hagerman/index.html and the website for the Friends of Hagerman is http://www.friendsofhagerman.com.

Photo by Kathy Whaley

Editor's Note: Want to share your "tales" of adventure at Hagerman NWR? Email to friendsofhagerman@gmail.com. There is no renumeration for any submissions.

Winter Van Tours at Refuge Begin November 17

Here is your opportunity to tour Hagerman NWR with the experts! Huge flocks of geese will soon be arriving to spend the winter at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, and, starting this month, visitors to the Refuge can take a free van tour to view the geese as well as other wildlife at the Refuge . This will be the second year for this popular program. Two-hour tours will be conducted by Refuge staff every Wednesday from November 17, 2010, through January 12, 2011.

During the tour, you will learn the process of creating and maintaining the more than 11,000 acre habitat for resident and migratory wildlife, particularly birds. Visitors can expect to see pelicans, numerous species of ducks, four species of geese, several species of sparrows, as well as white-tailed deer and wild turkeys.

Each trip will be limited to twelve people, so reservations are necessary for the tours. Simply call the Refuge, 903 786 2826. The tours will depart from the temporary Refuge Headquarters at Hagerman at 9 a.m. on the designated days. Binoculars will be available on a free loan-basis.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma. A map and additional information about activities at the Refuge are available at www.friendsofhagerman.com. The official Refuge website is http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/hagerman/index.html.

Make it a tradition to enjoy nature by taking the Winter Van Tour at Hagerman!