Friends Look Back at 2014, Part I

The Friends of Hagerman kicked off 2014 with Friday Fun Day, inviting area youth to visit the Refuge and create nature crafts on January 3.  Thanks to the volunteers who manned stations for the various crafts!   Next up, for Second Saturday, Dr. Mike Keck presented “Snakes of North Texas”.  Dr. Bill Hughes presented a Nature Writing Workshop in January and Jillian M. Duquaine Watson was Photographer of the Month.

The Majestic Fisherman, by Jillian M. Duquaine-Watson

The birds took over in February:  for Youth FIRST – Backyard Birds; for Second Saturday, Refuge Manager Kathy Whaley presented “Bluebirds” and Begin to Bird Classes led by Dick Malnory were held on two Saturdays, along with a Guided Bird Walk led by Dr. Wayne Meyer, with sightings reported to the Great Backyard Bird Count.  Photographer of the Month was Jesus Moreno.  New workampers Bob and Fran King were welcomed.

Great Egret, by Jesus Moreno

March was chock-full of activity.  For Youth FIRST, Let’s Learn About Trees” while popular speaker Mark Klym, TPWD, presented on “Hummingbirds”.  Youngsters and their families flocked to the Refuge for Spring Break Family Fun with tram tours, guided walks and nature crafts.  Jack Chiles led a guided bird walk in March, and volunteers enjoyed a recognition luncheon hosted by the Friends following the Annual Meeting of the Friends of Hagerman.  March Photographer of the Month was Michael Keck.

Geese Fly to the Moon, by Michael Keck

Youth FIRST looked for April showers with a weather program, “My Head Is in the Clouds”, with KTEN Meteorologist Cathy Evans Corbett.  Dr. Wayne Meyer led a guided bird walk followed by “Birding by Ear,” for Second Saturday. Nest Box monitoring was underway on the Bluebird Trails at the Refuge, chaired by Bert Garcia.  Allen Rich was Photographer of the Month for April.

Wild Turkey in Flight, by Allen Rich

“Nature and Your Five Senses” was the topic for Youth FIRST, and Second Saturday was devoted to “Butterflies of North Texas, with speaker Dale Clark.  Professional photographer Trey Neal lead a Photography Workshop and Terri Barnett was named Photographer of the Month.  School zone – various area school groups came to the Refuge for field trips once or twice each week in late April and during May.

White-tailed Deer by Terri Barnett

The Refuge observed National Trails Day with a Grand Slam Hike weekend June 7 -8.  Youth FIRST studied “The Wonderful World of Insects” and participants at Second Saturday heard Kim Snipes present on “Sharks!”.  Dr. Wayne Meyer led a bird walk prior to the program.  New at the Refuge - Pathways summer intern, Aaron Blount.  And – first ever known at Hagerman, Bald Eagle nest produced two young.  June Photographer of the Month was Tom Crews.

Five Star Lunch, by Tom Crews

To be continued next week.