Wrap II - July - December, 2017

This week we complete our "look-back" at Hagerman NWR happenings for 2017:

July, 2017

Go green! HNWR added a water bottle filler to the drinking fountain; a counter shows the number of bottles eliminated from the waste stream.

The New Outdoor Crew has now worked on all three loops of Harris Creek Trail.

Geologist and geophysicist Diane Brownlee, below, was back for Second Saturday this month, to give an overview of Texas geology, addressing the local fossil record and plate tectonics that impacted Northwest Texas.

At The Refuge Rocks, youngsters, shown below checking their wingspan,  learned about our national bird, the eagle.

Photo by Cindy Steele

Three butterfly garden walks were held this month.

The FOH Nature Photography Club heard Paul Fuller speak on color printing of photos at the July meeting.

August, 2017  

Traffic at HNWR increased as visitors came to purchase Senior Passes before the price increase set for  August 28.

The Bluestem Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists, began their 2017 Fall Training series.

For Second Saturday, Dr. Wayne Meyer spoke on "The Shorebirds at Hagerman". Following the program,  Kelly Simpson, shown at right,  demonstrated the art of Plarn, crocheting recycled bags into useful items.

The Refuge Rocks offered children a program on "SSSNakes".

An eclipse-watching party was held at HNWR on August 21. Participants could bring their own viewers, borrow a pair of special glasses, or make a shoe box viewer. 

Photo by Roger Wilkins

September, 2017

HNWR managers Kathy Whaley and Paul Balkenbush reported to south Texas to help with Hurrican Harvey recovery.

Several successful least tern nests were reported this summer.  The Nest Box Monitors reported that from the 52 boxes along the bluebird trails, 209 birds fledged, and 139 of these were bluebirds.

Tishomingo Refuge Manager Rick Cantu was the Second Saturday speaker - his topic - "Tishomingo NRW"!

Workampers Bill and Carol Powell are back!

Children attending The Refuge Rocks were "Hobnobbing with Hummingbirds" (photo below). Courtney Anderson represented HNWR at Sherman Arts Festival, offering crafts for kids and Refuge information.

Finding nectar hummingbird style. Photo by Cindy Steele

David Alley spoke to the FOH Nature Photography Club on photo editing.

October, 2017

HNWR celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week with a Super Saturday, Butterfly Day on October 14, organized by the Garden Docents.  Butterfly themed activities were offered throughout the day. An exhibit of butterfly photographs taken at HNWR was on display throughout the month.

Photo by Mary Maurer

The Refuge Rocks topic for October was "Go Batty with Bats".  Shown here, youngsters learn how bat mothers and young use their sense of smell to find one another.

Photo by Cindy Steele

Wildlife Drive received an upgrade and application of low-dust crushed red granite.

Another drawing and nature journaling workshop was held, led by Walt Davis, shown below, on October 28.

November, 2017

Over 200 enjoyed "High on the Hawg" on November 4.  Musical entertainment was sponsored by Landmark Bank and First United Bank, and added this year was a popular silent auction.

Greg Guymon and Little Big Iron entertained at High on the Hawg. Photo by Becky Goodman

Winning entries in the 2017 HNWR Nature Photography Contest were announced November 11.

"Protecting Wildlife" was the Second Saturday topic, with  TPWD Game Warden Michael Hummert speaking.

"Hoot for Owls" was the final Refuge Rocks session for 2017. Youngsters shown below are dissecting owl pellets.

Photo by Cindy Steele

The FOH Nature Photography Club program for November was "Photographing Bears in Alaska, with speaker Tom Savage.

Thousands of  Snow and Ross's geese began arriving at HNWR by mid-November, in time for the many visitors who make an annual pilgrimage to HNWR over Thanksgiving weekend.

Photo by Carl Hill

Workampers Kris Armstrong and Mark Gurley came to volunteer at HNWR for a month.

Garden team workdays held weekly during the growing season tapered off this month as the butterfly garden was put to bed for the winter.

December, 2017

A new 8-stop audio auto tour of the Refuge was introduced. The audio available in several formats, including personal audio devices, purchased with a grant from Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society, to plug into a car speaker system, loaner compact disks, and as a download.

Photo by James Waghorne

Jack Frost visited  HNWR early in December - note the frostweed ice formations in the Butterfly garden shown in this photo by Nancy Miller.

Dr. Michael Keck spoke on "Sex Lives of Frogs Around the World" for Second Saturday.

Plans for the annual Christmas Bird count were announced.  Count results, compiled by Dr. Wayne Meyer are posted on the Friends website.

Adopt-a-Nest Box was open for 2018 adoptions and all boxes were taken before the end of the year.

Jay Noel retired from USFWS after 33 years of service, all at Hagerman NWR.

Winning entries in the 2017 HNWR Nature Photography Contest were hung for an exhibit in the Visitor Center.

All in all, we had a great year, thanks to all the Friends members and supporters, volunteers and Refuge staff!  Here's to a repeat in 2018!