Second Saturday - Butterflies, Birds and More!

Monarch, by Nancy Miller

Here's your chance to learn the names and preferred habitat for the butterflies of North Texas, at the Second Saturday nature program at Hagerman NWR this week.  Dale Clark will be the speaker on Saturday, May 10; the free presentation will begin at 10 am in the Visitor Center meeting room and will conclude with a short field trip on the Refuge, weather permitting.

Sulphur on Gaillardia, by Emily Thomas

Clark is the founder of the Dallas County Lepidopterists’Society and owns Butterflies Unlimited, a butterfly farm, south of Dallas.  He provides over 50 species of live native Texas butterflies  and moths to zoos and scientific exhibits throughout the U. S.

Painted Bunting, by Laurie Lawler

Early-birds are invited to join Dr. Wayne Meyer for a guided bird walk at 8 am that same morning.  The walk will conclude in time for Clark’s presentation.  Walkers will meet Dr. Meyer at the Visitor Center and are invited to bring binoculars or may use loaners provided by the Friends of Hagerman; participation is free of charge.

Want to share your photos, swap photo tips and hone your skills?  The Nature Photography Club will meet at 12:30 pm on May 10, in the A/V Classroom, FOH Center, at the Refuge.  Anyone interested in nature photography is welcome.  Those attending may bring brown bag lunches; cookies and soft drinks will be available. There is no charge to visitors to the club meetings, and dues for members are nominal.

Open-air tram tours are offered at the Refuge at 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 10 am on Wednesdays; reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the Refuge, 903 786 2826.  Tours are free; however donations to the tram fund are accepted.  This is a great way to view the shorebirds gathered in the marsh area off Wildlife Drive.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman.  Tours, walks and other outdoor activities are all offered weather permitting. For more information, see friendsofhagerman.com/Activities or call the Refuge.

Butterflies Topic for June 9

Want to identify those beautiful butterflies visiting your garden this summer?  You can learn names and identification tips at Second Saturday at Hagerman NWR on June 9.  Butterflies of North Texas will be the topic, featuring Dale Clark, founder of the Dallas County Lepidopterists’Society.  The program will begin at 10 a.m., in the Visitor Center at the Refuge, located at 6465 Refuge Road in Sherman.  The weather forecast for Saturday is “sunny”, in which case the program will include a short field trip on the Refuge to identify resident butterflies, like the Fritillary, below, photographed by Karen Skogsbergh, May 2012 Photographer of the Month for the Friends of Hagerman.

Clark is the creator of Butterflies Unlimited, a butterfly farm south of Dallas.  He provides over 50 species of live butterflies and moths to zoos and other exhibits throughout the country, and is the editor of the News of the Lepidopterists’ Society, the international newsletter devoted to the study of butterflies and moths.

Birding expert Jack Chiles will lead a guided nature walk on one of the Refuge trails at 8 am Saturday morning, weather permitting.  To join the walk, meet at the FOH Center at the Refuge and wear sturdy shoes; insect repellent is advised.  Participants may bring binoculars, cameras and field guides if desired.  The walk will end in time for the Butterfly presentation.

Youngsters ages 4-10 are invited to the Second Saturday for Youth program on butterflies, also on June 9.  This will be led by Katie Palmer, and will start at 10 a.m. also, ending at 11:30.  Children under age 6 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult!  To assure adequate supplies for each youth, advance registration is required; call the Refuge, 903 786 2826.

All Second Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public. In addition to programs, the Refuge offers an 11,000 acre habitat for wildlife and wildlife viewing, with five trails and extensive driving possibilities, fishing, boating and more.  Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.  For more information, call the Refuge or visit friendsofhagerman.com.