Great Blue Heron Rookery at Refuge

Great Blue at Hagerman NWR by Carol Ann Sowell

The Great Blue, a favorite sight year around at HagermanNational Wildlife Refuge, makes its nest in a group of the tallest trees on the horizon, looking south from the Harris Creek Bridge.  

Heron Rookery

The Herons, members of the Ardeid family, are seasonally monogamous, according to (Sibley, 2001) The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, and breed in colonies.

The male and female cooperate in building the nest, which is usually located near water.  In colonies with mixed species, they tend to nest in tall trees, and may reuse the nests from one year to the next, adding on or refurbishing.

Herons have a single one brood each year, with from 2 – 7 eggs.  Parents take turns incubating which usually begins as soon as the first egg or two are laid.  When the chicks hatch they may be different sizes due to varied time under incubation.

The chicks, who make continuous food-begging calls, (Sibley, 2001)are fed by the parents, who regurgitate it into their mouth or onto the nest.  By two weeks in age moat chicks are ready to leave the nest and perch nearby.

If you visit the Refuge soon, be sure to look for the rookery as you cross Harris Creek Bridge.

NOTE:  David Sibley will be at Hagerman NWR for BirdFest Texoma.  He will present a painting demonstration at Evening with David Allen Sibley, and the painting, A Painted Bunting, will be up for auction at the close of the evening; register for this event at birdfesttexoma.org (no tickets will be sold at the door).  Sibley will also sign books from 11 am - Noon at the Refuge, May 4, and following the evening presentation.

Photos of  Rookery by Dick Malnory

Reserve Your Spot NOW for Evening with David Allen Sibley

Join us at BirdFest Texoma for this marvelous opportunity to observe the creative process at work, at Evening with David Allen Sibley, on Saturday, May 4.  David Sibley, America’s leading ornithologist/artist/author will create a painting as we watch,  just as he does for the illustrations in his popular field guides. Everyone will have a great view, thanks to state of the art video equipment, and comfortable  auditorium seating, and  Sibley has promised to portray the much-loved Painted Bunting in the art-piece, which will be up for auction at the end of the evening.

David Allen Sibley (Photo by Erinn Hartman)

Sibley began painting birds when he was seven years old and has continued painting them for over three decades - The Sibley Guide to Birds, with over 6,600 original illustrations by Sibley, was published in the year 2000, and was the realization of a lifelong dream for him.

According to Random House Inc., The Sibley Guide to Birds became the fastest selling bird book in history, earning author Sibley the moniker the Beatle of birding among the press. Stories about Sibley have run in The New York Times, Audubon, Time, and Science, and the author has appeared on ABC World News Tonight and on NPR’s Science Friday and The Connection. David Allen Sibley has been called the heir apparent to John James Audubon and Roger Tory Peterson, and his long awaited guidebook immediately became the gold standard for bird identification when it was published.

Other Sibley books include The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior (2009),The Sibley Guide to Trees (2009),  Sibley Field Guide:  Birds West (2003), The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (2003),  and  Sibley's Birding Basics (2002).

Evening with David Allen Sibley will begin at 6:30 pm, and will be preceded by a wine social at 6 pm,  all in the  Workforce Auditorium, Grayson College.  Don’t miss out!  Advance reservations are required for Evening with David Sibley and for the  social (registrants for the social must be age 21 or older); registration is available online at birdfesttexoma.org or in person at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman.  There will be a book signing following Sibley’s presentation.

For more information about events at BirdFest Texoma, sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and Hagerman NWR, please see birdfesttexoma.org.

Preview - BirdFest Texoma Saturday, May 4, 2013, Events

• On Day Two of BirdFest Texoma, photographers will not want to miss the golden hour and this Advanced Nature Photography Field Trip with Kathy Adams Clark, past president of NANPA; 6 – 10 am;  advance registration required; cost of field trip, $40 (FOH members)/$45 (non-members).    Maximum 20 participants.

• OR Bird one of the five trails at Hagerman NWR.  Hagerman has a variety of habitats that are used by over 270 species of birds.  Caravans will depart from the Visitor Center for trail designated for the particular field trip. Walks will visit areas not accessible by car, focusing on woodland and prairie birds. Exact location to be visited will depend on weather and on the birds found on the refuge in the previous few days.  Walking will be on well-maintained trails with only moderate change in elevation, about two miles total distance.  Choose from the following trips on the refuge: 

7 - 11 am -  Birding Hagerman NWR (B) with Jack Chiles, Master Naturalist who conducts the weekly Hagerman NWR bird census; advance  registration required, cost of field trip $10 FOH  members)/$15 (non-members).  Limited to 12 participants.

7:30 – 11:30 am - Birding Hagerman NWR (C) with Gailon Brehm, expert amateur birder active with Prairie & Timbers Audubon and Connemara Conservancy; advance registration required, cost of field trip $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non-members).  Limited to 12 participants.

SO sorry –SOLD OUT  for the 8 - 10 am - Birding Hagerman NWR with David Allen Sibley, nationally known ornithologist and author.

8:15 - 10:15 am - Birding Hagerman NWR  (D) with Sam Crowe, digital birding expert and writer; advance registration required; cost of field trip, $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non-members).  Limited to 12 participants.  Sam will also give a talk on Digital Birding in the afternoon.

• OR – leave the Refuge for a trip to Denison Dam or Eisenhower State Park:

8:15 am – Noon - Birding Denison Dam with Sandy Beach, local birding expert.  Caravan will depart from the Visitor Center at 8 am and return by noon.  Some hiking on loose rocks, hiking shoes or boots are recommended.  Participants should see gulls, terns, possibly Osprey and Bald Eagles if not too late in spring.  Baltimore and Orchard Orioles and Warbling Vireos should be beginning to nest in the picnic area; expect Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Western  and Eastern Kingbirds, and may see Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers also. Migrating warblers and vireos are often in the campground area. Cost of field trip, $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non members); advance registration required.  Limited to 12 participants.

8:30 – 10 am - Take a Hike at Ike's Place.  Paul Kisel, Superintendent, Eisenhower State Park will lead a one-hour natural history walk at the neighboring state park, established in 1958, named for the 34th U.S. President, Dwight David Eisenhower. and located northwest of Denison on Lake Texoma.   Caravan from Hagerman NWR Visitor Center to the park. Cost of field trip - $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non members).  Advance registration required, maximum 15 participants.

• Meanwhile, back at the Refuge, your choice of these activities:

9 – 10:30 am - Wildflower Walk at Hagerman NWR with Jim Varnum, Master Naturalist. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the roadsides and trails to view the spring show of North Texas wildflowers and any  wildlife that is attracted to them!  Walkers will meet at the Visitor Center.  Cost of field trip - $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non-members).  Advance registration required. Limited to 12 participants. 

9 - 11 am - Kayak/canoe Big Mineral Creek with Gerry Shehan, Master Naturalist.  Get a new perspective on the refuge, from the water! Gerry has five single person kayaks to loan and room for another 6 folks who bring their own craft.  Each person must provide own PFD; hats, sunscreen, bottled water advised. Trip will last approximately 1.5 hrs; advance registration required; cost of trip $25, $10 for those FOH members who provide their own craft or $15 for non members who BYOC/K. Registrants will be notified where to meet for launch. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by parent or other responsible adult – maximum 11 participants for this event.

9 am - 4 pm - Storybook Walk - for families - free, no registration, read a story together as you take a walk along Harris Creek Trail.  Self-guided.

9:15 - 10:15 am - Native Plants and Trees at Hagerman NWR, with Dr. George Diggs, botanist, author, Professor of Biology at Austin College.  Learn survival mechanisms, changes in distribution of trees and tree species through the ages as you walk a trail with Dr. Diggs, who will help you recognized the various trees growing at the Refuge.   Meet at the Visitor Center; cost of field trip - $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non-members); advance registration required.  Limited to 12 participants.

9:30 - 11 am - Patio Birding with Susan Knowles, Environmental Science teacher. Take a coffee break on the Visitor Center patio and watch for wildlife in the Native Plant Garden and fields adjacent to the building - birds, butterflies and more. Perfect for non-hikers! Binoculars provided or bring your own.   Come and Go event.  Free, no advance registration.

• Prefer a Tour?

Shorebird Tram Tours - Enjoy a clear view with binoculars or camera on this open, all electric tram as you glide along Wildlife Drive and the Pad roads to view the shorebirds migrating through the Refuge.   Free, advance registration required due to limited seating – maximum 9 participants per tour.

Choice of three tours:  9:30 - 11 am  OR 11:30 am – 1 pm  OR 2 – 3:30 pm

• Look, Listen and Learn!  Talks and Seminars: 

9 am - Bird Talk - What Do You See? with Gary Clark, nature columnist and Houston professor.  Learn how to really "see" birds and other wildlife at this free presentation, to be held in Visitor Center Meeting Room A.  Advance registration will guarantee you a seat but is not required, 50 participants maximum.

10:30 am - Hummingbirds with Mark Klym, Texas Parks & Wildlife Hummingbird Round-up Coordinator.  Enjoy a presentation on these "flying jewels" as you learn more about them - identification, habitat and more.  Meeting Room A, Visitor Center. Free.  Advance Registration is not required but will guarantee you a seat, 50 participants maximum.

1:30 - 4 pm - Bird Photography and Tips for Photographing Backyard Birds Workshop with Abilene pro photographer, John English -  Bird Photography is geared for the intermediate level photographer; please bring camera, manual, notebook to session.   Learn tips for getting the best bird shots!  Cost of workshop - $30 (FOH members)/$35 (non-members); advance registration required.  Meet in Visitor Center, Meeting Room B, 50 participants maximum.  English will also lead a photo field trip at the Refuge on Sunday morning, May 5, requires additional registration.

1:30 – 3 pm - Wine-tasting  at the T. V. Munson  Viticulture and Enology Program at Grayson College, led by Justin Scheiner, Director, who will cover the history of grapes and wine in Texoma, how to choose a good wine AND the ins and outs of wine tasting!  Must be age 21+ to register for this program.  The story of T. V. Munson is one you won't want to miss.  Meet at the Viticulture Center, located in the North Texas Regional Airport, which is near the Refuge; directions will be in registration packets.  Cost of program  - $10 (FOH members)/$15 (non-members). Advance registration required, up to 50 participants.

1:30 - 3 pm - Digital Birding, with Sam Crowe, web and app publisher.  Sam, who will also be leading a Birding Hagerman Field Trip Saturday morning, will show you how to extend your knowledge, skills  and interest in birding with the latest technology, talk plus hands on time, bring your iPad.  Meet in Visitor Center Meeting Room A for this free program; advance registration is recommended for guaranteed seating, 50 participants maximum.

2:30 – 4 pm - Plant Propagation with Sue Zanne Petersen.  Turn your thumb green at this program as you learn best practices for starting your own plants.  Great for those who want to include hard-to-find native plants in their garden, enjoy sharing plants with friends, develop gardening skills or just save money!  Meet in Audio/Visual Classroom in the FOH Center for this free program; advance registration is recommended for guaranteed seating, 30 participants maximum. 

• Be sure to see the Outdoor Shows: 

9 am - 4 pm - Reptile Exhibit by Jarryd Robison - free, no registration; near Visitor Center. 

10 am, 1 pm AND 3 pm – Jonathan & Susan Woods – The Raptor Project, outdoor show, 36 live birds!! Eagles, hawks, falcons owls displayed in a natural setting!  Free, no registration.

• From BirdFest Texoma, especially for children:

10:30 am - Eensy Weensy Spider, with John Slaughter.  Meet our 8-legged friends in this presentation that will be both fun and educational!  Audio/Visual Classroom in the FOH Center. Free, advance registration recommended, guaranteeing a seat, 25 participants maximum.  

1:00 pm - Leave it to Beaver, with Texas Parks & Wildlife Ranger Kelly Lauderdale.  Meet in the Audio/Visual Classroom of the FOH Center for this fun program about a hardworking mammal!  Program is free but advance registration is recommended to guarantee a seat, 25 participants maximum. 

• Book Signing:

Kathy Adams Clark and Gary Clark, 10:30 – 11:30 am, in the Visitor Center.

David Allen Sibley, 11 am – Noon, in the Visitor Center

Evening Program

An Evening with David Allen Sibley!

Social - Gather at the Grayson College Workforce Auditorium at 6:30 pm for wine and hors d'oeuvres, must be 21+, cost of social - $15; advance registration required.  The college is located approximately 9 miles from the refuge at 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX; directions will be in the registration packets.  

At 7 pm, enjoy watching the creative process at work as David Sibley demonstrates how he illustrates his field guides.  Special tech set-up in this wonderful new conference style auditorium will allow good viewing for all. Sibley will donate the finished art piece to be auctioned off to benefit the Refuge following the demonstration, in a live auction.  Cost of presentation - $50; advance registration required, 200 seats only.

Book signing will follow the presentation.

That's a wrap for Day Two!  Stay tuned for Day Three!

BirdFest Texoma Registration Begins January 1

Registration for BirdFest Texoma will begin on January 1, 2013 for events set to take place at Hagerman NWR May 3 -5, 2013.  The birding and nature festival will feature nationally known author/illustrator/birding expert, David Allen Sibley, as well as Jonathan Wood’s Raptor Project, photography workshops, three days of field trips, nature walks and talks, programs for children and more.  Descriptions of all events can be found on the Friends website.

Both online and standard registration forms will be available.  For online registration or to download forms, see birdfesttexoma.org; registration forms will also be available in the Nature Nook at the Refuge.  There is a fee for field trips, the photography events and Sibley’s keynote presentation; however many events are free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.  Members of the Friends of Hagerman will note special member pricing on paid events.  Most events have a limited number of spaces available so early registration is advised, for both paid and free events. 

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers 11,000 acres of wildlife habitat.  The Refuge is located at 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, Texas.  For more information, use CONTACT or call the Refuge, 903 786 2826.