Signal SmokeThe Newsletter of Travis Audubon * VOL. 69, NO. 6 Nov./Dec. 2021

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A Note FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello Travis Audubon friends and members, Early this summer, things were looking good as I began to make preparations to resume our monthly Hornsby Bend bird walks, a very popular event that I have coordinated for several years. Then Austin took another plunge on the Covid rollercoaster, and Travis Audubon was back to virtual-only programs. A discouraging turn for sure, especially for an organization like TAS that always had a packed field trip calendar before the pandemic. Interest in birding has never been higher, and our membership rolls have grown significantly during the pandemic. Our staff and volunteers have been so eager to engage with these newly hatched birders to share our love for nature and all of the fantastic birding locations around Austin.

Now as we head into November, I am again cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind us, and that we will see a gradual resumption of our field trips and other in-person events. In October, we finally had our first Hornsby Bend field trip since the pandemic began, attended by 23 enthusiastic birders. A sign of better days ahead!

I can’t thank you enough for your support again this year at our virtual Victor Emanuel Conservation Award event, honoring Greg Lasley. Greg was a brilliant naturalist and photographer, and it was gratifying to have many of his friends from around the country join us for this event. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, please check out the recording of the program on our website.

Finally, I again have to thank our intrepid Travis Audubon staff and volunteers. Your enthusiasm and creativity have kept the TAS family engaged in our mission over this difficult time. I hope to see you all out on the trail soon!

Good birding! Eric

Eric Stager President

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People AT TRAVIS AUDUBON

Staff

Executive Director Nicole Netherton Land Manager and Educator Chris Murray Program Manager Caley Zuzula Development Manager Cheyenne Moore Finance and Operations Manager Judith Allen Design Director & Website Producer Nora Chovanec

Committees Adult Education Jeanette Larson Advocacy Clif Ladd John Bloomfield Baker Team Clif Ladd Carol Ray Blair Woods Core Team Mark Wilson Chaetura Canyon Management Paul Kyle

Georgean Kyle Chimney Swifts Paul Kyle Commons Ford Ellen Filtness Michael Sims Field Trip Celeste Treadway Hornsby Bend Eric Stager Inclusion, Diversity, Equity,

and Access (IDEA) Lino Mendiola Memberships and Outreach Jane Tillman Chris Gunter Purple Martins Shelia Hargis Youth Mary Kay Sexton

Board of Directors President Eric Stager Vice President Karen Bartoletti Treasurer Celeste Treadway Secretary Chris Gunter Directors Jason Garcia

Suzanne Kho Richard Kostecke Julia Marsden Lino Mendiola Dennis Palafox Flo Rice Virginia Rose Vidhya Sundar Mark Wilson

Advisory Council J. David Bamberger Valarie Bristol Frances Cerbins Victor Emanuel Sam Fason Shelia Hargis Bryan Hale Karen Huber Mary Kelly Susan Rieff Andrew Sansom Carter Smith

Thank You TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

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Upcoming Events WITH TRAVIS AUDUBON

06NOV,21FIELDTRIPS Beginners’BirdWalk:BarkleyMeadowsPark 4529SSH130,DelValle,TX78617

06NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS BlairWoodsBioblitz:AnOfficialRoots&WingsPop-UpEvent 5401EMartinLutherKingJrBlvd,Austin,TX78721,USA

10NOV,21CLASSES “IDon’tDoGulls”GullsClass2021(FULL) 14NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS CommonsFordBirdWalk(FULL) 614NCommonsFordRd,Austin,TX78733

17NOV,21CLASSES Class:BirdPhotographyWorkshopatRoyG.GuerreroPark

17NOV,21CLASSES Class:IntroductiontoBirdsandBirdingWinter2021 18NOV,21SpeakerSeries:TheMigrationofShorebirdswithDr.Cin-TyLee 20NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, YOUTH&FAMILY YoungBirdersClub:RichardMoyaPark RichardMoyaPark,10001BurlesonRd,Austin,TX78719,USA

21NOV,21RuffledFeathersBookClubMeeting 23NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, SANCTUARYEVENTS CommonsFordBirdWalk 614NCommonsFordRd,Austin,TX78733

27NOV,21YOUTH&FAMILY

YoungBirdersClub:RoyG.GuerreroColoradoRiverMetroPark 400GroveBlvd,Austin,TX78741,USA

28NOV,21FIELDTRIPS, LET'SGOBIRDINGTOGETHER Let’sGoBirdingTogether:CommonsFord 04DEC,21FIELDTRIPS Beginners’BirdWalk:RichardMoyaPark 10001BurlesonRd,Austin,TX78719

11DEC,21YOUTH&FAMILY YoungBirdersClub:BarkleyMeadowsPark BarkleyMeadowsPark,4529TX-130,DelValle,TX78617,USA

26DEC,21FIELDTRIPS, LET'SGOBIRDINGTOGETHER Let’sGoBirdingTogether:CommonsFord

Thank You TO OUR 2021 VICTOR EMANUEL

CONSERVATION AWARD CELEBRATION SPONSORS

Golden-cheeked Warbler Sponsors Chuck and Mary Kay Sexton

Crested Caracara Sponsors

Julia Marsden Shield Ranch

Peggy & Matt Winkler

Ferruginous Hawk Sponsors Austin Water

Paula & Ernest Smith Jo Wilson & Carol Bennett

Food Sponsors

Antonelli's Cheese Kellie’s Baking Co.

Painted Bunting Sponsors Austin Parks Foundation

Judith Bailey Karen Bartoletti

Frances & Oskar Cerbins Shannon Davies

Alice & Chris Gunter Chris Harte Carol Ray

Nona & Dr. Andrew Sansom Eric Stager & Friends

Texas Ornithological Society Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

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Thank You TO OUR 2021 VICTOR EMANUEL

CONSERVATION AWARD CELEBRATION SPONSORS

Swallow-tailed Kite Sponsor

Crested Caracara Sponsor

Ferruginous Hawk Sponsor

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Thank You

TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED IN 2021 FOR INSPIRING CONSERVATION IN THE HEARTS OF CENTRAL TEXANS!

Adeline Fox Akash Rajeev

Al Morgan Alex Moreland Alexis Puchek Alice Mabry

Alison Joseph Allan Seils

Amber Lancelot Amy Bishop Amy Sugeno Andi Napier Andrea Petit

Andy Balinsky Andy Filtness Andy Sansom

Anne Donovan Barbara Keir Ben Opeka Bill Reiner

Bob Powell Brad James Bryan Hale

Byron Stone Catherine Cuddihy

Cathy Pepper Celeste Brancel

Celeste Treadway Charles Stephens

Chris Garza Christen Warkoczewski

Christy Esmahan Chuck Sexton Cinda Crosley Cindy Cannon

Clif Ladd Dan Smith

Daniel Puckett David Murphy Denise Dailey Dennis Palafox Doug Booher Ellen Filtness Emily Novak Eric Stager Erik Sauder

Flo Rice

Frances Cerbins George Kerr

Hannah Mindeman Shuman James Giroux Jane Tillman

Janel Nye Jason Garcia Jean Martin

Jeanette Larson Jeff Patterson

Jeffrey Jackson Jennifer Bristol Jess Morrisey

Jim Pauff Jo Wilson

John Abbott John Bloomfield

Jonny Scalise Joseph Hunt

Joyce Bertolacini Judith Bailey Julia Balinsky Julia Heskett Julia Marsden Justin Bosler

Karen Bartoletti Karen Hall Hagemann

Katherine Tombs Kathleen Gallagher

Kendra Abbott Kimberly Grant

Lacey Smith Lance Felber Lauren Wojcik

Laurie Foss Leslie Menikoff Leslie Morris

Lino Mendiola Lisa Audiffred

Liz Adams Lonnie Perkins

Lori Malloy Louise Ridlon Lucy Flanagan Marc Frazier

Marjie Palmer Mark Wilson

Mary Ann Robalino Mary Kay Sexton

Maura Powers Michael Jewell Michael Sims

Miranda Fontaine Nan Hampton

Nautasha Gupta Niki Lake

Nona Sansom Noreen Baker Pamela Boyd

Pat Yingst Paul DiFiore

Paul Montgomery Paula Levihn-Coon

Peter Beck Rhodney Williams Rhonda Marple

Richard Deulofeut Richard Kostecke Robert McLemore

Robin Dennis Rose Ann Reeser

Sally Hamilton Sam McChesney

Sandy Smith Sarah Fekete

Sharon Richardson Shelia Hargis Skip Mencio

Stan Van Sandt Stephanie Putnam

Suzanne Kho Suzie McCann Sylvia Henry

Tania Homayoun Terri Siegenthaler

Terry Banks Terry Virtue

Victor Emanuel Vidhya Sundar Virginia Rose

Virginia Williams Wendy Carnegie

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Updates FROM THE SIGNAL SMOKE BLOG

WhatMakesaBirder?AdvaitMarathe:ParallelJourneysPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER8,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME

ByJohnBloomfield

Inthisongoingseriesweexaminewhatmotivatespeopletoenjoybirdsandbirding,frombackyardbirderstochroniclistersofallagesandabilities.

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CoppersmithBarbet,takenbyAdvaitMarathe.

Onemorningwhenhewasaboy,AdvaitMaratheremembersstandingonthebalconyofhisfamily’shomeinMumbai,India,wherehespottedabrilliantbird:itwasallcrimson,yellowandgreen–aCoppersmithBarbet.

Althoughthenamewasbeyondhimatthetime,thesightinghelpedsparkajourneyasbirderthatparalleledapersonaljourneythattookhimfromIndiatoIndianatoAustin,whereheispursuingacareerininformationtechnology.

Anaccomplishedbirderandphotographer,AdvaitandImetatCommonsFordRanchMetropolitanParkonadrizzlysummermorning.“Thisisoneofmyfavoriteplaces,agoodplaceforbirdsandphotography,”hetoldme.“HereandHornsbyBendandReimersRanch,thesearetheplacesIvisitmost.Duringmigration,IloveRiataPond,nearwhereIlive.AndMillsPondtoo,ofcourse.”

Aswebeganourwalkalongsidetheprairiegrass,weweretreatedtothesightsandsongsofPaintedandIndigoBuntings.Avolebravedoutintotheopen,safefromraptorsforthetimebeing.WepointedourcamerasataPaintedBuntingbutthemistwastoothickforagoodshot.Advaitsighed:“AftertwoyearsIstilldon’thaveaPaintedBuntingphotothatIlike.”

Aswewalkedtogether,Advaitsharedhispersonaljourneywithmeaswellashisevolutionasabirder.

“Nooneinmyfamilywasintobirds,”hesaid.“Ipickedituponmyown.Irememberweusedtodosomebirdwatchingatsummercamp,butIdidn’thavebinoculars,soitwasn’tthebestexperience.”

Eventuallythebinocularscame,andasmallcamera.Anewworldopenedupforhim.

Soonhewasconsumingfieldguidesanddoinginternetsearchestolearnaboutwhathewasseeing.Hebeganmeetingotherbirdersandwasinvitedonfieldtrips.Thoughhisinterestwasgrowing,hehadtobalanceitwithEngineeringStudiesattheUniversityofMumbai.Foratime,birdinghadtotakeabackseat.

Butnotforlong.OnedayhewasonFacebookwhenhestumbledontosomebirdinggroups.Helookedatme:“Youknowtheones,theoneswherepeopleshareaphotoandwanttoknowwhatbirditis?SobacktothefieldguidesIwentuntilIcouldstartidentifyingthemmyself.Thatwaswhenthebirdingreallystartedtotakehold.”

Itdidn’thurtthatSanjayGandhiNationalParkwasaten-minutewalkfromhishouse.

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Withitsabundantplant-andwildlife,cavesandwaterfalls,theparkattractsmorethantwomillionhumanvisitorsayearaswellasnearly350recordedbirdspecies,includingexoticbulbuls,drongosandsunbirds.

Advaitbeganhelpingonbirdsurveysatthepark,soakingupmoreinformationonfieldmarksandvocalizations.“Itkindofsnowballedafterthat,”hesmiled.“So,lookingback,itwasn’tonethingbutaprogressionofthingsthatmademeabirder.”

MovingtotheU.S.forgraduateschoolpresentednewchallenges.Inadditiontotheculturaladjustments,theprocessoflearningnewsights,soundsandbirdbehaviorsstartedallover.

“HereIwasatIndianaUniversity,andIdidn’tknowanybody,”Advaitcontinued.“Therewasthechallengeofbeinginschoolfulltimeagainafterworkingforafewyearsaftercollege.Nothavingacarlimitedmyabilitytogobirding.ButonceIhadmyscheduleandcourseworkfiguredout,Istartedtaggingalongwithsomeawesomepeoplewhotookmeundertheirwing,sotospeak.”

OneofhisfavoriteplaceswasGoosePond,apreservesouthofTerreHautewithmorethan9000acresofmarshandprairiehabitat.“IrememberonedayseeingthousandsofSnowGeesethere,oneofthegreatestwildlifespectaclesI’veeverwitnessed.”

Hedidhisfirst(andthusfaronly)ChristmasBirdCountinIndianawithfriendsfromSassafrasAudubonSocietyinBloomington.“That’swhenIfirstrealizedthatnomatterwhereIwas,IcouldalwayscheckwiththelocalAudubonchapterandgofromthere,”hesaid.

AftertwoyearsinIndiana,itwasanothermove,thistimetoTexas,anothertimetoreadjust,meetnewpeopleandlearnthelocalbirdinglandscape.

“IstartedgoingonfieldtripswithTravisAudubontoplaceslikeEnchantedRock,PedernalesFallsStateParkandhereatCommonsFord.“Meetinglike-mindedpeopleandenjoyingthebirdingherehelpedmede-stressandmeetthechallengeofbeinginanewplaceonmyown.”

AdvaitrememberedseeingaBlackScoteronhisfirstvisittoHornsbyBend.“IwassonewIhadnoideaitwasararity.Ijustphotographeditandmovedon.ThensomeonecomesuptomeallexcitedandaskedifI’dseenit.Isaid,yeah,itwasfloatingoverthere.Ishowedhimthepictureandhewasamazed.”

AdvaitmetfellownewcomerNickKomaronaTravisAudubonwalkandthetwobegantobirdtogether.“Nickwasdoingabigyear,andhewashappytohavemetagalongwithhim.Wesawsomeawesomebirds,andIlearnedalotfromhim,”Advaitrecalled.

Chestnut-collaredLongspur,ararityseenbymanylocalbirdersearlier

thisyearatBobWentz-WindyPointPark,takenbyAdvaitMarathe.

Thencamethepandemic.“Birdingwasoneoftheonlythingsyoucouldreallydotogetoutsideandenjoyyourself.IstartedbirdingatRiataPondwhichisjustashortwalkfrommyhome.Duringmigrationitwasamazing,andinnotimeatallIsawabout125species.Thebirdingisgreatthereinthespringtimebutnottoomanypeopleknowaboutit.”

Reflectingonhisownjourney,Advaitofferedsomeadviceforpeoplejustgettingintobirdingandphotography.

“Startwithaninexpensiveoptionintermsofcameras.Therearemanygreatpoint-and-shootsuperzoomcamerasthatyoucanpickuptogetstarted.Onceyoustartgettingdecentphotos,thinkofupgrading,butyoudon’thavetospendafortunepickingupthehobby.

“Investinginbinocularsisagamechanger.Somemayarguethatlookingthroughthecameralensisthesamething,butthere’snocomparison.InvestinafieldguideandagoodbirdingapplikeSibleyBirds.Mostofall,bepatient.Learningbirdscanbechallenging,butonceyougetthehangofit,itissomuchfun.”Aswewerewrappingup,wesawapairofWesternKingbirds,thenAdvaitspottedtheirnest,withthebeakofatinybirdprotruding.Beingabletoexperiencethejoyofthatmomentiswhatmakeshimabirder.

FeaturedimageofAdvaitMaratheoutinthefieldtakenbyJohnBloomfield.

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BlairWoodsandtheHistoryofFt.ColoradoPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER10,2021 CATEGORIES:SANCTUARYNEWS,SIGNALSMOKEHOME

ByMarkWilson,TravisAudubonBoardMember

TravisAudubon’sBlairWoodsPreserveisawonderfuloasisinthemiddleoftheAustinurbanenvironment.Opentoalleverydayfrom9a–4p,itoffersapeacefulplacetoenjoybirdsandnature.ButBlairWoodsisalsoasanctuaryforthehistoryoftheAustincommunity.OneimportantpartofthatstoryisFortColorado.

ManypeoplehavenoticedtheTexasCentennialmarkeronEastMLKBlvd,justoutsidetheBlairWoodsfence,markingthegenerallocationofthis19thcenturyoutpost.FernBlair(sheandherhusbandWFrankdonatedthepreservetoTravisAudubonintheirwill)sharedlocalstoriessheheardaboutthefortanditslocationnearColemanSprings,locatedinBlairWoods.Itwassaidmaterialsfromthefortwereusedbyareafarmersinbuildingtheirhomesandbarns.Shefoundartifactsonthe10acressheandWFrankowned,anddonatedtoarcheologistsinvestigatingthefortinthemid-1960’s.

In2020,theTravisAudubonBoardauthorizedtheuseofgrantfundstoenableSergio&MelindaIruegas,archeologistsandownersofGITEnvironmental,LLC,toexplorethehistoryofBlairWoods.Usingarchivalresearchandshoveltesting,SergioandMelindadocumentedtheamazinghistoryofthepreserve,andthehighprobabilitythatpartofthehistoricfortwaslocatedinBlairWoods.FortColoradowasconstructedonlandgrantedtoJessieTannehillbytheMexicangovernmentin1830(hefoundedthecommunityofMontopolistothesouth).In1836,afterthebattleofSanJacinto,GeneralHoustonappointedColonelRobertMColemanascommanderinchargeoftheRepublicofTexas’sadinterimgovernment.ColemanbuiltaseriesoffortscircumventingtheCoahuiltecanvillagesoftheRancheriaGrande(centralTexas),withFortColoradoasthefulcrum.Thepurposewastomanage,maintainandprotecttradealongtheElCaminoReal,the

traditionaltradingrouterunningfromLouisianatoMexico.

FortColoradowasoccupiedfor2years.WehavestoriesaboutlifeatthefortashandeddownfromNoahSmithwick,recordedbyhisdaughterin1900whenhewasinhis90’s.Heservedasblacksmith,mechanic,interpreterandnegotiator.HedescribednegotiationsandtradewithneighboringComancheandCoahuiltecantribes,whocampedinthevicinityofColemanSprings.Aswale,ordepressionformedinthelandfromyearsandyearsofcontinualtraffictoandfromthesprings,canbeseentodayleadingupfromColemanSpringstowardsthehighgroundusedforcampingandthefort.BasedontheinvestigationsbySergioandMelinda,andwiththehelpofmembersoftheTravisCountyHistoricCommission,BlairWoodshasbeennominatedforinclusionintheNationalParkService’sElCaminoRealdelosTejasNationalHistoricTrail.Thiswillbeamulti-yearprocess–staytunedforupdates.Ifyouareinterestedinfurtherreading,acopyof“TheArcheologyofBlairWoodsNaturePreserveHistoricFortColorado”bySergioandMelindaIruegasisavailableintheTravisAudubonLibrary,aswellastheAustinHistoryCenter.NoahSmithwick’smemoirs“EvolutionofaState”canbefoundonAmazon.

FeaturedimageaboveisofSergioandMelindaIruegasdoingashoveltestatBlairWoods.

OurStrangeSummerofSwiftsandotherUpdatesfromChaeturaCanyonPOSTEDONSEPTEMBER23,2021 CATEGORIES:SANCTUARYNEWS,SIGNALSMOKEHOME

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Thereare18ChimneySwifttowersontheChaeturaCanyonSanctuary.MostaremonitoredonlyperiodicallyandthennestingsuccessisevaluatedaftertheswiftshavedepartedforSouthAmericainthefall.However,threeofthetowersareequippedwithaudioandvisualequipmentandaremonitoredthroughoutthenestingseason:thecinderblockcastleandthetwo24-feettallwoodentowersontheresidence(“North”and“South”).

WefocusthistaleontheSouthTower.ThisyeartherewasadditionalmonitoringequipmentinstalledbyDr.CarlosRodrigueswiththeUniversityofTexastohopefullycapturetheontogenyoftheswiftsandbeabletostudytheirvocalizationswithinthenestingstructure–somethingwhichtodatehasneverbeendone.Itwasayearlikenoother.

ChimneySwifteggsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.

SwiftsintheSouthTowerbuilttheirnestandlaidtwoeggsinMay.Buteachtimeanadditionaleggwaslaid,athirdswiftentered,andtheterritorialscuffleendedwiththeeggknockedoutofthenestandbrokenonthebottomofthetower.Bytheendofthemonth,thepairwasstillintheSouthTowerandstillworkingonthenest,buttherewerenoeggs.

OnJune22nd,acoupleofweeksafterthelasteggwaslost,thepaironceagainbegantomateandcontinuedtoworkonexpandingthenest.Shortlythereafter,aneweggwaslaid.Theparentsreturnedfrequentlytocheckonandcuddletheegg.Thateveningabirdenteredthetowerandobviously,purposelyejectedtheeggfromthenestusingitsmouth.Inmorethan30yearsofobservation,wehaveneverbeforewitnessedthisbehaviorandponderedthesituation.

So,whathappened?Didanadultreturnwithoutamate,takeanothermateandtheoriginalmateshoweduplater?Swallowsoftentossouttheeggsofrivalmates,buttoourknowledgethishasneverbeendocumentedwithChimneySwifts.

WhenwecontactedDr.CharlieCollins,co-authorofthespeciesaccountforChimneySwiftsinBirdsoftheWorld,heconcurred.Charliesuggestedthatcompetingfemaleswereperhapstossingoutarival’segg.

Ifthiswasthecase,assoonastwoeggswerelaidtheactivitywouldcease–sincetheycouldnolongerdistinguishtheirowneggfromthatoftheirrival.Turnsout,hewascorrect.

Welinedthebottomofthetowerwithsoftmaterialsothatiftheactivitycontinued,wecouldhopefullyretrieveandreplaceanunbrokenegg.Fortunately,thatdidnothappenandegglayingresumed.However,therewerestillseveralscuffles.

OnJune26th,thereweretwoneweggsintheSouthTowernest–whichwasnowmuchlargerduetoongoingconstruction.Becauseaneweggislaideveryotherday,weexpectedathirdonthe28th.Butbymid-morningonthe28ththerewerefoureggs…what?AfemaleChimneySwiftisnotexpectedtobeabletoproduceenoughcalciumtolayaneggexcepteveryotherday–theirdietiscalcium-poor.Hadanotherfemaleenteredandlaidheregginasurrogatenest?OnJune30th,afiftheggwaslaid.

OnJuly1st,thereweresixeggsinthenest–againtoosoonforthesamefemaletolayanotheregg,andtwomorewerelaidbyJuly4thforatotalofeight.Themostwehaveeverdocumentedisseven,andneverinsuchrapid,dailysuccession.Clearlytwofemaleswerelayingeggsinthesamenest.

ChimneySwifthatchlingsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.

ByJuly20th,sevenoftheeighteggshadhatched.Thenestlingsgrewrapidly,andweoftenobservedthreeadultsfeedingthem.

OnJuly31st,thenestlings’featherswerecoveringtheirpreviouslynaked,pinkbodies,theireyeswerebeginningtoopen,andtheycompletelyobscuredthenestwheretheyclungsteadily.Normaldevelopmentcontinuedoverthenextfewweeks,andbytheendofAugust“TheMagnificentSeven”hadsuccessfullyfledged.

Meanwhile,toourdelight,intheNorthTowerasizableroostformed.Itfluctuatednightlyfrom150to318individuals.

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ButtheSouthTowerfamilypreferredtoremainintheirowntoweratnight–oftenjoinedbyhalfadozenorsootherswhoperhapsdidnotenjoytherowdycrowdinTheNorth.

ChimneySwiftfledglingsintheirnest.PhotobyPaulKyle.

Wehavebeenstudying,watchingandwonderingattheChimneySwiftsofChaeturaCanyonsincewebuiltourfirsttowerin1989.Andeveryyeartheystillteachussomenew.

Therelativelymildsummerwaskindtothevegetation,andwith6.54inchesofrainAugustwasoutwettestmonthoftheyeartodate.ThisfallpromisestobeverycolorfulwithgreatstandsofPrairieAgalinisandaridiculousamountofPlateauGoldeneye–thelatterofwhichhasbeenover-performing.Althoughthelocalpollinatorswouldlikelydisagree.

WehaveworkedonourownformonthstoclearthetrailsfollowingtheiceandsnowdamagefromtheFebruarystorm,butthereisstillmuchresidualdamageandalargequantityofslashtobehauledoutandchipped.Wearehopefulthatoncetheweathercools,wewillbeabletohostafewStewardshipDays.ButwiththeDeltasurge,wewillhavetowaitandsee…

GeorgeanandPaulKyleSanctuaryStewardsChaeturaCanyon

HornsbyBendStakeholderUpdateSeptember2021POSTEDONSEPTEMBER29,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME

Thisupdateincludesthefollowing:

- Updateonthetreeremovalprojectandmowingalongthetreatmentpondembankments

- Updateonconstructionprojectprogressandroadclosures

- Progressontheoldaquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationdemolition

AlthoughwehadhopedtoberestartingtheHornsbyBendStakeholderPublicMeetingsthismonth,thecurrentCOVIDstagepreventsmeetinginperson,butwewanttoupdateeveryoneonconstructionprojectprogressandtheannualpondroadclosuresforthetreeremovalproject.

Treeremovalandtreatmentpondembankmentmowing–• WearerequiredbytheTCEQtoremovealltrees

fromthetreatmentpondembankmentsbecausetheycanthreatenthestabilityoftheembankments.Onlytreesunder6”trunkdiameterordiseased,damaged,dyingtreeslargerthan6”trunkdiameterarebeingremoved.Largerhealthytreeswillremainuntiltheybegintodieorgetdamaged.Asembankmentsarecleared,wemustmowthemtocontroltreeregrowth.

• Topreventnegativeimpactsonbirdnesting,weonlydothetreeremovalandembankmentmowingoutsideofmigratorybirdnestingseasonasdelineatedbytheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(March15–September15),andsoallworkonthepondembankmentscanonlybedonebetweenSeptember16andMarch14eachyear.

• ThisyearthecontractorhasbegunthepondembankmentworkSeptember28thstartingattheeastendofthepondroadbetweenPond1and2.Whileworkingonanembankment,theywillclosethatsectionofpondroadforthesafetyofvisitors.Otherpondroadsremainopenforvisitoraccess.

• Overthecomingweeks,thecontractorwillworkontoothersectionsofthepondembankmentsandtemporarilyclosesectionsofpondroadswhiletheywork.

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Constructionprojectprogressandroadclosures–• Overthelasttwoyearsthesidestreamplanthas

beenrebuilttohelpimprovethewaterqualityofthe“sidestream”water(thewaterremovedfromthesewagesludgeaswethickenitfortreatmentandrecycling)beforeitentersthetreatmentponds.ConstructionworkonthesidestreamtreatmentplantatthewestendofPond1and2hasfinishing,andthenewplanthasbegunoperation.Howeverthewesternpondroadswillremainclosedduringthetransferpumpstationconstruction.

• Thenewtransferpumpstationconstructionprojectbeganthisspring2021andisscheduledtobedonein2022.ItwillbelocatedontheembankmentatthewestendofPond2andwillreplacetheoldpumpstationbelowPond2neartheaquaticgreenhouse.Thetransferpumpstationwilldotwothings.Firstly,itwillpumptreatmentpondwaterfromPond2toournewcenterpivotirrigationunitswhicharecurrentlybeinginstalledinthehayfieldstothenorthandsouthofthemainentranceroad.Secondly,itwillallowustopumptreatmentpondwaterinapipelineundertheriverwhichwillconnecttoalargewastewaterlinethatgoestotheSouthAustinRegionalWastewaterTreatmentPlant.Thisnewpipelinewillassurethat,evenwitheverincreasinginflowstotheHornsbyBendPlant,thetreatmentpondswillneveroverflow.

• Thewesternpondroadswillremainclosedtovisitorvehiclesuntilthecompletionofthetransferpumpstationconstructionproject.

Aquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationdemolition• Aspartofthenewtransferpumpstationproject,

theoldaquaticgreenhouseandpumpstationarebeingdemolished.Thatworkisexpectedtofinishbytheendofthisyear.YoucanfollowtheprogressofthedemolitionthroughphotosontheCERFacebookpage.Afterdemolitionandsitecleanup,theareawillbeallowedtoreturntoriparianforest.

• WehavetemporarilyclosedtheRiverTrailwhichrunsnexttothegreenhouseandpumpstationduringthisdemolition,but,whendemolitioniscomplete,theconstructionfenceswillbepulledbacktotheareawherethenewpumpstationandpipelinearebeingbuilt,andtrailaccessthroughthisareaandtoPond3willbereopened.

Lastly–theCERisopen7daysaweekforrestroomaccess,andtheHornsbyBendsite(boththemaingateandPlattLane)isalsoopen7daysaweekdawntodarkforvisitorstochasebirds,bugs,andotherwildlifeorjusttositbytheriveranddonochasingatall.WelookforwardtoeveryonegettingvaccinatedandCOVIDlevelsdroppingtowherewecanrestartourweekendactivitiesagain.WatchourFacebookandInstagrampagesforupdatesonrestartingriversurveytrips,fieldtrips,andvolunteerworkdays.

–KevinM.AndersonPh.D.

CelebratingaNaturalist’sLegacyPOSTEDONOCTOBER12,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME

ByRobertMcLemore

BecauseofthegenerouscontributionsofthemembersandcommunityofTravisAudubon,wehavebeenabletopivotduringthepandemicandcontinuetofulfillourmissionofconservation,educationandadvocacy.Ahallmarkisthebeautifulandprofessionalproductionofthisyear’sVictorEmanuelConservationAwardCelebrationheld“AtHome”honoringGregLasley.Ifyouwanttowatchorre-watchthisCelebration,youcanseeitatthislink.GregstartedouthisoutdoorenthusiasmasanEagleScoutearningtheBirdingMeritBadgeandcontinuingthruhiscareerinlawenforcement.Butitwasn’tuntilhe“retired”thatittrulyblossomedintoapassionandfriendshipacrosstheglobe.TwentyyearswithVictorEmanuelNatureToursandtensofthousandsofpeoplehelpedoniNaturalisttrulygaveourlocalheroaworld-widereach.Likemanyofus,Greg’spassionforbirdingtookrootwhenhesawaPaintedBuntingonhisfeeders.Itisonlyappropriatethatmuchofthisyear’sfund-raisingimageryfeaturesaPaintedBuntingaswellasadragonfly.Manywillagreethathispassionfor“bird,bugs,andtheoutdoors”hasgonealongwaytowardsmanybirdersalsohavingthesamejoyswithdragonflies.ChuckSextonservedastheEmceefortheeventandstartedofftheVirtualFOG(FriendsofGreg)meeting.Lotsofhisfriendssharedwonderful,lovingandinspirationalstoriesoftheirsharedmemoriesbirding,pursuingdragonfliesandhisphotography.“EverytimeIseeadragonfly,IthinkofGreg.”“Imissyou,Greg”.ThroughoutthecelebrationweweretouchedwiththeimpactsthatGreghadonhisfriendsandcommunity.AustinMayorSteveAdlerevendeclaredthedayofOctober8,2021tobeGregWLasleyDay!EricStagerandKevinAndersonkickedoffthestorytellingofGreg’sconservationlegacyfromHornsbyBend,theirnaturalhabitat.I’vebeentheredozensoftimesbutneverrealizedthattheartworkinthevisitor’scenterwasfromGreguntilnow.Personally,IcanpictureGregatHornsbyBendwithhisintensitywhilephotographingthefallmigration.I’llreflectonthosetimesasthefallseasonbeginsinearnest.

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VictorEmanuelwarmlyrecognizedhisgoodfriendandhelpedseguetojustahandfulofthemanylivestouchedbyGreg.Victorisalsotheconsummateprofessionalinhisreminderthattheeventisbothanopportunitytorememberandhelptocontributetotheon-goingworkofTravisAudubon.GayleStallingswasthefundraisinghostasshehasdone“inperson”overthelast12years.Youcoulddonateataselectlevelorchooseyourownamount.Thegoalofthisyear’sfundraisingwas$110,000andtherewerealotofwonderfulauctionchoices.Atthetimeoftherecordingwehadreached$85,000andnowitisover$97,000!Wow.AndthebestwaytocontinueGreg’sworkandlegacyistohelpsupportTravisAudubonatthislink.AtthebottomyoucanensurethatyourtributegoestothememoryofGregLasley.Remember–TravisAudubonhasbeenaroundforalmost70yearsandGregwasapartofthatlegacyfor40.Thosewere40yearsactivelyhelpingwithourfriendsandcommunity

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Aspecialthankstooursponsorsformakingthisfundraiseranincrediblesuccess!Seethefullsponsorlisthere.

WhatMakesaBirder?LaurenStokesandColbyWatkins:LoveofSeabirdsPOSTEDONOCTOBER15,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME

ByJohnBloomfield

Inthelatestinstallmentofourblogonlocalbirdersandwhatinspiresthem,wefollowAustinbirdersLaurenStokesandColbyWatkinsontheirfirstpelagicjourneyinthegulfwatersoffPortAransasthisSeptember.ThetripwasledbyGarettHodne,veteranof25yearsofbirdingintheGulfofMexico.

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DawnwasslowincomingonSeptember18.Ormaybeitjustseemedthatwaysincewewereonthewaterat5a.m.Justwhenitseemedlikethedarknesswouldneverlift,burstsofyellow-orangelight,likeheatlightninginthemorning,piercedtheink-blacksky.Itwasshortlyafter7a.m.Soontheskyturnedpinkandlightblue,andyoucouldfinallyseethewatersoftheGulfofMexicobelow.

MagnificentFrigatebird.CourtesyofJohnBloomfield.

Whenthesunbrokethrough,wesoonwesawourfirstbirds:Royal,SandwichandBlackTernsplusMagnificentFrigatebirdsmillingaroundashrimpboat,ourfirstofseveralMaskedBoobies,evenamigratingDickcisselspeedingonalong-distancerunoverthegulf.

Pelagics.Birderslovethemorhatethem,andeitherwaytheyarethesubjectoflore.Onthisday,aboardaboatcalledtheKingfisher,thirtybirdersincludingsomeofthebestinTexas,joinedGarettHodneandagroupofexpertguidesforthesecondofthreepelagictripsrunthisyearbyGarett’sTexasPelagics.GaretthasbeenbirdingoffthecoastofTexassince1994butwasreallybitbythepelagicbugfouryearslaterwhenhejoinedthelegendaryDebbieShearwaterfortreetripsofftheCaliforniacoast.Ononehesawanestimatedhalf-millionSootyShearwaters“inahugeswirlingcloud”thattheirboatcruisedbelow.AYellow-nosedAlbatrossoffSouthPadreIslandin2003sealedthedealforhim.

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GarretHodne,coordinatorforTexasPelagics.PhotocourtesyofTodd

White.

HestartedtheTexasPelagicswebsitein2007tohelpadvertisethetrips,andin2014succeededEricCarpenterinorganizingthem.

“Wegetalotoffirst-timepelagicbirders,andwereallyenjoyhelpingpeoplefindseabirdsandgetgoodlooksatthem,especiallyifthey’relifers,”Garretsaid.Ofcourse,wehopesomewillgethookedonpelagicbirdingandwanttocomemoreoften.”

AmongthefirsttimerswereLaurenStokesandColbyWatkins,ayoungcouplefromAustinwhohavebeenbirdingsince2019.AmongtheirsparkbirdswasaCaliforniaCondorspottedaboveahighrockformationatZionNationalPark.

“Thecondorrepresentstwothingsforus,”saidColby.“First,wehaveanever-presentawarenessthattheearthisundergoingmajorchanges,andthere’sasenseofurgencyforustoseeasmuchofnatureandwildlifeaswecanbeforeitgoesawayorisalteredforever.Thesecondisanotionofwhatispossiblewhenpeoplecareaboutsomethingandtrytocorrectcourse,astheCaliforniaCondorwasnurturedbackfromthebrinkofextinctionbypeoplethatdecideditwasworthsaving.”

SoonaftertheirvisittoZion,ColbyandLaurenbegantoconnectwithotherbirdersinAustin,goingonaTravisAudubonbeginner’swalkatHornsbyBendandparticipatinginmonthlysurveysthere.Fromthestart,theyfeltthestrongsenseofcommunityamonglocalbirders.SaidLauren:“Welovehowwhenyouseesomeoneelsebirdingyouknowforafactthatyoushareatleastonethingincommonwiththatperson,soeveryonefeelslikeapotentialfriend.”

There’splentyoftimetomeetandtalkwithnewfriendsonapelagic,butwheneveryonestartsscurryingaroundlikepaparazzi,youstoptalkingandgetreadyforaction.Thathappenedmidwaythroughourtrip,wheneveryonerushedtothefrontoftheboatasjetsofwaterbeganspewingat45-degreeanglesfromanotherwisecalmsea.

Spermwhales.

Foragoodtenminutes,asmallpodtantalizeduswithaslowdancenearthesurface,nearlybreachingthewatermanytimes,offeringglimpsesoftheirenormousbacksandtailsflippinginagentlebutpowerfulrhythm.

SpermWhale.PhotocourtesyofGarretHodne.

SpermwhalesareresidentintheGulfofMexico,buttheirpresenceisthreatenedbybusyshippingchannels,noisepollutionandclimatechange,amongotherfactors.SaidGarret,“Weonlyseethemonabouttento20percentofourtrips,butwhenwedo,theyarealwaysthemainattraction.”

Laurenagreed,statingitwasincredibletoseethewhalesintheirelement.Itwasthetoppertoadaywheretheysawsixlifers:BrownandMaskedBooby,MagnificentFrigatebird,Audubon’sandCory’sShearwaterandBand-rumpedStormPetrel.

“Thebestpartoftheexperiencewasthesharedsenseofexcitementwhenevertheopportunityoccurred,”Colbysaid.“Itwasnicetobeinthecompanyofotherpeoplewhounderstandwhyseabirdsandbirdsingeneralareworthgettingexcitedabout.”

MaskedBooby.PhotocourtesyofJohnBloomfield.

Headded:“Thereweresomanyskilledbirdersontheboatcallingthingsoutthattherewasn’treallyamomentthatwewerelookingatsomethingunidentified.Thebiggestchallengeisthatyouareneverreallystationary.

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Thereisaconstantrockofthewaves,soit’sachallengetokeepyourbinocularsstillandtakegoodpicturesforID.Wewerefortunate,though,togetmanycloseviewsofthebirdswewereseeing.”

ForGarretandhisteam,thesatisfactionofturningonnewbirdersandgettingrepeatparticipantsyearafteryearisworththelonghoursspentcharteringboats,determininglocations,breakinginnewcaptains,keepingthewebsiteup-to-dateandcommunicatingwithparticipants.

“Iprobablydoalotmoreworkthanisnecessary,becauseIalwayswanttotrytoexpandthenumberoftripsIrunandmakesuretheyrunsmoothlyandsuccessfully,”Garretsaid.

Hisapproachseemstobepayingoff.LaurenandColbywillbeoutwithhimforanotherpelagicinOctober,andthey’realsothinkingabouttripstoNorthCarolinaandCaliforniawithothercompaniesnextyear.

“Itwasauniqueandawesomeexperience,”Laurensaid.“We’rehooked.”

RememberingEthelKutacPOSTEDONOCTOBER29,2021 CATEGORIES:SIGNALSMOKEHOME

EthelKutac,abirder,environmentalist,andmemberofTravisAudubonforover40years,passedawayonSeptember25thofthisyear.Describedasa“forceofnature,”shetouchedsomanywithintheAustinbirdingcommunityalone.Herewehavestoriescelebratingherwit,strength,andsenseofhumorfromfriendsshemadethroughoutherlife.

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ImetEthelintheearly90’s.IhadjoinedTravisAudubonwithmyson,Scott,whowasworkingonhisBirdStudymeritbadgeonhiswaytoattaintherankofEagleScout.IbecameamemberofthebirdrecordscommitteeassistingEdKutac,hissisterEthel,andotherearlybirderparticipants.WhenEdleftAustin,Ethelhostedthosemonthlyevents.I’llalwaysrememberherspecialbakedcookiessheserved.

Duringthe90’sItookadayofffromworkonoccasiontojointheweeklybirdgroup.In1994,LawrenceBufordtookoverfromEdandchangedfromThursdaytoWednesday.Ethelwasamajorpartofthegroup,alwaysneedingabreakfasttacotobegintheday.HerfinaloutingwasFriday,July2nd,2021,toTaylorwhichincludedBBQforlunch.EthelvolunteeredatWestcavePreserve.ShehelpedorganizetheChristmasBirdCountandservedwithmeasacoordinatorfortenyearsbeginningJanuary3rd,2004.Shehelpedarrangeforparticipantstoleadthemanyareasofthecountcircle.Andshealwaysmanagedtofindtheperfectrestaurantforthecountdown.ForseveralyearsshehostedagroupofbirdersatafamilyhomeinGalvestonthelastweekofAprilwhichcoincidedwithbirdmigrantsinthearea.Shealwaysknewthebestrestaurantsforseafood.Ethelwasaworldtravelingbirder.Sheenlightenedusalluponherreturn.Shehadastrongwillandcharacteranddidn’tmindspeakingheropiniononvariousmatters.Sheneverletherfailinghealthdeterherfromoneofherfavoritepassions.Ethelwasonebirderwe’llneverforget.–DanCallaway

MyfavoritememoriesofEthelarefromtheWednesdaymorningbirdingoutings.TherewasneveradullmomentwhenEthelwasthere.WhentheWednesdaygroupcametoourranch,thewalkingwasalittleruggedforEthel.SheeagerlytalkedJohnintotakingheraroundintheRanger.Theyusuallyreturnedforlunchwithtalesofbirdsthattherestofusneversaw.Ethelwasnevershyaboutaskingthemeninthegrouptohelpherintowhatevervehiclewasgoingwheresheneededtogo.Sheenjoyedknowingthattheyalllovedtocometoheraid.Etheladdedgoodideasandfuntoanygroupshejoined.Wewillmissherbutenjoyrememberingthefunshebroughttous.–AnnDonovan

Wednesdaybirdingonaslowday:Weallmeetandsetout.Wepileoutofthecarsatthefirstsound.Wefindafewbirdsandkeeplooking,hopingforthebest.Folksstartchatting.Afewofusstartgiving“maybeweshouldmoveon”eyebrowraisestoeachother.Ethel:Aren’twedonehereyet?We’reburningdaylight!Let’sgo!AlwayscountonEtheltokeepthegroupmoving!EthellovedtoeatatDonn’sBBQonFM969beforebirding.ShealsolovedLee(Wallace).Hewasherfavoritepersonalstabilitydeviceandifshereallywantedtoseeabird,shecalledhimtofinditforher.Wewillmissher.–DebWallace

WemetEthelaboutfiveyearsagowhenwestartedgoingbirdingwiththeWednesdaygroup.Shewasalotoffun!Shewasalwayssointerestedinwhatwehadbeendoing,eventhoughitwasonlyaweeksincewehadseenherlast.ThethingIwillalwaysrememberwashowweworkedtogetheronthebirds.DebwouldsetupherscopelowforEthelandwewouldstarttowork.

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Sometimesshewouldtakepityonusandsay“Ohyes,Iseeit,”butyouknewshedidnot.Youcouldalwaystellwhenshedid.Theexcitementinhervoiceandthewayshewouldlingeratthescopeappreciatingthebird.Thegroupwouldallcheer.IalsoremembertheTOSmeetinginAlpinewhereshecameupandtoldmeabouttheWesternScreechOwlthatshehadseenandhowsomeinthegrouphadnot.Ibelievethispicture(below)wastakenatReimer’sRanch.WehadwalkedaboutasfarasEthelwaswillingandsheflaggeddownthisyoungmantogiveherarideback.Shereallyenjoyedtheride.–LeeWallace

Ethelwasaforceofnature.Shewasaworldtraveler,ateacher,adevoutCatholic,ayellowdogDemocrat,anavidreader,avolunteer,aKutaclegend,andaBIRDER!IfirstmetEthelin2006.IlivedclosetohersohadthehonortogiveherridestoTASeventsandsomeofherWednesdayBirdinggrouptrips.Everytripwasaneducationandadventure!ImisshereverytimeIpassherstreet;Imissherwonderfullaughandstrongopinions!–FrancesCerbinsIwasafanofEthelKutac’sandcherishedthetimesIgottobewithher.Shewasanexceptionallycaringperson,anavidbirder,apassionateeducator,anadventurouswomanandrefreshinglyoutspoken.Iknewhertobeaquickstudyofpeoplewithagifttoeasilyconnectacrossmanyspectrums.Shewassocuriousandlovedhearingothers’stories.Hervoicewasstrong,herinteractiondirect,hersenseofhumorfantastic,andherlaughcontagious.Ifeltdrawntoherrightaway,20+yearsago.OneofmyEthelmemoriesthatisn’taboutbirding:OnacoldeveninginDecemberwithachanceofprecipitation,IshowedupfortheTravisAudubonholidaypartyandsilentauctiontohelpwithset-upfortheevent.Ethelwasalreadytheresettingouttheauctionitems.Wechattedandcaughtupwitheachotherwhileworking,andImentionedthatIhadmadeaveryexpensivemistakeatawell-knownsocialserviceorganization’ssilentauctiononce.Ethelturnedtofacemeandsaid“Ohtellme!”IsharedthatIthoughtIhadreadthelargegalacrowdwellandsensedalotofmoneyintheroom.

Manypeoplekeptfilingpastthebidsheetsandbidswerequicklyincreasingonmanyhigh-valueitems.IwantedtoparticipateandnotjustwalkthroughthelinesoIaddedmybidtoa6-nighthotelstayfortwoinHawaii,assumingI’dbeoutbid.WellIwasn’t!AndIendedupgivingthatorganizationahugedonationthatnightfortheHawaiiitemIcouldn’taffordtouseatthetimebecauseitdidn’tincludeairfare.ItoldEthelIlearnedmylesson.Shelaughedandlaughed.Andthenshesaid“Letmetellyou,Ilearnedmylessontoo!”andshetoldmethatshemadeanevenbiggermistake.AtapreviousTASsilentauctionwhenshewassettingouttheitemswithbidsheets,shewentthroughandputhernameonEVERYbidsheettogetthebiddingstarted,andnotjustattherecommendedstartingbid.Onthatnight,itwascoldandicy,andhardlyanyonecametotheeventbecauseofhowtreacheroustheroadswere.Muchtoherembarrassment,shehadtoshelloutalotofmoneyfornearlyalltheitems!Shesaid,“IloveTravisAudubonandintheendIdidn’tmindgivingthemallthatmoney,butI’llNEVERdothatagain!”Webothhadfunlaughingaboutthosesilentauctionexperiences.–TerriSiegenthaler

EthelwasmyroommateforseveralTexasOrnithologicalSocietymeetings.MostlysherodewithJaneTillmanandroomedwithme.However,theyearthatTOSwenttoAmarillo,sherodewithmeaswell.IenjoyedthecompanyofherfamilyinAmarilloandIappreciatedherlowkeystyleoftraveling.IcanhardlybelievethatshewillnotbecallingmeuponsomeSundayafternoonanymore.IwassogladtoreadsomanythingsIdidnotknowaboutEthelinherobituary.ItseemsliketheendofanerawithEthelgone.–GeorginaSchwartz

IfirstmetEtheloveradecadeago.ShewasalongtimememberofTravisAudubonandtheWednesdayBirdingGroupledbyDanCallaway.AtthetimeIwasafledglingbirderandtheWednesdayBirdingGrouphelpedmesatisfymydrivingneedtolearnmoreaboutbirdsandbirding.Thegroupwouldhopinsomeone’scarandspendthewholedaybirding,anadventurethatIlovedandIhaveneverquitefoundanythinglikesince.Idon’tknowhowlongEthelhadbeenabirder,butithadbeenalongtime.Herbrother,EdKutac,hadafollowingintheAustinBirdingcommunityasoneofthestate’sbestbirders,awonderfulteacher,andsomeonewhohadapassionateinterestinbirds.Ethelfollowedalong,andshebecamejustaspassionateasEd.Ethelwasastrongenvironmentalist,andtheloveofbirdingfellrightalongwithherpassionfortheenvironment.Duringourtrips,wewouldalltalk,andIlikedlisteningtoEtheltalk.ShewasfromadifferentagethanIwas,anageinbetweenmygrandparentsandmymother,andIlikedtohearhertalkaboutherlifegrowingupinYokumwheresheandherfamilyprettymuchtookcareofthemselveswhiletheirwidowmotherwenttoworktosupportthefamily.

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Inmymind’seyeIseeEthelinasleepylittletown,runningaroundtheneighborhoodhavingfunyetatthesametimetakingcareofthechoreshermotherhadassignedthechildren.ShesaidthatthewholecommunitykeptaneyeoutfortheKutacbrood,makingsuretheywereokay.Ethelgothereducationasateacherinatimewhenwomenreallydidn’tgeteducationbeyondhighschool,andshewenttoliveinEuropeandtaughtintheAmericanschoolsoverseas.Again,thatwasnotacommonchoiceforawomantomakeinthosedays.IguessshemusthavepickedupherloveoftravelduringthoseyearsbecauseforaslongasIknewEthelshewasalwaysgoingsomewhereexciting,usuallyonabirdingtrip.Ilovedhearingherstoriesofthosetimes.Yes,Ethelcouldtalkaboutherpastandhertravels,butEthelwasnotonlyrootedinthepast–shehadagoodknowledgeofcurrentevents,muchbetterthanmine,andshefrequentlyaskedmeifI“tookthepaper”(IconfessedthatIdidn’tandshewouldshakeherhead.)Shewasastaunchdemocratandasthelicenseplatestickersaidonthebackofhercar,“Ivotefortheenvironment.”Herconversationwasalwayslively,andshewasfuntobewith;shewouldalwaysbesmiling,joking,teasing.Duringouradventuresbirdingshewouldstartconversationswithpeoplewhowemetupwith,andshewasalwayscuriousaboutwhatotherpeoplethoughtandshewouldtalkaboutbirdsandbirdingwiththem.Once,Ibroughtmydaughteralongbirdingwithus,andEtheltookherunderherwingandexplainedbirdingtoher–shewasakindlyolderpersonwhohadpatiencewithyoungchildren.ItookacoupleoflongertripswithEthel–oneyearwewentonaWhoopingCraneCruiseinRockport,andanothertimewetookTimFennell’sfantasticshorebirdclasstogether.Shewasalwaysagoodtravelcompanion,funandexcitedabouttheadventure,willingtodoanythingtoseeabirdorlearnaboutbirds.Yes,shewasalwayslearningandperhapsthatiswhatIlikedmostabouther.Evenwhenshewasconfinedtoherhouseaftersurgeryshewouldtellmeabouttheinterestingprogramsshewouldwatchandthepeopleshemetalongherlife’svariousadventures.(Votingat90+yearsinthetimeofCOVID,conversationsshehadwithherpriest,thepeoplewhowouldcometoseeher.)Ilovethefactthatshecouldgobackandforthinhermindbetweenpresenttimesandherpastlife,andtotheendshewassharp,curious,andoptimistic.Iwillmissherandherstories,thefunpersonshewas,andtheadventureswehad.–TerryBanks

TerryBanks,EthelKutac,andIngridHuskeyonabirdingtrip.

Ican’tsaywhenIfirstmetEthel,butthankstoeBird.orgIknowthatsheaccompaniedmyhusband,Mark,andmetotheDavisMountainsbackinAugust2010onaTexasOrnithologicalSocietytrip.EthelsharedseveralbirdingadventuresandChristmasBirdCountswithusovertheyears.Whenyouspendlongdaystogetherandinthefieldyougettoknowsomeone.Ethelwasalwaysfunandeasycompany.(Itneverceasedtoamazemehowcompactlyshetraveled–justthreetinybagsatmost–notevenasuitcase.Iguessshelearnedthatskillwithallheroverseastravelsearlierinlife.)

OneofthemorememorabletripsthatEthelandItookwastochasearareCollaredPloverdownnearRaymondville,TXinAugust2014.IpickedupEthel,wemadethe4.5hourdrive(probablywithastopforcoffeeasEthelwasneverfarfromacup),andsetuponaleveeoverlookingadriedplayainlateafternoon.Thetempwas103degreeswhenwearrived,anditwaswindy–Ethelandherchairalmostblewover.Theploverwasnoteasytosee,andIwasnotthattalentedingettingthescopefocusedonitatEthel’sseatedlevel.Thankfully,upwalkedEricCarpenterwhotookchargeandgotheronthebird.(Latershealwayscalledhim,“suchaniceyoungman.”)ThebackstorywasthatEthelattendedaTexasOrnithologicalSocietymeetingnearUvaldeseveralyearspriorinMay,1992.HerfieldtripleaderaskedthegroupiftheywantedtomakeasidetriptotheUvaldeFishHatcherytoseethefirstU.S.recordofCollaredPlover,andonewomansaid“IbelieveI’dliketogetbacktothehotel.”ThatdidnotsitwellwithEthel,andIamgladshefinallygottoseeone.Beforewewenttothehotelwehadtogofindabeerforhertocelebrate.Ethellikedherbeer.DuringCOVIDIdidweeklygroceryshoppingforEthelatHEBandoftenvisitedafterwards.Itwasapleasuretotalkofmundanethingslikegoodrecipes,goodfoods,happeningsinourfamilies,movies,andcurrentevents.Ethelhadinterestsinsomanythings,anditneverflagged.ShecouldtalkabouttheLadyLonghorns,UTfootballandbaseball,recentbooks,whatwasrightorwrongaboutpoliticsandpoliticians,etc.Iloveditwhenshe’dlowerhervoiceandsayalittlemoreslowly“inMyOpinion.”Religionwasveryimportanttoher,butwheneverEthelhadtomissSundayMass,duetoabirdingweekend,shesaidshewasthinkingofthedivineoutintheCathedralofNature.Ialwayslikedthatexpression.IttickledmethatEthelhadsuchanetworkoffriends,whoeachhelpedherinvariousways–someonedidherRandall’sandWalgreensruns,otherstookhertovariousappointments,someonebroughthernewspaperuptoherhome,someonebroughtthetrashcansupfromthecurb,andothershelpedwithplantwatering,changingfilters,etc.Sheneveroverworkedanyoneofus,whetherbyaccidentordesign.ThoseofuswhoknewEthelknowhowshecouldsqueezeapenny.Stretchleftoversfromrestaurantsinto2or3meals,alwaysbuytheleastexpensivebrandofx,yorzunlessyouhaveareallygoodreasonforthehigherpriceditem,anddon’ttakethetollroadwhenregularroadsjusttakealittlebitlonger.

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Theseeconomieswerepartofhergameinlife,andtheyallowedhertotravelwellintoher80sandsupportcharitiessheloved.What’snottolikeaboutthat?ItwasaprivilegetoknowEthel.Sheknewhowtolivelifefully.–JaneTillman

BurnetChristmasBirdCount(January4,2013).Fromlefttoright:

TerryBanks,JaneTillman,JaneneRowan,KenZaslow,DanCallaway,

EthelKutac,DaveSeal,IngridHuskeyandCatfishKelly.