Coastal Bend Audubon Society

MEETINGS
Monthly programs are held at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History.

April 3, 2012
Speaker: Kirk Fuerbacher, The Nature Conservancy
Topic: Goliad/Refugio Prairie Project

As Coastal Prairies Project Director for TNC, Kirk works out of Victoria, Texas and is currently focused on identifying and implementing the best and most practical management techniques to preserve species and ecosystem function on the gulf coast grasslands.

May 1, 2012
Speaker: Mary Gustafson, Rio Grande Joint Venture, Coordinator
Topic:  What the Heck are Joint Ventures and What Do They Have to Do with Birds?

Joint Ventures are one of the USA's best kept bird conservation secrets, and one of the most effective.  Come and learn about Joint Ventures and how they impact birds and bird habitat conservation locally, nationally, and internationally.   Mary Gustafson is the coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture, and she'll share examples of projects, successes, and future plans from Tamaulipas to Texas.

Previous Meetings 2011 - 2012

September 6, 2011
Speaker: David Nestead, CBAS President and Coastal Bend and Estuaries Program
Topic: Our Next Endangered Shorebird? Surprising results from recent Red Knot research in Texas.

October 4, 2011 -
Speaker: Jeffrey Pollack, Environmental Scientist and Sustainability Specialist with HDR Shiner Moseley
Topic: City of Corpus Christi's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan

Mr. Pollack will present an overview of the process by which the City's first community-wide sustainability plan was crafted and a detailed look at the contents of that plan. Co-sponsor with Coastal Bend Bays Foundation.

November 1, 2011
Speaker: Jason Slade, Curator of Birds & Mammals at the Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi
Topic: "Bird training with a focus on training a social group of three male Harris Hawks."

January 3, 2012 CANCELLED -

February 7, 2012
Speaker: Timothy R. Anderson, field coordinator Partners for Fish & Wildlife and Coastal Programs,
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Topic: Falcon Recovery
Mr. Anderson will speak on the recovery of the Northern Aplomado Falcon, a federally listed endangered species, whose historic range included the prairies of southern Texas and New Mexico. The bird became endangered because of overgrazing and brush encroachment, conversion of native habitats to agriculture or exotic pastures, and toxins from pesticides.
Efforts such as reintroduction programs have been underway for many years, but the species continues to face obstacles to a more speedy recovery. Over the long term, the species will require a landscape-level, cooperative effort, combining efforts of biologists, landowners, and agency cooperators.

March 6, 2012
Speaker: Daniel Reed, Biologist and Researcher, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Topic: Reddish Egrets
Learn what researchers have recently discovered about the movements, migration routes and wintering areas of Reddish Egrets at the March CBAS meeting. Until now little was known about these birds movements. Birds marked with satellite transmitters have revealed some secrets about where they stopover and where they winter after they leave Texas Laguna Madre. This information will help guide management plans and increase understanding of the connectivity among breeding populations.

FIELD TRIPS 2011 - 2012

Renowned local ornithologist Gene Blacklock is offering complimentary guided field trips this year for members of certain local conservation groups including CBAS. If you plan to attend please communicate your interest to: blacklockg@gmail.com

November 6, 2011 (Sunday)

Trip Area:  Nueces River Valley
Trip leader:  Gene Blacklock
Time:  Meet at 6:45 am.  Field trip scheduled to end around noon time.

Start at Catholic Church, town of Old San Patricio; caravan to birding site. Also explore Berry Gravel Pits. Bring water, hat etc. Do not forget binoculars, scope will be helpful for the gravel pits. ENERGY RATING: slow walking, terrain moderate.

No restrooms are available near the field trip sites.

February 11, 2012 (Saturday)

Trip Area: Habitats of Carmel Hills, Live Oak County
Trip leader: Gene W. Blacklock
Time: Meet at 7:00 am. Field trip scheduled to end around noon time.

Start at the junction of Farm to Market 534/Carmel Hills Road. Located on southwest side of Lake CC; accessed by Hwy.359; 534 takes off from Hwy.359, located between Orange Grove and Sandia. Carmel Hills Road is located beyond access to Pernitas Point and before Lagarto Creek. Bring water, hat etc. Do not forget binoculars
No restrooms are available near the field trip sites.

Mission Statement

The mission of the CBAS is to promote the appreciation, conservation and restoration of ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, through education, participation, stewardship and advocacy.

CBAS Meetings

The CBAS meets on the first Tuesday of the month from September through May at 7 pm at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History, 1900 Chaparral

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