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April 2022
The sound, smell and feel of spring is here.  Blooming flowers, budding trees and courtship display. Butterflies, dragonflies and bees. We’re greeted by morning birdsong--Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, American Robins and Northern Cardinals--as we awake and begin our day.  We peer into the trees and brush in search of our favorite migrating songbirds. Warblers, thrushes, vireos, and tanagers. The emergence of spring is wonderful, and it's here.  Enjoy!
~ Helen Drummond, Executive Director
Birdathon 2022 - Birding for a Cause!
Birdathon is our annual spring fundraiser where teams count as many bird species as they can in a 24-hour period and fundraise for bird conservation. New this year, we've added birding opportunities for hands-on experience prior to your big birding day! We've also added resources and a toolkit for teachers incorporating Birdathon into their classroom. 
Go birding now through May 6!

Learn More and Register

IN THE COMMUNITY
Vote for Houston Audubon at Angel Share
April 1 - 30
Angel Share charity bar in downtown Houston works with local non-profits to raise awareness for their causes while competing against 3 other organizations for a financial reward! You can help birds by enjoying food and drinks at Angel Share during April and voting for Houston Audubon!
Via Colori
April 2-3
Come see us at Via Colori this weekend at POST Houston! We are excited to partner with the Institute for Spirituality and Health on this beloved chalk art street painting festival. Be sure to stop by our booth to chat about birds and win fun giveaways, and look for our staff artists Berri Moffett and Javier Salas working on our birdy square! 
Earth Day Celebration
April 10
This year's CEC Earth Day celebration at Discovery Green focuses on birds and Houston's importance as a migration hotspot. Visit the Houston Audubon booth to learn about birds, win giveaways on our prize wheel, and enjoy activities for children. 

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Virus Vigil at Orange Show
April 3
Jim Blackburn and Isabelle Scurry Chapman will present selected highlights from their "Virus Vigil"—a year-long virtual event with paintings and poetry produced and transmitted each day. Enjoy guided improvisations led by Joanna Friesen and a visit from Houston Audubon's education ambassador birds. Beer provided by Bakfish Brewing. 
Evening on the Canopy
April 9
Come down to High Island to celebrate spring and experience the McGovern Canopy Walkway in a private setting. We will gather in the historic pumphouse and enjoy an array of locally prepared food and drinks. Bring your birding gear to immerse yourself in the treetops and observe the Rookery. Bus charter option available.
High Island Volunteer Opportunities
Through May 22
We're looking for volunteers to help with Spring Migration at High Island! Tasks include assisting with admissions and merchandise, helping visitors find birds, and giving general sanctuary information to visitors. Get some prime birding in while you're at it! No experience necessary.
VIEW ALL EVENTS

AROUND OUR SANCTUARIES

Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

Edith L. Moore had a great month thanks to two wonderful work groups – the community workday volunteers cleaned up the trash along Rummel Creek, including the very full litter boom. Our neighbors at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church came out for a workday and helped spread fresh mulch on our trails! Migration is in full swing, so stop by the cabin to check the whiteboard for recently seen birds.
Visitor Information
Mindful Mornings in the Forest | April 16
Join Mindful Green's Heather Sullivan for a guided lesson and meditation, followed by a quiet solo practice in the forest. The class concludes at the historic log cabin, where you can drink tea made from the local trees and share your experience. Register »

Raptor and Education Center 

The Raptor Center has been busy with activities! We gave private tours to the Houston Women's Hiking Club, The Ecologist School, and BP. The team from BP got to visit the Mississippi Kite enclosure that they helped sponsor. 
A big thank you to Texas Audubon and their Youth Leadership Program!  A wonderful group from the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy helped remove trash along Sims Bayou, hauling off a large amount of junk including an oxygen tank, boom box, bicycle wheel, and more. We really enjoyed seeing their deeply rooted passion for conservation!
There are always lots of fun activities happening at the Raptor Center, such as Guided Tours, Raptor Photo Shoots, and more! Or, you can visit for as little as $5 (free for members) and explore on your own! 
Visitor Information

High Island and Bolivar Flats


Spring has arrived! Northern Parulas, Hooded Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and more are making an appearance in High Island. The Rookery at Smith Oaks is buzzing with activity. Great Egret chicks just started hatching last week, Roseate Spoonbills have begun nest building, and more birds are on the way! Volunteer kiosks are open to help visitors with admissions and other sanctuary information.
Shorebird migrants are starting to arrive at Bolivar Flats. American Golden Plovers, Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpipers have started arriving. Even an Iceland Gull was spotted recently by staff!
In partnership with American Bird Conservancy, our staff recently installed symbolic fencing at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary in Port Bolivar and at East Beach in Galveston to help protect beach-nesting birds including Wilson’s Plovers, Least Terns, and Snowy Plovers. Please steer clear of fenced areas and give birds space. If birds are flying close to you or alarm calling, you are too close. 
Visitor Information

NEWS & BIRDING
It's Time to Turn Those Lights Out for Migrating Birds!
Houston Audubon Launches Bird-Friendly Spaces Program
Welcome to our newest team members!
We recently welcomed Elaine Ross, Operations Administrator, and Gabriel Durham, Volunteer Manager, to the Houston Audubon team. Read more about them on our blog!
Featured Beak: American Woodcock
Bird Collision Monitoring: How you can support research to protect our region's birds
Board of Directors Nominees
The Nominating Committee of the Houston Audubon Board of Directors has recommended a slate for election to the board. All current Houston Audubon members are invited to vote on the FY2023 nominees. The election will be held online and in person at our May meeting. Details will be sent to all members. Learn more about the nominees »
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