Dear friend,
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Here's what's happening at Houston Audubon this month!
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| Purple Martin Watch Parties are back!
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From July to September, Houston's Purple Martins spend most of the day feeding on flying insects to build energy for their long journey across the Gulf of Mexico. At dusk, they form large flocks and roost together in preparation for migration. Bring your family and friends and experience the spectacle with us!
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Upcoming Watch Parties:
August 17 at Willowbrook
August 24 at Stafford
September 7 at Stafford
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Register for free »
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Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 bird sanctuaries totaling over 4,100 acres, many of which are open to the public! Our most frequented sanctuaries include the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in west Houston and our High Island and Bolivar Flats sanctuaries on the coast.Â
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary sustained considerable damage from Hurricane Beryl. A few trees were knocked down from the storm, and a few more fell later because the soil was saturated. Unfortunately, the creek railing along the Creekside Trail on the north side of the property was damaged and there is a large leaning pine tree that will require professionals to remove. Trail Crew volunteers have been instrumental in taking care of debris and making repairs, but there is more work to be done. In order to preserve the safety of our guests, we will be closed until further notice. Thank you for your patience as we prepare our sanctuary to welcome visitors again.Â
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If you are able, please consider making a donation to support Houston Audubon with our efforts to restore this sanctuary. Your support will help us hire professionals to clear trails, remove debris, take care of hazards, and implement safety measures to reopen the sanctuary to the public. Any amount helps!
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As it is still hot and buggy in the sanctuaries this time of year, there are few organized events this month. Our monthly Beach Ramble at Bolivar Flats will occur at 10am on Saturday, August 3rd. This is an opportunity to learn more about the coastal ecology of the Galveston Bay region and see a large abundance and diversity of shorebirds, gulls, terns, herons, etc.
The coastal sanctuaries fared well in Hurricane Beryl and debris has been mostly cleared. Very few nests in the rookery were affected by the high winds, likely because those species still nesting (mostly Tricolored Herons and Cattle Egrets) tend to nest lower in the trees and closer to the trunks. Most nests have fledged by the end of July, but August is still a great time to observe a lot of herons, egrets, spoonbills, and cormorants, especially in the evenings when they fly in to roost on the rookery islands. It is also a good time to see large numbers of roosting White Ibis and Wood Storks using the protected rookery islands for roosting habitat, or foraging in the shallow portions of the ponds. While waterbird migration begins in earnest in August, it is still a slow period for passerine migration. A few early migrants have begun trickling through such as Orchard Orioles and Louisiana Waterthrush. From the third week in August on, we typically begin to see our first Olive-sided and Empidonax Flycatchers, and Mourning, Nashville, and Canada Warblers for the fall. The latter three are typically far easier to find in the sanctuaries in the fall than they are in the spring, but be prepared to deal with a few more biting insects.
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By Schyler Brown, Houston Audubon Conservation Specialist
Houston is in the thick of summer, with high temperatures and air so moist you could almost swim through it. We can imagine how difficult it must be for animals that live outside. Humans simply stay indoors in the air-conditioning, but how do the birds handle this heat? Much like other animals, many birds actually pant! By panting, birds allow evaporation of water from their mouths, which cools down the body. Similarly, many birds use a technique called gular fluttering, which is the fluttering of their neck muscles to allow heat to escape through evaporation, similar to panting. Finally, many birds love taking a soak to cool down, just like we do. Putting out bird baths (and cleaning them regularly) is a great way to provide a cooling area for small birds! Next time you’re driving to the grocery store, keep your eyes out for some of these behaviors. Grackles are often seen with their mouths open, panting in an effort to cool off. Cormorants can be seen gular fluttering as they perch on logs in a creek. Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays will find puddles to cool off in throughout urban environments! Read more on how birds cool off here »
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Become a Member
Become a Houston Audubon member today to receive great benefits like members-only birding trips, early access and free admission to certain events, discounts on our merchandise, and more!Â
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Save the Date for Avian Affair!
Our annual fundraising dinner will be held on Thursday, October 17 at The Revaire. Become an underwriter today or stay tuned for individual tickets.
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Conservation License Plate 🚗
Show your love of birds when you hit the road! Order your specialty license plate to support bird conservation while driving around town. $22 of the $30 annual fee comes to Houston Audubon.
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440 Wilchester Blvd. | Houston, TX 77079 US
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