kingfisher Spring 2011 8.5 x 11 layout

Volume 8
Issue 1
Spring 2011
Kingfisher
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center Programs & Events
Page 1
CENTER NEWS
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Message from the Manager
Spring is in the air! Though the native plant growth had a bit of a set-back with the two
back to back freezes we experienced in February, most of the vegetation is greening up
nicely! Everywhere, we are seeing tiny leaves shooting off the branches of the Texas Lantana, Turks Cap, Baby Bonnets and many more of our shrubs. Along our shoreline, golden
flowers are beginning to appear on the Huisache, one of the earliest bloomers in our area!
Spring brings many changes to our area, including the migration of wildlife and people. If
your heading out of town, or just in for a short visit, we hope you make our Center one
of your must-see destinations. And if you’re a resident of this beautiful Valley, we hope
that you’ll not only take in our site for its great wildlife and awesome scenery, but will
check out many of our wonderful upcoming programs and activities. Until then…
~ Marisa Oliva ~
Nature Notes: Rain Water Barrels
Last December, EWBC maintenance staff installed two rain water barrels to collect water off our
roof tops! The larger of the two is displayed prominently near the east side entrance to the
Center. The smaller barrel is located behind the education classroom. The rain collected in these
barrels will be used to help fill our two ponds near
the Center and for special planting projects.
In addition to these two barrels, we plan to install
two more during the next few years. One for our
Community Garden area and an additional one for
our classroom roof.
For now, all we hope for is a little rain!
Creature Feature:
The Greater Roadrunner
A permanent resident of the Rio Grande Valley, the Greater Roadrunner roams the expanses of scrub dessert and mesquite groves in search of food. However, it is not seeds
that it is after, but insects, lizards and even small birds! This beautiful ground-dweller is
often seen crossing roads, a habit which, for some, is considered to be a good luck sign!
The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is of the Cuckoo family, Cuculidae,
and possesses a “cooing” type call, which descends in pitch. This species is rather large in
size compared to its relative, the Yellow-bellied Cuckoo. Our Greater Roadrunner has
brown and white streaks running vertically from head to tail and a very noticeable bushy
crest it raises when curious or alarmed. Be sure to look for our resident Greater Roadrunner on your next visit to the Wetlands and see if you can catch some of the luck!
The Greater
Roadrunner
Page 2
EVENTS & UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Yoga in the Park
Spring Break is here, bring the family out
to play at the wetlands! Each day will
feature a new activity, so don’t miss this
opportunity to see what we’re all about!
th
Enjoy the spring weather while you
are led through breathing exercises,
Hatha yoga poses and meditation
techniques . Set for beginners, this
th
March 14 -18
FR
Mon: Show & Tell
EE
Tues: Night Hike
Ad with
mis
sion paid
Weds: Puppet Show
!
Thurs: St. Patty’s Day Craft
Fri: Dipnetting
course is both challenging and calming,
leaving you refreshed and inspired!
Saturdays, March 19th - May 28th
8:308:30-9:30 a.m. $5 per participant
Summer is just around the corner, so why not join the amazing education staff for one
of our exciting nature camps! Each four day long camp encompasses a wide variety of
games, crafts, nature exploration and hands-on activities. Register this spring!
Aquanauts Nature Camp
Ages:
8-12
(going into Grades 4th thru 7th)
Dates: Tuesday, June 28th to
Friday, July 1st
Polliwogs Nature Camp
Ages: 4-5
(going into Pre-K thru 1st grade)
Dates: Tuesday, July 5th to
Friday, July 8th
Eco-Explorers Nature Camp
Ages:
5-9
(going into Grades 2nd thru 5th)
Dates: Tuesday, July 12th to
Friday, July 15th
Page 3
YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Friday Night with a Naturalist
Join us and some of the best naturalists and nature
enthusiasts in the valley for wonderful family programs this spring! The third Friday of each month,
EWBC invites different speakers to share their knowledge of birds, butterflies, plants and more! Program
and admission are FREE!
FREE Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
and presentations are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. RR
Upcoming Programs:
March 18th: Birding Optics
April 15th: Trees of Texas
May 20th: Bats of Texas
Celebrate Earth Day with
Recyclable Crafts
Join us in creating crafty and useful items out of recyclables! Find out interesting ways you can use disposables found around the house and yard. Find out
how we can create a better Earth for you and your
loved ones. Bring your family and enjoy saving the
planet one craft at a time!
Date: Saturday, April 23rd
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE with paid admission
Tulips for MOM
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Kids, show your mom how much
you care. Come join the EWBC staff
as we teach you how to hand craft
tulips with egg cartons! These tulips
will surely be a bouquet your mom
will love and enjoy for a long time.
Date: Saturday, May 7th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE with paid admission
RR: Reservations Required, 2 days prior to event
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Puppet Show and Pond Play
On this spectacular Saturday, come explore the different creepy, crawly critters that can be found at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center.
The EWBC staff presents the “Amazing Insects” Puppet
Show which teaches us all about insects and their adaptations. Also discover the many aquatic insects
when you dip net at our mysterious Dragonfly Pond.
It will be summer fun for the whole family to enjoy!
Date: Saturday, May 28th
Time: Puppet Show @ 1:00 p.m.
Pond Play @ 3-5 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Spectacular Saturdays!
On the last Saturday of the month, EWBC will open its
doors for FREE to the general public. If you have not
been to our beautiful center, this is your chance to
check us out. Throughout the day, there will be scheduled activities and programs and scheduled nature
hikes. Binoculars are available free of charge. Free entry does not include fee for concurring programs and
activities.
Dates: Saturdays: March 26th,
April 30th,
May 28th.
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE ALL DAY
Come celebrate with nature!
The birthday boy or girl and up to 25 of
their friends will enjoy an hour long
nature program, followed by an hour of
celebration in the learning center room.
Various nature themes are offered, with
correlating activities. Themes include:
insects, geocaching, butterflies, birds and
more! Call today to learn more about this
birthday experience!
YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Page 4
Teen Nature
Adventures
Teens, do you and your friends enjoy nature and the
outdoors? Interested in learning more about what the
Rio Grande Valley has to offer? Join EWBC staff in an
exploration of some of the best outdoor and nature
programs in the Valley this Spring and Summer!
Exploring Bentsen State Park at Night!
Join EWBC for an evening bike tour and a night hike
of Bentsen RGV State Park in Mission, Texas. The
program includes transportation, dinner, snacks, use
of binoculars, and “Creature of the Night” Tour.
Please bring your own bikes!
Date:
Time:
Fee:
April 30th
5 pm to 11 pm
$18 members / $20 non members
South Padre Island Nature Tour
We all know the island has a great beach, but do you
know about its other treasures? Join EWBC staff for a
fun and relaxing day exploring gems like the SPI Birding & Nature Center, the Coastal Studies Lab, and Sea
Turtle Inc. The fee includes transportation, lunch,
snacks and entry fees. Great views and great fun.
Date:
Time:
Fee:
May 21
7 am to 5 pm
$25 members / $28 non-members
Scouts Day
The EWBC will be hosting a day for Bear Cub Scouts
and Brownie/ Junior Girl Scouts that will fulfill badge/
patch requirements while they have a fantastic time
learning about the natural world. RR.
Bear Cub Achievement:
“Sharing your World With Wildlife”
Bring your 9 year old Cub Scout to learn about
the wonderful world of wildlife & wildlife management. Scouts will learn about bird identification, extinct species, and the roles of wildlife professionals, all while visiting and exploring one of
the Valleys hidden natural treasures! Each cub
scout will also build a birdhouse.
Date: May 14th
Time: 9 am - 11:30 am
FEE: $7 per cub scout
$5 per family member
(5 & under free)
Girl Scout Water Drop Patch
st
Kayaking the Bay at Laguna Atascosa
Get an early start to an awesome day exploring the
Laguna Madre Bay and parts of the Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge. The tour includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, snacks, a 2 hour kayak trip on
the Bay, and side hikes. Dress to get wet!
Date:
Time:
Fee:
Vol. 8 Issue 1
June 18th
6 am to 3 pm
$48
Program for teens, age 14 to 19. Registration is
required 2 weeks prior to the activities. Please call
(956) 381381-9922 to register. Space is limited, so please
call soon!
Brownie & Junior troops, join EWBC staff for an
introduction into all things water! This hands-on
fun-filled day will include a wetland wildlife hike,
pond explorations, role playing and more. The
program includes a patch and a free poster!
Date: May 14th
Time: 2 pm - 4:30 pm
Fee: $7 per scout
$5 per family member
(5 & under free)
Call us at (956)381(956)381-9922
to schedule your troop today!
ADULT ACTIVITIES
Page 5
Warbler I.D.
Improve your identification
prowess of some of the smallest
of the Spring migrants! Warblers
are beautiful and often colorful
birds, but can be tricky to identify. Learn useful techniques and tips for spotting and
identifying the many different species that fly through
the Rio Grande Valley in March and April. The program includes a presentation and guided walk by one
of the area’s leading naturalist. RR.
Date: Saturday, March 19th
Time: 8 am to 10 am
Fee:
$7 members & $10 non-members
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Birds and the Beads
Join the EWBC
for a celebration
of Mothers!
Do you
know what the
women in
your life
deserve on Mother’s
Day? Come
enjoy a
serene evening at EWBC
and browse
through
different hand-crafted
jewelry,
wine, and
hors’ de oeuvre. Pick
something
out for
yourself, your spouse,
or a mom
who would
appreciate it! The
evening is for
adults only,
so please leave
the little ones
at home!
FEE: FREE!
Date:
Time:
Friday, May 6th
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wildflower Van Tour
Dutch Oven Cooking
Spring is a wonderful time to see
wildflowers on display in the Valley!
Learn about South Texas native wildflowers and the unique habitat they
create. This excursion will give participants the opportunity to view and
photograph spring wildflowers during
their often too brief appearance!
Lunch, snacks, drinks and transportation included. RR.
Outdoor cooking enthusiast, Oscar Bravo, will demonstrate the special skills of Dutch Oven cooking in this
wonderful outdoor class! Participants will learn the
tips and techniques for maintenance of your Dutch
Oven; the many different dishes that can be created;
and will demonstrate the cooking of three traditional
dishes: cowboy chili, pan de campo, and delectable
peach dessert. Come prepared to eat! RR.
Date:
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 9 am to 3 pm
Fee: $22 members, $25 non-members
nd
April 30th
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Fee:
$12
$ members, $15 non-members
BBQ 101 for Women
Aves en Español!
¿Te gustan los pajaros de colores? Esta
clase esta diseñada para el principiante
interesado en la identificacion de aves
presentes en el Valle del Rio Grande.
Un experto local te enseñara como
identificar muchas de las aves que se
encuentran en nuestra area. RR.
Ladies, have you always wanted to BBQ, but never
knew how? Join Oscar Bravo, resident BBQ aficionado, for the basics of outdoor grilling. The course
includes grill maintenance, food preparation techniques, and grilling tips. As part of the course, participants will join Oscar in grilling vegetable kabobs, marinated shrimp & chicken, and grilled fruit. RR.
Fecha: Sabado, 9 de Abril
Hora: 3:30 pm to 5 pm
Costo: $7 por familia
Date:
May 21st
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Fee:
$15
$ members, $18 non-members
EVENTS & UPDATES
Page 6
On EWBC’s 8th Birthday, come
celebrate with us by learning how
to keep safe in the outdoors.
The event will include safety
programs from local police
officers, a course in self
defense, and map reading
with GPS. And of course,
to celebrate our birthday,
there will be cake! Come
enjoy a great day with us!
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Join the EWBC “Wheelie Birds” team as they take to
the back roads and trails to search for birds as part of
the annual Great Texas Birding Classic!
Classic
This “green team” will attempt to find as many birds
as possible without leaving a carbon footprint. You
can join in on the fun by following along on their
morning route. Free breakfast at the Center is included, along with water. RR.
Saturday, March 26th
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE!
Experience Nature As Your Classroom!
Is your school or group interested in discovering nature and the
outdoors? You’re in luck! During the Spring, the Edinburg Scenic
Wetlands & World Birding Center offers a variety of fun and
educational field trips and outreach programs for children of all
ages. Below you will find the programs offered and appropriate
grade levels for each program. Register today!
Available Tour Programs:
Insect Puppet Show & Nature Walk
Grade Level: Pre - K to 2nd
“Amazing Insects” puppet show about body parts and adaptations
followed by a short discussion and an exploratory walk on insects.
“Habits and Habitats” Nature Program
Grade level: 2nd to 4th
Short introductory lesson on bird behavior and habits followed by a
guided tour observing various signs of bird activity and bird behavior.
Grade level: 5th to 12th
General Natural History Tour
Short introductory lesson on field safety, field tools, and a 45 minute
tour of the butterfly garden, dragonfly pond and effluent wetlands.
Available Outreach Programs:
Birds of the Rio Grande Valley
Classroom Gardens
Reptiles & Amphibians
Native Plants
Wetlands & Critters
Nature Puppet Show
Nature Career Presentation
Wildlife of the Valley
We are currently accepting reservations for the months of April
and May. Please call for pricing
and schedule availability!
Reservations must be made at
least two weeks in advance.
Our staff can provide customized
nature and environmental programs. Please call us for your field
trip or classroom needs.
For more information contact us at
(956) 381381-9922.
TO REGISTER for these and
other events, please call (956)
381381-9922 at least TWO days
prior to the event.
MARCH
10: Rancho Lomitas Tour
14-18: Spring Break Spectacular
18: FNWN: Birding Optics
19: Warbler ID
26: Spectacular Saturday
26: Safety in the Park
APRIL
2: Wildflower Van Tour
9: Aves en Español (Spanish Birding 101)
15: FNWN: Trees of Texas
16: Birds & Bikes
22: EWBC Closed-Good Friday
23 Crafting with Recyclables
30: Spectacular Saturday
30: Dutch Oven Cooking
For more information about
our programs, please visit
www.EdinburgWBC.org
or
www.WorldBirdingCenter.org
MAY
6: Birds & the Beads
7: Tulips for Mom
14: Scout Day
20: FNWN: Bats of Texas
21: BBQ 101 for Women
28: Spectacular Saturday
28: Puppet Show & Pond Play
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
& World Birding Center
714 Raul Longoria RD
PO BOX 1079
Edinburg, TX 78539
www.EdinburgWBC.org
Spring 2011
Programs &
Events