Growing Skills for the Green Economy
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Students at WILD |
Final Free Urban Restoration Workshop THIS WEEKEND
Join Tucson Audubon and the Western Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) high school to learn simple yet vital skills for restoring
Tucson's urban ecology in this series of workshops. One workshop is left, on April 25 (see below). Please RSVP to Andy Bennett, (520) 262-1314 (or contact him for more information).
Saturday, April 25 | 8:00 AM
Rainwater Harvesting Barrel Installation
The
Western Institute seeks to be a community sustainability information
center. To that end, during this workshop we will be growing the school's
"rainwater harvesting petting zoo" by installing their second and third
rainwater harvesting features. With assistance from regional experts at
Watershed Management Group, we will be plan, design, and install these features to serve as water sources for the school's new gardens
and greenhouses.
Get details of this workshop
Get Your Birdathon On! April 10 – May 10
Birdathon
is in its second week, and thanks to our valued participants we
have already raised over 41% of our goal!
Lead a team yourself or join an expert-led team:
- Scott Olmstead of Tropical Birding will lead Scott's Orioles on a trip on Saturday, April 25.
- Jennie MacFarland of Tucson Audubon will be Larking Up Lemmon on Tuesday, April 28 from 3 AM to the early afternoon.
Visit tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon to sign up or make a donation today, or contact Diana Rosenblum at drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org, 520-209-1802 for more information.
Lucy's Warbler (Lois Manowitz)
Nest Box Ups and Downs
Latest Nesting Attempts
Ash-throated Flycatcher chicks have hatched in Sara Pike's flycatcher box! Watch her video from the camera that's in the box (with narrative by her and her son Alex!).
Lucy's Warblers tried to nest for a second year in a row in Lois Manowitz's gourd. As shown above they carried in nesting material. But their eggs were subsequently found outside on the ground. It appears a predator (Lois suspects Cactus Wrens) stole the eggs. The warblers had built up the nest to the height of the opening. Indeed, we have heard they like to see out while sitting on the nest. However, it makes them vulnerable. This fits with anecdotal information suggesting they like to have a deeper nest. That way, at they can both see out of the hole but not be too close to it. Jonathan is experimenting with box designs for Lucy's Warbler, one of which has more depth. Which leads us to the next item.
Lucy’s Warbler Nestbox Project seeks Draftsperson
We have created two styles of wooden Lucy’s Warbler nest boxes and have hand-drawn plans for their construction. However, Jonathan is not known for his amazing artistic abilities, and we could really use someone to make these plans look like real plans that can be understood by anyone!
If you’re interested, please email Jonathan.
Paton Center Has More Than Just Hummingbirds!
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Thick-billed Kingbird (George West) |
Larry Morgan's Top 5 Birds for the Week
Check the Paton Center's Facebook page for the list and find out what the bird to the right is!
The Trail is Finished!
Read Paton Center volunteer, Bob Brandt's final installment of the Patagonia trail building Blog. After months of hard work, the link between the Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve and the Paton Center is hikeable.
Other Patagonia Area News
Friends of the Mountain Empire Benefit Concert
A very special evening of music with the Kevin Pakulis Band in Copper Hall at Hotel Congress, Tucson. And a special appearance by Raul Grijalva.
Saturday, May 9 | 7 – 11 PM
Support the organizations working to protect and preserve the habitat, water, and wildlife of the Mountain Empire from new mining in the Patagonia Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Canelo Hills, and the San Rafael Valley of southern Arizona. More info here.
Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival Registration Update
Four field trips still open for registration. Keep checking the website as cancellations may come in.
Check out the festival workshops and evening programs with keynotes Rick Wright and Paul Baicich here!
Pre-Festival trip to Mexico with David MacKay of Solipaso Tours
Journey to view Thick Billed Parrots and much more: Madera, Mexico: August 10-13, 2015. ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT! Click here for trip details.
Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/festival for details and to register.