Out 'n About the Arboretum

Last night was the big annual fundraiser event for the Arboretum. The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society (ETABS) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the IRS, dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment and the creation of formal and informal plant collections arranged in formal and informal gardens and a native plant area with nature trails.



The Spring GALA, Annual Arboretum Memberships, private and corporate contributions, donations, memorial brick and tree donations provides 100% of the ETABS annual operating budget. All the critters and plants residing at the Arboretum are counting on you to support ETABS.

Thanks for supporting this great place.

Yours truly,
The Garden Birdie.

Tags: etabs, fundraiser, gala, garden birdie, irs, non-profit

The Athens' Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center hosts the monthly Bird and Nature Walk on May 12, 2012, from 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  This month's bird watch outing is during one of the best birding times of the year.  Expect to see 30 or more different species as we explore the Fisheries Center's Interpretive Wetland Trail and other areas of the hatchery. Jim Booker, who usually guides the Walk is a knowledgeable and seasoned birder.

Dress casual, wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and bring binoculars and field guide if you have them.

For additional informaton  

Birding Programs are also conducted on Saturdays at the Tyler State Park and the Purtis Creek State Park during April and May.

Tags: athens, bird watching, etabs, jim booker, texas freshwater fisheries center, texas parks wildlife

Spring is definitely here. The warm temperatures make it difficult to ignor.  Spring arrived early this year.  The Hummingbirds, Summer Tanagers, Purple Martins, Blue Birds and many other varieties have migrated back to the East Texas Arboretum and Henderson County. 

Come out to the Arboretum for a hike on one of the trails and just listen to the bird chatter.  Take time to stop often and listen very closely to see how many different bird songs you can identify.  Be careful to and don't let the mocking bird fake you out.  It is the great imitator.

Enjoy the Spring because summer will be here soon.  Chirp, chirp.

Signed,

Arboretum Garden Birdie (abirdie@eastexasarboretum.org)

Tags: bird songs, birds, cardinals, hawks, humming birds, purple martins, spring, summer tanagers

A month ago, the weather was so hot and dry, I thought I was going to perish.  Alas, some how I made it. But, I have heard many reports that several of the wild critters did not survive. The near record heat, scarce water and food has taken a heavy toll and many plants and animals are not out of the woods, so to speak.

The end of the near record heat is in site and most of us are looking forward to celebrating the end of summer and the coming of fall. If you don't fly south soon like some of my winged friends, you will want to be at the Arboretum on October 8th for the annual Fall Festival.  This is a FREE family event with activities for young, old and everyone in between. My bird friends and I are particularly excited about the Arboretum's Fall Festival this year because our dear, dear friend, Sonny, the Birdman will not only be attending but entertaining. If you don't know Sonny, he is a legendary entertainer and an all-around really swell guy. He likes other animals too, but the birds are just nuts about him. I hear some of the other entertainers scheduled for the Fall Festival are very good, too. All in all, there will be something for everyone, even us birdies.

I urge you to stop what you are doing right now and check out the Fall Festival information page. Then, get up and mark October 8th on your calender.  Finally, tell all your friends about Sonny and the Fall Festival, because they will not want to miss seeing him and his amazing birds. Several of my talented bird friends are in his outfit.  Most all of my friends will be there for sure so I'll see you on October 8th at the Festival.

Signed,

Arboretum Garden Birdie (abirdie@eastexasarboretum.org)

Tags: annual fall festival, hot texas summer, sonny the birdman

If you live in North East Texas you know there are tons of grasshoppers around this year.  The scientists at Texas A&M say there are more during a dry year than a wet one.  You also know it is a very dry year, one of the driest in 100 years and grasshoppers are everywhere. Since they are hungry, they are eating the leaves of many plants. Several farmers who have a crop which the heat and lack of moisture have not already damaged, are quite worried the grasshoppers will destroy what's left.

The other birds and I ask that you and all your friends help us control the grasshoppers. How you might ask? Preferably by some "natural" means, but most anything will be appreciated. Since us birds enjoy eating them, we suggest you give them a try. They are such ferocious eaters, I say it is time to bite them back. They can be quite tasty when they are dipped in batter and fried or baked and dipped in chocolate. You could also grind them up and add them to many dishes for some extra protein.  You will have to look on line for other ideas since I eat mine raw.  I don't have time to cook.

If the idea of eating these tasty critters does not appeal to you, then consider grinding them up and mixing them into your compost. However, don't do this if a toxic chemical was used to kill them.  It is not a good idea to introduce a toxic substance into your compost which you might use on your vegetable garden.

One of the cats here at the Arboretum enjoys chasing and catching grasshoppers. He gets his exercise and is quite entertaining to watch. We appreciate his contribution to control grasshoppers.

Please send me your suggestions for controlling grasshoppers and I will share them here.

Signed,

The Arboretum Garden Birdie (abirdie@eastexasarboretum.org)

Tags: dry weather, grasshoppers, recipe ideas

Have you noticed the Purple Martins have disappeared in the past few days?  They told me that the heat had gotten to them and it was time to head north. This is nothing new. They do this every summer about this same time. Mark your calendars now and watch to see next year.

My friend the Painted Bunting was almost hit by a car the other day. It is such a small but colorful bird the driver almost did not see it in time. They missed each other thankfully.

We are so thankfull for the ran last week and ready for more.  

Signed,

The Arboretum Garden Birdie (abirdie@eastexasarboretum.org)

Tags: painted bunting, purple martin

The weather has been so HOT I just don't know how all the critters are handling it?  Native Texans are quiet familiar with the summers here and some of us enjoy the heat more than others. Some of the birds seen in the Arboretum live here all year long while others stop in for only a short while.  Many migrating birds have already headed north to their summer nesting areas. The purple martins wiil be taking off soon.

I have seen a quite a few birds in my time, but I hear there are tons. An Athens friend today told me about eBird, which is a joint project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The site provides a simple way to keep track of the birds you spot.  It is an online log or record book which is shared with Cornell.

Recently my friends and I have seen the following birds in the Athens area:

Which of these have you seen. If you want to see a photo of any of these birds and learn about them check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Web site "All About Birds."  I will warn you though, us birds are very diverse and extremely facinating. You may find yourself getting lost on this amazing site about one of my favorite subjects.

Print the list above to use as a guide and let me know by writing a comment in the form below which birds you see at the Arboretum.

Be Cool, Look Cool and most of all Stay Cool, 

The Arboretum's Little Garden Birdie (abirdie@eastexasarboretum.org)

Tags: all about birds, birds, cornell lab of ornithology, east texas birds, ebirds, summer, texas heat

Get ready for the week long 2011 Summer ECO Camp for those little gardeners, August 1st - 5th.  The Summer Children's events begin on Wednesday, June 15th and again on Wednesday, July 20th; these are the two dates for the My World, My BackYard Day Camps. 

The little gardeners are so full of energy and sure know how to make some noise when they get excited or upset. They will be here to experience this wonderful place and learn about the plants and us animals.

What a treat for them and for all of us as well.

Be aware everyone. 

The little Garden Birdie

Tags: summer, youth day camp

One of the other popular spots in Athens is the Texas Freshwater Fisheries.  Jim Booker there is a bird watcher and conducts monthly bird walks.  The next birdwalk at TFFC is on Saturday, July 9, from 9-11 AM.   

On this walk you can expect to see 25 or more different species as you explore the Interpretive Wetland Trail and other areas of the Athen's Fish hatchery. Bring binoculars and field guide if you have them (not required). Accessible for the mobility impaired.

If interested call Jim at (903) 670-2266.  Happy Birding. 

Tags: birding, nature walk

The Arboretum's Day Lilies are bursting with color.  Now is the time to visit the Arboretum if you appreciate, admire or love day lilies.  Many other plants are showing their colors too.

The water lilies in the ponds open around 9:30 to 10:30 depending on the amount of sun and they close in mid or late afternoon.  Did you know there are night blooming water lilies? These are tropical varieties which come in only a few colors.

Be sure to stop by and see the new pond on the west side of the Arboretum. It also contains some water lilies and is located next to the wind mill. 

Stop in and see what's blooming at the Arboretum this week and tell them a little birdie sent you.

Have a blessed day,
The ETABS Garden Birdie

Tags: arboretum day lilies blooming