Boletin Audubon
December 2008
Newsletter Archives

The Newsletter of Sociedad Audubon de México, A.C.

Audubon Lectures and Programs December, 2008

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Don't Miss the Final Film in the Audubon Film Festival for 2008
By Will Smith

Have you have ever sat and watched the air ballet of a hummingbird in your garden? That buzzing little jewel-toned blur darting around your flowers is truly a wonder of nature, but they are so quick to dart away. How can an avid birder or even a casual observer get a closer look at one of the most unusual and beautiful of all birds? Thanks to the last film in the Audubon Film Festival, all you have to do is come to the Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca on Tuesday, December 9th, at 3:00 p.m. for an hour of some of the best close-up, super-slow-motion footage ever obtained of one of the hummingbird, one of nature's quickest creatures.

Kenn Kaufman, author of the book "The Lives of North American Birds," has described "Hooked on Hummingbirds," the final film in the Audubon Film Festival, as "a fantastic film." This award-winning film, based on a field study by Thomas Kiminski extended over a two-year period in the US and Costa Rica, reveals the secrets of hummingbirds' acrobatic flight abilities, including the ability to fly upside down, as well as the hummer's delicate role in nature's abundance. You will be treated to amazing footage of twenty hummingbird species feeding, building their nests, caring for their young and defending their territories in close-up views unavailable to the naked eye.

Come join Audubon for an hour of armchair birdwatching on Tuesday, December 9th. The appreciation you will gain from this entertaining and educational film will forever change the way you look at those hummers zipping around your garden.

As usual, admission to the monthly Audubon event is 50 pesos, but members enter free. You may become a member of Audubon for a full year for 300 pesos by joining at the door and pay nothing more for this film or succeeding monthly presentations, and of course bird walks and hikes are free or discounted too for members.

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DECEMBER 21 AUDUBON BIRD WALK--BIG TREE, MANY BIRDS IN OFFING 

		Audubon’s much awaited "Christmas" Birdwalk is scheduled for December 21st, the third Sunday of the month. Bob Graham, our resident winter expert, will lead the walk, which is to take place in and around La Huerta, the village near the Presa de Allende famous for its baskets and for Sabino de la Huerta, a notable tree which we will also visit in the course of the walk. Once the December walk takes place, La Huerta may be famous for its birds, too--at least in one select community of birders. Wayne Colony, who shot the luscious bird photographs in "Wild and Wonderful," recommends it as an excellent birding spot.

Last year's December Birdwalk took 19 participants to the Botanical Gardens where we saw some 41 species. Many of these birds were very cooperative, sitting still long enough to allow us to get the scope on them, so that all got great views. We will hope to find just as many birds or more at La Huerta, and we can guarantee the Bob will bring his very amazing 'scope and tripod along again.

		Transportation is key to our getting to this location. Therefore, we ask that participants with vehicles please be sure to bring them. Failing sufficient transportation, we will return instead to the Botanical Gardens as we can use taxis to get there.

The Audubon Birdwalk is a monthly event open to members and non-members alike. Members of Audubon de México are welcome gratis. Non-members are also
welcome, but asked to contribute 100 pesos, or US $10 to the ecological projects in which Audubon is involved.

Participants will meet in front of the Instituto Allende at 8am, as the trip will leave promptly at 8:15 am. Please bring a hat and drinking water. Binoculars and bird books make bird sightings more interesting, but they are not necessary since others will have books and we will have a scope and some new binoculars to share. The new Audubon Bird Guide will also be available for 50 pesos. Anyone willing to contribute transportation will be welcomed with great appreciation. The hike is usually over by noon.

People with questions may call Linda Whynman at 152-2139.

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Audubon, Charco Casitas de Aves auction plans take flight

By Carol Wheeler

Tweet tweet and yum yum were bird words heard in the background this week as El Charco del Ingenio and Audubon de Mexico, San Miguel's two major environmental/ecological NGOs, called for San Miguel artists, architects and designers to create bird houses and bird feeders for an art auction, Casitas des Aves, to raise money for both organizations. 

The live event, preceded by a silent auction and accompanied by botanas and bebidas, will take place at the Charco on February 15th, 2009, with famed "insider artist" Anado McLauchlin as auctioneer (as well as a creator). The deadline for creators to sign up is August 31, 2008.

Casitas de Aves will be the first time the two organizations have cooperated on a benefit, although they have recently worked together on other projects more ecological in nature. LInda Whynman, president of Audubon, who said "We didn't want the same old cocktail party," points out that the two organizations "share the same vision" of preserving San Miguel's natural environment. Also, events like this are very expensive to bring off and, as Naomi Zerriffi, who is heading the event for the Charco, says, "It just makes very good sense" to cooperate on these things. Both groups look forward to more cooperation in the future.

The concept of designing houses and feeders has captured the imagination of a great many local artistic types. "We've already had a huge response," Zerriffi says. Whynman adds, "It's a great opportunity for artists to showcase their talents." The bird structures themselves must be completed by December 15th, so that they can be photographed and displayed way in advance of the event, via web sites, newspaper articles, and the auction program, which will list the artists with their e-mail and web site.

Participating artists will be asked to submit a minimum bid price; although of course all proceeds will go to the two organizations. There is a way for non-artists to take part in the event, too: sponsorships are available for the event, in categories from Nest Egg ($3,000 USD) to Just Ducky ($100 USD). Sponsors' names will be featured in publicity and in the Casitas de Aves program for the event.

For information and for details, artists and/or sponsors may call or e-mail Alice Sperling at 154-7177 or alicesperling@hotmail.com; Linda Whynman at 152-2139 orvellum1@mac.com; or Naomi Zerriffi at 154-9553 or nzerriffi@yahoo.com