Hagerman NWR Texas Pollinator BioBlitz Events

BJ Kirkpatrick Lake Texoma news
Hagerman NWR Texas Pollinator BioBlitz Events

Texas Pollinator BioBlitzHagerman NWR to participate in Texas Pollinator BioBlitz

Hagerman NWR Texas Pollinator BioBlitz events are scheduled between October 7 and October 16, 2016. The public is invited to attend several Butterfly Garden Walks and observe as Monarch Butterflies are tagged and sent on their way.

The monarch population across the Eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico has declined by nearly 80% over the past 20 years.  In addition to Monarchs, 30 native pollinator/flower-visiting species such as bees, butterflies, and moths, are designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need.  Pollinators such as butterflies, bees and moths, bats, hummingbirds, wasps, flies, and beetles, sustain native plant species, human food crops, and even crops for livestock.

The Butterfly Garden at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was created to help educate the public about pollinators and pollinator habitat.  Through free nature programs, the public is encouraged to create native landscapes with nectar-producing plants and pollinator gardens.

What is a Pollinator BioBlitz?

Pollinator BioBlitz participants will observe and identify pollinators between October 7th and October 16th.  All ages and abilities are encouraged to find pollinators and nectar-producing plants in their communities.  Observations can be shared by posting a photo or video to Instagram or iNaturalist.  Daily observations are encouraged.

Instagram is the selected social media tool by which any observer can share their observations.  Pollinators can be difficult to identify, so observers are encouraged to post what they know, which may be a simple description of the species or its behavior. The more experienced naturalist can post a photo and more details on iNaturalist, which records the date and location of the observation and allows other naturalists to help with identification.

Hagerman NWR will hold several BioBlitz events in cooperation with the Bluestem Chapter Texas Master Naturalist.

October 8th, 9th, 15th          Butterfly Garden Walk (9 or 9:30 – 11:00 am)

October 9th                              Bluestem Chapter Texas Master Naturalists will conduct Monarch Tagging, not open to the public

BioBlitz events

How to Participate

  • Join:Join the The Pollinator BioBlitz event page on Facebook to stay up to date with all the events and to share information.
  • Register: Sign up to receive daily challenges, event information, and more during the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz.
  • Observe:Head outside to look for pollinators! (Need help with identification?)
  • Identify: Identification can be as simple as ‘butterfly’ or ‘bee’ or as detailed as ‘monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) pollinating a purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)’.
  • Share:Take a photo or video of any pollinators you find as well as your daily challenge images and share it on Instagram (hashtag #SaveThePollinators). For those wanting to take their observations a step further, join the Texas Pollinator BioBlitz iNaturalist project!. By posting your images you contribute to citizen science and national pollinator data. You can attempt to ID your photos and biologists will confirm or make suggestions to identification for species posted.

More information and helpful guides

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texoma Host U.S. National Aerobatic Championships

BJ Kirkpatrick Grayson County News
Texoma Host U.S. National Aerobatic Championships

US National Aerobatic ChampionshipsTexoma Host U.S. National Aerobatic Championships at North Texas Regional Airport Perrin Field

The U.S. National Aerobatic Championships got off to a great start at the North Texas Regional Airport Perrin Field on Saturday, September 24th.  Currently in the top three; after the Free Known – Goody Thomas, Rob Holland and Mark Nowosielski.  The event is sponsored by the International Aerobatic Club, the world’s largest aerobatic club, with the main purpose of promoting and enhancing the safety and enjoyment of aerobatics.  Sunday’s flights were cancelled due to weather.  Sportsman/Primary Power/Glider and Advanced Power/Glider flights scheduled for Sunday will be flown on Monday, September 26th.  The Nationals will continue thru Friday, September 30th.

At this year’s U. S. National Aerobatic Championships, three teams will be selected for participation in next year’s World Championships in various categories. Pilots will try out for slots on the Unlimited Power Team and the Advanced and Unlimited Glider Teams. The final results of the Nationals will determine who goes to world competition next year in South Africa and Europe.

Team selection is governed by the IAC Official Contest Rules but also specific policies written for the Nationals and which are contained in IAC’s Policy & Procedures manual. This year, IAC will be trying something new by utilizing a “Free Known” sequence in team selection categories for the first time. This new sequence was implemented this year at world and continental championships by CIVA, the FAI’s aerobatics commission and governing body for international competitions. Since pilots will be flying Free Knowns next year at these championships, it was decided by the IAC Board of Directors that team aspirants should be exposed to this flight program at Nationals. The Free Known substitutes for the traditional Known program. Free Programs, which are usually the second sequence flown, are deleted from the schedule. Pilots will also fly “Free Unknowns” this year as they have during the past few Nationals.

The IAC is quick to point out that Aerobatic is not stunt flying.  It is precision flying.  It is about the pure freedom of flight in all forms.  The routes and maneuvers the pilots take are carefully choreographed and awards are given in a number of categories in both Power and Glider divisions.  This competition isn’t about speed or breath taking stunt flying.  It is all about gentle, relaxed maneuvers that combine technical skills and art, where both the analytical and intuitive sides of the brain are used.

Pilots must stay within an “Aerobatic Box”.  It is a block of air 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) long by 1,000 meters wide.  The upper and lower limits of the box are set based on the category a competitor is flying in.  The competitor has to stay within the lateral limits of the box and within the height limits. The lower limits of the box are, for safety reasons, strictly enforced. During competition there are boundary judges in place that determine when a competitor leaves the box. Boundary infringement penalties are subtracted from the pilot’s overall score.

If you are driving on Hwy 289 this week you will notice an open field on the west side of the highway across from the North Texas Regional Airport.  You may even see spectators in lawn chairs grouped together in the field.  They are in perfect position to watch the action in the “Aerobatic Box.”  If you get a chance, head on out to the NTRA and watch these magnificent men and women flying bold and beautiful flying machines.

 

 

Hagerman NWR October Calendar

BJ Kirkpatrick Lake Texoma news
Hagerman NWR October Calendar

Where do Butterflies Go SwallowtailFree Nature Programs at Hagerman NWR on Lake Texoma

Youth First – Oct. 1, 10 – 11:30 am – Water, Water, Everywhere – for kids 4 – 12 – Please register online at Friendsofhagerman.com/Youth or call the Refuge, 903 786 2826.  Did you know we are brushing our teeth with the same water dinosaurs drank?? Hands on activities for learning the water cycle.  Free.

Second Saturday— Oct. 8, 10 am – Butterflies at HNWR, with Laurie Sheppard.  Learn where and when to find the many, over 60 species, of butterflies that can be seen at the Refuge.   Butterfly Garden Walk before the program at 9 am. 

Monarch Tagging, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2 pm, come to Visitor Center to get exact location; public invited to watch as migrating monarchs are tagged and sent on their way. 

Butterfly Garden Walk— Oct. 15, 9:30 – 11:00 am. Again on this date, our garden docents will be on hand to help you identify native Texas plants and the butterflies they attract.  Bring your cameras to take advantage of some great photo opportunities of our wildflowers, caterpillars, and butterflies. 

Drawing & Nature Journaling Workshop, 10 am – 4 pm, Oct. 29, maximum enrollment 20, register by Oct. 20 as long as space available,  at friendsofhagerman.com/Activities; $35 plus provide own art supplies, a list will be given to each registrant ahead of time. 

C&E Express Tram Tours – Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, weather permitting, call 903 786 2826 for reservations. Free, donations accepted.