SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012

Events All Day Long!
9:00 AM Birding Hike.
11:00 AM Park Ranger Talk – The History of Dripping Springs.
12 to 4 PM Children’s Tent with fun activities for children of all ages.
12 to 4:00 PM Guided Wagon Ride up or down the Dripping Springs
Trail (free of charge, reservations required).
3:00 PM Centennial Talk by NMSU history professor Jon Hunner.
4:00 PM Guided Hike to La Cueva from La Cueva Trailhead led by the
Hermit himself.

Do you have a story of connection to the area? We are going to have an
oral history booth where we will collect contact information to begin an oral
history project for the area.

Come celebrate the Centennial of New Mexico’s statehood at Dripping
Springs Natural Area.
Experience the natural heritage by starting off the day with a guided bird hike
led by Greg Levandoski, a resident bird researcher from Rocky Mountain Bird
Observatory. Learn about Dripping Spring’s history with a 20 minute park ranger
talk at the Visitor Center. There will be a tent set for children’s activities from 12 to
4. Ride as if in the olden days up to the livery or back (ride is only one way and you
must reserve time and pick up location beforehand at the visitor center or call 575-
522-1219). Jon Hunner, the department head of NMSU, will present a talk about the
centennial of New Mexico at 3:00 at the Visitor Center. End the day stepping back
in time with a guided hike led by The Hermit to his old home La Cueva at 4:00 -starting point at the La Cueva trailhead.

A $3.00 vehicle pass will apply (except for those who have the
Golden Age, Access, America the Beautiful or the LCDO Recreation
Pass).
No extra fee will be charged for the program.
The Dripping Springs Natural Area is located 10 miles east of Las
Cruces, on the west side of the Organ Mountains. From Exit 1 on
Interstate 25, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road to the
end where there is a parking lot.
For further information, call McKinney Briske at BLM’s office at 575-525-4334.

Tentative field trip for March 2012 is to Holloman Lakes and Aguirre Springs.

Tentative field trip for April 2012 is to the Lower Gila Box.

Check back for more details on these upcoming trips.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 our field trip will be to Leasburg Dam State Park.  Meet at 7:00am in the northwest parking lot of Lowe’s Home Improvement at 3200 N. Main (the corner near the border patrol station).  We will leave at 7:15am.  There is a $5.00 per car day use fee so if you have a State Park Pass, please bring it with you.  We encourage carpooling.  We plan on returning mid-afternoon.  Please bring water, snacks/lunch, layered clothing, good walking shoes, and a hat.  For more information, please contact Mark Pendleton at (575) 635-8711 or (575) 528-4001 or email mpndltn@gmail.com.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

If you want more information, please visit The Great Backyard Bird Count web page.

Hello,

The February 18, 2012 field trip scheduled for Fillmore Canyon in the Organ Mountains has been changed.  The new destination will be Leasburg Dam State Park.  We hope to see more birds at Leasburg.  Please check back here as the meeting time and place will be posted soon.  Thank you.

Offered by Mesilla Valley Audubon Society in partnership with Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park.

Interested in improving your identification skills or learning more about the physical and behavioral adaptations that help birds survive?  Through classroom sessions and field trips, we’ll help you to improve your birding skills and to develop a deeper appreciation for these amazing creatures.

This course will focus on vocalizations, form and function, and bird behavior.  On our field trips, we’ll explore some of the diverse habitats that are found in our region, from wetlands to desert foothills.

Classroom Sessions:  Tuesdays, April 10, 17 and 24
Time:  6:30 – 8:30 pm

Field Trips:  Saturdays, April 14, 21 and 28
(half-day to 3/4-day trips)

Cost:  $40.00
Registration Deadline:  March 27, 2012

Contact Nancy at 575-521-8087 for more information and registration.

MVAS invites you to submit your bird artwork for display and sale during the March 2012 Downtown Ramble.  MVS Studios will be featuring the work of Hank Sprouse, an artist who carves decorative decoys, shorebirds and songbirds.  MVS Studios has graciously offered to also show 12 pices of artwork from our members.  The artwork, featuring birds, can be any medium:  photos, sculptures, carvings, etc.  All pices will need to be available to the gallery by 5:00pm February 1, where 12 pieces will be selected for the March 1 Ramble Event.  For more information, please contact Barb Rodriguez at bkrod1@comcast.net.

Mesilla Valley Audubon Society is now on Facebook.  Please view us on Facebook and don’t forget to “like us”.

Welcome to the web site for the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society.  We appreciate you checking in for the latest on our monthly programs and field trips, upcoming events and recent bird sightings.