GCBO Contributes to Peru Land Acquisition

We are thrilled to announce another critical land purchase utilizing our Tropical Forest Forever Fund, a program dedicated to the protection of forested landscapes in Central and South America –winter homes to migratory songbirds and the epicenter of our planet’s biodiversity.  Partnering with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Asociacion Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN), GCBO contributed $24,000 towards the purchase of a 58-acre tract of tropical forest to expand the Abra Particia Reserve in the highlands of the Peruvian Yungas. The Peruvian Yungas ecoregion, located at mid-altitude in the foothills of the Andes has been ranked among the richest ecosystems in the world. The region is characterized by wet elfin forest, bamboo thickets, and tree ferns clothed in epiphytes and orchids. The reserve hosts a rich avifauna of 317 species - 23 of which are considered globally threatened - and 29 species of Neotropical migrants including Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawks. To date, partners have worked to acquire 6,690 acres. With the GCBO grant, one of the few remaining tracts needed to complete the core reserve will be purchased.

GTBC Conservation Grants Awarded

Six sites were selected for GTBC conservation awards and we are happy to say that all are GCBO Site Partners. The Weeklong team sponsored by RRI Energy chose the Matagorda County Birding and Nature Center as the recipient of the $20,000 Conservation Grant to restore and enlarge the wetlands and prairie areas of their property. The Energy Saver team Slice of the Good Life sponsored by Welasco Chamber of Commerce chose the Valley Nature Center to receive $3,000 to create a one-half acre wetland with educational signage.  The TAMUG WildBirders dedicated their $3,000 award to help with the purchase of an addition to the Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge and the Swarovski Roadside Hawks, selected the South Padre Island World Birding Center to receive their $3,000 grant. Two Big Sit! Lone Star Bird Award Conservation Grants of $3,000 each went to the Warren Lake Wildlife Viewing Platform project at the Katy Prairie Conservancy chosen by the Vopak Vultures, and the Wetland Creation and Educational project at the Valley Nature Center chosen by the Sora Winners. The real winners of the Birding Classic though are the birds and the habitat that supports them. The GCBO wetland shown above was a Birding Classic project in 2003.  We thank all our sponsors and participants and are looking forward to next year.

Visit the River of Raptors with Pronatura Veracruz and Hawkwatch International

Join our Site Partner Pronatura Veracruz and Hawkwatch International for an 8-day tour of Veracruz including the incredible River of Raptors.  Check the Hawkwatch International website for more information.

Site Partner Profile - Sea Center Texas

On June 4th, one of our board members, Jerry Eppner, was doing a shorebird survey at our Site Partner Sea Center Texas and spotted this banded White-rumped Sandpiper.  A little research revealed that this bird was banded in Uruguay.  How cool is that?!  Sea Center Texas is located in Lake Jackson and has a marine aquarium, fish hatchery, and education center all open to the public on a daily basis.  The periodic draining of the grow-out ponds provides excellent foraging habitat for migrating shorebirds.  Sea Center also has a one-acre salt marsh and a three-acre freshwater marsh that provide habitat for wintering rails and ducks.  Over 150 species of birds have been identified at Sea Center, including 30 shorebird species.  Visit them online at their website.

Join Us For Bird Banding

Join us from 8:00 until noon on Saturday, July 18th for our monthly bird banding session.  Watch as Robert & Kay Lookingbill band the birds and explain how to determine the species, age, and sex of birds in the hand.  It's breeding season and we've been catching this summer's crop of youngsters.  Come out and see what surprises are in store for us. This is a great way to get kids excited about wildlife, but all ages are welcome.  See the map on our webpage for directions.  Note that mapquest and googlemaps will not guide you to the right place using our address.