By Jan Wrede

So what is your favorite bird? Mine changes from day to day. When I see a brilliant red, blue and green painted bunting singing in the sun, this is my favorite. When watching "March of the Penguins", these great birds, rearing their young in what must be the harshest place on earth, are my most admired. This movie also gives a great example of the huge disparity that can exist between where a bird finds its food and where it must go to reproduce. 

Emperor Penguins eat fish swimming in arctic water and must walk 70 miles from open water to a place where they can breed and rear their young on top of ice deep enough to hold up through the summer.

Every bird's habitat must supply it with food, water, shelter and space. Each kind has its own unique set of habitat necessities. Many songbirds that come to Texas in spring and summer live in central and South America during the winter where they have plenty of fruit, seeds or insects. For example, most hummingbirds live in tropical countries when they are not breeding and rearing their young.

There, they feed on nectar and small insects found in open flowers. Grosbeaks nest here and then travel to southern forests, where they feed on the large seeds in trees and undergrowth. 
In winter, Golden-cheeked warblers eat insects living on the trees in tropical mountain forests and painted buntings survive on a mixed diet of small seeds and insects that they find in central and South America woodlands.

Many tropical woody plants, essential to songbird survival, grow in mixed forests, where coffee traditionally is cultivated. 

Today and for the last 5-10 years, the largest coffee companies are purchasing and clearing forests to produce a new and faster growing coffee tree. This kind grows in direct sunlight and is popular because the trees produce somewhat cheaper coffee.

Widespread removal of tropical forests in Central and South America means that fewer songbirds survive the winter to return to their breeding grounds in Texas and other parts of North America. 
Thus, a movement is underway to counteract the clearing of tropical forests. Many small coffee companies now only buy from carefully selected growers. Coffee drinkers can help songbird survival by buying coffee that is certified shade-grown.

Check the coffee package. If it does not say shade-grown or organic, keep looking. Shade-grown or organic means that the coffee comes from an area, where there is plenty of food for songbirds to survive the winter. You can order it on line or buy from some churches in Boerne and other nearby communities. I like the coffee my family purchases here at St. John's Lutheran Church and from Higher Ground on the Internet. Also, some HEB stores now carry shade-grown coffee. If you can't find it, ask for it. Soon, when the number of coffee drinkers making this decision reaches a critical mass, the largest companies will go back to shade-grown coffee and our songbirds will find more food and shelter in their traditional winter homes.

Golden Cheek Warbler

Family Backyard Birding:
Saturday, Feb. 10 from  9 a.m. to noon
Presenters are Tom and Patsy Inglet, experienced birders and teachers
Admission is free
Location: Back porch CNC Visitor Center
Backyard Birding is for families with children seven years and older. 

Come and learn the basics of binocular use and bird identification from some special teachers. We also will take a short hike to practice new skills. Bring binoculars and bird identification book if you have them or borrow from the Nature Center.

ARC EXPLORER for Land Managers
Tuesday, Feb. 13 from  4 to 6 p.m.
Presenter will be Rufus Stephens, TPWD wildlife biologist for Kendall and Comal Counties.
Admission: Members $15/person and $20/couple, non-members $20/person and $30/couple.
Limited to 20.
To register, call 249-4616.

This is the best technology for mapping land and land management planning. The software is free.
Bring your laptop and learn by doing under the supervision of an experienced mapmaker. You will create a dynamic and attractive map using aerial photographs currently available on the Internet.

Although this workshop is designed with land manager needs in mind, it is open to anyone with an interest in digital mapping technology.

Outdoor Classroom Guide Training
Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: CNC Auditorium and park
Admission: Free
Presenter: Mary Gomillion
For more information or to register call 249-4616 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Learn all about the CNC's award-winning Outdoor Classroom. Meet a group of generous volunteers. Receive orientation and training so you can lead school groups in hands-on activities along the trail.

Discovery Science
Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Admission is free
For more information or to register, call 249-4616.
Each session is limited to 10.

February is all about weather. Get involved. Kids, bring an adult with you to learn more about the green planet Earth. Do your own research and share it with the world!

You can build a thermometer, explore an instrument shelter, identify clouds, estimate cloud cover, learn to judge visibility and make your own sundial. All these fun-filled activities are part of the international Globe environmental science and education partnership.

Student data will be combined with input from other Globe groups around the world. To learn more about this dynamic program, take a look at www.globe.gov.

Boerne Birders at Boerne Lake
Saturday, Feb. 17, from 8 to 10 a.m.

Meet in the parking area near the dam. Boerne Lake has some of the very best birding in our area. Come see for yourself. We will see wintering water birds as well as woodland and shoreline residents. Join a friendly group, who welcome beginners and experienced birders to our monthly outings. Bring binoculars and a favorite birds book. 

For more information, call 230-5551 or (210) 710-3981.

Attracting Birds
Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Old Daley Ranch, Carpool from CNC parking lot promptly at 9 a.m.
Admission: Members $15/person and $20/couple, non-members $20/person and $25/couple.
To register, call Georgia at 249-4616.

Presenter: Dick Park, Birder who maintains 65 bird boxes on his property The Parks have identified more than 160 species of birds on their place. Sixty nest boxes throughout their acreage produced 133 young birds in 2006. You too can contribute to protecting birds and their habitats on any size property. Learn how to attract and enjoy nesting, migrating and wintering birds. After a presentation and discussion on attracting birds, view practical examples of habitat development, recommended bird foods, feeder placement and types, predator control, bird census and data collection.

Using GPS Workshop
Saturday, Feb.  24, from 9 a.m. to noon
Location: CNC Library
Admission: $10/person; limited to 12.
For more information or to register, call 249-4616 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Presenter: Eric Bowman

This workshop is for beginners and those with some experience using GPS units. We will begin with an introduction to the technology and navigation features of GPS. Then the class will move outside to practice finding selected points. GPS units will be  provided for class use.