Every serious birder knows that if you’re looking for
something special, it’s a good idea to find a mixed flock. Even on days when it
seems like nothing is moving, a single mixed flock can be a game changer. I experienced
this firsthand a few days ago when I made my way to Bear Creek Pioneers Park to
do some casual weekend birding.
For much of the morning I was in the doldrums – not a
chickadee in sight! Then, as if out of nowhere, I heard a cacophony in the trees
to my left. Sure enough, a large mixed flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets was
moving through. All of a sudden, the place was hopping! I knew there was bound
to be something special mixed in. Sure enough, as I scanned the foliage in
typical twitcher fashion something unusual caught my eye – yellow undertail
coverts, pale supercilium, faint streaking on the breast, dull brown crown, and
a wagging tail… A Palm Warbler, and a lifer at that! It was a splendid find,
and one that I believe was only possible because I was alerted by the presence
of a mixed flock.
This year, Houston Audubon had a mixed flock of it’s own move
through. This one, however, wasn’t composed of birds. Rather, it was made up of
fifteen young professionals who together formed the Young Professionals
Advisory Council (YPAC). From an associate at a private equity firm to a
researcher at Baylor College of Medicine to a natural resources specialist from
Houston Arboretum, this group of 20 and 30-somethings contained a rich
diversity of interests and skillsets.
We coordinated bird walks and park clean-ups across the
city, helping raise awareness for conservation and environmentalism. We teamed
up with Bakfish Brewing Company to create PALEican, a custom bird-themed beer
available in Houston-area bars and restaurants. We curated innovative programs
such as Birds, Health, and the Human Spirit, which brought Houston
Audubon’s message to new audiences. We formed teams for the annual Bird-a-thon,
raising some serious cash. And we even assisted in working with the mayor’s
office to designate the Official Bird of Houston, the Yellow-Crowned
Night-Heron!
The immediate impact was obvious, but through it all we also
formed lasting friendships and new partnerships that will positively impact
Houston’s culture of conservation well into the future.
For much of the morning I was in the doldrums – not a
chickadee in sight! Then, as if out of nowhere, I heard a cacophony in the trees
to my left. Sure enough, a large mixed flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets was
moving through. All of a sudden, the place was hopping! I knew there was bound
to be something special mixed in. Sure enough, as I scanned the foliage in
typical twitcher fashion something unusual caught my eye – yellow undertail
coverts, pale supercilium, faint streaking on the breast, dull brown crown, and
a wagging tail… A Palm Warbler, and a lifer at that! It was a splendid find,
and one that I believe was only possible because I was alerted by the presence
of a mixed flock.
At our initial meeting in January, Houston Audubon staff encouraged
us to think big in terms of the impact we were going to make. That first
brainstorming process led to the vision of Houston Bird Week, a week-long
celebration of Houston Audubon’s 50th anniversary. In the same way
that Bear Creek mixed flock brought with it a fantastic collection of species,
this group of passionate individuals brought Houston Audubon a beautiful smorgasbord
of creative projects.
It was a real joy to be a member of the YPAC this year, and
I look forward to continuing my involvement in 2020. Be on the lookout – you
never know what surprises the next mixed flock will bring!
By Stuart Nelson, 2020 Chair, Houston Audubon's Young Professionals Advisory Council
By Stuart Nelson, 2020 Chair, Houston Audubon's Young Professionals Advisory Council
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