Huntsville Audubon Society

Loyal local members agree this organization is “for the birds.”

I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way I could.”
John James Audubon, renowned French-American ornithologist, 1785-1851

It began over a half century ago

Members of the Huntsville Audubon Society share this same love for our feathered friends, who delight and amaze young and old admirers alike. The local society was launched and took flight in early 1973, with Paul Culp and Ed Davis being among the founding members. Other founding members included Andy DeWees, John Hilliard, Jimmy Long, Ralph Moldenhauer, John Schwetman, and Leanne Smith. In the beginning, it was largely promoted by the biology and library faculty members at Sam Houston State University. It has since been embraced by local citizens who enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors of Huntsville. One of the missions of this organization is to educate the public about the value and appreciation of birds and the benefits they bring to our lives.  Habitats for all wild creatures is also a major concern.

The organization today

Jack Morgan and Anne Prouty, two of its current members, enthusiastically shared information regarding Huntsville Audubon Society and how one can get involved. The club meets the third Thursday of each month from September through May at 6 PM at the St. Stephens Episcopal Church at 509 Sam Houston Avenue in Huntsville. The public is invited to attend. A minimal fee for annual dues is collected to help defray costs for speakers and other needs. Programs include speakers who are knowledgeable in areas including bird habitats, foliage which is attractive to birds, best places for bird watching, and other pertinent topics. Presenters have included speakers from the Bluebird Society of Texas, Walker County Master Gardeners, and Walker County Beekeeper Association among others.

Not only do they offer programs to increase one’s knowledge of the bird community, but Huntsville Audubon Society, being social in its scope as well, plans and facilitates field trips to local and outlying destinations. One of its local destinations includes the Huntsville State Park. In fact, the group has built a bird blind at the park. As Anne shares, “This blind was always a dream of my dad, Jack Prouty, and was funded with memorial donations to honor his life.” It was built by youth from the local Gulf Coast Trades Center, is designated on the State Park trail map, and is available for public use. The club encourages its use for sitings of the many species in the area including Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, and Wood Ducks.

A worthwhile hobby

Birding can become a passion for children and adults alike! The benefits are multi-faceted and include the knowledge of bird habits and the hierarchy involved among the bird species, migration paths, and best practices when finding wounded fowl. Additionally, bird watching is relaxing, fun, and fascinating, and can be a great avenue for family adventures.

Following are some ways in which this hobby is beneficial:

1. Birdwatching improves mood and mental health. Studies from around the world have found that everyday encounters of just seeing and hearing birds improved a person’s well-being.
2. It keeps you physically active. Birdwatching is not an overly physical activity, but just getting outdoors and enjoying nature encourages us to explore. Some “birders” will be content by just sitting in an area patiently waiting for the sound and visual contact with birds. Others may want to walk around a park or trail and identify them as they go, keeping their step counts up! More adventurous birdwatchers may hike hard-to-reach places for the opportunity to identify a rare bird.
3. Being in nature is good for us. There is growing scientific evidence and generations of traditional knowledge which show spending time in nature is good for our mind, body, and soul.
4. Birdwatching can create moments of wonder. Being present and quietly observing a bird in its natural state can produce moments of awe and wonder – moments like watching a Belted Kingfisher swoop down and pluck a fishy morsel from a lake or river. Observing a Bald Eagle feeding its newly born young, for example, is simply majestic!
5. It stimulates the senses. Birdwatching is considered a very relaxing activity, but your senses of vision and hearing go into overdrive as you look for any movement in the trees or listen to nearby chirping.
6. Birdwatching challenges you. As your interest in birdwatching increases, you find yourself keeping track of those you observe and adding them to a “life list” with one of the various birding apps on your phone. You may feel the desire to stay out just a little longer just in case a new bird flies by, such as one on its migration path.
7. Social connection and community building are common among birdwatchers. This takes place in clubs, on guided field trips, and community events. Social bonds are built across ages and backgrounds. Local Audubon chapters and similar groups host walks that connect newcomers with experienced volunteers.

Birdwatching is rich with benefits and a hobby that can provide a family with joys and memories of times shared together. This goes for friends as well. Members of the Huntsville Audubon Society encourage readers to take the first step into the delightful world of birding. Plan an outing at Huntsville State Park or at another location where birds are plentiful. Wear good walking shoes and take water, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and your cell phone. Yes, cell phone! There are several cell phone apps that provide a treasure trove of information to birders. And young people will enjoy an outdoor adventure where they get to use their phones.

Several good apps include iBird Pro Guide to Birds, Picture Bird: Bird Identifier, Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab, and others. Using an app can help identify a bird by image or sound, keep track of bird sitings, and provide education about birds. Images of birds you have sited can be shared globally through an app, which is especially exciting when a bird is rare to the area. In fact, a Zone-tailed Hawk, rare to the Huntsville area, was sited during the annual Christmas Bird Count. This event, sponsored by the National Audubon Society, involves counting birds for an entire day and then entering the information into the national database.

With around 11,000 bird species throughout the world, the fascination is endless as you seek to find that rare, feathered friend who might be visiting your area! Site it! App it! And keep that life list of birds growing! The love of and beauty of birds provides inspiration in many venues, such as art and literature, and by encouraging exploration of the great outdoors.

Developing friendships with others who hold the same passion for our friends of flight is a major passion. You know, the adage that “Birds of a feather flock together!” Enrich your life!  Gather with family and friends. Sit back and relax, or take a healthy hike to enjoy this beautiful part of God’s creation, one of His many gifts to us.

Information about Huntsville Audubon Society is available through the following resources:

Facebook Page: Huntsville (Texas) Audubon Society

Webpage: huntsvilleaudubon.org