FRIDAY, Nov 19, 2010 FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES 2010 Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

FRIDAY, November 19, 2010

Walk Out to Fly Out
5:30 AM to 7:30 AM
FR47 - $5 Bosque, Crane 1
It’s early, it’s dark, and it’s cold, but this is one event you shouldn’t miss. When thousands of cranes and geese take flight, the sight and sound is spectacular. Dress warmly and meet in the Visitor Center parking lot for a short bus ride and walk to the roosting area. Offered Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Limit 80.

Bosque Birding Intensive
5:30 AM to 9:30 AM
FR48 - $75 Bosque, Crane 1
A tour for intermediate and expert birders. You will have the most experienced guides and birding assistants the Bosque has to offer for a morning of serious birding. Coffee and pastries are provided but the focus is on BIRDING. Your host will be Cecil Kimberlin, long-time guide at the Bosque del Apache NWR, ably assisted by volunteers Michael Hilchey, Sally Ginet and Cathie Sandell. This event is offered Thursday and Friday. Limit 12.

Sandhill Crane Behavior
5:30 AM to 11:30 AM
FR49 - $80 Bosque, Lannan
The most comprehensive training on cranes offered at any crane festival, this morning-long workshop will teach you many of the common vocalizations, body language and other characteristics of sandhill cranes. You’ll learn to recognize juveniles, tell subspecies apart, distinguish between dancing and aggression and many other details that will help you better understand and appreciate sandhill cranes. At first light we will listen to the cranes on their roosting spots to identify vocalizations and other behaviors. We then move to the classroom for breakfast and viewing many behaviors on film before traveling to different locations on the Refuge to watch and interpret crane interactions. Your instructors are Paul Tebbel, Keanna Leonard and Robert Kruidenier. Warm shoes and warm, layered clothing recommended. Limit 20. Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

Basic Animal Tracking
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
FR50 - $10 Bosque Visitor Center
All animals that live in and around the Rio Grande bosque leave signs of their presence. Come learn the fundamentals of reading animal sign in the outdoors. Join presenter Kevin Hansen as he demonstrates how, where and when to find and interpret animal tracks, scat and scrapes. Meet at the Bosque Visitor Center.

Songbirds of the Rio Grande Valley
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
FR51 - $5 Macey Center
Have you ever seen a Yellow-billed Cuckoo? Or heard the hauntingly beautiful song of the Hermit Thrush? Did you know that it is possible to identify some birds by the sound of their feet scratching in the leaves? Some of the habitats of the riparian woodland along the river support incredibly high densities of birdlife, from common species to seldom seen or heard rarities. Other areas support tragically low numbers. Hawks Aloft’s Gail Garber will show some amazing photos and share fascinating information about the many birds found here and how they adapt to an ever-changing environment.

Quebradas Road Tour
9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
FR52 - $15 Meet at Macey Center parking lot Tour the Quebradas Scenic Byway with staff from the Bureau of Land Management and New Mexico Tech. The tour covers 24 miles of dirt road through scenic areas with exposed geology. Stops will be made to look at specific geological features as well as the area’s flora and fauna. Wear sturdy shoes; bring drinks and a sack lunch. This is a primitive area with no facilities. Four wheel drive not required. Full clearance necessary. Meet in the Macey Center parking lot. Limit 12.

Sevilleta Geology Tour
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
FR53 - $10 Sevilleta NWR
Join Dr. Dave Johnson, geologist from New Mexico Tech, on a captivating tour of the western part of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. On this incredible tour, you will visit isolated scenic areas where the complex geology is strikingly exposed. Learn how geological processes created the Rio Grande Valley. This is a difficult driving area. You must have a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle to join the caravan. All vehicles will be inspected prior to departure. Car pooling may be required and will be arranged at Sevilleta NWR. Be sure to bring along your camera for those spectacular shots of the beautiful landscape! Don’t forget your lunch and plenty of drinking water. Take 1-25 north from Socorro to Exit 169 (Sevilleta NWR), turn west and go ¾ mile to the Refuge Visitor Center. Limit 20.

Refuge Birding Tour
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
FR54 - $5 Bus Stop, Bosque Visitor Center
The Refuge Birding Tour focuses on the species that can be seen within the Bosque del Apache NWR. The exact tour route will depend on the distribution of birds on that day. Offered Thursday and Friday. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. Limit 40.

All About Raptors
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
FR55 - $35 Volunteer Lounge, Bosque
Join an experienced raptor handler for this comprehensive course on the identification of birds of prey. Dr. Kathleen Ramsay will combine live education birds, photographs and field observation to help you learn to recognize such things as the plumage variations in red-tailed hawks to telling the age of an immature bald eagle. This workshop will focus on specific features of different species while also providing you with interesting information about their habitat needs and behavior. Dr. Ramsay has been doing wildlife rehabilitation for 30 years. Offered Thursday and Friday. Limit 20.

Where the Buffalo Roam
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
FR56 - $5 Bosque Visitor Center
The Armendaris Grant runs south from the Bosque del Apache NWR to below Truth or Consequences. Its 600 square miles encompass an entire mountain range, seven ghost towns, the oldest Spanish mine, a bat cave with the 4th largest bat population in US, 3 frontier fort sites and the historic El Camino Real del Adentro. Wildlife such as eagles, hawks, bats, antelope, mule deer and oryx are abundant as well as some Desert Bighorn sheep, Aplomado falcons, Bolson tortoises and blacktailed prairie dogs. And there are bison - lots of bison. Tom Waddell, the ranch manager, has agreed to make an appearance and will give an informal presentation on the ranch, the bison and the research programs that are being carried out there. More fireside chat than lecture, this is an opportunity to gain insight into a fascinating place that is normally closed to the public.

Refuge Tour
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
FR57 - $5 Bus Stop, Bosque Visitor Center This is a rare opportunity to explore seldom-visited areas of the Refuge with knowledgeable tour guides. Your hosts will help identify birds and explain how the land and water you see are managed to benefit wildlife. See spectacular views of cranes, geese, ducks and raptors, and perhaps even turkeys. Tours are offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. Limit 40.

Hike: Canyon Trail
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
FR58 - $5 Meet at trailhead, Bosque
Local naturalist Vannetta Perry will lead the group on a 2.3 mile round trip along the wide and very sandy Solitude Arroyo and through a fascinating narrow canyon. The canyon is replete with geologically interesting formations from Tertiary time, several million years before the Rio Grande existed. Evidences of eruptions, floods, and desert dunes are there for all to see. Meet at the Canyon Trailhead 1/2 mile south of the Bosque Visitor Center. Note: because of the sand and elevation change this hike is “Moderate”; definitely not “Easy.” Limit 15.

Hike: Water in the Desert
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
FR59 - $5
Marsh Loop Trailhead, Bosque
From cattail marshes to four wing salt bush dry sandy desert, come enjoy a 1.5 mile leisurely nature walk with Cheryl Learn and Jo Ann Wade, volunteer naturalists. We will examine the range of plants that grow from the marsh up into the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert. We also will be on the lookout for denizens of this beautiful area of Bosque del Apache such as migrating birds, waterfowl, possibly butterflies and dragonflies. We may even see animal tracks. Bring your binoculars, sunscreen, water, gloves, hat and dress in layers. We meet at the Marsh Loop Trailhead. Offered Wednesday and Friday. Limit 12.

Hike: Chupadera Peak
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
FR60 - $5 Meet at trailhead, Bosque
Join Friends’ board member Lise Spargo and JR Seeger on a hike through the Chupadera Wilderness to the top of Chupadera Peak. This hike winds through typical Chihuahuan desert scrub habitat in its lower reaches, through a canyon of solidified volcanic ash, and finally to a panoramic view of the Bosque del Apache NWR and its surroundings. This hike is considered strenuous due to elevation gain. Please wear layered clothing, sturdy boots, and bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch. Also be prepared for changes in the weather. The hike will leave from the Chupadera Wilderness Trailhead one mile north of the Visitor Center off Highway 1. If you have questions, contact Lise at Lisespargo@aol.com Limit 15. Offered Wednesday and Friday.

New Mexico’s Native Americans: Where,When and Why
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
FR61 - $5 Macey Center
Ancestors of today’s Puebloans, Apaches, and Navajos (who now live on, and off, 22 separate and distinct reservations in New Mexico) have been in the Americas for at least 13,000 years (they say “forever”). Wrenching changes over the last half millenium, though, have obscured their past: drought, migration, Spanish “entrada,” Mexican independence, US acquisition, gold fever, The Bomb. And, whatever happened to the Piro people who lived right here near the Bosque 500 years ago? Local resident Bob Merkel has the story and some surprising answers. [Also see SA100 Chupadera Arroyo hike on Saturday.]

Burrowing Owls
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
FR62 - $5 Macey Center
Burrowing owl studies have been conducted in several locations in New Mexico for well over a decade with some interesting trends in their populations. We have studied many facets of their ecology, including migration. Join Kirsten Cruz McDonnell for an informative presentation based on the results of many years of data collection. Find out what researchers are learning that ultimately may contribute to the conservation of this species. Of course, avian ambassadors will be present for the presentation.

Managing Fire
10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
FR63 - $5 Bosque Firehouse
Fire can be dangerous, but it can also be a useful tool. Fire Management Officer Julian Affuso will talk about the use of prescribed fire to accomplish resource management objectives to both stop unwanted fire and to create habitat at the Bosque. After a safety briefing, he and his crew will demonstrate many of the tools and equipment used including specialized grenades, ignition pistols, drip torches, ditch dragons and terra-torches (flame throwers). Weather permitting, there also will be a demonstration of live fire techniques on an actual Prescribed (Rx) fire. Limit 20.

Cougar: The American Lion
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
FR64 - $5 Macey Center
Mountain lions work a powerful magic on the human imagination. Unfortunately their stealthy lifestyle has shrouded them in myth and misinformation. Join presenter Kevin Hansen as he sifts fact from fiction and reveals these majestic predators for the remarkable animals they are.

Life and Times of Rio Grande Raptors
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
FR66 - $5 Macey Center
The sandhill crane and the golden eagle in a life and death encounter; fledgling Cooper’s hawks and American crows forming a juvenile pack; Swainson’s hawks feasting on bats; burrowing owls and Ferruginous hawks sharing the same prairie dog towns: both predators but one also prey. Gail Garber and volunteers from Hawks Aloft will share real life stories and fascinating life histories of some of the raptors that call New Mexico home. They’ll bring several of their live educational raptors so you can get up close views and photographs, too.

Rio Grande Cacti
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
FR67 - Free Rio Grande Cacti
If you are interested in cacti-- identifying, propagating or appreciating them-- Rio Grande Cacti Nursery is the place to visit. Located 10 miles north of the Bosque del Apache NWR, the nursery has well-established display gardens and an amazing array of cacti native to the Southwest and grown from seed. Many are adapted to colder conditions and can survive in outdoor plantings or can be grown indoors. A special tour is offered only on Friday, but if you miss getting your questions answered, the nursery will be open all weekend for drop-in visitors. For more information and driving directions, www.riograndecacti.com or 575-835-0687.

VLA Tour
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
FR68 - Free VLA, 52 miles west of Socorro
The Very Large Array (VLA) is a world-famous radio telescope consisting of 27 giant dish antennas spread across the Plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro. In this special tour, you will learn about the history, operation and mission of this National Science Foundation project while touring the visitor center and walking to the base of one of the 25-meter (82-feet) dishes. Take Highway 60 west from Socorro to Magdalena. Continue west for 19 miles. Turn south on Route 52 and follow signs to the VLA Visitor Center. Allow one hour travel time from Socorro. Offered Thursday and Friday.

Smith Museum Tour
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM FR69 - $5
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM FR75 - $5
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM FR78 - $5
Socorro, Smith House
The Smith House in Socorro is the former home of Joseph Edward Smith, territorial photographer. He and his wife Elizabeth Ann (Myscie) Driver were given the home as a wedding present by the bride’s parents in 1886. From cowboys to businessmen, Smith photographed the lives of working people to show the West as it was. Along with the photos, the museum holds an archive of his equipment, written material and artifacts from the period. The home itself has been restored to its 1880’s vintage. Seven generations of Smiths have now lived in the home on Central Street. Suzanne Smith, the current resident is the great granddaughter of J.E. and Myscie Smith. She will guide you through the past with a personal accounting of the home and the Smith family. To reach the house, turn west on Hwy 60 off California Street, travel 3 blocks to Central, left on Central, 5th house on the right.

San Miguel Mission Tour
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM FR70 - Free
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM FR76 - Free
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM FR79 - Free
Socorro, San Miguel Mission
In 1598 Don Juan de Onate led 400 colonists up the Rio Grande to settle New Mexico. After many difficulties they met their first friendly Native Americans at the pueblo of Pilabo. Fray Alonso, Benavidez and another Franciscan remained behind to proselytize the people of Pilabo. The pueblo was renamed Nuestra Senora de Socorro de Pilabo in remembrance of the succor (help) the colonists received when they needed it most. By 1600, a small church had been built. It was replaced by the present one between 1616 and 1626. You are invited to visit this witness to the history of our country.

Hands-On New Mexican Cooking
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
FR71 - $5 Socorro, Plaza
Have you ever made tortillas, tamales or posole from scratch? Here’s your opportunity to learn the traditional techniques that make New Mexican food so special. Some of the best cooks in Socorro will show you tricks for making perfect flour tortillas, scrumptious tamales, and yummy red chile and posole. You’ll have a good time, get some new recipes, and, of course, taste your treats! Meet at the tent on the Plaza in Socorro. Limit 20.

Duck Ecology
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
FR72 - $5 Macey Center
Ducks are the dominant avifauna of wetland systems and one of the most successful avian groups in the world. Representatives breed on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. The success of this group of birds is tied to the diversity in size and shape of various parts of their body. These physical features allow ducks to travel great distances, be reactive to wetland availability, and survive through periods of poor habitat condition. In this presentation Land Management Research and Demonstration Biologist John Vradenburg will discuss duck ecology as it relates to habitat use, migration timing and distance, and reproductive strategies. Emphasis will be placed on species common to Bosque del Apache NWR. Limit 50.

Autumn Bird Migration in the Tularosa Basin
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
FR73 - $5 Macey Center
Located in southern New Mexico west of the Sacramento Mountains, the Tularosa Basin is an important area for migratory birds. The climatic effects caused in part by the combination of northerly winds and the altitude difference between the mountains and valley are beneficial for birds during their fall migration southwards. In addition, the contrasting habitat of valley grassland and shrubland to mountainous coniferous forest offers a variety of resources. The migratory birds use this array of resources to optimize their flight and replenish their bodies for their long flights south. Join Octavio Cruz for an informative presentation and many photographs of the numerous bird species he has observed and trapped during their migration through the area.

Iris Passcal
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
FR74 - Free New Mexico Tech, Iris Passcal
IRIS PASSCAL supports the exploration of the Earth’s crust, mantle and core to enhance fundamental understanding of earthquakes, volcanoes, crustal deformation, mantle convection, global geodynamics and the history of the continents. Learn about this fascinating area of research and watch earthquakes as they happen. Tickets (free) are
required. From Macey Center, turn right on Olive Lane, right on Canyon Road up the hill, then turn right at the bottom of the hill and follow the signs. Limit 14.

Beginning Birding
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
FR77 - $5 Bosque Visitor Center
Longtime birders and Bosque Volunteers Dwayne and Marj Longenbaugh will start beginning birders off on the right foot by addressing such important topics as: “Good Reasons To Go Birding,” “How to Understand, Choose and Use Optics”, “Which Field Guide Should I Buy?” and “What Is the First Thing I Should Look For to Identify That Bird?.” If you want to practice with the Longenbaughs, also sign up for the Beginning Birding Walkabout (SA87) offered Saturday morning.

Social on the Plaza
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
FR80 - $5 Socorro, Plaza
Visitors and locals alike are invited to the town plaza for music and celebration of the 23rd Annual Festival of the Cranes. There will be a City-Sponsored “Spirits Tent” where you can sample beer and wine from New Mexico breweries and wineries, including a local favorite: Socorro Springs Brewing Company. The $5 fee (for those who can prove they are over 21) includes a commemorative Festival glass.

Walk In to Fly In
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
FR81 - $5 Bus Stop, Bosque Visitor Center
As the shadows grow long and the sun begins to set, thousands of geese and cranes return to the nighttime safety of the marshes at the Bosque. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot for a short bus ride and walk to the roost area to view this spectacular scene. Wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly. Offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Limit 80.

Mineral Museum
5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
FR82 - Free NMT Campus, Mineral Museum
The Mineral Museum at the New Mexico Bureau of Mines on New Mexico Tech’s campus invites you to an open house on Friday evening to view New Mexico’s best collection of gems, fossils and minerals. At 6:30 pm, museum director Virgil Lueth will present a 30-minute slide show of New Mexico’s collecting sites. Mineral specimens are available for purchase.

Performing Arts Series: The Belleville Outfit
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Adult FR85- $12
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Senior (65 & over) FR84 - $10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Youth (17 & under) FR83 - $8
Tickets are $2 more the day of the concert.
Macey Center Auditorium, Socorro
One of Austin’s hottest young bands, the Belleville Outfit plays a unique blend of gypsy swing, big-band jazz, folk and a touch of bluegrass. The sextet has shared the stage with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, and the Del McCoury Band. Come see what it means to be described as the band “that captures the best of the hippiefriendly roots string band zeitgeist, without succumbing to it.”
Saturday, November 20, 2010