TUESDAY, Nov 16, 2010 FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

TUESDAY

(OLD 2009 is lised here- available till we get the NEW 2010 schedule)

Sandhill Crane Behavior
5:30 AM to 11:30 AM
TU1 - $80 Bosque del Apache NWR, Crane1
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. Paul has worked with cranes for 35 years, including 11 years as the director of Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary on the Platte River in Nebraska where more cranes gather every spring than any other location in the world. Keanna has been the Director of Education at Rowe Sanctuary since 2001 and helps over 7,000 students every year understand and appreciate cranes, wildlife habitat and the Platte River. Robert Kruidenier was a full time volunteer at the Refuge for most of the last 15 years. His special stories and knowledge of the Refuge are invaluable. Warm shoes and warm, layered clothing recommended. Limit 20. Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

Deadly Beauty Behavior
8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
TU2 - $15 San Antonio, Owl Bar
Explore the hunting strategies that hawks, falcons, and eagles use to catch their prey with falconer and wildlife rehabilitator Matthew Mitchell. Trained hawks and falcons will be released to fly, chase lures, and possibly even hunt wild quarry (viewers be warned!). This group will meet at the west side of the Owl Cafe in San Antonio at 8:00 am and carpool a short distance to an area where the birds can be flown safely. Bring your questions and binoculars. Cameras are allowed, but no dogs please. Limit 25.

Land, Sea and Air
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
TU3 - $90 Truth or Consequences, Marina del Sur
Sea birds, diving ducks, cormorants, grebes, white pelicans and more can be found in a dramatic geological setting at Elephant Butte Lake. Join Steve Green and Tamie Bulow, Conventions and Tours Manager of the American Birding Association, for this exciting trip aboard a 44-foot twin-engine houseboat, followed by birding on land. Breakfast snacks and a full lunch, featuring locally grown and produced foods, will be served. The boat will leave promptly at 9:00 am from Marina del Sur at Elephant Butte State Park and will return to the same location around noon. From there we caravan (5-10 minutes) to the riparian area at the base of Elephant Butte Dam for more birding. Take exit 83 on I-25 and follow signs to the State Park. As the park is a 90-minute drive from Socorro, you may want to stay the night before the trip in Truth or Consequences. We will be happy to send information on accommodations close to the tour site. The price of the tour is refundable if the weather is such that the trip has to be canceled. Be sure to note your dietary requirements on the meals page of the registration form. Warm clothing is recommended. Limit 14. Offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Science Behind the Scenery: Research and Monitoring Projects at the Refuge
9:00 AM to Noon
TU4 - Free Bosque Visitor Center, Atrium
Bosque del Apache NWR hosts a number of research and monitoring projects - from studies about New Mexico meadow jumping mice to silvery minnows to rattlesnakes - in conjunction with universities, other national wildlife refuges, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies. Research and monitoring help Refuge biologists develop and adapt management techniques, determine priorities, and learn more about the plants and animals with which we are entrusted. Researchers will give brief overviews of their projects beginning at 9:00 am. Afterwards you will have the chance to talk directly to them about their work, their findings, and the science of wildlife management. Find out what is being studied and how the results may impact Refuge management now and in the future.

Ojo de Amado Hike
12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
TU5 - $5 Macey Center Parking Lot
"Ojo" means eye in Spanish and, on old-time New Mexico maps, usually designated a spring. Naturalist Bob Merkel will lead hikers into an area off the Quebradas Scenic Backcountry Byway that includes not only the spring but also an exposure of fossiliferous paleozoic marine limestone and a side canyon full of geologic surprises. The hike difficulty can be described as "moderate" but will involve some rock scrambling and a long uphill pull back to the cars. Sturdy shoes or boots necessary; hiking stick and camera recommended. Limit 15.

Tool Tour
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
TU6 - $5 Bosque Visitor Center
Behind the peaceful marshes, bustling cornfields and restored cottonwood forests of the Bosque del Apache NWR is a lot of work and heavy equipment. Dozers, front end loaders, excavators and other equipment are essential to the management of the Refuge. Join Refuge Operations Specialist Bernard Lujan for a tour of the tools the Refuge uses to create and maintain habitats and see some of these big machines in action. Limit 12.

Photography Contest Reception
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
TU7 - Free Socorro, Knights of Pythias Building
Every year the Friends of the Bosque del Apache sponsor a contest spotlighting photographs taken at the Refuge. This year the City of Socorro is kicking off the Festival with a reception in honor of all those photographers who submitted entries. The reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the historic Knights of Pythias building in Socorro, one block west of the Plaza, across the street from the main fire station and next door to the Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center. Everyone is invited to drop-in and enjoy the beautiful photos and cast your vote for People's Choice.