November 2024 Announcements

Speaker Series:
Jake Poinsett –
Wintering Sparrows of North Texas
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location:  currently meeting via Zoom call.
Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187002517?pwd=Ujc1UTEyVjNNbDhUUFJYMjFCV2lNdz09

Meeting ID: 891 8700 2517

Passcode: 212786

Fall Migration has already begun, which means the “little brown birds” are either here already or on the way! Jake Poinsett will show us the various sparrows that winter in North Texas, how to identify them, and where to find them. You will be amazed at the variety and beauty of the sparrows that reside in or migrate through north Texas.
Jake is the Education Manager at the Trinity River Audubon Center. Before his employment with the National Audubon Society, he worked for Texas Parks and Wildlife and South Carolina State Parks. When he is not geeking out about nature at work, you can find him birding around the state, flipping logs for reptiles and amphibians, and tending to his prairie at his house with the help of his dogs Charles and Pterodactyl.

White-throated Sparrow – one of the lovely Sparrows that come in the fall to spend the winter in DFW.

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2^nd Saturday Work Session
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Halff Park at Ranger Drive
We will clear ragweed and work on trail maintenance. The trails through these magnificent trees aren’t used enough yet by walkers, so they get a little overgrown. Come spend a morning in the forest, not only enjoying the wildest part of our Preserve, but helping keep the trail walker-ready.
We break into teams and each team has a knowledgeable volunteer, so you know exactly what to do.
For last-minute information, especially if the weather is questionable, check our website or Facebook page for updates, including dates and locations which may change because of conditions. We don’t want anyone working in the forest or on the prairie if there is a chance of lightning strikes.

• Safety Information: Each work session begins with a safety briefing.
• BRING WATER and bug repellant.
• Close-toed shoes are mandatory. Heavy work gloves, long pants, and protective eyewear are recommended for your protection from poison ivy and thorns.
• If you have them, bring loppers and/or small tree saws. (No power tools.)
• All participants and the parents of minors must sign our Liability Waiver.
• Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; no drop off/pick up of those under 18.
• For Master Naturalists, this may count as Volunteer Hours on the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest project.

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Native Seed and Plant Swap –
An event hosted by the group
Growing Texas Natives
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249

General Guidelines:
– Texas native plants only; absolutely no invasive species permitted
– Healthy plants and seeds, free of disease and pests
– Ready to share; preferably everything labeled, seeds separated in bulk or envelopes, plants potted and/or cuttings in water
– Terms – up to you – bring for trade only or share with no exchange required
– You’re welcome to attend if you don’t have anything to trade, however there are no guarantees of seed/plant availability without trade
– RSVP on the Facebook site is appreciated to help plan logistics,  https://www.facebook.com/events/1191083095502363/
– Share in the event Facebook page comments area what you plan to bring, what you hope to find, and if you have a “unicorn” that you’re looking for!
– As the event date nears, we’ll post more detailed guidance on the event page for attendees.

Seed/plant collection ethics/expectations:
1.) Obey all laws regarding endangered or threatened species.
2.) Research and follow laws, ordinances, and/or rules on federal and state lands, county and city parks, and publicly accessible private preserves.
3.) If collecting in a public right of way, such as roadsides, only collect seed or cuttings, do not dig up entire plants.
4.) Always secure permission before collecting from private property.
5.) When collecting wild seeds, collect no more than 30% from a population.

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4th Sunday Nature Walk
Caleb Hinojos –
Nature Beats the Winter Blues
Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: 1770 Holford Rd.

Caleb will tell us about the interesting strategies the wildlife in the Preserve use to make it through a Texas winter.
Caleb Hinojos was raised in the DFW metroplex. His love of wildlife began at the age of 3 with reptiles. Influenced by the great Steve Irwin and Sir David Attenborough, he knew that he wanted to pursue this passion. He received his BS and MS from the University of Texas at Arlington with a focus on genetic and genomic evolution.
Through the years, Caleb has worked a variety of scientific jobs both in the field and in the lab which has given him a unique perspective regarding the natural world. This experience led him to become a Master Naturalist with the intent of educating people about modern and classical biology and how these two disciplines intersect with conservationism.
Most weekends you can usually find him leading a bird walk, arthropod crawl, or manning a booth at various areas around the metroplex, but he also loves teaching on various scientific topics to whoever will listen.

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Special Event
Bird Walks with Reba Collins
Dates: Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, 2024
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Birds get up early!)
Location: 1787 Holford Road

What birds are in Spring Creek Park Preserve in late fall after Thanksgiving? Come for a morning walk and find out. Reba Collins is a Certified Birder and is known throughout the metroplex for her skill in identifying birds. She is a Master Naturalist and on the boards of our Society and Keep Garland Beautiful.

• Reservations required: Groups are limited to 10 people per walk because too many people scare away the birds. Contact Reba at rcollins20@verizon.net to reserve a spot.
• Bring binoculars.
• Dress for the weather. If it has been raining, rain boots may be appropriate.

Cedar Waxwing – another amazing bird that spends the winter in our area.

Holiday Party for Members
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Location: 5806 Firecrest Drive, Garland, TX
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
No speaker in December, but for Society members only, a Holiday party at the home of Don and Barbara Baynham. Everyone brings a snack to share; drinks are provided. We relax, chat about nature, and tell stories.
If you are not yet a member, it is never too late! Go to our website which now has on-line payment – springcreekforest.org. Or call 972-495-3569 or send an email to Barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com. We will gladly accept your membership form and payment (cash or check) at the party. Membership cost is still at our 1990 level – no inflation here – $20 for an individual, $25 for a family, $300 Lifetime.

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14th Annual Christmas is for the Birds
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: 1787 Holford
This is a super-fun event for pre-school or elementary school children. Bring them to the Park Preserve where they make biodegradable bird feeders out of peanut butter and bird seed, then they hang the feeders in our forest. Yes, be prepared to get a bit messy.

• Some folks make their own feeder treats at home and bring them to hang on the trees.
• Biodegradable bird feeder ornaments must be hung with cotton yarn or string. The birds will use the string later for making their nests. Do not use metal, plastic, or fishing line for hangers. They are dangerous for birds and wildlife because they might ingest it and injure themselves. If you make bird feeder ornaments at home, please bring them to the park ready to hang.
• Some examples of biodegradable bird feeders:
  • Pine cones coated in peanut butter and rolled in bird seed.
  • Strings of fresh or dried berries. (Use cotton string.)
  • Strings of non-buttered popcorn.(Use cotton string.)

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2^nd Saturday Work Session
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: 1770 Holford
We will work on the Trout Lily Trail – maintenance, obstacle removal, etc, and we will locate and remove the invasive plant Amur honeysuckle, which is easy to spot at this time of the year.

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Special Event:
Start the New Year Right Nature Walk
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Half Park at Ranger Drive
          Start your new year with a refreshing walk through the tallest trees and wildest part of our Preserve. We will break into small groups guided by regional experts.

The Executive Committee usually meets once a month. The meetings are open to the public. For information, please contact us at springcreekforestpreservation@gmail.com.