LOCAL HAPPENINGS AND EVENTS AT WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED EAST DALLAS
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 12:00pm - Intro to Nature Photography
Presented by Wendel Withrow
Join photographer and avid adventurer Wendel Withrow for a fun and informative Introduction to Nature Photography . We will start with some basics and beautiful photos by Dale Edlebaum then cover the details of planning and executing a photo trip of your own. The presentation will finish with some photos from the Texas coast including the upcoming Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas. Whether you primarily use your cell phone camera or carry the “big camera” on a tripod. This event will be a great way to stay warm and get inspired this birding season.
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 12:00pm - All About Owls
Presented by Karen Mitchell - Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Owls are known for their distinctive calls, but have you ever seen one? Learn more about these amazing predators and get the chance to meet one in person! Our
presentation will include information about owl adaptations and why they are so important to the environment.
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 12:00pm - Coyotes
Presented by Karin and Robert Salcedo from “Song Dog Watch”
Coyotes are highly resilient and social animals that are capable of adapting to a wide range of environments, including the human-dominated landscapes of cities and suburbs. As keystone carnivores, they play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. Learning to coexist with these ecologically valuable and adaptable wild neighbors is key to supporting the flourishing of our multi-species communities.
This presentation will explore the challenges coyotes face in human-dominated landscapes and examine the seasonal behaviors that often lead to increased sightings. Additionally, we’ll share practical tips on how to keep people and companion animals safe, while dispelling some of the most common coyote myths. In conclusion, we’ll discuss proactive methods we can use to help minimize negative encounters and promote responsible coexistence between community members and coyotes.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 - Woodpeckers of North America 12:00pm (Rescheduled from 1/11/25)
Presented by Jerri Kerr / Carolyn Oldham
Woodpeckers are favorite birds for many people because they call frequently and are not hard to see; they usually move slowly enough that we can keep up with them! Luckily, they can easily be lured into our yards with a bit of shrub and tree cover, and the right kinds of feeders. This program will introduce you to the species that have been recorded in North America and in our North Texas region. Did you know there are more species of woodpeckers here in the wintertime? – that’s when we add Sapsuckers and Flickers to the mix!
PAST 2024 EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
February 3, 2024 - Great Backyard Bird Count: Birding in your backyard and beyond!
Presented by Jake Poinsett, Trinity River Audubon Center Program Manager
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a community science project for the birds! The GBBC is the largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations and birders of all ages and experience levels are invited to participate! Learn all about this fun and free event and how you can contribute to science.
Sat., March 9, 2024 — Only the Lonely Bees
Presented by Ryan Giesecke
In this presentation we’ll buzz through some big picture bee biology, talk about the different social lives of bees, and then focus in specifically on solitary bee species, covering what you can do to bring these bees to your yard and all the ways you can help them when they’re there.
Sat., Mar 23, 2024 – Hummingbirds: Feathered Jewels
Presented by Carolyn Oldham & Jerri Kerr
Did you know the smallest birds in North America also have the largest personalities? With this program, you will learn tips on how to lure these feisty creatures to your yard with plants and feeders. You will learn about their special features and seasonal distribution. Texas holds the record for having the most hummingbird species in the U.S., and we have a good chance to see three of them in our part of the state.
Fri & Sat, Apr 4th & 5th, 2024 - TCA Native Plant Sale and 2 Expert Speakers
Join the Texas Conservation Alliance and Wild Birds Unlimited for TCA's Native Plant Sale! Along with the amazing Texas Natives, we've got 2 experts speakers, Nancy Wilson and Janet Smith, presenting information on the plants that you can purchase from TCA.
Sat., Sep 21, 2024 - Bats!
Presented by Kiersten Gibizov
Bats are one of the most fascinating creatures the earth has to offer. The only mammals with true flight. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. They eat everything nature has to offer. They are also one of the most misunderstood and maligned animals on Earth, for no good reason. Join us to discover what makes bats amazing and why you need not fear them but celebrate them!
Sat., Oct 4th & 5th, 2024 - TCA Fall Native Plant Sale
Join the Texas Conservation Alliance and Wild Birds Unlimited for TCA's Native Plant Sale! Along with the amazing Texas Natives, we've got another experts speakers, Janet Smith, presenting information on the Miracle of the Monarchs.
Sat., Oct 19, 2024 - Whoo's That Hooting Out There?
Presented by Carolyn Oldham & Jerri Kerr
Learn the unique features of fascinating owls, and gain an appreciation for the natural pest-control they provide for us. Hear about the 17 species that have been recorded in Texas and the four species most likely to be seen in our area. Test your owl knowledge with a fun Fact or Fiction quiz, and learn tips on how to attract these awesome birds to your backyard!
Sat., Nov 16, 2024 - Rookeries and Herons
Presented by Rachel Richter - TPWD
Egrets and herons nest in large groups of hundreds or thousands of birds known as rookeries. Rookeries can be a lot of fun to observe in a park or a natural area, but
when these birds take up residence in a neighborhood it’s a different situation. As you can imagine, the noise, smell, and piles of poop make for a very unpleasant situation.
This presentation will detail the best ways to prevent these birds from nesting in undesirable areas so that both people and the birds can benefit.
Sat., December 7, 2024 - How iNaturalist Influences Land Management and Guides Public Policy
Presented by Sam Kieschnick
How can a community of naturalists guide public land management? Well, one way is through citizen science tool such as iNaturalist! In this presentation, we will
talk about how to use iNaturalist to share observations of biodiversity and highlight a constituency of naturalists that utilize these places to engage with nature.
Sat., December 14, 2024 - The River of Goodness: a Holiday Reading with Bird and Nature Stories
Presented by David Marquis
The River of Goodness is a lyrical, global exploration of the ways we can create a more just and sustainable world for all. David will read key passages and tell stories about birds and nature.
The River of Goodness is part two of the RiverTrilogy from Dallas writer and activist David Marquis. A beautiful volume, it is publiished by Deep Vellum Publishing, who also brought out part one, Marquis' beloved The River Always Wins. In addition to the reading, David, founder of the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, will tell stories about birds and nature. He servies as the technical advisor on water issues to the City of Dallas Environmental commission and can field questions about green/sustainability issues in the city.