Days at Dogwood Canyon

Summary: “What’s that bird?” Has that thought ever crossed your mind? Would you like to gain the skills to answer that question? Join us for a Birding 101 class.
Show Notes:
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Events: https://www.audubon.org/events?view_type=row&location=Dogwood%20Canyon%20Audubon%20Center
Trinity River Audubon Center Events: https://www.audubon.org/events?view_type=row&location=Trinity%20River%20Audubon%20Center
Beginning Birding Workshop for Teens and Adults: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/019dff7f-37c0-2f4a-1b25-43691bc4d245
Audubon Dallas Birding: https://audubondallas.org/birding/birding-in-the-metroplex/
Fort Worth Audubon Society: https://fwas.org/events/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Is that a grass? Nope! It’s a sedge. Want to know what a sedge is? Join Kiersten and Sam for a look at this cool native Texas plant.
Show Notes:
Shop Online here for Native Plants: https://dcacplantsale.myshopify.com/
Cherokee Sedge: https://dcacplantsale.myshopify.com/products/cherokee-sedge-carex-cherokeensis
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Got rats? Think before you use a rodenticide to solve your problem. Some poisons can be deadly to more than just rats.
 
Show Notes:
Special thanks to Cheryl MacAllister who wrote the original version of this and gave me permission to use it.
”Poisons Used to Kill Rodents Have Safer Alternatives” by Ted Williams, Audubon Magazine, January-February 2013 https://www.audubon.org/magazine/poisons-used-kill-rodents-have-safer-alternatives?int_query=rodenticide&int_src=site_search
“Rodenticides may not target birds, but they do kill them,” from Audubon Staff at Audubon Connecticut, Audubon Magazine, March 19, 2024 https://www.audubon.org/connecticut/news/rodenticides-may-not-target-birds-they-do-kill-them?int_src=site_search&int_query=rodenticide
Alternatives to poison: Raptors are the Solution, https://raptorsarethesolution.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Updated episode! Are you, or someone you know, a young birder looking for a group of like minded young birders? 
Listen to the end for new information.
Show Notes:
“The (Before) Breakfast Club” by Ryan Goldberg, Audubon Magazine Spring 2019
Ohio Young Birders Club: https://www.ohioyoungbirders.org/
eBird: https://ebird.org/home
Start your own young birders club: https://www.ohioyoungbirders.org/start-a-young-birders-club.html
For Cedar Hill or DFW Residents interested in joining the Dallas County Soarers:
Contact Kiersten Gibizov, Center Coordinator Community Programs: kiersten.gibizov@audubon.org
Chelsey Randel, Teen Librarian: Chelsey.randel@cedarhilltx.com
 
Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cedarhillchamber.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Summary: Join Kiersten and Julie as they take a closer look at the Black-chinned Hummingbird.
Show Notes:
Black-chinned Hummingbird audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
Audubon’s Migration Explorer: https://explorer.audubon.org/home
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Summary: This spring we are talking about Gregg’s Mistflower, a pretty little bluish-purple flower that is the talk of the town!
 
Show Notes:  
We forgot to mention that Gregg’s Mistflower is a lovely bluish purple flower when in bloom. Here is a link to photos from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=89852
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Native Plant Sale is April 11, 2026: https://dogwood.audubon.org/plantsale
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Are you looking for a quiet place to spend some free time and contribute to your community? Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center would love to have you as a volunteer. Join Kiersten as she tells you all about the volunteer opportunities at the center. 
 
Show Notes:
Volunteer Applications can be found here: https://dogwood.audubon.org/volunteeropportunities
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Summary: This is a piece of legislation that many people have heard of but maybe don’t know exactly what it is or what it does. Join Kiersten as she looks at the past and future of the Endangered Species Act.
 
Show Notes:
“How to Fortify the Endangered Species Act for the Next 50 Years” by Rene Ebersole. Audubon Magazine Winter 2023, https://www.audubon.org/magazine/how-fortify-endangered-species-act-next-50-years?int_src=site_search&int_query=endangered%20species%20act
“A Force of Conservation, the Endangered Species Act Faces a Fraught Future” by Rene Ebersole. Audubon Magazine Winter 2023. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/force-conservation-endangered-species-act-faces-fraught-future
“The Power, Limits, and Evolving Uses of the Endangered Species Act” by  Paige Curtis, Audubon Magazine November 17, 2023. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/power-limits-and-evolving-uses-endangered-species-act
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: The Golden-cheeked Warbler is one of the birds you can find residing through the summer at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center in Cedar Hill, TX. Join us to learn about them and find out where you can see them in our nature preserve.
* This is an archived episode, but has an update about the 2025 data from our Golden-cheeked Warbler studies at the end of the episode.
 
Show Notes:
Golden-cheeked Warbler Walks: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
or check our Facebook Page.
https://dogwood.audubon.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Song provided by National Audubon Society Bird Song Collection, Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Summary: It’s spring 2026, what plants should we be looking for? Join Kiersten to find out about an early spring bloomer.
Show Notes:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Native Plant Sale is April 11, 2026! : https://dogwood.audubon.org/plantsale
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 

Soil Health and Birds
Summary: We often overlook the importance of our soil, but it has a huge impact on our birds and our own health. Join Kiersten and a special guest as they discuss this highly interesting and valuable topic.
 
Show Notes:
Louisa Kimmel, Range Ecologist with Audubon Rockies:  louisa.kimmell@audubon.org
Audubon Rockies: https://www.audubon.org/rockies
Conservation Ranching in the Rockies: https://www.audubon.org/rockies/projects/conservation-ranching-rockies
Soil Restoration: https://www.audubon.org/rockies/news/soil-restoration-rafter-w-ranch
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Have you ever asked “What’s that tree?” Our Guided Tree ID Walks can help you answer that question!
Show Notes:
Link to sign up: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/019c6293-43d0-1eca-8d5b-741d1ac1198a
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: This plant episode is dedicated to an exotic invasive we want you to be on the lookout for, Sacred Bamboo aka Nandina.
Show Notes:
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica): Native Plant Society of Texas, https://www.npsot.org
“Nandina: A Not So Heavenly Bamboo,” by Doug Lockard. South Carolina Native Plant Society, https://scnps.org
Native Plant Sale at Dogwood Canyon: https://dogwood.audubon.org/plantsale
Volunteer at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center:  https://dogwood.audubon.org/volunteeropportunities
Habitat Workdays at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Who will we meet this year at Dogwood Canyon? Let’s start off the year with the Blackburnian Warbler.
Show Notes:
Blackburnian Warbler audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: How do people become birders? You aren’t the first person to ask that question. Join Kiersten as she discusses a project looking at how people become birders.
Show Notes:
“On the Origin of Birders,” by Anna Gibbs. Audubon Magazine, Fall 2025.
The Spark Bird Project: https://www.spark-bird.org
Roger Tory Peterson Institute: https://rtpi.org
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org
 
 

Summary: Join Kiersten to find out about a Dogwood Canyon winter resident, the Hermit Thrush.
Show Notes:
Dogwood Canyon Events: https://dogwood.audubon.org/events
Audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: We have a native poinsettia? Yes, we do! Join Kiersten to learn a bit about the Green Poinsettia.
 
Show Notes: 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: What does Christmas, birds, and counting have to do with each other? Join Kiersten as she tells you the story of National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and explains how you can participate!
Show Notes:
National Audubon Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
Local Texas Audubon Chapters: https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you?state=TX
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Registration for CBC: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-bird-count-tickets-1975579677998?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Fall is here and the leaves are falling. What should I do with all those leaves? Join Kiersten to learn about the Leave the Leaves movement.
Show Notes:
“Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects,” by Max Ferlauta and Karin T. Burghardt. Science of The Total Environment, Vol 970, 20 March 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178821
Xerces Society: https://xerces.org
Bug Banter Podcast can be found anywhere you listen to your podcasts
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: With Thanksgiving on its way, we thought we would talk turkey, Wild Turkey!
Show Notes:
“Let’s Talk Turkey,” by Jessica Leber, Audubon Magazine Fall 2025
National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon
If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org