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TBS President Pauline Tom Receives 2008 NABS President’s Award
By Mary Leyendecker

Pauline Tom blissfully accepted the 2008 President’s Award from Jonathan Ridgeway, president of the North American Bluebird Society, during the March 2008 NABS convention in Kearney, Nebraska.

Pauline and Ron drove from Mountain City, Texas, straight up I-35 into Nebraska and turned left to Kearney, some 16 hours through snowstorms, to attend.

“What a pleasure it was for me to serve as NABS’ Membership Chair. I had fun developing and implementing plans to attract new members, bring back past members, and retain current members. Best of all, the flood of income from memberships revitalized a dear-to-my heart stagnant project, the funding of the Larry Zeleny Endowment Fund. The fund will underwrite special Board-approved projects and grants, now that the principal exceeds $100,000,” she said.

Pauline, succeeded by Sherry Linn as chair, is looking forward to refocusing on TBS’ action plans.

My Bluebirds of Unhappiness
By Nancy Nichols

Four years ago I was sitting in the living room of my lake house in East Texas when a pair of bluebirds landed on my fence. My heart leapt with joy. You see, I’d been waiting patiently to become a bluebird monitor, or in my case, mother. I’d done all the research: I’d bought the proper house and baffle. I’d studied the wind and weather patterns of my property and adjusted the house opening to face southeast to avoid the storms that tended to come from the northwest. And most important, I’d bought an ornate mealworm feeder so that my bluebirds wouldn’t have to worry about foraging for food.

How perfect it all seemed to be. For there before my very eyes, just weeks after completing my setup, a pair of house-hunting bluebirds had landed on my fence. They spent the afternoon flying in and out of the house, taking turns checking it out. Within an hour they brought beaks full of pine needles and began building their nest. My three-year love affair with Bill and Hillary, my bluebirds of happiness, had begun.

Our first year together was a learning experience. But we managed three broods and graduated six new additions to the world of bluebirds. Bill and Hillary disappeared for the winter, but I kept my mealworm supply steady, imagining them flying in for a few when I wasn’t looking.

The next March they returned, and we had a successful year hatching a total of eight healthy birds from three broods. My mealworm bill approached the national debt. Given their quality of life, I wasn’t surprised when the happy couple decided to winter on my property. They flew to the house at the sight of my car. They appeared within seconds of my whistle. We were bonded, an extended family.

During our third season together, we literally weathered a lot of storms. When heavy rains blew sideways and leaked into their nest, I carefully removed the eggs, wrapped them in a warm towel, dried the nest, and replaced it. They thanked me with four bountiful broods.

During the off season, “we” made plans to remodel. I installed a new house made from recycled plastics, built to deflect water, mold, and bacteria. I bought a longer baffle. After completing the remodel, I upped my order on mealworms. And I waited.

And waited. January, February, and March 2008 came and went. I whistled every time I replenished the mealworm feeder. No sign of Bill or Hillary or any other bluebird.

Then one evening I heard the unmistakable, soft tur-a-lee-tur-a-lee call of a male bluebird. I grabbed my binoculars and headed through the trees. To my horror I found Bill standing on top of my neighbor’s 15-year old dilapidated purple martin house. My first thought was that they were on their way home to my house. But my worst nightmare was confirmed when Hillary came flying out of the house and I heard the squeals of their newest brood coming from the open sides of the house. They’d chosen a tear down over the new digs I’d spent a fortune on. I was so angry I considered grabbing a ladder and plugging up the hole. On sight, I renamed them The Fockers.

To make matters worse, they started returning to my yard to load up on mealworms. They spent whole afternoons sunning on the wires in front of my house, singing and waving their wings, and bathing in my bird bath before flying back to their pitiful dwelling.

One morning I looked out to find five bluebirds on the wire waiting for me to make my hourly contribution to the mealworm feeder. The Fockers were there with three baby boys that became Larry, Curly, and Moe. My frequent foragers have been a constant fixture on my fence for two weeks. They are all fat as turkeys.

Mrs. Focker is back in the wretched house sitting on another batch of eggs. I can’t see how many, but Mr. F. is shuttling worms from my yard back to the cruddy house next door.

But hark! This afternoon he flew to the hole of the recycled plastic house and popped inside. My heart jumped at the thought that they would make a mid-season move. He flew out, landed on the top and looked around as if pondering the thought. Then he dropped down to the worms squirming in the feeder, loaded up another batch, and flew away like a FedEx delivery man who is running behind on a delivery.

I went out to the front yard to do what I do best: keep the mealworm feeder full and wait.

About Nancy Nichols: After many years of bird watching, Nancy built a small cabin in East Texas where she raises bluebirds. In her spare time, she is the Food & Travel editor for D Magazine in Dallas.

Special Thanks to...

New member Matt Jordan for ferrying nestboxes from Kyle to Carmine and new member Lucinda Owen for ferrying nestboxes from Carmine to The Woodlands for one of Linda Crum’s presentations.

Richard and Ann Thames for providing a ferry stopover.

“One Nestbox” local coordinators and their team of volunteers for recent festivals:

• Lysle Mockler, Ellis County Lawn & Garden Expo.
• Linda Crum, The Woodlands Earth Day, with Bill Griffith, Vanessa Voisinet, Bill Jones, and Betsy Jones.
• David Gwin, College Station/Bryan Earth Day, with Ron and Pauline Tom, Jackie and Alexis Girouard, and Brazos Valley Audubon members.
• Barb Ohlman, Wills Point Bluebird Festival, with Bruce and Bev Frantz, Linda and Robert Almes, Lysle Mockler, Scott Strickland, and Norm Shoemaker.
• Pauline Tom, Smithville Wildlife Expo, with Ron Tom.

Presenters who offered our signature “One Nestbox” membership nestbox exchange at one of their programs: Judy Hetherington, LeAnn Sharp, Linda Crum, and Pauline Tom.

Mary Leyendecker, past TBS Board Member, who accepted the position of TBS Website Editor. Mary adds updates to the website between newsletters.

Julie Vaughn, Van Zandt Publications editor, for printing material from TBS in the annual “Bluebird News,” which promotes the Wills Point Bluebird Festival.

Wills Point Bluebird Festival Committee for providing TBS with a large space at the entrance to the festival.

TBS Ambassador (Keller) Barb Ohlman and new member Jan Bills for creating new member packets.

Marie Woodward at the Kerrville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for donating plastic clip-on name badges (the supply they sent for NABS 2006 finally ran out).

Former member, Barbara Vinson (now renewed!) who agreed to monitor the nestbox trail at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory (HBBO) in Austin. The trail was installed in 2001 by TBS in a joint project with Travis Audubon Society and HBBO. Barbara and Travis Audubon Society donated funds for replacing some nestboxes, and Barbara donated attractive waterproof signage. She reports her weekly visits to NestWatch (www.nestwatch.org).

6th Annual Summer Bluebird Symposium and Silent Auction

8203 Millennium Forest, The Woodlands
July 1st: Early Bird Registration deadline; get free BB photo!
Registration form: 2008flier.pdf
Coordinator: Linda Crum, txorganicgardener@gmail.com or 281.292.4193

Barb Ohlman’s “Big Thank You”

Wills Point Bluebird Festival coordinator Barb Olhman sent the following email to the volunteers who helped staff the booth for the event.

Hello Bluebirders,

This time last week we were working at the Bluebird Festival and helping make the day a success for the Texas Bluebird Society.

The day ended with 33 new members and 2 renewals. These number were over and above the average for the last 2 years. Without your help, I’m sure a lot a opportunities would have been missed. Because you were there, I was able to take the Bluebird Bus Tour and report back to the Board with details. Because you were there, things were easier for all of us. But most important, because of you new members were introduced to getting started in “bluebirding.” I thank you, the Board thanks you, and the bluebirds thank you.

I hope to see you all again at another Festival soon. For those of you interested, there is the Texas Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches on June 14th, which Norm Shoemaker coordinates.

Don’t forget the TBS Annual Meeting & Dinner on October 3rd in Austin—a chance to meet other TBS members. TBS will have a booth at The Texas Parks and Wildlife EXPO the following two days, Saturday and Sunday.

Happy Bluebirding,
Barb Ohlman

Nature’s Niche Nestbox: Deathtrap!

TBS member Vanessa Voisinet alerted us about the dangerous- for-bluebirds Nature’s Niche nestbox at Wal-Mart. She notes, “What was strange about the box is that it had a seal from NABS.”

NABS Nestbox Approval Chair Bob Benson explained: “The box…has so completely deviated from the original NABS-approved design as to make unfit for ANY cavity nesting bird!! We at NABS are aware of this problem and are currently investigating our legal options. I recommend that you return this box and demand an immediate refund as it is nothing more than a Bluebird deathtrap!!”

Welcome New Members!

We’ve grown by 284 new memberships since our last newsletter issue!

Chad Adams Jack and Pat Aitken Sharon Alaimo Martha Allen Norm Ankenman Jennifer Armentrout Anita Ashford Michael and Marie Averitt Marline Ballard George Barber Mike Barrett Rachel Bauer Katherine Baxter Charles and Sally Beard Judy Beckham Jennifer Belitere Ron and Susi Bell Rosemary Bendele Eva Berger Virginia Berger Olivia Bernsen Mike Berry Jan Bills D’Ann Binder Karen Birtchet Julie Blixt Mary Bonin Diane Boyd Mitzi Boyd Caryn Brewer Jerry and Mary Dale Brewer Marjorie Bridge Saylem and Kai Brooks Billie Brown Wallace andWanda Brown Norma Bruns Julie Bullock Reasa Burton Bob and Diane Cabiness Mickey C. Campbell Charles Carlson Nell Carter Fred and Mary Castillo Diane Causey Dianne Clark Roger Clark Marie Coody Gloria Costello Carter Crain Katherine Crawford Michele and Tate Crawford Wes and Teresa Crawford Cameron Crowder DeLaney Crowder Laura Cunningham Robert Dailey Art Davis Becky Davis Mary Ann Davis Ruth Davis Stacie Davis Jackie DeClue Charles and Ruth Densmore Cheryl Drumheller Charles and Vivian Dube Neil Dunn Sherry Dunn Linda Eason Ernest Eberle Patsy Edwards Kenneth Eisenhauer Dayle Enderson Elsie English

Tamberly and Adam English Ed Findley CeCe Fine Larry and Cathy Fink Ruth Firsching Jean Fivez Charlene Forse Roy Freeman Betty Gambrell Taylor Garrison Randy Garst Jan Garvey Lynn Gay Bill Gibson Dusty Gilliam Melissa Gilmere Denise Gineris Becki Ginn Alexis and Jackie Girouard Tim Glover Christine Gomez Carolyn Goodloe Jo Ann E. Graves Michael Gray Victoria Gray Eleanor Griffin Mary Ann Grohman Betty Grymes Shannon Gutowski Carol Hagemeier Elizabeth Hall Miriam Hall Charles R. Hamilton Mike Hanna Fran Hardy Scott and Joy Harsh James Havel Gerald and Betty Hay Russ and Carol Hayward Ashley Heard Maggie Hendricks Betty Henke Trudy Henrichson Audrey Herron Janice Highsmith Nancy Hightower Sandra Hightower Lola Hill Frances Hitchcock Luke Hoag Pamela Hohman Jacqueline Holmes Walter Huegele Kathy Hyatt Toni Ivey Jerald B. Jackson Tammy Jackson Terry James Carl Johnson Esther Johnson Terry and Melinda Johnson Matthew Jordan Wanda Kaline Becky Kauffman Al Kazmir Denise Keller Sue and Mike Kersey Kim Kilgore Sarah Kilpatrick Betty King Abby Kinney Dr. Sylvie Kitzman Carla Kocian Harold Mack Kornegay Susan Kraha Kenneth Kramm Cynthia Krueger John Kufrovich Jim Lacy Rachel Lamb Delbert and Beverly Langford R.L. Langley Melanie Lankford Julie Law Beth Lawrence Judy Leek Larry LeGrand Nell Lopez Lou and Mary Ann Lutz Kathryn Mabrito Teri MacArthur Marcia Mackey William Major Ana Manrique Patti and Bill Marshall Mary Maxwell Reubine Mayfield Sharon McCall Julie McCants Lindy McCarty Mark McClelland Albert McCorkle Ann McCormack Chuck McCulley C.R. and Pat McFarland Angie McKune Mike McMurry William and Brenda McNair Mike Mecke Marie Medrano Joe Mekalip Patricia Michael Sharon Michael Edward and Martha Miesch Betty L. Miller George Miller Carolyn Mixon Pauline Mooney Dorothy Moore Kimberley Morgan Mabel Moulds Darlene Nagle Billie Nast Diane Neff Helen Newkirk Sheryl Noble Barbara Noblin Susan Norvell Diane O’Brien Melanie Obendorfer Okie Okerstrom Vic and Martha Ortiz Beverly Patrick Ed Patrick Walter and Susie Patschke Paula Pedrick Anna Perry Sheila and Roger Perry Vickie Peters Carolyn Pirkl Larry and Tina Pitts Betsy Polgue David and Carol Pope Gene Prejean Gwynn Priyett Diane Querner Anne Quinn Lynn Ragain Suzanne Ragan Rance Raney Deborah Rayfield Alfondo Reyes Carol Roach Laurie Robertson Allen Robinson Steven and Susan Rodriguez Barb Rogers Pat Rubeck Susan C. Ruldolph Ammie Rose Salter Susan Sander Lilli Sanders Paula Santagata Rebecca Schner Susan Schroeder John Scott Betty Shiflett Lesia Shinn Kay Shultz Bruce Simpson Catherine Skye Rae Smith Shannon Smock Sallie Snow Jerry Stacey Jim Stanfield Teresa Stanley Wanda Starnes Leon Steiner Sam and Christiane Stevenson Vickie Stogner William Stone Biddy Swiney Lynnette Taff Yvonne Tallent Nannette Tanner Constance Tatum Dixie Taylor Robert and Martha Taylor Sue Thomas Gene and Cynthia Thornton David Timmerman Phyllis Tobias Anne Toroxel Ken and Debra Turner Nancy Turner Brenda Vance Elinor Vandergriff Sharon Walling Sandra Walters Connie and Phil Watkins Jeannie Weigl Camille Weisinger Monterey and Richard White Page Wilhite Mary Williams Susan T. Williams Wayne Williams Sandra Willingham Glen and Vivian Wooddell Terry Woodson Pamela Yeaman Eugene Young Michael Young Mark and Cathy Zimmerman

497 Nestboxes Ready to Roll!

Where would we be without the dedicated efforts of the volunteer woodcrafters who construct our official nestboxes? They obtain quotes, select lumber, rip nestbox panels, add fine details (such as kerfs inside the front panel), assemble the nestboxes with screws, brand the fronts with the TBS logo, and deliver the finished nestboxes from West Texas to Central Texas.

Experienced woodcrafters Brian Hetherington and Bob Houck make this process look easy, but they surpassed themselves by delivering an astonishing 497 nestboxes! Here’s some of what went into this effort:

• Brian burned the TBS logo brand for up to 1½ minutes on each of the nestbox fronts. It took 12 hours to do the branding alone.
• According to Judy Hetherington, “Bobby and I can assemble 10 boxes an hour using our jigs (so 6 minutes per box). Brian assembles 19–20 per hour!”
• Even at that speedy rate, it took 6 weeks to construct nearly 500 nestboxes from start to finish.

A big thank you to Brian and Bob for their amazing work!

Prolific Presenter Linda Crum

Since November 2007, Linda Crum has done six bluebird presentations—two at Arbor Gate Nursery in Tomball, two for Wilkerson Intermediate School for fifth graders, one for her local Master Gardening group in Montgomery County, and one for the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Lone Star College in Conroe. She also recruited Texas Bluebird Society members to staff a booth at Earth Day in The Woodlands. At one of her outdoor presentations at Arbor Gate in February, Linda was talking about bluebirds looking for nesting sites during the month of February. Right on cue, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds flew into view and perched on a nearby snag. Everyone was thrilled to see those beautiful bluebirds. Linda had no trouble signing up a lot of new members for TBS that day!

Nature Quest promotes Bluebirds

Nature Quest (NQ) and TBS VP LeAnn Sharp are a winning combination! From three presentations, LeAnn had 95 attendees and welcomed 32 new members into TBS. First, at NQ events April 22–23, LeAnn’s thorough knowledge delighted attendees who were excited to learn what kind of birds were nesting in their birdhouses. Next, “76 people attended my Bluebird Program for the Retired Teachers Association on April 28th,” said LeAnn. Third, her careful “Show and Tell” of the baby titmice in June Osborne’s nestbox at Neal’s Café won hearts. LeAnn will be recommended as a speaker for other groups, affirm folks now eager to help spread bluebirds across Texas. Congratulations, LeAnn!

Donations Needed for Symposium

The 6th Annual Summer Bluebird Symposium will include a silent auction. If you have any items to donate, please send them to Linda Crum, 9 Crescent Falls Ct., The Woodlands, TX 77381-2633. Though most items are bird related, anything will do for the auction! (Contributions to TBS are tax deductible as allowed by law.)

Online Bluebird Forum

Want to learn more about bluebirds? Looking for a friendly community of bluebird enthusiasts? Check out http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/bluebird/ . Get help, make friends, and have fun!

Nestbox Management for Landowners

Style of nestboxes

Nestboxes should be designed for protection from the Texas heat. Landowners can contact Texas Bluebird Society about purchasing nestboxes (delivery not available) or building their own nestboxes from TBS plans found on www.texasbluebirdsociety.org (click Building Plans). This is not the only nestbox suitable for Texas conditions. Placement of nestboxes Nestboxes should be placed in a somewhat open area with short grass. Some landowners mow paths or perform controlled burns to provide the short grass bluebirds prefer. Afternoon shade, if possible, gives added protection from heat. A tree, fence, high line, snag or pole should be nearby for perching. To encourage multiple families of bluebirds, place nestboxes 100 yards apart. To encourage bluebirds plus other cavity nesters, place them closer together. Leaving nestboxes up year round furnishes protection for birds in the winter.

Mounting nestboxes

Nestboxes should be mounted five feet or higher; however, TBS does not recommend mounting them on trees or posts that would make nestlings accessible to predators. The ideal posts to use are 1-inch galvanized steel pipes or ¾-inch EMT conduit sleeves over 5/8-inch rebar stakes. A telescoping pole, which provides extra distance from predators, is another good option. In addition, TBS strongly recommends adding a Kingston or another type of predator baffle* to deter snakes, raccoons and cats. Visit www.sialis.org, www.nabluebirdsociety.org and www.texasbluebirdsociety.org for more information about predator control measures.

* To deter snakes, a 4- to 5- foot section of PVC can be slipped over the mounting pole and greased. Clean with a solvent at the end of the nesting season.

Monitoring nestboxes

Monitoring nestboxes includes looking in the nestboxes, correcting any troublesome situations (such as removing wasp nests and fire ants), recording what is observed and reporting the data to NestWatch at www.nestwatch.org. Ideally, nestboxes should be monitored weekly from February through September. Landowners may want to team with others in the community or hire someone who can check the nestboxes each week. If weekly monitoring is not a practical option, monitor as often as possible and report findings to NestWatch. Bluebirds will nest 2 to 4 times per season in Texas so used or abandoned eggs and nests should be removed to allow subsequent nesting (dispose far away from nestboxes to avoid attracting predators). Between September and January, all nesting material should be removed. Note that it is against the law to keep old nests, eggs or feathers of any native birds without permits.

1st Bluebird Egg of 2008!

Egg‐citing! The 2008 “1st Bluebird Egg” report to TBS came from Carmine in Central Texas with a first egg date of February 7. On an eggs‐tremely early date for the milestone, March 13th, Papa Bluebird coaxed his birds to a successful fledge! Congratulations to Ann and Mike O’Hara who invited the pair to their yard by providing an essential nesting site.

Through NestWatch (www.nestwatch.org), Texans and the world can view dates of first eggs and other nesting activity in real time.

CLASSIFIEDS

TBS needs your help!

We want to expand our efforts to spread bluebirds across Texas, but we need “a few good bluebirders” to make it happen. TBS has no paid positions—our programs, services, and products depend on your generous donations of time, effort, and money. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Pauline Tom at ptom5678@gmail.com or (512) 268‐ 5678 . Thank you!

GENERALIST

Philanthropist

Supporters to endow our Special Projects Fund for nonadministrative, non‐budgeted expenses (e.g., installation of nestbox trails and digital frames for “One Nestbox” booths). Send your tax‐deductible donations to Linda Crum, TBS Treasurer, 9 Crescent Falls Ct, The Woodlands TX 77381. Make your checks payable to “Texas Bluebird Society” and designate them for “Special Projects Fund.”

Booth Staffer

Booth staffer to talk about bluebirds and TBS with attendees at Texas Parks and Wildlife EXPO (choose shift length between 3–8 hours long, Oct 4 and 5, 2008). The EXPO is an annual outdoor extravaganza held at Texas Parks & Wildlife headquarters in southeast Austin. About 40,000 attend the event over the 2‐day period.

Coordinator – People

• NestWatch Ambassador to serve as liaison between TBS and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Responsibilities include answering questions from TBS members and promoting NestWatch.
• “Start with Five” program coordinator to serve as liaison between TBS and individuals/groups who have received a set of five nestboxes. Responsibilities include answering questions about the program, getting new individuals/ groups started, following up on data entry into Nest‐ Watch.org, and acquiring funding for the program.

Coordinator – Things

• New member packet organizer to assemble and mail new member packets within 10 days of notice. Most new members receive their packets in person at a booth or presentation, but up to 30 per month need to be mailed.
• New member packet organizer for special events. Expect to assemble and mail new member packets in batches of 15–150 with peak demand in the springtime.
• Newsletter content coordinator to gather and organize newsletter articles and photos. Needs to have a broadband internet connection to receive large photo files.
• Assistant secretary to audit 2‐hour monthly teleconference board meetings (and attend the face‐to‐face meeting near Austin in October, if possible) and publish minutes of the meeting within 5 days. This is not a seat on the Board of Directors.
• Silent auction coordinator to organize auction event for the October Annual Meeting in Austin area. Responsibilities include gathering items and bringing them to event.

Coordinator – People & Things

• “True Blue Friend” coordinator to serve as liaison between purchaser of nestbox dedication plaque and the company that creates it. Responsibilities include proofreading completed plaque and mailing it to purchaser.
• Coordinator for 2009 Summer Bluebird Symposium and 2010 Summer Bluebird Symposium (please contact Pauline for a detailed description).
• “One Nestbox” booth program coordinator to manage inventory and staffing for “One Nestbox” events. Responsibilities include:
  • Coordinating transfer of supplies from one booth event to the next.
  • Ordering new member materials, nestboxes, and other supplies as needed.
  • Creating “One Nestbox” booth opportunities by 16 matching a festival with nearby “booth” volunteers.
  • Recruiting local coordinator for booth events and serving as liaison between that person and the Board.

SPECIALIST

Computer specialist

• Renewals coordinator to sort membership database monthly/quarterly and prepare mail merged renewal letters. Needs to know Excel and Word (preferably 2007).
• Map coordinator to update TBS Volunteer Map monthly. Needs to know Access and Excel 2007 and HTML.
• Documents editor to update TBS Resources documents, create PDFs, and update HTML files. Needs to know Publisher and Word 2007 and HTML.
• Graphic artist to create documents (e.g., brochures and fliers) as needed.
• Excel specialist to create/format documents (e.g., treasurer reports) as needed.

CPA

CPA to review TBS financial records at year end and give occasional pro bono advice to the Treasurer or Board.

Elementary educator

Elementary educator to create short game for EXPO to go with Nest & Egg Display that can be played by large groups (due by 10/4/08).

Handyperson

Handyperson to build five sample Sparrow Spookers for “One Nestbox” booths.

Woodcrafter

Woodcrafters located west of Abilene to assist in construction of nestboxes. Woodcrafters to rip and detail doors for Texas Blues nestboxes in batches of 250. Detailing includes:

• Creating a 1 ⁄ " hole and sanding or beveling it.
• Adding kerfs on inside under door (this is a requirement for NABS nestbox approval because Tree Swallow fledglings cannot jump to the hole).
• Adding 2 small screws (to equip nestbox for a Van Ert House Sparrow trap, if needed).
• Branding center front with the TBS logo using electric branding iron.
• Shipping doors to Nestbox Construction Team (located west of Abilene).

Texas Blues nestbox builders to make nestboxes on an as-needed basis.

Visual artist

Visual artist to create photo presentation for EXPO for digital frame (due by 10/4/08).

TBS Board of Directors & You

A Board of Directors, elected by the membership, governs TBS. An Executive Committee, elected by the Board, makes day-to-day operating decisions.

The Board establishes the organization’s mission and purposes; decides and monitors TBS’ programs, services, outreach efforts, and overall direction; elects and supports TBS officers; ensures and manages resources through an annual budget and approval of key financial transactions; and sets fiscal and governance policies. It is accountable to TBS members as well as to the general public as a 501(c)3 organization.

TBS has no paid positions. Board members do nearly all the work of the organization, such as making presentations, staffing booths, and creating this newsletter.

Board accomplishments

• Approved an annual budget of $12,000, with $6,000 earmarked for nestbox construction materials.
• Approved “Nestbox Management for Landowners” handout (reprinted in this issue and available as download in the Resources section of our website).
• Approved a 1 ⁄ " hole for TBS-constructed nestboxes to accommodate Western Bluebirds.

Interested in joining the TBS Board of Directors?

Please contact Pauline Tom at ptom5678@gmail.com or (512) 268-5678.

TBS Annual Meeting & Dinner

Come to the TBS Annual Meeting & Dinner hosted by Ron and Pauline Tom! We’ll have informal reports on the 2008 nesting season, a brief business meeting, an EXPO booth orientation, as well as a silent auction (by the way, if you have any items to donate for the auction, please let us know).

Bring $2.50 (donation towards TBS-provided chicken), one or two side dishes to share, and your own beverage (e.g., water, soft drink, beer, or wine). We look forward to seeing you there!

When: Friday, 10/3/08, 6–8pm (appetizers at 5:30pm)

Where: 332 Live Oak Dr, Mountain City (near Kyle/ Buda, just south of Austin)

RSVP: By Sunday, 9/28/08, to Pauline at (512) 268-5678 or ptom5678@gmail.com