ON THE CALENDAR

BIRDS & BLUESTEM GALA: September 30. Night Owls can purchase tickets at the special reduced rate of $150. Gala Information >> NIGHT OWLS KICK-OFF: September 16 Houston Audubon's young professionals group, the Night Owls, is proud to announce the launch of our second year! Our first year was spent planting trees, prowling for owls at night, partnering with area non-profits such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Art League Houston, and learning about area conservation efforts and the joys of urban green spaces. The goal of the Young Professionals group is to provide a forum where Houston Audubon can connect with young professionals interested in the unique diversity of Houston's wilderness while providing fun and relaxed opportunities for learning and networking. Our second Night Owls season is set to launch on September 16 with a Happy Hour membership drive. For more information, please contact Andrea Ritchie. Who: Houston Audubon's Young Professionals group, targeting people in their 20's and 30's. What: Happy hour kicking off our second year. Enjoy Fusion Pita, raffle prizes, and a free drink when you sign up for a membership. Proceeds benefit Houston Audubon. Where: The Owl Bar, 3200 Kirby Drive When: Thursday, September 16, 6-8 PM.

RECENT EVENTS

GUIDED TOUR OF HOUSTON AUDUBON COASTAL SANCTUARIES : MAY 1

On May 1 we had a guided tour of our coastal sanctuaries. We started in High Island at Boy Scout Woods looking for songbird migrants, then headed over to the Rookery at Smith Oaks to view the hundreds of nesting Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets, and Cormorants. Under the oaks, we stopped for a picnic lunch before driving to Mundy Marsh and the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. There we saw shorebirds such as avocets, ibis, herons, terns, and gulls. From Bolivar we jumped on the ferry to Galveston, spotting Brown and White Pelicans and dolphins along the way.

WINGED MIGRATION and AFTER PARTY

Celebrating Houston's special location along the central migratory flyway, the Night Owls and Real Films cohosted a screening of Winged Migration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston on April 17 at 7:00 PM.

Winged Migration, an epic film that explores the mystery of migratory birds, presents an astonishing, aerial point of view of flocks' journeys from locations around the world. Filmed over three years and spanning 40 countries, filmmakers flew alongside birds. Their story takes us from the Eiffel Tower to the Arctic and Amazon.

The screening is especially timely as, from March to May, thousands of birders from around the world visit the Houston area to see the huge number of birds passing through. Flying from their wintering grounds in Latin America to their spring nesting locations in North America, tired migrant birds take a break right on the Texas coast. The Night Owls had an after party at Café Brazil for members and Houston's young professionals.

COCKTAILS AND BINOCULARS ON BUFFALO BAYOU

Who:	Houston Audubon's Young Professionals group, targeting people in their 20's and 30's.	The Osprey
What:	A ride on Buffalo Bayou Partnership's pontoon boat, The Osprey. Launching from Allen's Landing, our city's birthplace, we sipped cocktails and listened to the story of the bayou as we viewed the striking downtown skyline juxtaposed against verdant banks and graceful herons.
Where:	Allen's Landing, 1001 Commerce Street
When:	Saturday, February 20 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM or 4:30 - 6:00 PM.

January 23 Tree Planting at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
We had a terrific tree planting work day at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, followed by
food and drink in the the historic log cabin. It was great to see some new faces!

November 14 Owl Prowl at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary: We met our live birds during a short introduction and then walked through the sanctuary looking for owls and nocturnal creatures, and listened to live music by Ten Pretty Girls, while eating fresh tacos and drinking cold beer (sponsored by Coors).

ABOUT US

Houston Audubon's young professionals conservation group, The Night Owls, is a new membership group dedicated to the protection and conservation of birds and wildlife habitat. For forty years, Houston Audubon has been a leader in environmental education, habitat restoration, and conservation advocacy. We invite all area young professionals to join us in protecting Houston's amazing biodiversity.

Membership Benefits: Houston Audubon membership, discounts to Houston Audubon social events, exclusive Night Owls social and happy hour events, quarterly Night Owls email updates, networking opportunities with Houston's young professionals, and conservation and protection of Houston's birds, wildlife, and native habitat.

Membership: For ages 21-40, membership is $25 (individual) or $45 (couple). Online Night Owls Membership Form. For more information, please contact Andrea Ritchie by e-mail or telephone 713-932-1639.