Golden-cheeked Warbler Monitoring 
Familiar winter residents are making their appearance during this fall migration, like the White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It is always heartening to see the many species come to Dogwood Canyon, knowing that we are providing the habitat needed by birds throughout the seasons.  

During this time, we also await the report for data collected from the Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) during the spring breeding season. ARUs are audio devices that continuously record bird sounds over extended periods, capturing data that might be missed by human observers. They are particularly useful for monitoring bird activity during early mornings, evenings, or in less accessible areas where observer presence may be limited. 

In addition to the six units at Dogwood Canyon, three ARUs were placed at a property across the road, now owned by the city of Cedar Hill and referred to as Singleton Preserve. Of particular interest is whether the Golden-cheeked Warbler (GCWA) made it to our canyon again this year and if any could be detected at Singleton Preserve, which has similar habitat. 

In 2022, after a 20-year absence, the GCWA made an appearance, and it returned again in 2023. This past spring, birders monitoring the forests did not see or hear the GCWA, leading us to wonder if the past two years were chance events. However, the audio data report showed that a GCWA did indeed make it to our canyon this year, marking three consecutive years. Although this warbler did not stay long—only a few days—Blaine Carnes, the researcher for this study, confirms this “indicates that this area is of importance for the species even if they are not territorial in every breeding season. Appropriate management of their preferred juniper-oak habitat should be continued into the future.”  

A total of 138 species were detected across both properties, with 112 species at Dogwood Canyon and 108 species at Singleton Preserve. This includes several species of conservation concern listed on the Partners in Flight Continental Importance List. Carnes noted, “Both sites have high potential for recreational birdwatching, as evidenced by the number of species detected during the monitoring program.” 

Although Dogwood Canyon is often overlooked as a birding destination, Carnes suggests that encouraging birders to visit regularly and expand their species lists would enhance the appeal of these areas as prime birdwatching sites. A more comprehensive report on the findings of this study will be published at a later date.  

Native Plants 
A good conservation model goes beyond protecting land from development; it also involves monitoring the plant species that occupy that land. Much attention is given to non-native, invasive and aggressive plants that create monocultures and significantly reduce plant diversity. However, native plant diversity is essential for creating vital habitats for birds and other wildlife, providing both food and shelter. 

The same applies to our home and urban landscapes. By increasing diversity in our own yards, parks and businesses, we create an essential oasis for birds in a world where natural ecosystems are diminishing. At Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, we encourage the use of native plants through various projects and programs. In addition to removing invasive plants, we reseed the managed forest and prairie with native seeds that may include shrubs, grasses and forbs.  

In our parking lot's circular green space, we are transitioning it into a wildscape—part natural prairie, part designed landscaping. We collaborated with Carol Feldman, a landscape design architect from Feldman Designs, who generously donated her time to design the initial steps for this wildscape, which includes mowed paths, a flagstone patch, and intentional native plantings.  

Other garden areas include the early stages of revamping our more formal native landscape gardens to serve as demonstration areas and a shade-tolerant raised sensory garden bed in the children's play area. To further encourage the use of native plants in our community, we hold two native plant sales each year, which also serve as fundraisers for our center. This year, we paired these events with native plant walks and landscaping classes to provide visual examples and tips on incorporating native plants into landscapes.  

These activities are part of Audubon’s Plants for Birds Program, which focuses on increasing knowledge and access to native plant materials in communities to create urban habitats that birds need for food, water, and shelter, bridging the gap between urban and natural spaces. This year, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center had more than 9,500 plants available through the native plant sale. The sales take place in April and October each year, offering an online ordering system with curbside pickup. 

Art and Nature at the Center 
When we get closer to nature, whether through birding or native plant gardening, we often see art in a new light, desiring pieces that imitate the beauty around us. What better way to combine these interests than by bringing art to Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center? 

We kicked off the year with a spring art exhibit alongside the film "Lights Out, Texas!" We hosted the Texas A&M Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections student art exhibit, showcasing bird paintings, bird skin specimens, and research tools used to analyze specimens collected from window strikes during migration. 

Transitioning from science to more creative arts, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center hosted its first Artist in Residence this year. Kenna Boles Prior spent her working hours at the center, walking our trails for inspiration and creating designs for her printmaking art. Her 3-month residency culminated in a reception, a gallery walk featuring her work, and a sale of her art. Our focus is to bring in local, female artists who draw inspiration from the nature surrounding our center. 

Earlier this fall, we celebrated the art of Stuart and Scott Gentling, brothers from Fort Worth, through entertaining storytelling by Jonathan Frembling, Gentling Curator and Head of Archives at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth. We displayed for sale the 1986 elephant folios “Of Birds and Texas” as well as many bird and landscape prints by the Gentling brothers. Prints are available online.   

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center looks forward to more art, nature, and science in 2025. Join us on this exciting journey and be inspired by the beauty and creativity that nature brings to life!