WHEEL LIFE: Road offers flights of fancy
For the first time in 10 years, Fran and Brad Haywood are spending their winter back home in the Pacific Northwest.
Usually the enthusiastic Spokane birders head south in late autumn to see the country, volksmarch through historical sites and chalk up sightings on their “lifer” list (617 species to date).
“It is amazing how much this country has to offer,” says Fran Haywood. “We have had lots of marvelous adventures.”
Until last October, the Haywoods lived full time in their 28-foot Keystone Montana fifth wheel.
“We have put more than 200,000 miles on our 1997 Dodge V10 truck,” says Haywood.
Although they have spent two winters in Yuma, Ariz., and one in Florida, their destination of choice is the southern tip of the Lone Star State.
Texas is their favorite winter home because of its balmy weather, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, and warm-water fishing along the Gulf Coast.
“Actually, when Brad and his friends go out fishing,” says Fran Haywood, “they do a lot more laughing than catching fish.”
By far, however, the main reason they return year after year to the Rio Grande Valley is because “there are more birds than anywhere else in the country,” says Haywood. “That area has at least 512 species recorded.”
The region is part of multiple migration routes. Eastern and Western species overlap, and Mexican species often stray north of the border. The area is also a vital stopover for birds moving between North, Central and South America.
“In 2005 we had this irruption of birds from Mexico,” says Haywood, “and these spectacular, rare species showed up.”
Some of the rarities included blue bunting, elegant trogon, roadside hawk, golden-crowned warbler, white-throated robin, gray-crowned yellowthroat, green-breasted mango hummingbird and crimson-collared grosbeaks.
They were hanging out with the North American wintering rose-breasted and black-headed grosbeak.
Haywood will talk about these birds and their habitat on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. during the Spokane Audubon Society’s monthly meeting at the Riverview Retirement Center, 1801 E. Upriver Drive.
The presentation includes hundreds of images of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and native plants from places like Falcon Dam, Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen State Park and South Padre Island.
“There is just so much to see in that part of Texas,” says Haywood.
Audubon information
“The 10th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is Friday through Feb. 19. Anyone can participate by counting anywhere – in your own backyard, balcony and school yard or city park. No fee or registration is required. Learn how to take part by visiting www.birdsource.org/gbbc.
“Spokane Audubon Society, P.O. Box 9820, Spokane, WA 99209; (509) 838-5828; www.spokaneaudubon.org. Regular monthly meetings on the second Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Riverview Retirement Center, 1801 E. Upriver Drive. Free.
“Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society, P.O. Box 361, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816; (208) 765-2603. www.cdaaudubon.org.
Next public meeting is Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Program is “Bats, Birds and Blades” by Mike Denny from the Blue Mountain Audubon Society in Walla Walla. Denny will talk about a study of wind turbines to generate electricity and their impacts on native birds and bats.
“Palouse Audubon Society, P.O. Box 3606, Moscow, ID 83844; www.palouseaudubon.org.
Next public meeting is Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. at the 1912 Building, Third and Adams streets, Moscow. Free program is “The Call of the Loon” with Dan Poleschook Jr., and Ginger Gumm.
“National Audubon Society, 700 Broadway, New York, NY 10003; (212) 979-3000; www.audubon.org.
Volkssport information
A volksmarch is a noncompetitive 6-mile (10 kilometer) walk. Volksmarching got its name from its origins in Europe. Today there are thousands of volkssport clubs around the world, including four in the Inland Northwest.
“The Lilac City Volkssport Association meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Manito Park meeting room east of the Gaiser Conservatory. Call Geri Odell at (509) 534-7056 for more information.
“Palouse Hills Volkssport Association, P.O. Box 953, Pullman, WA 99163.
“Coeur d’Alene Volkssport Club, P.O. Box 535, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.
“Selkirk Striders, P.O. Box 192, Kootenai, ID 83840; www.selkirkstriders.org.
“American Volkssport Association; 1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101; Universal City, TX 78148. A toll-free information line is (800) 830-WALK (9255); www.ava.org.