The Hays Humm

April 2020

Tom Jones - Betsy Cross - Constance Quigley

President’s Message

Susan Neill

We often hear the phrase that we are living in interesting or uncertain times. I believe that either of those descriptions is an understatement in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have never seen the shutdown, quarantine, or stay-at-home orders in our lifetimes that we are seeing now. Those of us who work or previously worked in the public health field frequently commented that the next outbreak was only a plane trip away. Unfortunately, that has now happened, and not just an outbreak, but a pandemic. We have been so successful at controlling outbreaks around the world in recent history, the thought of having a true pandemic seemed almost unthinkable.

We are directed to stay home except for essential activities which has stopped us from much of our volunteer work around the county. We do not have the social interactions, the joy of working on our various projects, or the joy from seeing our many accomplishments. Know that these will be back – how soon, we do not know.

For now, for those that must stay at home (I realize many of you are still working, and thank you for what you are doing), take a few minutes (or more) to step back and appreciate some of the things we have come to take for granted. Take time to read a book, spend time with immediate family, spend time with your pet. Even though you may not be able to volunteer for your favorite project, look at your local patch – whether a small lot or acreage. This is a time to focus on what you can observe there, whether it is sitting and just watching the birds or trying to see how many different plants or insects you can observe. You can still enjoy what you find. Yesterday, I was thrilled to find a Monarch caterpillar that was just over one quarter inch long. I have found the larger ones in the past, but this was the first time I slowed down enough to look that closely at the milkweed to find the really small caterpillars.

Last week we had our first Nature Watch and Social Hour using the Zoom platform. I was excited to see that we had 44 participants. We are planning to continue these web conferences while there remains interest and our restrictions on activities lasts. We may change some weeks to accommodate speakers rather than just open discussion, but most weeks the idea is to share information and have an open discussion.

Our state leadership with Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas A&M AgriLife are providing guidance on our activities. Texas A&M AgriLife has directed us to cancel all face to face meetings and activities through May 4 at the earliest. This may well be extended to a later date.

As of now, both certification (students) and recertification will continue to require 40 hours of volunteer time. If the restrictions on meetings and travel continue for an extended period of time (months), they will review this requirement, but as of now, the requirement stands at 40 hours of volunteer time. They are going to provide guidance on Citizen Science activities in the very near future for accruing volunteer time. If you have suggestions for distance volunteer services, please share your ideas. We will be sharing ideas with our state leadership and between chapters to identify more opportunities.

There will be some relaxation on the requirements for advanced training. Eight hours of AT will still be required, but all 8 may be completed on-line. These should all be part of a live interaction (Zoom call, webinar, etc.) in which there is a question and answer session. We will be looking to replace chapter meetings in the near term with Zoom presentations.

During this difficult time, we are seeing the best of people with folks reaching out to help each other and many continuing to work to take care of the rest of us. Think about what you can do to do your part. For some of us, it is to just follow the recommendations to stay home – we do not know who may be incubating the virus. We want to keep each other safe. For others, it is to continue working providing healthcare, distance learning for students, food for our tables and other essential services. The rest of us would be hard pressed to stay-at-home without all that you do. Thanks to each and every member for what you do and please, above all, STAY HEALTHY!

The Speleothems at Westcave Preserve Grotto

by Tom Jones, cover photo by Meagan Whitehouse

I am fascinated with the grotto at Westcave Preserve. My first visit was in 2017, the same year as my Nighthawks training class. I quickly signed up to become a tour guide. The grotto is located at the end of a short canyon, which has a single opening adjacent to the Pedernales river. Except for the opening, the canyon is enclosed on all sides by steep walls. This is known as a box canyon, which is not common in the hill country. Typical karst terrain in Hays County includes rounded hills with wide erosional valleys formed by the numerous spring-fed creeks.

My favorite place to stop while leading a tour is inside the grotto behind the waterfalls to talk about all the "speleothems". These are more commonly known as cave formations. The grotto is home to numerous stalactites, stalagmites and two large columns. One column is on the north side and the other is on the south side of the grotto cave. The impressive columns span the entire height of the grotto, from the Cowcreek limestone ceiling down to the Hammett shale floor, about 15-20 feet.

Has Headward Erosion of the Grotto Stopped?

Over geologic time, the erosion of the grotto has not stopped, but appears to be at reduced rate. Headward erosion of the grotto up the Heinz Branch watershed seems to have been halted. The size of each of these columns is good evidence that the grotto has not significantly eroded for many thousands of years, as the average growth rate for stalactites is 0.0051 inches per year, or 51 inches (4.25 feet) over 10,000 years. The small size of the Heinz Branch watershed has contributed to slower erosion. Instead of erosion from surface water flow over the falls, rainfall enters the limestone and is discharged from the cliff via springs, creating the cave formations we see today. The two columns provide support for the grotto roof, but eventually erosion will cause the roof to collapse along with the columns and other cave formations.

What About Hamilton Pool?

Hamilton Pool is a similar grotto feature with a larger plunge pool. It is located about one mile east of Westcave Preserve. Both grottos have similar geology with Cowcreek limestone for the roof and eroded Hammett shale below. Hamilton Pool has a waterfall and is in a box canyon. However, it is different from the Westcave Preserve grotto in a couple of important ways. Let’s look at these.

One big difference between the Hamilton Pool and West Cave Preserve may be attributed to the erosion rate created by the Hamilton Creek watershed. Hamilton Creek watershed has a larger surface collection area than the Heinz Branch. Thus, the larger watershed sends a higher volume of surface flow across the waterfall at Hamilton Creek, resulting in its contrasting features. There are fewer cave formations here than in the Westcave Preserve grotto. There are no columns or flowstone draping over the canyon walls. A higher rate of headward erosion at Hamilton Pool ultimately causes the grotto roof to collapse, and the process of creating a new grotto starts over. Looking at the topographic map, it is easy to see that Hamilton Pool has eroded a much greater distance from the Pedernales river than the Westcave Preserve grotto. This may also be evidence of a faster headward erosion rate. Additionally, the water flow within the Cowcreek aquifer at Hamilton Pool may be much lower than the Heinz Branch watershed. A lower flow rate within the aquifer results in fewer springs sprouting at the canyon cliff, reducing the number and size of stalactites. The lack of flowstone on the canyon walls at Hamilton Pool supports this possibility.

For more information about visiting Westcave Preserve go to westcave.org. For detailed information how to schedule a Grotto tour go to https://westcave.org/faq.

DANIELLE MAYO

About Myself: I was born in Maryland, moved to New York as a young child, then transplanted to Texas via Ft. Hood with the Army in 1995. After leaving the Army, I worked as a nurse, and have spent the last 7 years in the field of workers' compensation. Outside of work, my loves include hiking, camping, target shooting, rock climbing, and occasionally fishing. I also love beading, crocheting, sewing, and working as a priest in my tradition. I became a Texas Master Naturalist in 2019.

You May Not Know: While I do not hunt (I don't have any use for the entire animal as my upbringing in Shamanism has imprinted upon me), I can shoot any weapon I pick up. My favorite to shoot is a recurve bow and I practice with enough poundage to take down game just for the challenge of being able to do it with accuracy.

FAV Master Naturalist Activity or Project: My favorite activity is trail maintenance when I have the ability to volunteer, and I prefer to do so in Hays County with all the beauty that I have observed that is so unique to this area and hardly found elsewhere.

Your favorite bird: My favorite bird is a falcon. I simply admire its beauty, strength, and intelligence. I pray to have the strength and accuracy of a falcon in my attempts to obtain the things I need in my life.

Hornsby Bend Bird Walk

Saturday March 7, 2020

by Mimi Cavender and Steve Wilder

A group of over twenty Hays County Master Naturalist (HCMN) class members, plus event leaders David Womer and Steve Janda, arrived for the 8 o’clock start at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant (HBBMP), where solids generated by City of Austin wastewater are treated and turned into compost and “Dillo Dirt”. At the headquarters building, a colony of Purple Martins nest in the gourd array - our first sighting. The HBBMP uses a series of retention ponds to treat the solid wastes, and it is a terrific home and migration stopover for waterfowl. We went from pond to pond, observing over 25 verified sightings of bird species, including non-waterfowl when we hiked down to the area along the Colorado River. The list of observed species was verified by David Womer, and was posted to eBird.

On the adjacent, more filtered pond, with biosolids plants busy processing Austin's famous 'Dillo Dirt on the far shore, our birders saw shovelers, ruddy ducks, energetic little coots, serenely cruising grebes, and red eared turtles. Dave spotted Savannah sparrows flitting through spring grasses, skunk cabbage, and bright yellow mustard (Bastard Cabbage, an invasive!) at water's edge, and he heard an osprey in trees across the pond. The group, amazed, just bundled up and believed him.

An optional third hour gave opportunity for many in the group to follow Dave along a wet grassy trail through cedar elms, pecans, Texas persimmons, and mesquites festooned with mustang grape vine - everything still bare or just greening. With Highway 71 humming somewhere out beyond the trees, these sheltered little woods offered songs of Northern Cardinals, Northern Mockingbirds, wrens, and thrushes. Dave "pished" for other heard but unseen species and demonstrated his barred owl Who-cooks-for-You with that great little gurgle at the end!

Heading back to the trail head, birders found this small pink mint-like flower (henbit?), a two-inch-diameter active Texas cutter ant (Atta) colony entrance, and some excellent wild cat scat, packed with the hair of a furry mammal that had been dinner. It began to drizzle as this Hornsby Bend Bird Walk closed with hugs all around, just days before we first heard of "social distancing."

Leap Day - Project RM426: Austin Water Wildlife Conservation

by Steve Wilder

Almost 30 members of the 2020 HCMN class volunteered Saturday morning, February 29, at the Austin Water Wildlife Conservation (AWWC) area on FM 150. Bruce Cannon and Steve Janda were coordinators. Because we had such a large group of volunteers for the job, Devon, Texas Parks and Wildlife liaison, was able to devote more time to the history and purpose of the AWWC lands. It is an effort to return a significant area of land over the Edwards Aquifer to the native environment, allowing cleaner water to return to the aquifer in greater volumes. Currently, there are about 35,000 acres designated for AWWC management. As six teams of six volunteers each, we dispersed over the property to spread seeds and plant seedlings of native grasses. We all worked until noon, pulling together and getting to know one another, and were finished. Devon was extremely happy and grateful, saying it would have taken him a month to do alone what our class had accomplished during the event.

Charro Ranch Park Dripping Springs, Texas

by Mimi Cavender

Early on a mid-March Saturday in northern Hays County, some of the HCMN 2020 Training Class listened to Charro Ranch Park highlights from Project Contact Sue Harding. Look closer. On that gentle spring morning, “social distancing” was a concept only 24 hours old.

HCMN Volunteer Opportunity: Resource Management Leader: Richard McBride, Project Contact: Sue Harding. Volunteers: Monica Little, Matthew Fagan, Laura Leigh Wilde, Susan Powell, Mimi Cavender.

Charro Ranch Park is a pocket of wildland close to home. Its wooded trails, hidden benches, picnic tables, and birding stations offer Master Naturalists and area families alike a cool slice of Texas wild. Find out more: Charro Ranch Park, 22690 W. FM 150 (512) 858-4725 Charro Ranch Park

But meanwhile back at the, uh, Ranch…

On the first Saturday in March, Hays County Master Naturalists teamed up with Katherine Sturdivant, Education & Outreach Coordinator - Hays County Parks, to host a Family Fun Day at Jacob’s Well all about birds. HCMN participants included Sarah Carlisle, Lauren Young, Susan Evans, Mindy Webber, Irene Bonde, Paula Glover, and Betsy Cross. HCMNs provided support for games and information sharing with visitors. Harriet the Hawk, with handlers Roger and George from All Things Wild Rehabilitation, was a highlight of the event.

Bastard Cabbage Rapistrum rugosum by Dell and Gerin Hood

URGENT ALERT - KEEPING TEXAS LOOKING LIKE TEXAS

If you’ve traveled any roads in central Texas in the past two weeks you are sure to have seen colonies of a plant in flower that is on the list of Texas Invasives and is becoming a serious threat to native plants wherever it occurs. It is Bastard cabbage (Rapistrum rugosum), a member of the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). It is an annual, much-branched taprooted plant native to the Mediterranean basin eastwards to Central Asia. It has no place in the flora of Texas and should be removed, and that’s where you come in. The plants will set seeds (dozens if not hundreds per plant) in a week or so, once we have dry sunny days. They have become established in Texas only recently, mainly in the rights-of-way of our local and state roads. In a few locations where it was ignored it has migrated into pastures and agricultural fields and has become the dominant plant in these fields.

Photo by Gerin Hood

All native plant enthusiasts and Master Naturalists can help in controlling, and even eliminating, these aggressive non-native plants by getting out now and pulling them out or cutting them at the base. They can easily be recognized by their pale yellow, four-petaled flowers and large leaves. You can find clear and helpful pictures and descriptions on several websites by searching under the botanical or common name. Removing them NOW will ensure no new seeds will be spread this year. If you find any plant with mature seeds it must be carefully bagged. Roots of mature plants can be 18-20 inches long and look like a white carrot. If they are in deep or moist soil they can be pulled by hand (it may take some effort); in dry or rocky areas it may be easier to cut them off at the base. Younger plants are relatively easy to pull. Bastard cabbage can be found as individual plants all alone, as several to many scattered in a larger area, or as dense clusters (10 plants per square foot of ground) over an even bigger area with hundreds of separate stems. Sundays, when road traffic is generally at its lowest, are the best days to cruise the roads looking for them; wear boots and gloves and carry a rock hammer (excellent for cutting them at ground level) and a few large trash bags. My wife prefers using pruners. Every plant removed reduces the source of next year’s crop, and with a concerted effort we can help keep Texas looking like the Texas Sam Houston admired when he first crossed the Red River and declared, “Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision.”

Editor Note: All Bastard-Cabbage pickers should follow all local and state orders. One of the best places to start this invasive removal is on your own property.

This article originally appeared in the HCMN April 2012 Newsletter, editor Art Arizpe. Click Here to View.

The Hays Humm - April 2020