COUNTY LIFE
Registration opens for Birding the Border 2021
| Written by Susan Himes, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu |
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service announced registration is open for the 2021 Birding the Border event.
The event will take place April 29 -May 2, starting with a kickoff social the evening of April 29 at Val Verde Winery.
Del Rio will host the event, which will feature birding trips to a mix of private, restricted-access and public lands in Kinney and Val Verde counties.
The cost of registration is $50 and includes seminars, which will be held April 30-May 1 at the Del Rio Civic Center and feature AgriLife Extension experts. There are also spouse-of-birder passes available to allow participants to bring a plus one to the seminars and social events. If you prefer to register by phone, call Teri Gaston at 830-278-9151 ext. 283.
During the registration process, participants may also choose from one of five different daily birding trips, including a photography-focused course. Cost ranges from $100-$145 and day trips will be led by experts and professional guides. There is also a track offered for novice birders.
“We were disappointed when our 2020 event had to be canceled due to COVID-19,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent for Vale Verde County. “However, we will have had a year to prepare and adjust and should social distancing and other guidelines still be in place, we will be equipped to abide by all rules and regulations while still being able to offer our participants an amazing experience.”
What to expect
There will be a Birds, Bats and Owls benefit dinner April 30 at Kickapoo Cavern State Park. On May 1, the Birding the Border dinner with feature professional photographer and birder Dorian Anderson. Other fun planned social events include Birds and Beer with Birding Lotería at Mesquite Creek Outfitters.
“Most of the properties that we would have visited in 2020 are signed up again to host us,” said Maureen Frank, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “Private lands are essential to wildlife conservation, especially in Texas, and it’s such a privilege to visit these places.”
Frank said just like in previous years, this event will give participants the opportunity to see many different species.
“In addition to birding along the U.S./Mexico border, participants will bird along the border of three different ecoregions,” Frank said. “Participants may choose from trips to a range of habitats including those in the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and the Chihuahuan Desert.”
Grant said some of the species targeted will include golden-cheeked warblers; black-capped vireos; Morelet’s seedeaters; varied, indigo and painted buntings; and tropical parulas.
“Since the group size for each tour will be limited, we encourage people to register as soon as possible to ensure they are able to get the trips they want,” Grant said.
The Nocona City Council gave its budget proposal a final once-over before setting a public hearing for it and the proposed tax rate for Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.
Council members also heard from Blake McNew who is against the recently approved fee and registration process for golf carts and related vehicles.
Last month the council approved an ordinance that set forth registration requirements for these vehicles with a $50 registration fee. After several close calls and complaints from downtown business people and citizens on near misses with ATVs and golf carts driving unsafely downtown the council took the step to add the ordinance.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said after some discussion the council asked for it to be back on next month’s agenda with possible consideration for repealing the fee. After some research she added a person can go through the state to obtain a license plate for these vehicles and the local sticker would not be needed.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The staff of Texas Education Agency on Aug. 14 announced the release of 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state.
Almost all of the school districts in the county saw their district ratings increase or remain consistent, along with some of their campuses.
There were 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses rated in 2026. Some 24% of both districts and campuses increased in rating compared to 2025.
Read the full story and see all the county ratings in your Thursday Bowie News.
2026 state accountability ratings
Bowie Independent School District – B, 80 of 100 points
Elementary/intermediate – C, 74
Junior high – B, 84
High school – B, 86
Bellevue ISD – A, 92
Forestburg ISD – B, 82
Gold-Burg ISD – C, 76
Montague ISD – A, 93
Nocona ISD – B, 86
Elementary – B, 80
Middle school – C, 79
High school – A, 94
Prairie Valley ISD – B, 88
Saint Jo ISD – B, 82
Elementary – D, 66
High school – A, 92
Friends of the Bowie Animal Shelter will host the annual Clear the Shelter event from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22.
The shelter is located at 1508 E. Wise. While this is a nationwide effort to recognize the work of animal shelters, their staff and volunteers, this also is a chance to support their efforts by attending the bake sale, silent auction and food vendors.
Adoptable dogs from the Bowie shelter as well as Easy Street Shelter of Saint Jo, Lucky Paws in Nocona and McCares of Montague will be present.
If your family is considering adopting a pet this would be a great time to visit with the animals and meet the volunteers who can tell you a bit about the animals. Prospective volunteers also are welcome, so ask your questions.
Staff from Cross Timbers Vet will be giving reduced price vaccinations.
There will be a prize drawing at noon for a bounce house and a Turtle Box speaker. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win either prize. Drawing at noon.
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