Monthly Bird Count – August 2016

Every month Jason Bonilla, from the Houston Audubon Society, leads a group through Woodland Park and records the species and number of the birds they observe. If you'd like to join us for our hikes through the park please visit our calendar to find the next date and time.

Here's Jason's wrap-up (slightly edited) followed by the monthly bird count. Our next birding adventure is September 10th. Hope to see you there!

It was a slow bird day this morning with only 14 confirmed species. We did get really good looks at Black-crowned Night-Herons and Great Blue Herons.

Great Blue Heron - 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 2
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1
White-winged Dove - 25
Mourning Dove - 1
Chimney Swift - 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Blue Jay - 6
Carolina Wren - 3
American Robin - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Northern Cardinal - 3
Great-tailed Grackle - 2
(possibly 2 immature yellow-crowned night-heron)

One Good Bug →

Found under logs and other dark, damp places, the Alaus oculatus larva looks like a stocky, yellowish-brown, segmented worm. It has a flat, dark brown rectangular head that ends in 2 powerful jaws. The jaws, which resemble small crab legs, are used to disable and dismember prey.

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In Praise of Weeds →

Is there a more scornful word in the botanical universe than “weed?” We’re trained from early childhood to dislike anything associated with the term. Because of that, we native plant lovers and promoters have work cut out for us when striving to educate (or maybe preaching to) the general public.

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Monthly Bird Count – June 2016

Every month Jason Bonilla, from the Houston Audubon Society, leads a group through Woodland Park and records the species and number of the birds they observe. If you'd like to join us for our hikes through the park please visit our calendar to find the next date and time.

Here's Jason's wrap-up (slightly edited) followed by the monthly bird count.

We had our July bird survey this morning with some fantastic views of a male Orchard Oriole and Great Horned Owl! This was also the first time we have seen Cattle Egrets fly over from the park. eBird now lists 103 species seen at Woodland Park.

Listed below is the species list from today. I only listed 1 Great Horned Owl, though it is very possible that we saw two separate owls. I also removed the Red-shouldered Hawk that I thought I was hearing because it could have been a Blue Jay imitation. My best guess on the two birds that I was stumped on at the start is that they were female red-winged blackbirds.

Great Blue Heron - 2
Cattle Egret - 5
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - 2
White-winged Dove - 9
Mourning Dove - 1
Great Horned Owl - 1 (maybe 2)
Chimney Swift - 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Great Crested Flycatcher - 1
Blue Jay - 14
Purple Martin - 7
Carolina Chickadee - 5
Carolina Wren - 8
American Robin - 37
Northern Mockingbird - 10
European Starling - 11
Northern Cardinal - 9
Common Grackle - 5
Great-tailed Grackle - 6
Orchard Oriole - 2
blackbird sp. - 2 (maybe female red-winged blackbirds)
House Sparrow - 2

Photograph by Conor Best.

Photograph by Conor Best.

Photograph by Conor Best.

Photograph by Conor Best.

New Children’s Play Scape at Woodland Park

Photo of the Houston Electric Co. replica trolley installed at Woodland Park in Houston, Texas. Built by Paul Carr.

Photo of the Houston Electric Co. replica trolley installed at Woodland Park in Houston, Texas. Built by Paul Carr.

The Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is proud of our latest accomplishment: the historic trolley replica which is located adjacent to the existing children’s playground. With the cooperation and assistance of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Houston Parks Board we were able to get Paul Carr’s generously crafted and donated creation permanently installed in the park so the children can enjoy it. But what is the significance of a trolley car as a play scape rather than say a train, a bus, or some other means of transportation?

What is the Significance?

Before Henry Ford began mass producing automobiles, thus making them affordable for the average American family, people traveled around town on public transportation: trolley cars. And in Houston at the turn of the twentieth century the public transportation system was owned by the Houston Electric Company.

Public usage of the trolleys was great high during the week but decreased significantly during the weekends. The owners of the Houston Electric Company, a privately owned venture in the city’s early history, questioned what they could do to increase ridership on the weekends. They soon realized that they needed to have a destination for patrons to explore and enjoy. So the Houston Electric Company looked into a forested region approximately a mile north of the existing Houston Avenue trolley line terminus at Crocket Street, and found a spot where a naturally running stream could be dammed and a lake could be created. In addition to the lake they created a park with an assortment of amenities. They named it Highland Park and it was a huge hit from its opening in 1903.

The history of the park is fascinating and can be seen in its splendor in postcard photos of its early years. Copies of these picture postcards can be seen on the FWP website. The park routinely held concerts and events and even had various amusement rides. It is also noteworthy as the site of the city’s first zoo.

Soon after its opening a new residential subdivision was established and grew up just west of the park. That neighborhood was Woodland Heights, established in 1907, and it became one of the early streetcar subdivisions in the US. The neighborhood was so successful that its residents petitioned the city to rename the park, Woodland Park, when it was transferred to the city for it to operate in 1914.

In a very real sense, the trolley created the park, and the Woodland Heights neighborhood.

We hope that you and your family will visit and enjoy this historic replica as we expect it to be a fixture in Woodland Park for many years.

Become a Trolley Angel

Would you, your family members, your scout troop, your church or social group consider volunteering to be a Trolley Angel? The FWP is a small group of dedicated neighbors seeking to improve and enhance everyone’s experience when they come to Woodland Park. But we could certainly use your help.

Trolley Angels would be anyone, or a community group, who committed to care for the trolley for any period of time. It could be as short as a week or as long as a year. They would essentially pick up litter in and around the trolley and let the FWP know of any maintenance issues that might arise. In reality, a once-a-week check of the trolley along with a few minutes time dedicated to removing any litter would be all that is likely to be needed. It's a great way for the community to take ownership of this new amenity. Such a volunteer effort would be a great example of community service for our children. Trolley Angels will definitely be recognized on the FWP website.

Monthly Bird Count – May 2016

Every month Jason Bonilla, from the Houston Audubon Society, leads a group through Woodland Park and records the species and number of the birds they observe. Here's the data collected from their last trek through the park. If you'd like to join us for our hikes through the park please visit our calendar to find the next date and time.

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General Meeting Announcment

Friends, Neighbors & Supporters,

The Friends of Woodland Park will hold its annual general meeting at the Park community building on Tuesday January 19th from 7 -8 PM. The address is 212 Parkview; Houston Ave. at Parkview. The program will include a complete review of the events, efforts, and accomplishments in 2015 along with a presentation of everything proposed for 2016. A financial review will be included as well. There will also be a question and answer session as time permits. Please come and learn how your support has been and will be utilized to improve our historic Park.

See you there!