Birders are always welcome, but don't come expecting to see the thrush. In fact there aren't any interesting birds here right now. I dismantled the temporary feeder when it didn't come in after two hours of watching during it's normal feeding time. Yesterday at 8 AM it did a few minutes of one of its vocalizations, so I knew the time was getting near. I'm sure its visit will always stand out among the highlights of the oasis. In May there will be a Christmas Mountains Research Symposium. Christmas Mountains Research Symposium May 13-15, 2013 Terlingua Ranch Headquarters, Brewster County, Texas The objective of the Christmas Mountains Research Symposium is to increase the public and scientific understanding of the ecology, geology, culture, and history of the Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem, spanning West Texas and Mexico on either side of the Rio Grande. The two-day symposium will highlight research by students and faculty from universities in the Texas State University System, and welcomes contributions from researchers from other universities, federal, and state agencies, as well as residents of the region who have investigated various aspects of the regionâs ecology, geology, culture and history. Email me for more information Carolyn Ohl-Johnson Christmas Mountains Big Bend area Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner