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Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society

Santa Fe & Northern New Mexico

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Energy Management in Migrating Hummingbirds

by | Mar 31, 2025 | Programs

Shayne R. Halter, UNM Department of Biology

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 — 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church

 

Hummingbirds use energy at extremely high rates, especially during migrations. To survive these long trips, they must maintain adequate amounts of body fat for fuel. Shayne’s research investigates how four species of hummingbirds balance their energy levels, as they transit the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. He combines measurements from feathers, body fat, and metabolism, to map migration and energy budgets, to determine how hummingbirds adjust for energy shortfalls. His emphasis is on how hummingbirds use nocturnal torpor to conserve fat during migrations. This research will help us assess hummingbird health and develop conservation measures, as climate and land-use change make food resources less predictable in the Southwest.

 

Shayne Halter was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Castle Rock, Colorado in his early teens. At Metropolitan State University of Denver he earned a BS in Aerospace Science, and spent over 20 years in the US Air Force as a navigator in C-130 Hercules aircraft. After retirement, he took classes at the University of New Mexico, earning a BS in Anthropology and MS in Biology. Shayne is currently completing a Ph.D. in Biology, with Dr. Blair Wolf. Shayne focuses on animal physiology and how animals cope with extremes in temperature and food supply. His recreational pastimes include skiing, mountain biking, camping, hiking, and birding.

 

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Protect Chaco Canyon

by | Jul 28, 2026 | Conservation in Focus

On behalf of the Sangre de Cristo Chapter of The National Audubon Society, I urge you to maintain Public Land Order 7923 and reject the proposals to revoke the 10-mile buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park or to reduce the protective buffer zone to just 5 miles.

I am submitting this comment during the second public comment period on this proposal — and our opposition has not changed. Over 100,000 people submitted comments during the April scoping period opposing this action. The public has already spoken.

The buffer around the Park contains an estimated 12,000 archaeological and cultural sites within the 5-to-10-mile zone alone, and only 15-20% of the area has been surveyed. Chaco Canyon flourished as a major cultural and ceremonial center between 850 and 1250 A.D. and remains central to the cultural identity, traditions, and ongoing practices of Indigenous peoples in the region. The Park, along with sites within the protection zone, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Greater Chaco region has already suffered significant damage to air, water, and public health from oil and gas extraction. With over 37,000 wells drilled on surrounding lands, the buffer preserves some of the last undeveloped public land in the region. The BLM itself has acknowledged the withdrawal area is not a favorable target for future development. Private, tribal, and allottee lands remain open to new leasing, and existing operations are unaffected.

The 2023 protections resulted from an extensive public process including 150 days of public comment, seven public meetings, and years of Tribal consultation — generating over 160,000 supporting comments. This 14-day comment period is an inadequate substitute that prevents meaningful participation and shuts out Tribal community members whose heritage is most at stake.

Greater Chaco deserves permanent protection. I respectfully urge you to maintain the full protection zone for this treasured American landscape.

Respectfully
Robert Guenther
Board of Directors
Sangre de Cristo Chapter of The National Audubon Society

HOW TO ACT: Go to  https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=D949F582-402D-F111-8341-001DD804183B
to submit a comment about the need to continue protection for the greater Chaco Canyon region.
Comment period ends July 29, 2026.

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2026 Hummingbird Training Workshop

by | Jul 10, 2026 | Bird News, Conservation in Focus

August 13-16, 2026
Sedona, AZ

No, it’s not about teaching tricks to your Black-chinneds, or better manners to your Rufous. This is about training YOU — if you are interested in studying, handling or banding hummingbirds.

The Workshop is hosted by the Western Hummingbird Partnership, the U.S. Forest Service and the Hummingbird Research Group. The workshop is aimed primarily at banders holding current permits, but there are some spots available for other interested persons. 

Registration and more information:

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More Chickens at Milnesand

by | Jun 20, 2026 | Bird News, Conservation in Focus

The New Mexico Nature Conservancy announced that the spring census of Lesser Prairie Chickens at its Milnesand Prairie Preserve showed 315 chickens.  This is a distinct increase from the 183 chicks counted in spring of 2025.   This is one of the better prairie chicken censuses ever seen in the Southwest, and good nesting conditions indicate that the next census will be good as well.  

By: Shane Woolbright, leader of the April 2026 field trip to TNC’s Milnesand Prairie Preserve

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Birding Workshop – April 24-26, 2026 – Hillsboro NM

by | Feb 26, 2026 | Bird News

Natural Curiosity, an outdoor education non-profit in southern New Mexico, will host an upcoming Birding Workshop April 24th – 26th, and we would love your help spreading the word!

This workshop is designed for anyone interested in deepening their connection to birds and the landscapes they inhabit. Whether someone is brand new to birding or looking to strengthen their identification skills and field experience, this immersive workshop offers guided bird walks, hands-on learning, and meaningful time outdoors with a supportive community.

If you know someone who might enjoy expanding their birding knowledge, refining their observation skills, or simply spending intentional time in nature, please pass this along. And, of course, if you’re interested, we would love to have you join us!

You can find full details and registration information here:
https://www.natural-curiosity.org/birdingworkshop

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