Friends of Hagerman NWR upcoming events

What Exactly is a Bird? with Dr. Bryon Clark (May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Although birds display a remarkable diversity of colors, shapes, sizes and behaviors, they share a set of defining characteristics that distinguish them from other animals. This presentation will explore several key adaptations, such as feathers, beaks, lightweight skeletal structures, and, in most species, the ability to fly, that enable birds to inhabit almost every environment on the earth’s surface. From Antarctica to your own backyard, you are likely to encounter several of the more than 11,000 species of birds found worldwide. This presentation will also provide a few simple and practical tips on how to identify the birds you see.

Bryon has been a nature enthusiast since growing up on the family farm in southern Iowa. He has a B.A. in Biology from Central College (Iowa), an M.S. in Biology from Western Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in Biology from Kansas State University. From 1990 until his retirement in 2020, Dr. Clark served as a Professor of Biological Sciences and later as an administrator at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Although trained as a mammalian ecologist, Bryon has developed a keen interest in the natural history and ecology of birds. Since retiring, he enjoys photographing birds and other wildlife, traveling, and volunteering with the Friends of Hagerman, Texas Master Naturalists, and Texoma Audubon Society.

Bryon and his spouse, Margaret Avard, live southeast of Sherman, Texas. Their son, Gerald, is a master’s student at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California Santa Barbara. A shared enthusiasm for nature runs in the family, and their vacations are always adventures.

Photo by Bryon Clark

Registration is not necessary—all are welcome! But if any of these programs spark your curiosity, signing up will get you a friendly reminder three days beforehand. You’ll also receive our once-a-month Featherless Flyer newsletter—no email overload, and it’s easy to unsubscribe anytime.

Birds Are Amazing Flying Dinosaurs with Dr. Thomas Stidham (May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Dr. Thomas Stidham will talk about some of the different lines of evidence from anatomy, behavior, and the fossil record that demonstrates that birds are very diverse living dinosaurs.

Dr. Thomas Stidham is an evolutionary biologist and paleontologist who is fascinated by bird biology and evolution from their dinosaurian origins to today. During his career as a professor at Texas A&M University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and now Austin College, he has published scientific research on birds from the Arctic to the Antarctic. In addition to his main work on birds, Tom’s broad natural history perspective also has resulted in research publications on insects, mammals, reptiles, plants, and much more, including the discovery of new species in Texas and elsewhere. As a professor at Austin College, Dr. Stidham engages an active student body in exciting biology courses, mentors students in independent research projects in his lab, and continues his scientific collaborations around the globe.

Where are All the Birds Going - Current Trends in Population Size with Dr. Wayne Meyer, Ornithologist (May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Birds are a familiar and cherished part of life at the refuge—but many species are becoming harder to find. This Second Saturday program will explore current trends in bird populations and examine why changes are happening.

Dr. Wayne Meyer, an ornithologist, began birding at the age of 13 in Connecticut. He has birded extensively on both coasts of the United States and has spent the past quarter century birding in Texas and Oklahoma. Dr. Meyer has conducted extensive research on prairie birds and has been studying song learning and vocal development in Painted Buntings for more than a decade. He is a sought-after speaker for Master Naturalist groups and a frequent presenter at the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday programs.

Photo by Adam Graham

Registration is not necessary—all are welcome! But if any of these programs spark your curiosity, signing up will get you a friendly reminder three days beforehand. You’ll also receive our once-a-month Featherless Flyer newsletter—no email overload, and it’s easy to unsubscribe anytime.