There's a lot of news below. But first, if you have not already, please fill out an important questionnaire regarding Tucson Audubon's monthly meeting program!

When you are done with that, enjoy reading the latest Tucson Audubon weekly news: 

• Keep your cats indoors for the sake of bird populations
• Now we offer a fun new activity for indoor cats!
• Help collect data about a threatened species and contribute to its conservation.
• Help study bats too! 
• Get in on the Tucson Bird and Wildlife Festival 
• Help out at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds
• New binos for sale in the shop! (Use your member discount!)

Reply to this email with any questions or comments. 

- Kendall Kroesen, email editor

We need your help. Tucson Audubon is surveying for Yellow-billed Cuckoos in the Coronado National Forest. This is directly related to the recent listing of the western subspecies as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Surveys could result in a larger designation of "Critical Habitat." 

To qualify you must be in southern Arizona at least part of the summer and be a reasonably strong hiker. You do not need advanced bird identification skills to help. Read an interesting blog post by surveyor Matt Griffiths about his experience on the surveys.

To join the team, please contact Jennie at jmacfarland@tucsonaudubon.org

Have you viewed the Paton Center Hummingbird Cam yet?

Everyone's doing it!

Wendy's cat, at right, is a frequent viewer of the Broad-billed Hummingbirds and other visitors to a feeder at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia. We are proud to be making the lives of indoor cats more enjoyable!

Go to tucsonaudubon.org/hummingbirdcam to check it out today!

More about outdoor cats below.

Contribute to Lesser Long-nosed Bat Ecology Study

 Arizona Game & Fish, along with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Town of Marana are collaborating on a Citizen Scientist project to monitor bats’ use of hummingbird feeders. If you enjoy watching wildlife and sitting on your porch during summer evenings, please consider volunteering your time. Your efforts will allow Wildlife and Resource Managers in Arizona a better understanding of the ecology of a nectar-feeding bat species, the lesser long-nosed bat. It's a species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. It will also be used by the Town of Marana and the City of Tucson to develop their Habitat Conservation Plans.

For more information about becoming involved, please visit www.maranaaz.gov/bat-study.

Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival: Two Weeks and Counting!

Check out the highlights of this event!

Family Friendly Activities!
tucsonaudubon.org/images/stories/festival/TAS_TBWF2015_kidsflyer_web.pdf

Sign up today for a special presentation with LIVE ANIMALS from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and to build nest boxes to support urban bird populations!

Live It Up, Locals!
tucsonaudubon.org/images/stories/festival/TAS_TBWF2015_localsflyer_web.pdf

Free nature talks, workshops, social hours, evening programs, and more!

Nature Expo Free Talk Schedule
tucsonaudubon.org/images/stories/festival/TAS_TBWF2015_freetalksflyer_web.pdf

Optics Day! August 15
tucsonaudubon.org/images/stories/festival/TAS_TBWF2015_opticsflyer_web.pdf

Join high end optics reps at Sweetwater Wetlands in the morning and then for a Digiscoping Demo in the afternoon at the Riverpark Inn. All optics sales go to benefit Tucson Audubon and are TAX FREE!

Traveling to the Festival?
Offset your carbon footprint here and help support Tucson Audubon in creating, improving, and restoring valuable bird habitat.

Visit the festival website for more information on workshops and evening programs, field trips, and more!

Monsoon Weeding and Seeding at the Paton Center!

Friday, August 7, 8:30am--2pm
Monsoon rains in Patagonia have been generous this year and have led to a lush growth of both wanted and unwanted plants there. Join the restoration crew for some much needed weeding and seeding at the Paton Center.

Contact Jonathan for details.

What's the Best Way to Deal With Feral Cats?

Australia’s decision to kill 2 million feral cats is the latest turn in a battle over cats and their impact on wildlife. Feral cats roam in solitude but our treatment of homeless cats often brings pet owners and non-pet owners into conflict.

How many feral cats are there? How many animals are killed by them? Is it best to care for feral cats by having volunteers trap, neuter, vaccinate and release them, or trap them and take them away? Listen to the NPR Here & Now broadcast on this controversial topic, and read the accompanying blog post.

One thing is for sure. It is important to keep your cats indoors. Tucson Audubon supports the American Bird Conservancy's Cats Indoors campaign. Read some past Tucson Audubon news about cats.

Optical Excellence in the Nature Shop

Two exciting binoculars now in stock

Zeiss Victory Sf 8x42
A new optic in the world of birding

MSRP $2,440.00 Member Price $2,196

Swarovski CL Companion 8x30
It's hard to believe Swarovski can pack its renowned optical excellence into such a compact unit, but they did! Take out your ruler to get an exact feel of how small the 4.7 x 4.5 inch, 17.6 ounce Swarovski CL Companion binocular is. Take a look through this binocular and it will become your constant companion

—Tucson Audubon Staff
(image by Angela Pritchard)