APRIL MEETING: We will also plan for our participation in the SAM HOUSTON FOLK FESTIVAL (April 17-19) and the BIRD-A-THON (Sat., May 2). Many slots are filled, but we need additional members to sign up to attend a booth at the Festival (see President's note).

The meetings are still held at the Katy & E. Don Walker Education Center (on 19^th Street in Huntsville), at 7:30 p.m. on the Last Friday of the month (24 April is next). INFO: 294-0666.

The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico has a rich history that has long captured the imagination and curiosity of Western Civilization. Beginning with the Spanish conquest in the 1500’s, scores of explorers have been captivated by this region’s impenetrable jungles. At first, huge cities of stone were discovered in the midst of these dense forests. Each building, each wall, every trace of these cities lay in the irrepressible grip of thorny vines and lofty Ceiba trees. And in their midst lay a cenote, a deep hole in the jungle floor with a pool of crystal clear water. Some writers declared these cities as a testament to lost civilizations, those who sacrificed the living to the cenotes and the gods who inhabited their depths. Whether this is fact or fantasy is of little consequence to a different breed of explorer that exists today.

The Yucatan Peninsula is capped by limestone strata that are over 500 meters deep. This territory receives over 90 billion cubic meters of rainfall per year, where it quickly penetrates the porous upper layers to unite with a shallow fresh water table. As these porous limestone layers inhibit the formation of a surface drainage network, the resultant aggregate of large subterranean "storm sewers" has been maturing over the past 150 thousand years. We call this a karst region, an area conducive for the formation of caves. Preceding glacial episodes have allowed these caves to acquire columns, stalactites and stalagmites. At the present though, these caves are completely submerged.

Beginning in 1985, a group of highly trained and equipped subaquatic cave explorers have been investigating the cenotes and their associated underwater cave systems in the State of Quintana Roo. This area on the eastern coastal region of Yucatan has since proved to be rich in cave development, with over 120 kilometers of subaquatic cave passage explored. What has been gleaned from these studies is staggering. As these caves are subject to the whims of ocean tidal influences and local geological faulting trends, their recharge and discharge points are being identified. A pattern of fresh water drainage characteristics is now just beginning to emerge. We have also identified some unique aspects of the fresh water aquifer as seen from the interior of these caves. This aquifer extends far into the jungle and is subject to near instant pollution from cattle ranching and human development of the surface. Along with hydrological studies, unique archaeological and biological discoveries have been made. As the human population on the coast continues to grow, we find that these cave studies are becoming vital to assist in planning for the future growth of the area.

Editor's note: Jim has a remarkable breadth of experience and knowledge pertaining to the region and the cenotes (and diving and exploration in general). His work has been under the auspices of the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey, which is an officially recognized project of the National Speleological Society. The Quintana Roo Survey's goals are simplistic. "We wish to maintain a current database on the numerous underwater caves in this region. Cataloging this information will be invaluable for speleologists researching the biology, hydrology, and geology of these particular caves. This information is available to any bona fide organization or individual who has a genuine interest in the current study and future of these fragile caves. We endorse cave diving education programs that will prepare interested individuals in safe cave diving. We also advocate a strong and active safety program for trained cave divers, and untrained divers who are not familiar with the hazards of cave diving." Don't miss out- see this program!

A few updates……. There was no meeting in February. Avian Ecologist Phillip Hughes gave a presentation on Shorebirds, gulls & terns at the March meeting.

The Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, 3 January. Dan Jones, count compiler, forwarded the following rundown. 82 species (3517 individuals) were detected. There were sixteen participants in 5 parties. Weather: 16 - 26 C, wind SE 0-10, cloudy/partly cloudy. 1996 Count: 99 species (6180 individuals), 25 participants.

This year's Christmas Count was again a success due to the participation of dedicated volunteers. Thanks to the following [by group] for beating the bushes for birds on January 3rd: John Anderson, George Merianos, Guy Nesom, Jack and Anne Prouty, Charlene White, Michael, Lawrence, and Phillip Warnock, Irl Harper, John Hilliard, Paul Culp, Roy Kveton, Nancy Goodwin, Dot Aldrich, John and Corey Ford. Many thanks to Jimmie Long for once again hosting the post-count dinner at his home. Numbers of both species and individuals were down (again) from the previous year. This may be due to the relatively mild weather we have experienced this winter as well as the fact that count coverage was below average this year. The Christmas Count continues to be an important activity for our chapter and we appreciate the support of members and the community that make it possible.

Dan Jones

Count Coordinator

The site accepts, within constraints: ALUMINUM CANS; STEEL; CANS; NEWSPAPERS; MAGAZINES, CATALOGUES, & PHONEBOOKS; GLASS; PLASTIC (ONLY #1 & #2 PLASTIC TYPES ARE ACCEPTED, INCLU. LARGE MILK & WATER JUGS); PAPER (INCLU. COMPUTER, WHITE OFFICE, WHITE SCHOOL, & COLORED SCHOOL; & CARDBOARD.

I want to remind you to forward potential material for future issues of the Raven to stdpxh12@shsu.edu or to PO Box 2041, SHSU, Huntsville, TX 77341. By phone, contact me or leave a message at 409-294-3397. We have room for additional input.

President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chair, Field Trip Chair, Newsletter Editor, Education Chair, Conservation Chair, & Membership Chair.

The programs for the February and March meetings will include Virgil "Buck" L. Sharpton of the Lunar & Planetary Institute in Houston, and avian ecologist Phillip Hughes. Virgil will give a presentation on meteors, and Phillip on bird management in the United States.

The meetings will continue be held at the Katy & E. Don Walker Education Center

(on 19^th Street in Huntsville), at 7:30 pm on the Last Friday of the month

[30 January, 27 February, 27 March].

I want to remind you to forward potential material for future issues of the Raven to stdpxh12@shsu.edu or to PO Box 2041, SHSU, Huntsville, TX 77341. By phone, contact me or leave a message at 294-3397. We have room for additional input.

Again, our speaker for the January Meeting is Monica Taylor. Her work is on display in several of Huntsville’s city parks. She was scheduled to present at the November meeting, in conjunction with the Huntsville parks (November) field trip. However, she had a bug, and Melanie DeVore filled in for her. Melanie gave an excellent talk on South American bio-geography, which highlighted the Chilean Andes and touched on certain aspects of her plant taxonomy work there. For us, Melanie delivered an improvisational version of material she has much expertise in and normally delivers in more formal arenas (professional meetings with taxonomy "geeks"). It was a delightful presentation—very interesting.

The Christmas Bird Count was conducted Saturday, 3 January. Jimmie Long graciously provided his home for the associated supper again this year. Look for count results in next month’s newsletter. Thanks to all participants!

The Conservation Chair, Guy Nesom, once again aided in a local conservation effort on our behalf. I squeezed a humble description of the work out of him:

"On 10 November, I worked and supervised an Eagle Scout aspirant and his crew of 5 teenage helpers in beginning cleanup of the Broad Creek channel below the lake at Sam Houston Memorial Park. We spent three hours on the project, and the plan is to spend at least 2 more such sessions, now scheduled for December. The work of mine [was] credited to the local Audubon chapter. We made very good progress, removing a huge amount of various kinds of vines, chinese tallow, privet, cherry laurel, and others deemed undesirable at that site."

"Those of you who did not attend the tour of three of the Huntsville city parks missed a real treat. I personally hope that there is a sequel to this outing. David Zellar conducted an excellent tour, providing us with lots of interesting information on different subjects. The parks are varied, each with its own unique characteristics. It is hard to believe that you are in the middle of a city when you tour Eastham-Thomason Park and Clifton Gibbs Park. I had no idea Eastham-Thomason Park was as large as it is. It is hilly in spots and provided some lovely views of the area. Founders Park, as small as it is, provide a hide-a-way from the city by the spring pool. I know that all of us that attended appreciated David's taking time to conduct the tour." Ann Staples

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Spring break field trips associated with Rio Brazos Audubon Society (This info. was passed on by Bert Frenz, Field Trip Chairman, Rio Brazos Audubon):