Category Archives: Neighborhood News

WBNA Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 20, 10:30am
Homestead at KF Park

Join your friends, neighbors and The Easter Bunny, himself, as Wells Branch welcomes Spring with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Homestead.  “Hunts” will be by age group and begin at 10:30am.  Come early and visit with the Easter Bunny or have fun at our craft table.  If you plan on attending, please take a moment to read this article in its entirety.

Two years ago, a web source picked up our event and shared it with 133,000 followers.  As many of you observed first hand, the results were overwhelming.  Last year, we were back to Wells Branch neighbors!  ALL Wells Branch residents and their invited guests are welcome.  We know past problems weren’t with our neighbors, but more likely, those who just aren’t used to how we do things in Wells Branch.  Still, we ask that everyone be on their best behavior, volunteers included.  No yelling, stealing eggs, reaching under the tape and filling baskets before we start, or busting down the tape and charging ahead before your age group is called.  We need parents to set the example.  We’ve added a second group for the little guys as that was an issue two years ago.  It seemed to work well last  year.  ONE parent will be allowed in to help with the two youngest age groups (0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs).  We ask that you respect this restriction.  All other age groups must hunt on their own.  Feel free to coach ahead of time.  There will be 7 minutes between “hunts” to allow parents of multiple children to navigate the crowds.  Please, only allow your children to hunt with their respective age group.  Last, but not least, please remember that this event is put on by volunteers.  We spend weeks getting ready and usually stuff 8,000-10,000 eggs.  It’s no small feat.  So, if a volunteer asks something of you, please be respectful of their requests.  If for some reason, your child ends up without many eggs, any of our volunteers in bunny ears will have extra goodies.  Just let one of us know.

We love our neighbors and our community.  We’re asking for everyone’s help in advance in creating a joyful experience for all involved.

We need volunteers to help things run more smoothly.  Anyone whose kids have aged out of the hunt, or older teens who need service hours, we would be so appreciative of your time!  Please contact us for more information at info@wbna.us or call 512-656-0654.

Easter Egg Hunt RULES:

Those of you who’ve attended our hunts in the past know we have very few rules, but we do ask parents to follow those rules and be courteous  and respectful of your neighbors so that all of our children may enjoy the hunt.

Age Groups:

0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs
*Only 1 parent per child in egg hunting area
*Watch out for potential choking hazards

4-6yrs • 7-9yrs • 10-12yrs
* No parents allowed in egg hunting area

BE ON TIME (early is better) AS THE “HUNTS” GO QUICKLY. 
Check all eggs for prizes. • Let a volunteer know if there’s an issue. • Recycle your eggs with the WBNA. • Have FUN!

 

Informational Coyote Meeting TONIGHT
Thursday, March 28 • 7-8pm
WB Community Center
2106 Klattenhoff

If you’ve ever had any questions about any of our WB wildlife, please attend this meeting!  It’s only an hour and you’ll have answers to all your questions!  If you are unable to attend, the meeting will be live streamed on the WBNA Facebook page.

The City of Austin/Travis County:       No-Kill for Pets and Wildlife Alike

The City of Austin does not remove or relocate healthy native wildlife. Instead, the City of Austin/ Travis County’s Wildlife Officers work with residents to provide tailored, humane, and long-term solutions to resolve conflict. It is important to report any concerning behavior to 311 so the Wildlife Officer can monitor activity.

During the winter months, coyotes may be more active as they find mates, their own territory and food. Coyotes are typically most active at dawn and dusk, though they may be seen hunting or traveling during daytime hours. During March-November, coyotes will have pups in the den. Coyote behavior is influenced by season. During denning season, coyotes may see large dogs a threat to their pups. Coyotes may use a flushing technique to protect their pups. Hazing is a technique used to influence coyote behavior throughout the country. Evidence suggest that hazing is more effective than lethal measures. It is really simple to haze a coyote to reinforce natural behavior. We want to share space, but not time. Please read the information below for more details about pet safety, hazing, flushing, and attractants.

Pet safety:

  • Keep small pets inside if possible and monitor them when outside (specifically during twilight/night time hours)
  • Avoid using extendable leashes; walk dogs on leashes that are 4-6 feet in length
  • Avoid letting dogs explore vegetation that you cannot see through
  • Provide secure shelters for poultry or other animals living outside
  • Feed pets indoors

Hazing: Encouraging coyotes to avoid contact with people. Hazing should be exaggerated, assertive and consistent.

  • Make eye contact, yell and wave your arms. You want the coyote to know the behavior is directed at it. Waving your arms will make you seem bigger.
  • Use noisemakers such as whistles, air horns, a “shaker” can full of small rocks (or something similar) or bang something like pots and pans together.
  • If the coyote does not leave immediately, throw non-edible objects near it. You can use something like small rocks, sticks or tennis balls. Remember, the goal is not to hurt the coyote, you’re trying to get it to leave and associate humans with unpredictable, “scary” behavior.
  • Spray the coyote with a water hose, water guns or spray bottles. You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar, pepper spray or bear repellant.
  • If the coyote does not leave after escalating hazing efforts, maintain eye contact and back away slowly. Notify 311 immediately.
  • Don’t haze if a coyote appears sick or injured, is cornered or displaying acceptable coyote behavior.  Please call 311 to report sick or injured animals.

Flushing Behavior:

  • If you are walking your dog near a den, a coyote may perform a flushing behavior that may seem alarming. Coyotes may see your dog as a potential threat to the pups in the den so they may walk behind you until you are out of the area. It is always about the dog, not the person. Report this behavior to 311.
  • Do not run or turn your back. Just leave the area as soon as you can and keep your pets secured
  • Avoid walking in that area and educate your neighbors

Haze:

  • When a coyote is:
    • Active during the day around people or in high traffic areas such as a park, neighborhood streets/yards, parking lots, dog parks, or school grounds
    • Walking along your fence line with your dogs in the backyard
    • On your property with you or your pets present

Do not to haze:

  • At night when there is not activity
  • When a coyote is in its natural habitat such as a greenbelt, preserve, open field, or near a creek
  • When you are experiencing the flushing behavior. Coyotes are protective of their den and we recommend leaving the area as soon as possible.

Reliable Food Sources:  To keep coyotes and other wildlife wild, we can follow a few, simple preventative measures:

  • Always keep trash and compost in a secure bin
  • Keep your barbecue grill clean
  • Keep the area under your fruit and nut trees free of droppings (a coyote’s diet can be up to 40% fruit in Texas)
  • Avoid feeding pets outdoors (if you must feed pets outside, feed during the daytime and remove the uneaten food as soon as the animal has finished)
  • Feeding wildlife and feral cats can attract coyotes. In addition to coyotes eating the food, mice and other animals will be drawn to leftovers, which can subsequently attract predators such as foxes and coyotes.

For more information on hazing, attractants or reliable food sources, and pet safety, visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/coyotes-central-texas

For immediate assistance, call 311. To schedule a one-hour presentation with a Wildlife Educator, call (512) 978-0514.

 

Upcoming Opportunities to Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle!

Just a quick reminder that as you “Spring Clean” over the next month, we have some upcoming events that allow you to Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle!

First up is the Friends of the Library Garage Sale on March 30.  If you’re not up for hosting your own garage sale and don’t want items to go to waste, the FOL will gladly take them off your hands!  Visit their website for more info:  http://wbfriends.org/.  Leftovers at the end of the day will be donated to Easter Seals.

Coming up April 13, we’ve got EXTREME Clean Spring! at 13905 Thermal from 8am-2pm.  This is the perfect excuse to clean out all your cabinets and closets!  Twice a year, we have Drug Take Back and FREE On-site Shredding.  We’ll also be collecting supplies for Austin Wildlife Rescue and assorted Animal Rescue Groups (clean towels, pet beds, bowls, crates, collars and leashes, toys, etc.), those experiencing homelessness via Austin Humanists at Work www.austinhumanistsatwork.org, Austin Creative Reuse http://austincreativereuse.org/, Easter Seals http://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/.  This year, we’ll be collecting gently used (or new) purses for Handbags for Hope to be distributed to women’s shelters throughout Texas.  We’ll have more info up on the WBNA website next week.  And as always, we’ll be collecting metal, electronics, styrofoam, paint, anti-freeze, household batteries, and cardboard for recycling.  Please sort through the items you bring for bulk trash and repurpose or recycle wherever possible.

As an added bonus, we’re bringing back Yard Chemical Redistribution.  This year, we’ll be collecting fertilizer, pesticides, and fungicides at 2602 Tracy Trail from 8am-2pm on April 13 in conjunction with EXTREME Clean Spring.  Our volunteer, Pamela Woodward, will be collecting and listing items as they come in with the intent of finding homes for the unwanted supplies.  Leftovers will be transported to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility the following week.  Please do not bring these chemicals to the Thermal location.  They will only be taken at Tracy Trail.  Please make sure supplies are in their original containers and sealed or re-sealed.  Previously opened containers are acceptable, but we do need to be able to seal them for transport.  Relatively “clean” is appreciated as well.

The WBNA collaborates with Wells Branch MUD four times a year to offer our Extreme Clean program.  Watch our websites and the upcoming WBNA newsletter for updates.

If you need help transporting items to EXTREME Clean, WB Venturing Crew 1409 will be offering pick up as a fundraiser.  There is a minimun $20 charge, but we encourage you to tip accordingly as our Wells Branch youth are earning money for campouts/trips as well as offering a valuable community service.  To schedule pick up, contact Daniel White at 512-413-0097.

WB Garden Guild
Landscaping Contest
$100 Prize!

The Wells Branch Neighborhood Association and the Garden Guild are sponsoring a yard landscaping contest for the Spring of 2019.  A one hundred dollar prize will be awarded to the yard voted best landscaped during the Wells Branch Garden Tour on May 18, 2019.  You may nominate your yard for inclusion in the tour by sending photos of your landscaping with your name, physical address, email and phone number to glennoe@att.net by April 20, 2019.  Nine yards will be selected to participate in the tour, with an emphasis on including yards new to the tour, and tour participants will vote to name one yard “Best Landscape of the Tour“.