Tulsa Audubon Society Collection

Every year, Spring is ushered into our region with the warm winds, the slow turning of brown to green foliage, and the return of our fowl friends. Though never a serious birder myself, there is something comforting and exciting about catching that first glimpse of a robin, watching a hawk soar above, or seeing the tiny nest of a sparrow when it isn’t expected.

1990.004.1.8.7

1990.004.1.8

The University of Tulsa Special Collection has a vast and fascinating collection of Tulsa Audubon Society’s material (1990.004). Donated to the Society by William Koons and Anne Reynolds, the 62 boxes hold a treasure trove of information about the Society and its ornithological records from 1935-1990.

The  collection is organized into four series. Series 1 includes administrative papers and correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, event calendars, and the Society’s newsletter, the Scissortail.

1990.004.1.8.4

1990.004.1.8

1990.004.1.8.5

1990.004.1.8

Series 2  consists of bird observation records. It contains the bird records reported to the Tulsa Audubon Society Recorder as one of the society’s activities. It also contains the Recorder’s annual reports, Christmas bird counts, Big Day bird counts, backyard birder and summer census.

Series 3 includes the files of observer’s field notes that were sent to the Recorder. They are filed by year and are the source of the records in Series 2.

Last, but most certainly not least, Series 4 consists of the papers and bird records donated to the Society by members who were particularly active in the work of the society; William H. Koons (1923-1937); Anne L. Reynolds (1953-1982); Elizabeth C. Hayes (1955-1991); Pauline B. Keating (1967-1982); and Hugh S. Davis (1930-1948).

1990.004.1.8.8

1990.004.1.8

The Tulsa Audubon Society Collection is housed off-site, so Special Collections requires a request for the materials at least 24 hours in advance. The department is open Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM (check for holiday and summer hours by calling 918-631-2496 or emailing speccoll@utulsa.edu).

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *