Read the PDF version here.

The last two of the Dawson neighborhood flock of wild guinea fowl have passed, one to a predator and the other to a hit and run.
The flock of guineas had roamed the neighborhood for at least ten years, raising multiple broods over the years. Unfortunately, the last
survivors were male, meaning it was only a matter of time before the flock came to an end.
As far as we know, the flock started as a flock of domestic birds that escaped or were abandoned. They roamed the the neighborhood as
far south as Lightsey, at least, and as far north as Cumberland, if not all the way to Oltorf.

Guinea Birds and Young - 2015Guinea Hens in 2015

It’s difficult to remember or tell from the photographic record, but only one or two of this brood survived.

Guinea are robust birds, not far removed from their wild ancestors. They are loud and fiercely protective of their young. It was many a morning they made their presence plain as they moved up Wilson Street and into our yard.

Last Picture of the Dawson Guinea HensThis is the last photo I took of the remaining pair, February 12, 2023.

I know not everyone enjoyed having these loud, aggressive birds around – their calls could be quite grating and they did roost in the neighborhood trees. But on balance, I think most of us in Dawson will miss having these unique birds wandering the neighborhood. They were no peacocks, but they were ours.

Next Meeting

Monday, June 12, 6:30PM
Our next meeting is 6:30PM Monday, April 10, 2023 at Cosmic Coffee on Pickle Rd.

We meet on the 2nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

DNA email distribution: GroupIO page (sign up!)

DNA on NextDoor

Newsletter Editor:
Eliot Kimber, drmacro@gmail.com

Dawson Elementary School

Thanks to our sponsor!

Dawson Elementary serves children ages 3 to 12 years.
Please contact Dawson’s principal, Tania Jedele, at 512-698-9151, to set
up a time for a tour.

MINUTES OF DAWSON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION February 13, 2023

Held at South Austin Neighborhood Center
Julie Woods, President, called the meeting to order. Julie provided a Zoom meeting option, but no one attended via Zoom.

  1. Minutes approved.
  2. Ice storm Mara recovery resources were discussed and distributed.
  3. Julie reported on recent events of the Austin Neighborhood Council (ANC). DNA members can join “ANC Talk” email group, and view their website or Facebook page. ANC is now a 501c3. Becky was nominated and voted in as a DNA representative to ANC in addition to Julie being a sector
    representative.
  4. Allendale neighborhood recently adopted the resolution that DNA sent to City Council last year to ask for better rules for public participation in council meetings.
  5. The mosaic project at South Austin Neighborhood Center stalled during Covid due to inabilities to meet with neighbors and students of Dawson Elementary. DNA hopes to re-start the project in collaboration with the mosaic artist.
  6. Andrew asked about credits for DNA volunteerism in Gillis Park so that DNA can partner with PARD for park improvements.
  7. Julia Brookins discussed the possibility of the city purchasing a strip of land on Lightsey to help create a North/South walkway through the neighborhood. Julie and Becky agreed to contact our new City Council representative, José Velåsquez about the possibility.
  8. Meeting adjourned
Minutes of Dawson Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, February 13, 2023

Martin Harris, Chair, called the meeting to order

  1. Approval of February meeting minutes.
  2. Austin City Planner, Maureen Meredith, reached out to DNA/DNPCT for informational update. She is a Senior Planner at the Inclusive Planning Division Housing and Planning Department where the NPCTs are now a part since the beginning of the year. She is not the contact for us though. Marty talked to
    her about our recent problems and past situations and she said we should contact the city outreach liaison for advice. We will still receive notices from them through our registered city DNPCT contact and she wants to send notices to members registered on our contact list. I told her that we are still
    recovering from Covid, the loss of our Yahoo listserve, (now a groups.io but with less members) and just starting to meet again in person. Also that we are upgrading our website and have mentions of meeting date/times and the email contact on our Website which is how we stay in touch and notify besides NextDoor. Also there was a mention of our DNPCT bylaws which have not been updated from 2011 to comply with their template changes. The last bylaws revision is on the DNA website.
  3. Mention of Austin Marathon next week, February 19th, uses our main borders for their path. Expect delays to leave area until around 11am which is about where the 4 mile marker and they will follow soon after to clear as they do every year.
  4. Pedestrian Pathway from Lightsey to Alpine Circle: Julia has been meeting with the city Urban Trails Program and they said they would need adoption from the city and funding. The designation of Heritage structures was briefly mentioned.
  5. New businesses in neighborhood is Kellys Pub on Oltorf.
  6. City permit notice for 2308 1/2 Oak Crest was received.
  7. Meeting adjourned.