We are pleased to offer this accessible outing for birders with limited mobility, disabilities, or other health concerns, and for those interested in an easier-paced birding trip. We also welcome those interested in creating and understanding inclusive, accessible birding experience.
This outing will be led by Virginia Rose, Founder of Birdability, an organization committed to making the birding community and the outdoors accessible, safe, welcoming and inclusive for everybody and every body.
What to Expect: This meet-at-site field trip will be done caravan style, introducing birders to accessible locations on Galveston’s renowned West End. Please note that there are no water fountains or accessible restrooms at these field trip locations.
We will begin our field trip at beautiful Kempner Park, which features wide, flat, paved and hard-packed crushed granite trails among large historic oak trees reminiscent of those that once covered Galveston before Hurricane Ike destroyed them. The relatively quiet and well-maintained, shady habitat is very attractive to migrants in the spring, and we have the potential to see Black and White Warbler, Northern Parula, Indigo Bunting, and other songbirds. American Robin and Red-shouldered Hawk have also nested in the park.
Our next stop features a hotspot that is a favorite of local birders, the Campeche Cove marsh and ponds. This short stretch of flat, quiet and unused but well-maintained road dead ends in an ample cul-de-sac, offering plenty of accessible roadside parking and safe roadside birding opportunities. The freshwater wetland habitat bordering the road includes several small ponds and a shallow depression fringed with salt cedar and pockets of coastal prairie. Spring migrants such as Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Summer Tanager, and Orchard Oriole are possible, as well as Marsh Wren, Sora, Clapper Rail, Spotted Sandpiper, many small and large waders, and raptors such as Osprey and Northern Harrier.
If time allows, our final stop will be at Laffite’s Cove Nature Preserve, Galveston’s crown jewel during spring migration. We will take our time following the wide, shady, winding paved trails within the dense grove of trees, spotting songbirds in the canopy and checking for activity at the water drips. The freshwater ponds in the preserve provide close views of a variety of waterfowl, herons and egrets, and shorebirds. Highlights include the potential of Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson’s Snipe, Sora, and Bufflehead.
Accessibility: Check out Kempner Park on the Birdability Map. Other access features include disabled parking, curb cuts, ample shade, and benches. There are no steps, gates or obstacles.
Check out the Campeche Cove Birding Hotspot on the Birdability Map. Note: Although there is no designated disabled parking, there is plenty of parking space. There are no steps, gates or obstacles. There are no benches or shade.
Check out Laffite’s Cove Nature Preserve on the Birdability Map. Other access features include benches and ample shade. There are no steps, gates or obstacles.
Note: We will be entering the preserve at the Jibstay entrance. Detailed parking instructions for both vans and cars will be emailed to participants prior to the festival. We will have an ADA portable restroom located under a mile from Laffite’s Cove.
What to Bring: water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat.
Important Information: If you are a disabled person and have questions not addressed in the provided description, please email Eowyn Johnson at dir@gintc.org.
If you are a participant with a disability or other health concern and the cost of this trip makes it inaccessible to you, please reach out to Eowyn Johnson at dir@gintc.org to request a sliding-scale option.
Driving and parking directions will be emailed prior to the festival.
