Birders will find this workshop/field trip combo the perfect introduction to coastal birding. The City of Galveston owns 686 acres of land at the eastern tip of the island which is being transformed into a world-class natural recreational area and nature preserve with an interpretive center. All the habitats associated with a barrier island – beach, uplands, freshwater ponds, brackish lagoons, and wetlands – are present.
What to Expect: During the workshop, your guides will give a brief discussion about the diversity of species, as well as various techniques to identify birds on the Upper Texas Coast. After an indoor restroom break, we will board our bus and proceed to the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve beach area where you’ll see Black Skimmer, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and many species of shorebirds, gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers, and more. Stops along the way will highlight birds preferring marsh habitat. Time permitting, the trip may move on to Corps Woods. This is a heavily wooded area, located adjacent to a large spoils area and the Galveston Ship Channel, which serves as a local migrant songbird trap.
What to Bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and wear closed-toed walking shoes.
Important Information: This session will begin as a workshop at FeatherFest Headquarters. After the 1-hour workshop, participants will board a bus for the field trip portion of the session.
Photo: Susan Ellison