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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Galveston FeatherFest - ECPv4.6.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Galveston FeatherFest
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Galveston FeatherFest
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC+0:20260417T054500
DTEND;TZID=UTC+0:20260417T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T152931
CREATED:20160916T214011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T171928Z
UID:5531-1776404700-1776432600@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Bird Banding & San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nBird banding allows the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to obtain information about the physical condition of migrants at this intermediate location between the coast and the bottomland forests lying well inland. Both coastal woodlots and inland bottomland forests are known to be extremely important stopover habitats for neotropical migrants that move through the Gulf of Mexico region. Birds that are captured for banding can provide valuable information about their relative physical condition. What a unique opportunity….and that is just the start of this exciting field trip! \nWhat to Expect:  Our trip begins with a bus ride to the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to watch migrant songbirds being caught in mist nets and banded by professional bird banders. This project establishes baseline data for the GCBO property on both resident and migratory bird populations \nWe will then continue to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge and search for spring migrating songbirds\, late wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. This 54\,000 acre wildlife refuge stretches from the Gulf to the Columbia Bottomlands including both the Brazos and San Bernard River basins. 320 bird species either call this refuge home or pass-through during migration. \nWe will be exploring the inland areas of the refuge. As you leave the salty environment of the gulf\, the refuge is diluted by the rivers and rainfall and the landscape is transformed into freshwater marshes\, ponds\, and winding bayous. Here\, emergent wetlands with cattails and rushes support purple gallinules\, bitterns\, frogs\, crawfish\, and alligators that sun themselves on the banks. Thousands of waterfowl fill these wetlands where they feed and rest\, to build up the reserves needed for a winter stay or to complete their migration. \nWe will also bird along a trail that takes you to the once Champion Live Oak Tree in Texas. It was measured and deemed the current “Largest Live Oak in Texas” in 2000. This Live Oak tree’s trunk is over 32 feet in circumference. It stands 67 feet tall and has a canopy over 100 feet across. Although no longer the champion\, it is still a magnificent specimen. \nTargets: Late waterfowl\, rails\, herons\, egrets\, peeps\, shorebirds\, three species of Ibis\, migrant songbirds. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, lunch\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  Participants will begin at FeatherFest Headquarters where they will board a bus for this field trip.  Note: The cost of this trip is to cover festival expenses. The San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge does not charge for any activities on the refuge. \n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Jon Turman \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/gulf-coast-bird-observatory-bird-banding-san-bernard-national-wildlife-refuge/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
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