Join Richard Gibbons, Director of Conservation for Audubon Texas, on a trip to one of the finest migratory locations in North America – the western end of the Bolivar Peninsula. Richard has worked as an ornithologist for more than two decades on the Gulf Coast and throughout the Americas. He has enjoyed working on various land acquisitions, managing land for wildlife and people, developing engaging content for various media, and working with a diverse community for Gulf Coast bird conservation projects. Richard’s work at Louisiana State University’s Museum of Natural Science focused on developing and managing community science projects in Louisiana while simultaneously studying birds, wetlands, and climate change in Peru’s high Andes.
Location: This trip will take you to Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks, The Rookery, and more!
From under an ancient sea, a salt dome emerged. After a few thousand years the dome reached 38 feet above a pancake-flat coastal plain; the highest point-of-land on the immediate coast from Mobile Bay to the Yucatan Peninsula. This is High Island, which is now a wooded beacon amongst the coastal marshland providing food, water, and places to rest for weary Gulf migrants. The daily afternoon arrival of neotropic migrants often includes dozens of species, along with local and resident waterfowl, raptors, seabirds, shorebirds, and passerines. Weather fronts in April and May can easily produce over 100 species (including 30+ species of warblers) in a single day!
A community of Texas birders of the Houston Audubon Society (HAS) created several sanctuaries in the area. In time, High Island’s beacon pulled in birders from around the world for a few weeks every year. This visit will be to HAS’ premier Smith Oaks Sanctuary. One of the best features is a man-made reservoir, Clay Bottom Pond. Colonial waterbirds, who prefer islands for nesting to deter mammalian predators, found the U-shaped Island in the middle of the pond perfect for a rookery. Nine species of heron, egret, spoonbill, ibis, cormorant, and Anhinga nest within inches of each other. The High Island rookery offers birders a close view of the annual dramedy of waterbird nesting activity including vibrant breeding plumage, mating hustle and nestlings. Read more about High Island on the Houston Audubon website.
What to Expect: We plan to visit three HAS and Texas Ornithological Society (TOS) sites at High Island. We will be watching for the annual arrival of dozens of neotropic migrants along with local and resident waterfowl, raptors, seabirds, shorebirds, and passerines. Heading back down the Bolivar Peninsula’s Hwy 87 we return to Galveston. Time permitting, there may be stops along the way. The peninsula holds habitat zones that drift between brackish and briny depending on the tides. These habitats serve as the hatcheries for many species of saltwater fish. Fresh water is available on Bolivar, too. Between Bolivar’s shores lie patches of coastal prairie grasses, willow and mangrove that surround rain charged ponds. This attracts dozens of interesting waterfowl, herons, egrets, marsh, and shore birds.
What to Bring: water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellent, and wear closed-toed walking shoes.
Important Information: Participants will begin at FeatherFest Headquarters where they will board a bus for this field trip.