We begin the field trip with herons and egrets, migrating shorebirds and waterfowl in the wetland areas on the west end of Galveston Island. We may encounter Clapper Rail, Black-necked Stilt, Common Loon, diving ducks and “peeps.” There is also excellent viewing of American Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, dowitchers, gulls and terns that gather on the private piers on Sportsman Road.
We will travel further west where there will be a restroom break at Stevenson Woods where Jim lives. His yard list is now at 324 species. Some neat species of land migrants should be recorded, and likely many cool waterbirds seen as well. We then proceed to the end of the Island, the San Luis Pass beach mudflats and marshes. This area provides close-up viewing of American Avocet, American White Pelican, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, plovers, and several species of migrating sandpipers. This area may only be partially accessible due to rain levels, so we have selected spots in the area to capture views of gulls, terns, and additional shorebirds.
Bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray
Photo: Jim Stevenson