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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+0:20260414T063000
DTEND;TZID=UTC+0:20260415T150000
DTSTAMP:20260409T023626
CREATED:20241219T135638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T222114Z
UID:16433-1776148200-1776265200@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Beaumont Area Birding Pre-FestivalTrip with Glenn Olsen
DESCRIPTION: \n#cmsms_divider_69d710aa16e6d { \n	border-bottom-width:1px; \n	border-bottom-style:solid; \n	padding-top:50px; \n	margin-bottom:50px; \n} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nTwo ecosystems converge in the Beaumont area\, the Pineywoods\, named for the pine trees that dominate the region\, and the Coastal Marshes\, which contain both fresh and brackish marshes along the Gulf Coast. This combination of habitat results in some excellent spring birding.  The arrival of neotropical migrants\, a possible rare or uncommon bird\, and a few habitat restricted birds help create two exciting days awaiting you! \nPlease see Glenn Olsen’s complete trip description below. \nNote: This is a great trip for anyone working on their Texas Ornithological Society Century Club lists. You could rack up a good number of birds for Jefferson County on this field trip! \nMONDAY – APRIL 13 – travel to Beaumont and arrive at our partner hotel Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza.  Participants are responsible for arranging hotel accommodations; the hotel is NOT included in this trip.  Reservation information for the host hotel can be found after the trip description. \nPreparation for the Field \nPlease be aware that for most of the day we will be walking and standing while in the field.  While the trails are in fairly good condition\, they are not manicured so some have rough spots. If it has rained recently\, there could be water/mud in some sections of the trails. There are not many benches or other places to sit. If you want to bring a lightweight stool or chair you may do so. Mosquitoes will be present in several sites so bring your preferred repellant.  The large female mosquitoes are sometimes confused with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which will be migrating through. \nDAY 1 – TUESDAY – APRIL 14 \nWe will be traveling by bus on Day 1 returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. \nBreakfast at the hotel at 5:30 am (breakfast included in the room price for those staying at the hotel)\, depart at 6:30 am. Our first stop will be Tyrrell Park and Cattail Marsh in Beaumont. Both of these sites have a long\, respected history with birders as prime sites to find resident and migrating birds. Tyrrell Park is a regular city park with a golf course and botanical gardens. Breeding Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers\, Barred and Great Horned Owls are found here\, and many woodland migrant species pass through the park. \nThe city of Beaumont originally constructed Cattail Marsh as the final stage of the city’s wastewater treatment facility. And as all birders know\, water treatment facilities are a natural draw for birds. Over the years\, this 900-acre wetland complex with levee roads has grown into a birding hotspot. We will bird from the long pier that extends into the marsh providing great viewing. We can walk on the levee and explore over half of the marsh. The 350 species of birds recorded here is an amazing record and it is a birder’s haven. \nWe will sort out the American Crow from the Fish Crow (habitat restricted); this is a great opportunity to see both species in the same day. We will look for the beautiful but overdressed Wood Duck\, the stunning Cinnamon Teal (uncommon)\, the coastal restricted Mottled Duck\, the unique Anhinga\, the elusive King Rail\, the Pileated Woodpecker (largest woodpecker in North America)\, and hopefully\, the swamp-loving Barred Owl. \nIt is migration season\, so almost anything is possible\, such as the beautiful Purple Gallinule (rare)\, the uncommon Glossy Ibis\, the stunning Swallow-tailed Kite (migrant) and Painted and Indigo Buntings (also migrants). \nThe time we depart Cattail Marsh depends upon the activity of the birds. When we depart\, we will head to the coastal marsh area for a totally different experience and birds. \nWe will make one stop in Sabine to look for Seaside Sparrows in the coastal marsh and possibly late Nelson’s Sparrow\, Marsh and Sedge wrens. This site will require a walk of about 100 yards over a reasonably good trail but with some rough spots. \nOur birding will continue at the renown Texas Ornithological Society (TOS) Sabine Woods. An outstanding migrant trap of live oaks\, hackberry\, mulberry\, lantana\, American Beautyberry and other plants that create this Oak Mott surrounded by coastal marsh. This grove of plant diversity provides the major habitat for miles around for migrant and resident woodland species of birds. The TOS has added valuable fresh-water drips and ponds that are critically important for the birds. Frequently multiple species are concentrated in these relatively small woodlands and on a good day\, we could have a nice mix of various species of warblers (15+ species are possible)\, thrushes\, vireos\, flycatchers\, and many other songbirds. The length of time that we spend here will depend upon the bird activity. When we leave Sabine Woods\, our next stop will be the nearby Sea Rim State Park. Part of the park opens to the Gulf of Mexico with a sandy beachfront where we will search for gulls\, terns\, pelicans\, sandpipers\, plovers\, and a variety of other shorebirds. The remainder of the park’s habitat consists of low sand dunes\, coastal marsh\, and valuable shallow freshwater depressions (if we have had recent rains).  In the coastal marshes we will look for rails\, grebes\, and sparrows. Seven species of Swallows\, and seventeen species of hawks are possible migrants.  This variety of habitat offers great birding opportunities. \nAfter birding this gem of coastal habitat\, we will travel to McFaddin Wildlife Refuge. This refuge habitat consists of salt marsh with bayous and channels. Here we’ll look for rails\, egrets\, herons\, gulls\, terns\, Common Yellowthroat\, and watch the skies for migrating swallows and hawks. \nWe will pick a nice spot for lunch around noon. A box lunch is included in the price of this trip. Most likely at Sabine Woods if it is not too crowded or back at Sea Rim State Park. \nReturn to the hotel for much needed rest and relaxation. \nDAY 2: WEDNESDAY – APRIL 15 \nWe’ll have breakfast at 5:30am and depart from the hotel at 6:30 am. \nOn Day 2\, we will drive our own vehicles and not return to Beaumont but drive to Galveston\, birding along the way.  Driving directions and cell phone number of the guide will be provided. \nOur first stop will be the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (formerly the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge) south of Winnie\, TX along FM 1985. \nJocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge consists of miles and miles of prized marsh habitat with a few groves of live oaks and willows that are migrant traps for woodland birds. In the marshes we will look for King\, Sora\, and Clapper Rails\, Long-billed Dowitcher\, Black Necked Stilts\, Marsh Wren\, several species of migrating Sandpipers\, Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling ducks\, Common and Purple Gallinule\, Boat-tailed Grackle\, and any lingering ducks that wintered here. We may also see White-tailed Kite\, Northern Harrier\, Bald Eagle and other raptors. We will visit the small groves of trees to look for migrating warbles (10+ species)\, vireos\, sparrows\, kingbirds\, hummingbirds\, Orchard orioles\, Common Nighthawks\, several species of flycatchers\, and many other species that are migrating through.  Always an added attraction is the various ages and sizes of American Alligators to be seen! \nWe will drive to Houston Audubon’s High Island Sanctuaries. After eating our box lunches (provided) around noon\, we will bird world famous Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks for warblers\, vireos\, and songbirds. We will spend some time being dazzled by the continuous activity at the Rookery. This is a great photo opportunity for Roseate Spoonbills\, egrets and other colonial nesting birds. At these sanctuaries 15+ species of warblers are possible\, with vireos\, grosbeaks\, thrushes\, painted and indigo buntings\, Belted Kingfisher\, sparrows\, Northern and Orchard orioles\, and so many other migrants and always the possibility of a rare bird being found. \nWe will continue our birding by driving to the tip of Bolivar Peninsula and birding Bolivar Flats and nearby areas. Bolivar Flats\, a Houston Audubon Sanctuary\, is a sandy shoreline with exposed mud flats at low tide. Here we hope to find Red Knot\, Dunlin\, Stilt Sandpiper\, American Oystercatcher\, American Avocets\, Horned Lark\, plovers aplenty\, six species of terns\, Whimbrel\, Long-billed Curlew\, Marbled Godwit\, gulls galore\, Reddish Egret\, White-tailed Kite and White-tailed Hawk among many other species. \nWe will end the trip on the ferry as we bird across to Galveston. \n_________________________ \nOTHER DETAILS: \nYou are responsible for making your own reservations for your accommodations.  The price of the trip does not include your lodging and meals except for the breakfast for hotel guests and boxed lunches provided on Tuesday and Wednesday.  If you choose to stay somewhere other than Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza\, you will need to make sure you are at our partner hotel at least 20 minutes prior to the departure time each day. We will leave the parking lot of the host hotel. \nTO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AT OUR HOST HOTEL\, PLEASE USE THIS LINK OR SCAN THE FOLLOWING QR CODE. \n \n  \nA box lunch is provided for each registrant both days. You will be sent a lunch order form prior to the festival. (If you need to eat or snack on a regular basis or at a specific time\, please bring your own snacks.) \nThis trip is not eligible for the GINTC member discount.  \nSpecial thanks to the Beaumont CVB for making this trip possible. \nAbout Glenn Olsen \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/beaumont-area-birding-glenn-olsen-pre-festival-trip/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T110000
DTSTAMP:20260409T023626
CREATED:20221018T150251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T143028Z
UID:13290-1776150000-1776164400@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding Hall's Bayou Ranch #1
DESCRIPTION: \n#cmsms_row_69d710aa17e74 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-top: 0px; \n} \n\n#cmsms_row_69d710aa17e74 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-bottom: 50px; \n} \n\n#cmsms_row_69d710aa17e74 .cmsms_row_inner.cmsms_row_fullwidth { \n	padding-left:0%; \n} \n#cmsms_row_69d710aa17e74 .cmsms_row_inner.cmsms_row_fullwidth { \n	padding-right:0%; \n} \n\n				#cmsms_gallery_69d710aa17f49 .cmsms_gallery {\n					margin:0 0 0 -2px;\n				}\n				\n				#cmsms_gallery_69d710aa17f49 .cmsms_gallery .cmsms_gallery_item {\n					padding:0 0 2px 2px;\n				}\n			\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    \nThis trip to a private ranch is so popular we offer it twice\, pre-festival and post-festival.  Don’t miss the chance to begin or end your FeatherFest adventure at Hall’s Bayou Ranch! \nLocation:  Hall’s Bayou Ranch encompasses over 25\,000 acres of private land that begins at Halls Lake near Alvin TX and flows southeasterly into West Galveston Bay. It is somewhat secluded and normally open only to members. FeatherFest has been given exclusive entry to this beautiful locale. Founded in 1943\, the focus was farming and ranching; management later changed the focus to hunting\, fishing and a strong dedication to habitat development and conservation. This bayou is host to tens of thousands of waterfowl in the winter attracted by extensive beds of wild celery. \nWhat to Expect:  Part of the Galveston Bay western estuary\, Hall’s Bayou is a welcome corridor for migrants featuring freshwater and saltwater habitat. Passerines forage on native grasses and open tree lines of secluded live oak. Shorebirds and waterbirds work the tides of the marsh. The area draws its share of raptors as well to the open ranch. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, snacks\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes \nImportant Information:  There are bathroom opportunities at the beginning and end of the trip but none once out on the ranch.  This is a meet-at-site trip. Driving directions will be provided prior to the trip. Once at the meeting site\, participants will board a bus to enter the ranch. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n				jQuery(document).ready(function () {\n					(function ($) {\n						if ($('#cmsms_gallery_69d710aa17f49').find('.cmsms_gallery_item').length == '0') {\n							return false;\n						}\n						\n						\n						startGallery( \n							'69d710aa17f49'\, \n							'masonry'\, \n							'4'\, \n							'false' \n						);\n					} )(jQuery);\n				} );\n			\n			\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/halls-bayou-ranch-1/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T140000
DTSTAMP:20260409T023626
CREATED:20191021T205930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T165857Z
UID:9546-1776153600-1776175200@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding Clear Creek on the Mainland
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nClear Creek winds its way from Clear Lake through Galveston County on the mainland\, providing beneficial freshwater riparian edge habitat to a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife. \nLocation:  This pre-festival trip explores two of the hidden gems in the Clear Lake Loop of the Upper Texas Coast – Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail\, Challenger Seven Memorial Park and Heritage Park. \nWhat to Expect:  We will begin at the beautiful Challenger Seven Memorial Park. We will hike along the trails looking for spring migrants such as Baltimore and Orchard Oriole\, Painted and Indigo Bunting\, Summer Tanager\, Rose-breasted Grosbeak\, and a variety of warblers and vireos. Lingering winter migrants including Osprey\, Belted Kingfisher\, and Cedar Waxwing are also possible\, as well as residents such as Bald Eagle\, Red-shouldered Hawk\, Pileated Woodpecker\, Eastern Bluebird\, and common herons and egrets of the region. (Note: although the majority of trails are well-maintained\, several include portions of uneven dirt paths.) \nWe will take a break to use the indoor restrooms and eat lunch in the park and then caravan a short distance to another hotspot along Clear Creek. Despite its urban setting\, Heritage Park has a surprising level of bird activity and species variety. We will walk the easy trail loop around the pond watching for Tricolored Heron\, Green Heron\, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron\, and other waders. The mostly paved trail wanders through mature trees that are very attractive to spring migrants\, including lovely old oaks and mulberries that should be bearing fruit. If time allows\, we will walk the short distance to the Clear Creek overlook\, which is usually productive for American White and Brown Pelican\, Black-bellied Whistling Duck\, Forster’s Tern\, Common Gallinule\, and more. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, lunch\, sunscreen\, and insect repellent. Hiking boots or waders recommended\, especially if the region has experienced wet weather prior to the trip. \nImportant Information:  Driving directions to the meeting site will be emailed prior to the festival. \nPhoto: Gary Seloff \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/birding-clear-creek-mainland/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T140000
DTSTAMP:20260409T023626
CREATED:20211106T140738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T143507Z
UID:11673-1776153600-1776175200@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding the San Jacinto River Bottomlands & Vicinity
DESCRIPTION: \n#cmsms_row_69d710aa1a219 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-top: 0px; \n} \n\n#cmsms_row_69d710aa1a219 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-bottom: 50px; \n} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nIn northeast Harris County\, Lake Houston dams the confluence of the two forks of the San Jacinto River\, Luce Bayou and Cypress Creek. The mighty San Jac watershed bottomlands hold a bounty of flora and fauna along its courses. Beaver and river otter share Lake Houston with alligator and banded water snakes to name a few. Overhead gulls\, pelican and waterbirds move in groups plying the water of the lake for fish. In the spring\, the dawn song from the forest is large and loud. \nWhat to Expect:  Target local nesters include Brown-headed Nuthatch\, Red- headed Woodpecker\, Bald Eagle\, Anhinga and Pine Warbler. Neotropic nesters we hope to encounter: Prothonotary Warbler\, Swainson’s Warbler\, Painted Bunting\, Hooded Warbler\, Purple Gallinule and Yellow-billed cuckoo. This habitat also serves the avian migration north\, with respite for Blue Grosbeak\, Black-throated Green Warbler\, Swainson’s Hawk\, Western Sandpiper and many others. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, lunch\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  This is a meet-at-site trip. Driving directions will be emailed prior to the trip. \nBird photos courtesy of Ken Beeny. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\njQuery(document).ready(function () { jQuery("#cmsms_hover_slider_69d710aa1a2f1").cmsmsHoverSlider( { sliderBlock : "#cmsms_hover_slider_69d710aa1a2f1"\, sliderItems : ".cmsms_hover_slider_items"\, thumbWidth : "100"\, thumbHeight : "60"\, activeSlide : 1\, pauseTime : 2000\, pauseOnHover : true } );} );\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/birding-san-jacinto-river-bottomlands/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T140000
DTSTAMP:20260409T023626
CREATED:20241104T212952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T172215Z
UID:15977-1776153600-1776175200@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Baytown Nature Center
DESCRIPTION: \n#cmsms_row_69d710aa1bc8d .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-top: 0px; \n} \n\n#cmsms_row_69d710aa1bc8d .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-bottom: 50px; \n} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nLocated on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail\, the Baytown Nature Center (BNC) is a 450-acre peninsula surrounded by three brackish bays. Renowned for its rich bird life\, over 350 species have been recorded throughout its existence. \nLocation:  BNC is equipped with trails and observation platforms throughout the center\, providing close views of wading birds and shorebirds. Huge utility towers across Burnet Bay often attract migrants as they travel through the area\, with brown boobies becoming a fairly common site during winter months. The upland forest fragments attract songbirds and raptors\, including annual Bald Eagles frequently seen onsite. \nPrior to becoming a nature center\, the site was home to the Brownwood subdivision\, one of Baytown’s most desirable neighborhoods. Unfortunately\, the area subsided dramatically throughout the 20th century\, and Brownwood was dealt a death blow by Hurricane Alicia in 1983. Condemned by FEMA for human habitation\, the area was cleared of infrastructure and returned to nature\, opening as the Baytown Nature Center in 2002. When tides are low\, visitors can still see the bulkheads of old residences along the perimeter roads of the center. \nWhat to Expect:  The group will meet at the BNC and go by bus from there for the field trip. \nBirding will begin at the Information Center\, continue in the Nature Center’s shuttles for frequent stops to look for birds\, and end with an easy\, but lengthy\, roadway walk to observe both songbirds and shorebirds. Total distance covered (driving and walking) is approximately six miles. Since we will be travelling via shuttle\, you can choose to walk or return to the shuttle at any time. The distance traveled will vary\, depending on how much time is spent at each stop. Target species are rails\, warblers\, eagles\, shorebirds\, egrets\, herons\, gulls\, terns\, and osprey. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, snacks\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  This is a meet-at-site trip.  Driving directions will be emailed prior to the festival. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\njQuery(document).ready(function () { jQuery("#cmsms_hover_slider_69d710aa1bd5d").cmsmsHoverSlider( { sliderBlock : "#cmsms_hover_slider_69d710aa1bd5d"\, sliderItems : ".cmsms_hover_slider_items"\, thumbWidth : "100"\, thumbHeight : "60"\, activeSlide : 1\, pauseTime : 2000\, pauseOnHover : true } );} );\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/baytown-nature-center/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
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