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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+0:20260414T063000
DTEND;TZID=UTC+0:20260415T150000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
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_69d7263c8e2f0 { \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:20260415T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T140000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20241104T212811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T173422Z
UID:15975-1776236400-1776261600@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Brazoria County Lesser-Known Hot Spots with Martin Hagne #1
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nCome join us for a day in Brazoria County\, birding some lesser-known hotspots (although that does not make them any less birdy!)  Local birders enjoy these sites year-round and especially during spring migration. \nWhat to Expect:  We will stay flexible with our route depending on weather\, bird activity\, and other considerations\, but we will likely begin by birding the marsh along Crab Road in Surfside.  This tidal salt marsh habitat is ever-changing\, attracting a different variety of species depending on the amount of water within it. Here we will look for waterbirds\, shorebirds\, rails\, and try for Seaside Sparrow. \nWe’ll then make our way over to Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area picnic area near Jones Creek\, for migrating songbirds and possibly Swainson’s Warblers already on breeding territory. Other stops include Snow Woods\, a private property along Oyster Creek near the town of the same name\, for more migrant songbirds\, and Cannan Bend\, a fairly new National Wildlife Refuge tract\, for more migrants and local bird species. These freshwater and brackish habitats also offer the potential for specialties such as Anhinga. \nWalking will be mostly easy\, but all trails are dirt or grass and can be uneven.  The grass might be tall at one site.  Depending on rain it can be muddy. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, snacks\, lunch\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  We encourage participants to carpool if possible as some of these sites offer limited parking. Driving directions to the meeting site will be emailed prior to the festival. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/brazoria_lesser-known_hot_spots_with_martin-hagne-trip_1/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T110000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20251120T163500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T175721Z
UID:17096-1776236400-1776250800@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Urban Oasis:  Birding Exploration Green
DESCRIPTION:   \nKick off your FeatherFest experience with a guided visit to Exploration Green\, a 200-acre urban nature preserve that blends innovative stormwater design with thriving native habitat in the Clear Lake area. Approximately 30 minutes from Galveston\, this restored landscape offers an inland counterpoint to the coast\, with wetlands\, open water\, and prairie edges that support impressive biodiversity and year-round birdlife.  This is the first trip FeatherFest will be making to Exploration Green.  You don’t want to miss your chance to be a part of it! \nWhat to Expect:  Participants will enjoy birding with Lisa Hardcastle.  Lisa conducts the monthly Houston Audubon bird surveys at Exploration Green and is familiar with all five phases and where to find specific birds in each phase. During Spring migration\, the preserve regularly hosts a rich mix of species. Migrating songbirds move through trees and shrubs\, wading birds and waterfowl use the wetlands and open water\, and raptors take advantage of thermal currents overhead.  Exploration Green is now the home to several Limpkin\, as well.  Lisa will choose which phases to bird based on the most recent sightings. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, snacks\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed shoes. \nImportant Information:   Although not available on all five phases\, there is a port-a-potty located on some of the phases. This is a meet-at-site trip.  Driving directions will be emailed prior to the trip. \n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/needs-title-exploration-green-pre-festival/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T113000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20191025T160849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T143812Z
UID:9589-1776238200-1776252600@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Pearland's Natural Spaces: Wetlands\, Woods\, and Wildlife
DESCRIPTION: \n#cmsms_row_69d7263c90989 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-top: 0px; \n} \n\n#cmsms_row_69d7263c90989 .cmsms_row_outer_parent { \n	padding-bottom: 50px; \n} \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \n \nThe City of Pearland has a mission\, “To protect\, manage\, and enhance the City’s natural resources\, provide citizens with outdoor recreation opportunities\, and to further the public’s understanding and appreciation of its natural resources through education and hands-on experiences.”  This trip highlights how Pearland is taking that mission to the next level. From 50 acres of constructed storm water wetlands to 140 acres of parkland managed entirely for nature and wildlife\, the concept of bringing nature to everyone comes home. \nWhat to Expect:  We begin our trip at the Shadow Creek Ranch Nature Trail\, one of the area’s best kept birding secrets. The site is managed as a natural area park and features a paved walking path through emergent wetlands to gain access to some of the more secretive water birds such as American Bittern and Sora. Abundant Black Willow grow along the trail which can be a productive site for finding migrating songbirds. An observation deck will help us get an elevated view over much of the site. Wooded areas along the Clear Creek boundary can also provide a different mix of birds. If weather allows\, we will walk a portion of Clear Creek looking for these birds. \nOur second stop is the Delores Fenwick Nature Center located at the City of Pearland’s John Hargrove Environmental Complex (JHEC). The site is a little more than 70 acres that features two large retention ponds. Originally developed with the City’s wastewater treatment facility and as a stormwater retention site\, JHEC has since evolved into an important wildlife area within the City of Pearland. Abundant water birds can be found year around with the spring season highlighted by the nesting colony of Herons\, Egrets\, Roseate Spoonbill\, Cormorants\, and Ibis. We will have excellent viewing opportunities of the rookery from the walking trails. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, snacks\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and hiking or walking shoes are recommended for the walk along Clear Creek. \nImportant Information:  This is a meet-at-site trip. Driving directions will be emailed prior to the trip.  Please note:  plan to use the restroom prior to this field trip\, as there is no on-site restroom available at the first stop. Second stop has an indoor restroom available. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/pearland-natural-spaces/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T130000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20231106T214523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T181003Z
UID:14932-1776240000-1776258000@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding Follett's Island with Kristine Rivers
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   \nFollett’s Island is just across the San Luis Pass toll bridge from Galveston Island\, yet few people are familiar with its name. This pre-festival trip will introduce you to the importance of this ecologically sensitive and narrow barrier island as we explore some of the best birding hotspots along the Bluewater Highway. \nWhat to Expect:  We will begin at San Luis Pass County Park on the Brazoria County side of the bridge\, which hugs the shoreline of the pass and provides excellent birding of both beach and dunes habitat. We will then caravan a short distance to a hotspot on Christmas Bay with wonderful estuarial and coastal prairie habitat that offers close views of a wide variety of shorebirds\, herons and egrets\, gulls\, and terns. We will have lunch on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico side as we continue watching for species of interest\, then move to our final stop on the bay side\, which will provide scope views of an active rookery. (Map will be provided to participants.) \nLikely sightings include Reddish Egret\, Great Blue and Little Blue Heron\, Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night-Heron\, Roseate Spoonbill\, Northern Crested Caracara\, White-tailed Kite\, and Boat-tailed Grackle. Many spring migrants such as Baltimore and Orchard Oriole\, Painted and Indigo Bunting\, Summer Tanager\, and Yellow Warbler are also possible\, as are lingering winter migrants including White Pelican\, Osprey\, and Belted Kingfisher. \nWhat to Bring:  Lunch\, water\, snacks\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:   Driving directions to the meeting site will be emailed prior to the festival. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/birding-follets-island/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T103000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20251114T184744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T143921Z
UID:17041-1776240000-1776249000@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding Armand Bayou by Pontoon Boat #1
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Gary Seloff\n    \nTwo of the most iconic birds in North America visit Armand Bayou every winter and spring. The American bald eagle and osprey spend November through April hunting and fishing the productive waters of the bayou. Once threatened by the use of pesticides\, the recovery of these species is a great testament to the value of clean water and habitat preservation.  It’s hard to believe you’re in Houston’s backyard when enjoying this incredible viewing opportunity. \nWhat to Expect:  Join us as we take a bayou tour onboard the Armand Bayou Nature Center’s pontoon boat for some of the best viewing opportunities on the Texas coast. Osprey are fish-eating birds which put on a spectacular show as they dive into the water from significant heights. Few of us forget such an aerial display or the chance to see an eagle in the wild. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  This will be a meet-at-site trip.  Driving directions will be sent prior to the festival. \nIn case of inclement weather\, issues with the tide or unforeseen circumstances in which the pontoon boat cannot go out\, this trip is planned to be switched to a Bayou Safari Tour in lieu of cancellation. A description of the Bayou Safari Tour trip states\, “Experience Armand Bayou Nature Center on a guided outing! Begin the tour observing wildlife from the elevated boardwalk. You will visit our animal ambassadors in the lobby of our newly renovated Environmental Learning Center. Then board our electric vehicle and leisurely explore the riparian forest down to the bayou\, over to the prairie\, farmhouse\, and finally to the bison.” \nBayou Ranger\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/armand-bayou-pontoon-boat-1/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T160000
DTSTAMP:20260409T040828
CREATED:20181016T203421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T155648Z
UID:8397-1776259800-1776268800@www.galvestonfeatherfest.com
SUMMARY:Birding Armand Bayou by Pontoon Boat #2
DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto: Gary Seloff\n    \nTwo of the most iconic birds in North America visit Armand Bayou every winter and spring. The American bald eagle and osprey spend November through April hunting and fishing the productive waters of the bayou. Once threatened by the use of pesticides\, the recovery of these species is a great testament to the value of clean water and habitat preservation.  It’s hard to believe you’re in Houston’s backyard when enjoying this incredible viewing opportunity. \nWhat to Expect:  Join us as we take a bayou tour onboard the Armand Bayou Nature Center’s pontoon boat for some of the best viewing opportunities on the Texas coast. Osprey are fish-eating birds which put on a spectacular show as they dive into the water from significant heights. Few of us forget such an aerial display or the chance to see an eagle in the wild. \nWhat to Bring:  water\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, and wear closed-toed walking shoes. \nImportant Information:  This will be a meet-at-site trip.  Driving directions will be sent prior to the festival. \nIn case of inclement weather\, issues with the tide or unforeseen circumstances in which the pontoon boat cannot go out\, this trip is planned to be switched to a Bayou Safari Tour in lieu of cancellation. A description of the Bayou Safari Tour trip states\, “Experience Armand Bayou Nature Center on a guided outing! Begin the tour observing wildlife from the elevated boardwalk. You will visit our animal ambassadors in the lobby of our newly renovated Environmental Learning Center. Then board our electric vehicle and leisurely explore the riparian forest down to the bayou\, over to the prairie\, farmhouse\, and finally to the bison.” \nBayou Ranger\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/event/armand-bayou-pontoon-boat-2/
CATEGORIES:Birding Field Trips
END:VEVENT
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