Field Trip Description: Shorebirds (alternate - basic plumages) and Wading Birds in the areas of Tule Lake, Fulton Corridor, North Beach, Indian Point, and Sunset Lake Park, Portland.

Registration required one week in advance (by September 7th). Minimum for the trip is 3 participants. NOTE THAT CURRENTLY FIELD TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.

NOTIFY OUR FIELD TRIP LEADER, GENE BLACKLOCK, THAT YOU PLAN TO GO ON THIS FIELD TRIP. TEXT GENE AT 361-558-1829 AND PROVIDE YOUR NAME(S) AND CELL PHONE NUMBER(S).

Group Meets: Field Trip Group will meet at Tule Lake Observation Platform. Tule Lake is a tidal lake located off Southern Minerals Road, Corpus Christi. (Tule Lake Physical Address: 7201-7203 Up River Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78409). Take Exit 6 off 1-37 and follow Southern Minerals Road (51) north toward the river. Turn left on Up River Road and proceed to the overlook.

Rest Stop / Bathroom Break: Note that there is not a bathroom in the vicinity of the Tule Lake Observation Deck, so participants are encouraged to stop at a public restroom before arriving at Tule Lake. In route to Portland, a rest stop at North Beach Whataburger (located along Highway 181, Corpus Christi, at 4444 E CAUSEWAY BLVD.)

Stress level: Moderate, a little walking.

MATERIALS TO HAVE AVAILABLE: Scope, binoculars, comfortable hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent (especially for chiggers & mosquitoes). Always be on the look out for fire ants.

OPTIONAL: a Bird Field Guide or Bird ID apps.

Presentation Summary: Coastal wetlands are among the ecosystems most vulnerable to sea-level rise, threatening the habitats that support migratory shorebirds and other wildlife. This seminar presents an integrated assessment of the potential impacts of sea-level rise on the Punta Banda Estuary, a Ramsar Site and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) Regional Site in Baja California, Mexico, and discusses implications for conservation and climate adaptation.

Using high-resolution elevation data and a bathtub model, future tidal inundation was evaluated under multiple sea-level rise scenarios, revealing the loss of intertidal mudflats and increasing coastal squeeze. The Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) was then used to project future habitat transitions, identifying areas where wetlands may migrate inland and continue providing habitat for shorebirds if protected from development. Finally, participatory workshops with local stakeholders explored community knowledge, perceived threats, and adaptation priorities, highlighting the value of integrating local perspectives into conservation planning.

By combining spatial modeling with community engagement, this research provides a framework for identifying conservation opportunities and supporting proactive management of coastal wetlands under climate change. The findings demonstrate how ecological forecasting and stakeholder participation can strengthen adaptation strategies for vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

About Our Presenter: Laura E. Ibarra Flores is a Ph.D. student in Environment and Development at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, where her research focuses on the conservation of coastal wetlands under sea-level rise scenarios. Her work integrates spatial modeling, climate change vulnerability assessments, and community engagement to support nature-based conservation strategies for migratory shorebird habitats. Laura has contributed to conservation initiatives through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Coastal Solutions Fellows Program and currently serves as a Graduate Fellow with the Road to Recovery Initiative, where she supports international conservation programs, species recovery efforts, and capacity-building initiatives. She is also a co-founder of Mujeres en Parvada, a local collective that brings birds, birdwatching, and citizen science to the community through environmental education and outreach activities. Her interests include coastal resilience, participatory conservation planning, science communication, and community-based conservation.

Coastal Bend Audubon Society has had to cancel this event because of the excessive rain we have had in the past few weeks. We will post the rescheduled event as time and weather allow.

Field Trip Leader: Gene Blacklock

BEGIN: 6:45 AM

Meet in parking area immediately adjacent to boardwalk and the Oak Motte at Packery Channel County Park (14218 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418). Caravan to other locations.

Field trip will highlight the birds of spring migrating along the Texas Central Coast.

Energy requirement: Moderate, some walking

What to Bring**:  See list below

Birds of Interest: Neotropical migrants, such as Black-billed Cuckoo (rare), vireos, thrushes, wood warblers (especially Townsend's, Hermit, Black-throated Blue and Cape May), tanagers (especially Hepatic and Western, and finches (especially Varied and Lazuli Buntings and Black-headed Grosbeak).

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Presentation Summary: Bird migration captivates the human imagination, yet for most of us, key aspects of the phenomenon remain a mystery. How do birds sense the ideal moment to take wing, and once the epic journey has begun, how do they find their distant destinations? Fresh insights about avian movements are still constantly emerging, powered by new tools like molecular genetics and transmitter miniaturization. Dr. Rappole will discuss supposed threats to the future of migrants posed by climate change.

Please note that since Dr. Rappole is in the Washington, D.C. area, he will be delivering his seminar to us via Zoom. Meeting attendees may participate by attending our meeting in person at the South Texas Botanical Gardens or by joining the meeting virtually via Zoom.

About Our Speaker: John Rappole, Ph.D., is a research scientist emeritus at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. He is the author of numerous books, including Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them and The Avian Migrant: The Biology of Bird Migration. Dr. Rappole earned his B.A. at Colgate University and his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. His areas of study include: Ecology and evolution of migrant birds; Inventory, systematics, and Biogeography of Burmese sub-Himalayan avifauna; Migrant birds and pathogens (e.g., WNV, HPAI H5N1); Post-breeding movements of birds; Tropical flock dynamics; and rapid range change.

Filed Trip Leader: Gene Blacklock

BEGIN: 7:00 AM

Meet at entrance to Rose Hill Memorial Park: (3025 Upriver Road, Corpus Christi). The cemetery is located at the north end of Palm Street (Leopard/Palm).

This trip is dedicated to seeing the migrating birds of the spring (2). Participants will explore Rose Hill, visit Tulle Lake (near junction Southern Minerals and Up River Roads), and the boardwalk and displays at Packery Channel County Park (North Padre Island).

Energy requirement: Moderate, some walking

What to Bring**:  See list below

Birds of Interest: Neotropical migrants, such as Black-billed Cuckoo (rare), vireos, thrushes, wood warblers (especially Townsend's, Hermit, Black-throated Blue and Cape May), tanagers (especially Hepatic and Western, and finches (especially Varied and Lazuli Buntings and Black-headed Grosbeak).

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Note: for those interested, overnight April 20 (Monday): La Quinta Inn Port Lavaca, 910 N Highway 35 (361.551.6071).

Field Trip Leader: Daniel Walker, Powderhorn WMA

BEGIN: 7:00 AM

Meet at entrance to Powderhorn WMA (10769 FM 1289, Port O’Connor, TX 77982). From Seadrift: Right on to S 4th St; Right onto Broadway Ave; Left onto FM 1289 (6 miles); entrance is on the right.     

Stop for restrooms at headquarters and then caravan with minimum vehicles. Two TPWD vehicles will help transport us. Visit habitat sites within Powderhorn WMA (7-11:30 AM). On the way home, 11:45 AM, stop at Buffalo Lake Observation Deck to see alligators, waterfowl and marsh birds (Guadalupe River Delta). Buffalo Lake observation deck is along the east side of the Guadalupe Delta, and immediately adjacent to HWY 35.

Energy requirement: Moderate, some walking

What to Bring**:  See list below

Birds of Interest: A good variety of birds, especially looking for migrating songbirds and some that most represent Austroriparian habitats that are expected to the north of South Texas (2).

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Summary: Identification of birds and other wildlife involved in aircraft strikes is an important part of the overall assessment and management of wildlife mitigation at airports. Knowing the exact species provides guidance to the size, behavior, and ecology of the animal in question and is key to tracking species trends as well as focusing preventative measures. Species identifications provide the baseline data needed to plan habitat management on airfields, build avoidance programs, and have even been used to assist engineers in designing windscreens and engines that are more resilient to birdstrike events.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Feather Identification Lab is a highly specialized lab that processes over ten thousand wildlife strike cases annually. The FIL identifies the species involved in strikes using both whole and fragmentary feather material, as well as small amounts of blood and tissue containing DNA . Funding for the lab is supported by interagency agreements between the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

About Our Speaker: Carla Dove, Ph.D., is the Program Manager for the Smithsonian Institute’s FIL. Dr. Dove received her B.S. at the University of Montana and her M.S. and Ph.D. at George Mason University, As a forensic ornithologist, her special research interests are in the microscopic identification of feathers. Current research involves establishing techniques in this newly developing field within Ornithology, which applies forensic methodologies to determine species of birds from fragmentary evidence using microscopy, whole feather comparisons with museum specimens and DNA 'barcoding'. The most important application of this research is to the field of aviation safety and determining identifications of birds that are ingested into aircraft engines (birdstrikes).

Field Trip Leader: Gene Blacklock

BEGIN: 7:00 AM

Meet on Gulf Beach immediately north of bollards at the north end of Padre Island National Seashore, park up against the fore dunes. We will count all birds seen and heard between 7:00 and 11:00.  (??Portable Potties are available in the immediate area.)

Energy requirement: Moderate, mostly sitting with some walking in deep sand

What to Bring**: In addition to list below, bring a folding chair, umbrella for shade, and cooler with drinks.

 Birds of Interest: migrating waterfowl (Fulvous-whistling Ducks*), Eared Grebe*, shorebirds that prefer a high energy beach: American Golden Plover (migrating overhead), Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Sanderling, Long-billed Curlew and several species of terns; Frigatebird*, cormorants, pelicans, migrating wading birds (Reddish Egret), Peregrine Falcon, migrating swallows and a few other passerines that like beaches (i.e. Horned Lark*).

*Possible but unlikely

Field Trip Leader: Jay Gardner, Whitecap Project Manager.

BEGIN: 8:00 AM

Meet at the Whatabuger on North Padre Island (14301 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418); Car pool from Whataburger and follow leader to Whitecap Project parking area and trail head. Group will visit the various restored ponds and new landscaped sites there. Ends approximately 1:00 PM.

Energy requirement: Moderate, some walking

What to Bring**: See list below

Birds of Interest: Waterfowl (including Fulvous-whistling Duck*), grebes (including Eared and Least), Sora, shorebirds, loons*, cormorants (Neotropic and Double-crested), herons (including Reddish Egret and Yellow-crowned Night Heron) , White-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk*, kingfisher, falcons (Peregrine*, Merlin* and Aplomado*), song birds (migrating swallows*, Eastern Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Sprague's Pipit*, wintering sparrows; including Grasshopper and LeConte's.

*Possible but unlikely

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Meeting Summary: 2026 will be the 30th annual Great Texas Birding Classic, a birding competition hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Each spring, this competition engages birders in a variety of categories across the state to get outside, document birds, and raise money for conservation projects. This talk will share a history of the classic, ways to get involved, and answer questions you may have about participating.

About Our Speaker: Shelly Plante is the Nature Tourism Manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, working in the Outreach and Education Program. She believes community-based conservation, education and partnerships are critical to the future of our natural resources and has worked throughout Texas to connect people to conservation through birding, paddling, and other forms of outdoor recreation for close to 30 years. Shelly manages the Great Texas Birding Classic, Great Texas Wildlife Trail, the Texas Paddling Trails Program, and Texas Pollinator BioBlitz.

Please note that Coastal Bend Audubon Society WILL meet at our regular location, the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St., Corpus Christi, for our February 3rd meeting. (Doors open at the Education Station classroom at 6:30 PM. Our speaker, Scott Cross, will connect with us via Zoom, and as always, our meeting attendees may also view the presentation virtually via Zoom.

About Our Speaker: Scott Cross is the Director of Nueces County Coastal Parks.

Meeting Summary: There are several exciting projects happening on Mustang and North Padre Islands, including habitat construction for Burrowing Owls, Aplomado Falcons, and neotropical migrants. A recently awarded grant will fund a large expansion of the existing Packery Channel boardwalk, and a living shoreline along Packery Channel with new amenities. Work has already begun in Port Aransas at I B Magee to enlarge the pond at the park and build a wraparound boardwalk. Come hear all about it!

Meeting Summary: The Texas coast supports 120,000 pairs of breeding waterbirds annually, relying on a network of colony islands stretching from Galveston to the Rio Grande. Each year, millions of dollars are invested in creating, managing, and restoring these islands. However, without strategic guidance on which islands provide the greatest benefit to birds, conservation efforts may not be as effective as possible. 

The Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project, a five-year initiative led by the Harte Research Institute (HRI) and funded by the NOAA RESTORE Science Program, aims to enhance conservation efforts by co-producing a prioritization tool for colony island restoration and management. This tool will help optimize resource allocation, maximize cost-effectiveness, and support the recovery of waterbirds.  

CINDI is a collaborative effort between researchers at HRI and natural resource managers from state, federal, and nonprofit organizations. To ensure our approach reflects the broader conservation needs of colony islands, we seek to engage a diverse group, including organization like Texas Audubon.

About Our Speaker: David Essian, Ph. D., is an Assistant Research Scientist working with HRI Endowed Chair for Conservation and Biodiversity, Dr. Dale Gawlik. He earned a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Northern Michigan University, and his Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. His Master’s work focused on the food web dynamics associated with avian botulism Type E die-offs of waterbirds in the Great Lakes. For his dissertation, he developed a spatiotemporally dynamic model of resource availability for wading birds as a function of water level fluctuations. The variables used in his model are under a high degree of control by managers, and therefore were useful in demonstrating potential effects of water management. He also showed that not only magnitude of resource availability, but the timing and spatial configuration of availability, regulate numeric and demographic responses of wading birds.

In his role at HRI, he will work on the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation project (CINDI). He will help design workshops and develop a spatially explicit prioritization tool for stakeholders charged with moving dredged spoil material, with an emphasis on waterbird recovery in the Gulf.

Meeting Summary: In North America, more than half of all breeding bird species are considered migratory. These billions of birds partake in an annual flight from their summer grounds to their wintering sites, and back again. Through decades of banding, researchers began to understand the migratory paths taken by many of these individuals. The Motus network is one tool that takes our understanding to the next level.

 The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international collaborative network using stationary towers that can track wildlife that are tagged with small radio transmitters called nanotags. These towers help researchers track the movements and behaviors of tagged birds across vast distances and extended periods of time. Since it is a collaborative effort, the system has the ability to optimize research and conservation resources while harnessing the power of large-scale data collection, which in turn facilitates landscape-level research.

 Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) is one of hundreds of organizations that owns and operates Motus towers in North America. GCBO, in partnership with several national wildlife refuges, The Nature Conservancy, the city of Rockport, Gulf Coast Waste and Disposal Area, and multiple private landowners, established a 15-tower complex called the Coastal Motus Tower Network for Western Gulf Avian Resource Assessment. Because the Texas coast is a major migration corridor in both spring and fall, this network has the potential to monitor thousands of birds as they move through our environment and has tremendous potential to fill gaps in our knowledge concerning bird movements.

About Our Speaker: Rebecca Bracken is the Conservation Research Director at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) in Lake Jackson, Texas. She received a Master’s in Biology from Texas State University and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources with a concentration in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture from Mississippi State University. Her dissertation focused on evaluating the influence of forest management activities on breeding and wintering avian communities, and she investigated how forest age and management affected nightjar abundance. She has spent time working with species ranging from hummingbirds to long-legged wading birds, working projects in the western, central, and eastern portions of the U.S. as well as Australia. Rebecca currently leads all GCBO research projects, and is a federally and state permitted bird bander. Her current research focuses on designing and implementing monitoring programs along the upper Texas coastline, with an emphasis on shorebird behavior, productivity, and conservation.

Field Trip Leader: Angie Arredondo, Education, Welder Wildlife Foundation.

BEGIN: 6:45 AM

Meet at the entrance gate of Welder Wildlife on HWY 77 North of Sinton (10429 Welder Wildlife, Sinton, TX, 78387). Caravan to headquarters and step into transportation van (maximum twenty participants). Restrooms are available at headquarters.

Visit Pecan and Hackberry Mottes; upon returning to headquarters, about 11 AM, tour of headquarters, internationally praised bird museum, and Quillin Egg Collection.

12:30 PM – Have picnic lunch in the rotunda at headquarters

Note: If Big and Pollito Lakes have water, participants will visit the lakes immediately following lunch, otherwise we’re finished for the day.  

Energy requirement: Moderate, some walking

What to Bring**: In addition to list below, bring a picnic lunch and drinks.

Birds of Interest: Plain Chachalaca*, Wild Turkey, Least Grebe*, Common Ground and White-tipped Doves, Greater Roadrunner, hummingbirds, migrating Anhingas, hawks, Belted and Green Kingfishers, woodpeckers, Merlin*, flycatchers, Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireos, Loggerhead Shrike, Green Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Black-crested Titmouse, migrating swallows, Gray Catbird, various migrating songbirds; (thrushes, wood warblers), and resident birds of Tamaulipan habitats.

*Possible but unlikely

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Meeting Summary: Millions of birds are dying from window strikes each year, so the more awareness we can raise, the better. Our speaker will explain why birds hit windows, treatment/survivability of birds that hit windows, and ways to mitigate problems.

About Our Speakers: Tess Kelly is a Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) at Port Aransas. Tess received her B.S. in Marine Science with a minor in biological science from North Carolina State University in 2021 . She received her M.S. from UTMSI at Port Aransas. Tess’s master’s research examined biofouling communities—organisms like barnacles, worms, and sponges that support estuarine food webs. Working with the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, her work highlighted the importance of considering all levels of estuarine community composition in coastal conservation and monitoring efforts.

Andrew Orgill is the Outreach Program Coordinator in Marine Science at UTMSI. He is also a Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), an organization that is part of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mission-Aransas NERR).  In turn, the Mission-Aransas NERR is part of the larger UTMSI in Port Aransas, Texas.  The primary mission of the ARK is to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured birds, sea turtles, terrestrial turtles, and tortoises found along the South Texas coast and to return them to their native habitat.  To ensure the successful release of as many animals as possible, the ARK staff work with veterinarians and other wildlife management organizations to use the most up-to-date rehabilitation techniques. The ARK also strives to educate the public about the potential impacts of population growth and urban development on coastal wildlife.  In addition to his skills with capture, transport, treatment, and release of wild birds and other wildlife, Andrew is also an excellent birder and a proficient bird photographer.

Assistant Field Trip Leader: Mike Wenzel, Sanctuary Manager

BEGIN: 8:45 AM

Meet at our North Bay Sanctuary (665 County Road 1432 Aransas Pass, TX, 78336). North on TX 35, take SH 136 exit, just past Gregory; left on SH 136 (toward Bayside); look for a water tank on the right, turn right following the tank; County Road 93/1432); go to end of 1432, entrance gate is on left. Note: No restrooms available at the sanctuary.

Hear a short lecture: "Identification of Hawks in Flight", presented by Gene Blacklock, visit the bird hide and walk about the sanctuary, and sit in the tower and count birds. Field trip concludes about 1:00 PM

Energy requirement: Moderate

What to Bring**: In addition to list below, bring a folding chair.

Birds of interest: waterfowl, Northern Bobwhite, grebes, Groove-billed Ani*, Greater Roadrunner, marsh birds (Purple Gallinule), Wood Storks, cormorants, Anhinga, wading birds, migrating hawks and swallows; songbirds heard and seen in the "low to mid Tamaulipan" habitats.

*Possible but unlikely

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Field Trip Leader: Roy Hawthorn

BEGIN: 7:00 AM

Meet at the Nueces Delta Preserve entrance located on HWY 77 north of the 37/77 junction (3410 US-77, Odem, TX 78370). Follow leader to headquarters. Restrooms are available at headquarters.

Visit a couple of sites near headquarters (Tamaulipan habitat) then step into van (maximum 10). Visit various sites throughout the delta: McGregor's Loma, Upper Rincon Bayou Hide (hear a short lecture: "Shorebirds in Basic Plumage"), Crooked Lake Loma, Crooked Lake, South Lake Loma (stop to see Jatropha catbartica), South Lake Algal Flats, Rincon Lomas and North Lake (this lake is associated with Rincon Bayou).

1:00 PM – Have picnic lunch in the pavilion, then depart for home.

Energy Requirement: Moderate

What to Bring: In addition to list below, bring a lunch.

Birds of Interest: waterfowl, Northern Bobwhite, grebes, Groove-billed Ani*, Roadrunner, marsh birds (Black*and Clapper Rails), Wood Storks, cormorants, Anhinga, migrating hawks, White-tailed Hawk, Barn Owl (nest boxes), various songbirds (especially those that frequent grasslands); in xeric windswept areas look for larks.  

*Possible but unlikely.

For all field trips please dress appropriately for the weather; suggest baggy cryptic clothing, hat, comfortable shoes (preferably with ankle support), and a light rain jacket (optional). Also bring insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, binoculars, and field guide. Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Please communicate interest this trip by texting your name and phone number to the field trip coordinator Gene Blacklock (361.558.1829). FOR A FIELD TRIP TO HAPPEN IT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF THREE PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIRMATION BY TEXT AT LEAST TWO DAYS PRIOR TO EACH SCHEDULED TRIP.

Meeting Summary: Because Texas is so big and diverse, we have long taken its vast resources for granted and thought them unlimited. Water or the lack of it blew away that myth. The drought of the 1950’s was the greatest environmental disaster to ever affect Texas, and the response to that disaster was the greatest engineering feat ever accomplished within our state’s borders - from almost no reservoirs before the drought to 196 major reservoirs today. This effort brought water from seemingly nowhere to everywhere and everybody. It has made the Texas we know today but it came at a great cost to our fish, our wildlife and our birds. It dramatically changed the face and future of our state and especially our coast. This talk looks at how that happened, what it means today and the challenges we face in assuring the future health and productivity of our environment and the ecosystems that form it, especially our coast. The well-known saying about the canary in the coal mine extends to many Texas ecosystems and birds are especially effective in telling us that story. They are also some of the species at greatest risk and acting now is key to both their futures and ours. It would be a DAM shame if we fail.

About Our Presenter: Dr. Larry McKinney is the retired Director of the Harte Research Institute (17 years) of TAMUCC. HRI is a trans-disciplinary institute dedicated to problem-solving research focused on the Gulf. He was also Senior Director for Aquatic Resources at TPWD (23 years) before HRI. At the agency his responsibilities spanned water related environmental issues, endangered species, fisheries, and conservation policy, and he was the state’s first natural resource trustee. His 2020 Overview of the Gulf of Mexico has been one of the most cited sources on the Gulf since its publication. He is better known for his articles translating science into English as in his July 2021 TPWD Magazine article Texas Dead Zones and the September 2023, Birds Everywhere article which he co-authored with Lisa Gonzalez, Executive Director of Audubon Texas. Larry is also a member of Audubon Texas State Board, the Coastal Bend Audubon Society, and the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi.

Noah Comet is an Associate Professor of English at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Anne Arundel County Public Libraries and is a Maryland State Master Naturalist.

Coastal Bend Audubon Society is fortunate to have this presentation from Noah while he is in Texas, hoping to find one of several bucket-list owls in the King Ranch area.

Field Trip Description: Rose Hill Cemetery, Tule Lake Observation Platform, and Fulton Loop Corridor.

Registration required one week in advance (by April 10, 2025). Minimum for the trip is 3 participants. NOTE THAT CURRENTLY FIELD TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.

NOTIFY OUR FIELD TRIP LEADER, GENE BLACKLOCK, THAT YOU PLAN TO GO ON THIS FIELD TRIP. NOTIFY GENE BY TEXTING HIM AT 361-558-1829 AND PROVIDING YOUR NAME(S) AND CELL PHONE NUMBER(S).

Field Trip Group Meets: At 6:45 AM at Rosehill Cemetery (3025 Upriver Road, Corpus Christi). Entrance to the Cemetery is located at the south end of Palm Street.

Reminder: Please dress appropriately, suggest baggy cryptic clothing (never white or black, never bright colors like red), hat, insect repellent, comfortable shoes (shoes preferably with ankle support), a light rain jacket (optional), drinking water and snacks. Recommend binoculars and field guide.

Bathroom Availability: Field Trip Group will take a break at McDonalds, nearby at 4101 Leopard St., Corpus Christi during the Rosehill Cemetery portion of the trip.

Please do not forget water, hat, insect repellent and snacks.

Energy Requirement: moderate.

Fulton Loop Corridor: Continue North on Up River Road to the Joe Fulton Corridor (558), which will take you East along wetlands.

Tule Lake is a tidal lake located off Southern Minerals Road, Corpus Christi. (Tule Lake Physical Address 7201-7203 7201 Up River Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78409). Take Exit 6 off 1-37 and follow Southern Minerals Road (51) north toward the river. Turn left on Up River Road and proceed to the overlook.

Habitat: At Rose Hill Cemetery, the habitat is over 30 acres of hardwood trees. At Tule Lake and Fulton Loop Corridor, the habitat is wetlands.

Birds of Special Interest: Rosehill Cemetery - Neotropical migrants, such as Black-billed Cuckoo (rare), vireos, thrushes, wood warblers (especially Townsend's, Hermit, Black-throated Blue and Cape May), tanagers (especially Hepatic and Western, and finches (especially Varied and Lazuli Buntings and Black-headed Grosbeak). Shorebirds & Wading Birds in the areas of Tule Lake & Fulton Loop Corridor.

The trip objective is to see varieties of migrating birds, most especially birds like shorebirds, Neotropical vireos, thrushes, wood warblers and Tanagers.

CBAS field trips are an extension of a classroom learning experience, so please bring binoculars & field guide references (books, phone apps). Questions are encouraged and are welcomed.

Field trip summary will be reported on eBird, Facebook, Twitter and CBAS online.

Please note that we are meeting EARLY on Tuesday, April 1st at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, Education Station classroom.

Coastal Bend Audubon Society will be providing sandwiches, drinks & light refreshments, so please plan on coming early and sharing a meal with us!

Summary: South America holds almost 3,500 species of birds, almost a third of the 10,900 species found worldwide. Columbia is home to 1,979 species and the much smaller Ecuador host 1,669 species, giving Ecuador the highest avifauna density per hectare of any country in the world. We will take a photographic tour of some of those bird species (and a few mammals as well) from the mid and high-altitude zones of those countries plus a side trip to the Pantanal region of Brazil. We will learn about some of the conservation efforts inspired by these animals, and by the tourists that come to see them.

About Our Speaker: Born and raised in Texas, Scott Holt retired from a 35 year career as a Research Scientist at the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute  in Port Aransas. Scott received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Texas A&M University before coming to work for MSI. His research centered on fish ecology and specifically the early life stages of fishes. His emphasis on ecological processes led him to investigations of terrestrial as well as marine impacts on his young fish subjects and into areas of physical, atmospheric and acoustic influences as well. He and Joan, his wife of 49 years, and also a fisheries biologist, have traveled extensively over their lifetime together, both for work and for pleasure. With both having extensive training and research experience in ecology, they find it a natural process to observe and absorb the biological interactions of the animals, plants and human cultures of the places they visit. Scott is also an avid photographer, and this presentation will be a photo tour of South American birds and their environs.

About Our Speaker: Daniel Walker, Leader for the Coastal Bend Wetlands Ecosystem Project, grew up in Dallas, Texas where he was still able to find pockets of nature at parks and creeks in the big city. He received his BS and MS in wildlife biology from West Texas A&M University. After college Daniel went to work for Texas Parks and Wildlife at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area (WMA). There he conducted research on snakes, tortoises, horned lizards, and operated 2 MAPS bird banding stations, as well as conducted other birds surveys. The Coastal Bend Wetlands Ecosystem Project includes 5 WMAs: Powderhorn, Matagorda Island, Guadalupe Delta, Welder Flats, and Redhead Pond. A lifelong birder, Daniel still participates in bird banding, bird surveys, and leads birding tours.

About Our Speaker: Mike Stewart’s interest in birds began in 2002 when a pair of Blue Jays nested outside his kitchen window, leading to 20 years of birding across the eastern U.S. and Texas. After retiring from the Army in 2019, Mike pursued his passion for ornithology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he completed his M.S. in Biology studying Gray Hawks. He now lives in Alice, Texas, with his wife, Yvette, and their Green-cheeked Conure, Greenlee. In January 2022, Mike began his Ph.D. studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where his current research focuses on Gray Hawk habitat selection, range establishment, population growth rates, and identifying additional suitable habitats.

Field Trip Description: Northshore Woodlands, Southeast of Swinney, Switch and Riparian habitat along the Northwest shore of Lake Corpus Christi.

Registration required one week in advance (by Ocober 15, 2024). Minimum for the trip is 3 participants. NOTE THAT CURRENTLY FIELD TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.

NOTIFY OUR FIELD TRIP LEADER, GENE BLACKLOCK, THAT YOU PLAN TO GO ON THIS FIELD TRIP. TEXT GENE AT 361-558-1829 AND PROVIDE YOUR NAME(S) AND CELL PHONE NUMBER(S).

Field Trip Group Meets: Field Trip Group will meet meet at the town of Swinney Switch at the intersection of Hwy 3024 and 534. Please use a restroom prior to the start of the trip as no restrooms will be immediately available.

Please do not forget water, hat, insect repellent and snacks.

Reminder: Please dress appropriately, suggest baggy cryptic clothing (never white or black, never bright colors like red), hat, insect repellent, comfortable shoes (shoes preferably with ankle support), a light rain jacket (optional), drinking water and snacks. Recommend binoculars and field guide.

Bathroom Availability: Note that there is not a public restroom at the meeting place, so participants are encouraged to stop at a public restroom before the start of the trip.

Trip Description: light to moderate, some walking.

Equipment: Beginners, please have a field guide, binoculars or scopes if it is desirable.

Download seasonal Coastal Bend Bird checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Habitat: Lake Corpus Christi - brushland, marsh, a large body of fresh water, and Mid -Low Tamaulipan and Marginal Riparian woodlands, adjacent to Lake Corpus Christi.

Birds of special interest: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mallard, Northern Bobwhite, grebes, Greater Roadrunner, Common Pauraque, Screech Owl (uncommon), Sandhill Crane (overhead), Osprey, Red-shouldered and Harris's Hawks, Great Horned Owl, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bewick's Wren, Black-crested Titmouse, Verdin, Eastern Bluebird, Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, several other sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia, Spotted Towhee (uncommon).

CBAS field trips are an extension of a classroom learning experience, so please bring binoculars & field guide references (books, phone apps). Questions are encouraged and are welcomed.

Field trip summary will be reported on eBird, Facebook, Twitter and CBAS online.

Who's ready for the most plover-centric excuse to gather and have some beers for a good cause? It's time for the return of Okploverfest! Block out Saturday, October 19th, for this celebration of being the ploveriest place in North America (8 species depend on south Texas for some part of their lives). The artists from Full Court Press will be on site inking and custom-printing these incredible plover designs on t-shirts that you purchase at the event or that you bring to the event. All proceeds go to help purchase art supplies and expand our projects making the Texas coast a great place to be a plover.

Please note the change in venue for this year’s event: Lazy Beach Downtown Tap Room next to the Executive Surf Club. The address is 312B North Chaparral, Corpus Christi.

Registration required one week in advance (by April 27, 2024). Minimum for the trip is 3 participants. NOTE THAT CURRENTLY FIELD TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.

NOTIFY OUR FIELD TRIP LEADER, GENE BLACKLOCK, THAT YOU PLAN TO GO ON THIS FIELD TRIP. NOTIFY GENE BY TEXTING HIM AT 361-558-1829 AND PROVIDING YOUR NAME(S) AND CELL PHONE NUMBER(S).

Field Trip Group Meets: Field Trip Group will meet in the parking area near the entrance to Packery Channel County Park and board walk, 14218 South Padre Island Drive (SPID) - when driving to the Packery Channel County Park from Corpus Christi: Drive to North Padre Island on SPID. Continue on SPID over the JFK Memorial Causeway Bridge. SPID becomes Park Road 22 once you are on North Padre Island. After you pass the light at Aquarius (Starbucks), continue for approximately .3 miles and turn LEFT. (The Texas Sealife Center is located at this turn.) Watch for the Packery Channel parking area and boardwalk in front of the Oak Motte on your LEFT.

Other sites of interest:

• The Field Trip Group will drive on to "The Willows” immediately adjacent to Sea Gull Condominium Resort (6613 TX Hwy 361, Port Aransas). From Packery Channel: Drive WEST to Park Rd. 22 and turn RIGHT, heading toward the JFK Bridge. Turn RIGHT on Hwy 361 at the traffic light. Drive approximately 10 miles on Hwy 361 and turn RIGHT on Seacomber Drive, then turn RIGHT at the next street when you see the Willow Trees/Wetland.

• Leona Turnbull Birding Center (1356 Ross Avenue, Port Aransas, approximately 8 miles from The Willows). Get back on Hwy 361, turning RIGHT toward Port Aransas. Turn LEFT on West Ave. G at the traffic light and continue on this street until it becomes Cut-Off Road. At the intersection of Cut-Off Road, 6th Street & Ross Ave, turn slightly LEFT onto Ross Ave. Drive 0.6 miles on Ross Ave until you reach the water treatment plant/Leona Turnbull Birding Center on your RIGHT.

• Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond (410 Cut-Off Road, Port Aransas). From the Birding Center, drive back 0.6 miles to Cut-Off Road and Turn LEFT. Paradise Pond is located behind the Restaurant San Juan, at the intersection of Cut-Off Road and Ave. C.

,Reminder: Please dress appropriately, suggest baggy cryptic clothing (never white or black, never bright colors like red), hat, insect repellent, comfortable shoes (shoes preferably with ankle support), a light rain jacket (optional), drinking water and snacks. Recommend binoculars and field guide.

Bathroom Availability: Packery Channel County Park has a restroom. After that portion of the trip, there will be no bathrooms available (unless you want to stop at a private business in Port Aransas on the way to the Leona Turnbull Birding Center). Field Trip Group will also be able to take a break near Paradise Pond (at Restaurant San Juan).

Please do not forget water, hat, insect repellent and snacks.

Lunch: Field Trip participants may opt to eat lunch at Restaurant San Juan or another restaurant in Port Aransas.

Trip Description: moderate, a fair amount of walking with ramps.

Equipment: beginners, please have a field guide, binoculars or scopes if it is desirable.

Download seasonal Coastal Bend checklists from Coastal Bend Audubon Society's webpage.

Habitat: coastal

Birds of interest: Neotropical migrants, such as Black-billed Cuckoo (rare), vireos, thrushes, wood warblers (especially Townsend's, Hermit, Black-throated Blue and Cape May), tanagers (especially Hepatic and Western, and finches (especially Varied and Lazuli Buntings and Black-headed Grosbeak).

CBAS field trips are an extension of a classroom learning experience, so please bring binoculars & field guide references (books, phone apps). Questions are encouraged and are welcomed.

Field trip summary will be reported on eBird, Facebook, Twitter and CBAS on line.