Registration required one week in advance (by April 15, 2023). Minimum for the trip is three participants. For the protection of all participants, all Field Trip attendees MUST be vaccinated against COVID 19. 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).
Meet at North Shore Cove Harbor Wetlands (160 Cove Harbor N., Rockport, TX 78382) at 6:45 A.M. To get to this location, drive to Rockport, Texas on Hwy. 35. Best route is to get on Business Hwy. 35, heading Northeast from Aransas Pass to Rockport. From Business Hwy 35, turn Right on Cove Harbor North. Parking lot for the Sanctuary will be on your Left.
Sites: In addition to the Sanctuary - Shell Ridge Road, Rockport Demo Gardens and Wetlands Pond (2405 Highway 35 N,), Castro Sanctuary (4140 Hwy 35 N.) and Cape Valero.
Energy Requirement: slight to moderate, some walking.
Please do not forget water, hat, insect repellent and snacks.
Trip Description: Drive to specific locations and short walks. There is an 800-foot boardwalk.
Bathroom Availability: Immediately south of parking location at North Shore Cove Harbor Wetlands and at Whataburger (1807 Hwy 35 N, Rockport), where we will take a break.
Lunch: For those interested, late lunch at Charlotte Plummer’s Restaurant, 202 North Beach Road, Rockport ( Telephone: 361-729-1185).
Habitat: The Sanctuary is a 100+ acre wetland. Also: marine, coastal spartina marshes, fresh water and brackish ponds, and Austral Oak Woodlands.
Birds of interest: Waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, and wading birds, including Roseate Spoonbill. Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Clapper Rail, American Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Snowy and Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers, Little Blue Herons, Reddish Egrets, and hummingbirds.
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, eBird, Facebook, Twitter and CBAS on line.