Field Trip Description: Oso Bay Preserve and Packery Channel Park (and if time allows, Mustang Island &, Port Aransas Area). PLEASE NOTE THAT CBAS HAS CHANGED THE DATE AND THEME OF THIS FIELD TRIP. This will be our last Spring Field Trip of 2025 and will be held in recognition of World Migratory Bird Day on May 10, 2025.
NOTE THAT CURRENTLY FIELD TRIPS ARE OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES.
PLEASE 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
On Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 AM at the bus stop area of the parking lot at Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve (2446 N. Oso Parkway, 78414). Later the group will travel to Packery Channel Park (14218 S Padre Island Dr, 78418)
Energy Requirement: moderate.
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).
Other sites of interest (as time and group interest allows)
The Field Trip Group may 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.
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: Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Packery Channel Park both have restrooms. 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).
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: 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 online.