Field Trip Description: Hibernia Preserve is a 1000-acre protected site along the Nueces River in San Patricio County. The preserve protects what this area must have looked like before the arrival of the Irish (1829). [In 1828, 200 Irish Catholic families, recruited from Ireland and the Irish population of New York City, contracted with the Mexican government to settle on 80 leagues of land in this area.] Today less than 1% of the original riparian forests remain along the lower Nueces River. This is an extremely important natural site for the Texas Coastal Bend, managed by San Patricio County.

Registration required one week in advance (by March 27th). 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: The Field Trip Group will meet at the old Catholic Church (look for historical marker) which is located on FM 666 in the town of Old San Patricio, San Patricio County.

Rest Stop / Bathroom Break: Note that there is not a bathroom in the vicinity of the Hibernia Preserve, so participants are encouraged to stop at a public restroom before arriving.

Stress level: high, quite a bit of 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.