Wednesday - October 22nd
9am to 12pm.
I am sending this to everyone who has expressed an interest in bird surveys at GISP, although I realize due to the date everyone might not be able to attend this time. However, I am very excited about our bird surveys at Galveston Island State Park for those who can attend. This will be our first of many monthly bird surveys at the state park. Lisa Jean (the GISP park interpreter) has given us some insight on what the park would like. Here’s what the morning will look like:
9am to 12pm.
I am sending this to everyone who has expressed an interest in bird surveys at GISP, although I realize due to the date everyone might not be able to attend this time. However, I am very excited about our bird surveys at Galveston Island State Park for those who can attend. This will be our first of many monthly bird surveys at the state park. Lisa Jean (the GISP park interpreter) has given us some insight on what the park would like. Here’s what the morning will look like:
1. We will survey 3 locations:
a. beach shore (piping plovers and shorebirds)
b. freshwater ponds off the highway (prairie songbirds and raptor migrants) One thing the park needs badly are surveys for grassland birds. The birds are very hard to identify and walking through the prairie is difficult, but they could be done in the winter when the weather is cool. These and raptor surveys are essential for letting us know the results of our prescribed fire management program.
c. bird observation tower & walk down to the bay (looking at the restoration area for shorebirds, wetland birds)
a. beach shore (piping plovers and shorebirds)
b. freshwater ponds off the highway (prairie songbirds and raptor migrants) One thing the park needs badly are surveys for grassland birds. The birds are very hard to identify and walking through the prairie is difficult, but they could be done in the winter when the weather is cool. These and raptor surveys are essential for letting us know the results of our prescribed fire management program.
c. bird observation tower & walk down to the bay (looking at the restoration area for shorebirds, wetland birds)
2. For basic information on the park, I recommend checking out the park website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
3. When you arrive with the group, or if they come in separate cars, have them meet at the park headquarters. We’ll hook everyone up with a park permit (free for any volunteers,) and I’ll give a brief orientation before we head into the field.
I would come prepared with the following:
1. Water bottles (full)
2. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
3. Long pants (for walking through tall grass)
4. Bug spray
5. Binoculars (I’ll bring some in case we need more)
6. Their favorite bird book or reference material
7. Any materials they will need to fill out for you.
I will bring binoculars and bird guides, datasheets and extra water and snacks for the group. It is going to be really nice next week, but since we will be out in the morning until lunchtime, I would wear layers that could be shed if it gets warm. I will also be bringing trash bags and gloves so that if we see any trash, we can collect some on our way to and from the different monitoring sites. While the surveys only take 15-20 minutes, I’m going to give us plenty of time to get to each site so that we don’t go over on time and we have the chance to survey all three locations.
If you have any questions, please let me know. CLICK HERE for a map to the park headquarters where we will meet and get our parking pass. Thanks again!
Kari Howard
Audubon Texas Coastal Program Associate
4702 Hwy 146 N
Texas City, TX 77590
Office: 409-941-9114
Cell: 409-223-4777
