Photo credit: Dana Nelson, Cattail Marsh, December 18, 2018
You are welcome to attend monthly meetings, featuring speakers on birding and natural history topics, and including a delicious member-provided evening meal -- with desserts! Our monthly field trips are fun and educational, and focus on locations along the coast, marshes, prairies, and forests of the area.
2021-22 Christmas Bird Counts
In this Covid-19 era. only counts which normally have a small number of participants will meet in the morning; others will distribute all assignments in advance. Audubon's guidelines suggest restricting carpooling to "within existing familiar or social 'pod' groups."
Please help the compilers in this difficult year by enabling them to plan in the week preceding the count, and avoiding any unnecessary last minute changes. Detail of other Texas counts are available on the Houston Audubon web site at https://houstonaudubon.org/birding/christmas-bird-counts/cbc.html
Beech Creek (TXBE): Tuesday, December 21, 2021
This count takes place in Tyler and Jasper Counties and includes Steinhagen Lake, the Beech Creek unit of Big Thicket National Preserve and Martin Dies State Park. If necessary, meet the compilers at the Corps of Engineers Picnic Area on FM92 immediately north of the intersection with FM1746 in Town Bluff at 6:30 am. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Compiler: Sheila Hebert, sheilakhebert@hotmail.com (409-767-1216). Co-compiler Phillip Hight.
Bolivar Peninsula (TXBP): Thursday, December 16, 2021
This count circle in Chambers County includes High Island and Anahuac NWR. Newcomers are welcome to join! Compilers this year are Steve Mayes and David Sarkozi. If you are interested in participating, please contact Steve Mayes at sgmayes@hotmail.com.
Johnson Bayou - SW Louisiana (LAJB): Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Johnson Bayou CBC has a rich history beginning in 1976 to present. Though the count is located just across the state line in Louisiana, most participants are from Texas and everyone is welcome. While much of the area is private, local landowners have allowed access to their property for this count, areas rarely birded and normally inaccessible to birders at other times offering a good chance for rarities. Areas covered include beach, coastal cheniers, marsh and grasslands. Johnson Bayou is located off Hwy 82 in Louisiana just across from Pleasure Island, TX (east of Sabine Pass). From Port Arthur take Hwy 82 east for about 15 miles into LA. Please contact Gary Kelley (garymke@sbcglobal.net, telephone 409-679-1616) for more information, assignments and directions.
Orange County (TXOC): Saturday January 1, 2022.
Habitat covers marsh, woodlands, and the Cow Bayou watershed. All are invited, even if you are not an experienced birder or are only able to bird for part of the day. Feeder watchers are welcome to participate. Let us know in advance and we will find a suitable group for you to join. The more pairs of eyes in a group, the more birds will be seen. Contact Gary Kelley (garymke@sbcglobal.net, telephone 409-679-1616), for more information.
Sea Rim State Park (TXSR): Thursday December 30, 2021.
This count in Jefferson County includes Sea Rim SP, Texas Point NWR, and parts of J.D. Murphree WMA and McFaddin NWR as well as the Sabine Pass area. To participate, contact John Whittle (johnawhittle@aol.com, 409-722-4193) at least a week in advance for assignments. Be advised that public restrooms are limited in the Sabine Pass area. Also, northbound traffic from Sabine Pass to Highway 73 is very congested from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays – expect significant delays. If you are able to bring a boat for either shallow lake (Keith Lake area and Murphree) or the Sabine Neches Waterway, please contact John Whittle in advance. Sponsored by Golden Triangle Audubon Society. Check the website for any last minute updates. Contact John Whittle (johnawhittle@aol.com, 409-722-4193) for details.
Turkey Creek (TXTC): Saturday, December 18, 2021.
This count in Hardin and Tyler Counties includes the Turkey Creek and Hickory Creek Savannah Units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. If necessary, meet the compilers outside the entrance to the Big Thicket Visitor Center on US69 at FM420, about 7 miles north of Kountze at 6:30 am. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Compiler: Sheila Hebert, sheilakhebert@hotmail.com (409-767-1216). Co-compiler Nancy Angell.