During the first half of August each year, Swallow-tailed Kites congregate in the Trinity River bottomlands between Liberty and Dayton for two or three weeks before they migrate south for the winter. We will also be on the lookout for Wood Storks and even Limpkins
During the first half of August each year, Swallow-tailed Kites congregate in the Trinity River bottomlands between Liberty and Dayton for two or three weeks before they migrate south for the winter. We will also be on the lookout for Wood Storks and even Limpkins
We will meet at 8:00 AM at the McDonalds at 1923 Highway 90 in Liberty. This is on the north side of the Highway at the intersection with Travis Street, one block west of Main St. The trip will probably not last much beyond noon.
We will check the area along Highway 90 between Liberty and Dayton, perhaps several times, and also the Liberty Municipal Park area. The relatively new Knobby Knees trail and boardwalk of the Trinity River NWR can be easily accessed from the Park. The part of the trip looking for kites does not necessitate extensive walking, but the trail does. We will check that area for early migrants and a few other songbirds that may well nest in that area. In addition to the Swallow-tailed Kites, there will be Mississippi Kites flying low over the residential areas of Liberty north of US 90.
In June 2019 a group of Golden Triangle Audubon members made an expedition to Northern Minnesota to see breeding Common Loons and other species of the area. We stayed at the Spring Bay Resort, on the western edge of Vermilion Lake. The Covid-19 situation has prevented us from presenting this program until now.
The lake has the highest concentrations of breeding Common Loons in the area, and our visit was timed to coincide with the presence of young chicks. We were able to observe the loons at relatively close quarters from a pontoon boat. A good variety of warblers breeds in the area, including Connecticut Warblers. Both of the North American "three toed" woodpeckers, the American Three-toed and the Black-backed Woodpeckers breed in the area, and we were able to see both species. Trumpeter Swan, seen on Crane Lake, was a new species for most, as was Ruffed Grouse.
In addition to Vermilion Lake and its vicinity, the group visited the famous Sax-Zim Bog northwest of Duluth, made a brief excursion into the Rainey River area of Ontario, Canada, and visited the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, MN operated by the American Bear Association to showcase American Black Bears.
We will plan on having the doors open by 6:00 p.m. and the program will start at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available from 6:15 p.m.
Meet the leaders at the vehicle barrier at Bolivar Flats at 8:30 a.m. Take Highway 124 south from Winnie about 20 miles through High Island. At the shoreline, turn right along Highway 87 and proceed approximately 25 miles through Gilchrist and Crystal Beach until you come to the intersection with Loop 108. At that intersection, turn left (south – the opposite direction from Loop 108) on Rettilon Road to the beach. If conditions permit, drive onto the sand and turn right to the vehicle barrier (about 1/2 mile). It is about a 90-minute drive from Beaumont or mid-County to the Flats, assuming you do not stop to bird on the way!
Often, after birding the flats, the group proceeds to Fort Travis or to the Big Store to use the facilities and eat lunch. Many participants will bring their lunch, as options to purchase are limited.
The group may stop at Rollover Pass and will probably visit High Island on the way home, checking there
By the time of this trip, there will be some southbound shorebirds on the flats. There should still be at least some of the summer residents still present. This year, a significant number of Red Knots spent the summer on the flats.
To park on the beach, you will need a Galveston County Beach Parking Permit, obtainable for $10 from most merchants on the Peninsula. (The Big Store opens at 7:00 a.m.)