Brent was the TPWD "nongame/endangered species biologist" for South Texas for 17 years where he was extensively involved with Bald Eagle, Attwater's Greater Prairie-Chicken, Piping Plover, Ocelot, Whooping Crane, colonial waterbirds, breeding bird surveys and Christmas Bird Counts. During his 8 years as manager of the Mad Island and Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Areas he developed the nationally famous Matagorda County and Guadalupe River Delta Christmas Bird Counts. He started his career with TPWD in 1982 and worked extensively with Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the National Forests in Texas from his Jasper Office.
Brent is a Past President Texas Ornithological Society and a Past President Texas Organization for Endangered Species. He serves as the coordinator for Christmas Bird Counts in Texas, and the Breeding Bird Surveys in Texas.
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.
Usually, after birding the flats, the group proceeds to Fort Travis to use the facilities and eat lunch. Most 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 for early southbound migrants.
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.)