The Mississippi Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, covering Mississippi’s six coastal counties – Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George, Stone, and Pearl River. Explore our website to learn about Mississippi birds and habitats, see our field trip schedule, and find out what we do and how to join us. For day-to-day news and events, see our Facebook page. We welcome new members and guests!
February
2/10 Sparrow Sweep – Grand Bay NERR, Jackson County
Leader: Mark Woodrey, mark.woodrey@msstate.edu, (228) 697-0460
Henslow’s Sparrows will be our target species, also Swamp, Song, and LeConte’s Sparrows along with Sedge Wrens and other pine savanna birds. Join the Grand Bay NERR and MCAS’s/MSU’s Dr. Mark Woodrey and his Lab for a morning of sparrow searching, viewing, photographing, trapping, and banding.
Learn about the different species of sparrows that winter in south Mississippi. Activities include field observation, pine savanna hiking, mist netting observations, and in-hand photography opportunities.
Place and time: Meet at the Grand Bay Resources Center (6005 Bayou Heron Road, MossPoint, MS)(MAP) at 9:00 AM. This event will last until about noon. NOTE: Participation willbe limited to the first 50 registrants. To register, contact Jennifer Cumbest at Jennifer.cumbest@dmr.ms.gov.
Conditions: Dress for the weather and wear either rubber boots (preferably) or shoes that can getwet. The ground in the savanna is extremely uneven, so watch your footing. Bring your binoculars, birding field guides, water, and bug spray.
Henslow’s Sparrow in-hand during the 2022 Sparrow Sweep. *Birds handled under proper state and federal permits