Field trips are subject to change and/or cancel. Please contact the field trip leader for a status update on a specific field trip.
September
Saturday, 9/20 – Ship Island Excursions, Gulfport
Leaders: Lori McDonald (lhmcdonald167@gmail.com) and Rhonda Plitt (rplitt09@yahoo.com)
Ship Island is a premier stopover and beach-nesting bird site in the state. On this trip, we will visit the historical fort grounds in search of songbird migrants, before proceeding to the beach to look for hard-to-find shorebirds such as Snowy Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Red Knot.
Place & Time: Ship Island Excursions, Gulfport Harbor (1040 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501). The ferry departs from Gulfport at 9 am. Departure times from Ship Island are 2:30 pm or 5 pm Saturday.
Conditions: It will likely be hot! Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, etc. Expect relatively difficult walking conditions across sand, potentially for upwards of 2-3 miles. Be prepared for blowing sand on the beach as well.
Attendees are responsible for their own ticket. You can purchase your ticket(s) at msshipisland.com/cruises/ or give them a call at (228) 864-1014
Friday, 9/26 & Saturday, 9/27 – Hummingbird Festival, Moss Point
Place & Time: Pascagoula River Audubon Center 9 am – 3 pm
5107 Arthur St, Moss Point, MS 39563
The annual Hummingbird Festival at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center coincides with peak hummingbird migration! There will be activities for the whole family: bird banding, raptor shows, music, food trucks & more! For more information about the festival, be sure to follow them on Facebook or check out their event website. Be sure to grab your early bird tickets before pricing goes up!
*MCAS is not the organizer of this event. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center*
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October
Friday, 10/17-Sunday, 10/19 – Fall MOS Meeting, Starkville
Mississippi Ornithological Society
The Fall 2025 MOS Meeting will be held in Starkville, Mississippi and the surrounding area with a special guest speaker Dr. Murry Burgess of Mississippi State University. Dr. Burgess is an ornithologist, author, and advocate for biologists and researchers from historically excluded groups.
For more information about the meeting or to register, please visit this link: Upcoming Meeting – Mississippi Ornithological Society
Saturday, 10/18 – Seaman Road Lagoons, Jackson County
Leader: Sharon Milligan (2sharon123@gmail.com or 228.861.1622)
Seaman Lagoons is one of the most popular field trip destinations, offering a rare opportunity to explore a site that is not otherwise open to birders. The lagoons consistently attract an amazing variety of migrant birds, making every visit unique and rewarding. Participants may encounter everything from colorful warblers flitting through the trees, to sandpipers probing in the mud, to striking waterfowl making use of the ponds. Whether you are looking for a “life bird” or simply enjoying the spectacle of migration in action, this is fun-filled trip.
Place & Time: Please meet at the facility at 7:15-7:30 am. (Map) Coordinates: 30.500325, -88.798204
Conditions: It’ll be slow driving with stops and intermittent walking on uneven terrain (dirt roads).
Important-Please Read: This is a working facility. You must stay with the field trip leader(s) while on-site. Please call Sharon (phone number listed above) if you have any questions about the policy.
Saturday, 10/18 – Annual Mississippi Coastal Cleanup
Registration is now open for MSU’s 2025 Annual Coastal Cleanup! Every October, thousands of volunteers gather across the coast in efforts to rid our waterways, beaches and bayous of marine debris. The event takes place in Jackson, Harrison and Hancock Counties. This is a family-friendly event, and everyone is welcome to participate!
Each site will be led by a designated site captain who will provide all the supplies and guidance you’ll need. All registered volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and entered into a raffle for a chance to win a paddleboard as a thank you for your hardwork!
Place & Time: Various locations across coastal Mississippi; 8 am – 10am
Conditions: Participants should expect to walk on various terrains depending on their selected cleanup site (i.e., sandy beaches, vegetation, etc.). Recommended items to bring: closed-toe shoes, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.) and a refillable water bottle as water will be provided on-site.
For more information and to register, visit their website.
*MCAS is not the organizer of this opportunity. For any questions, please reach out to MSU*
November
Saturday, 11/1 – McLeod Park
Trip Leader: Amanda Douglas – amanda.douglas@audubon.org
Join us for a guided walk as we explore the 1.25-mile Nature Trail along the Jourdan River, continue to the swamp near the boat launch and finish with the 1.25-mile Lakeshore Drive Loop at McLeod Park in Kiln, Mississippi! Expect chances to see woodpeckers, warblers, and raptors such as Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Great Horned Owl.
Place & Time: Please meet at the front parking lot right before the park entrance at 7:15 am. Parking is limited to 10 cars so be sure to arrive early for a spot; however, you may park inside the park for a $4 entry fee. 8100 Texas Flat Rd, Kiln, MS
Conditions: Pathway surface – gravel and sand, with some exposed tree roots near the riverside. 4 ADA-accessible public restrooms are available within the park. Please see the park map for restroom locations.
For any questions pertaining to the trip, please contact Amanda.
December
Please note the December 6th trip has been CANCELLED. If you have already registered via email to the trip leader, you should receive an email notice about the cancellation.
Saturday, 12/6 – Grand Bay NERR/NWR Birding Trip – CANCELLED
Trip Leader: Mark Woodrey – mark.woodrey@msstate.edu
Join us as we take a boat trip to find waterfowl, shore, wading and marsh birds. We will be getting out of the boats and walking through some small sections of marsh and on sand flats. Thus, rubber knee boots or other footwear you can get wet and muddy are highly recommended. To get good looks at shorebirds it is necessary that we visit the area during low tide, which will mean “slogging” through soft mud/sand so come prepared!
Place & Time: We will meet at the boat launch at the south end of Bayou Heron Road. This is the same road the Grand Bay NERR office is located on (6005 Bayou Heron Rd, Moss Point, MS 39562); continue past the office building until you reach the water (map). The trip will take place from 8 am to 12 (noon).
Registration: This trip is limited to 15 participants and requires pre-registration! To register for the trip, please email Mark (mark.woodrey@msstate.edu) with your name, # of people in your group, your email, and your mobile phone number. Spots will be filled first come-first served based on the date and time the email is received. Note: There is a fee of $40/person. Details about payment will be made once you are officially signed up for the trip.
For any questions or concerns pertaining to the trip, please reach out to Mark.
Saturday, 12/13 – Black Skimmer Banding Demo with Audubon Delta – MEMBERS ONLY
Trip Leaders: Dr. Abby Darrah, abby.darrah@audubon.org & Collin Stempien, collin.stempien@audubon.org
Since 2019, Audubon Delta has been banding Black Skimmers to better understand the movements and ecology of this striking, year-round species found in Mississippi and across the Gulf Coast. On this members-only field trip, participants will join Dr. Abby Darrah and Collin Stempien of Audubon Delta for an immersive, hands-on look at this conservation research in action.
You’ll have the rare opportunity to see Black Skimmers up close during the banding process while learning about their behavior, migration patterns, conservation status, and life history. The two researchers will share insights into how banding data helps protect coastal bird populations and their habitats. This is a unique chance to experience coastal bird science firsthand and deepen your connection to one of the Gulf Coast’s most iconic species. This trip is limited to 10 participants and will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Registration: Please register by filling out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BK6R3PF
Place & Time: Jones Park, Gulfport at 7:00 am. Please park along the seawall across from the Gulfport Harbormaster’s office (1133 20th Ave, Gulfport, MS) and additional parking can be found next to the office.
Conditions: Moderate walking through loose sand likely.
