Field Trips, Fall 2021

*Disclaimer for all field trips: To ensure everyone’s safety during the Coronavirus Delta Variant surge, please follow all CDC guidelines (here). The Mississippi Coast Audubon Society is requiring this waiver be signed to attend the Fall 2021 field trips. If at any point, the pandemic worsens, trips are subject to cancellation. Please email: mscoastaudubon@gmail.com with any questions.

September:

9/18 Clower-Thorton Park, Harrison County

  • Leader: Nancy Madden, birdloverms@gmail.com (228) 229-7108
  • After recent restoration, Clower-Thornton is again coming into its own as a migrant stopover, with a variety of semi-wild and urbanized habitats. Nancy is a great guide for birding by ear, so come and hone your listening skills.
  • Place and time:  Meet at the parking lot (MAP) at 7:30 AM.
  • Conditions:  Easy walking on paved paths.

9/23-9/25 Hummingbird and Nature Festival at Pascagoula River Audubon Center, Jackson County

  • The annual hummingbird festival at PRAC coincides with peak hummingbird migration. This event includes a variety of outdoor and family-friendly activities, including Adventures with Audubon performances by Brian “Fox” Ellis, activity tables, and a native plant sale. More information is available at https://pascagoula.audubon.org/hummingbird.

October:

10/2 Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Alabama

  • Leader: Drew Haffenden, andrew@natsp.com (251) 367-2948
  • The coast’s premier migrant trap, always a hotspot in fall. Top out your warbler list and take advantage of expert help.
  • Place and time: Meet at the Shell Mounds (MAP) at 7:30 AM
  • Conditions: Some walking, lots of observing from fixed points.

10/16 Ansley Preserve, Hancock County

  • Leader: Nancy Madden, birdloverms@gmail.com, (228) 229-7108
  • Coastal chenier migrant trap, with a history of great finds. This site is part of the Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail: more information at http://mscoastbirdingtrail.audubon.org/ansley-preserve.html
  • Place and time:  Meet at Ansley preserve parking lot (MAP), between 7:15 and 7:30 AM. (Driving directions: From Hwy 90 in Waveland, south on Lower Bay Road 71/2 miles to Heron Bay Road (34th St). Left onto Heron Bay Road ca. 2 1/2 miles to Preserve).
  • Conditions: Alternating short walks with short drives. Biting bugs may be present. Most walking areas should be dry.

November:

11/13 Jones Park, Harrison County

  • Leader: Rhonda Plitt, rplitt09@yahoo.com (601) 916-2457
  • The beach at Jones Park offers some of the greatest coastal bird abundance and diversity on Mississippi’s mainland coast. Come look for terns, gulls, and shorebirds, and see the large wintering roosts of Black Skimmers.
  • Place and time: Jones Park Pavilion 7:30 am
  • Conditions: Easy walking  along the beach

December:

12/11 Grand Bay NERR boat trip, Jackson County

  • Leader: Mark Woodrey, Mark.Woodrey@msstate.edu (228) 697-0460
  • (Limit 15 Participants) Our focus on this boat trip will be waterfowl, shore, wading and marsh birds.  This is a great time of year for birding in the Grand Bay NERR/NWR with a high species diversity guaranteed.
  • Place and time:  9:00 AM till about 1:30 PM. Meet at the Bayou Heron boat ramp at the south end of Bayou Heron Road (MAP – same road the Grand Bay NERR office is located on). The NERR/NWR office (6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS) will be open so folks can use the restroom, fill-up water bottles, etc. You must register for this trip. To register, contact Dr. Mark Woodrey (Mark.Woodrey@msstate.edu). First come, first served – capped at 15 participants, so sign up early!
  • Conditions: Bring along some water/drinks and snacks appropriate for the field. Rubber knee boots or other footwear you can get wet and muddy are recommended, along with a good windbreaker to stay comfortable on the boat.

9/11 – 11/20 Greenwood Island Fall Migration Bird Banding Series, Pascagoula

Now entering its second year, the MCAS fall migration bird banding station will be opening up to volunteer participation. Come learn about songbird migration, molt strategies, and how scientists use bird banding to understand the status of bird populations. The banding station runs every Saturday morning from Sep 11 – Nov 20, weather permitting. Due to parking limitations and concerns for human health and bird safety, participation is limited to two persons on any given day. This event occurs on private property; pre-registration is REQUIRED. To register, please contact Abby Darrah at abby.darrah@audubon.org or at (479) 445-3488.

  • Place and time: Greenwood Island, property of ST Engineering and Halter Marine and Offshore in Pascagoula. Plan to arrive 30 minutes after sunrise.
  • Conditions: The banding station is set up right where we park, where participants can sit and view the banding activities. Biting insects may be present on warmer days. Entry into the property and netting area may be granted at the discretion of the banding team if conditions permit; the 1-mile trail runs through thick grass and brush and may be wet and muddy after periods of rain. Ticks and venomous snakes are regularly encountered.