Some trips may require registration and have a cap on group size.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Facebook Events page at https://www.facebook.com/mscoastaudubon/.
April Saturdays
4/1 Ansley Preserve, Hancock County
- Leader: Mark Woodrey (mark.woodrey@msstate.edu; cell: 228-697-0460)
- Dr. Woodrey will be leading a MCAS-sponsored field trip to look for early trans-Gulf migrants and wading and marsh birds in and around the Ansley, MS area. The field trip will be on Saturday, 1 April and will run from 07:30-12:00, depending on how birdy the area is that morning. There are no restrooms readily accessible at this site so plan accordingly. Be sure to bring along water/drinks and snacks that are appropriate for the field. The site can be muddy so wear appropriate footwear. Also, during this time of year Ansley can be quite buggy (no-see-ums, mosquitoes, etc.) depending on the wind speed and temperature, so be prepared. And if you have a hat you might want to bring it along as well. Finally, don’t forget your binoculars and cameras. Also, a spotting scope can be helpful if you have one. I will have at least one spotting scope available that I can share with folks as well.
- Please contact Mark directly (via cell phone or email) if you have any questions, last-minute issues, or have trouble finding the parking lot. This should be a good trip with some winter birds still hanging around, marsh birds calling as their breeding season is underway, and migrants beginning to make their way north for the spring and summer.
- Place and time: We will meet at gravel parking lot at the west end of the pond along Ansley Road, part of the MS Department of Marine Resources Hancock Co. Marsh Coastal Preserve (https://maps.app.goo.gl/YhiGggbiEdWh68tD9?g_st=com.microsoft.Office.Outlook.compose-shareextension). Saturday, April 1st at 7:30 a.m.
- Conditions: The site can be muddy so wear appropriate footwear. Also, during this time of year Ansley can be quite buggy (no-see-ums, mosquitoes, etc.) depending on the wind speed and temperature, so be prepared.
04/15/2023 Greenwood Island, Pascagoula
Closed to the public, Greenwood Island is a premier destination for songbird and shorebird migrants on the Mississippi Coast. Join Audubon staff on this trip for peak migration birding, looking for warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, orioles, shorebirds, and marsh birds.
Leader: Collin Stempien
Place and time: Meet at the Greenwood Island trailhead at 7:00. NOTE: THIS LOCATION IS NOT TYPICALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER FOR THIS TRIP IN ADVANCE, AND DETAILS ABOUT MEETING LOCATION WILL BE SHARED.
Conditions: Expect hot and humid conditions. There is often standing water over portions of the trail, and sections will likely be muddy. Venomous snakes, biting insects, and ticks are often encountered.
04/22/2023 Seaman Road Sewage Lagoons, Jackson County
This field trip is always one of our most popular; the sewage lagoons are not otherwise open to the public. The lagoons provide foraging grounds for migrant songbirds and a number of shorebird species, including Black-necked Stilt, Pectoral Sandpiper, and American Golden-Plover.
Leader: Sharon Milligan, 2sharon123@gmail.com, (228) 861-1622
Place and time: Meet at the park and ride at I-10 exit 50, Ocean Springs next to Denny’s (MAP), between 7:15 and 7:30 AM.
Conditions: This trip is primarily done by car, some walking over generally easy terrain, but not required.
04/29/2023 Ship Island Excursions, Gulfport
See Ship Island Excursions website for details – participants are responsible for purchasing their tickets. 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.
Leader: Rhonda Plitt and Lori McDonald (rplitt09@yahoo.com and lhmcdonald167@gmail.com).
Place and time: Gulfport Harbor. Departs Gulfport at 9am. Departs Ship Island 2:30pm or 5pm Saturday.
Conditions: It will likely be hot! Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks etc. Expect relatively difficult walking conditions across sand, potentially for upwards of 2-3 miles.
Book your tickets at: Ship Island Round Trip Ferry Services | Ship Island Excursions (msshipisland.com)
May Saturdays
05/20/2023 Least Terns Colonies and Bird Photography
Join us for a workshop about ethical bird photography and the current Audubon Share the Shores campaign. Topics covered will include camera acclimation to deal with the Mississippi weather, camera settings, manipulation of light using cameras, and other helpful tips. We will have lots of nesting Least Terns to view and photograph while out on the beach. Questions are not only encouraged, but recommended!
Audubon Delta staff will also be hosting a beach-nesting bird stewardship table and have volunteer sign-up opportunities for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.
Leader: Gary Herritz, gherritz@gmail.com, 228-369-4683
Place and time: Courthouse Road Pier, Gulfport at 9:00am, map: https://goo.gl/maps/LV2MUxGpeLj5nzqu5
Conditions: Please remember to dress appropriately for the heat, including sunscreen, a hat, shoes for walking in sand, and lots of water.
