1/22 Climate Watch Field Trip at Bethel Bike Trails, Harrison County
- Leader: Tim Guida, tim.guida@audubon.org, (914) 552-5428
- Climate Watch is National Audubon’s long-term, community science program to monitor the effects of climate change on bird populations. Spring and winter surveys focus on our iconic pine-associated Brown-headed Nuthatch. Join Tim to learn about the surveys, log nuthatch sightings on some practice surveys, and hone your winter bird ID and birding-by-ear skills. We particularly invite folks who might be interested in conducting future surveys
- Place and time: Meet at the Bethel Bike Trails parking area (MAP) at 7:30 AM
- Conditions: Easy walking along the hiking trails in DeSoto National Forest. Most walking areas should be dry.
2/5 Sparrow Sweep at 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 Grand Bay NERR and MCAS’s Dr. Mark Woodrey and his students for a morning of sparrow searching, trapping, and banding. Learn about the different species of sparrows that winter in south Mississippi. Activities include field observation, pine savanna hiking, and mist netting observations.
- Place and time: Meet at the Grand Bay Resources Center (6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS)( MAP) at 9:00 AM. This event will last until about noon. NOTE: Participation will be limited to the first 50 registrants. To register, contact Avery Beck, avery.beck@dmr.ms.gov, (228)-475-7047.
- Conditions: Dress for the weather and wear either rubber boots (preferably) or shoes that can get wet. The ground in the savanna is extremely uneven, so watch your footing. Bring your binoculars, birding field guides, water, and bug spray.
2/26 Seaman Road Lagoons, Jackson County
- Leader: Sharon Milligan, 2sharon123@gmail.com, (228) 861-1622
- One of our most popular field trips is back after an extended shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Seaman Road Sewage Lagoons is an operational treatment facility that is otherwise closed to the public. Ponds, marshes, fields, and woodlands host a great variety of birds and good opportunities for photos. Bring your binoculars, scope, and refreshments.
- Place and time: Meet at the park and ride at the I-10 exit 50, Ocean Springs next to Denny’s (MAP), between 7:15 and at 7:30 AM.
- Conditions: Slow driving with stops. Important: This is a working facility. You must stay with leaders while on site. Call Sharon (above) if you have questions about policy.
