Winter

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.

SPRING

April

4/6 Pascagoula Wildlife Management Area, Jackson County 

Leader: Lisa Price (lisavollmer@bellsouth.net; cell: 228-238-4648)

Ms. Price will be leading a MCAS-sponsored field trip to look for later migrants and resident birds and wildlife in and around the Pascagoula River in the Wade-Vancleave area. The field trip will be on Saturday and will run from 07:30-11:00, depending on how birdy the area is that morning. A beautiful and scenic area!

*Note: A Pascagoula Wildlife management Area permit (available at Walmart Sporting Goods desk for $15.00 for a calendar year) is required. Since there are no restrooms accessible at this site plan accordingly. The site may be muddy so wear appropriate footwear; it may be buggy depending on rainfall, so be prepared.  Don’t forget your binoculars and a spotting scope can be helpful if you have one.  Brush up on your bird calls, particularly warblers, vireos & flycatchers!

Contact Lisa directly (via cell phone or email) if you have any questions or have trouble finding the Ranger’s station.

Place and time: We will meet at the Ranger’s station on Wade-Vancleave Road (turn right off Highway 57 @ 12 miles north of the interstate or turn left off Highway 63 at the Waffle House/Wade intersection at the traffic light, then travel a few miles to find the Station by the boat ramp at the river on the south side of the road) by 7:30 a.m. to register before starting out and car-pooling.

4/13 Seaman Road Sewage Lagoons, Jackson County 

Leader: Sharon Milligan, 2sharon123@gmail.com, (228) 861-1622

One of our most popular field trip venues, not otherwise open to birders – always a great variety of birds, with good opportunities for photos. Bring your binoculars, scope, refreshments, etc.

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:  Slow driving with stops; some groups will walk a lot. Important: This is a working facility. You must stay with leaders while on site. Call Sharon (above) if you have questions about policy.

4/27 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:  Dress appropriately.  It will likely be hot and/or windy.  If windy, be prepared for blowing sand on the beach. 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)