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September
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Saturday September 24
Pascagoula River Audubon Center Hummingbird Festival, 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, hummingbird and songbird banding, activity tables, and a native plant sale. More information is available here.
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October
Saturday October 8
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.
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Saturday October 29
Greenwood Island, Jackson County
Leader: Dr. Abby Darrah, Abby.darrah@audubon.org, (479) 445-3488
Not otherwise open to the public, join Audubon Delta staff at one of the coast’s premier songbird migrant locations. With a mixture of scrub, marsh, and beach, this site houses a very large variety of birds. This trip will occur during an Audubon Coastal Bird Survey and will provide an overview of this effort and how you can get involved.
Place and time: Greenwood Island at 7:00 AM.
Conditions: About two miles of slower-paced walking; be prepared for uneven terrain, mud, and standing water, as well as potential for biting insects and venomous snakes. Boots, sunscreen, bug spray, and water are recommended.
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November
Saturday November 12
Hancock County Beaches, Hancock County
Leader: Barbara Bowen, bbwilletslp@yahoo.com (602) 319-0538
A day full of shorebirds and waterbirds! Enjoy birding with Barbara, one of Hancock County’s birding experts, for some exciting beach birding.
Place and time: Washington Street Pier parking lot, 7:30 am. Map
Conditions: Enjoy some of the best shorebird and beach bird habitat on the coast. Expect a mixture of driving and beach walking. Remember to bring sunscreen and water.
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December
Saturday December 3
Grand Bay NERR Boat Trip, Jackson County
Leader: Dr. Mark Woodrey, Mark.Woodrey@msstate.edu (228) 697-0460
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 until about 12:00 pm. Meet at the Bayou Heron boat ramp at the south end of Bayou Heron Road (MAP – same road where the Grand Bay NERR office is located). The NERR/NWR office (6005 Bayou Heron Road, Moss Point, MS) will be open so folks can use the restroom, fill water bottles, etc. You must register for this trip – Cost $15. Limit 15 participants. To register, contact Dr. Mark Woodrey (Mark.Woodrey@msstate.edu). First come, first served, so sign up early! Cost helps offset the cost of fuel. Payment can be made the day of the field trip via cash or personal check.
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.
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September – November
Mississippi Coast Audubon Society
Banding Station
Leader: Dr. Abby Darrah, Abby.darrah@audubon.org, (479) 445-3488
Join Mississippi Coast Audubon Society for our annual fall songbird banding station. You will see birds up close and personal as experienced bird banders capture and band songbirds for science. All activities performed are done under proper state and federal permits. NOTE: Participants MUST register beforehand to attend any of these events. Due to parking limitations and concerns for human health and bird safety, participation is limited to four 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: Saturday mornings from Sept. 10 – Nov. 5, excluding Sept. 24, Oct. 8, and Oct. 29. Greenwood Island, property of ST Engineering and Halter Marine and Offshore in Pascagoula. Plan to arrive 30 minutes after sunrise. Contact Dr. Darrah for additional details.
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.
