Check out the list below for our upcoming field trips from March till May!
March Saturdays
3/22 Longleaf Treasure Forest
Leader: Andrew Saunders
Contact Kaylin if interested in attending (coastalkaylin@gmail.com, 228-235-2811)
Guided tour through Mobile’s Longleaf Forest. Learn about the habitat restoration efforts on this property, as well as how it affects birds and other wildlife. Bring your binoculars, refreshments, etc. Tour will last around 45 min to 1 hour. We can also walk across the street to Langan park ponds where birds like Ibis, White Pelicans, and Grebes are often spotted. Attendees are welcome to visit the Botanical Gardens afterwards. Admission is $10 and here you have access to restrooms, etc. Admission is free if you can present a membership card to any other Botanical Garden.
Place and time: Park at the Mobile Botanical Garden main parking lot (very end of the road) by 8:50-8:55 am, and walk to meet at the Longleaf sign nearby by 9 am. Address: 5151 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL 36608
Conditions: A normal guided walk along a maintained mild terrain trail. No restrooms on site and no water access. Boots may be necessary if it has rained within 24-48 hours of the tour. Otherwise a relatively easy hike. Bug spray, sunscreen, hat, and glasses
would also be good to bring.
April Saturdays
4/5 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 facility between 7:15 and 7:30 am. (Map) Coordinates: 30.500325, -88.798204
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.
4/12 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 spring 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 8:00-11:30, depending on how
birdy the area is that morning. A beautiful time of year for birding!
*Note: A Pascagoula Wildlife management Area permit (available at Walmart Sporting
Goods desk for $15.00 for a calendar year) is required, however I have room in my
Silverado truck for 3 or 4 people, for those who arrive first. No restrooms are accessible
at this site, please plan accordingly. The site may be muddy so wear appropriate
footwear and bring bug spray. Don’t forget your binoculars! Contact Lisa directly (via
cell phone or email) if you have any questions about 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) at 8:00 a.m. to
register before starting out and car-pooling.
4/19 Ship Island Excursions, Gulfport
Leader: Lori McDonald and Rhonda Plitt
(lhmcdonald167@gmail.com and rplitt09@yahoo.com)
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.
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.
Also prepare for blowing sand on the beach.
Book your tickets at: Ship Island Round Trip Ferry Services | Ship Island Excursions (msshipisland.com)
4/26 and 4/27 Spring MOS Meeting
The Spring Mississippi Ornithological Society (MOS) meeting will be on the Gulf Coast
(centered in Hancock County) the weekend of April 26, with special guest Tom
Stephenson, author of a fabulous book that many of you are likely familiar with, The
Warbler Guide. More information and meeting registration is available at the
MOS website here. We really hope to see you that weekend! Field trips will visit private
property in Hancock County that is usually not open to birders, as well as the Ansley
preserve, a well-known migrant trap. Our evening Saturday banquet will feature an
informative talk from Tom, a great meal, and fun door prizes.
Second, the MOS board is seeking feedback from you, to learn how our semi-annual
meetings could better serve you. Whether you have previously attended an MOS
meeting or not, can you please complete this short survey?
https://uofmississippi.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0qfIpYiVU5HE7JA
May Saturdays
5/10 Pascagoula Wildlife Management Area, Jackson County – Birds & Turtles!
Leader: Lisa Price L (lisavollmer@bellsouth.net; cell: 228-238-4648)
Ms. Price will be leading a MCAS-sponsored field trip to look for turtles in and around
the Pascagoula River in the Wade-Vancleave area. The field trip will be on Saturday, May 10th and will run from 8:00-11:30, depending on how active the area is that morning. We hope
find an endemic map turtle specific to the Pascagoula River besides spotting a couple of
other species! Late migrants may be passing through the area as well.
*Note: A Pascagoula Wildlife management Area permit (available at Walmart Sporting
Goods desk for $15.00 for a calendar year) is required however I have room in my
Silverado truck for 3 or 4 people, for those who arrive first. No restrooms are accessible
at this site, please plan accordingly. The site may be muddy so wear appropriate
footwear and bring bug spray. Don’t forget your binoculars! Contact Lisa directly (via
cell phone or email) if you have any questions about 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 8:00 a.m. to
register before starting out and car-pooling.
