Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Last updated: April 20, 2004
August 1997 through September 1998
Texas boasts some of the best birding and wildlife spots in the United States. This year we are adding out-of-state trips as well. Come along on one of over two dozen field trips sponsored by the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. You don't even have to be a member to join in the fun and adventure. Each trip is organized and led by a local expert with years of experience in the field.
Meet for field trips at the College Station Conference Center (1300 George Bush Drive, across from TAMU golf course) at times specified below. Overnight trips require advance planning for accommodations, so contact Bert Frenz well ahead of time.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for the local meetings of the Rio Brazos Audubon Society. We meet at 7:30 PM at the College Station Conference Center.
Bert Frenz, Field Trip Leader
(409)694-9850 or bert@bafrenz.com
Aug 23 Flag Pond & Lake Somerville
We’ll look for Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill,
whistling-ducks, ibis and sandpipers such as Western, Least, Semipalmated, Baird’s
and Spotted. Meet at 7 AM at the College Station Conference Center (CSCC) and we’ll
bird most of the day. 
At sunrise low-flying Merlins, Mississippi Kites and,
perhaps Swallow-tailed Kites pass through. As the morning winds pick up, we can start to
see Accipiters, Broad-Winged Hawks and Peregrine Falcons. We don’t want to miss the
action, so we will try to be at Smith Point by daybreak. You’re on your own for
transportation and lodging. Some may want to leave College Station in the predawn hours.
Others may wish to stay in Winnie on Friday night before. You might try the Best Western
Gulf Coast Inn in Winnie (800/528-1234). Here are directions to reach Smith Point: Head to
Houston and pick up I-10 East. Continue on I-10 past Baytown to Lake Anahuac and then exit
south on SH61. Continue on 562 to Smith Point. Follow the road to Robbins
Park and turn at the signs. Drive into the field and park by the tower.
Sep
13-4 9th Annual Hummer/Bird Celebration Rockport/Fulton
The festival starts on the 11th
and a few of us are arriving early to camp at Goose Island State Park. Come and enjoy the
talks, trips and other scheduled events. Tickets will be on sale at the event but advanced
registration is open until August 29. Contact Bert or call 1-800-826-6441 for more
information. Arrange your own travel and accommodations.
Oct 4 Brazos Bottoms Hawk Watch
Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawk migration peaks
around this date in Burleson County. We will explore the bottoms for other birds in the
morning and then watch for hawks around midday. Bring a lawn chair and meet at CSCC at 8
AM.
Oct 18 Eagle Lake & Attwater NWR
Under the control of the Colorado River Authority, the
Eagle Lake site offers a wide variety of wildlife experiences. Previous years we’ve
watched Vermilion Flycatchers, thousands of ducks and geese, a Sharp-shinned Hawk eating a
Ribbon Snake, Great Horned Owls, Mule Deer, Alligators and Wild Pigs. We'll stop for lunch
in Eagle Lake and then spend the afternoon at Attwater Greater Prairie Chicken NWR
watching White-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara and other species of the open prairies. Meet
at CSCC at 7 AM for an early start and plan on returning at dusk.
Oct 25-26 Garner State Park
Camp at Garner State Park along the cool Frio River,
observe deer and other mammals (we had skunks visit our campsite one evening last trip).
We will also visit Lost Maples S.N.A. to see if the Bigtooth Maples have changed to their
fall colors. Make your own reservations at Garner State Park (new section). Several plan
on camping already Friday or earlier. Garner State Park is 268 miles from College Station
and a drive time of about 4-1/2 hours.
Oct 30 to Nov 25
Florida & the Everglades
Some of us RV’ers are visiting Florida to see
relatives or to depart on an ocean cruise, but we plan on doing a lot of birding along the
way, perhaps at Loxahatchee NWR, Miami parks (for exotics), Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel Is.,
Cork Screw Swamp Sanctuary, Flamingo and Everglades National Park. We’ll work out the
details once we see who is going. If you have an RV and would like to join us, contact
Bert for details.
Dec 6 Lake Carlos
& Huntsville
Lake Carlos and the Gibbons Creek area will be active
with wintering ducks, Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrows, herons and pelicans. We will continue
to Huntsville to find woodpeckers, including known sites for the endangered Red-cockaded
Woodpecker. Leave from CSCC at 8 AM. Check with Bert Frenz for additional details.
Dec 20
College Station Christmas Bird Count
National Audubon Society’s 98th annual
Christmas Bird Count is underway with our contribution for the College Station area. Mike
Manson will coordinate the activities, assigning territories and tabulating results.
Dec 27
Gibbons Creek Christmas Bird Count
This count area slightly east of the College Station
circle offers a surprisingly different list of birds. Contact Bert Frenz to be included
among this year’s observers and see if we can’t surpass College Station in total
species. Both groups finished with 107 species last year.
Jan 2-9 Lower Rio Grande Valley
Birders will visit Laguna Atacosa NWR, Brownsville,
Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Santa Anna NWR, Bentsen SP, Salineo, Chapena, Margarita Ranch,
Falcon Dam and Zapata. We'll also visit a new site, Chihuahua Woods, owned by The Nature
Conservancy of Texas. We expect 150+ species and we will be looking for Altimira Orioles,
Green and Brown Jays, Chachalaca, Gray Hawks, Blue Buntings, Green and Ringed Kingfishers,
Collared Seedeaters and many more border species. Non-birders may want to visit the
Mexican border shops and golf in McAllen. Plan on your own transportation. Some of us will
be camping at Bentsen Rio Grande SP, but lots of motels are also available in the valley.
Ask Bert for an itinerary.
Jan 17 Central Texas Longspurs
We'll try our luck at finding Longspurs in an area
where they have been reported many times this winter. Mountain Plovers have also been
reported there. We will visit Granger Lake, Willis Creek Park and Alcoa Lake in Williamson
and Milam Counties. Meet at College Station Conference Center at 7 AM to carpool.
Alternatively, meet at 8:45 AM at the old store/restaurant in Circleville on US 95 between
Taylor and Granger. From there we will head to the cultivated fields on Williamson Co. Rd.
345 and 346. This will be an all day trip and we suggest you bring your lunch.
Jan 24 12 Sparrow Species by Noon
This time Mike Manson will undertake the challenge to
help find 12 sparrow species by noon and especially be on the lookout for LeConte’s
Sparrow. We’ll try the traditional site on Old Reliance Road. Meet at College Station
Conference Center at 8 AM or at the site at 8:15.
Jan 29 - Feb 14
Southwest Arizona
This trip is for RV’ers. We are heading for Quartzsite on the first weekend in February to see the world’s biggest flea market. Coincidentally, this is a good birding spot situated on the Colorado River Lowlands where Arizona, California and Mexico intersect. We can pick up western species such as Gambel’s Quail, Gilded Flicker, Abert’s Towhee, Crissal Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Verdin and Sage Sparrow. The details of intermediary stops remain to be worked out. Let Bert know if you are interested and we will schedule your favorite spots.
Wintering waterfowl, Sedge and Marsh Wrens are our best bet for this lake in February, but Lake Bryan often has a few surprises as well. It's also a great place compare Neotropic and Double-Crested Cormorants. Contact Mike Manson ( mike@bio.tamu.edu or 693-9548 ) for details and plan on leaving from College Station Conference Center at 8 AM for what will probably be a half-day trip.
Feb 28 - Mar 1 Brazos Bend State Park
Camping in a woods listening to the constant calls of Barred and Great Horned Owls is a special experience. In the daylight we hope to find the rare Masked Ducks that frequent this park in winter. The observation tower is a great spot to get closeup views of whistling ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal and herons. The hiking trail passes alligators, nutria and Pond Sliders. The park is close enough for a day trip; alternatively, spend the weekend enjoying the wildlife. Contact Bert about scheduling.
Mar 14 Coastal Bend Early
Spring Migration
We’ll catch the early wave of spring migrants when
we visit Packery Channel, Pollywog Pond, Hans Suter WMA and other Corpus Christi hot
spots. Last year we found 137 species, including Northern Gannet, Red Knot, Dunlin,
Worm-eating Warbler and Prothonotary Warbler. Arrive Friday night and we’ll bird all
day Saturday. You are on your own for Sunday. Then continue with us on one or more of the
other trips planned during Spring Break. Notify Bert if you indend to join us. For
accomodations we have several suggestions: (1) the most convenient is Hummingbird Lodge, a
Bed & Breakfast operated by Rod Rylander (e-mail Rodkimry@aol.com),
with rates at $70/night on Friday & Saturday or $60/night on other days, (2) Cayman
House, Michael & Donna Marsden's Bed & Breakfast inRockport, phone 512/790-8884,
or (3) for camping we'll be at Goose Island State Park.
Just south of Refugio, the Fennessey Ranch, established
in 1834, recently has been opened for private tours. Our special all day birding tour will
be lead by Rod Rylander, an internationally known wilderness guide. On the ranch we will
concentrate on the 1100 acres of marsh and wetlands and 9 miles of river frontage, while
traveling on an 18ft trailer loaded with bales of hay. Cost is $40/person which includes a
catered lunch. Advance reservations required. At 8 AM we'll gather at the
entrance to the ranch, 4 miles south of Refugio on Hwy 2678.
Mar 17 Shamrock Island
Coastal Cruise
Aboard a specially chartered boat we will cruise to
Shamrock Island in Corpus Christi Bay. A half-day morning cruise will give us plenty of
time to explore the channels that cut through the flats. The charter will cost $25/person.
Reservations are required in advance. We will leave from the harbor at Port Aransas
at 8 AM. Our skipper is Billy Gaskins of Neptune Charters.
Mar 20-22 South Texas Ranch
As guests of Jim and Ermine Hailey we will explore this
2500 acre ranch in southern Duval County near Hebbronville. Specialities include
Pyrrhuloxia, Couch’s Kingbird, Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Sparrow, Lark
Bunting and Harris Hawk. Star gazing where light pollution is non-existent and listening
to Poorwills, Paraques and Barn Owls on still nights is worth the trip alone.
Accommodations are limited, so call Bert for reservations well ahead of time.
Apr 4 College Station
Migrants
With spring migration in full gear we will check out
our local parks (Brison, Bee Creek, Hensel) for warblers and vireos. This is a great trip
for inexperienced birders to sharpen their identification skills on colorful birds that
are plentiful and close at hand during this time of year. Meet at 8 AM at College Station
Conference Center and we will head to Brison Park first. We should have enough time to
visit all 3 parks by 1 PM.
Apr 16-18
Texas Ornithological Society - Bay City, Middle Texas Coast
Spring meeting for TOS will include field trips to wooded areas, coastal wetlands, rookeries, Matagorda peninsula, Mad Island Marsh Preserve, Brazoria, San Bernard and Boggy National Wildlife Refuges. Headquarters will be at the Best Western Matagorda Hotel, 407 Seventh Street, Bay City (on State Highway 35, one mile east of the courthouse). Call 1-800-245-5404 to reserve a room. Call the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at 1-800-806-8333 for more information and for registration for the TOS meeting.
Apr 18-19 Upper Texas
Coast - High Island
Visit Anahuac N.W.R., High Island and Bolivar Flats at the peak of spring migration. Last year our groups tallied up an amazing 180 species in one weekend and many birders saw over 100 species in a single day. We should see Mottled Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Purple Gallinule, Least Bittern, King and Clapper Rails at Anahuac; Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Orchard and Northern Oriole, Indigo Bunting, and up to 25 warbler species at High Island; and Wilson’s Plover, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret, Stilt Sandpiper and many other shorebirds at Bolivar Flats. The list goes on and on. Joy Sands Motel will no longer take a group reservation so you will need to book motel reservations yourself. Most will want to book for Saturday night. Some may want to arrive early and reserve for Friday night as well. Joy Sands is on Hwy 87 in Crystal Beach and can be reached at 509/684-6152. Rates are $37 for single (very small), $50 for double, $60 for kichenette. Rooms will fill up fast, so reserve early. An alternative is Gulfway Motel in High Island (409/286-5217). RV’ers will camp at Rollover Pass in Gilchrist.
Apr 25 Lick Creek Park Flora & Fauna
Still searching for spring migrants right here at home, we will include a tour of the splendid flora of our local 500-acre natural park. Meet in the parking lot of Lick Creek Park at 8 AM.
May 9 No. American
Migration Count
Combine the Birdathon fund raiser with the annual census of May birds. We'll see local breeding species such as Dickcissel, Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager and late migrants like Magnolia Warblers and American Redstarts. Contact Mike Manson for territory assignments or meet at the Kettle restaurant on Texas Ave and Southwest Parkway at 7 AM for last minute assignments.
May thru
Sep Texas to Alaska Odyssey
This incredible trip will be led by Bert & Shari Frenz and will follow much of the same itinerary they took during a 7 month odyssey in 1996. If you have a motor home, trailer or fifth wheel and can afford the time, this trip is an experience of a lifetime. Otherwise, you might consider joining us for a leg of the trip or meeting us in Alaska via cruise ship or commercial airlines. Bert & Shari have lots of details on where we will travel, what we will see, what you need to bring and what you can expect it to cost. The trip will be informal and we will rendezvous at selected sites so you can stick with the group or wander off on your own as you see fit.
Texas State Park
reservation information
For statewide reservations call (512)389-8900. Use Visa/MasterCard for deposit.
To cancel reservations call (512)389-8910 (24 hrs/day) at least two days before arrival
date.
Check out is 2 PM. If you arrive later than 5 PM you are asked to call the park to confirm
late arrival.
Meet for field trips at the College Station Conference Center (George Bush Drive, across from TAMU golf course) at times specified above. Overnight trips require advance planning for accommodations, so contact Bert Frenz well ahead of time.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for the local meetings of the Rio Brazos Audubon Society. We meet at 7:30 PM at the College Station Conference Center.
Bert Frenz, Field Trip Leader
(409)694-9850 or bert@bafrenz.com
web site: www.bafrenz.com/birds/index.htm
Alternate contact: Mike Manson
845-5158 (day) 693-9548 (night)
