2012 Field Trips
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General Information
Trip descriptions below include the birds and habitats most likely to be seen, the recommended skill level, what to bring, and mode of transportation in hopes of preparing you for the most enjoyable experience possible. Some activities are offered more than once, so note the different days and times listed above the descriptions. Activities with a 5-star designation are led by recognized birding and photography experts and showcase Galveston birding at its best.
Skill levels are: 1 for Beginner Birder/Photographer; 2 for Intermediate; and 3 for Advanced.
All trips, including walking and boating events, will depart in front of Old Galveston Square, 2215 The Strand, downtown Galveston, unless otherwise noted. Please assemble 15 minutes ahead of the listed departure time, as trips WILL leave on time! Except for Drive Your Own Car trips, the listed times relate to departure from and arrival back at Old Galveston Square. Boat and kayak trips will occur as scheduled, based on weather conditions. Please check with the Registration Desk for status.
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Advanced Birding with Kevin Karlson
Price: $55
Date: Sunday, April 15
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Experts: Kevin Karlson, Bill Saulmon
Bus & Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
This field trip is an opportunity for FeatherFest guests to spend time with Kevin studying bird morphology, habits and identification in more depth than during his other weekday events. The trip will cover selected locations on Galveston Island.
Targets: everything from possible migrant songbirds, shorebirds, herons, egrets, waterfowl, whistling ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Mottled Ducks, assorted other dabblers, raptors, terns, gulls, and maybe a few seabirds.
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Advanced Nature Photography Field Trip
Price: $60
Date: Thursday, April 12, & Friday, April 13
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Larry Ditto
Bus & Moderate/Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
This is a unique field trip for a limited group of photographers with advanced skills. The trip will take you to San Luis Pass, an area of beaches located on the west end of Galveston Island where mud flats and dunes hold a wide variety of photo opportunities of area birds.
You will learn what equipment you need to capture awe-inspiring images and how to get the most benefit from the equipment. Larry will share his tips for getting more interesting shots by changing perspective, finding the right location, and using color and lighting. He will also cover the benefits of learning behavior to anticipate what the subject is about to do so that action shots are not missed. Plus he’ll answer the question, “Will I know a good photo when I see it?”
When paired with the Advanced Nature Photography Workshop, guests will benefit from an even broader experience. Please note that the field trip is on either Thursday or Friday, and that the workshop is on Saturday.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR camera with a 300mm or greater lens, 1.4x or 2.0x extender for added magnification, flash, tripod, small camera bag, water sandals, towel, hat. There is the possibility most of the trip will be spent on foot outside the bus.
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Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Price: $55
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: George Regmund
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
This trip leaves Galveston later than Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Yellow Rails, as it does NOT include the search for Yellow Rails. Numbers permitting, the two Anahuac NWR trips may combine for the continuation of the field trip.
This is a 75-mile bus trip to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge which is located on the Bolivar Peninsula along East Galveston Bay. With 25,000 acres of brackish and freshwater marsh, reed areas and a sandy East Bay shoreline, the refuge offers the full range of coastal and migratory birds. Park roads, new trails and boardwalks (post Ike) provide excellent viewing of several varieties of herons, egrets, waterfowl, some raptors, early migrant warblers and alligators.
After Anahuac, the tour will return via High Island, where the group will make a brief stop at Smith Woods Rookery and Boy Scout Woods which are Houston Audubon sanctuaries. Note: The stop at the sanctuaries will not be as extensive as the High Island Famous Sites field trip. Time permitting, stops will be made to check for migrating birds along the Bolivar Peninsula.
Targets: Clapper Rails, Purple Gallinule, Marsh Wren, Bittern, Seaside Sparrows, herons, egrets, waterfowl, Anhinga and “peeps.”
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Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Yellow Rails
Price: $65
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 5:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: Steve Gross, Pam Smolen
Bus & Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
This is a 75-mile bus trip to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge which is located on the Bolivar Peninsula along East Galveston Bay. With 25,000 acres of brackish and freshwater marsh, reed areas and a sandy East Bay shoreline, the refuge offers the full range of coastal and migratory birds. Park roads, new trails and boardwalks (post Ike) provide excellent viewing of several varieties of herons, egrets, waterfowl, some raptors, early migrant warblers and alligators. In order to search for the Yellow Rails, buses must get to the refuge no later than sunrise, which is about 7 a.m.
Yellow Rails are regulars in winter and spring, and a guide will be onsite to conduct a Yellow Rail search for those who wish to do so. The search will be quite strenuous and requires moving through marshy areas. Those wishing to add this bird to their life list stand a good chance to do so if willing to put in the effort. Participants are strongly advised to bring knee-length rubber boots or waders.
After Anahuac, the tour will return via High Island, where the group will make a brief stop at Smith Woods Rookery and Boy Scout Woods, which are Houston Audubon sanctuaries. Note: The stop at the sanctuaries will not be as extensive as the High Island Famous Sites field trip. Time permitting, stops will be made to check for migrating birds along the Bolivar Peninsula.
Targets: Yellow Rails, Clapper Rails, Purple Gallinule, Marsh Wren, Bittern, Seaside Sparrows, herons, egrets, waterfowl, Anhinga and “peeps.”
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Attwater Prairie-chicken Preserve
Price: $50
Date: Thursday, April 12 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Experts: Richard Mayfield, Tim O’Connell, Gay York
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Travel by bus to the Nature Conservancy’s Preserve at Texas City for a chance to see the Attwater Prairie-chicken, one of the rarest birds in North America. We emphasize “chance” since the population is small, but several were seen in flight during recent FeatherFests. This Preserve is one of just two dedicated to trying to keep this species alive in the wild. For many birder visitors to the Upper Texas Coast this will be a must-see life bird. Watching the Prairie-chickens perform their mating ritual is a sight to behold. The males emerge into an open area referred to as a “lek”, extend their tail feathers, stomp their feet, make a noise called “booming” and chase off competing males to defend their area and attract the attention of the females. Regardless of success with seeing the Prairie-chicken, this tour will still be a good one with additional interesting bird watching, both on the Preserve and locally.
Targets: Attwater Prairie-chicken, Upland Sandpipers, raptors, Osprey, Dabbling and Diving Ducks, herons, terns, yellowlegs, dowitchers, and various “peeps.”
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Bayside Exploration Galveston Island State Park
Price: $20
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bring water
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: All
Drive your own car to the Nature Center in Galveston Island State park where a Texas Master Naturalist will meet you and lead this exploration of a sample of the southern edge of Galveston Bay. The variety of plant and animal life at the bay’s “edge” will become clear and the incredible value of these fringe habitats will be better understood.
This 2,000-acre public park offers a multitude of habitats that support a wide variety of birds: waders like herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and shorebirds; the elusive resident Saltmarsh Sparrow; and waterfowl and overhead raptors like Ospreys, White-tailed Kites and Northern Harriers, looking for cotton-tailed rats and rabbits. You may get lucky and see a raccoon cleaning his food at water’s edge and perhaps even a coyote. Wear lace-up footwear that can get wet, as you may be doing some seining and water sampling.
Driving directions will be emailed to you and also available at the Registration Desk. If you’re coming from FeatherFest HQ or downtown, please allow 30 minutes to drive to the park.
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Beach Exploration Galveston Island State Park
Price: $20
Date: Thursday, April 12, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Sunday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Bring water
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: All
Drive your own car to the Nature Center in Galveston Island State Park where a Texas Master Naturalist will meet you for your guided, leisurely walk to do some beachcombing. Learn about the importance of our dunes and “life at the edge” ...what’s above and below the sand and in the water. Galveston Island State Park is 2,000 acres and one of the area’s premier ecological jewels.
Driving directions will be emailed to you and also available at the Registration Desk. If you’re coming from FeatherFest HQ or downtown, please allow 30 minutes to drive to the park.
Targets: gulls, terns, Willets, Sanderlings, Black-bellied Plovers, herons and “peeps.”
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Big Day Birding with Kevin Karlson
Price: $70
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 6:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Field Experts: Kevin Karlson, Mike Austin
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Bus & Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
Join Kevin Karlson and Mike Austin on this fast-paced, fun excursion to top birding sites on Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. Sites visited will be determined by Kevin, depending on weather and migration. Expect to see over 100 species of birds. Kevin will demonstrate Birding by Impression skills and identify birds in varied habitats and viewing conditions. A good time is the main objective for this field trip. The faster pace will limit the amount of time spent at individual locations.
Targets: over 100 species, especially shorebirds.
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Birding 101
Price: $20
Date: Thursday, April 12, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30am
Date: Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Peggy Boston
Leisurely Walk
Skill Level: 1
This inside workshop and outside walk are for those who are new to birding and want tips on using binoculars and watching and identifying local birds. After an hour inside discussion, you will take a leisurely walk (about two city blocks) over to the docks, where numerous species of birds are easily seen around the shrimp boat fleet.
Targets: Brown and White Pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns, herons, grackles, doves.
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Birding by Kayak…Your Own or Rent One
Price with Own Kayak: $20
Price with Rented Kayak: $40
Date: Sunday, April 15
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Experts: David Singleton, Adam Wood
Meet at Site & Kayak
Skill Level: All
Drive your own car to the nature center at Galveston Island State park and bring your own kayak – or rent one of ours – for an easy, delightful natural experience. Enjoy birding at water level while slowly exploring the bay waters of Galveston Island State Park, one of the area’s premier ecological jewels. This 2,000-acre public park offers a multitude of habitats that support a wide variety of birds: waders like herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and shorebirds; the elusive resident Saltmarsh Sparrow; and waterfowl and overhead raptors like ospreys, White-tailed Kites and Northern Harriers, looking for cotton-tailed rats and rabbits. You may get lucky and see a raccoon cleaning his food at water’s edge and perhaps even a coyote.
Guests are advised to wear sunscreen, lace-up, closed-toed shoes, and fingerless cycling gloves. Be ready to get a bit muddy, and bring a water-proof bag for your gear.
Rented kayaks are two-seaters so you will be paired with another registrant. Guests renting kayaks will be supplied and required to wear a life jacket. If you bring your own kayak, please bring your own life jacket, as you will be required to wear it. If you don’t have one, please let us know. Driving directions will be emailed to you and also available at the Registration Desk. If you’re coming from FeatherFest HQ or downtown, please allow 30 minutes to drive to the park.
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Bluewater Highway and Special Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Tour
Price: $55
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 5:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: Jim O’Donnell, Glenn Olsen
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Explore the mainland beyond the western tip of Galveston Island, along Bluewater Highway and en-route to Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge with guides who know this very pleasant trip well. BNWR is a 40,000 acre refuge famous for its spectacular birding. With special permission we anticipate being able to explore areas not normally open to the public.
Snooze for the first part of the trip, then leave Galveston Island by way of the San Luis Pass toll bridge as the sun comes up behind you. If the tide is low, take a quick look for shorebirds on the sand flats of Follets Island, on the west and north side of the bridge (or make a note to stop there on the way back), then move west along Bluewater Highway where there are small lagoons on the beach side of the road with salt cedar brush, nesting herons and usually some remnant wintering waterfowl.
The land on the north side is flat and you can see from beach to bay. Keep an eye open for raptors, harriers, Osprey, caracaras, and hawks. Then make tracks for Brazoria NWR and a broader range of birding. A number of rare bird sightings have been reported from this refuge. In winter, thousands of migrating ducks and geese stop over, relishing the fresh water marsh habitats, and some are likely to still be present. Neo-tropic migrants will also be on view, plus late wintering raptors. It is also a place to see alligators and many marsh animals. The return journey, along the coastal highway, close to the sea and bay in the afternoon, will again be spectacular under a different light, with some predictably “birdy” stops along the way as time permits.
Targets: Dabbling and Diving Ducks, Black- and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, White and White-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, Mottled Ducks, grebes, gulls, terns, geese, moorhens, coots, Purple Gallinules, Seaside Sparrows, Sora Rails, bittern, hawks, “peeps,” and early migrant songbirds.
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Bolivar Birding with Dick Peake
Price: $60
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Field Experts: Professor Dick Peake, Glenn Olsen, Adam Wood
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Bus & Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: All
Birding Bolivar is Professor Peake’s favorite local event! Guests will explore various habitats on the peninsula, e.g.: sand flats, grassy prairies, jetties, tidal sloughs, wooded lots, and Ft Travis. The Bolivar sand flats area is known as one of the finest migratory locations in North America for shorebirds, terns, herons, egrets and other water birds. It is a designated habitat for the protection of the endangered wintering Piping Plover.
Targets: Expect to see at least 80 – 100 species! For example: 5 species of plovers, 7 species of terns, 4 species of gulls, dowitchers, Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Hawk, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Red Knot, White-tailed Kite, Marsh Wren, Seaside Sparrow, Nelson Sharp-shinned Sparrow, Osprey.
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Bolivar Birding with Kevin Karlson
Price: $60
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Field Experts: Kevin Karlson, Bill Saulmon
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Bus & Strenuous Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
Join Kevin Karlson at what he calls “one of the finest migratory locations in North America” – the southern end of the Bolivar Peninsula. Shorebirds, terns, herons, egrets and other water birds will give participants an unforgettable field experience. A limited number of spaces are available to allow for more personal interaction with Kevin and the other birders.
Targets: Expect to see at least 80 – 100 species! For example, 5 species of plovers, 7 species of terns, 4 species of gulls, dowitchers, Peregrine Falcons, Marsh Hawks, Marbled Godwits, Long-billed Curlews, Whimbrels, Red Knots, White-tailed Kites, Marsh Wrens, Seaside Sparrows, Nelson Sharp-shinned Sparrows, and Ospreys.
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Butterfly, Moth and Dragonfly Experience
Price: $45
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 1:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Experts: Bob Honig, Farrar Stockton
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
On this trip, you will learn about butterflies, moths and dragonflies and have an opportunity to identify them in the air. Get ready for a fun and fascinating experience! The Butterfly & Moth Study and Dragonfly Study workshops are recommended to help prepare you for this trip.
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Capturing Your Vision – Birds in Flight
Price: $75
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 4:00p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Sean Fitzgerald
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
Participants with previous experience will be able to apply what they have learned in the field. Sean will demonstrate how to use your equipment and when to select slow or fast shutter speeds to capture awe-inspiring images. He will share his tips for getting more interesting shots by changing perspective, finding the right location, and using color and lighting. He will also cover the benefits of learning behavior to anticipate what the subject is about to do so that action shots are not missed.
Suggested equipment: DSLR, telephoto lens 300mm or greater, 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters, tripod.
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Christmas Bay Birding by Kayak
Price: $70
Date: Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: Artist Boat
Bus & Strenuous Kayak
Birding Skill Level: All
A bus will provide your transportation to Christmas Bay located west of San Luis Pass. Enjoy the eye-level appreciation of the wetlands and wildlife watching that kayaking offers. Paddle within feet of nesting Roseate Spoonbills, Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets and other wading birds. Paddlers will hear the sounds of active nesting birds, float over natural stands of sea grasses, and experience the diving habits of the Brown Pelican at close range. The trip will offer at least three hours on the water. Note that restrooms are not available onsite.
Guests are advised to wear sunscreen, lace-up, close-toed footwear, and fingerless cycling gloves. Be ready to get a bit muddy, and bring a water-proof bag for your gear. Guests will be supplied and required to wear a life jacket. The activity level for this trip is strenuous. A signed waiver of liability will need to be shown prior to the trip.
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Coastal Birding Field Trip
Price: $35
Date: Thursday, April 12, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 14, from 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Bring water, snacks
Field Experts: Jim O’Donnell, Alice Anne O’Donell, Mort Voller
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 1, 2
This fascinating trip is an introduction to coastal birding and habitat. Emphasis will be on identifying common resident and migrating shorebirds. The trip will go to the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve beach area where you’ll see many species of shore birds, gulls, terns, skimmers, sandpipers, plovers, avocets, Black-necked Stilts, and more. Stops along the way will highlight birds preferring marsh habitat.
This area is located at the East End of the Galveston Seawall and Boddecker Dr. The City of Galveston owns 686 acres of land at the eastern tip of the island and the intent is to transform it into a world-class natural recreational area and nature preserve with an interpretive center. All the habitats associated with a barrier island - beach, uplands, fresh water ponds, brackish lagoons and wetlands - are present.
Time permitting, the trip may move on to Corps Woods. This is a heavily wooded area located adjacent to a large spoils area and the Galveston Ship Channel and serves as a local migrant songbird trap.
Participation in the Coastal Birding Workshop will enhance your experience in this field trip.
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Creating Attractive Sets for Wildlife Photography
Field Trip & Workshop Package OPTION 1
Price: $100
Workshop: Friday, April 13, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Field Trip: Friday, April 13, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Larry Ditto
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 3
This event includes a WORKSHOP ON FRIDAY and a later FIELD TRIP ON FRIDAY. Both parts are included in the $100 price.
The goal of these combined activities is to learn to maintain control in the “natural world” to achieve more pleasing and interesting images. The workshop will teach participants how to create a studio “in the wild,” work with lighting, and control backgrounds and perches so that a natural look is maintained. On the field trip, you will learn how to plan the setup from start to finish, assist with an actual setup, and photograph migrants and other birds as they visit your natural studio.
Suggested equipment for trip: tripod, DSLR camera body, telephoto lens 300mm or larger, 1.4 and/or 2.0 teleconverters tripod, flash preferably off camera; no equipment needed for workshop.
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Creating Attractive Sets for Wildlife Photography
Field Trip & Workshop Package OPTION 2
Price: $100
Workshop: Friday, April 13, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Field Trip: Saturday, April 14, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Larry Ditto
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 3
This event includes a WORKSHOP ON FRIDAY and a FIELD TRIP ON SATURDAY. Both parts are included in the $100 price.
The goal of these combined activities is to learn to maintain control in the “natural world” to achieve more pleasing and interesting images. The workshop will teach participants how to create a studio “in the wild,” work with lighting, and control backgrounds and perches so that a natural look is maintained. On the field trip, you will learn how to plan the setup from start to finish, assist with an actual setup, and photograph migrants and other birds as they visit your natural studio.
Suggested equipment for trip: tripod, DSLR camera body, telephoto lens 300mm or larger, 1.4 and/or 2.0 teleconverters, tripod, flash preferably off camera; no equipment needed for workshop.
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Early Migrant Songbirds Field Trip
Price: $30 Date: Sunday, April 15
Field Trip: 12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Alice Anne O’Donell
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Early-stage birders will find this event the perfect opportunity to learn about birding and experience the fun of FeatherFest! It is recommended that you attend the Early Migrant Songbird Workshop beforehand, so you can take what you learned into the field.
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East End Flats and Preserve with Kevin Karlson
Price: $55
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Field Experts: Kevin Karlson, Damien Carey
Bring water, snacks
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
The City of Galveston owns 686 acres of land at the eastern tip of the island and the vision is to transform it into a world class natural recreational area and nature preserve with an interpretive center. All the habitats associated with a barrier island - beach, uplands, fresh water ponds, brackish lagoons and wetlands - are present. On this easy-paced field trip with Kevin Karlson, an expert in shorebird identification, birders will enjoy a large number and variety of birds at rest. Sandy beach areas are favorites for Black Skimmers, gulls and terns and shallow pool waders. Wetland areas usually show cormorants, egrets, ibis, ducks and the occasional American Bittern, Clapper Rail and Sora Rail.
Targets: Reddish Egret, Piping, Snowy, Semipalmated and Wilson’s Plover, Least, Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers, Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and Northern Harrier.
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Focus on Bolivar Photography
Price: $50
Date: Thursday, April 12 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Kathy Adams Clark
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
The tip of the Bolivar Peninsula offers a wide variety of photographic opportunities. These trips begin with seeing the sunrise across the Houston Ship Channel and photographing birds around the ferry landing. The trip then moves to the North Jetty for an opportunity to photograph American Avocets and other wading birds. Finally, the group will photograph wading birds in several marshes nearby. Locations subject to change based on tide, wind, and location of the birds.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR camera with a 300mm lens or greater. Smaller digital cameras with a 10x or 12x zoom will be adequate. Tripod. Small or moderate camera bag to keep equipment organized in the vehicle. Sturdy walking shoes for the jetty.
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Galveston Complete Birding Sampler
Price: $55
Date: Thursday, April 12, from 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Date: Sunday, April 15, from 7:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Field Experts: Professor Dick Peake, Louise Zemaitis, Jim O’Donnell, Stennie Meadours
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Explore the entire island on a fast-paced trip. Dr. Peake a wintering island resident himself, knows the birding spots well, and will take into account the weather, tides and what he has seen just prior to or during the festival to decide what to view and where to go. In that regard, the tour is not fixed rigidly in advance, but is more a birding adventure.
Targets: sandpipers, avocets, stilts, waterfowl, prairie birds, sparrows, raptors, herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and dowitchers. If early migrant songbirds are on the Island, Dr. Peake will find them!
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Greet the Dawn at Virginia Point
Price: $50
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 5:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
The location of this event is not normally publicly accessible, so that in itself is exciting!
Virginia Point is a historic location across the bay and within the wonderful acreage of mainland bay margin which Scenic Galveston, Inc. has acquired to be preserved for all time. Visitors coming into or out of Galveston on I-45 see the results of this non-profit’s work on both flanks, and those areas are open to the public.
On this trip, guests will be taken to Scenic Galveston’s vintage Airstream trailer camping spot in time to arrive pre-dawn. You will sit over coffee and bird, first by ear with dawn song (including rails, and normally including Black Rails), then watch flyovers until the sun comes up. You’ll see 40-50 species without ever leaving your chair!
Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to walk along a primitive, but mowed, birding trail across the Virginia Point Prairie. This has freshwater adjacencies and a very productive oak mott at the end. It's a mile or so one way and can be shortened at any juncture.
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Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Bird Banding and Quintana
Price: $55
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: Jim O’Donnell, Cecilia Riley, Richard Mayfield
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
The first part of this trip is similar to the trip to Brazoria NWR. It will head west over the San Luis Pass bridge and off Galveston Island. Stops will be made on Follets Island to check out the beach and a favorite road-side pond with Salt Cedar. There is little distance between the Gulf and the Bay and the views are excellent! The trip will continue over the Intra Coastal Canal, checking out the road-side marshes to Lake Jackson, and will stop in at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to watch staff there band birds gently caught in mist nets.
After leaving the GCBO, the trip will continue to Quintana, west of Freeport, and search GCBO’s Quintana Neotropic migrant refuge for spring migrating songbirds. This small jewel of oak motts, lantana, coral bean & yaupon, with two well-placed water features, is an excellent example of how even a small plot is valuable for trans-Gulf migrants. The beach and jetty at Quintana provide other opportunities for coastal birding.
Targets: Dabbling Ducks, Black- and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, White and White-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, Mottled Ducks, Grebes, gulls, terns, hawks, “peeps,” hummingbirds, and early migrant songbirds.
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Harbor Tour and Birding by Boat
Price: $20
Date: Friday, April 13, 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 14, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Short Walk to Dock & Boat Trip
Skill Level: All
For those who are not able to take the longer boat trip to North Deer Island, this shorter trip aboard the SS Seagull II will provide a one-hour view of Galveston from the water and some interesting facts about the Port, plus an opportunity to see the dolphins. The Seagull II is a 45-passenger catamaran hulled boat. This is an easy trip suitable for young children and those less mobile. Meet your trip liaison in the bus loading area to walk over to the dock as a group. Note that there is no restroom on the boat.
Targets: pelicans, cormorants, herons, terns, gulls.
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High Island Famous Sites
Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks, The Rookery, and more!
Price: $70
Date: Thursday, April 12 & Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Field Experts: George Regmund, Mike Austin, Bill Saulmon, Damien Carey, Stennie Meadours,
Tony Frank, Winnie Burkett, Louise Zemaitis
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
High Island is the surface expression of a salt dome on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Due to its elevation above the saltwater table, it supports wooded habitat that supplies food, water and places to rest for tired trans-Gulf migrants.
The Houston Audubon Society has two large sanctuaries in the area, Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks, which are known worldwide for their spectacular variety of spring migrants. Smith Oaks contains the spectacular heron rookery, safely located on an island within a lake, where visitors may get close views of nesting herons, ibis, egrets, and spoonbills. April weather fronts can produce 30 or more species of songbirds in a single day!
On the lower levels of the “island,” there are producing oil fields, and the roads through the marshes there can also provide some good views of sandpipers and rails.
The “island” and sanctuaries have taken a heavy hit from hurricanes since 2004. Many large trees have been lost or damaged but many remain and new trees are growing. That scenario is the history of such wooded motts along the Gulf Coast.
Read more about High Island on the Houston Audubon Web site.
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How to Capture the Action with Larry Ditto
Price: $50
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Larry Ditto
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
After this class, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to start photographing birds on the wing! Flight photography can be made easier if you do the following: (1) Select the right digital camera and auto focus telephoto lens; (2) Learn the right settings to take full advantage of the technology at your fingertips; (3) Learn what it takes to make a good flight photo (best shutter speeds, ISO settings, f-stop recommendations, and more); (4) Learn more about where to go and when to be there; and (5) Know about other equipment that can make you even better at flight photography. Time permitting, a few tricks of the trade in flight photography will be discussed.
Suggested equipment: Tripod, DSLR, 300mm or larger telephoto lens, and wide angle if available.
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Light Painting Photography
Price: $40
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Sean Fitzgerald
Walking
Skill Level: 2
This event begins with a brief explanation of light painting as the sun goes down. Once night falls, participants will begin photographing the Strand area in the dark and accentuating details with flashlights and flashes. Expect the unexpected on this trip! Meet your trip liaison in the bus loading area to walk The Strand as a group.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR camera with a wide angle lens. Smaller digital cameras that can be operated in the manual or aperture priority mode are acceptable. Tripod, flash, camera manual, flash manual, a flashlight or two, extra batteries for camera and flash. Small camera bag that will hold equipment. Sturdy walking shoes. Expect to cover several blocks during the evening and cover rough terrain.
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Moody Gardens Aquarium Photography
Price: $65
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
No food or drink allowed in the Aquarium
Photo Expert: Kathy Adams Clark
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
Join Kathy Adams Clark as she takes you deep beneath the waters of Moody Gardens Aquarium for instruction on shooting aquatic subjects. Get up close to underwater subjects without even getting your feet wet! You’ll have lots of space to move around, as the Aquarium will not be open to the public during the hours of this trip. And as a bonus, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like afterwards to roam around on your own. Kathy will share techniques on using the available light to capture images that will impress.
You need to drive your own car to this event. Please allow 45 minutes to travel from downtown to Moody Gardens, park your car, unload equipment and walk to the entrance of the BLUE pyramid, which houses the Aquarium. Your trip liaison will meet you there and you will go in as a group. Driving directions to Moody Gardens will be emailed to you and also available at the festival Registration Desk. Admission to the Aquarium is included in the trip price. Click here to download a map of Moody Gardens.
Suggested equipment: DSLR camera body, wide angle and mid-range telephoto in the 100-300 range.
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Moody Gardens Rainforest Photography with Debbie Ferrell
Price: $65
Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
No food or drink allowed in the Rainforest
Photo Expert: Debbie Ferrell
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: 1, 2
Get ready to capture images of the 1,000-plus species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas that populate Moody Gardens’ newly-renovated multi-level 10-story Rainforest Pyramid! You’ll have lots of space to move around, as the Rainforest will not be open to the public during the hours of this trip. And as a bonus, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like afterwards and roam around on your own!
Participants will learn how to control depth of field, improve sharpness in their images and create stunning images that hold the viewers’ attention. We will work on composition, and proper exposure for fill flash.
You need to drive your own car to this event. Please allow 45 minutes to travel from downtown to Moody Gardens, park your car, unload equipment, and walk to the entrance of the Visitor’s Center where the Rainforest is located. Your trip liaison will meet you there and you will go in as a group. Driving directions to Moody Gardens will be emailed to you and also available at the festival Registration Desk. Admission to the Rainforest is included in the trip price. Click here to download a map of Moody Gardens.
Suggested equipment: Tripod or IS lens, a telephoto lens (preferably a zoom) in the 100-300 or greater range, a wide angle and macro lens, along with flash.
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Moody Gardens Rainforest Photography with Scott Buckel
Price: $65
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
No food or drink allowed in the Rainforest
Photo Expert: Scott Buckel
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: 1, 2
Get ready to capture images of the 1,000-plus species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas that populate Moody Gardens’ newly-renovated multi-level 10-story Rainforest Pyramid! You’ll have lots of space to move around, as the Rainforest will not be open to the public during the hours of this trip. And as a bonus, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like afterwards and roam around on your own! Scott will discuss techniques to observe and capture images of the rainforest inhabitants.
You need to drive your own car to this event. Please allow 45 minutes to travel from downtown to Moody Gardens, park your car, unload equipment and walk to the entrance of the Visitor’s Center where the Rainforest is located. Your trip liaison will meet you there and you will go in as a group. Driving directions to Moody Gardens will be emailed to you and also available at the festival Registration Desk. Admission to the Rainforest is included in the trip price. Click here to download a map of Moody Gardens.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR with wide angle to short telephoto lenses; if you own a macro lens, it will be great as well.
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North Deer Island Rookery by Boat
Price: $50
Date: Thursday, April 12, Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Date: Sunday, April 15
Time: 7:30 a.m. –11:30 a.m.
Field Experts: Skip Almoney, Richard Mayfield, Winnie Burkett, Alice Anne O’Donell, Peggy
Boston, Stennie Meadours, Stephan Lorenz
Bring water, snacks
Short Walk to Dock & Boat Trip
Skill Level: All
On this fabulous boat ride to the rookery on North Deer Island in West Galveston Bay, you will hone your skills for identifying bay birds in flight: white and Brown Pelicans, Royal and Caspian Terns, cormorants, gulls, plus pods of dolphins.
North Deer Island has 1.7 miles of protected shoreline which supports habitat for the threatened
Reddish Egret and White-faced Ibis and 16 other bird species. This rookery is located in
Galveston Bay between Tiki Island and West Galveston.
The SS Seagull II will drift around this protected, no-trespassing rookery, observing thousands of nesting herons, Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills and other wading birds in their full breeding plumage. The viewing distance will be determined by the tides and prevailing winds.
On the way to North Deer Island, you’ll have an opportunity to see many species of birds at the Harborwalk Marina freshwater ponds. While you’re stopped at the marina to bird, you’ll also be able to purchase snacks and use restrooms. Your trip leader will decide how long to spend at the marina based on the birds.
The boat is a 45-passenger catamaran and there is no restroom on board. Please meet your trip liaison in the bus loading area to walk over to the dock as a group.
Saving North Deer Island Bird Rookery: Texas Parks and Wildlife video
North Deer Island: Houston Audubon webpage about North Deer Island and the shoreline restoration project
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Pelican Island Birding
Price: $45
Date: Thursday, April 12 & Friday, April 13
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Jim Stevenson, George Regmund, Adam Wood
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Originally a small shifting sand bar which protected Galveston’s fledgling port, Pelican Island is now an enlarged area of maturing, vegetated dredge spoil. It provides a wide range of habitats including extensive mud flats, fresh water ponds, open grassy areas and small wooded motts with hackberry, mulberry and live oaks. Use of the area is not well controlled, parts of it are not too “tidy” and one road will be bumpy, but the birding is usually fine.
Targets: Sandpipers, avocets, stilts, waterfowl, prairie birds, sparrows, raptors and early migrant songbirds.
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Photography on East Beach
Price: $40
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Bring water
Photo Experts: Debbie Ferrell, Kathy Adams Clark
Bus and Walk
Skill Level: All
East Beach is a small spit of land with shoreline and gentle surf on one side and tidal marsh on the other. Brown Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, the many different herons and egrets, Laughing Gulls and other birds fly overhead as they move through the area. This trip will concentrate on capturing images of birds in flight, but won’t pass up a great opportunity to photograph a Tri-colored Heron or Reddish Egret feeding in the marsh.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR with a 300mm or greater lens. Smaller digital cameras with a 10x or 12x will be adequate. Other equipment including a tripod, flash, and 1.4x or 2x extender will enhance your experience. Bring a small to mid-sized camera bag to carry your equipment in the vehicle.
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San Luis Pass Photography
Price: $60
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Photo Expert: Sean Fitzgerald
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 1, 2
San Luis Pass is a series of beaches located on the west end of Galveston Island. The mud flats and dunes hold a wide variety of photo opportunities for area birds. The exact location will be selected based on light, wind, tides, and availability of birds.
Suggested equipment: Digital SLR camera with a 300mm or greater lens, 1.4x or 2.0x extender for added magnification, flash, tripod, small camera bag, water sandals, towel and hat.
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Simple Tips for Better Photos
Price: $35
Date: Thursday, April 12
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Photo Expert: Debbie Ferrell
Walk
Skill Level: 1
Join Debbie as she takes participants on a walking photo tour of Harborside Drive to explain simple yet effective techniques to improving photography. Composition, exposure, backgrounds, and foregrounds are just a few of the topics that will be discussed. Participants will also learn proper handholding techniques for sharper images. Meet your trip liaison in the bus loading area to walk over to Harborside Drive as a group.
Suggested equipment: Any camera body; telephoto and wide angle are recommended but any lens can be used. You might want to bring your camera manual for reference.
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Songbirds on the West End
Price: $50
Date: Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Jim Stevenson
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
This field trip searches for the spring songbird richness found on West Galveston Island, with a special emphasis on songbirds such as warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, grosbeaks and buntings. Guests will walk through Lafitte’s Cove Nature Preserve, Galveston’s crown jewel for migrating songbirds. Eight species of vireos and over 30 species of warblers were seen in the oak mott this spring. Freshwater ponds at the entrance to the preserve gave up¬-close views of migrating shorebirds, ducks, Wilson’s Phalaropes, both species of dowitchers and yellow legs, Solitary and Stilt sandpipers, Marsh Wrens, Sora Rails and “peeps.”
Dos Vacas Muertas, a small Houston Audubon sanctuary, was also very productive for the aforementioned birds last spring. Post Ike, many of the live oaks were lost, however the surrounding salt cedar, yaupon and the remaining dead trees and small water feature make this sanctuary a bird island for migrating birds. Dos Vacas is located on the east side of Sea Isle.
There will be a stop at Jim Stevenson's home, Heartbreak Hammock. His yard list is now at 315 species. Several dozen species of land migrants should be recorded, and likely many neat water birds seen incidentally.
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Texas City Dike & Other Man-made Structures
Price: $40
Date: Thursday, April 12, from 12:45 p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Date: Sunday, April 15, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Bring water, snacks, lunch if over Noon hour
Field Experts: Mort Voller, Stephan Lorenz, George Regmund, Gay York
Bus & Frequent in-and-out Walk
Skill Level: All
The Texas City area abounds with bird-friendly, man-made structures. There are colonies of Cave and Cliff swallows nesting under several I-45 bridges. Catchment ponds for the refineries could still hold some Eared Grebes, plus late wintering waterfowl, and usually Roseate Spoonbills and herons. The Texas City Dike, which protects the port of Texas City, projects approximately 5 miles into East Galveston Bay, almost to Pelican Island. The newly built recreational area along the dike is an excellent vantage point to see birds that prefer a true marine environment.
Some late wintering loons, gulls and terns will likely be present, plus some bay ducks, mergansers, and others. Afterwards, drive along Skyline Highway on the top of a levee, for an outside chance to spot the white morph of a Great Blue Heron. If time permits the trip will seek out one of several colonies of Monk Parakeets colonially nesting atop the power transmission towers, and perhaps an Anhinga along the freshwater canal at Highland Park.
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Turtle Research Station Tour
Price: $15
Date: Friday, April 13, from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 14, from 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
No food allowed in facility
Field Expert: Susan Lewis
Meet at Site & Walk
Skill Level: All
Don’t miss this special tour of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sea turtle facility, where more than 350 turtles are housed in 30 saltwater tanks. Known as the “turtle barn,” the facility is the only one of its kind in the world dedicated to captive rearing of sea turtles for research. For the short amount of time these turtles are under NOAA's care, the primary focus of this research is the modification of commercial fishing equipment to avoid the incidental by-catch of sea turtles.
Since the turtle barn is no longer open to regularly-scheduled public tours, this event offers a rare opportunity to visit the research facility and learn what is being done in our own backyard to help these endangered animals.
There are only seven species of sea turtles in the world, and six are classified as threatened or endangered.
Please plan to drive your own car to the turtle barn. Driving directions will be emailed to you and also available at the Registration Desk. It takes approximately 15 minutes to drive from downtown to the facility, and another 15 back to town, so please allow enough time in your schedule. Please arrive at the gate a few minutes early. The gate is locked and we will walk in together as a group.
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Warbler Watching Trip Just for 12
Price: $50
Date: Friday, April 13
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Field Expert: Louise Zemaitis
Bring water, snacks, lunch
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
A dozen lucky people will visit the best places on the Island to watch for migrating warblers with Louise Zemaitis. Louise has extensive experience with warbler identification and will help guests improve their powers of observation. Places visited will depend on weather patterns and reports from Thursday’s birding activities.
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West Isle Marsh and Shorebirds
Price: $50
Date: Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14
Time: 7:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Jim Stevenson
Bus, Frequent in-and-out Walk
Skill Level: 2, 3
Participants will travel to Galveston Island West End shorebird hot spots to bird the freshwater ponds, coastal marshes and bay waters. These areas provide habitat for Clapper Rails, Black-necked Stilts, Common Loons, diving ducks and “peeps.” Private piers on Sportsman Road provide excellent viewing for oyster-catchers, dowitchers, Dunlins, gulls, terns and Ruddy Ternstones.
At the far end of the Island, the San Luis Pass mudflats and marshes provide close-up viewing of avocets, white pelicans, plovers, Marbled Godwits, Long-billed Curlews, and several varieties of migrating shorebirds, terns and “peeps.”
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What’s Hot on Sunday
Price: $55
Date: Sunday, April 15
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Field Experts: Steve Gross, Mike Austin, Louise Zemaitis
Bring water, snacks
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
This fast-paced event will visit Island sites where birding over the prior three days has been the best, recognizing that weather conditions may be different. It’s a shorter version of the ever-popular Galveston Complete Birding Sampler.
Targets: sandpipers, plovers, herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, gulls, terns, ducks, early migrating songbirds and much more!
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Wintering and Migrating Shorebirds Field Trip
Price: $30
Date: Sunday, April 15
Field Trip: 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Bring water, snacks
Field Expert: Alice Anne O’Donell
Bus & Walk
Skill Level: All
Early stage birders will find this event the perfect opportunity to learn about birding and experience the fun of FeatherFest! It is recommended that you attend the Wintering and Migrating Shorebirds Workshop beforehand, so you can take what you learned into the field.
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For Further Information
Email: FeatherFest@gintc.org
FeatherFest Hotline: 832.459.5533
Nature Tourism Info: 409.789.8125
Mail: Galveston FeatherFest, P.O. Box 1468
Galveston, TX 77553-1468
FeatherFest is a project of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council which supports nature tourism and education, and promotes the value of area natural habitats.
www.GalvestonNatureTourism.org
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