Saturday, May 6, 2006
The staff at Padre Island National Seashore invites the community to celebrate the First Annual International Migratory Bird Day Festival on Saturday, May 13, 2006. International Migratory Bird Day commemorates the journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds to places such as Mexico, Central, and South America. International Migratory Bird Day events are held each May to increase awareness and encourage bird and habitat conservation.
Field Activities at the National Seashore will commence at 8:00 a.m. and run until 12:00 noon and will include birding beach hikes and boat rides to Colonial Waterbird Rookeries located on the Laguna Madre. Visitors 16 years of age or older interested in participating in a Colonial Waterbird boating tours should meet at the Bird Island Basin boat ramp from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Birding beach hikes will be offered at the Visitor’s Center from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Deck activities will be held at the Malaquite Visitor Center deck between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors will have opportunities to learn about bird migration and adaptations, enjoy face painting, and participate in educational games. The Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi’s “Wetland on Wheels” exhibit will be onsite to provide opportunities to learn about wetland habitats.
Presentations will be held in the Visitor’s Center Auditorium hourly between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Topics about Shorebirds, raptors, and bird nesting will be discussed by park staff, researchers from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and Texas Tech University.
Padre Island National Seashore is home to approximately 380 species of birds. Migrants and non-migrants have been documented within the boundaries of the National Seashore because of its location on the Central Flyway, a major migratory route. This is nearly 45% of all bird species documented in North America. In addition, a significant portion of the park extends into the Laguna Madre, which is a wintering ground for many migrants, including 70% of the North American population of redhead ducks. The National Seashore’s grasslands and marshes are also wintering ground for many other bird species. Visitors to Padre Island National Seashore are encouraged to bring sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, bird book, and other birding equipment.
The National Seashore is located southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitors to Corpus Christi should head East through the city on South Padre Island Drive (Highway 358). After crossing the JFK Causeway and the bridge onto Padre Island, continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22. Interested groups and individuals should call Ardrianna McLane at (361) 949-8068 or Michelle Kolar (361) 949-8173, ext. 224 for more information or questions.
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