GCMN – Field Trip – Birding at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary – Multiple Sessions

GCMN members are invited to participate in the chapter’s April Field Trip on April 27, at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, where we will identify and count birds for entry into iNaturalist for the City Nature Challenge!   (log in VMS as GCMN – Data Collection)

Also, there will be an associated, virtual Introduction to Birdwatching class on April 25, prior to the field trip.  This is open to all chapter members, even if you cannot go on the field trip.  The meeting invitation will be sent later.

Details Below:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: April 27, 2024 (Saturday)

Place: Quintana Neotropical Bird Sancuary

814 Lamar St, Quintana, TX 77541

4 Sessions, 8 people per session.  Please sign up at  https://volunteersignup.org/C7D94 

Session 1 8:00-10:00

Session 2 10:00-Noon

Session 3  Noon-2:00

Session 4 2:00-4:00

Each session will start at the Host Station (see park map below).  We will split into two groups, Shannon Morrison will lead one, Stephanie Turnstone will lead the other.

Our intent is that Stephanie and I will capture the birds and bird counts as identified by each group in eBird.  Later, we will send attendees in each group the list of birds we saw during their tour.  Attendees will enter their list into iNaturalist along with any photographs they may have taken.   This way, we can focus on data collection and provide it to both citizen science organizations, Cornell Ornithology Lab (via eBird) and iNaturalist.  Attendees will log this in VMS as GCMN: Data Collection.

Parking and access to the park are free though donations are appreciated

Rain date: May 4 (need to confirm with Stephanie)

Pre-Birding Field Trip AT, April 25, via WEBEX:  Introduction to Birdwatching, 1 hour

People need to bring: sunscreen, bug spray, hat, binoculars (let us know if they don’t have them), shoes for walking.  Sandals and flipflops are discouraged, but don’t need heavy boots.  GCBO runs an outreach table and also offers drinks and snacks for purchase, but each attendee may bring their own.  There are portable facilities, too.

For more information on the sanctuary, check it out at https://www.gcbo.org/quintana-neotropical-bird-sanctuary/

Directions from Houston

Head down 288 South all the way to the end in Freeport

Turn right onto FM 523 / FM-523 (Big Buccee’s on the corner)

In 1.2 mi, veer left at the Y to FM 1495 Rd

Proceed 4.0 mi and cross the intracoastal waterway over a tall bridge

At the bottom of the bridge, turn left onto County Road 723 (fyi, it is renamed to Lamar St about 1.5 miles down the road)

Proceed 2.1 miles to the sanctuary.  Parking is indicated on the bottom diagram.