One of the most wonderful things about living along the Texas bays is the incredible bird life. From seagulls to sandpipers, pelicans to plovers, herons to hummingbirds, and terns to turkeys, we have hundreds of bird species both resident and seasonal. This time of year, of course, is baby bird season. A time when our feathered friends are laying eggs and raising chicks. And this is where we all have an opportunity, and responsibility, to help our avian friends by Sharing the Shore.

As much as we enjoy our beaches, these areas are essential places for certain types of birds. Wilson’s Plovers, Least Terns, Oystercatchers, and Black Skimmers all use sand or shell shorelines for nesting and raising their young. While we are out boating, beach combing, fishing, or walking our dogs, we need to be aware that these areas may have young bird families who need their space.

To understand just how and where birds are using our beaches, Audubon and other organizations have biologists monitoring numerous sites along the Gulf coast. One of these sites is Boggy Nature Park in Port O’Connor where last week I met up with Gautam Apte, an avian biologist working for Audubon. Tagging along for a bird survey, we spotted two pair of Wilson’s Plovers but did not see signs of nesting yet. Wilson’s Plovers are recognizable with their big “Jimmy Durante” bill.  In total, we spotted (but it was mostly Gautam’s who spotted) 55 species of birds in just two and a half hours.

Boggy is a true hotspot for birds and is just one of several sites that Gautam is monitoring every couple weeks around Matagorda Bay.
The project, funded by money from the Deep Water Horizon/BP Oil Spill money, will last for five years so scientists can get a good grasp on just how well our shorebirds are doing. This is just one project that Audubon is investing in to help breeding and migrating birds.

Next time you are on the beach or any shoreline throughout our bay systems, watch for birds and give them plenty of space to raise their families. Also, check out Audubon’s Share the Shore website for more tips on how to help our feathered friends. https://tx.audubon.org/conservation/share-shore
Brigid Berger, Texas Master.Naturalist, Mid-Coast Chapter

Calhoun County ISD Coastal Explorers from Seadrift School and Travis Middle School book a field trip to Matagoda Island recently as part of an environmental science curriculum/program/club that is funded by the Matagorda Bay Trust. Field experience lessons included Bay vs Gulf Ecology, Sandy Beach Erosion, Currents in the Gulf of Mexico, Island History, and a tour of the lighthouse.
-Amy Boone

Anamika Brown helps Kylee Roman with her life jacket. Gilliana Gonzalez in background. All are 6th grade Seadrift School students. Ana is from Port O’Connor.

Mrs. Henderson took her Seadrift Pirate Scholars’ class to the Calhoun County Museum. One of our Pirate Scholars is researching La Salle for their TPSP Project. At the Calhoun County Museum, Mr. Duke shared his wealth of knowledge about LaSalle and other important history of the county. He wrapped up his tour with a scavenger hunt of the museum for the students. The students thoroughly enjoyed the visit. We ended our trip by heading out to La Salle’s Monument at its original location on Matagorda Bay in Indianola.

On Monday, April 29th, there was a lot of activity in the garden as we embarked on spring cleaning. We had various tasks to address, including refreshing small areas. We pulled weeds and cleared around the shade structure, as well as tending to the fruit tree area.

It’s fantastic to see local businesses like Reddico and individuals like Nathan O’Neill and Ed Hall stepping up to support community initiatives like the Port O’Connor Community Garden. Their contributions of materials, labor, and expertise are invaluable in expanding and improving the garden. Reddico brought in sand and spread it for Phase II and Nathan leveled a pad for eight more beds. for everyone to enjoy. It’s also heartening to hear about Sheriff Bobby Vickery and the Calhoun County Work release program lending their support to the project. One bed was completed today. Together, they’re making a positive difference in the community, one garden bed at a time!

We spread a lot at the POCCGC, but safety is always first! Make sure to spread the word about being cautious while driving through the garden and respecting each gardener’s ownership of their bed’s harvest.

What a fantastic, instructional event was held at the POC Community Garden! Terri McGuire, our local gardening expert, is so knowledgeable and such a generous teacher. With her guidance, attendees are sure to have successful tomato harvests.

Dieter Erhardt of Art Center Seadrift announced that EL TORO is completed.

Now a cowgirl is riding the wild one eyed bull, holding a flower with a star blossom in her hand which means a symbol of hope. The hat and boots she is wearing, symbolize a Texas girl.

The girl’s poncho is welded from about 1,000 pieces. She wears a poncho because Dieter did not want to make her “sexy looking”, but to dedicate his work to the strong women in this world.

In June, Dieter is inviting 100 (only) women in order to join the unveiling, with the idea of a fundraiser for the local women’s shelter, to cover some of their needs. So far already $4.800 dollars have come together.

The unveiling speech will be held by Mrs. Mortler, member of the European Parlament. Thereafter, the sculpture, which weighs 15.000 pounds will be for sale.