The World Famous *Freeport Christmas Bird Count* takes place on *Sunday,
December 18th*. I am seeking assistants to help count the birds at Brazoria
National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent private property.
Whether you are an expert birder or a casual watcher, this is your chance
to contribute to this excellent citizen science program and meet and learn
from other birders. *Don't worry about skill level - I'll be sure to team
everyone up appropriately.*
There are options to bird from your car or a bicycle, walk, or even kayak
or canoe. Yes, some areas are only accessible from the water. I
particularly need a number of people who are willing to walk through the
adjacent woods for three hours or so in the morning to get passerines, and
one or two more who want to pull on the rubber boots to go count shorebirds
in the area known as the slop bowl. If youâre a photographer, there will
be plenty of opportunities.
You'll be able to visit areas of the refuge that are not generally open to
the public. I have also secured permission to access the adjacent private
property which has produced excellent passerines in recent years. Some of
the rarities seen in this area of the Freeport count in past years include
Green Towhee, Groove-billed Ani, Short-eared Owl and Western and Couch's
Kingbirds. We'll meet at 7:00 AM at the visitor center. There are more
areas to cover in the afternoon if you want to stay, but some people only
do a half day. Everyone who participates is invited to the countdown dinner
Sunday evening. Let anyone else who might be interested know about it.
Last year we identified 146 species within this portion of the count
circle, including several "exclusives", birds not found anywhere else
within the Freeport Circle.
*Brazoria NWR*: From the intersection of Highway 288 and FM 523
in Angleton, take FM 523 to Highway 2004 intersection. Continue on 523 for
5.5 miles to County Road 227. Turn left on CR 227 and proceed 1.7 miles to
the refuge entrance. The visitor center at which we meet is about three
miles beyond the gate. *Do not* *just type the refuge name into your GPS
device*. It will send you to the administrative office.
Please reply to bobwhitebsacbc@xxxxxxxxx if you're planning on coming so
I'll know to look for you, and let me know if you'd prefer driving,
walking, or slogging through the marsh. And anyone who wants to meet me at
the front gate at 5:30 AM to look for owls is certainly welcome.
Bob White
Area 5 Leader - Freeport Christmas Bird Count
bobwhitebsacbc@xxxxxxxxx
281-455-4254
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