Unusually high tides whipped up by Tropical Storm Cindy have inundated much of
the bay side of Galveston Island State Park. On a visit this morning I found
most of the Clapper Rail trail underwater, in addition to much of the entrance
road to that section of the park. The water had formed a shallow tidal lake
extending from the bay side all the way to the first observation tower. This is
not good for the ground nesting birds there, which include Black Rail, Clapper
Rail, Black-necked Stilt, heron and egret species, and Least Terns, among
others. Species that are into their second nesting cycle, or late breeders,
will be affected.
There were large numbers of herons and egrets clustered on high ground, two
Common Nights Hawks were on a dry part of the road, and terns and gulls had
gathered at the edge of flooded road areas.
All in all, a distressing sight. I was glad to be driving a Jeep SUV as I made
my way through the flooded areas of the park. Park employees closed off
access to the bay side before 9 a.m. this morning.
Bob Becker, Galveston
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