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When we first arrived, we also observed two Magnificent Frigate Birds circling over the island, a male and female. Frigate birds are seen with some regularity in the Port O'Connor area but male frigate birds are much less common. Last year the plants on Sundown Island were in better shape because of the abundant rain. This year thick brush and grass were found around the various ponds on the island and closer to the shore. On the dryer parts of the island the plants seemed to be surviving in spite of the dry conditions. On the day of the census, unless you were on the edge of the island, there was almost no breeze which made the island miserably hot. David Newstead noted that there were more Reddish-egrets present on the island during a March visit than during the annual census. Most of the fledged chicks were probably gone by now. He also noted that he observed lots of dead Laughing-gulls around the island (about one week-old. Most gull clutches had only one or two eggs.
By contrast, there were lots of pelican chicks in various spots on the island. They were of all ages from just-fledged to just acquiring juvenile feathers to first year adults. Parts of the island, large areas looked more like a "day care" or nursery than anything else. It is rare to visit Sundown Island that a Diamond-back Rattle Snake is not encountered. All of the counters were wearing snake leggings. The annual colonial-water bird census is shown below. The numbers were down somewhat from last year. However, the census takes place once a year. Many of the birds were already sitting on eggs in February. Their chicks would have fledged and left the island. Even if the juveniles remained on the island, only breeding-pairs are counted. Before the group headed back for Port O'Connor, Chester Smith had one more item to take care of. The spring on the windmill needed to be replaced. Chester had David Newstead climb up to the windmill platform to replace the spring. The rest of the group helped from the ground. In the end, the spring was not replaced. David got a lots of practice going up and down the windmil thoughl. He said that "I believe I started and ended my career as a windmill repairman all in the same day." David is the Manager of the Audubon Colonial Waterbird Program and Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program Partner. Annual Census 2008
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How to Help:
Contact Warden Chester Smith for information on how to contribute or volunteer. Be sure to visit the Audubon Texas Web site for information about other bird sanctuaries at: Audubon Texas Web site. |
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