An Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Port O'Connor, Texas

© 2000-08 Sundown Island

Spring Workday Scheduled
for Saturday, February 19th

We have a big workday planned for February 19th. The Army Corps of Engineers has built a 10 foot high sand levee on the Northeast side of the island to help control erosion. They dozed the dirt out of the site of a future pond (about 40' x 85'), Northeast of the tractor shed. On workday, we will line the pond with plastic, plant trees around it and lay a two inch water line from the windmill to the pond. A BIG JOB! We will also do the usual, clean up along the beach, clean grass from old tree plots, treat fire ants, etc. We are not planning to build any more nesting platforms. One of our big problems is the erosion on the windmill/dock side of the island. The photos below illustrate the progress of the erosion since the windmill was installed in 2000. Hurricane Claudette seriously eroded this side of the beach in 2003. Increased ship traffic and a rapid current are also contributors to the erosion. Historical view of the Sundown Island windmill and the encroaching shoreline. Click on each image for a larger view. The Army Corps of Engineers believe they have a plan that will help slow down the erosion. The engineers plan to install a levy to hold the sand material (more like a slurry) on this side of the island. They have already started dredging so you will get to see how the project is going if you come for workday. Report to Clark's Restaurant and Marina in Port O'Connor at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 19. Go to workday schedules for more information on how to get there and what to bring. It will take a couple of trips to get everyone over to the island in the Audubon boat, the Egret II. We will have at least one guide boat for transport as well. Send an e-mail to Chester Smith if you plan on coming. We need a head count to be sure we have enough transportation to the island. You may also call. The contact page has telephone numbers. Note to birders or fisherman: If you come down to Port O'Connor to fish—you might want to watch out for the Whooping Cranes. Several have been spotted around Grass Island and there is a Whooper family that can be frequently seen at Welders' Flats. However, the best way to see the Whopping Cranes is to take the trip out of Rockport (http://www.texaswhoopers.com).