An Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Port O'Connor, Texas

© 2000-08 Sundown Island

Spring 2003 Workday

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What a gorgeous day! About forty four volunteers turned out to help prepare Sundown Island for the Spring breeding season. There were enough volunteers to complete many projects.

Volunteers planted Mangrove trees and seedlings around various ponds on the island. They also weeded three experimental tree plots. During the spring and summer, the Sunflowers get so large that they can block the sun from the new trees. The Sunflower plants were weeded from around the new trees. About seventy five percent of the trees in these plots have survived and seem to be doing remarkably well. The trees will eventually provide nesting habitat for Herons, Egrets, Spoonbills and more.

Providing fresh water to the birds is one of the Warden's greatest concerns. A fresh water new pond was created. The Corps of Engineers dug the pond while they were adding dredge fill to the North end of the island. Volunteers lined the pond completed the waterline. By the end of the day, the windmill was pumping fresh water into the new pond.

Another group of volunteers built shelves, a tool rack, and installed cabinets in the tractor shed. The Olson family completed a "duplex" size nesting stand that was started during the Fall 2002 workday and added a new nesting stand on the north end of the island. Other volunteers picked up liter that might harm the birds off of the beach.

New recruits were treated to a walking tour of the island with master birder, Petra Hockey. She began by giving the volunteers a brief history of Sundown Island. She generously brought her professional scope and extra binoculars so that the volunteers could see the birds while she talked about them. Early nesters this season are the Herons and Egrets. Petra, a resident of Port O'Connor, has worked closely with Chester Smith for many years.

During lunch an "Outstanding Service on Sundown Island Award" Presented to the Olson Family Chester Smith, Warden of the Sundown Island (an Audubon bird sanctuary), presented an award for eight years of "Outstanding Service" to the Olson Family from Palacios. Pictured with their award (a glass etched plaque) from left to right are Rebekah Olson, Isaac Olson, Ed and Linda Olson, Chester Smith, Andrew Olson, and Hannah Olson.  The award was a glass etched plaque with the Sundown Island logo and “For Outstanding Service, The Olson Family, Spring 2003.” Read more about the Olson Family.

About half of the crew was from Devon Oil Company. They have generously organized volunteers and provided lunch for all of the volunteer workers. We appreciate all that Devon Oil Company has donated in the past and hope for their continued involvement with the bird sanctuary

On a more grim note, the Thursday before workday, Chester and Ed killed four Rattlesnakes. On workday, Petra ran across another rattler. The snakes are out and sunning...be watchful, not just on the island, but everywhere outdoors.