Sundown Island Bird Sanctuary

Sundown Island Spring Workday 2006

The Reddish Egrets are already
setting up their nests.

Twenty-five volunteers reported at Clark's Restaurant and Marina for Sundown Island's Spring Workday.

The weather, typically iffy in the spring, was great for Spring Workday! Mild temperatures prevailed, overcast skies turning to sunny in the afternoon with fairly windy conditions. The boats were able to land on the Southeast side of the island making the wade on to shore an easy one.

Approximately twenty new trees were planted, watered and fertilized in the plot closest to the shed. Volunteers also cleaned out, watered and fertilized two other plots planted during previous workdays. Ed Taylor drove the tractor to treat the island with Award, a hi-yield Fire Ant bait, which is effective for controlling ants in large areas.

Linda Olson, Tim Wilkinson and Larry Tisdel led the group in the beach cleanup. Tyler Wilkinson found the best beach treasure—fifty feet of brand new line, still in the plastic packaging. The Government Land Office crew of Niell Irvin and Rob Muir brought their four-wheeler to assist with the beach cleanup and moving supplies.

Linda Olson and the Olson family prepared and brought the lunch—always much appreciated by the volunteers. After lunch, led by Mark Elwonger and Ed Olson, part of the crew headed off to dismantle some of the nesting stands. The nesting stands were made of four to eight posts with fencing wire mounted on top. They were originally built to maximize the survival of the pelican chicks by keeping them away from the Fire Ants and the Rattlesnakes. However, during the last two breeding seasons the pelicans have done so well that the nesting stands are no longer needed.

L–R, Back: Ed and Linda Olson; Front: Isaac, Rebekah and Hannah Olson. The Olson's are planning to move to Rexburg, Idaho in the Fall. They have been volunteering on Sundown Island for fifteen years plus. Their warmth and caring dedication to Sundown Island will be sorely missed. They will be Idaho's gain!

Abe Moore with Texas Parks and Wildlife joined us again to interview other volunteers and film them in action during the workday activities. His key grip for this trip was Ethan Vuichard, a resident of Port O'Connor. He promised to let us know when the special on Sundown Island would air, probably the end of this summer.

Some of the volunteers toured the middle of the island to see which birds had returned for nesting. There were numerous Reddish Egrets and white morph Reddish Egrets already displaying and setting up nests sites. Great Blue Herons have staked out their territory as well. Pair of Crested Caracaras was also observed. Chester Smith, the Warden of Sundown Island, said that they might also be nesting on the island. One of them was observed chasing out an intruding Red-tailed Hawk. The pelicans, although hanging out together along the shore, have not started their nesting yet.

The Army Corps of Engineers have been adding dredge fill to the island during the winter months, predominately on the North and East sides. The dredge operation will be complete by the end of the week following workday. Because the East side was eroding so rapidly a lot of fill was placed there, including in front of the windmill and dock area. The dock is now, more or less, on dry land.

As to vegetation, many of the trees planted have done remarkably well considering the lack of rain. The Lantana was prolific and in full bloom. The Silver Leaf Sunflowers are only just starting to bloom and are an important nesting substrate for the small herons and ibis. The vegetation generally on the island is extremely dry, as is most of the coastal area.

How to Help

Contact Warden Chester Smith for information on how to contribute or volunteer at popsbirds@aol.com. Be sure to visit the Audubon Texas Web site for information about other bird sanctuaries at: Audubon Texas Web site.