An Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Port O'Connor, Texas

© 2000-08 Sundown Island

Winter 2005 Reports From Chester Smith

Chester (far right) talks to the dredging crew on the North end of the island. Click on image for a larger view.

Excerpts from Chester's e-mails about the dredge project to shore up the windmill, expand the North shore and more.

January 26, 2005
It's a beautiful calm morning here. Ed (Taylor) and I went out with the Corps and Dredge guys most of yesterday afternoon. We are getting lots of good solid sand on the North end. The levee they dozed up is holding good. The reason we have a new pond North of the shed is that they needed the sand for a protective levee. I also agreed to build a certain number of ponds to meet the requirements of the $5,000 grant from Ducks Unlimited received several years ago for the windmill. Maybe rain this year will help fill it.

January 27, 2005
Dave Moore, a TV photographer from Texas Parks and Wildlife saw the Sundown Island Web site and wants to take pictures in April. More people are finding our Web site!

They are really piling the sand up nice on the North shore (see top photo). The Skimmers and Terns can nest safely on higher ground.

Ed (Taylor) is coming over later to e-mail pictures of the windmill.

New dredge fill along the East shoreline. Notice the grass line. A closer view of the dredge fill as you approach the windmill.

Dredge Photos on the East shoreline of the island. Click on the image for a larger view. What a difference!

February 4, 2005
Saw 12 pair of Great Blue Herons, one pair of Cara Caras, and one Barn Owl this morning. Have seen the owl for several weeks in the tractor shed. Guess he is keeping the snakes down. Ha! Another Beautiful Day.

Charley and I are heading for Olson's near Palacious. Taking Linda a check for the workday picnic.