An Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Port O'Connor, Texas

© 2000-11 Sundown Island Island

From The Warden, Tim Wilkinson

This section includes excerpts from reports and e-mails from the Warden, Tim Wilkinson, that will provide some insight into what it takes to manage a bird sanctuary.

October 31, 2011—Galveston District 2011 Dredging Conference

I attended day 2 of the Galveston District 2011 Dredging Conference last Thursday.

The district commander reviewed 2011 fiscal year accomplishments, and the challenges going forward. There was a lot of talk of their 2012-2013 budget being smaller than normal.

The operations project managers from the Navigation Branch then discussed the budgeted 2012 projects in their areas, plus 2013 ideas. Attached are the the project lists, and also organization charts for the Operations Division (headed by Joe Hrametz), including the Navigation Branch and the Operations Branch—including the Operations Managers' names, photos and areas of responsibilities, along with phone numbers and email addresses.

George Dabney, Operations Manger for the Matagorda Ship Channel (which includes Sundown Island) discussed 2012 plans to dredge entrance to ship channel (on the Gulf end), and also near the GIWW crossing. It's scheduled for 2/15/2013 to 3/15/2013 (a little later than we would like). But no plans for BU. So I asked about placing some of the GIWW-crossing material on Sundown. He said they are not planning on placing material on Sundown Island. The location is not the old GIWW next to the island, but the newer re-routed GIWW, so it's a little further away from us.

During the presentation of the FY-12 budget projects, they talked a lot about DAMP (Disposal Area Management Practices) for other projects. We all know they built Sundown Island in a harsh environment. But I wish the Corps would continue helping us manage Sundown Island—as this old Disposal Area has become such an important resource for our birds. And another thought... the harsh environment, particularly the high currents, may be partly why the birds love it so much—in that the high currents make it harder for predators to swim to the island. George Dabney said they can look at BU on Sundown Island if we can find a cost-sharing sponsor.

In summary, I feel it was good to continue Chester's practice of attending this conference. It's a great way to learn about the Corps' upcoming dredging plans, and to represent Audubon Texas to the Corps of Engineers and the other conference attendees.

October 3, 2011—No Fall Workday This Year

Hey Friends of Sundown Island - thanks for all your help through the years. I wanted to let you know that we are not gonna have a Fall Work day this year.

One BIG reason is that the Egret is out of commission - for much needed motor and body repairs. I didn't think it would take this long, but it's been out of service for about 2 months. I hope to get it out of the shop in a few more weeks.

Also, the drought has been tough on the island, and we have little water in our tanks to support new plants right now. Peggy & I went out this weekend in our little boat - the wind was blowing out of the north, so it was choppy crossing the bay - but we made it fine and anchored near the dock and waded in. Saw a few hundred adult pelicans relaxing on the beach and pier - now that they don't have babies to worry about. Other than that, not too many birds on the island this time of year. Although we've had a little rain this past month, the island is still very dry and dusty - as you can probably imagine. But I was happy to see a fair number of last year's seedlings surviving. And no new coon tracks - hopefully he's left.

So, we'll take a break this Fall and reassess our activities and develop a plan for the next year. Then we'll gear up for a big Spring Work Day in early February, burrrrrr. Dr. Lin's group is growing "at least 40 Casuarina seedlings and some Eucalypt seedlings" plus some salt cedars from cuttings off the island. And we'll add to that some other species from Mike Heep's Native Plant Nursery in Harlingen.

Let me know your ideas on what you think has worked good in the past, and what hasn't. What should we continue to do, and what we maybe need to do differently going forward. Send e-mails to: twsword1@comcast.net