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The First “Big Sit” Was a Blast!!!
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Thirty plus folks joined five birding experts from the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society at the Center’s first“Big Sit” on Saturday, September 27th. The weather was beautiful, making for a pleasant day for watching birds and wildlife. The birding team recorded a total of thirty-seven species of birds for the event, a bit lower than expected, but with a couple of exciting fall migrants. The bird of the day was a lone Prairie Warbler that got everyone up and running as it foraged near the woodland edge. Northern Waterthrush and Yellow Warbler were also spotted. The Center’s pair of Bald Eagles also made an appearance, flying over the nest site during the day, as did a “flock” of five anhingas, enjoying the thermals that formed near noon. Of course the commonly seen species and a couple of over wintering birds were also around, including the secretive Gray Catbird and boisterous Belted Kingfisher. The second and final “Big Sit” of the fall will occur on Saturday, October 11th from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. when we hope to experience the peak of our fall migration. Hope to see you there.
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Fall Fly By & BIG SIT
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Beginning Saturday, September 20th and every Saturday through November 19th, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center will host its annual “Fall Fly By”. Birders of all stripes, especially beginners, can visit one of the newest of Audubon’s Education Centers and watch and learn about birds that use the Pascagoula River as a corridor for migration every year. Of course the common birds that call the coast home are also around to view and enjoy along with the “Audubon” Bald Eagle pair that can be viewed from the Center. Visitors to the Center will learn about basic bird identification and how to feed and attract birds to their own backyards at the Center’s demonstration feeding stations and native plant gardens. Hours at the Center are 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.This year’s Fall Fly By will also include two special events call “Big Sits” to be held on September 27th and October 11th. Local birding experts with the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society will be present to occupy three locations across the Center from which point they will “sit” and count the number of species that fly by that day. Visitors can visit any and all stations and learn much about birds and birding from these bird enthusiasts. In addition to viewing birds at the Center, two-hour boat tours of the river are available at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with McCoy’s River & Marsh Tours. Rates are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 years old and under (tax is included). Discounts are available for seniors, active military and Audubon members. Please call ahead for reservations (228-219-4583). So, pack up your kids, grandkids, grandparents and your neighbors and “fly”, “hop” or otherwise get over to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point and enjoy the Fall Fly By. For more information about this program, call the Center at 228-475-0825 or visit our website here
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How to Attract Hummingbirds
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As the days grow cooler, the number of hummingbird sightings will increase across the Gulf Coast states. After nesting and rearing babies up to 3 times per year, hummers will soon start to prepare for their long migration across the Gulf of Mexico by increasing their caloric intake. Quite simply, they will try to put on as much weight as possible, and use this energy for their 18 to 24 hours non stop flight to lower Mexico and Central America. August through early November is a great time to help these dynamic birds by placing feeders in your yard. Their main food supply is floral nectar and small insects, but they will gladly visit feeders year after year to “boost up” on energy. We encourage folks to make their own nectar, and not buy store bought mixes which contain red dye. As long as the feeder itself is red, the birds will be attracted to it. Hummers can see red feeders up to ¾ miles away! The homemade nectar is an easy 4 to 1 ratio of water and sugar (4 parts water, 1 part sugar). The most common hummer along the gulf coast is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, but you may be able to attract the coastal migrating Rufus Hummingbird by maintaining a feeder in your yard during the winter months. Be on the look out for these awesome birds and do your part to help them “fuel” up. Dont forget to enjoy the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center's Hummingbird Migration Festival in September. This event is a great chance to see hundreds of hummers at one time! For more info, visit www.msaudubon.org/hummingbird08.php
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Strawberry Plains Audubon Center--285 Plains Rd., Holly Springs, MS 38635,
662-252-1155, fax-662-252-8844
Bird Conservation Office--1208 Washington St., Vicksburg, MS 39183, 601-661-6189,
fax 601-661-6364
Pascagoula River Audubon Center-- 7001 Frank Griffin Rd. Moss Point, Ms. 39563, 228-475-0825
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2007 by Audubon Mississippi. All rights reserved.
Web consulting by Andy
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