FEBRUARY 2, 2022 www.wintertexantimes.com 8 WINTER TEXAN TIMES te Mucho Audubon Society, bird watchers will have the opportunity to deepen their avian knowledge of South Texas and explore areas along Laredo’s river front, creek systems and nature trails. Carefully s e l e c t - ed public green s p a c - es and p r i v a t e ranchland will provide visitors the chance to visit sites that have never been birded before, while an afternoon trip to St. Peter’s Plaza is where birders will have the chance to catch Laredo’ local green parakeets in action. Romey Swanson, Director of Conservation for Audubon Texas, will be the festival’s guest speaker and deliver a presentation on “Celebrating Texas’Bird Diversity and the Role of Stewardship in Bird Conservation.” With over 650 species, Texas supports an incredible amount of bird diversity and although there is an abundance of stressors to many bird populations, there are an equal number of people and organizations t a k i n g on these challenges. This talk will highlight the role of habitat s tewardship in affecting meaningful conservation while also providing an overview of the unique combination of conditions that make Texas such a special place for bird enthusiasts. Festival favorites such as “Bird ‘til you drop” in Zapata County and Webb County will be held, as well as two different kayaking trips. For more information or to register, please visit www.laredobirdingfestival.org. Courtesy photos Wildlife Expo starts next week The Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo is back. After a hiatus last year, the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and Alligator Rescue is once again offering five days’ worth of seminars, presentations, and field trips that celebrate nature in the RGV. The events will offer different aspects of nature that are found around the area. The event begins on February 8 with a presentation by Robin Gelston which will alert attendees to the dangers to brown pelicans with Save Our Pelicans. Thomas Bainter will tell of Sea Beans and other Treasures of the Beach. Dr. Amy Bonka will talk of Sea Turtle conservation on SPI. Also available will be a tour to Bahia Grande at 7:30 a.m. and a bay boat riding tour #1 at 8 a.m. Dr. Hudson DeYoe will present about What’s Under the Water in Laguna Madre on Wednesday, February 9. Other speakers include Stephanie Biladeau on The Birds of Boca Chica, and the Port Isabel Junior Leadership students will offer an objective report on local waters. Wednesday’s tour will be on native plants and a hisLaredo Birding Festival this weekend Blessed with a rich and diverse river eco-system with its location nestled along the Rio Grande, Laredo, is home to hundreds of species of both local and migratory birds and is considered part of the “birdiest” corridors in North America. Laredo offers birders unprecedented access to view many rare avian beauties and is described by birding enthusiasts as the only place in the U.S. to have boasted four different species of Kingfisher: Ringed, Belted, Green and Amazon. Prized birds also include the Morelet’s Seedeater, Scaled Quail, Gray Hawk, Audubon’s and Altamira Orioles, Green Parakeets, Muscovy Duck, R e d - B i l l e d Pigeon and Cl ay -Co l o r ed Thrush, among many others. The event, being held February 2-5, is perfect for fans of our flying feathered friends, the Laredo Birding Festival is a three-day event that offers birders a variety of full-day scenic trips to take part in. Planned by The Rio Grande International Study Center and escorted by professional field guides and members of the local MonSee EXPO pg. 22
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