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[[Image:Bolivar_Flats_SS.jpg|thumb|600px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary in April 2008, before the area was impacted by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008]] | [[Image:Bolivar_Flats_SS.jpg|thumb|600px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary in April 2008, before the area was impacted by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008]] | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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===Notable Species=== | ===Notable Species=== | ||
''To do'' | ''To do'' | ||
| − | [[Image:Birds_Bolivar_Flats.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008]] | + | [[Image:Birds_Bolivar_Flats.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo]] |
| + | [[Image:Shorebirds_Bolivar.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />American Avocets and other shorebirds, Bolivar Flats, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo]] | ||
===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
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===History and Use=== | ===History and Use=== | ||
| − | ' | + | The Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary was first established in the late 1980's, with the permission of Galveston County. The beach was closed to vehicles with the building of a vehicular barrier. Over the years more land was acquired and the sanctuary is now 1,146 acres in size. The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network recognizes it as a site of hemispheric importance, and National Audubon Society and Birdlife International, as an Important Bird Area. |
===Areas of Interest=== | ===Areas of Interest=== | ||
*Every third Saturday a species count occurs at Bolivar Flats, sponsored by Houston Audubon, which is an excellent way for visitors to learn from local experts. It begins at 8am at the ferry landing. | *Every third Saturday a species count occurs at Bolivar Flats, sponsored by Houston Audubon, which is an excellent way for visitors to learn from local experts. It begins at 8am at the ferry landing. | ||
| − | *During Spring migration (mid-March to mid-May) there are volunteers, with spotting scopes, to help visitors with shorebird identification. | + | *During Spring migration (mid-March to mid-May) there are volunteers at Bolivar Flats, with spotting scopes, to help visitors with shorebird identification. |
*Horshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary | *Horshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary | ||
*Rollover Pass | *Rollover Pass | ||
Revision as of 23:44, 30 March 2009
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This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
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Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary in April 2008, before the area was impacted by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008
Overview
Southeast Texas coast. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is a coastal beach with mudflats and is the prime birdng spot on the peninsula. The beach was extensively damaged by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008, but is open to visitors, now that the debris has been cleared.
Other nearby spots on the tip of Bolivar peninsula (all west of Retillon Rd) are also birdy including French Town Road, Fort Travis Seashore park, ferry landing at tip of peninsula.
Birds
Long species lists are turned up here each month. For example 100 species were seen in 4 of the last 12 months. Minimum number of species was 73. Each monthly count was only over a 3 hour period in a relatively small area by less than 10 participants.
Notable Species
To do
Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo
American Avocets and other shorebirds, Bolivar Flats, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo
Rarities
To do
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
251 Species reported from Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (see external link)
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
The Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary was first established in the late 1980's, with the permission of Galveston County. The beach was closed to vehicles with the building of a vehicular barrier. Over the years more land was acquired and the sanctuary is now 1,146 acres in size. The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network recognizes it as a site of hemispheric importance, and National Audubon Society and Birdlife International, as an Important Bird Area.
Areas of Interest
- Every third Saturday a species count occurs at Bolivar Flats, sponsored by Houston Audubon, which is an excellent way for visitors to learn from local experts. It begins at 8am at the ferry landing.
- During Spring migration (mid-March to mid-May) there are volunteers at Bolivar Flats, with spotting scopes, to help visitors with shorebird identification.
- Horshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary
- Rollover Pass
Access and Facilities
You can drive right up to the ocean's edge on the flats themselves but be careful or you'll get stuck in the mud.
Directions From Houston take I-45 South to Galveston. In town I-45 turns into Broadway. Follow Broadway to Seawall Boulevard. Turn left on Seawall. Turn left on Ferry Road to the terminal (ferry is free of cgarge). You will exit the ferry on Hwy. 87. Follow this for 3.7 miles to Retillon Road. Turn right and drive to the beach. Turn right on the beach and drive on the beach to the vehicular barricade where you may park.
From Fifth Street in High Island, turn left onto Hwy. 124. Go to the stop sign. Turn right on to Hwy. 87 and it is about 25 miles to Retillon Road . Turn left on Retillon and drive to the beach. Turn right on the beach and drive on the beach to the vehicular barricade where you may park.
Contact Details
Houston Audubon Society
440 Wilchester Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079
Tel: 713-932-1639
Email: [email protected]
External Links
- Horseshoe Marsh
- Link to Monthly Bird count lists
- Link to 250+ species seen at Bolivar Flats (per eBird)
Content and images posted by bernerjc and HelenB
Reviews
bernerjc's review top spot on the Upper Texas Coast for shorebirds. free. Only downside is hard to get to from Galveston /Houston. Must take car ferry which is fast in winter but has long waits in the spring/summer during middle of day
