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[[Image:Bolivar_Flats_SS.jpg|thumb|550px|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|550px|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]] | ||
'''[[United States]], [[Texas]]''' | '''[[United States]], [[Texas]]''' | ||
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==Birds== | ==Birds== | ||
| + | [[Image:Birds_Bolivar_Flats.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo]] | ||
Long species lists are turned up here each month. | 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. | 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. | ||
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===Notable Species=== | ===Notable Species=== | ||
American Avocets, Piping Plovers, Snowy Plovers and many other shorebirds. Other visitors include Black Terns, scoters and jaegers. | American Avocets, Piping Plovers, Snowy Plovers and many other shorebirds. Other visitors include Black Terns, scoters and jaegers. | ||
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===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
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==Other Wildlife== | ==Other Wildlife== | ||
| + | [[Image:Shorebirds_Bolivar.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br />American Avocets and other shorebirds, Bolivar Flats, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo]] | ||
''To do'' | ''To do'' | ||
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*[http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=hotspots&parentState=US-TX&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2012&reportType=location&continue.x=62&continue.y=4&hotspots=L1340108&hotspots=L1505042&hotspots=L281773&hotspots=L295025&hotspots=L267477 Link to 275+ species seen in the Bolivar Flats area (per eBird)] | *[http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=hotspots&parentState=US-TX&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2012&reportType=location&continue.x=62&continue.y=4&hotspots=L1340108&hotspots=L1505042&hotspots=L281773&hotspots=L295025&hotspots=L267477 Link to 275+ species seen in the Bolivar Flats area (per eBird)] | ||
*[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/coastal/upper/bolivar-loop Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Bolivar Loop] | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/coastal/upper/bolivar-loop Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Bolivar Loop] | ||
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''Content and images posted by bernerjc and HelenB'' | ''Content and images posted by bernerjc and HelenB'' | ||
Revision as of 10:26, 17 March 2013
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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
Located on the Upper Texas coast, northeast of Galveston, the Bolivar Peninsula is essentially a washover bar separating Galveston Bay to the north, from the Gulf of Mexico to the south. At the southern end is the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, 1,146 acres consisting of coastal beach with mudflats and this is the prime birding spot on the peninsula. The beach was extensively damaged by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008, but is recovering well. 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. Horseshoe Marsh and Munday Marsh Bird Sanctuaries are also nearby.
The Bolivar Peninsula is on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, site nos. UTC 56-60. See External Links.1
Birds
Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo
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
American Avocets, Piping Plovers, Snowy Plovers and many other shorebirds. Other visitors include Black Terns, scoters and jaegers.
Rarities
To do
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
275 Species reported from Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (see external link)
Other Wildlife
American Avocets and other shorebirds, Bolivar Flats, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo
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.
- Horseshoe 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 charge). 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.
- Driving along the beach is free, but parking permits are required if you intend to park anywhere on the beach. To visit the shorebird sanctuary, you must park at the vehicular barrier and enter the sanctuary on foot. As of Jan 1st, 2007 the permit fee is $10.00 a year and permits are available from most stores and real estate agents on the peninsula, or by contacting the Galveston County Parks Department in advance of your trip: Galveston County Parks Department, 4102 Main (FM 519), La Marque, Texas 77568; Tel: 409-934-8100.
Contact Details
Houston Audubon Society
440 Wilchester Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079
Tel: 713-932-1639
Email: [email protected]
External Links
- Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
- Horseshoe Marsh Sanctuary
- Mundy Marsh Bird Sanctuary
- Link to 275+ species seen in the Bolivar Flats area (per eBird)
- Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Bolivar Loop
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 requires long waits in the spring/summer during middle of day
