LOS is offering another fantastic field trip, 1 February, 2025, not previously listed in the Winter newsletter. Come along with John Nelson as we take a trip beside the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish. This will be an all day trip. Up to 10 participants. Carpooling is recommended.
We will meet at 7:30 am in the Breaux Mart parking lot, (7902 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 <,+%287902+LA-23,+Belle+Chasse,+LA+70037?entry=gmail&source=g>, on the right just past the intersection with Hwy 406).
From here we will caravan downriver to our first stop, West Ravenna Road.
This a good spot for Western Kingbirds, Say¡¯s Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Myiarchus flycatchers as well as a variety of raptors including Swainson¡¯s Hawk. Groove-billed Ani is also a possibility.
Next stop is Diamond. There are often Scissor-tails and Western Kingbirds on the fences and power lines around the baseball field, and frequently a Vermilion Flycatcher is in the same area. With any luck, maybe a Cassin¡¯s Kingbird! The woods just to the south of the ball field and along the pipeline right-of-way are good areas for Brown-crested and Ash-throated Flycatcher.
Buras Boat Launch is next on the agenda. Over the back levee, the surrounding marsh is a good spot for Seaside and Nelson¡¯s Sparrows, Marsh Wrens, rails and ducks.
The day will end at historic Fort Jackson. We will bird the oaks surrounding the fort, looking for wintering foraging flocks. Always a good chance of finding something rare here. The Mississippi River levee and batture can also yield some wintering warblers plus other goodies such as Myiarchus flycatchers, Barn, Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls.
Prepare for some walking at each stop. There will be portalets with a washing station at Diamond and full bathrooms at the Fort Jackson visitor¡¯s center.
To attend the field trip, you must be a current LOS member and register through Melissa Weaver via email at melissaweaverbird@... <mailto:melissaweaverspeech@...>. Trip registrations will be on a first-received email basis; Melissa will confirm your registration, so if you don¡¯t receive a confirmation from her check the spelling of her email address. Registration for this trip begins 1 January, 8am.
Thanks!
Melissa Weaver
