By JAVIER GONZALEZ
Special to the PRESS
The spring season is an exciting time of year on the Island, especially at the South Padre Island Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary [SPIBNCAS].
Thousands of trans-gulf migratory birds will be arriving at the center and on SPI as they complete their marathon 600-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico, the first leg of their northward migration to breeding grounds. SPIBNCAS is ready for the arrival of these tired and hungry migratory birds, adorning their colorful and bright breeding plumages.
SPIBNCAS annually celebrates this breathtaking time of year with the South Padre Island Spring Migration Celebration. All are invited to celebrate this spectacle of nature along with the center on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Those interested in seeing and learning about migration can do so through migration birding tours and a spring migration birding presentation provided by the center’s naturalists. Both adult and youth birding tours will be conducted to help visitors of all ages enjoy the experience.
The SPIBNCAS also aims to spread awareness about the importance of native habitats and to facilitate the creation of backyard habitats for migratory birds during the event. A native plant tour of the center’s native gardens will be led by a local Texas Master Naturalist. It will offer insight about the plants migratory birds are benefiting from. A native plant sale will provide the opportunity to purchase native trees, shrubs and nectar plants to assist the bird migration from home. An SPI habitat and birding van tour to public and private bird habitats across the Island will also inspire ideas on how to go about creating your own migratory bird sanctuary.
Bird migration is not the only exciting happening at the center this spring. SPIBNCAS will also be celebrating their 4th anniversary as an Alligator Sanctuary with a free admission day on Saturday, May 6.
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