Special to the PRESS
The shorelines and tidal mudflats of the southern coastal tip of Texas provide extremely valuable and important habitat for a wide range of resident breeding and migratory shorebird species including sandpipers, plovers and allies. Thousands of resident shorebirds nest on local beaches and wetland edges, and millions of birds undertake yearly round-trip migrations up and down the Texas coast in flights between northern breeding grounds as far as the Arctic Circle and southern wintering sites at the southern end of the southern hemisphere. These globe-trotting birds deserve some recognition and celebration.
World Shorebirds Day is a global effort held each September at the peak of their migration to raise awareness about shorebirds and shorebird conservation through citizen science and education.
“It is important to realize that the little Sanderlings chasing the waves on the beach have a more incredible story than is initially imaginable and that the vast tidal mudflats of SPI that seem like barren landscapes at times are actually extremely important habitats and provide life to vast numbers of birds and other wildlife,” stated Javier Gonzalez, Naturalist Educator. “That is what World Shorebirds Day is all about. Since most shorebirds species prefer coastal shorelines, the South Padre Island beach and the shores of the Laguna Madre provide the best opportunity to see greatest diversity in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The SPI Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary’s [SPIBNCAS] 43 acres of coastal wetlands situated on the shores of the Lower Laguna Madre make a perfect location to observe and learn about them. To honor World Shorebirds Day, SPIBNCAS invites the public to join the effort and learn about these incredible birds on Saturday, Sept. 9 on a full shorebird-focused day. The day will start with staff naturalists leading a shorebird tour and count (through registration) along the center’s boardwalk trail starting at 8:30 a.m. During the count, participants will not only enjoy beautiful views of shorebirds but will also become citizen scientists and assist in collecting important data that will help conservationists assess the health of shorebirds both regionally and worldwide.
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