A new Guided Biridng Tour at Goose Ilsand State Park, (at least to us)

We had known about the Guided Birding trips available at Goose Island State Park but had never gotten around to signing up for one. Our friends Dan and Barb told us about an upcoming Golf Cart tour and so we signed up along with friends Dave and Jane. We met at the parking lot next to the White Building and loaded into the nine-person vehicle, (actually too small for nine, more comfortable with seven adults).

As we drove to Big Tree we approached a gate with a closure sign. However, the land had all been acquired by the state park, after Hurricane Harvey. Our guide unlocked the gate allowing us to pass through. The gravel road passed a small subdivision of destroyed houses before reaching a narrow and short runway. Turning onto the weed choked runway, afforded us with a view of areas we had canoed and kayaked in years past. Our guide called out the birds as we stopped near the runway’s end.

The view included a shallow back lake that we had once gotten stuck in. Luckily on that adventure we had not seen/met the large alligator that lives there.

A Caracara stood proud on the runway, (they live primarily on carcasses, but we did see one kill and eat an American White Ibis on the beach near our rv park.

A Long-Billed Curlew bathed in a short puddle as three Lesser Yellowlegs chased each other.

Heading back to the State Park we drove along the shore and spotted six Whooping Cranes. Most have already stated their migration, and so we were surprised to see this small flock, (A week later they were, probably on their way north to their breeding grounds in Canada. Four Roseate Spoonbills flew in and landed.

They were all bright pink in their breeding plumage. The guide did mention that there were a nesting pair of Aplomado Falcons at Mustang Island State Park They are one of the rarest Falcons and have been reintroduced (we spotted our first one years ago, at Laguna Acosta National Wildlife Refuge). Our tour today was great thanks to our knowledgeable guide! Thanks for the Day! Now we have plan a trip to Mustang Island State Park and hope to see the Aplomado Falcons! Clear skies