Here is an opportunity to see song birds, including spring migrants, up close.   Experienced bird banders will be collecting baseline scientific data on birds captured on the refuge.   The banders will set up mist nets in a remote location and periodically collect any birds captured in the nets and return them to the Bird Banding area at the Headquarters Campus.   There, the birds are examined and pertinent data recorded before placing a unique numbered band on the bird's leg.   After banding, the birds are released.

Visitors to Migration Celebration can observe the banding process and a volunteer will be there to explain what was happening and answer any questions.

Photo: Marty Cornell Painted Bunting (above); Bird bander with Hooded Warbler (right);

Photo: Kristin Plunkett

Come test your archery skills or learn to shoot safely.   The Lone Star Bowhunters Association will have a target range set-up to teach kids and adults both archery safety and how to shoot archery equipment.

The Lone Star Bowhunters Association (LSBA), a non-profit organization established in 1974, is the only statewide organization representing bowhunting privileges.   The sole purpose of the LSBA is to unite the state's bowhunting sportspeople to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting the sport of bowhunting in Texas.

More information on the Lone Star Bowhunters Association can be found at http://www.lonestarbowhunter.com/.

Photo: Lone Star Bowhunters Association

This one-hour tour is one of our most popular events.   Marsh Buggies have limited capacity, so we encourage visitors to get to the Information Booth early in the day to sign up for a tour.   The Information Booth opens at 9:00 AM

The Marsh Buggy Shuttle van operates throughout the day taking visitors between the Information Booth area and Wolfweed Reservoir.   Visitors embark on an exciting tour on the levees of the reservoir and through a portion of the marshy area of the reservoir.   The driver/naturalist will help you identify things you see.   Alligators, various birds (especially colonial nesting herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills), raccoons, feral hogs, and other wildlife may be observed on your tour.   Binoculars, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant are recommended.

A longer (two-hour) Marsh Buggy tour is available as a Sunday Amazing Adventure but advance registration is required.

Photo: FOBWR Along the levee	Photo: Marty Cornell Marsh buggy
Egret and cormorant nests in Wolfweed Reservoir

This is an interesting driving tour of the Moccasin Pond driving loop and Rail Road with an experienced naturalist as a driver and guide.   This tour requires a little more than an hour, and passes several freshwater marsh areas of the Refuge.   Visitors are likely to see alligators, turtles and several bird species including moorhens, coots, grebes, egrets, herons, Blue-winged Teal.   You also may see Bitterns (American and sometimes Least), Purple Gallinules, snakes and some mammals (raccoons, bobcats, and deer). This tour is a good introduction to the part of the refuge that is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset.

Bring binoculars for a closer view.   If you don't have your own binoculars, we will have simple binoculars available for your use.

Photo: Jerry Eppner Least Bittern

Photo: David Plunkett Purple Gallinule

The objective of our Discovery Program is hands-on experience of nature for children.   At sites scattered about the San Bernard Headquarters Campus, children (and their parents) will be able to get up close to wildlife.

• They can scoop small creatures out of a pond and learn of the diverse life in this ecosystem.
• They can then examine the creatures they found up close through a microscope.
• They can visit the touch table where they'll understand differences in animal fur, relate the structure of skulls to the differing life habits of mammals, and see crude-to-sophisticated bird nests.
• They can see snakes, turtles, and infant alligators up close, and even touch them if they wish.
• If they come early, they will see birds being banded, and a few lucky kids will have the honor of releasing them!
• And they'll be able to participate in our fish casting activity to learn basic casting skills and get to try these skills to catch plastic fish.

Look!   It's a baby alligator!

Photo: Marty Cornell Baby Alligator

Photo: Kristin.Plunkett Fish Casting

Learn from the Refuge Fire Staff about the importance of and techniques in utilizing prescribed fire as a tool to improve habitat quality, cycle nutrients, manage invasive species and reduce hazardous fuels on Refuge lands.   Posters will describe the importance of the fire management program in restoring and maintaining quality wildlife habitat on our Mid-Coast Refuges.

In addition, children of all ages can participate in a wildfire suppression demonstration.

Kids will be outfitted with firefighting equipment (hard hat and fireproof jacket) and will help battle a simulated brush fire with a real fire hose attached to a reel.   They will use the hose to "fight" the fire (i.e., a picture of a fire on a guy wire) and push it back to its source   This exercise will be complete when the fire is put out (pushed back to its source).   Smaller "spot" fires sometimes flare up and must be extinguished as well.

Due to the amount of water, the area will get muddy so older shoes are recommended for the participants.

Photo: Denis Mudderman Firefighter

Children participating in this event catch crabs using poles baited with chicken necks.   After examining them under the supervision of volunteer naturalists, the crabs are returned to the creek.

Volunteers will be ready along the bank with stringed poles, bait, and nets to help children bring them in.   Our naturalists are prepared to explain lots of interesting things about crabs:
   •  How to tell a male from a female.
   •  How many eggs a female will release
   •  How a crab grows.

Photo: Marty Cornell

Photo: John Boettiger San Bernard Oak

Naturalists will conduct interpretive walks along the 0.6-mile trail (1.2 miles round trip) through a bottomlands forest to the San Bernard Oak, the largest live oak in Texas.   The trail is level, and has several stretches of boardwalk over seasonal marshes.   Marshes are common in April when spring rains encourage flowers such as irises to bloom.   There is a rich diversity of plants, birds and evidence of mammals to see in this forest wetland.   Binoculars, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant are recommended.

At the end of the trail, visitors will arrive at the San Bernard Oak, designated by the Texas Forest Service as the largest Live Oak (Quercus virginiana var. virginiana) in Texas.

Photo: Marty Cornell Along the trail to the San Bernard Oak

Kayaking on Cedar Lake Creek
Saturday April 17th 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Shuttle service is available between the Information Booth area and the kayak dock.   The last van leaves the Information Booth at 3:30 PM    Van Schedule.    Map.

This one-hour event (40 minutes on the water) is led by naturalists on Cedar Lake Creek, a bayou that forms the western boundary of parts of Brazoria County and of the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.   Much of this stretch of the creek is forested, although some sections are prairie, so the wildlife spotted can be quite diverse and includes raptors.   Participants must be 18 years of age or older, or if between 13 and 17, must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Reservations are required.   Sign up at the Information Booth to reserve a time slot.

The Kayak Dock Shuttle will depart from the Information Booth 1/2 hour before each scheduled kayaking time slot.   Each cruise will begin with instructions on basic kayaking technique and safety practices.   Please note:
    •  A life vest will be issued to each participant.
    •  Shoes are required.   Participants will get their feet wet, and should plan their footwear accordingly.
    •  Participants should pack valuables (electronics, car keys, cell phones, cameras) in waterproof packaging, or arrange to leave these items ashore.
    •  Binoculars, sunscreen, hats, insect repellent, and long-sleeved shirts are recommended.

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Walking Tour of Bobcat Woods
"Dragonflies and Butterflies - Nature's Flying Gems"
Saturday April 17th 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Shuttle vans to Bobcat Woods depart from the Information Booth at 2:00 pm.   Reservations are required; sign up at the Information Booth.   Return shuttle vans will be available at the end of the tour.

David Heinicke

Join David Heinicke, Head Naturalist at Brazos Bend State Park, for a short hike through Bobcat Woods.   You'll learn about Dragonflies and Butterflies, their life cycles, and what species are common in this area.   Bring insect repellant, binoculars and field guides.

David Heinicke has been the head naturalist at Brazos Bend State Park, a unit of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, for the past thirteen years.   He is in charge of environmental education, assists in coordinating research projects and, oversees volunteering at the park.   David is also responsible for Law Enforcement at the park, and holds a commission as a State Peace Officer.   Before joining TPWD, David volunteered at the park for four years.   His interests include hiking, biking, paddling, backpacking and just about anything outside.

Heinicke leading a walking tour at BBSP in 2004

Heinicke demonstrating raptor behavior

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Rocket Netting Demonstration
Saturday April 17th 3:00 PM

Rocket Netting Demonstration will be found at the San Bernard Headquarters Campus.   Reservations are not required.

Marc Ealy, Area Manager, Nannie M. Stringfellow WMA, will demonstrate rocket netting using decoys as captives.

A rocket net is a kind of animal trap used to trap a large number of live animals, usually birds.   It consists of an accordion folded rectangular net with one edge attached to the ground.   The corners of the opposite edge at the top of the folded heap are attached to heavy tubes with one closed end.   These tubes are placed over stakes set at an angle. The stakes have a hollow in the end where an electrically activated shell is placed.   When the shells are activated the heavy tubes shoot up at an angle and the net is spread across an area that was previously baited to attract the desired animals.   —Wikipedia

Photo: YouTube/hasek1 The rockets are fired...

Photo: California Waterfowl Association ...and the birds take flight ... but they're quickly caught in the net.