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FeatherFest 2009 and the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council.

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Seventh Annual Galveston FeatherFest April 2 – 5, 2009

Galveston Island, one of the top locations for birding in the nation, will host the seventh annual FeatherFest April 2 – 5, 2009. Experienced and novice outdoor lovers will see some 200 species of birds during spring migration.

Registrants can enjoy beach and bay excursions, field, kayak and photography trips, live birds of prey and signature socials. Cape May Bird Observatory Director Peter Dunne will lead a team of internationally recognized nature experts during the festival.

FeatherFest is a project of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, which is dedicated to developing nature-based activities and promoting the value of the natural habitats and resources in the Galveston area. Visit

www.galvestonfeatherfest.com or call 1-888-425-4753 or 409-392-0841 for more information.

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FeatherFest by Mort Voller

For many years the Galveston Parks Board has had an interest in better establishing Galveston as a place to attract and accommodate nature tourists and increase Galveston’s share of the nature based tourism economy. www.galvestonfeatherfest.com

With increasing numbers of retirees in the population, a general increase in disposable income and a population wide increase in interest in outdoor activities, eco or nature tourism has become big business for many communities.

Galveston is well positioned to share in this economy. Galveston is the premier city of the Upper Texas Coast with a wide assortment of attractions, good restaurants and accommodations. It also happens to be at the epicenter of the Upper Texas Coastal area, one of the country’s, if not the world’s, greatest birding areas. This is a result of the U.T.C.’s unique position along the spring/fall migration paths of numerous birds, and the wide range of habitats provided in a narrow coastal strip, which supports hundreds of species of both migrating and resident birds.

In 2002, a meeting was sponsored by the George P Mitchell family. Amongst those attending this meeting were members of the Mitchell family, several local birders and naturalists, members of the Parks Board and Councilwoman Ms Lyda Ann Thomas. The meeting was led by Ted Eubanks a renowned ecotourism expert and local son. A direct result of that meeting was the creation of a Galveston Nature Tourism council with Lyda Ann Thomas as its Chairman, and the decision to put a Birding festival, to be named “FeatherFest” on the Galveston calendar during the first week of April.

The first FeatherFest (FF 2003) was held the first week of April 2003 and was deemed a success and a second, FeatherFest followed in 2004. Both of these birding festivals were financially supported by the Parks Board (hotel/motel tax funds) and by the generosity of supporters, the most important of which was the George P Mitchell family. Ms Lyda Ann Thomas continued to champion the event but her race for the Mayor-ship and subsequent election, precluded an active part as Chairman of the Galveston Nature Tourism Council.

A decision was made in mid 2004 to officially incorporate a non profit company to be known as The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council. Its Mission is:

“ To sponsor, support and develop nature-based educational and recreational activities, to promote the value of the natural resources of Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsular, and overall to enhance the quality of life for Galveston Islands citizens and visitors.”

GINTC Inc received it Charter on 6/28/04 and its 501 (3) c, status on 11/02/04. Mort Voller was invited to be GINTC Inc.’s first Chairman. GINTC Inc.’s mission will guide its work into all forms of natural, experiential activities, and well beyond its Birding heritage.

With agreement of the Parks Board, and support of the Mitchell family and many of the pioneers, it was agreed that the new GINTC Inc would be responsible for developing FeatherFest 2005. FF 2005 will be held from Thursday 31 st March to Sunday 3 rd of April. The venue for registration, hospitality, seminars, and for the start of all field trips, will at the Old Galveston Square building at 22 nd street and the Strand.

Those with interest can see the entire schedule of events at: www.galvestonfeatherfest.com

GINTC Inc. is very grateful that CENTURY 21 Bay Reef is a supporter and sponsor of FeatherFest 2005 & 2006 at the Blue Heron level.

Those with interest in the Mission of GINTC Inc, and who wish to donate to, become a member of, and volunteer for, GINTC, should call Mort Voller at 409 392 0841, or email him at MortVollerRealtor @juno.com.

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Birding in Galveston written by Jim Stevenson

Galveston is a fantastic location for bird watching, largely because it contains great land birds, as well as water birds. In winter, huge numbers of waterfowl and other swimming birds fill up our aquatic areas, shorebirds such as sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns grace our beaches, and waders stalk all over our wetlands.

In the migration, fall and especially spring, our woodlands, such as the Laffite's Cove Nature Preserve, may teem with songbird migrants. These feathered gems include flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, and the ever-present warblers. Inclement weather may produce huge numbers from late March through early May, and fall is often productive from late August through early October.

Male Blue Grosbeak on Fence

Both ends of the island are excellent for driving around and seeing amazing numbers of water birds. Toward the East End, take Boddicker Road and explore both Apfell Park and East Beach, the latter containing a large, fenced area where birders may walk, unmolested by traffic. San Luis Pass is also a wonderful birding area, reached by traveling west on FM 3005 and exiting to the beach at the water tower. With care, one can circumnavigate the west end, returning on the bay side for a different set of shorebirds. Great care must be taken when the tides are high.

American Avocet on Beach

The remaining prairieland is replete with interesting birds. From November through mid-March, stately Sandhill Cranes strut their stuff, often in family groups of three. In spring, these same fields and pastures may contain various rare sandpipers and plovers, such as Golden Plover, Baird's, Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, curlews, Whimbrel and godwits.

Long-billed Curlew in Grasslands

Healthy salt marshes, such as the ones in Galveston Island State Park, contain many interesting species, from Clapper Rails, Seaside and Sharp-tailed Sparrows, to Marsh and Sedge Wrens. The adjacent Coastal Bluestem contain the rare Le Conte's Sparrow in the cool season, and other grassland birds not easily found.

Clapper Rail with Chick

For information on where to find the birds, and up-to-date reports on birding activities, or for bird guide information, call the office of the Galveston Ornithological Society at (409) 737-4081.

Come stay with CENTURY 21 Bay Reef Realty out on the west end of the island closer to where the birds are. We can rent or sell you a home strictly "for the birds".

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Sandhill cranes on the West end, 12/27/2004.

2005

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2008

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