12-12-CWS | March 6, 2012
BILOXI, Miss. – The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) will offer a spring birding cruise through the outer waters of the Reserve on Saturday, March 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. Participants will be guided by a NERR ornithologist in spotting Grand Bay “specialties,” such as Reddish Egrets, Tricolored Herons, Wilson’s Plovers, Gull-billed Terns, Nelson’s Sparrows, Clapper Rails and, perhaps, singing Seaside Sparrows. If tide conditions are suitable, participants will be able to explore some of our seaside habitats on foot to look for birds.
Space is limited for this free event, so pre-registration is required. To pre-register or for more information, please contact Jennifer Buchanan at 228-475-7047 or jen.buchanan@dmr.ms.gov. This activity is limited to those 16 years of age and older. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Participants will need to bring their own binoculars and are advised to wear knee-high, waterproof boots and bring rain gear.
The Grand Bay NERR is located in southeast Jackson County and includes wetlands and waterways from Bang’s Lake to the Alabama state line. A major goal of the Reserve is to provide for research coordination and dissemination of scientific data to the community and local decision-makers to provide sound information on which to base management decisions.
The 18,000-acre reserve is home to several rare or endangered plant and animal species and serves as an essential nursery habitat for numerous important commercial and recreational fish species. The Reserve is managed through state-federal partnership between the MDMR and its local partners—Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi State University and the Nature Conservancy—and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the MDMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photos Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
PHOTO CUTLINE:
Photo: Grand Bay NERR Research Coordinator and ornithologist Mark Woodrey leads a group of birders in a previous birding cruise.
Contact: Jennifer Goldman Leirer
Phone: 228-523-4101
[ Download PDF ]
