Magic Ridge Field Trip, Banding Demo & Dedication March 29th, 2008
Please join TOS for the dedication of our newly expanded Magic Ridge Sanctuary in Calhoun County. We have three events planned for the day: a field trip led by TOS President, Ron Weeks; a banding demonstration led by TOS sanctuary manager, Dr. Brent Ortego and a short dedication event at the Heritage Center in nearby Port Lavaca. Details are outlined below. Maps along with any updates between now and the dedication can be found on the TOS web site under Sanctuaries.
Dedication: Starting at 1PM at the Heritage Center in Port Lavaca (2104 Austin – corner of Austin and FM1090 in Port Lavaca) we will thank those who were instrumental in making the most recent addition a reality. This simple ceremony will have light refreshments and a slide show detailing the part of the property acquired earlier this year.
Banding Demonstration: Dr. Brent Ortego will be banding birds at the sanctuary starting at dawn that day. Everyone is welcome to join him for the morning for some close-up looks at migrant and resident birds.
Field Trip: Join TOS President, Ron Weeks, on a trip to the newly expanded Magic Ridge Sanctuary and the greater Indianola area. This trip will also include the dedication ceremony in nearby Port Lavaca where we will recognize those that made the expansion possible. More details under field trips.
MAY 2008 UPDATE!
Just when we thought it was never going to happen, I received the following from TOS Sanctuary Manager, Brent Ortego this week... "TOS purchased the 92 acre block south of the lake west of Magic Ridge and 142 lots adjoining the block and the Nash Property this morning." This TRULY EXCITING news is the result of many years of hard work by a number of our dedicated members and numerous donations from charitable trusts, corporations and TOS members. There will be more details on the property, located in Calhoun County near Indianola, and more recognition of those most intimately involved in the near future. I can't wait for the dedication and the excuse to visit Magic Ridge once again!
-Ron Weeks
Located just off the beach at Indianola, this tract is bisected by Zimmerman Road, and is a well known site for observing Neotropical migratory songbirds, shorebirds, as well as some south Texas species on the northern edge of their range. Area birders for years have frequented this site and birded from the two public access points, the county road and the Old Town Cemetery. The Golden Crescent Nature Club ranks this site and the adjoining land within the top five birding destinations near Victoria. This site is one of the main reasons Calhoun County was able to amass 243 species during the spring migration count this year. This area is commonly known as "Zimmerman Road", "Cemetery Road", or "Magic Road" by birders that are familiar with it
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