Date: 2/6/26 6:50 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] LOS Spring field trips
Ahead of the newsletter, the schedule for LOS Spring 2026 field trips:
Charlie Lyon, Ford Park in Shreveport, February 28, 2026 at 8:30 am
Meet at Ford Park, 5784 South Lakeshore Dr., at 8:30 am. The park is split across both sides of the street, so meet on the lake side of the park. An unlimited number of participants may bird Ford Park and follow Charlie to the nearby Yacht Club pier, where Charlie will have a scope to view birds on and near Cross Lake.
At 10:30 am, Charlie will take 6 people on his boat for a better look at birds on the lake. If there is sufficient interest, an afternoon boat trip may also occur, limited to 6 people. Email Melissa Weaver at <melissaweaverbird...> to register for the boat portion of the field trip beginning at 9:00 am on February 6, 2026. If you are not interested in being on the boat, there is no need to register.
Caleb Persia, Bodcau WMA's Banding Site Trail February 28, 2026 at 8:30 am
Join Caleb for a field trip to Bodcau WMA's Banding Site Trail, a remarkable swath of managed prairie in northern Bossier Parish. As a wintering home for numerous species of grassland birds, we'll walk the fields hoping to get good looks of Leconte's, Henslow's, and Lincoln's Sparrows. Note that this field trip involves walking on uneven terrain in fields containing brambles and broom sedge. Sturdy shoes and briar-resistant clothing are advised. Please wear bright colors as hunting is permitted on the property.
Meet at the main entrance of Bayou Bodcau WMA if you need directions to the banding field. Please note that you will need the LSFW WMA app to check-in your vehicle. This field trip is limited to 8 people. Email Field Trip Coordinator Melissa Weaver at <melissaweaverbird...> beginning Friday, February 6, at 9:00 am to reserve a spot.
Pinola Conservancy, February 28, 2026, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Pinola Conservancy, at 10451 Ellerbe Road, will be open Saturday, February 28, to LOS members and requires no registration. You may come and go as you please, but be aware that there is no signage identifying Pinola to the general public, just a nondescript mailbox with the address printed on it by the side of the road, so you may wish to take care as you navigate to the facility.
Pinola Conservancy is a private aviary containing nearly three hundred species of many families of birds from all over the earth, from the critically endangered to the common. It produces birds for zoos and other private aviaries. The facility includes enclosed free-flight community aviaries, open ponds and lawns, and focused facilities aimed at the needs of certain species.
Primarily producing waterfowl, Pinola encourages each bird to reproduce and distributes its surplus to other qualified private, public and institutional aviaries and zoological parks. The aviaries contain lush natural vegetation, flowing water and ponds. A wide range of foods, nesting structures and careful species compositions assure a good quality of life for the birds kept there. Some incubate and rear their young and Pinola also collects eggs for care in itsr specialized incubation and rearing facilities, producing roughly 1000 young birds each year. Its purpose is the captive preservation and propagation of birds, not display, thus the facility is usually closed to the public. Take this rare opportunity to visit.
Burden Museum and Gardens, March 14, 2026 at 6:30 am
Join Harriett Pooler and Mark Pethke for a birding field trip to Burden Museum and Gardens, 4560 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. We'll meet at the Rural Life Museum to park, then explore some of the different habitats within Burden's 400+ acres, right in the middle of Baton Rouge. At this time of year, a few early spring migrants are in, such as Purple Martins, Northern Parulas, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in addition to lingering winter migrants, including Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Cedar Waxwings. Email Field Trip Coordinator Melissa Weaver at <melissaweaverbird...> beginning Friday, February 6, at 9:00 am to reserve a spot.
The field trip will last around 3 hours, though you are welcome to stay and continue birding. Closed toed shoes are best to wear. This field trip is limited to 10 people. Email Harriett at <harriett.pooler...> with any questions.
Nancy Ellington property, Pearl River, March 28, 2026 at 8:00 am
Join LOS member Nancy Ellington and graduate student in Renewable Resources at LSU, Olivia Butler, at Nancy’s residence exploring 30 acres in Pearl River. The property is a mixture of treed wetlands and pine forest. To date, 179 species have been documented at this location including Swallow-tailed Kites, migratory birds and Louisiana’s usual summer residents. Rubber boots are recommended as the trails could be slightly flooded and/or muddy depending on weather conditions in the days prior to event. There is limited parking by a metal shop at the end of the driveway at 35368 Pine St. Ext., Pearl River. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. Nancy may be reached by email at <katiebug1490...> or by phone at 985-503-0528. Feel free to contact with any questions. This field trip is limited to 10 people. Sign-ups begin Sunday, March 8th at 8:00 am by emailing Melissa Weaver at <melissaweaverbird...>
Marybeth Lima and Kathy Rhodes, Dauphin Island, April 16-19, 2026
Come explore Dauphin Island, Alabama, for three days during the peak week of spring
migration on Dauphin Island.
Dauphin Island is a great gulf coast migrant trap. There are many well-known spots to enjoy the birds. Marybeth and Kathy will guide you to all of them. Sign-up begins on February 7, 2026 at 8 am by emailing Kathy Rhodes at <kathyrho...>
• Maximum number of participants: 9-10 depending on room occupation.
• Lodging will be in rental house on the east end of Dauphin Island with 6 bedrooms and 5 baths. No upper bunks will be used.
• The house is raised with steps to climb to the first floor. There is a 2nd floor on top of that with some bedrooms.
• Participants must be willing to share a room if necessary.
• All participants must be staying in the house.
• Address and other information will be provided to confirmed participants.
• Estimated housing cost for three nights is a total of $240 per person. Final cost may vary depending on number of participants.
• After Kathy gives the go ahead, the estimated cost should be paid in advance to LOS Treasurer Mark Pethke via check or electronically via PayPal donation on the LOS website. Your registration is confirmed only once payment is received.
• There are no refunds unless you find someone to take your place or the spot is filled from a waiting list.
• Plans are subject to change based on weather or other conditions.
