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Site News and Events   Fox Sparrow, Vancleave, MS   Photo by Claire English  Newsletter!  Our Winter newsletter is now online!   Check it out for activities available to you.   LOCAL EVENTS February 4, 2010, 7:00-8:30 PM, photographer Tom Ulrich will be presenting at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs.  The presentation will be in the auditorium in the Caylor building.  His photos are incredible and he goes to some very interesting places around the world.  FREE February 9, 2010, 6:00 PM Libby Graves "Big Year".  Libby will present photos from her big birding year in 2009. This presentation will also be held in the Caylor auditorium at Gulf Coast Research Lab.  FREE DOCUMENTATION   Ever wonder what is considered a "rare bird" in Mississippi?  Here's a list of review species and other birds in need of documentation.   FIELD TRIPS GALORE!     Print up a MS Coastal Bird Checklist  for your next outing.      Jan. 30: Singing River Island (old homeport), Jackson Co. Wintering water birds & other goodies. 7:30AM at facility entrance.  Please read the note below.  Requires a notarized HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT.  A notary is NOT available at the field trip.  If the form is not notarized, you will not be allowed to attend.  Don't forget the bug spray...they are still ferocious.  Leader: Don McKee (228) 238-2473 NOTE:  All birders attending any Singing River Island or Greenwood Island field trip must complete this HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT and have it notarized prior to the field trip.  This is only good for the calendar year for field trips to Singing River Island and Greenwood Island.   A notary is not available at the field trip -- bring the notarized form with you and turn in to the field trip leader.  If it is not notarized, you will not be allowed to attend.   Birder Behavior:  For the present, birders wanting to go to either of these locations will only be allowed on these properties when there is a MCAS sponsored trip to these properties.    We need to build a good rapport and follow all rules concerning our use of their properties.   We must always give a one (1) week notice before a planned event.    We ask that birders NOT venture into the Coast Guard base which is now located on the island.  But we can go on the surrounding properties such as the parking lots.  If in doubt, don't go where there is any potential for a problem to develop. The field trip leader can provide additional guidance.   Feb. 6: Beaches of Harrison Co. Ducks, shore birds, raptors. 7:30AM at Courthouse Rd Pier area.  Jan Dubuisson(228)216-0568   Feb. 20: MS Sandhill Crane Refuge. Henslow and other sparrows, refuge birds & facility tour.7:30AM at the Refuge.  Mark Woodrey (228) 697-0460   March 13: Seaman Road Lagoons.  Early migrants and lagoon residents.7:30AM at Park&Ride, Ocean Springs exit 50 or at the facility. Gerry Morgan (228) 239-6787   March 27: Upper Pascagoula Wildlife Management Area. Migration in the swamp. 7:30AM at gas station on NE corner intersection of Hwy 63 and 614.  Jake Walker (228) 697-7157   April 3: Hancock Co. Logtown and environs. Migration in woodlands. 7:30AM at I-10 Welcome Center, Exit 2. Ned Boyajian (228) 332-1329 April 17: Dauphin Island, AL. Shell Mounds, Fort, beaches, park for migrants. 7:30AM at Cadillac Park (later if you want, just call for locations) Don McKee (228) 238-2473 April 24: DeSoto National Forest. Woodpeckers, sparrows, other specialties. 7:30AM at Ocean Springs exit 50 Park & Ride. Jake Walker (228) 697-7157 May 8: Hancock Co. Ansley and vicinity. 7:30AM at I-10 Welcome Center, exit 2. Ned Boyajian (228) 332-1329 May 22: Boat trip with Bennie McCoy from Pascagoula River Audubon Center. 8:30AM. $25/person. Kites on the river. Millie Page (228) 324-8317          More Web Resources have been added to our site!  Check out the newest links.    MCAS holds public programs every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November), normally on the third Monday of the month.  Keep watch here for the next program!     Coast Birds Annotated Checklist:  Special thanks to Ned Boyajian for his contribution to collecting and compiling records of birds sighted on the coast!   A never-ending project, what we trying for here is an annotated checklist of the birds of the six coastal counties of Mississippi in a form that can be periodically monitored and updated.  Ned has compiled data from several sources, and continues to collect information on bird sightings on the coast.  This annotated checklist is located on our Coast Birds webpage.          In Memory of   Photo by Claire English   Judith Toups November 30, 1930 - February 27, 2007   Online Tribute:  http://judithtoups.blogspot.com  Stories may also be sent to daughter, Christine.  "There is no limit on length.  As mom always used to say to me, write until the story is told."     We received an article from Tracy Grazia on studies done with the White-naped Cranes of Mongolia.  Read it here . . .          Read "Cull of the Wild" ~ an editorial by SCOTT WEIDENSAUL     Got a question?  Check our FAQ "Frequently Asked Questions" page!     NEWS FLASH: WMA User Permit now required!  When visiting a Mississippi Wildlife Management Area (WMA), visitors are now required to have an annual "WMA User's Permit on their person -- see the PUBLIC NOTICE  explaining the age and disability exemptions. "Users exempt from purchasing a hunting or fishing license (MS Code 49-7-5 and 49-7-9) are also exempt from purchasing the WMA User Fee Permit." The User Permits are valid from date of purchase to 30 June 2008.   See the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Licenses page for more information.  WMA User Permits may be purchased  wherever fishing/hunting licenses are sold.

About Us

Since its charter in 1976, Mississippi Coast Audubon Society has played an active role in many areas – conservation and protection of natural resources, advancing student educational services, partnering with other organizations and agencies for habitat enhancement and wildlife preservation such as the Prothonotary Warbler Trail at Ward Bayou Wildlife Management Area.  MCAS members also fill the volunteer ranks at festivals and other outdoor events. 

From its inception in 1975 to the present, under the Nest in Peace project, the chapter has taken the lead in gaining and maintaining safe mainland nesting areas for beach-nesting birds, such as Least Terns and Black Skimmers. 

Though our major fund-raiser is the annual Yard Sale in the fall, we also participate in other fund-raising opportunities. In turn, we proudly dispense the majority of such funds to various worthwhile causes.  

Within the chapter there are experts on many facets of nature, from birds to bees and everything in between. MCAS keeps a full and varied schedule of field trips at which non-members are always welcome. While most trips take place within the six southernmost counties – our “member counties,” some plan-ahead field trips go as far as Louisiana and Alabama. Our public meetings (see meeting schedule) are spiced with appealing subjects.

 MCAS Constitution and Bylaws