Birda Community Cause: A Crucial Migratory Habitat in Peril

Birda’s community of birdwatchers and nature lovers stretches across the globe to over 180 countries. With so many of our birders involved in conservation initiatives that are crucial for birds, we want to shed some light on some of the projects and causes that members of our community support.

Terrilyn “Terri” Alaniz is a Texas Master Naturalist, artist and both Publicity Chair of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society and Chair of Marketing for the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival.

Words by: Terrilyn Alaniz

From Refuge to Concrete

At this moment one of our most crucial and biologically diverse migratory habitats, possibly in all North America, is teetering on the edge of destruction to make room for an expansion of the South Padre Island Convention Centre – a building adjacent to where this habitat is located. This habitat is one of just three locations where migratory birds that have just undergone the perilous journey of flying hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico find a safe refuge in which to rest before continuing onward.

It’s difficult to convey how limited the Island of South Padre is with its few trees, shrubbery, and freshwater for birds to rest. To give you a better idea, it’s a city built onto a sandbar mere miles off the Texas Coast. Trees that exist have taken decades to grow and have been cared for by nature-loving volunteers. On roughly two acres of land, it’s small but vital to the safety of migratory birds.

The magnitude of bird fallout here is even harder to describe. During migration thousands of Warblers, Tanagers, Grosbeaks, and other similar species of small migratory birds, fall from the sky. They have just accomplished an unbelievable feat of endurance, after all, and their little bodies become overwhelmed by exhaustion. Often, we find them on the ground, seemingly frozen in place, bills gaping, wings drooping and sides heaving heavily. These birds cannot muster another wingbeat.

If not for the postage-stamp sized parcels of land crafted by dedicated volunteers for migratory birds to rest, eat and drink, these birds would be left completely vulnerable to predators on the sand dunes, or in parking lots. Many are some of the most colorful birds in North America and would stand little chance of blending in among the muted earthy hues of sand and pavement. Others in their desperation may even attempt to reach the land within their line of vision, instead having their remarkable long-distance journey come to a horrific end, overcome by exhaustion, and crashing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Female Rose-headed Grosbeak on a branch in Texas
Female Rose-headed Grosbeak

Local birders, and environmentalists have banded together, working to preserve this location, and focusing efforts into educating the public about why this extremely important habitat must be protected. We’re pleading for assistance in convincing local authorities not to proceed with plans that would mark the destruction of this vital habitat, and instead recognize the value it holds to birds and birders alike.

Those on the South Padre Island City Council have the authority to either allow this plan to proceed or stop it. Unfortunately, most of the council have no understanding of how critical a location it is to migration or how this location benefits their city.

My fear, as well as the fear of all who are trying to stop this expansion from proceeding is the long-term impact on migratory bird populations. There is much we don’t know about how this would affect migration in the long-term. What we do know is birds will arrive at this formerly vital resting ground, as generations had before them, and find not a respite from their travels, but a desolate concrete wasteland instead.

I implore you to help convince the City of South Padre Island to not go through with this expansion by signing this petition. Every signature counts. Help get our message out there. We need your help to save this habitat!  

You can find more information regarding this cause on the “Save the South Padre Island Convention Center Bird Habitat” Facebook Group.

Magnolia Warbler on a branch in Texas
Magnolia Warbler

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