Friends of Padre P.I.N.S. Report 2/6/2015

On Friday, Feb. 6, Jeff Wolda and I made a Beach Scouting trip to the Port Mansfield jetties. Driving was smooth, 2 wheel drive and excellent both ways. Water was murky to the 45 mi. and “trout green” south of there. We have had some high tides and the trash is windrowed on the upper portion of the beach. Few vehicles and no fish were observed. Scattered numbers of Gulls and Terns were observed. 172 Willets, 120 Cormorants, 3 Curlew, 1 Wimbrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Osprey, 2 White-tailed Hawks, 1 Little Blue Heron, 175 Sanderling, 60 Ruddy Turnstones & 13 Brown Pelicans were observed. No other wildlife was observed. 8 knot winds and low temperatures in the 50’s and high 70 degrees were encountered. Billy Sandifer Pics of beach conditions and vandalized picnic table at the Mansfield jetty