2010 Weeks #15, 16, 17 & 18 – Along the South Mississippi Blue Bird trail.

Pass Christian Master Naturalist and Long Beach Mississippi Blue Bird Trail founder John Lipscomb (pictured above checking a nesting box), reported during the June 11 Trail Survey that it was extremely hot and humid during the survey walk. He commented that he couldn’t imagine being a baby bluebird inside one of those little wooden boxes during that torrid weather. Neither can I.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #15 – June 11, 2010:

Box #1 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #2 – 5 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #3 – New nest; these new guys are playing house again. – Last week: 3 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest. *First babies ever to fly from this box since Trail founded in 2008. Removed next; cleaned box.

Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.

Box #7 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.

Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #9 – Nest built. – Last week: Nest built.

Box #10 – Some straw in box. – Last week: Some straw in box.

Box #11 – Nest built.- Last week: Nest built.

Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.

2010 Season Totals: 36 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 9 Blue Bird babies, 23 Blue Bird eggs.
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Lots of large babies like these, flew from the nesting boxes this past week.

John reported during the June 18th Trail Survey that he was enthused with there being lots more Blue Bird babies in the nesting boxes this week; some just hatched and others almost ready to fly the nest.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #16 – June 18, 2010:

Box #1 – 2 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #2 – 5 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #3 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: New nest; these new guys are playing house again.

Box #4 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.

Box #7 – 3 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.

Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #9 – Removed nest, no activity. – Last week: Nest built.

Box #10 – Removed straw, no activity. – Last week: Some straw in box.

Box #11 – Nest, will remove next week if no activity. – Last week: Nest built.

Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.

2010 Season Totals: 36 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 22 Blue Bird babies, 10 blue bird eggs.

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When the babies get as large as these bobbleheads, they are ready to fly at most any time.

John reported during the June 25th Blue Bird Trail survey, that the Long Beach weather continued to be hot and humid.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #17 – June 25, 2010:

Box #1 – 2 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 2 Blue Bird babies.

Box #2 – 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, 1 sterile Blue Bird egg. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird babies.

Box #3 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #4 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: – 4 Blue Bird babies.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 blue bird babies.

Box #7 – 3 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 3 blue bird babies.

Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies.

Box #9 – No activity. – Last: Removed nest, no activity.

Box #10 – Removed straw, no activity. – Last week: Some straw in box.

Box #11 – No activity, removed nest. – Last week: Nest, will remove next week if no activity.

Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies.

Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.

2010 Season Totals: 44 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 17 Blue Bird babies, 7 blue bird eggs (several of these will be sterile).

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John reports on July 4th: “Really wet on the north end of campus. The ground is ‘sour’ (as the old timers say). It smells like the ground smelled after Katrina. Yuk! There is some discrepancy in the numbers. As I have explained before, it is sometimes hard to tell how many babies/eggs there are in a nest. For instance, last week, I counted 2 babies and 2 eggs in Box #1. This week there was nothing in the box, so I am counting that at 4 babies flown. Not really sure, but you have to make a decision. I’d rather err on the positive side.”

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #18 – July 4, 2010:

Box #1 – 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, removed old nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 2 Blue Bird babies.

Box #2 – No Activity. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, 1 sterile Blue Bird egg; removed nest, cleaned box.

Box #3 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, removed old nest, cleaned box. (John reports: this is another change, last week reported 4 babies, there were actually 5 eggs at the start, I just couldn’t count all the fat babies, so I thought there were only 4 of them). – Last week: – 4 Blue Bird babies.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, 1 sterile egg, removed old nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 4 blue bird babies.

Box #7 – 3 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, 2 sterile eggs, removed old nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 3 blue bird babies.

Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, removed nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies.

Box #9 – No activity. – Last: Removed nest, no activity.

Box #10 – No activity. – Last week: Removed straw, no activity.

Box #11 – No activity. – Last week: No activity, removed nest.

Box #12 – New straw. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest, removed old nest, cleaned box.

Box #13 – New nest. – Last week: Some straw in box.

2010 Season Totals: 64 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 4 blue bird eggs.

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2010 Week #14 – Along the South Mississippi Blue Bird trail.

Master Naturalist John Lipscomb reports today, June 4, 2010, from the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail in Long Beach, that:

“We have had lots of rain during the past several days, and the north part of the property is flooded, making it necessary for me to get my waders out to check the boxes. The birdies are making up for the late start this season, with lots of new eggs this week.”

Blue Bird pair on Box #4, during the 2009 season.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #14 – June 4, 2010:

Box #1 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 1 Blue Bird egg.

Box #2 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: – 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #3 – 3 Blue Bird babies flew from the nest. *First babies ever to fly from this box since Trail founded in 2008. – Last week: 3 Blue Bird babies.

Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: – 2 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 2 blue bird eggs.

Because of heavy rains received during the past several days on the Long Beach Blue Bird Trail, the north part of the Trail had quite a bit of water, much like it did in this 2009 file image.

Box #7 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 3 blue bird eggs.

Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: New nest built.

Box #9 – Nest built. – Last week: Nest built.

Box #10 – Some straw in box. – Last week: Some straw in box.

Box #11 – Nest built.- Last week: Nest built.

Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.

2010 Season Totals: 36 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 32 blue bird eggs.

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2010 Week #13 – Along the South Mississippi Blue Bird trail.

From the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail, this week, Master Naturalist John Lipscomb reports:

A Blue Bird parent feeding babies in one of the nesting boxes on the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail in Long Beach, Mississippi, during the 2009 Season.

“It has gotten very hot down here. I went fishing yesterday and sweated like I was in a sauna. Mornings and evenings are still nice.

We had an 8 foot alligator in the bayou last week. Haven’t seen him in the last 5 or 6 days. Hope he has gone somewhere else.

My friend, Robbie, who has a fishing camp in Dulac, La., called me this morning. Dulac is about 17 miles south of Houma, which is south central La. They have shut all fishing down in that area. Lots of bird life (eagles, pelicans, egrets, etc.) and other wildlife (deer, turtles, gators, etc.) in this area. Not to mention, shrimp, crabs, fish, etc.

We are still allowed to fish in the Sound [The Bay of St. Louis], but not past the islands. This oil leak is scary.”

File photo 2009 Season.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #13 – May 28, 2010:

Box #1 – 1 Blue Bird egg. – Last week: – New nest built.

Box #2 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: – 3 Blue Bird eggs.

Box #3 – 3 Blue Bird babies. – Last week: – 3 Blue Bird babies.

Box #4 – 2 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: – No activity; did see Blue Birds on the box though.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: – No activity.

Box #6 – 2 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies flew from the nest. Removed old nest, cleaned nesting box.

Fishing on the Bayou Portage from John’s back yard dock.

Box #7 – 3 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies flew from the nest. Removed old nest, cleaned nesting box.

Box #8 – Nest built. – Last week: New nest built.

Box #9 – Nest built. – Last week: New nest built.

Box #10 – Some straw in box. – Last week: No activity.

Box #11 – Nest built.- Last week: New nest built.

Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last week: New nest built.

Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.

2010 Season Totals: 33 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 17 blue bird eggs, 3 blue bird babies.

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2010 Week #11 – Along the South Mississippi Blue Bird trail.

Master Naturalist John checking a Blue Bird Trail nesting box during the 2009 Season.

Master Naturalist John reports that he had quite a morning taking the Blue Bird Trail Survey on Friday, May 14, 2010, “I saw a Blue Grosbeak in the back field. Some actually stay and summer here, and I guess this is one of them. There are Dew berries everywhere! It took a lot longer to check the nesting boxes because I was bent over half the time munching dew berries. Tasty!”

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #11 – May 14, 2010:

Box #1 – 5 blue bird babies flew the nest. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #2 – Straw in the box; new nest under construction. – Last week: 4 blue bird babies flew the nest, 1 sterile egg left, removed next, cleaned box.
Box #3 – 2 blue bird babies in box and 1 egg – first babies ever in this box. – Last week: 3 blue bird eggs.
Box #4 – 5 blue bird babies flew the nest. Removed old nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.

Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #6 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #7 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #8 – 5 blue bird babies flew from the nest. Removed old nest, cleaned box. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #9 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #10 – No activity. – Last week: No activity, removed moss from box.
Box #11 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #12 – 4 blue bird babies flew from the next, change from 3 blue bird babies, 1 egg in box. – Last week: 3 blue bird babies, 1 egg.
Box #13 – No activity. – Last week: No activity, removed nest.

2010 Season Totals: 23 blue bird babies have flown the nest so far; currently in nesting boxes: 1 blue bird egg, 12 blue bird babies.

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2010 Weeks #8, 9 & 10 – Along the South Mississippi Blue Bird trail.

Besides viewing all of the spring activity along the Long Beach Blue Bird trail, John has also been observing other winged activity moving through his back yard. He reported in an email on April 19, 2010, “We have lots of migratories on the Coast now. I have seen indigo buntings, a painted bunting, an orchard oriole and flocks of cedar waxwings. I have 4 baby blue birds in the nesting box on the bayou behind my house.”

This beautiful male blue bird was photographed feeding his babies at nesting box #7 during the 2009 season.

During the Blue Bird Trail Survey of Friday, April 23, John reported, “It was warm and muggy our there while walking the trail. I even walked up on a red tailed hawk in the back of the property, by the canal. He made a lot of racket flying out of the tree he was in, when he left, and I was able to watch him for a 1/4 of a mile during his flight.”

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #8 – Apr. 23, 2010:

Box #1 – 5 blue bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #2 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 3 blue bird babies.
Box #3 – 1 blue bird egg. – Last week: Nest built.
Box #4 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #6 – 5 blue bird eggs. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #7 – 5 blue bird eggs. – Last week: 5 eggs.
Box #8 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #9 – No activity. – Last week: Grass in box.
Box #10 – Moss in nesting box. – Last week: Partially covered moss nest.
Box #11 – No activity. – Last week: Straw in box.
Box #12 – 4 eggs. – Last week: 4 eggs.
Box #13 – Nest built. – Last week: Nest built.

Totals: 20 blue bird eggs, 15 blue bird babies.
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John reports that it was warm and muggy on the Trail during the Survey. Also windy, and he adds, “Let’s hope and pray for the smallest of problems with the oil spill.”

Amen, to that prayer!

John has lots of big fellows like this in the nesting boxes this week, ready to fly.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #9 – Apr. 30, 2010:

Box #1 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #2 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #3 – 3 blue bird eggs. – Last week: 1 blue bird egg.
Box #4 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #6 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird eggs.
Box #7 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 eggs.
Box #8 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #9 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #10 – Moss in box, saw male blue bird in nearby tree. – Last week: Moss in nesting box.
Box #11 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #12 – 3 blue bird babies, 1 egg. – Last week: 4 babies.
Box #13 – Nest has been in box 4 weeks. – Last week: Nest built.

Totals: 4 blue bird eggs, 33 blue bird babies.
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In Week #10 Survey, John noted that 4 babies had flown the nest, leaving one sterile egg remaining. Last week, he thought there were 5 babies in the nest. But when they are that big, you can’t always see all 5, and low and behold, there was only 4 babies, sitting on that one sterile egg. John reminds us that the proof, is when they fly. More babies will fly during this coming week.

Here are the Blue Bird Trail Survey results for Week #10 – May 6, 2010:

Box #1 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #2 – 4 blue bird babies flew the nest, 1 sterile egg left, removed next, cleaned box. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #3 – 3 blue bird eggs. – Last week: 3 blue bird eggs.
Box #4 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #5 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #6 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #7 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #8 – 5 blue bird babies. – Last week: 5 blue bird babies.
Box #9 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #10 – No activity, removed moss from box. – Last week: Moss in box, saw male blue bird in nearby tree.
Box #11 – No activity. – Last week: No activity.
Box #12 – 3 blue bird babies, 1 egg. – Last week: 3 blue bird babies, 1 egg.
Box #13 – No activity, removed box. – Last week: Nest has been in box 4 weeks.

Totals: 4 blue bird babies flew the nest, 1 sterile blue bird egg, 4 blue bird eggs, 28 blue bird babies.

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2010 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Nesting Season Starts

With March 2010 now here and in full swing, it is time to start checking on Blue Bird nesting boxes on the Blue Bird Trail on the campus of the South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach, Mississippi.

SMRC Blue Bird Trail founder Master Naturalist John Lipscomb launched the 2010 Blue Bird observation and reporting season last Friday, March 5, 2010 with his first checks of the Trail nesting boxes.

John had the following results to report for this first check: “We are off to a slow start this season, due to the cold, wet windy weather here on the Gulf Coast. We have a few pieces of grass and twigs in boxes 1, 4, 6 and 8. Just as comparison, last year at this time, we had 4 nests built and straw in another box. Nest building will get better once we get some warmer weather.”

Following is a quick summary of activity on the Blue Bird Trail during the 2009 Season:
86 eggs laid: 9 were sterile, 5 lost to predators. 67 babies total flew from the nests.

During the 2008 Season, 45 babies flew from the nesting boxes.

Have a good week!

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2009 – Week #20 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail Update

Welcome again, Blue Bird enthusiasts, to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail, in Long Beach, and the Week #20 Trail Survey results.

During this past week on the Trail, the daily temperature average has moderated slightly, dropping into the low 90s to high 80s, a change that was welcomed by area residents.

Two growing, Blue Bird babies in nesting box #8 on the Long Beach Blue Bird Trail this week.

The 2009 Trail Survey is nearing an end, with only a couple of weeks left, during which, the last of the 12 Blue Bird babies currently in the nesting boxes will have flown. If they all make it to that point, the total number of babies flying from the nest will be at 67 for the 2009 Season, 22 more birds than flew last season.

And for that, Master Naturalist Buddy John and I are thankful.

Here are Survey Totals this 2009 Season so far:

86 eggs laid: 9 have been sterile, 5 lost to a predator.

55 babies have flown the nest. – Last Year: 40 babies had flown the nest as of Week #18. Last Year Total Blue Bird babies flying from the nesting boxes: 45.

4 eggs in nesting boxes currently.

12 babies in nesting boxes currently.

Here are the results of Friday’s Blue Bird Trail Survey of the individual nesting boxes, on Friday morning, July 17, 2009:

Nesting Box #1 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #2 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #3 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird babies. – Last Week: 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Nesting Box #5 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #6 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #7 – 1 Blue Bird baby, 3 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: 1 Blue Bird baby, 3 Blue Bird eggs.

Nesting Box #8 – 2 Blue Bird Babies, possible predator problem. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird Babies, 1 Blue Bird egg.

Nesting Box #9 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #10 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #11 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last Week: 4 Blue Bird babies.

Nesting Box #13 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

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John and I will do Trail Survey #21 next Friday, and then John will do the final Trail Survey the following Friday, July 31, when I will be in Wisconsin visiting family and friends.

Have a great week!

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2009 – Week #19 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail Update

Well, here we are, heading for the middle of July, and it’s Week #19 of the 2009 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail Survey in Long beach.

It seems like we were just observing New Years Day, and the year is already half gone!

Brand new Blue Bird babies were in the nesting boxes again this week on the Long Beach Blue Bird Trail.

Master Naturalist Buddy John and I did the Blue Bird Trail Survey in separate sections Friday morning, with John doing the first 7 nesting boxes, on the occupied part of campus, and your author checking nesting boxes 8-13 on the undeveloped, wooded north section.

After having only 17 eggs in the boxes in last Friday’s Trail Survey, this week we found that 9 of those eggs had hatched during the past week, and we had 3 boxes with a total of 9 new, tiny little Blue Bird babies looking for food from their parents. What a great sight!

Here are Survey Totals this 2009 Season so far:

86 eggs laid: 9 have been sterile, 4 lost to a predator.

55 babies have flown the nest. – Last Year: 39 babies had flown the nest as of Week #18. Last Year Total Blue Bird babies flying from the nesting boxes: 45.

8 eggs in nesting boxes currently.

9 babies in nesting boxes currently.

Here are the results of Friday’s Blue Bird Trail Survey of the individual nesting boxes, on Friday morning, July 10, 2009:

Nesting Box #1 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #2 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #3 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: 5 Blue Bird eggs.

Nesting Box #5 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #6 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #7 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: New nest built, 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Third Clutch.

Nesting Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird Babies. – Last Week: 1 Blue Bird Baby, 3 Blue Bird eggs.

Nesting Box #9 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #10 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #11 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird babies. – Last Week: 4 Blue Bird eggs.

Nesting Box #13 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

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Area lawns and vegetation here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have greened up during the past few days, after a couple of downpours earlier in the week. So nice to see at last, after more than a month without any precipitation.

The next two Fridays, July 17, and July 24, John and I will do Weeks #20 and #21 Trail Surveys, and then early Saturday morning, July 25, I will leave on the long drive north up to my home in Wisconsin, for a lengthy visit there with family, and to participate in the Annual Boscobel, WI Civil War Weekend Reenactment.

I am looking forward to seeing most of my family during that time, including my daughter-in-law and my two grandsons, who will be visiting at her parents’ home just off I-55 on my trip north, about an hour north of St. Louis. So, I will stop off and see them during Sunday, the 26th, before continuing on home that evening.

Have a great week!

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Crab Fest in ‘The Bay’ 2009 – Hot, Humid, Tasty!

Come on along, on this walking, tasting, visual July 4th Holiday experience on the Mississippi Gulf Coast…

With the 4th of July here again, many Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and visitors made plans to celebrate the Holiday weekend by having picnic, swimming and bonfire parties on the many miles of cleaned and restored beaches along the coast.

A number of those same Holiday celebrators, and many thousands of others, including, the Coast Rat, traveled to nearby Bay St. Louis to attend and enjoy the 25th Annual CRAB FEST, the mid-summer fund-raiser of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church and Our Lady Academy, located just off the beach in ‘The Bay.’

This was the 25th Annual Crab Fest, celebrated in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Again, like last last July, two of my good friends here on the Coast, Andrea and Ralph, invited me to go with them to The Bay CRAB FESTIVAL, and we did just that, Saturday morning.

Also meeting us to go ‘fest-ing,’ was buddy John, his next door neighbor, Ed, who both live north of my travel trailer, up on the Arcadia Bayou, and also two friends of John’s, Terry and spouse, Lisa,visiting him from Jackson, for the weekend.

This was the Crab Fest beautiful commemorative t-shirt for this year.

Saturday morning, came, and like last year when we went to the CRAB FEST, and like the last 3-4 weeks, it was VERY HOT, in the mid-90s, and HUMID!

As I mentioned in last year’s Crab Fest post, this area of the coast continues to recover and rebuild from being in ground zero for Hurricane Katrina, when it came ashore as a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour, and a 31-foot tidal surge, which put this entire area under water for miles around.

Another commemorative clothing item at this year’s Crab Fest, was the Crab Fest Cooking Apron.

At about 10:00am, Saturday morning, John and his group met us at Ralph and Andrea’s home in Pass Christian, and we set off down on the Hwy 90 beach highway, across the Bay of St. Louis bridge, over to the grounds of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, and the 2009 Crab Fest.

Andrea, at left, with water cup, took time to walk among the craft vendors and see what they had available for sale.

Once we arrived near the Fest, found nearby parking, and after a very short walk, had arrived at the Fest grounds, the sun was out in full blaze, with the temperature hovering around 95 degrees.

Stand in the direct sun for more than a few minutes, was a real challenge. Most Fest goers I saw there, were somehow standing or sitting in the shade somewhere.

The Crab Fest preparation crew, to their credit, tried to place as many picnic tables in shady areas as there was room for, a move that was appreciated by all who wanted a cooler, shady place to sit and eat their choice of the delicious seafood tidbits available under the food shelter.

Already there was a good crowd on hand at the Fest when we arrived, and the first item on the agenda for our crew there, was acquiring something cold to drink, whether it was a go-cup of one of the beers on tap there, or a cold bottle of water, some iced tea or a cold soda.

That item accomplished, the rest of the crew walked over among the craft vendor tents, while I started out around the grounds to snap some candid images of interesting things and people.

A view from the east edge of the Fest grounds, showing the nearby waters of the Bay of St. Louis. The ground where I snapped this image was probably under about 10-12 feet of water during the morning surge of Hurricane Katrina, Aug. 29, 2005.

The craft vendor area at the Crab Fest had a wide variety of craft items displayed for sale to Fest-goers, including a large display of hand-made bird houses.

There were Fest-goers of all ages, checking out the craft vendors.

As I was snapping images of vendor tents and people walking by, I happened to see this young lady walking by, but didn’t catch the message on her t-shirt.

A little while later, when I stopped under a Live Oak tree to get in the shade for a few minutes, the young lady, “Lana,” walked over, too, to talk on her cell phone, from the shade of the same tree. I asked her permission to take a posed shot of her and her t-shirt message, which she graciously consented to, advising that if she did, I would probably use the image in my blog about the Fest.

I next found myself walking along under the food shelter, viewing the various seafood dishes that were available for Fest-goers to partake of during their visit to the festival grounds.

A quick view of the areas behind the long rows food counters, and the many workers behind them, quickly showed that it takes huge numbers of volunteers to put this festival on, especially to cook all the food, and also to sell it to hungry customers, for 12 hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

And all of the volunteer workers made sure they had plenty of food and beverages available to satisfy hungry appetites and heat-produced thirsts of the thousands of Fest-goers attending the special event.

Prices were very reasonable for the beverages and food items, and I’m pretty sure that most Fest-goers felt that the money they spent at the Fest went to a very good cause.

Although there was a good amount of shade in the volunteer worker food service areas, I still felt for those folks, working there among all those cookers, fryers and grills.

It sure looked like it was hot for volunteers working in the food shelter.

Some fried seafood waiting under a heat lamp for some hungry customers.

I went over to the band shelter and looked for a vacant picnic table we could all sit down at and eat our lunches, preferably a table in the shade. Fortunately, I found one along the edge, right near a line of porta-potties.

This young volunteer server, was dishing up a shrimp dish.

Following are more images of many of the varieties of seafood dishes that were available to eat at the Crab Fest:

Boxes of blue crabs, waiting to be purchased.

There were lots of different kinds of seafood one could purchase and try at the Crab Fest.

I’ve eaten several varieties of seafood po-boys during my mission here on the coast, and there were several varieties available to try at the festival.

The plates of boiled shrimp really looked inviting, too.

Shrimp has long been one of my favorite seafood dishes during my life.

The fried crab claws we tried were just excellent!

Trying to find a table to sit down at, in the shade, to eat lunch, was one of the challenges at the Crab Fest this weekend.

This gentleman came over from Biloxi to enjoy the Crab Fest.

John heads towards me to let me know the group is ready to get some seafood lunch.

Shortly after I had finished snapping a couple of dozen images in the food shelter area, the rest of the crew walked over from viewing the craft vendor tents, and went to pick out their favorite seafood dishes for lunch.

Our crew ready to partake of various choices of seafood. Left-to-right, seated – this side of table: John’s weekend guests from Jackson, Lisa and Terry, standing, left – John’s neighbor, Ed, seated, facing camera: John and Andrea.

For several days leading up to the Crab Fest, I had kicked around what to purchase for lunch at this festival, and thought perhaps this year, I would try some of the blue crabs, that John and Andrea had eaten last year, there.

John and Andrea love the blue crabs!

Andrea bought a box and a half of them to start, and when she put them on the table, several of the crew each picked out a crab and started to break the shells apart to get at the sweet crab meat inside.

The same band that was playing last year’ fest on Saturday, was playing again this year.

I finally decided that I would try some blue crab, too, and set out to try to crack some shells and get at some of the meat. I quickly learned, however, that cracking the crab shells without sticking yourself repeatedly with the small shell spines, would take some practice. Buddy John tried to show me some shell-cracking technique, but my continuing efforts to crack the shells efficiently, met little success.

Although John didn’t shell and eat this entire box of blue crags, he did make a major dent in the pile that originally came in the box! And he is very accomplished at the shelling part of that process.

Finally, I said to myself, I had better go to Plan B, and go buy a plate/dish of some other seafood which didn’t have a shell to crack to get at the good stuff. Shortly thereafter, I returned with a bowl of Shrimp Etouffee, which was absolutely delicious!

One of our crew also bought a plate of friend crab claws, which we all tried, and I have to say, that they are also very tasty!

These youngsters were heading for a shady spot so they could enjoy eating some of the seafood.

Ralph had a bowl of seafood lasagna, along with trying a new beer, and he praised the lasagna, as an excellent dish!

Lots of hungry folks at the Crab Fest.

This youngster has a shady spot, and dad to share a hot dog with him.

Ralph was all finished with his seafood lasagna, and just enjoying the moment.

Having been at the Crab Fest for almost 4 hours, and having had a very enjoyable time, Ralph and Andrea slowly move toward the Crab Fest grounds exit, and the welcome relief of the air conditioning that their car will quickly supply.

If you are in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area on the July 4th weekend in 2010, consider attending the Bay St. Louis CRAB FEST on that Saturday and/or Sunday, for an amazing seafood experience!

Come on down, Mandy, and Quin…

You won’t be disappointed!

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2009 – Week #18 Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail Update

Hello again fellow Blue Bird enthusiasts, and Welcome to Week #18 of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blue Bird Trail Survey, on the campus of the South Mississippi Regional Center, in Long Beach.

Juvenile Blue Birds from the first hatch of the 2009 Season.

It has been yet another very hot week here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but several of the Blue Bird pairs are still producing eggs. 5 new eggs were laid during the past week, bringing the total number of eggs in the nesting boxes to 17. There are no Blue Bird babies currently in the boxes.

Commenting on the Blue Bird Trail Survey this afternoon, Master Naturalist Buddy John, the founder of the Long Beach Blue Bird Trail, had several things to say: “It’s scorching, it’s no fun checking boxes this time of year. I’m very happy with what we’re doing. We’ve got 10 more birds that have flown this year already, than last year, and we have 17 eggs still in the nesting boxes. So, I think we could reasonably push 70 new birds this summer. That’s an increase of 25 from last year. So, I’m happy. I think we’ve done more than we have expected.”

Here are Survey Totals this 2009 Season so far:

86 eggs laid: 9 have been sterile, 4 lost to a predator.

55 babies have flown the nest. – Last Year: 36 babies had flown the nest as of Week #18. Last Year Total Blue Bird babies flying from the nesting boxes: 45.

17 eggs in nesting boxes currently.

0 babies in nesting boxes currently.

Here are the results of Friday’s Blue Bird Trail Survey of the individual nesting boxes, on Friday morning, July 3, 2009:

Nesting Box #1 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird babies flew the nest, 1 Blue Bird egg missing.

Nesting Box #2 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird babies flew the nest, 1 Blue Bird egg missing.

Nesting Box #3 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #4 – 5 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: New nest built, 1 Blue Bird egg.

Nesting Box #5 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #6 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – 4 Blue Bird babies flew the nest.

Nesting Box #7 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: New nest built, 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Third Clutch.

Nesting Box #8 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – 4 Blue Bird eggs – Third Clutch.

Nesting Box #9 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #10 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #11 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

Nesting Box #12 – 4 Blue Bird eggs. – Last Week: 3 Blue Bird eggs – Third Clutch.

Nesting Box #13 – Empty nesting box, no activity. – Last Week: Empty nesting box, no activity.

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In other breaking news along the Blue Bird Trail this week, our friend, Master Naturalist Andrea K. retired on Wednesday, after 25 years of service on the campus of the SMRC. Her presence and contributions to our clients and staff, will be (are) sorely missed. Enjoy your retirement, Andrea!

Master Naturalist Andrea K., of Hummingbird Trapping fame, (see the little hummer in the white mesh bag?) a staunch supporter of the Blue Bird Trail, and birding, in general, and more recently as Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at the SMRC, has retired this week after 25 years of dedicated service.

Your author will join Master Naturalist Buddy John and his two weekend guests, and Master Naturalist Andrea, and spouse, Ralph, of recent sky diving fame, tomorrow morning to attend the Annual Bay St. Louis Crab Fest, across the bay. That will be a real treat!

How hot has it been here? After a high of 96 earlier this afternoon, at 10:07pm here, it is 86 and clear.

Have a great Holiday weekend!

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