Join the BIG SIT at the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
On Saturday, May 6, 7 AM – 7 PM, a team of birders will compete in the mid-coast regional tournament to see or hear as many bird species as possible from a defined location. This event is part of the Great Texas Birding Classic (Audubon Society) and the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary is the 51st site on the Central Texas Coast trail. The contest begins at sunrise and continues all day. A 17-foot diameter circle will be defined from which birds are identified. Team members can rotate in shifts or stay all day. Canopies will be set up to provide shade and water and light snacks will be supplied. The Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary was established in 1995 to honor Connie and her husband Jack Hagar who owned and managed the Rockport Cottages at this site. Over the years the Friends of Connie Hagar held occasional events in Sanctuary to call attention to Connie’s role as a birder and environmentalist. She is a role-model as a “citizen scientist” as she collected data to show how active this coastal fly-way is during bird migrations. The Friends recently ensured that the property would remain protected in an agreement with Aransas First, a non-profit land trust. The Friends also partnered with Aransas Pathways to become an anchor site in south Rockport. Pathways provides on-going maintenance and supervision for capital projects at the Sanctuary. To join the Friends of Connie Hagar, contact Becky Stapleton, Vice-president, at philstapleton10@gmail.com (602) 705-3305. FRIENDS OF CONNIE HAGAR P.O. BOX 2465 ROCKPORT, TX 78381
2nd Annual LAC Attack Kayak Fishing Tournament
The Leadership Aransas County (LAC) Alumni Association in conjunction with Aransas Pathways is hosting the 2nd Annual LAC Attack Kayak Fishing Tournament scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2017. This will be a C.P.R. Catch, Photo, Release Tournament. Newcomers and experienced “yak fishermen” are all welcome to take part in the tournament. Come alone or sign-up the entire family and make a day of it. LAC Attack will hold the Captains Meeting Friday, June 2, 2017 at Poor Man’s Country Club at 6 p.m. The Captains meeting is a great way to meet your fellow anglers, learn about last minute rule changes and receive door prizes. We will have the weigh-in (where you bring your photo) on Saturday, June 3 starting at 1:30 and ending at 3:30 when tournament is officially over. Love to Kayak? Love to Fish? Then this tournament is for you so register today. Participation is open to anyone 17 years of age or older. Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event. Minors must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county or federal regulation or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. Youth Division is limited to participants younger than 17 years on the day of the event. A completed entry form and $75 entry fee for adults/$50 for youth, must be received no later than the captain’s meeting. Entry fees will NOT be transferred or refunded. All participants must have a signed waiver and release of liability on file with event organizers. You must own or rent your own kayak as no kayak will be provided for use. An angler powered craft is the only transportation allowed on the water. Location:All public Texas Inshore Coastal Waters. Offshore waters, including Jetties, are considered Out of Bounds. All fishing locations must be waters that can be legally paddled in accordance with either Local, State or Federal Jurisdiction. Date/Time Information:June 3, 2017Safe Light TBA at Captain’s Meeting Contact Information:Shelly StuartSend an Email Fees/Admission:Registration Fee is $75 for anglers 17 and over$50 for minors under the age of 17. Check out the Aransas Pathways’ Kayak Launch Sites.
Beware of Alligator
The Aransas Pathway’s Holiday Beach Venue is a great birding site but it also has alligators. The alligators are a great attraction for our out of town guests and residents alike. Alligators are predatory animals and can be dangerous. They should be left alone and do not feed them. Feeding them could harm the alligator and could put you in danger. Please keep what happened at Disney World in mind. That alligator was fed by people and when the Dad and Son stepped in the water the alligator took the boy. We don’t want that.
Ivy Lane Walk on 2-4-2017
A great learning experience was had by all 17 participants in the second Nature walk at Ivy Lane with Kris Kirkwood. These nature walks are sponsored by Keep Aransas County Beautiful (contact – Neli Spurrell). They are held the first Saturday of the month from 9-11 am at Ivy Lane Birding Site at 242 Ivy Ln, Rockport, TX. Check our Calendar of Events for more exciting event.
“Tule Marsh East – Demo Garden and Wetlands Re-Dedication”
Dear Friend of Aransas Pathways,On behalf of the Aransas Pathways Steering Committee, I would like to extend this invitation to the: “Tule Marsh East – Demo Garden and Wetlands Re-Dedication” Wednesday September 14, 10a.m. As Part of the HummerBird Celebration, Aransas Pathways is pleased to announce completion of renovations of the Tule March East (Rockport Demo Garden and Wetlands Pond) The ceremony will take place behind the Demo Garden at the classroom-style pavilion, on the east side of Hwy 35 North (Across from K-Bob in Rockport). The Pathways team completed improvements to the property including replacing an entire section of the boardwalk, adding interpretive signs, and also adding a new well with a solar pump and panels. This will allow water to be pumped over to a pond area during drought periods ensuring that the birds will continue to have a source for water. Attendees may park at the entrance of the property and over flow will be transported by golf cart from the K-Bob’s Restaurant and Walmart parking lot. We Look forward to seeing you there! Sincerely, Sandy Jumper Director of Tourism and Events Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Aransas Pathways Steering Committee Member
Stewards of Nature
“Stewards of Nature“ Opening 10-September-2016 through 12-November 2016 The Friends of the History Center are delighted to present an exhibit about “Stewards of Nature.” Your friends and neighbors will be showcased in posters and programs that relate their efforts that have restored and preserved our precious coastal environment. The exhibit will open Saturday, September 10 with remarks at 6:00 PM at the History Center, 801 E. Cedar St. The exhibit is free and open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM – 2 PM with programs on designated Sundays at 2:00 PM. Photos courtesy Diane Nunley and Jeff Adams (USFWS) Click here to view videos and photos from the exhibit opening – 10-Sep-2016
New Birds and Plants Lists posted for Castro Nature Sanctuary
After a lot of hard work identifying, confirming, and double checking new and revised lists are available for bird species sighted and plants located at the Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary.
Goose Island Big Tree Route
Goose Island State Park, 202 S Palmetto St, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) On Lamar Peninsula, this cycling route begins and highlights Goose Island State Park, scenic St. Charles Bay and historic Big Tree. Approximately 6.75 miles When cycling in Aransas County, as is the case on any public street, always wear a helmet and bright, highly visible clothing. It is also recommended to have a flashing red safety light mounted behind the saddle. Always ride with the flow of traffic, unless routes converge with sidewalks, and please obey all traffic laws and regulations. GREEN – HIGH EASE OF USE: Bike lanes, wide curbed lanes or low traffic volume residential streets. Some sidewalk connections.BLUE – MODERATE EASE OF USE: Generally low to moderate traffic volumes. May have wide outer lane, wide shoulder or shoulder with rumble strip.RED – LOW EASE OF USE: Higher traffic volumes, or narrow lanes with narrow shoulder or no shoulder, difficult connections for some cyclists. This link will download a kmz file which can be read and used by Google Earth to put all the Aransas Pathways Bike Trails on your map. Click here to download. Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.Google Earth is available here.
Fulton Harbor Route
402 N Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton, TX 78358 (see map) Beginning at Fulton Harbor Park, this route highlights Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, Howard Murph Park and Fulton Harbor. Approximately 11.5 miles When cycling in Aransas County, as is the case on any public street, always wear a helmet and bright, highly visible clothing. It is also recommended to have a flashing red safety light mounted behind the saddle. Always ride with the flow of traffic, unless routes converge with sidewalks, and please obey all traffic laws and regulations. GREEN – HIGH EASE OF USE: Bike lanes, wide curbed lanes or low traffic volume residential streets. Some sidewalk connections.BLUE – MODERATE EASE OF USE: Generally low to moderate traffic volumes. May have wide outer lane, wide shoulder or shoulder with rumble strip.RED – LOW EASE OF USE: Higher traffic volumes, or narrow lanes with narrow shoulder or no shoulder, difficult connections for some cyclists. This link will download a kmz file which can be read and used by Google Earth to put all the Aransas Pathways Bike Trails on your map. Click here to download. Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.Google Earth is available here.
Rockport Beach Route
319 Broadway St,, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Beginning at Rockport Beach Park, this route highlights Rockport Beach, Rockport Harbor, downtown Rockport, historic Water Street, Tule Creek Hike & Bike Trail and scenic Key Allegro on Aransas Bay. Approximately 13.5 miles. When cycling in Aransas County, as is the case on any public street, always wear a helmet and bright, highly visible clothing. It is also recommended to have a flashing red safety light mounted behind the saddle. Always ride with the flow of traffic, unless routes converge with sidewalks, and please obey all traffic laws and regulations. GREEN – HIGH EASE OF USE: Bike lanes, wide curbed lanes or low traffic volume residential streets. Some sidewalk connections.BLUE – MODERATE EASE OF USE: Generally low to moderate traffic volumes. May have wide outer lane, wide shoulder or shoulder with rumble strip.RED – LOW EASE OF USE: Higher traffic volumes, or narrow lanes with narrow shoulder or no shoulder, difficult connections for some cyclists. This link will download a kmz file which can be read and used by Google Earth to put all the Aransas Pathways Bike Trails on your map. Click here to download. Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.Google Earth is available here.