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Port O'Connor Island Serves As Bird Habitat
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Port O'Connor Island Serves As Bird Habitat
Just across from Port O'Connor sits a man-made island that is a haven for 18 species of birds. The island is managed by the National Audubon Society, but it is Chester Smith who watches over the birds.
 "We refer to these birds as Colonial Water birds because they nest in colonies. And they nest in colonies for protection from predators," Smith said. "I have a lot of birds that are beautiful when they are in their mating colors, so one of my favorites is the Reddish Egret, the Reddish Egret is on the threatened list."
Chester is no spring chicken. He's been the Island Warden for more than 20 years.
"He is a great ambassador for the birds, and he really puts in the extra time and energy and does whatever it takes to get people to understand how important it is that his birds stay healthy," Audubon Texas development manager Shari Kolding said.
During the fall, the birds are gone and volunteers pick up the trash and plant shrubs to provide much needed habitat. Twenty years ago there were less than 10 breeding pairs of brown pelicans on the island.
"Now we have approaching some years up to 2,000 nesting pairs on that island and it's been fantastic. This is a federally endangered species that Chester has we think almost single-handedly helped bring back to strength on the Texas Coast," Kolding said.
"It makes me feel good. It feels like all the work that me and the volunteers have done, we've been successful. The pelicans when they hatch, they're grey, they gradually turn white in a few weeks, then they gradually turn brown," Smith said.
When spring comes, the birds nest and Smith watches.
"His motives are pure. He's not doing it for popularity or anything; he just wants to help the birds," Kolding said.
"My plans were to retire when I was 85. I've already passed that date and now I'm trying to make 90," Smith said.
The old watching over the young, the wise watching over the innocent.
"I've been encouraged to make 100," he said.
Bird Watching Links:
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