National Audubon Society

Moss Point, MS

The first-ever Tern Fair at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center will be held on May 8, 2021. It will be a day of FUN and education for the whole family.

Schedule of Events
7:30 a.m. Birding and Breakfast with Brian "Fox" Ellis (Space is limited! Registration required here) Breakfast begins at 7 a.m.

9 a.m.         Gate Opens

                     Glass Blowing Sessions begin (Register here)

                     One-Hour FREE self-guided kayaking begins at Dock

9: 15 a.m. Bird Walk with ACBS

Vendor Booths Open

10 a.m.       Least Tern Video Showing in Gallery with Q and A

Bird Banding begins near Boy Scout Hut

11 a.m.      “Fox” Ellis Audubon Presentation in Dixie’s Perch (More about Fox Ellis)

Slick Radio to perform on Front Lawn (11 to 2)

Noon           Least Tern Video Showing in Gallery with Q and A

1 p.m.         “Fox” Ellis Audubon Presentation in Dixie’s Perch

2 p.m.         Least Tern Video Showing in Gallery with Q and A

                     Slick Radio Ends

3 p.m.         Vendors Close

4 p.m.         Gate Closes

Banded Bird Tales

Not only have the Least Terns arrived back in Mississippi, but we have resighted some banded individuals from last year!

Meet 24, one of the resighted Terns. The Coastal Program started banding Least Terns in 2019 as part of a research project to help biologists better understand survivorship and what habitats these birds are using, ultimately helping to shape restoration and conservation projects for the state. Number 24 was bred in a Gulfport colony last year near Cowan Road!

As we all know, last year’s storm season was a doozy and after Tropical Storm Cristobal, one colony on an Ocean Springs rooftop was flooded.

Shortly after abandoning the rooftop site, the birds were spotted at the Jackson Co. Waste Water Treatment Plant in Vancleave. This group of birds did unsuccessfully attempt nesting on a gravel road at this location. We gained this valuable information because of the unique bands several birds were wearing.

Most of the Least Tern nesting in Jackson County takes place on rooftops or at non-traditional sites like the above mentioned gravel road. Typically, rooftops sites are used for nesting when there is a lack of suitable habit.

It’s a fascinating strategy that is not fully understood. If you would like to learn more about rooftop colonies or would like to help monitor them this summer, please email: melinda.averhart@audubon.org.

Coastal Creations to be featured in gallery

The art of Biloxi native Linda Fayard will be featured in the Moss Point Fine Art Gallery May 10 to June 5 with a special artist reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 13.

What started as a hobby inspired by a watercolor Christmas gift from her daughter has turned into a passion for Mrs. Fayard.

”A few years ago my daughter gave me a violin and violin lessons for Christmas. She decided I needed a new hobby. I tried it for one year and was awful at it and hated it,” she said. “So the next Christmas she got me a watercolor set. I never took art in school – high school or college – and honestly never had any interest in it because I thought I had absolutely no talent for it. So I took the watercolor set, and not wanting to disappoint her, I literally watched hundreds of hours of Youtube videos trying to figure out how to paint.”

After a few years of painting with watercolors, the local framer she was using relocated to north Mississippi, so she tried her hand at acrylics, and now also uses oils.

The art images depict one of three subjects—flowers, ladies and coastal stuff. She said she has always loved the beauty of flowers and feels a personal connection with the lady subjects she paints.

”They don’t sell like the others do, but I still love to paint them the most,” she said. “Because the coast is such an integral part of who I am – I was born in Biloxi. My dad was in the Air Force and we ended back here in Ocean Springs in 1965, I really enjoy painting anything coastal. This is the subject for me that is the most fun to paint.”

Original pieces of art will be available for purchase during the reception and throughout the 8 week show. For a sneak peek, visit our website at pascagoula.audubon.org.

John James Audubon Impersonator to Entertain Guests

For the first time ever, Brian “Fox” Ellis will be entertaining guests at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center for Tern Fair.

Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays John James Audubon in entertaining and meticulously researched monologues drawing from Audubon’s journals, essays, and letters to his friends and colleagues. This program was developed with a grant from the USFWS as part of their celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Fox has performed as Audubon in museums, nature centers, schools and libraries across the United States, including Audubon’s home in Henderson, Kentucky.

His presentations are slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Dixie’s Perch. Seating is limited, so come early and stay late.

Audubon Discovery Camps are filling quickly

The Pascagoula River Audubon Center offers fun, nature-based summer and holiday camp programming for a variety of age groups- from children entering kindergarten to students completing middle school. All camps run daily from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the center.

Campers enjoy a mix of science, art, games, outdoor exploration, and more during summer camp!

All children participating in camps will explore the natural world through discovery and guided hands-on activities. Our themes and activities revolve around the Pascagoula River and local bayou ecosystem. Children in the elementary and middle school summer camps will each take a boat tour if the weather permits. Each camper will receive a summer camp tee shirt and be invited to participate in our mini-art exhibition at the end of each session!

Camp for children entering Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be June 29 to July 2, 2021. Camp for children entering 3rd through 5th grades will be July 12 to 16.

Thanks to a donation from the Federal Wildlife Service designed to assist with summer camp tuition, the price for this year has been discounted. Tuition will be $100 for non-member campers and $90 for member campers.

The number of campers will be limited so that social distancing can be maintained. The registration link will open on March 31. Additional information will be posted on our website as it becomes available.

Staff
Our dedicated staff is experienced in teaching and science educated. They transform our successful school programming into fun, hands-on activities that keep your camper learning throughout their time away from school.

Camp Hours and Length
Camp runs Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please send your camper with both a snack and a bag lunch. We do not provide any food to campers.

Sample Camp Schedule

            9:00 – 9:15 Check in

            9:15 – 10:15 Activity one

            10:15 – 10:30 Snack Break

            10:30 – 11:30 Activity two

            11:30 – 12:00 Lunch

            12:00 – 12:40 Story & Craft

            12:40 – 1:00 Nature Playground

Camp spots will be reserved only after a camper profile is created. You can now pay online with debit, credit, or bank information – if you need another payment option, email Katie at katie.fetzer@audubon.org or call at 228-475-0825.

To create your CampDoc profile and to register, click here!

Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Like many people in the community doing spring cleaning, everyone is looking for a place to safely discard of toxic waste.

Save the date! May 15, 2021, from 8 a.m. until noon is Jackson County Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the former Singing River Mall parking lot in Gautier.

Review the attached flyer for specific information.

Native Plant Appreciation Continues

While April 19 to 25 was Native Plant Appreciation Week, the birds, bees and insects appreciate native plants in the landscape every day!

If you have not begun adding native plants to the landscape, it is not too late! Stop by PRAC during regular business hours and peruse the native plant demonstration garden and the items still available in the Chemours Native Plant Nursery.

A native plant starter kit would be a great gift for Mother’s Day as well. Most perennials start at $7.50 and to up to shrubs that are $30. Stock is limited, so come shop early.

Teachers Can Earn CEUs helping with PRAC Summer Camps

CONNECT WITH US

Pascagoula River Audubon Center
5107 Arthur St., Moss Point, MS 39563
(228) 475-0825 | pascagoula.audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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