Marsh bird exhibit gives indoor peek at outdoors

B irding enthusiasts can get a preview of what they will see

Birdwatchers can get a preview of what they'll see outdoors when they stop by the Marsh Bird Exhibit in the foyer of the Port Aransas Civic Center next to city hall, 710 W. Ave. A. outdoors by stopping

by the marsh bird exhibit in the foyer of the Civic Center in the city hall complex, 710 W. Ave. A.

The exhibit, donated by Jo Leta Gavit and her sons, Bill and Brad, in memory of her husband, Lynn Gavit, is on display in the foyer.

Lynn Gavit died in January 1995 while in South Africa for an international fishing tournament. He was an avid fisherman, a pharmacist and a Realtor in Port Aransas for many years.

The exhibit, featuring birds indigenous to this area, is in the front, center cabinet.

The bird habitat depicts a scientifically correct simulated marsh/mangrove environment.

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute om Port Aransas provided a list of plant specimens and collection locations for specimens. Up to 20 birds are displayed. Seven or eight birds are integrated in to "water" areas. Birds include scaup, sanderling, sandpiper, dunlin, little green heron, common loon, snowy egret, common tern, black-bellied whistling (tree) duck, roseatte spoonsbill rail and ringbilled gull.