Chester Smith: The Birdman of Sundown Island

Posted on July 31, 2011

Chester Smith, The Birdman of Sundown Island, watched over the Audubon Society's Sundown Island bird sanctuary in Matagorda Bay for 25 years. The island is leased and managed by the National Audubon Society's Texas Coastal Sanctuaries program. The man-made island is home to at least 18 species of birds, including endangered Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls, White Ibis, the Great Blue Heron and Reddish Egrets.

Smith passed away on June 26, 2011. He was 90 years old. His efforts helped bring back the brown pelican from the brink of extinction. Take a look:

ANIMALS
BIRDS