Texas Bird Watching
Texas offers some unparalleled bird watching opportunities and with 613 documented birds sighted, Texas exceeds all other states in opportunities to see a wide variety of birds. Bird watching in Texas varies from spotting Golden Eagles, Scaled Quails, or Greater Roadrunners in the Texas Panhandle to catching several bird varieties stopping for a break at South Padre Island before migrating further south. Birding is much more than a simple hobby and there are many benefits of birding that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birders. There are more than 50 million birders in the United States and millions more throughout the world, making it one of the most popular and most rapidly growing hobbies in the world. Because birding is easy for all ages to enjoy, it is a popular family activity that can lead to a lifelong hobby. So what are you waiting for, pick up the binoculars and go bird watching.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is host to an exotic array of wildlife, including alligators, javelina (collared peccary), snakes, bobcats and whooping cranes. A 16-mile one-way driving tour takes visitors through the refuge's grassland, oak thicket, freshwater pond, and marshland habitats, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Additional activities include hiking, birding, picnicking, and fishing. Six hiking trails totaling 4.3 miles are available, please bring insect repellent as mosquitoes are usually abundant.
Aransas has a reputation as one of the prime birding locales in Texas, and was originally named Aransas Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Over 392 bird species have been cataloged in the area, including ducks, herons, egrets and other waterfowl. The refuge's most famous visitor is the endangered whooping crane, one of the rarest animal species in North America. Each year from late-October to mid-April, the only wild flock of whooping cranes in the world makes its long journey south from Canada to winter in the protected habitat of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. As recently as the 1940's, only sixteen birds remained, but according to the 2003-2004 winter census at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas the population rose to 194 cranes! Taking a commercial boat tour of the bays and Intercoastal Waterway, offered by operators such as Whooping Crane Boat Tours and Rockport Birding & Kayak Adventures, provides an excellent opportunity to view whooping cranes and other bird species.
Throughout April and May, large numbers of migratory songbirds come to the Texas coast. Ducks and geese are present from August through March, and year-round birding opportunities exist for roseate spoonbills, ibises, herons, and egrets.
Texas Bird Watching Tours and Excursions |
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Port Aransas Bird Watching Tours Port Aransas  |
One of the highest bird counts on the Gulf Coast |
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South Padre Island  |
By boat or by van up to 60 species native to the area. We get up close for great photos. |
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Kingsville  |
3-9 hour tours seeing anything from pygmy owl to white tail hawk |
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Roma  |
A riverside nature area of three acres: The gateway to unforgettable birding adventures across Starr County |
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Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center Port Aransas  |
A raised boardwalk extends out into the cattails for a close-up encounter with Mother Nature. An observation tower halfway down the boardwalk permits a panoramic view of the pond and the surrounding flats. |
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Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond Birding Center Port Aransas  |
The only natural, permanent freshwater wetland on Mustang Island which has long been recognized by birdwatchers as an important stopover site for migratory birds |
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South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center South Padre  |
Learn about the interactions between the location, the plants, and the animals of South Padre Island that all intertwine. |
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Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Los Fresnos  |
Choose from different tours provided by the Center on the most southern tip of Texas, along the shores of the Laguna Madre. |
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Bird Watching Lodging & Accommodations |
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Rusk
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Texas State Railroad's Rusk depot offers a unique campground where multiple sightings of Eastern Bluebirds, Barn Swallows and Red-winged Blackbirds, woodpeckers, chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, Pine Warbler, Carolina Wren, Eastern Phoebe and Painted Bunting have been boasted. |
Bandera, Texas
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The variety of native species to be seen at the 230 acre property and the adjoining 5,500 acre Sate Park make the West 1077 Guest Ranch a prime destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Local birds such as Bewick's Wren, Summer Tanager, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, painted Buntings, Black-capped Vireos, Golden-cheeked Warbler and nesting birds of prey are easily seen here and find the perfect amount of cover and foliage to make their home on the property. West 1077 Guest Ranch offers a self-guided trail system, which makes it easy to just get out and enjoy nature. Stay in your private cabin, enjoy meals in the lodge, relax in the swimming-pool and just soak up the peaceful surounding in unspoiled nature in the middle oft he beautiful Hill Country. |
Lake Bob Sandlin/Pittsburg
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Little known to most bird watchers is a hidden gem birding trail at Barefoot Bay Marina & RV Resort. They have a nature trail that a well respected birder who is a professor at Texas Tech said was excellent - he claims that on a 30 minute hike he spotted 39 different species of birds!
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Wimberley, Texas
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The Lodge offers one of the most spectacular views in the Texas Hill Country. Your Wimberley lodging destination is nestled on 5-1/2 acres on top of a hill overlooking the Blanco River Valley. You and your family can spend time hiking, bird-watching, relaxing on the deck by the pool, or cooking on a grill in the picnic area. |
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Marathon, Texas
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Twenty adobe-brick rooms surround a quiet courtyard with fountain where you will enjoy the sounds of birds and the smell of roses as you drink your morning coffee. Each room is uniquely arranged with historic artifacts that transport you to a simpler time. You won't be at loss for attractions as they range from Big Bend to Terlingua Ghost Town. |
Texas Bird Watching Resources |
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Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is 2000 acres with 4 habitats that are home to a variety of birds and wildlife species |
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| These are what Cliff Shackelford, an ornithologist for Texas Parks & Wildlife, in an article in Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine considers his choice for the most beautiful birds in Texas | |
| Here is a list of the five best birding spots in Texas | |
There are three coastal birding maps to send you on a well-rounded tour of the coast's top birding sites |
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Vegetation has been planted along the parking lot & entrance trail at the the Birding Center to attract hummingbirds and butterflies |
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Take in the unique wildlife and scenery of the Panhandle |
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These maps will navigate you in your discovery of the wildlife and enjoyment of the beautiful forests, lakes, and prairies of Texas. |
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Information on Texas birding and trails plus maps and more - this link gives examples of the Panhandle Birding Trails |
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Best April and May for spring migrants and nesting activities; November to March for winter birds. Many options for trails in the Feather Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Tornillo Lakes, Fort Hancock Reservoir, and McNary Reservoir. |
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This is an archeological site, an archaic wetlands and a botanical garden. The 52-acre park in El Paso’s Upper Valley is a City-owned property leased to a volunteer Board of Directors who are charged with preserving and developing the Park. |
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| Birding.com | Lots of great information |
| Audubon Chapters of Texas | A list of the State offices and local chapters |
| Bird Treks | Provides you with a quality, enjoyable, professionally organized birding experience to beautiful and exciting destinations |
| Bird Watching in Texas | Everything you need or need to know regarding Birding |
| Texas Birding Clubs | A list of birding clubs in Texas |
They specialize in pure nature recordings, without voice overs or background music with selections from birding hot spots around the United States. |
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Texas Outside has been alive & well since 1996 - that's ancient by today's internet standards! Texas Outside was originally developed by Lone Star Internet which is an Austin based web development company with an excellent reputation & client base. In March of 2006, we purchased Texas Outside & made a commitment to add new, exciting, & informative content on Texas outdoor activities & fun things to see & do.
