Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
Texas birding tips requested
Jan 7, 2022 06:10:58 #
Hello all you Texans. Heading down there next week looking for some new to me birds. We’ve been to the RGV, excellent. Stopping in Galveston on the way, new stop for us. Back to Rockport, Brownsville and McAllen. Hoping for some tips from locals about good birding spots for this time of year anywhere else we should go.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Jan 7, 2022 08:29:23 #
Tdearing
Loc: Rockport, TX
Hello Mike, check out the area around the Rockport marina and beach. It is replete with often photographed egrets, herons, and numerous other birds and a very popular birding destination. I live on a vessel in the marina and see daily birding people from all over enjoying the diversity here. Hope to see you.
Jan 7, 2022 09:06:47 #
Thanks. We've spent 10 days in and around Rockport, that's why we will be giving it a brief stop this trip. It is very good, but looking for some new very good spots.
Mike
Mike
Jan 7, 2022 09:08:47 #
Jan 7, 2022 09:24:53 #
CliffMcKenzie
Loc: Lake Athens Texas
capmike wrote:
Hello all you Texans.
Welcome to Texas (home to many species of birds and Californians)! If you decide to turn to Northeast Texas, you will find osprey on my Lake Athens. Eagles to the north around Lake Fork and in both cases pelicans with redtail hawks abound. Just a little further to north near Lake Texoma, Hagerman Wildlife Reserve. Hagerman, a city that disappeared many years ago has winter wheat that is not harvested but planted for snow & Canadian geese in the thousands.
Jan 7, 2022 09:28:52 #
Jan 8, 2022 06:30:15 #
capmike wrote:
Hello all you Texans. Heading down there next week looking for some new to me birds. We’ve been to the RGV, excellent. Stopping in Galveston on the way, new stop for us. Back to Rockport, Brownsville and McAllen. Hoping for some tips from locals about good birding spots for this time of year anywhere else we should go.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
At Rockport be sure to visit the whooping cranes.
Bruce.
Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
Jan 8, 2022 07:51:18 #
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Shovelers Pond, Smith Oaks Bird Refuge in High Island, Bolivar Flats. These are great places across the Bolivar Ferry from Galveston.
Jan 8, 2022 08:00:13 #
High Island East of Houston, near the Louisiana border. Check out Houston Audubon's Louis Smith Woods Sanctuary, commonly known as Boy Scout Woods. Excellent during spring migration! Another on High Island is Smith Oaks Sactuary.
Jan 8, 2022 10:15:21 #
tbormann
Loc: St. Louis, MO
Check out https://ebird.org/hotspots. If you zoom in several times, you'll see many places birders go and a list of birds seen recently. Hovering over one spot will show the name of the place. Clicking on "View Details" will provide the list. From that screen, you can also work out how to get there.
This is the place experienced birders go.
This is the place experienced birders go.
Jan 8, 2022 10:44:47 #
When in Brownsville, head to South Padre Island to the birding center. In Harlingen, about 40 miles north of Brownsville, the Hugh Ramsey nature center. Also Santa Ana state park or Laguna Atascosa.
Walt
Edit: At Hugh Ramsey, I’ve seen Green Jays, hummingbirds, chachalacas, purple martins, orioles, kiskadees, and there is also a group of javalinas roaming through.
Walt
Edit: At Hugh Ramsey, I’ve seen Green Jays, hummingbirds, chachalacas, purple martins, orioles, kiskadees, and there is also a group of javalinas roaming through.
Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.
Jan 8, 2022 11:04:55 #
If you are in the Rio Grande Valley, TX you can also check out the Edinberg Wetlands & Bentson State Park. Both great places to see birds!
Jan 8, 2022 12:43:08 #
PatrickAtty
Loc: The Woodlands, TX
There are many wildlife refuges in the Galveston area. I suggest you search for "wildlife refuges Galveston area", then look at the websites for those that seem within reach. I have also been to High Island and Bolivar Flats, both run by the Houston Audubon Soc., which also runs the small Dos Vacas Muertas reserve on the west end of Galveston Is. High Is. is extremely busy during spring migration, as water birds nest there. Brazoria Nat. Wildlife Ref. is interesting during the winter, with lots of birds, gators, etc. A long lens is preferred. Brazos Bend State Park is further inland and has lots of birds, turtles, gators, etc. In all instances, I suggest you call a refuge ranger or the Houston Audubon Soc. for information on what birds are currently there. Also, the Texas City Dike is 5.3 miles long jutting into the bay, with lots of birds. There is a website.
Jan 8, 2022 12:59:17 #
Jan 8, 2022 23:47:23 #
Stan Wieg
Loc: Fair Oaks, CA
There is a wonderful boardwalk over the marsh on South Padre Island, just across the bridge from Brownsville. It will put you eye to eye with all manner of birds. Herons, egrets, spoonbills, whistling ducks, stilts, ibis, kingfishers, songbirds, you name it.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Landscape Photography section of our forum.