Whooping Cranes here until
mid-April!
Rookery Island Birding Tours Beginning
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As of December 2006, the number of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Whooping Cranes is 237; 132 adults, 60 sub-adults and 45 chicks. |
February through May provide outstanding birding opportunities on the
Texas Coastal Bend. With over 400 documented species and the majority of
them consistently spend the winter or pass through our area during the
spring migration it is no wonder birders and the “bird curious” visit
from all over the world at this time of year. On a 3-4 hour boat trip
one can easily see over 50 different species of birds.
Migrant shorebirds, terns, gulls, and passerines are appearing in
greater numbers every day. The rich variances of brown in the marsh are
being taken over by the uplifting shades of green that make you take in
a deep breath of cool spring air.
During the next few months you can witness large numbers of warblers,
vireos, thrushes, buntings, grosbeaks, and tanagers when spring fronts
reverse the southerly winds that aid these birds in their migration. Our
area is outstanding during these “fallouts” as our wooded peninsulas act
as “traps” for the migrants.
In south Texas things heat up pretty early in regards to birding. Many
of our resident birds have been in breeding plumage and behavior since
mid January. The great Blue Herons are loading up on the rookeries with
their beautiful orange bills and contrasting plumage. The American
Oystercatchers have been making courting flights and landing only to
continue their ritual chattering and dancing with their unique bills
pointing at the ground. By mid April, most of our 35 different species
of Colonial Waterbirds will be actively nesting on the rookery islands.
Some of our Chamber members provide boat trips to the rookeries in the
area just click below for more information.
Click Here for Birding Boat Excursion information.
Join Us for the Hummer/Bird Celebration
