Coming to Texas-1st time. April. Where to go??

Hi
James from NYS. Teachers have the benefits of getting a lot of vacation time. I am off April 6th to the 15th.
I would like to visit, photograph and bird Texas, however I have no idea where to go in the large state.
I know there are 5 distinct regions. I have ordered some books and maps.
Can anyone suggest a simple itinerary for about 5-6 days in Texas where I can get the most birds for my buck?

Thanks so much
James Vellozzi

I would suggest the Upper Texas coast, High Island, Sabine Woods etc near Port Arthur. It will be at the height of the spring migration.

I'm not a birder so take this with a grain of salt, but Big Bend National Park is wonderful. I've seen falcons, golden eagles, and lots of road runners there. I'm sure there are many other species probably, but I've never tried to shoot any of them as I'm a landscapist. You might want to check out their website or give them a call though.

Hi,

I shot at the Block Creek Natural Area during the 2006 Pro Tour contest held by Images for Conservation. It is a great place to shoot and they are now drawing numerous photography tours.

Their web site is http://blockcreeknaturalarea.com

David Langford is a great and well known photographer and owns part of the "Area". I'm sure he keeps track of the best opportunities. Larry Jay also owns part of the "Area" and enjoys helping people get great photos.

Tell them I recommeded them and have a great time if you go there.

Leo Keeler

I am going for the first time this year around the same time you are and shall be concentrating on the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas is a BIG state and there are many things to see and do. However it is big enough that you should consider one area or maybe two at most. However, do not be surprised when ten hour drives do not get you across the state. So, really visiting just one might be better if you are here for 4-5 days.

As a birder some of the suggested coastal areas would be a good choice, I a not a birder but areas that people seem to like include the Rio Grande Valley around Brownsville, Matagorda Island, south of Houston, Big Thicket near Port Arthur.

You could maybe do something along the coast between Houston and Corpus Christi and then goto Port Arthur or the Rio Grande Valley. However again note from Port Arthur to the Rio Grande Valley is a very long drive.

My own take on the valley, is it is great for birds but not so great for landscape as it is flat brush country. It would not be my first choice for a Texas trip but again I am not a birder. Kari Post did an article last year about her time at the NANPA conference that was down in the valley and that might be a good read for you.

Not sure of the birds but early April is a great time for wildflowers in the hill country, west of Austin. Several state parks and just about any road in the area. I'd suggest Enchanted Rock SP, Pedernales Falls SP, Inks Lake SP, Fredricksburg, Llano, Marble Falls. Enough to keep you busy for 4-5 days.

Someone suggested Big Bend and I consider it an epic place that says Texas like few others. It is a great place birds, with more bird species than any other US National Park. I consider it one of the five best parks in the entire NPS. Awesome desert country that the cactus should be in bloom. Again if is a long drive at ten hours plus from Dallas or Houston.

You can see many images from Big Bend and Texas on my blog and website. I did an article here about some of the areas in west Texas if you decide to go out that far.

http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index. ... rren-huski



Have a good trip no matter where you go.

Hey James,
I was just down there last week and if I only had five or six days, I would suggest the Rio Grande Valley area. There are many sights and parks within reasonable driving distance. Texas is a huge state with many great areas but for your time frame, the RGV might give you the best bang. It's an easy drive over to South Padre Island for shorebirds also.
Best of luck.

If you plan on the Rio Grande Valley, you should consider the Santa Clara Ranch, if there is an available spot in their blinds. They have a large variety of birds and some mammals to photograph! South padre island is good, also, for newly arriving migratory birds.

Here are some websites that may be helpful

eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ (you can do searches to find out what other people are currently seeing)

Audubon Texas http://tx.audubon.org/ (many resources including posiblility of contacting local chapters that may be very helpful)

Birding Texas http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks ... tate-parks (information on birding in Texas State Parks)

All the areas mentioned above are great for birds and photography. The main question is where will you driving/flying into as a main destination? This will allow for a better recommendation. The RGV is excellent for migrating birds and some of the ranches with blinds are excellent. The upper coast is great for shorebirds, nesting egrets, spoonbills, etc. is excellent. The weather will be warm and I recommend a good mosquito repellent.

Hill Country or Rio Grand Valley can't go wrong in either place.

HI:
Texas is very big as everybody already mentioned but if your target is birds, the Rio Grande Valley is the place. South Padre Island is a great place during those days since the Spring Migration is in full force but expect a lot of people and photographers, it gets crowded. Other Public places in the Rio Grande Valley are numerous, Estero Llano and Bentsen State Park are probably the best but there are some others to consider.

The best in the Rio Grande Valley for photography is the private ranches. Santa Clara Ranch, Javalina Ranch, Laguna Seca Ranch, and Dos Venadas Ranch. Im the ranch manager at Santa Clara. We are pretty full already for April but if you give me some exact dates I can try to fit you in, I can also get you in contact with some of the other private ranches if we are full.

Hope this helps

Hector

I second South Padre Island if it is not spring break for Texas. The area around the convention center and the great boardwalk are excellent.
For flying waders and waterfowl the boardwalk at Port Aransas also is great but watch out for spring break!

Darren, thanks for the shout out! Here's the article he is referring to: http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index. ... -kari-post. That article also has links to videos at the bottom that show some highlights of the region.

I was in the Rio Grande Valley area for the NANPA summit last year and we spent most of our time in and around McAllen. Texas is HUGE so don't expect to see much more than a fraction of it in just a few days. McAllen/Rio Grande Valley area was a great spot for birds though - so many places to go!

Santa Clara Ranch is fantastic. Hector Astorga is on NSN and he's the ranch manager. He's great; he showed my friend and I around the ranch and made us feel right at home. I have some videos of the ranch blinds on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/gurucbuajew
http://youtu.be/hDtG9zFKdME
PS: Hector, feel free to use these for promo needs if you want.

You can also watch this video I made as my final project for my mammology class. The entire thing was shot at Santa Clara. It's about poop, but it starts off with some pretty photos taken at the ranch, and if you interested in learning how to ID scat, you might just want to watch the entire thing. It IS mildly entertaining. http://youtu.be/LYO3OkGU74Q

Santa Ana NWR and Laguna Atascosa NWR are great spots too, as is Quinta Mazatlan and a couple of other places with feeders. Jerry Monkman mentions a few in his article about the summit: http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index. ... ry-monkman.

Hope that helps! Feel free to PM or write with specific questions. I'll be in Costa Rica March 11-26 with limited access to internet, so may not get them soon enough, but will try to help if I can.

If your target is to photograph birds the Lower Rio Grande Valley private ranches are the way to go. If you are looking for wildflowers make Austin your base. If you want landscapes then it's Big Bend.

The private ranch photography will get you images that are far, far better than what you will be able to get in the public parks.

High Island TX has been a little weak this year because of the drought. It may be better by early April, but I would know that before you go, as it is a long way from anything else and would be a disappointment if not in full swing. Fabulous when at it's height. I was there 10 days ago and there was not a single bird in the rookery--none.

South Texas is great. Migration will be in full swing at the time you are visiting. The Ranches in the area all participate in photography and conservation efforts. Therefore there is water and food for species year round, guaranteeing maximum activity during your visit. (See any information on the ICF (International Conservation Fund) Santa Clara and Laguna Seca are great choices. If you are interested in raptors, the Martin Refuge has a morning raptor blind that will blow your mind. There are fees to get on to these ranches to keep the ICF going.

If you find yourself near Houston and would like "free stuff". Head Southwest from Houston to Brazos Bend State Park. Walks around the lakes are 1-2 miles and have lots of wader birds and lots of alligators, up close and personal. Directly South of Houston to Lake Jackson and then just off the coast is Quintana-a small barrier island that has 2 areas for migratory birds. Buntings, Orioles etc. From there you can drive along the coast toward Galveston-there are tons of areas there. I can recommend 8 mile drive.

Look up the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. These maps can be ordered or downloaded. They are available for every section of the state and have recommend seasons for each location and what you might expect to see. I have a set in my car at all times. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wi ... fe-trails/

Also what we call TexBirds is helpful. But more for birding that necessarily bird photography per se. It is a daily log kept by birders about sightings-maybe not sighting close enough to image. But it can be a heads up that a given area is surprisingly "dead".
http://lists.texbirds.org/texbirds.html

The birds at High Island are not coming in to the old nesting sites close to the main path. They are nesting much farther out where even an 800mm is far too short. I wouldn't waste any time there this year.