Events

See migration science up close during a free Public Bird Banding event presented by Aransas Pathways as part of the 2026 HummerBird Celebration. Event Details Friday, September 18, 2026 8:00–11:00 AM Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary 1429 S. Church St., Rockport, Texas Free • Open to the Public • Come and Go Visitors can watch trained experts safely examine, measure, band, and release birds while learning how banding contributes to research on bird migration, health, and conservation. The program will feature Dr. Rebekah J. Rylander, Aransas Pathways Committee member, birding educator, and coastal conservation advocate and Dr. Rebecca Bracken is the Conservation Research Director at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO), where she leads avian research and conservation programs along the Texas Gulf Coast. A federally and state permitted bird bander, her work focuses on hummingbirds, migratory songbirds, shorebirds, and other coastal bird species. Bird activity varies with migration and weather conditions. Guests may occasionally be invited to experience a bird up close under a bander’s direct supervision, but this opportunity is not guaranteed. The birds’ safety and welfare will always come first.   Discover Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary This 6.25-acre Aransas Pathways site features oak motte, native grasses, gardens, trails, an observation platform, and valuable habitat for hummingbirds, monarchs, and other wildlife. The sanctuary preserves the legacy of Connie Hagar, celebrated as the “Bird Lady of Texas.” Her pioneering observations helped establish the Texas Coastal Bend as an important birding destination along the Central Flyway. The site is handicapped accessible, and parking is available along East First Street. Guests are encouraged to bring water, insect repellent, sun protection, and comfortable outdoor shoes. Register for this free event through the registration link on this page. View the complete 2026 HummerBird Celebration schedule of activities and speakers. Learn more about Aransas Pathways at www.aransaspathways.com.