Birding

28 3.6424, -97 7.1705 Common Winter Species – Assortment of Ducks, including huge numbers of Northern Pintails, both species of Dowitchers, Sandhill Crane, Northern Harrier, Osprey Resident Species – Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, Great Blue Heron, Clapper Rail. Cape Velero Follow FM 1069 to a sign marking the Cape Velero subdivision. Turn onto Cape Velero Drive. Follow this road to the marshes of Port Bay. This is a windy road with marshes on both sides of the road. This is a private area. Do not walk or park on any area except the road. Best in winter [map]

499 Ivy Lane, Rockport, TX  78382 The Ivy Lane site is located at the end of Ivy Lane, off of Griffith Drive. There are benches, a hard packed trail, a primitive trail, and water drips on the site. This 28 acre woodland was preserved by the city of Rockport as their water field. The Coastal Live Oak forest is special because of the native shrubs and plants that make up the understory. The understory plant community, together with the Live Oaks, is called an oak motte. Some of the common plants are Red Bay, Yaupon Holly, Wax Myrtle, Beauty Berry, and Turk’s

2800 Shell Ridge Road, Rockport, TX 78382 Resident species – Black-necked Stilt, Willet, Mottled Duck, Reddish Egret, Black Skimmers, Reddish Egret Spring and Summer Species – Least Tern nest in the fenced area near the road Winter species –  Lesser Scaup, large rafts of Redhead, Eared Grebe Shell Ridge Road Proceed south on Church Street past the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary. Shell Ridge Rd is on the left at the bend in the road. This is private property on both sides of the road. Please stay on the road in your car. [map] [pin center=”1″ description=”Shell Ridge Road “]28.00213, -97.05914[/pin]

2302-2348 W. Market St., Rockport, TX 78382 Species – Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Neotropical Cormorant, Anhinga, Osprey, Pied-billed Grebe, White-tailed Hawk, occasionally Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and Great Kiskadee Moore’s Pond From FM 1069, turn onto FM 1781. Moore’s Pond is .3 on the left. Moore’s Pond This is a busy road. Be watchful of cars. Good Birding if the pond contains water Moore’s Pond From FM 1069, turn onto FM 1781. Moore’s Pond is .3 on the left. Moore’s Pond This is a busy road. Be watchful of cars. Good Birding if the pond contains water.   [map] [pin center=”1″ description=”Moore’s Pond”]28.03541,

722 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX 78382 Winter Species – Common Loon, Redhead, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser Aransas Pathways Site Picture Rockport Harbor Directions – Rockport Harbor is in downtown Rockport south of the beach park. This is a deep water harbor. The best birding is in winter. Occasionally, Pacific Loons have been found here. [map] [pin center=”1″ description=”Rockport Harbor”]28.02475, -97.04902[/pin] [/map]