Bird Day With Pathways
Join us for a delightful exploration of the avian world with Aransas Pathways! Enjoy a day filled with fun and learning about our feathered friends, offering activities for all ages, along with food and beverages provided. Stay tuned for the schedule of events, partner details, and more information, which will be available soon. We still have spots available for community partners. For inquiries, please call 361-556-5308.
Pathways Center – Pavilion & Bridge (Tule West)
2491 Hwy 35 N., Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) The pavilion, called “Pathways Center ” is the principal information center for all of the Aransas Pathways projects. These include: Birding, History, Kayaking, and Hiking and Biking Trails. “Pathways Center” houses informational kiosks with interpretive signage explaining each Aransas Pathway project, with an open space for meetings and events. There is also a deck for relaxing and observing Tule Creek and the adjoining Shellcrete Birding and Nature site. Also known as Tule Creek West. The bridge connects the North and South sides of Tule Creek and the nature site. This facility functions as the trailhead for Pathways Eco-tourism projects in the Aransas County. Pathways Center is located on the west side of Highway 35 N and the intersection of Tule Creek. This is at the traffic light for the north entrance into Walmart. This land was leased from the City of Rockport and will serve as a birding site but will also be the information center for the Project. It includes a wooden bridge crossing Tule Creek linking the parking lot at the head of the City Hike and Bike trail to Shellcrete Historic Site and Birding Site. There is an open air pavilion with informative, interpretive signage describing the Aransas Pathways project for use by tourists and visitors. This pavilion has an excellent view of the creek and is expected to attract birders and photographers. It is also useful as a spot to stage local events and educational activities for our residents.
Swan Lake
1201 Copano Retreat Rd, Taft, TX 78390 (see map) Swan Lake Kayak launch site is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts, located on Copano Retreat Road in Taft, TX. Copano Retreat Road is located off of TX Highway 188, 4 miles Northwest of 35 Bypass Rockport, TX. The launch site provides access to the North East area of Port Bay, which is a shallow saltwater body of water surrounded by marshlands. The launch site features ample parking space for vehicles and trailers. There is a 50 yard hard surface path from the parking lot to the water. In addition to kayaking and canoeing, Swan Lake also offers excellent opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can expect to see a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Overall, Swan Lake Kayak launch site on Copano Retreat Road is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of the Texas coast while enjoying outdoor recreational activities.
Shellcrete Birding and Nature Site
28°03’02.4″N 97°02’31.3″W (see map) 2550 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 Spring Species – Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Blue Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, 27 species of Wood Warbler including Ovenbird, Prothonotary and Canada Warblers, Brown-crested and Great-crested Flycatchers, Solitary Sandpiper. Fall and Winter Species – American Goldfinch, Lincoln’s, Swamp, and chipping Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo. Shellcrete Birding Site Location – Shellcrete is located on Hwy 35 next to Tule Creek. This is an 11 acre wooded birding site. Tule Creek runs beside the woods. Use the parking lot at the Aransas Pathways Center – Pavilion & Bridge site (Tule West) and walk the bridge or sidewalk to access Shellcrete Birding and Nature site.
Lamar Burton Wetlands Sanctuary
28.149858 -97.001094 (see map) partially Through a generous donation Aransas First is preserving and creating public access to 105 acres of wetlands in the critical Lamar Peninsula, the winter home of the endangered whooping cranes. It will have dirt or grass trails or open ground to walk on for visitors but parking area is ADA and is a great birding site We will formally open it with kiosks and signage after kiosks are built in May. We are waiting for whooping cranes to leave.
Bent Oaks Rookery Park
1902 E. Maple St, Rockport, TX 78382 or 1401 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Bent Oaks Rookery Park is a 8.856-acre piece of land located across from Little Bay, bordered by Broadway, Business Highway 35, and Maple Street, was purchased by the city in January 2016 for $2.995 million using tax and revenue certificates of obligation. A 14-space parking lot was installed about one month before Hurricane Harvey. The nearly nine-acre piece of property includes large windswept oaks and an active, federally protected Great Blue Heron and Great Egret rookery. The city bought the property to preserve the trees and rookery.
Copano Bay (Causeway) South
28°06’49.4″N 97°01’31.9″W (see map) In the winter, scope for Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, and Common Loon. A large assortment of ducks can be found in the cove, along with Ruddy Turnstone, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Blue Heron, Reddish Egret. Parking area and limited services at the Copano Bridge Boat Ramp.
North Cove Harbor Wetlands Sanctuary
160 Cove Harbor N., Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Shorebirds, Roseate Spoonbills, Rails, and Sparrows can be found here. North Cove Harbor Wetland Sanctuary is just north of Cove Harbor Marina. You will see the parking lot for the sanctuary on the left. This is a 100 acre wetland that is owned by the Aransas County Navigation District and is leased to Aransas First. There is an 800 foot boardwalk that has a covered area and bench at the end. This site is best in winter. It is very dependent on rain and tides. Shorebirds, Roseate Spoonbills, Rails, and Sparrows can be found here. Over 202 bird species have been documented at this site. The boardwalk was heavily damaged by Hurricane Harvey and has been reconstructed as of 2020.
Aransas Woods
Aransas Woods, 4333, 4351 TX-35, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) This site is home to Texas Coastal Birding Trail Site #47.Worked with FEMA and TDEM to replace the windmill and clear the miles of trails after the devastation from Hurricane Harvey. During “fallouts” coastal mottes such as Aransas Woods offer food and protection to thousands upon thousands of weary landbirds who might otherwise perish if forced to continue inland to the nearest contiguous forests. The site’s observation platform overlooks a complex of grassland, oak motte, and shallow wetlands, making this site attractive to birds and other wildlife year-round. Spring Species – Migrants along the woodland trails including Warblers, Orioles, Tanagers, Vireos and Flycatchers Fall and Winter Species – Marsh Wren, Sora, Swamp Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat Aransas Woods Hwy. 35 Bypass, about 1 mile north of 188 on the eastern side of road. Watch for the Great Texas Birding Trail sign. This location is a fresh water marsh surrounded by oak mottes and native grasses. Site has a windmill, walking tails and an observation deck. Aransas Woods has an ADA compliant walkway to elevated overlook.platform.plus grass maintained trails