Texas in March

[kdvincent]

I am going to be in Texas the first week of March. Does anybody know if the migrations have started yet. Should I stay in the Dallas area and look for birds or go to the coast ?
Keith

[mikeivan]

Keith, if you seek migrating warblers, the first week in March is very early. I know nothing about birding around Dallas, but around here, the coast is far superior to inland for warblers and other species. Go here: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/coastal/
for a super, detailed guide.

[txcanon]

I agree with mikeivan on all counts. Having lived in both Houston and Dallas, the birding up here in Dallas isn't as good as the birds in coastal and south Texas. You will have better luck down there. Early April is a better time to catch the migrating birds.

[kdvincent]

So Mike and Brad,
Do I stay near High Island or work my way down to the border or in early March is it just too early??
I am in DFW for business and I am taking an extra week. I won't be back for the great migration (sigh!).
Keith

[mikeivan]

Keith, if it were my time to spend, I would fly from Dallas to McAllen and rent a car and bird the numerous Lower Rio Grande Valley sites: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/coastal/lower/santaana/

Here is a great place to stay: http://www.chachalaca.com/

[txcanon]

Keith, I also think that south Texas would get you better results. This link has a lot of information about birding locations around south Texas. http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/ The link that Mike provided is very good.

Plus, I found this link full of information that might help you with your decision; http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/nature-wildlife/40933-texas-bird-photography-sites.html

Also, If you plan to go to Houston, Brazos Bend State Park is a great place to go.

Hope that helps out.

[kdvincent]

Brad and Mike,
I have been reading the information and researching the links that both of you provided. We are going to the coast instead of staying around DFW. I thought we would go to the Brownsville border area and work our way north (to High Island) for about a week. Will we see any migration during the first week of March? Are we too early??

Thanks for both of your help.
Keith

[txcanon]

Keith, I believe you will see some of the early arrivals moving through.

[mikeivan]

I think the majority of the Aransas NWR flock of Whooping Cranes will still be present in early March. I highly recommend this tour boat:
http://www.whoopingcranetours.com/

The first week in March is very early for warblers. However, you will be passing through some of the best birding territory in North America.
My wife and I took this tour some years ago and were astounded at the variety of birds and other wildlife, and the quality of the tour:
http://www.king-ranch.com/nature_tours.html

If you like boardwalks (I do), there is a wonderful one at Port Lavaca:
http://www.southtexastraveler.com/index.php/south-texas-by-town-mainmenu-26/20-port-lavaca/23-port-lavaca-texas.html

Early or not, yours sounds like a great trip, good luck.

[silversldr]

Did you decide where you were going. I just found this thread. I live in Brownsville and I can show you around the areas if needed.

[ardeekay]

I think the majority of the Aransas NWR flock of Whooping Cranes will still be present in early March. I highly recommend this tour boat:
http://www.whoopingcranetours.com/

The first week in March is very early for warblers. However, you will be passing through some of the best birding territory in North America.
My wife and I took this tour some years ago and were astounded at the variety of birds and other wildlife, and the quality of the tour:
http://www.king-ranch.com/nature_tours.html

If you like boardwalks (I do), there is a wonderful one at Port Lavaca:
http://www.southtexastraveler.com/index.php/south-texas-by-town-mainmenu-26/20-port-lavaca/23-port-lavaca-texas.html

Early or not, yours sounds like a great trip, good luck.


Mike(& Brad) Been thinking of trying some of the winter at Port A. Had to stay in cold and snowy Illinois but hope 2010-11 we can spend some time there to see if we like it. Would probably look at Jan. & Feb. As a hobbyist photog. should I lobby for a slightly different time period? I like wildlife, nature, landscape pix best. Any inside info. would be appreciated-thanx-Rog

[kdvincent]

Roger,
Be careful of what Mike and Brad have to say. I think that they work for the local Chamber of Commerce..... (Just kidding)

I just got back from all along the coast of Texas. Not a bird to be found. (well, I did see a Green Jay, Whooping Cranes and Roseate Spoonbills).
Both of these guys said to travel a month later than I did and boy, were they correct. I went to High Island and all there were was two butterflies. I stopped looked and listened and all I heard was an airplane about 5 miles away. Not a peep out of a single bird. nuthin'.

If you are just going all the way down the coast then there are some non migratory birds all along the border.
(oh, and White and Brown Pelicans, and Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Skimmers, a bunch of Terns and Gulls)

Nope, not one single bird.....

'course the 80 degree weather was a bit painful as well.
(49 degrees in Seattle today.....)

Keith

[ardeekay]

Roger,
Be careful of what Mike and Brad have to say. I think that they work for the local Chamber of Commerce..... (Just kidding)

I just got back from all along the coast of Texas. Not a bird to be found. (well, I did see a Green Jay, Whooping Cranes and Roseate Spoonbills).
Both of these guys said to travel a month later than I did and boy, were they correct. I went to High Island and all there were was two butterflies. I stopped looked and listened and all I heard was an airplane about 5 miles away. Not a peep out of a single bird. nuthin'.

If you are just going all the way down the coast then there are some non migratory birds all along the border.
(oh, and White and Brown Pelicans, and Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Skimmers, a bunch of Terns and Gulls)

Nope, not one single bird.....

'course the 80 degree weather was a bit painful as well.
(49 degrees in Seattle today.....)

Keith

So in Jan & Feb I'll settle for the weather & whatever birds may be "lost" at the time. Right now, I'll take the weather-what a winter! One of those guys mentioned the NWR- probably some good there. Thanks for your reply-appreciate it! Rog

[mikeivan]

Mike(& Brad) Been thinking of trying some of the winter at Port A. Had to stay in cold and snowy Illinois but hope 2010-11 we can spend some time there to see if we like it. Would probably look at Jan. & Feb. As a hobbyist photog. should I lobby for a slightly different time period? I like wildlife, nature, landscape pix best. Any inside info. would be appreciated-thanx-Rog

Roger, Of course, anything in Texas will be an improvement over Illinois in Jan/Feb. ;) However, I have visited Port A twice in winter and the weather was miserable both times; windy, gray, cold, rainy, everything a photographer dislikes. Probably just my bad luck. I prefer the Lower Rio Grande Valley, for weather and birds. We just returned from there (5 days) and had a great time, including four lifers. OTOH, if you want Whoopers, Aransas NWR is the place. Good luck.

[canonloader]

I was out on the Mississippi River yesterday, which means it's open already. I saw Red Winged Blackbirds, Robins, Starlings and some other small birds I could not identify, so migration has already started. Remember, this is Wisconsin, and Minnesota is on the other side of the river, so we are way North. In Southern Texas, migration should be in full swing, except for those birds who are controlled by the hours of daily sunlight.

[txcanon]

Rog,

Mike has pretty much summed it up in the post above. Port Aransas is the place to go for Whoopers and other shore/wading birds in the winter months.