texas end Jan/Feb

Hi guys, I have been so godforsakenly busy, that I have not been on here for what seems like forever! I have tried to do a search on texas, as I am coming here awfully soon (Houston) and had no time to plan anything yet, but I am not getting much out of the search button. Has anyone here ever used Santa Clara ranch, or Laguna Seca? I am tossing up whether to spend a fortune (exchange rate is not great) and do 2 days on one of the ranches, or just to take pot luck on the shores. I have tried searching for places, but I seem to come up a blank apart from Galveston and South Padre Island, so would really love it if anyone has some tips on where to go. I got some great info for my last trip a few years ago now, and some wonderful memories, but this time I just seem to be stuck. I am visiting my son, so will be restricted somewhat to travelling during the week only.
Steve (nighthound).... have you any favourite spots in Texas?
Have a lovely xmas everyone!!

Try looking for the local Audubon chapter website. They most likely will have a list of popular birding sites in the area.

I hear and see more from the Laguna Seca and have friends that have done some time there.

Since you are going to be in Houston, Galveston and the surrounding area has lots to offer. There are a number of free entry national wildlife refuges in the area along the coast. Going northeast from Galveston is the Bolivar peninsula to High Island.

Some I like are Anahuac NWR, Brazoria NWR but there are others close.

Aransas NWR would be a choice for you but would be a good trip out of Houston. It's where the Whooping cranes hang out this time of year.

Here are some Galveston birding locations. I have been seeing many shots from along Stewart Rd. from 8 mile to 12 mile road. There is a lot of birding in the Galveston area.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks heaps Will!

2n10 wrote in post #18219848
Try looking for the local Audubon chapter website. They most likely will have a list of popular birding sites in the area.

Thanks, found them after I posted this. Appreciate your reply.

Hi Tina, Bill gave some great information in his post above. I hear nothing but good things about Santa Clara and Laguna Seca ranches but they're quite a drive to south Texas from Houston. Another good place around Houston is Brazos Bend State Park. Other places further down the coast like Mustang Island SP and Goose Island SP are good. January/Feb is a bit early for spring migration but the birds should still be abundant. Here is birding trail map that might help. http://tpwd.texas.gov …dlife/wildlife-trails/utc

txcanon wrote in post #18222984
Hi Tina, Bill gave some great information in his post above. I hear nothing but good things about Santa Clara and Laguna Seca ranches but they're quite a drive to south Texas from Houston. Another good place around Houston is Brazos Bend State Park. Other places further down the coast like Mustang Island SP and Goose Island SP are good. January/Feb is a bit early for spring migration but the birds should still be abundant. Here is birding trail map that might help. http://tpwd.texas.gov …dlife/wildlife-trails/utc

Thanks heaps Brad. I guess my thoughts for the ranches was that hopefully I would definitely be guaranteed some photos, instead of chasing elusively in areas I don't know. I will study all the maps and see what happens. I had some little gems given to me on my last trip that aren't in the regular articles. Think I might just mosey down the coast and see where I end up! One week (week days), I will head west, and the other week I will head east. fingers crossed!