2026 TRIPS
KING RANCH NORIAS DIVISION
This portion of the King Ranch, the southernmost part, has an extensive upland coastal habitat that can attract many Spring migrants. This is the division of the ranch that has vast tracts of habitat that are home to a variety of South Texas specialty birds. This trip will provide the best chance of seeing the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl.
PLEASE NOTE - One of the Most Popular Field Trips - Sells Out Quickly
BOX LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED – HAM or TURKEY or VEGETARIAN
MAXIMUM 18 PEOPLE PER DAY
Wednesday – April 22, 5:30am-3:30pm
Thursday – April 23, 5:30am-3:30pm
$195
KING RANCH
Situated at the confluence of several migratory pathways, the Ranch is a virtual highway for migrating birds in both Fall and Spring. With 825,000 acres of varied habitat, the King Ranch is a haven for birds and birdwatchers alike. Named as a site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, the ranch boasts a bird list of more than 370 species.
Vast tracts of habitat are home to a variety of South Texas specialty birds, including Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Tropical Parula, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Audubon’s Oriole, Botteri’s Sparrow, Green Jay, White-tailed Hawk, Olive Sparrow, and much more. Over the years, the ranch has also hosted a large number of rare birds including Double-striped Thick-knee, Jabiru, Eurasion Wigeon, Masked Duck, Apolomado Falcon, and Garganey.
NORTHERN AREAS OF KING RANCH
This field trip combines a visit to the two northern divisions of King Ranch, Santa Gertrudis and Laureles divisions.
We will visit the Santa Gertrudis division first in the morning. This area is known for its extensive areas of mesquite/huisache (acacia) brushlands and grasslands and has several freshwater reservoirs and ponds. Some of the South Texas specialty birds that can be found here include Least Grebe, White-tipped Dove, Groove-billed Ani, Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, and Olive Sparrow. We may even get lucky and spot an Audubon’s Oriole.
The Laureles Division, the largest division of the King Ranch, will be visited after lunch. On the west side we will explore extensive agricultural fields looking for various species of migrating shorebird, like American Golden-Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Will also be on the lookout for resident or migrating hawks, like White-tailed Hawk or Swainson’s Hawk. As we move east through this division we will visit where the Petronila Creek merges with the upper portions of Alazan Bay. This area provides views of waterbirds that like the combination of freshwater and saltwater.
As we near the end of this trip, we will visit more grassland and brushy areas for upland species which could include a variety of hawks, flycatchers, and brush land birds.
BOX LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED – HAM or TURKEY or VEGETARIAN
MAXIMUM 18 PEOPLE PER DAY
Friday – April 24, 6:30am-3:30pm
Saturday – April 25, 6:30am-3:30pm
$145
BARNHART Q5 RANCH & NATURE RETREAT
Located in Berclair, Texas (Goliad County) on over 700 acres of working ranch land managed for wildlife habitat, especially birds. The ranch lies in the Tamaulipan scrub–brush ecosystem of South Texas: thorny brush, old oaks, wildflowers, and seasonal creek lines (Indian Creek runs through part of it).
Because it sits in a migration corridor, it supports both resident and migrating species of birds. The family-owned ranch has gone beyond ranching: with nature-retreat lodging, birding/photography blinds, water features, trails and a clear habitat-management philosophy.
BOX LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED – HAM or TURKEY or VEGETARIAN
MAXIMUM 9 PEOPLE PER DAY
Wednesday – April 22, 6:00am-3:30pm
$125 Per Person
GUADALUPE DELTA WMA
The Guadalupe Delta WMA consists of approximately 7200 acres of marshes. It is basically a freshwater marsh and riparian woodlands subject to flooding from the Guadalupe River and its adjacent bayous. All the water, coastal prairies, and marshes make the Guadalupe Delta a favorite place for birders and photographers. With more than 400 different species of birds, this site is also one of the Top 5 Christmas Bird Counts in the nation. This Trip includes a drive through freshwater marshes and a walk through the lush riparian forest of the Guadalupe River floodplain.
SPECIAL NOTE – this field trip site has limited public access and has been granted special permission only to Festival registrants.
Our target species for this Trip are Fulvous Whistling Duck, Least Bittern, Purple Gallinule, Anhinga, Yellow-crowned Heron, American Oystercatcher, Franklin's Gull, Barred Owl, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee, Prothonotary Warbler, Painted Bunting, alligators and migrant flycatchers, thrushes, and warblers. SPECIAL NOTE – in 2023 festival participants in this trip were pleasantly surprised when FOUR Black Rails were spotted
BOX LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED – HAM or TURKEY or VEGETARIAN
MAXIMUM 9 PEOPLE PER DAY
Thursday – April 23, 6:00am-3:30pm
Friday – April 24, 6:00am-3:30pm
$125
BIG DAY
In the birding culture, there’s something of a tradition in doing a “Big Day”. Participants of this trip try to identify the greatest number of species, via sight or sound, over a 10-hour period. Many birders consider a Big Day a must-do during a Spring migration. We will cover as many spots as time allows, based on where the best birds have been spotted by our team of bird scouters. A 2023 Great Texas Birding Classic Big Day competitive team scored 217 species in the area covered by this trip. With good weather and a little luck, this adventure could earn participants a coveted spot in the “150 Club”.
LUNCH (NOT INCLUDED) WILL BE FLEXIBLE – MAY STOP FOR LOCAL FARE, AS A MIDDAY BREAK WILL BE MUCH NEEDED. MAXIMUM 20 PEOPLE
Thursday – April 23, 5:30am-3:30pm
$130
CHOKE CANYON STATE PARK
This 1400-acre park is divided into two units and hugs the shoreline of the Choke Canyon Reservoir. The lake is located north of Corpus Christi, at the edge of thorn-brush desert which hosts a somewhat different suite of birds. The abundance of quality habitat combined with the surrounding water, make it one of the best birding hot spots in this area. The diversity here is terrific, with a hundred species being possible. eBird has recorded 325 species in Choke Canyon.
The target species include Audubon Oriole, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, Black Phoebe and Vermilion Flycatcher. The lake can provide lingering ducks, waders, and other birds associated with water.
BOX LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED – HAM or TURKEY or VEGETARIAN
MAXIMUM 10 PEOPLE PER DAY
Saturday – April 25, 6:30am-3:30pm
$115
FULL DAY
CHASING WARBLERS AND OTHER MIGRANTS
In the Coastal Bend, April is what Spring migration is all about. It is an enjoyable and sometimes exhausting time to chase migrating land birds that flit and feed throughout the area. We lessen the challenge by narrowing down the places to look. The leaders for this trip know the most likely hot spots to find the species you want to see. Their route will be determined by weather conditions, birding reports, and years of experience. During this time of year, you truly never know what species will turn up. On a good day, 20 plus species of warblers are possible…. plus buntings, grosbeaks, tanagers, orioles and more.
AM – MORNING FIELD TRIP
Wednesday – April 22, 7:00am-12:00pm
Friday - April 24, 7:00am-12:00pm
Sunday – April 26, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75 Per Person
PM – AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP
PM Trips can offer different warblers and shorebirds than AM depending upon weather and tides. NOTE – PM trips are shorter than AM
Wednesday – April 22, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday – April 23, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Friday – April 24, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Saturday – April 25, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
JOE FULTON CORRIDOR & HILLTOP COMMUNITY CENTER
A hidden gem for discovering birds, this industrial corridor is not easy to bird for those not familiar with it. It is mostly refineries on one side and a wonderful saltwater marsh with some open water on the other side. Luckily your leader Clay Taylor, a local expert, is very familiar with all this site has to offer. This is by far the best spot for the number one target species of the Festival, the Seaside Sparrow.
We will also search for shorebirds, waders, gulls, and terns (including the Gull-billed Tern). Roseate Spoonbills are also common.
Located nearby the Hilltop Community Center is a habitat that is extremely different. The mile and a quarter paved hiking trail goes through grassy areas, scrub-thorn brush, and riparian along the creek. This site is very popular for most land birds, including warblers, sparrows, thrashers and much more.
Target species here are Groove-billed Ani, Pyrrhuloxia, Olive, Swamp, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.
MAXIMUM 11 PEOPLE PER VAN
Friday – April 24, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75
PORT ARANSAS HOT SPOTS
Port Aransas hosts many must-see lookouts for avid birders and wildlife photographers. Boardwalks and observation towers are built over wetlands with vegetation pockets specially designed to attract birds. From the natural wetlands, inlets, and 18-miles of natural beaches and dunes to the rock jetties, piers and marinas, Port Aransas offers dozens of vantage points to view migrating birds. The woodlands surrounding brackish inlets are notorious for producing warblers, vireos and other colorful passerine migrants coming in for a much-needed rest. It is fairly easy to see over 100 species in a single day. Driving on the beach while looking for shorebirds and seabirds is a treat for those who do not live near the ocean.
Target Species for this area include all the warblers plus Purple Gallinule, Sora, Clapper, Virginia’s and King Rails.
AM – MORNING FIELD TRIP
Wednesday – April 22, 7:00am-12:00pm
Thursday – April 23, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75 per person
PM – AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP
PM Trips can offer different warblers and shorebirds than AM depending upon weather and tides. NOTE – PM trips are shorter than AM.
Wednesday – April 22, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday – April 23, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
SHOREBIRDS OF THE COASTAL BEND
The Coastal Bend holds an enviable number and variety of shorebirds. This field trip is designed not only for people with a fascination and curiosity for water birds, but who also may find identifying them difficult. This is the perfect opportunity to hone your skills, particularly if you have taken the Shorebirds ID Workshop.
You can expect to see and learn about the Snowy and Piping Plover, Reddish Egret, and American Oystercatcher, among other species. You will be able to observe the subtle physical and behavior traits of these birds to better distinguish the species.
Thursday – April 23, 7:00am-12:00pm
Saturday – April 25, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75 per person
KNOLLE FARM & RANCH
Local birders have long known about this area of rolling hills, open pastures, and Nueces River riparian habitat. The enchanting forest of towering ancient oaks, dripping with Spanish moss creates an idyllic setting. This former dairy farm stretches for more than 300 acres along the Nueces River and is now a cattle and hunting ranch. The river corridor is a historical path for passerine migrants making their way south and is followed by raptors on their migration as well. We will complete our tour at the Knolle’s Bed and Breakfast property, which includes a large pond and numerous Live Oak trees. A special treat for participants is the best homemade cookies.
The target species for this trip is Rio Grande Wild Turkey, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Black-crested Titmouse, Pyrrhuloxia, Verdin, Greater Roadrunner, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren or Say’s Phoebe.
Wednesday – April 22, 6:30am-12:00pm
Friday – April 24, 6:30am-12:00pm
$75 per person
TEXAS SCRAMBLE
A “scramble” is a field trip designed to capitalize on the most coveted birds seen during preceding field trips throughout the Festival. If there is a fallout, the trip will concentrate on neotropical migrants. If a particular rare bird was spotted earlier, we will hunt for it. If you need a certain species for your Life List, let your guide know, we will seek to satisfy as many requests as possible.
AM – MORNING FIELD TRIP
Sunday – April 26, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75 per person
PM – AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP
PM Trips can offer different warblers and shorebirds than AM depending upon weather and tides. NOTE – PM trips are shorter than AM
Friday – April 24, 1:30pm-5:00pm
Saturday – April 25, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
HAZEL BAZEMORE COUNTY PARK & POLLYWOG POND
Best known as HawkWatch International’s raptor migration count site, Hazel Bazemore Park hosts the largest and most diverse convergence of migrating raptors in the United States each Fall. This 77-acre park sits along the Nueces River and provides a range of habitats, including grass fields, marshes, ponds, scrubland, and woodland.
Nearby Pollywog Pond is a heavily wooded area containing old settlement ponds used in the past by the city water treatment plant. It is a passerine migrant hotspot with its numerous mulberry, willow and hackberry trees, along with fresh water.
The target species are Green Jays, Kiskadees, White-tipped Dove, Couch’s and Tropical Kingbird, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and Clay-colored Thrush.
Saturday – April 25, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
KLEBERG COUNTY HOT SPOTS
Come explore the birds of the Wild Horse Desert in Kleberg County. In the past 20 years nearly 400 bird species have been found in the County. On this half-day tour we will visit a variety of public birding hot spots that should provide a nice list of both land and water birds. Some of the many bird species we could encounter include the Fulvous Whistling Duck, Wilson’s Plover, Least Grebe, Reddish Egret, Harris’s Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Couch’s Kingbird, Clay-colored Thrush, Long-billed Thrasher, Green Jay, and Hooded Oriole.
Thursday – April 23, 6:00am-12:00pm
Friday – April 24, 6:00am-12:00pm
Sunday – April 26, 6:00am-12:00pm
$75 per person
NUECES DELTA PRESERVE
The Birdiest Festival is proud to obtain special access to the Nueces Delta Preserve, a property of the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program which protects more than 11,000 acres of wetland habitat. The Preserve sits along the Nueces River Delta and the north end of Nueces Bay. The bay and estuary holds countless water birds and the ancient woodlands are an important stopover for migrating passerines.
Saturday – April 25, 6:45am-12:00pm
$75 per person
PORTLAND AND BEYOND
First stop is Indian Point where the lagoons and mudflats provide great habitat for nesting and migrating shorebirds, waders, and terns. Target birds here will be Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Roseate Spoonbills. After this, we will head to Live Oak Park in Ingleside. If the conditions are favorable the park can host a generous assortment of migrants….warblers, tanagers, orioles, grosbeaks, buntings and more. Our final stop, time permitting, will be at Whitney Lake Marsh where more waders, shorebirds, and migrants may be found.
AM FIELDTRIPS
Saturday – April 25, 7:00am-12:00pm
$75 per person
PM FIELDTRIPS
Thursday – April 23, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
WELDER WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
Half-day driving tour of the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation's ranch. The Foundation dedicated a portion of their traditional style South Texas Ranch to cultivate the future of wildlife conservation through research, education, land management, and preservation of outdoor and working land lifestyles. The tour will consist of stops at every major habitat type on the property and include a visit to their World Class museum of mounted specimens of many bird species found in Texas. Walking will be held to a minimum and will only occur along roadways. The tour will be led by Foundation staff and Dr. Brent Ortego. Brent is a retired biologist from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with 34 years’ experience working with endangered and non-game species. Brent is currently the editor of Texas Christmas Bird Counts and the coordinator for the USGS Breeding Bird Survey in Texas
Saturday – April 25, 7:00am-12:30pm
$75 per person
NEW! WHITECAP NATURE PRESERVE, PACKERY CHANNEL AND
HELD MORAN NATURE SANCTUARY
Join us for an exciting morning of birding as we explore some of Corpus Christi’s premier migratory hotspots: the 30 acres Whitecap Nature Preserve; The Oak Motte Sanctuary and shoreline at Packery Channel Park and Held-Moran Nature Sanctuary. These sites are renowned for their dense vegetation and freshwater sources making them vital stopovers for a wide range of migrating songbirds.
Our trip will begin at the new Whitecap Nature Preserve with prime fresh and salt water bird habitat. We will then check the Packery Channel Oak Motte, a compact but productive patch of coastal live oak woodland nestled between dunes and development. This "migrant trap" often surprises birders with high concentrations of neotropical migrants, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, and orioles during spring and fall migration. Keep your binoculars ready—anything from a Blackburnian Warbler to a Painted Bunting might make an appearance!
Next, we’ll head to the Held-Moran Nature Sanctuary, a more expansive and less trafficked site managed by the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi. This sanctuary offers a mix of oak mottes, brushland, and open areas that support both resident and migratory species. In addition to more songbirds, we may encounter raptors, hummingbirds, and even a few surprise species hiding in the dense thickets.
AM FIELDTRIPS
Friday – April 24, 6:30am-11:30am
Sunday – April 26, 6:30am-11:30am
$75 per person
PM FIELDTRIPS
Friday – April 24, 1:30pm-5:00pm
$60 per person
HALF DAY
FENNESSEY RANCH
Fennessey Ranch is located just outside of Refugio, Texas. This ranch is a rich network of meadows, brush, prairie, freshwater wetlands, natural lakes, and riparian woodlands. This 3261-acre wildlife oasis is host to numerous types of birds, plants, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals. Here is your chance to enjoy an authentic Texas Hayride while birding, a truly unique experience.
Fennessey Ranch is in the heart of the Central Flyway and provides world class birding opportunities. More than 420 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded on the ranch. The ranch has several custom-built birding and photography blinds. Each blind is strategically placed in areas of high bird activity and generally near water sources.
The target species for this ranch are Painted Buntings, Green Jays, Swallow-tailed Kites, White-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles.
(THESE TRIPS DO NOT LEAVE FROM BOTANICAL GARDENS)
DIRECTIONS: From Corpus Christi take TX 35 through Portland, then left on FM 136, continue onto (no turn) FM 2678. After passing through the small town of Bayside, in a few miles look for the main gate to the Fennessey Ranch on the left, marked by Ranch banner and colored flagging tape.
Friday – April 24, 7:30am-11:30am
$60 per person
NEW! ROCKPORT U-DRIVE
Welcome to the Aransas Pathways - a network of scenic birding trails that showcase the breathtaking coastal habitats of Rockport, Texas. Nestled along the Gulf Coast, this area is a premier destination for birdwatchers of all levels, offering an extraordinary diversity of resident and migratory species throughout the year.
The Aransas Pathways connect a variety of ecosystems (salt marshes, coastal prairies, live oak mottes and tidal flats) providing birders with unparalleled access to some of the best birding sites on the Central Flyway. Each pathway has been carefully designed to highlight the region’s rich avian life while promoting conservation, accessibility, and education.
Bring your binoculars, your curiosity, and your sense of adventure. Our day will include stops at several of the Aransas Pathways sites depending on what birds are being seen. An Aransas Pathways map will be given to each participant.
(THESE TRIPS DO NOT LEAVE FROM BOTANICAL GARDENS)
DIRECTIONS: Meet local resident and bird guide, Susan Foster, at Beall's, 2840 Highway 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 (at the corner of Business 35 and Henderson)
Thursday – April 23, 7:30am-12:00pm
Saturday – April 25, 7:30am-12:00pm
$60 per person
OSO BAY WETLANDS/HANS SUTER
Come explore the 162 acre Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve which holds numerous spaces for viewing water birds – residents and migrants alike. In Spring it is also known for holding a singing Painted Bunting at the top of every third mesquite tree! The group will then travel north and west up the edge of the Oso Bay to the Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge to find which shorebird or passerine migrants are using this popular stopover spot. The native trees along the refuge shoreline have held a good variety of warblers, tanagers, orioles and vireos in years past.
Wednesday – April 22, 7:00am-12:00pm
Thursday – April 23, 7:00am-12:00pm
$60 per person
NEW! PORT ARANSAS HOTSPOTS
Local resident tour leader, Scott Holt, will have his ears to the ground and take you to the areas where the most exciting migrants can be seen.
From the natural wetlands, inlets, and 18-miles of natural beaches and dunes to the rock jetties, piers and marinas, Port Aransas offers dozens of vantage points to view migrating birds.
(THESE TRIPS DO NOT LEAVE FROM BOTANICAL GARDENS)
DIRECTIONS: Meet at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center at 7:30AM.
Friday – April 24, 7:00am-12:00pm
Saturday – April 25, 7:00am-12:00pm
$60 per person
