Port Aransas is host to hundreds of different species of our feathered friends. Encounters with Coastal Bend nesting species such as Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, Bitterns, and Rails bring birding enthusiasts back to this island sanctuary time and time again.
With a whopping 6 different sites along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Port A hosts many must-see lookouts for avid birders and wildlife photographers. To get that !up-close! ability to observe hundreds of species in their natural habitats, be sure to check out these spots:
- Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond
- Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
- UTMSI Wetlands Education Center
- Mustang Island State Park
- South Jetty
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve
Make Birding a Top Activity to Enjoy in Port Aransas
When you’re ready to make the most of your Port Aransas, Texas stay and you have a passion for wildlife in place, birding is sure to be an inspiring way to spend a sunny day here. Those who choose to enjoy their time over at the Joan and Scott Hold Paradise Pond will enjoy access to a lush habitat and bird sanctuary that spans two acres of gorgeous terrain. Even before you reach for your binoculars, this is a place where your surroundings are designed to impress. Pick and choose from one of three observation docks on-site and if you have mobility issues, you’ll love this birding spot in town for its wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is a great place to start your birding adventure because it’s situated in the center of Port Aransas and if you want to pair your birding with a hike, there are easy to reach trails in this area as well.
For those who make their way to Mustang Island State Park with binoculars in hand, there’s just as much to explore and enjoy. Here, you’ll have access to no less than 4,000 acres of incredible terrain with 5 miles of landscape specifically occupied by shoreline. There are also 20 miles of shallow trails here where you can match your birding adventures with kayaking too. The fall and spring are busy times for bird-watching enthusiasts at Mustang Island State Park as coastal birds make their way in on set migratory routes.
At the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas, birders can enjoy a place on a spacious observation deck where panoramic views are just as inspiring as the many bird species overhead. If you plan ahead and drop by on a Wednesday at 9:00 am, you’ll be right on time to participate in a guided bird walk.
Prepare for Your Outdoor Adventures
Elevating your opportunities when it comes to birdwatching in Port Aransas means being prepared for the experience from the onset. It’s always a good idea here to wear something that helps you blend into the landscape when you want to spot as many birds as possible without standing out. Avoid bright colors and patterns that you might have packed for your day on the beach and instead, swap it out for sand tones and mossy greens instead on the day you dedicate to birdwatching. No matter where you choose to explore with binoculars to see what you can spot, you’ll want to bring your patience along for the journey. Birds here linger around lush habitats and shorelines, but local activity can keep them a bit more off the hidden path as well. Do keep in mind that depending on when you head out, having the sun at your back as you observe your surroundings can make spotting species that blend in well with their surroundings a bit easier.
Book Your Stay Today
When you’re heading to Port Aransas in the name of birding fun, be sure you have amazing vacation rentals in Port Aransas to match by booking your stay at La Mirage Resort Condominiums. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning your next exciting trip in this direction.
