lthough this region includes huge population centers such as Houston and Galveston, barrier islands, salt grass marshes and remnant tallgrass prairies lie nearby, tucked along the coast. Industry, urbanization, and agricultural development have encroached on wildlife habitat along the swampy coastline, endangering species such as the whooping crane. To the delight of birders, however, several refuges and wildlife management areas are home to large, diverse populations of waterfowl
Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area
Description:Muskrat are abundant as indicated by their mounds which dot this brackish to freshwater marsh where green-winged teal, northern pintail, and other ducks are found. The area also is home for snow goose, roseate spoonbill and other wading birds, and rails. Shorebirds are abundant and diverse on the tidal flats and alligators are abundant.
Viewing Information: Viewing probability is low for muskrat and black rail. The probability is high for featured waterfowl from late fall through early spring, for wading birds all year, for shorebirds during spring and fall migrations, and for alligators during warm months. Viewing is from the road and system of levees. Wildlife viewing may be discouraged during the hunting season. Registration and a Texas Conservation Passport are required.
Directions: North from Port Arthur on Texas 87 to Bridge City then right on Lake Street for about two miles to where the gravel road enters the management area.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (409-736-2551)
Size: 6,200 acres
Closest Town: Bridge City
Murphree Wildlife Management Area
Description: Some of the best habitat for wetland wildlife in the state is found here. The marshes and lakes are rich with diverse waterfowl from October through March. The Lost Lake Unit, a particularly healthy marsh, boasts the largest canvasback duck population in Texas. Anhinga, white-faced ibis, purple gallinule, and common snipes are frequently viewed along with alligators, turtles, and fish. River otter, muskrat, beaver, and nutria inhabit the waters.
Viewing Information: Waterfowl are easily viewed before and after the hunting season. View alligator and gallinule during warm months, snipe during the winter. Nutria are frequently seen; otter, beaver and muskrat are rarely viewed. The chances are high for observing anhingas and wading birds. Registration at area headquarters and a Texas Conservation Passport are required. Wildlife viewing may be discouraged during hunting season. Travel is restricted to boats and boat tours are given periodically.
Directions: Drive on Texas 73 about three miles west of the intersection of Texas 73 and Texas 82 in Port Arthur to headquarters just east of Taylor Bayou. Boats can be launched from bridge over Taylor Bayou and from several sites off of Texas 87 along east side of area.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (409-736-2551)
Size: 13,264 acres
Closest Town: Port Arthur
Sea Rim State Park
Description: A beautiful shoreline for beachcombing, an exceptional boardwalk and nature trail through the salt marsh, and extensive marshlands complete with canoe trails and observation blinds characterize this site. Mink, raccoon, muskrat, rails, least and American bitterns, marsh wrens, boat-tailed grackle, seaside sparrow, alligator, crabs, mosquito fish, and plenty of mosquitos can be seen from the boardwalk. River otter, nutria, white and white-faced ibises, roseate spoonbill and other wading birds, numerous ducks, three species of geese, and alligators are seen in the Marshlands Unit. Gulls, terns, and shorebirds abound on the beach. Thirty-six species of migrating warblers are known from the park.
Viewing Information: Viewing probability is low to moderate for mink and muskrat at night on the boardwalk and low for river otter. Least and American bitterns are common in the summer and winter respectively. Warblers are easily viewed, depending on weather conditions, during spring and fall migrations. Waterfowl are most abundant during the winter, when alligators are least likely to be viewed. Viewing chances are good for other species. The Marshlands Unit is accessible only by boat. Airboats can be chartered for a fee.
Directions: Take Texas 87 south from Port Arthur to Sabine Pass, then west on 87 for ten miles to park.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (409-971-2559)
Size: 15,094 acres
Closest Town: Sabine Pass
High Island
Description: This site is famous for one of nature's most astounding wildlife spectacles—"fallouts" of migrating songbirds. A fallout typically occurs after a rainy cold front during spring migration. Large numbers of birds representing many species will land in the trees and shrubs along the coast to recover from their flight across the gulf. Birding is good at other times during spring, but numbers are fewer. Twenty to thirty warbler species can be viewed during a day in addition to the scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, gray catbird, and others. Warblers include golden-winged, blue-winged, blackpoll, black-throated blue, Cape May, and cerulean.
Viewing Information: Probability of viewing large numbers of birds depends upon the weather. Species composition in the area changes daily and sometimes hourly, which means that the presence of particular species is hard to predict. Please do not stress these birds by harassing them with squeaks or recorded bird songs and do not cross fences or block driveways.
Directions: Drive south on Texas 124 from Interstate 10 for twenty miles to High Island. Turn east one block at the north end of town, then south a block, then east again to the gate for "Smith Woods" where a small entrance fee is collected. A second grove of trees, "Louis Smith Woods," is on the south end of town about two blocks east of Texas 124 on Fifth Street.
Ownership: Houston Audubon Society (713-932-1639)
Size: Twenty-five acres
Closest Town: High Island
Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area
Description: This oak grove offers two outstanding wildlife viewing wonders: the "fallout" of migrating songbirds during spring, and the staging of thousands of hawks during their southern migration during the fall. Fallouts are described in the previous site, High Island. Broad-winged, Cooper's, sharp-shinned, and other hawks gather here from flights down the Trinity River and along the coast before continuing south. On good days, hundreds of birds may be viewed during an hour.
Viewing Information: As with High Island, the probability of viewing large numbers of birds depends upon the weather, and the presence of a particular species is hard to predict. Please do not stress the songbirds by harassing them with squeaks or recorded bird songs. A Texas Conservation Passport is required for entry.
Directions: From Interstate 10 at Hankamer, take Texas 61 south to FM 562. Continue south then west on 562 to Smith Point. Follow signs to entrance.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (409-736-2551)
Size: 207 acres
Closest Town: Smith Point
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Description: This is one of the best places in the United States to see rails (all nine species occur here) and other marsh birds. Look for black-crowned and yellow-crowned night herons, roseate spoonbill, glossy and white-faced ibises, twenty-two species of ducks, four species of geese, northern harrier and other hawks, and a variety of songbirds. Alligators are common in the waterways. Mammals include bobcat, river otter, muskrat, nutria, and swamp rabbit.
Viewing Information: Viewing probability is highest for waterfowl and raptors from late fall through early spring. It is high all year for rabbits and wading birds. King and clapper rails and common moorhen are easily viewed all year, but the purple gallinule is common only in summer. There is a good chance of seeing bobcat all year, but the chance of viewing aquatic mammals is slim. During spring, songbirds are most diverse in the willows and salt cedars. Warm days bring good chances for viewing alligators. Twelve miles of graveled roads provide excellent viewing but avoid roads during heavy rain. Bring drinking water.
Directions: South from Interstate 10 on Texas 61 for two miles to FM 562. Continue south on 562 for eight miles, turn east on FM 1985 for four miles to refuge sign.
Check out more GORP resources on Anahuac NWR.
Ownership: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (409-267-3337)
Size: 27,506 acres
Closest Town: Anahuac
Bolivar Flats
Description: Incredible numbers of shorebirds, gulls, and terns are featured here; several rare marine birds have been observed. Herons and egrets are abundant and all three scoter species can be viewed in the surf. Seaside and sharp-tailed sparrows are found in the grass between the highway and beach.
Viewing Information: Migratory shorebird numbers and diversity peak in March and April, then again in July and August as the birds move south. Viewing probability is high for marine birds and moderate for sharp-tailed sparrows in the winter. Other species are easily seen all year. Be careful to avoid disturbing birds at their nests. Wildlife viewing also is good along the beach further east on Bolivar Peninsula. No facilities at this site.
Directions: Take the free ferry from Galveston to Port Bolivar and go to the north end of town on Texas 87 to where it meets loop 108. Turn east toward the beach then south to Bolivar Flats.
Ownership: Texas General Land Office (713-932-1639, Houston Audubon Society)
Size: 550 acres
Closest Town: Port Bolivar
Sheldon Wildlife Management Area
Description: Spectacular viewing is provided by large flocks of canvasback ducks and geese during the winter on this freshwater marsh and lake. Numerous other species of ducks, wading birds, and shorebirds can be viewed here. Bald and golden eagles, osprey, and other raptors occupy the area during winter. Raccoons, mink, skunks, nutria, white-tailed deer, and rabbits are present all year as are alligators and bullfrogs.
Viewing Information: Probability is high for watching waterfowl during winter, alligators and bullfrogs during the spring and summer, and wading birds all year. The chances are moderate for bald eagle, raccoon, and skunk. Nutria, deer, and rabbits are easily seen all year. Viewing probability is low for the other species. Exercise caution near alligators.
Directions: Take Interstate 10 east to Beltway 8. Go north approximately 8 miles to Garrett Road. Right on Garrett 2 miles to park headquarters.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (713-456-9350)
Size: 2,503 acres
Closest Town: Sheldon
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Description: Diverse wildlife viewing opportunities characterize this attractive site. From the entrance road, the trails, or the bayou, watch for white-tailed deer and raccoon, laughing gulls and other marine birds, ruddy and other ducks, red-shouldered and other hawks, great egret and other wading birds, migrating warblers and many other songbirds, red-eared sliders and alligators, and insects, particularly butterflies.
Viewing Information: Viewing of all featured species and groups is good to excellent. Waterfowl and songbirds are best viewed during winter and spring respectively.
Directions: Take Interstate 45 south in Houston to Bay Area Boulevard. Drive east six miles on the boulevard to entrance of nature center.
Ownership: Harris County (713-474-2551)
Size: 1,900 acres
Closest Town: Pasadena
Atkinson Island
Description: This scenic island is difficult to reach, but attracts marine birds, migrating songbirds, and raptors. Large numbers of ruby-throated hummingbirds stop during September to feed on honeysuckle and trumpet creeper before continuing south. Northern pintail, American widgeon, gadwall, and other waterfowl are present in winter. Wading birds and other colonial waterbirds roost all year. Coyotes, raccoons, and cottontails occur here.
Viewing Information: Accessible only by boat. Registration with TPWD area headquarters and a Texas Conservation Passport are required to visit island. Guided tours are available periodically. Viewing probability is high for featured species and groups.
Directions: In Trinity Bay, just east of Morgans Point and the Houston Ship Channel.
Ownership: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (409-736-2551)
Size: 152 acres
Closest Town: Morgans Point
For more wildlife viewing opportunities just to the south, check out
GORP's Discover South Texas.
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