Texas 2023: Spring Migration & Hill Country

April 12 – 23, 2023

Tour Length: 12 days
Est. Spaces Left: Available

There is no richer briding area in the United State during spring than the Texas coast, where we can witness an unrivaled spectacle of millions of migrant birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, hummingbirds, and passerines passing through. During April, the resident bird species are in full song, wintering species like sparrows, ducks, and raptors are still present before moving north, and spring migrants arrive in full force. This tour offers comprehensive coverage of the main birding habitats in Texas from the unique Hill Country to the South Texas brush country, through coastal hotspots, and finally the eastern hardwoods and the piney woods. This tour offers one of the most diverse experiences in the United State and an incredible 280-300 species are possible.
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Tour Leaders

Stephan Lorenz
Claudia Cavazos

 

Focus

Birds, Photography

Price

Double Accommodation: $3900/person
Single Supplement: + $650
Deposit: $500

Max Group Size

14 (2 leaders)

Pace

Easy to Moderate; some longer walks, lots of birding from the road

Future Departures

April 13, 2024

Tour Descriptions

The upper Texas coast provides an unrivaled birding spectacle in the spring as millions of migrants stream north on their way to their breeding grounds. Southern species are already setting up territories and the inland forests are ringing with songs. The coast can be alive with up to 30 species of warblers and it is not uncommon to record more than 30 species of shorebirds alone. Famous migrant traps like High Island, Sabine Woods, and LaFitte’s Cove concentrate vireos, thrushes, tanagers, grosbeaks, and of course the jewels of Neotropical migrants, warblers. This trip coincides with the peak of spring migration and will take advantage of the best time of year to witness this miracle of nature. Three full days birding migrant hotspots on the coast should net us a wide variety of songbirds and shorebirds, plus one full day exploring the Big Thicket regions will add southern breeders and pine woods specialties.

Of course, no visit to Texas would be complete without seeing the Golden-cheeked Warbler, an endemic nesting bird, and endangered Black-capped Vireo. The trip will head west for two days to explore the riches of the Hill Country where, in addition to the two star birds, we will see a suite of birds different from the coast. In order to complete the loop through Texas’ richest birding habitats, we will pass through Kingsville to locate several Rio Grande valley specialties, most notably Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Tropical Parula, and Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, plus Green Jay, Audubon’s Oriole, and more. A short visit to the Corpus Christi area will add many migrants and shorebirds.

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Locations

Gallery

Swallow-tailed Kite Photo Stephan Lorenz
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More Details

Trip Highlights

Top Birds

Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler; Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl; Northern Beardless Tyrannulet; Tropical Parula, and Audubon’s Oriole; 30 New World Warbler species including Cerulean, Golden-winged and Swainson’s Warblers; 19 sparrow species including Bachman’s, Cassin’s, Botteri’s, Olive, LeConte’s, Clay-colored; plus more than 30 species of shorebirds including Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Hudsonian Godwits, Piping Plover; Swallow-tailed Kite; Harri’s and White-tailed Hawk; Red-cockaded Woodpecker; Brown-headed Nuthatch

Top Mammals

Bobcat; Collared Peccary; American Porcupine; Gray Fox

Habitats

Coastal wetlands and beaches; Edwards Plateau woodlands; oak woodlands; riparian vegetation; prairie; hardwood forest; pine forest

Other Attractions

wildflowers, butterflies, unique landscapes of the Texas Hill Country, culture

Extensions

  • Colorado 2023: Prairie Chickens, Grouse & More

Recommended Reading

  • National Geographic Field Guide to The Birds of North America (7th Edition) Jon Dunn, et. al. 2017, National Geographic Society
  • Birds of Texas: A Field Guide J. H. Rapploe & G. W. Blackhole

Past Trip Reports

Planning for the Trip

Meeting Location

Houston International Airport

Accommodations

comfortable 3-star hotels where available; 2 star if not

Included

11 nights lodging, all meals, transportation, taxes & tips (tip to guide & boat optional

Excluded

Alcohol, personal calls, laundry, other personal expenses.

Expected Climate

Temperatures will range from mild to hot, sometimes in the 90’s

Suggested Clothing and Gear

Credit cards/cash
Binoculars
Scope and tripod (optional)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Water bottle
Small umbrella
Small day pack/fanny pack
Small flashlight
Mosquito/insect repellant (DEET 25% or greater)
Itch relief cream
Lip screen/balm
Prescription drugs – carry in original packaging to avoid customs problems
OTC medicines (antibiotics, cold/sinus, cough drops, eye drops, analgesic (Motrin, aspirin), anti-diarrheal)
Toiletries
Small alarm clock
Field guides
Hiking Boots/Shoes
Lightweight shoes/sneakers/sandals
Light-weight long pants
Light-weight long-sleeved shirts
Hat with brim/visor
Safari (e.g., Tilly) hat
Rain jacket/wind breaker
Shorts
T-shirts
Swimsuit
PJs or shorts for lounging/sleeping

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