Texas 2023: Spring Migration & Hill Country
April 12 – 23, 2023
Tour Length: 12 days
Est. Spaces Left: Available

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
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.
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
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