Texas 2025: Spring Migration & Hill Country
April 12 – 23, 2025
Tour Length: 12 days
Est. Spaces Left: Spaces available!

Tour Leaders
Stephan Lorenz
Focus
Birds, Wildlife, Photography
Price
Double Accommodation: 3,900/person
Single Supplement: + $750
Deposit: $500
Max Group Size
7 (1 leader)
Pace
Easy to Moderate; some longer walks, lots of birding from the road, two to three longer drives
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.
Locations
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
Planning for the Trip
Meeting Location
San Antonio International Airport Hotel Lobby for dinner 6:00 pm (the exact hotel will be shared in the tour information)
Accommodations
comfortable 3-star hotels where available; 2 star if not, excellent local restaurants
Included
11 nights lodging, all meals, transportation, guiding, entrance fees, taxes
Excluded
Alcohol, personal calls, laundry, and 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/windbreaker; Shorts; T-shirts; Swimsuit; PJs or shorts for lounging/sleeping
Past Trip Reports
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2023
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2022
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2021
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2019
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2018
- Texas Spring Migration & Hill Country Trip Report 2017