South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

 

The Botanical Gardens is a relaxing outdoor venue with a multitude of birding opportunities as it sits along a prime migration corridor.  Vibrantly colored smaller birds such as warblers, vireos, orioles, grosbeaks and buntings scatter throughout the Gardens.  Search the shoreline for shorebirds.  Everywhere you look there is a chance to experience the migration.

 

The Botanical Gardens is the host for the Birdiest Festival and offers great bird diversity with 19 warbler species, 17 shorebirds, as well as many ducks, waders, hawks, swallows, and flycatchers.  It has been the best spot for Hudsonian Godwit and Tropical Kingbird in the Festival, both being seen four out of five years.  Other good birds have been Baird’s Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope, Gull-billed Tern, and Swallow-tailed Kite.  

 

FUN FACT - on one of last year’s Bird Walks it was recorded a whopping 92 species in just three hours! 

 

The habitat of the Gardens encompasses 182 acres of shrub, grassland, a lake, and a pond.  Also found on the property are small sub-habitats such as a butterfly, arid and plumeria garden. Several trails traverse through the diverse ecosystem supporting a wide variety of wildlife, plants, birds, and fish, while providing an up-close look at the ever-changing wetlands.  Hike or walk along the Brennecke Nature Trail, Oso Loop Trail or the Wetland Boardwalk and climb the Birding Tower for a birds-eye view of Gator Lake.  
 

THURSDAY – APRIL 25 and FRIDAY – APRIL 26

and SATURDAY – APRIL 27

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

SUNDAY – APRIL 28

7:30 AM – 10:30 AM

 

$20 Per Person