2025 TRIPS
KING RANCH
Situated at the confluence of several migratory pathways, the Ranch is a virtual highway for migrating birds in both Fall and Spring. With 825,000 acres of varied habitat, the King Ranch is a haven for birds and birdwatchers alike. Named as a site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, the ranch boasts a bird list of more than 370 species.
Vast tracts of habitat are home to a variety of South Texas specialty birds, including Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Tropical Parula, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Audubon’s Oriole, Botteri’s Sparrow, Green Jay, White-tailed Hawk, Olive Sparrow, and much more. Over the years, the ranch has also hosted a large number of rare birds including Double-striped Thick-knee, Jabiru, Eurasion Wigeon, Masked Duck, Apolomado Falcon, and Garganey.
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JOE FULTON CORRIDOR & HILLTOP COMMUNITY CENTER
A hidden gem for discovering birds, this industrial corridor is not easy to bird for those not familiar with it. It is mostly refineries on one side and a wonderful saltwater marsh with some open water on the other side. Luckily your leader Clay Taylor, a local expert, is very familiar with all this site has to offer. This is by far the best spot for the number one target species of the Festival, the Seaside Sparrow.
We will also search for shorebirds, waders, gulls, and terns (including the Gull-billed Tern). Roseate Spoonbills are also common.
Located nearby the Hilltop Community Center is a habitat that is extremely different. The mile and a quarter paved hiking trail goes through grassy areas, scrub-thorn brush, and riparian along the creek. This site is very popular for most land birds, including warblers, sparrows, thrashers and much more.
Target species here are Groove-billed Ani, Pyrrhuloxia, Olive, Swamp, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.
MAXIMUM 11 PEOPLE PER VAN
SUNDAY – APRIL 27
6:30 AM – 11:30 AM
$75 Per Person
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FENNESSEY RANCH
Fennessey Ranch is located just outside of Refugio, Texas. This ranch is a rich network of meadows, brush, prairie, freshwater wetlands, natural lakes, and riparian woodlands. This 3261-acre wildlife oasis is host to numerous types of birds, plants, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and mammals. Here is your chance to enjoy an authentic Texas Hayride while birding, a truly unique experience.
Fennessey Ranch is in the heart of the Central Flyway and provides world class birding opportunities. More than 420 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded on the ranch. The ranch has several custom-built birding and photography blinds. Each blind is strategically placed in areas of high bird activity and generally near water sources.
The target species for this ranch are Painted Buntings, Green Jays, Swallow-tailed Kites, White-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles.
(THESE TRIPS DO NOT LEAVE FROM BOTANICAL GARDENS)
DIRECTIONS: From Corpus Christi take TX 35 through Portland, then left on FM 136, continue onto (no turn) FM 2678. After passing through the small town of Bayside, in a few miles look for the main gate to the Fennessey Ranch on the left, marked by Ranch banner and colored flagging tape.
MAXIMUM 22 PEOPLE
FRIDAY – APRIL 25
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
$60 Per Person
