Birding spots abound around town

Roseate spoonbills are just one species of resident island birds. Port Aransas is home to another variety of two-legged creatures, besides humans. A large variety of birds reside on the island and a slew of migratory birds stop here during spring and fall seasonal migrations, a vacation stop so to speak.

Bird watchers flock to the island to see how many species they may identify at the many native spaces the city has designated for bird and nature watching. Port Aransas was named the Birdiest City in the small cities category for 2010 and 2011.

The following nature centers, as well as the beach and jetties, offer birders nice vantage spots to view shore and migratory birds.

The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond Birding Center is off Cut-off Road near Avenue C. It is the only natural permanent fresh water habitat on Mustang Island. The one-acre park is recognized as an important stopover site for migratory land birds along the central Texas coast.

The Port Aransas Nature Preserve in Charlie’s Pasture features more than two miles of hike and bike boardwalk and granite trails. Covered seating sites along the trails provide birders places from which to watch.

Two Port Aransas locations are sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, a trail that ties together birding sites from Beaumont to Brownsville. They are the Wetland Overlook and the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.

The Wetland Overlook is on State Hwy. 361, south of Avenue G, and is a large shallow wetland habitat for shorebirds.

The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is off Ross Avenue behind the wastewater treatment plant adjacent to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The 10-acre marshland features a 500-foot boardwalk, an observation tower and two free viewing scopes – one on the tower and a second ADA-accessible scope at a viewing stand along the boardwalk. Visitors also may catch a glimpse of an alligator that calls the place home.

A colorful display of perennials, vines and wild flowers grow along the walkway to the entrance.

Guided birding tours are held every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the center. Birding expert Nan Dietert narrates the free walks, called Birding on the Boardwalk.

Brochures that list the birds to see in Port Aransas are available at the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, located at 403 W. Cotter Ave.