We couldn’t pass up a three-day weekend, so we set our sights on Texas with one priority: Whooping Cranes. We flew into Houston on Saturday morning and drove directly to the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR
Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR
The weather was cold and misty—ideal conditions for raptors, and the refuge did not disappoint. We enjoyed a productive five-raptor morning, highlighted by a stunning White-tailed Hawk. Along the way, we added five “year birds” to our growing list, including American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Sedge Wren, and both Vesper and Song Sparrows, bringing our species tally to eighteen for the day. To top it all off, a tip from a fellow birder led us to an incredible find: a Sprague’s Pipit perched right on the road shoulder.
Cibolo & Crescent Bend Nature Park
From there, we continued to Cibolo and Crescent Bend Nature Park. This area, once a trailer park devastated by floods, now offers diverse habitats and numerous trails. We tallied 27 species, including a Barred Owl calling in the middle of the afternoon. Seven more year birds joined the list: Eurasian Collared Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Black-crested Titmouse, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, and Great-tailed Grackle.
San Antonio
After a long but productive day of birding, we arrived in San Antonio for our first visit to the city. We were deeply moved by our time at the Alamo; standing there offered a profound perspective on the history behind this symbol of Texas pride. The Riverwalk is truly a hub of energy with its endless dining and shopping options. We capped off the evening with a wonderful dinner at Boudro’s, a fantastic New American bistro. If you visit, they even offer the unique option of dining on a barge as you float down the river—we enjoyed watching the colorful boats pass by as we enjoyed our meal.
San Antonio Audubon Bird Walk
The next morning, we joined the San Antonio Audubon Society walk at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. While waiting for the group, we picked up Lincoln’s Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Pyrrhuloxia around the feeders. Our group leader even identified the call of an Audubon’s Oriole, which we heard several times. If only we had realized in that moment that it was a “lifer” for us, we definitely would have requested more time to try and track it down for a visual! The group tally reached 45 species in two hours, including seven different duck species, including hundreds of Northern Shovelers and Ruddy Ducks.
Pyrrhuloxia
Whooping Cranes at Aransas Bay
One of the primary goals of our trip was to see Whooping Cranes—a species we hadn’t seen since our “Little Big Year” back in 2015. After checking into the Inn at Fulton Harbor, we headed straight across the street to board our boat. Despite a bit of a rough ride out to Aransas Bay, the choppy water was quickly forgotten the moment we spotted our first crane. We were thrilled to count 19 of them in total, and we cannot recommend the team at Rockport Adventures enough.
The birding didn’t stop there. On our return trip, we enjoyed sightings of Long-billed Curlews and Long-billed Dowitchers. We even had a surprise encounter right back at our hotel, where an American Bittern was hanging out on the lawn! By the time we finished, our final tally reached 39 species, including seven “year birds” like the Crested Caracara, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
King Ranch — Santa Gertrudis Unit
Our final birding adventure took us to the Santa Gertrudis Unit of the legendary King Ranch in Kingsville. This massive, historic working ranch has been in operation since the 1800s, and we were thrilled to have Whitney Lanfranco as our guide. Her expertise was a perfect blend of high-level birding skills and fascinating insights into the ranch’s rich history. We knew this area would be a hotspot for our Texas target birds, and we didn’t have to wait long—a Great Kiskadee greeted us right outside the parking lot!
Our tour began at an old wooden trestle, home to a Neotropic Cormorant, a Belted Kingfisher, and several Crested Caracaras. As we traversed the ranch roads, we kept a keen eye on the cactus patches for the elusive Curve-billed Thrasher, though they remained hidden this time. A highlight was stopping at a horse corral, where cowboys still perform much of the daily work; nearby, a male Vermilion Flycatcher was busy hawking bugs. The surrounding fields were alive with Western Meadowlarks, Sandhill Cranes, and both Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.
Feeder Birds
Navigating the property was an experience in itself, particularly the “bump gates”—ingenious turnstiles that allow you to push through with your vehicle bumper without ever having to step outside. After passing through several, we reached the feeders, which were soon swarming with activity. We spotted a pair of Pyrrhuloxia, and once Whitney added special feed, a flurry of birds ensued: Green Jays, Long-billed Thrashers, Black-crested Titmice, and White-tipped Doves arrived in force. Spotting an Olive Sparrow among the crowd was a particularly fantastic addition to our trip list.
Reservoir Number 5
For the final leg of the tour, we drove along Reservoir Number 5, which was teeming with waterfowl, including Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals, Ruddy Ducks, and Northern Shovelers. After a patient search, we were rewarded with great views of several Least Grebes—a special treat for any birder. The grand finale came as we headed back to the Visitor Center: birds began flushing from the grass alongside our tire ruts, revealing themselves to be the elusive Sprague’s Pipit. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day. You can check out our full list of sightings on our [eBird checklist here].
This was our second time visiting the legendary King Ranch, our first having been during the Rio Grande Bird Festival when we explored the southern Norias Division. Because of the ranch’s immense size, it’s impossible to see it all in one go, and they offer so many diverse tours—including overnight options—that it’s easy to tailor your visit to your specific goals. We’re already looking forward to our next trip back; if you’re a birder looking for an unforgettable experience, we can’t recommend this Texas gem highly enough.
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 116 species • 44 year birds • 1 life birds
eBird checklist: Santa Gertrudis Unit
Next Up: South Florida Birding and Glamping
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