Tours & Events

Habitat: Salt Marsh, Bay, Coastal Prairie &  potholes, Oak Forest. 

Birds Expected: 50-100                 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Wild Turkey, Greater Roadrunner, Common Nighthawk, Clapper Rail, Roseate Spoonbill, Crested Caracara, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting

Birds Possible:  Marbled Godwit, Purple Gallinule, Great Kiskadee

The Powderhorn Tour is a true adventure for bird enthusiasts, offering an opportunity to explore some of the most diverse and pristine habitats in the region. Powderhorn Ranch, with its 156 recorded bird species, is a birding paradise that combines breathtaking scenery with rich ecological diversity. As participants journey through a mosaic of habitats, including Salt Marsh, Bay, Coastal Prairie, Potholes, and Oak Forest, they are immersed in nature at its most vibrant.

Travel time to destination: 22 minutes

Terrain: Flat, mostly riding in a van

Walking: Less than one mile

Difficulty: Easy

Meals/Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms available.

Open to the general public? No, the festival received special permission to use this property.

Habitat: Largest natural fresh water lake entirely in Texas; wooded.  Wheel Chair Access.

Birds Expected: 50-100

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Neotropic Cormorant , Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis,  Roseate Spoonbill, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Crested Caracara  

Birds Possible: Anhinga, Least Bittern, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Purple Gallinule , King Rail, Great Kiskadee

The Green Lake Park offers bird enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience Texas’ largest natural freshwater lake, nestled within a biodiverse setting. The riparian ecosystem consists of the lake, a floodplain, a riparian area of shrubs, willows, and rushes complete with an upland of native trees and grasses. The tour is mostly wheelchair accessible and also includes a viewing platform along HWY 35 and Hog Bayou Rd. and part of the Guadalupe Delta WMA. 

Travel time to destination: 25 minutes 

Terrain: Flat

Walking: Mostly on boardwalks for an estimated 1.5 to 2 miles

Difficulty: Easy- Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Port-O-Potty available.

Open to the public? No. The festival receives special permission to use the property.

Habitat: Coastal Marsh, Riparian, Alligators probable.

Birds Expected: Purple Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Bittern, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Belted Kingfisher, Great Kiskadee, Common Yellowthroat          

Birds Possible:  Reddish Egret,  White-faced Ibis,  Couch’s  Kingbird, Barred Owl, King Rail, Clapper Rail, Anhinga , Northern Parula

The Guadalupe Delta Tour offers birders an exciting journey through three unique locations: Buffalo Lake Road, Hog Bayou Road, and Hynes Bay, each showcasing the stunning diversity of the Coastal Marsh and Riparian habitats. These locations offer an immersive experience, with the probable sight of alligators adding to the sense of adventure.

The Little Chocolate Bayou Park Tour offers bird enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience Texas’ largest natural freshwater lake, nestled within a biodiverse setting. The riparian ecosystem consists of the bayou and ponds, a floodplain, a riparian area of shrubs, willows, and rushes complete with an upland of native trees and grasses. This tour is handicapped accessible.

Travel time to destination: 10 minutes by van

Terrain: Flat boardwalk. Limited wheelchair accessibility (please pre-arrange transportation).

Walking: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy- Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. 

Open to the public? Yes. Located in a public park.

Habitat: Salt marsh;  Coastal Scrub, Bay

Birds Expected: 80-100+             

Painted Bunting, Magnolia Warbler, Curved-billed Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Roseate Spoonbill, Herons & Egrets, Terns, Wilson’s Phalarope, Clapper Rail, Black-necked Stilt, Willet,  Brown Pelican, American Bittern        

Birds Possible: Stilt Sandpiper, White-faced Ibis, Seaside Sparrow, American Oystercatcher

The Magnolia Beach Area Tour offers birders a rich diversity of habitats and bird species across several prime locations, including Magic Ridge, Magnolia Beach, and Indianola. The area’s blend of salt marsh, coastal scrub, and bay ecosystems supports an impressive 182 bird species, offering birdwatchers a dynamic experience.

Travel time to destination: 20 minutes in provided van

Terrain: Riding in the van, plus stops and walking on flat terrain

Walking: an estimated 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Port-O-Potty

Open to the public? Yes, with a few areas not open to the public that the festival gets special permission to use. 

Habitat: The Womack Ranch lies at the confluence of the Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers and includes many different habitats from flooded bottomlands, wetlands, riparian woodlands, savannah, and prairies. The diverse habitat allows for high bird diversity throughout all months of the year.  

Birds Expected: Depending on habitat conditions, birding stops may include grasslands for sparrows, riparian woodlands for migrant songbirds, or large wetlands for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds.

The Womack Ranch Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the region. Nestled at the confluence of the Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers, the ranch spans a variety of habitats, including flooded bottomlands, wetlands, riparian woodlands, expansive savannahs, and prairies. This dynamic landscape supports a wide array of bird species throughout the year, making it a prime location for birdwatching.

Travel time to destination: 45 minutes on provided van

Terrain: Flat, some walking some riding with stops

Walking: 2-4 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Port-O-Potty.

Open to the public? No, the festival has special permission to use this property.

Birds Expected: Neotropic Cormorant, Whimbrel, White-tailed Hawk, Mottled Duck, Terns, Painted Buntings, Scissortail flycatchers

Birds Possible:  Magnificent Frigatebird, Eastern Kingbirds, White-rumped sandpipers, Marsh wren,

The East Calhoun Tour offers exclusive birding experience across private lands that are rarely accessible to the public. The tour includes stops at scenic and ecologically diverse sites like Swan Lake, Formosa Tank, and Trull Ranch. These areas boast a rich blend of habitats, including coastal marshes, wetlands, woodlands, and agricultural fields, making them ideal for both novice and seasoned birders.

Birders may also spot the Whimbrel, a long-legged wader known for its distinctive curved bill.

Though the habitat teems with expected birds, there are chances to witness rarer species. Keep an eye out for the Magnificent Frigatebird soaring overhead. The elusive Marsh wren and Common Yellowthroat may be hiding in the reeds. Along the water’s edge, migrating White-rumped Sandpipers might make an appearance, adding to the excitement of this unique birding adventure.

The East Calhoun Tour offers an exclusive birding experience across private lands that are rarely accessible to the public. The tour includes stops at scenic and ecologically diverse sites like Redfish and Swan Lake These areas boast a rich blend of habitats, including coastal marshes, wetlands, woodlands, and agricultural fields, making them ideal for both novice and seasoned birders.

Travel time to destination: 20 minutes on provided van

Terrain: Riding in the van plus some walking on flat terrain

Walking: 2-4 miles

Difficulty: Easy- Moderate

Meals/ Amenities: Water provided. Port-O-Potty

Open to the public? No, the festival receives special permission to use this property.

Habitat: salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, scrub, and coastal prairie

Birds Expected: 50-100+

Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Northern Bobwhite, Common Nighthawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Night Herons, Little Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Osprey, Crested Caracara, Dickcissel

Birds Possible: Purple Gallinule, King or Clapper Rails, Glossy Ibis, Painted Bunting

Embark on a birding adventure at Mad Island Marsh, a haven for birders where 257 species have been recorded. This expansive marshland, renowned for its pristine habitats and rich biodiversity, offers an unforgettable experience for both seasoned and novice bird enthusiasts.

Travel time to destination: 53 minutes 

Terrain: Riding with stops and walking on flat terrain

Walking: 2-4 miles

Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms.

Open to the public? No, the festival receives special permission to use the property.

Habitat: Wooded, Riparian

Birds Expected:

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Wood Duck, Northern Parula, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chimney Swift, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Mississippi Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Couch’s Kingbird, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, and Red-eyed VIreos, and Bronzed Cowbird.  Migrants the first week of May should include Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, as well as later migrating Magnolia, Yellow, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian and American Redstart warblers.  

Birds Possible: Bald Eagle, Baltimore Oriole, Chipping Sparrow

The Riverside Park/Invista Wetlands tour is an adventure designed for seasoned birders. In addition to the scenic wooded and riparian habitats of Riverside Park, this tour includes exciting stops at the Invista Wetlands and DaCosta, expanding the range of bird species participants can encounter.

Travel time to destination: 40 minutes 

Terrain: Riding in the van with stops and walking on flat terrain

Walking: 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Some areas of this tour are open to the public while others are open only by special permission for the festival. 

Description-Habitat: Freshwater marsh, brush, wooded park, lakeside

Birds Expected: 50-100+  

Green Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, White-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Loggerhead Shrike, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Tennessee Warbler, American Redstart, Swallow-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Inca Dove, Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee

Birds Possible: Fulvous Whistling Duck, Least Grebe, Wilson Phalarope, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Solitary Sandpiper

This tour includes the Ganado Devers Creek Park, the Mustang Creek Ramp, and the Tejano Wetlands. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore some of the most diverse and serene bird habitats in the Texas Mid-Coast region, navigating through the tranquil scenery of freshwater marshes, brush-covered lands, wooded parks, and peaceful lakesides, showcasing a variety of bird species that call these environments home.

Travel time to destination: 36 minutes 

Terrain: Riding with stops and walking on flat terrain

Walking: 2-4 miles

Difficulty: Easy- Moderate

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Some areas are open to the public while the festival received special permission for other areas.

Habitat: Beach, coastal marsh, small, wooded area and native trees

Birds Expected: 20-50

Clapper Rail, Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Forster’s Tern, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Blue Heron, Willett

Birds Possible: Black-crowned Night-Heron, Green Heron, Black-bellied Plover, Magnificent Frigatebird

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Texas Mid-Coast, the Lighthouse Beach Tour offers an immersive introduction to birding along the coastline. As you step onto the beach, the fresh scent of saltwater mingles with the marsh’s earthy aroma, setting the stage for a relaxing yet fulfilling experience.

Travel time to destination: Starts and ends at the Bauer Community Center.

Terrain: Flat, boardwalk

Walking: Less than 1 mile; wheelchair accessible

Difficulty: Very easy

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Yes

Habitat: Island Rookery

Birds Expected: 20-100

Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Neotropic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Skimmer

Birds Possible: Magnificent Frigatebird, Crested Caracara, American Avocet, American Oystercatcher

The Chester Island Tour offers a unique birding experience, as participants board the R/V Archimedes, the Texas Floating Classroom, for a journey like none other. Chester Island, a secluded rookery off the Texas mid-coast, holds a significant place in the history of bird conservation. Named after Chester Smith, a passionate conservationist, the island became central to saving the Brown Pelican population, which had faced near-extinction from pesticide use in the mid-20th century. Smith’s efforts in establishing this sanctuary were instrumental in reviving the species.

Travel time to destination: 30 minute bus ride 

Walking: None.

Difficulty: Very easy

Meals/ Ammenities: Water available. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Private tour arranged by the festival.

Habitat: Gulf beach, coastal prairie, bay

Birds Expected: 50-100+    

Northern Bobwhite, Common Nighthawk, Black-bellied Plover, Wilson’s Plover, Willet, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Royal Tern, Caspian Tern

Birds Possible: American  Oystercatcher,  Aplomado Falcon, Franklin’s Gull

The Matagorda Island Tour is not only a birding adventure but also a journey through rich history and diverse ecosystems. Accessible only by boat and requiring permission from Texas Parks and Wildlife, this 38-mile-long island was once a hub for coastal commerce and military activity. Today, it serves as a sanctuary for birds, making it an essential stop for nature lovers.

Travel time to destination: Tour starts with a 30-minute van ride to the dock in Port O’Connor, where you will board a boat for a 20-minute ride to Matagorda Island. You will tour the island in a touring truck with a guide.

Terrain: Flat, mostly riding with few stops.

Walking: Very little

Difficulty: Very easy

Meals/Amenities: Water available. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Private tour arranged by the festival.

Habitat: Bay, Reef, Colonial waterbird rookery

Birds Expected: Least Tern, Forster’s Tern, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, Sandwich Tern, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill  

The Lavaca Bay Boat Tour offers birders and nature enthusiasts a unique exploration of one of the most ecologically diverse regions on the Texas Mid-Coast. Departing from the sheltered waters of Lavaca Bay, this tour sweeps through a variety of habitats that showcase the area’s rich birdlife, including the famous Chocolate Bay Reefs, Alcoa Flats, Lavaca Spoils, and the Lavaca River.

Travel time to destination: 5 minutes to the dock.

Terrain: Boat

Walking: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Restrooms.

Open to the public? Arranged specifically for the festival.

Habitat: Salt marsh

Birds Expected: Brown Pelican, Clapper Rail, Reddish Egret, Eastern and Western Willet, Great Blue Heron, Tri-colored Heron, Ruddy Turnstone, Roseate Spoonbill, Wilson’s Plover, Black-bellied plover and both Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs.

Birds Possible: Whimbrel, Godwit, Black, Gull-billed and Sandwich Terns, American Avocet, Magnificent Frigatebird.

The Boggy Nature Park Paddling Tour offers a thrilling adventure for birding enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This guided kayaking expedition includes both a birding guide as well as an experienced kayaking guide. Participants will experience some of the Texas Mid-Coast’s finest birding habitats, including Gulf Beach, coastal prairie, and bay ecosystems as they embark on a kayak journey through the tranquil waters, surrounded by vast skies and vibrant coastal landscapes. This unique perspective allows paddlers to quietly approach bird species in their natural habitat, minimizing disturbance while maximizing observation.

Travel time to destination: 30 minutes to the dock in your private vehicle. 

Terrain: Water: kayaking

Walking: 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Meals/ Ammenities: Bring your own water and snack in a waterproof bag. 

Open to the public? Arranged especially for the festival.

Location: Meet at Bauer Community Center

Join us for a hands-on adventure at the Bird Banding Tour! Perfect for families and bird enthusiasts of all ages, this interactive experience brings you up close to the delicate art and science of bird banding, an essential practice for studying and conserving bird populations. As you move between our different stations, you’ll see Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Research Associates Robert and Kay Lookingbill use nearly invisible mist nets to safely capture birds.

Travel time to destination: 10 minute bus ride.

Terrain: Flat. Participate in family educational activities or sit and observe. Limited wheelchair availability (please pre-arrange transportation).

Walking: None

Difficulty: Very easy

Meals/ Ammenities: Water provided. Port-O-Potty

Open to the public? This activity takes place on private properly with special permission arranged by the festival.