Whooping Cranes Trip
I flew from DCA to Corpus Christi via DFW. I took the very early flight from DCA and got to Corpus Christi about 11:30.
First stop Hazel Bazemore County Park. This is a very small but very bird rich park. I started birding there at 12:30, about an hour after I arrived. Very close to the airport. 35 species noted.
I stayed at the Quality Inn in Fulton for two nights. Very cheap and nothing fancy but very clean, friendly staff. I drive along Fulton Harbor to find supper. Fulton Harbor is loaded with birds. 23 species found. Yummy jambalaya for supper from a food truck and a huge ice cream cone from Gramma’s Sweets.
Next morning I drove north 8 minutes in heavy fog to meet Captain Lori of Aransas Bay Birding. Because of the fog we left a little after sunrise. Lori guides people every day on the water in Aransas so she knows where the birds are. Her husband also guides on a different boat so they tag teamed, texting each about birds. What a magical day. I got great views of whooping cranes and in total saw 57 species. Cost: $500 and worth every penny.
I birded so hard with Lori that I was beat. I made a half hearted attempt to bird Big Tree of Goose Island but my heart wasn’t in it. 16 species noted.
Next morning more fog but I left Fulton early for Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Got to the main entrance right at sunrise and self registered at the kiosk. Parked in the headquarters parking lot and walked to the Rail Trail trailhead. Talk about birdy. I was amazed at the variety of birds I saw on this very short trail and the adjoining Heron Flats Trail. I birded 2 hours, 20 minutes and noted 49 species.
Next I drove the rest of the reserve. I wouldn’t do it again. It wasn’t that birdy and was a longish drive. I would turn around at Big Tree Trail. My time would have been better spent in other locales. 30 species noted.
At the headquarters I was chatting with a ranger. She told me of two places to find burrowing owls. I couldn’t find the first spot but did see a flock of nicely colored Savannah sparrows. I found the second spot and flushed the owl. It flew a very short distance and then crouched down eyeing me the whole time I was there taking pictures. What a great way to end a great trip.
The Nueces-Aransas area is loaded with great birding spots. Three spots I really wanted to bird but just ran out of time were:
Goose Island SP
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr.
Suter Wildlife Refuge
The last night I was at a La Quinta very close to the airport. Cheap, clean, friendly staff.
105 species noted in total, 25 lifers.