Nature - Island Style

The natural surroundings of South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley give birders and wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to sneak a peek at a wide variety of unique species.

On South Padre Island, nature lovers will appreciate and enjoy the last 34 miles of ecologically significant, unspoiled beaches and sand dunes along the Gulf of Mexico. Due primarily to its location, South Padre Island is a feeding ground for various migrating birds. The fall months, namely October and November, bring birds headed south for the winter. The changing winds bring them in for a landing on their favorite rest stop on the Gulf Coast. The spring months, notably March, April, and May, bring our feathered visitors to our Island on their way home. The wetlands that line the bay side of the island create an ideal habitat for numerous plants, animals and waterfowl. In fact, more than 300 species of birds, including a wide range of shorebirds and migratory birds make South Padre Island their home during part or most of the year.

The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary, provides access to the Laguna Madre bay for birders and other outdoor enthusiasts. From the boardwalks that extend across the wetlands, onlookers can see egrets, herons, oystercatchers, terns, and our own White-Morph Redish Egret wading in the shallow water of the Laguna Madre. The Black and Yellow Rail have also been sighted, along with the Yellowbilled Loon and the Brown Booby. The boardwalks also take nature lovers over wetlands and freshwater ponds, providing them with an excellent opportunity to view a variety of rails, soras, kingfishers, moorhens, and numerous other species.

The decks over the bay at the Birding Center are a wonderful place to be at sunrise and sunset. The observation tower is a popular place because visitors can see the Gulf of Mexico, the Laguna Madre Bay, the salt and freshwater wetlands that surround the Center, and the skyline of the City of South Padre Island.

South Padre Island’s location and geology make for a unique ecology — a perfect location for nature enthusiasts since we have such a rich variety of plants, insects, and land and sea animals; some of which are threatened or endangered. We can offer great birding opportunities year round, but since South Padre Island is located along the coast where the Central and Mississippi Flyways converge, we offer exceptional birding opportunities during the spring and fall migration periods, especially during “fallout” conditions. To birders a “fallout” is a large number of birds that land in any given area because of adverse weather conditions for their migration. When those conditions take place, visitors can see all sorts of beautiful songbirds everywhere!

Birders from all over Texas converged on the Island in October 2018. An immature White-crowned Pigeon, more than likely brought in by a storm during hurricane season, was found at the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center on October 2nd and remained until October 14th. The Whitecrowned Pigeon, a tropical species, is a resident of the Caribbean and was hundreds of miles from its normal range. This was the 3rd Texas record, but the 1st time seen by more than one observer.

As a wing of the World Birding Center, which was established in 1999 through cooperative partnerships between Rio Grande Valley Communities, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is one of nine centers whose mission is to educate the public about nature conservation; especially bird conservation. The Center provides local and visiting families the opportunity to learn about our beaches, dunes, the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre; how important nature is to the development of our children and our existence; and how to protect and preserve nature in our own backyards and neighborhoods.

The dedicated “Warbler Rest Area” adjacent to the boardwalk location closest to the South Padre Island Convention Centre, serves as an attraction for all winged friends, especially its namesake. Warblers consider the South Padre Island area their personal rest area on their trip to and from Central and South America. The native trees planted in the area were chosen for their insect habitat from which the birds can feed. The Fiddlewood bushes were chosen for their delectable berries, which are favorites among the Warbler and most birds. During spring and fall migrations, birders are delighted by the kaleidoscope of colors seen at the rest stop as the warblers are joined by tanagers, orioles, buntings, and many other varieties of birds seek ing refuge. It is also a haven for all types of butterflies.

Most visitors to the Island become “accidental birders” before they even set foot in the sand. As you cross the Queen Isabella Causeway keep your eyes open for the Brown Pelican, and at the base of the causeway look to your left and right at the black mangrove flats for all types of shorebirds. Not only can you see more egrets, terns, and oystercatchers here, but you might also spot a few Roseate Spoonbills, plovers, and all types of herons.

In May 2019 the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center added Alligator Sanctuary to their name. Because the wetlands around the Center provide the perfect safe haven for the alligators; the Center is now one of only two alligator sanctuaries in Texas approved by Texas Parks and Wildlife. The new Center opened with over 75 rescued juvenile American Alligators from around the great State of Texas. “Big Padre”, a 12’ 6”long - 700 pound alligator is also making the sanctuary his home, along with his wife “Laguna”.

Visitors to the Center have the opportunity to learn about the incredible American Alligator through daily “Gator Talks”. Following the “Gator Talks” you can wade with the gators in the gator pond, hold a juvenile was found on April 13th. This was not only the first record for Texas, but also the United States of this tropical raptor species. The bird was later rediscovered all the way in Maine where it caused a nationwide sensation in the birding community. Definitely worth a google search!

Many birding spots and nesting sites located on and around the Laguna Madre bay simply can not be seen by land. To bird watch from the water, check with the numerous dolphin watch companies on the Island.

Birding by boat or by land is especially rewarding during the winter. The Island’s mild temperatures make it a sanctuary for White Pelicans, all kinds of ducks, avocets, loons, gulls, grebes, and the elusive Peregrine Falcon. Always exciting is the occasional sighting of frigatebirds, boobies, and other pelagic birds. Whether you tour South Padre Island by car, boat, or on foot, your birding experience will be a special one.

A short 40-minute drive from South Padre Island is the Laguna

Atascosa National Wildlife

Refuge. Located east of Rio Hondo and bordering the Laguna Madre bay, this 45,000-acre federal preserve is one of the jewels of the refuge system and has 418 birds documented which is more than any other national refuge.

The most recent addition to the checklist is a male and female Blue Bunting. It is also home to endangered species such as the ocelot and jaguarundi. Other animals found at the refuge are javelinas, deer, Texas tortoises, indigo snakes, bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions. Admittedly, mountain lions are rare, but have been spotted none the less.

Visitors can connect with nature through a variety of activities including fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and photography, bicycling, hiking and interpretive tours and programs.

A Visitor Center with exhibits, restrooms, and a nature store is available. For more information, including hours of operation and tour schedules, please visit the website www.fws.gov/ refuge/laguna_atascosa or call the visitor center 956-748-3607 ext 111. From South Padre Island, take 100 west to Laguna Vista. Take a right on FM510 and follow signs to the visitor center.

For more birding opportunities in the area, please contact the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce at (956) 761-4412 or the South Padre Island Visitor Center at 1-800-SOPADRE for a complete attractions. list ` of area birding

gator, learn about and hold a non-venomous snake, and don’t forget to feed the Sulcata Tortoise before you leave. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is truly A Wildlife Adventure! For more information go to www.spibirding.com or call 956-761-6801.

The South Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary

located on West Sheepshead Street, is a project of the Valley Land Fund, and is open to the public. In 1999, six residential lots were purchased for the feeding and resting of neotropicals. In addition to offering habitat protection for migrants, these lots are also a showplace to educate Island residents and visitors in techniques for making their privately owned land “bird friendly”. The Migratory Bird Sanctuary was THE place to be in February 2008 when an “once-in-a-lifetime experience” flew into town. A Black-headed Siskin was spotted and photographed which was the first sighting of the bird in the United States. The Blackheaded Siskin, a type of Finch, is found in Mexico and northern Central America. They are typically found from southern Tamaulipas and southern Sonora to central Mexico to northern Nicaragua. The Migratory Bird Sanctuary was again THE place to be during spring migration 2018 when a juvenile Great Black Hawk

South Padre Island Birding Facts

• Home of the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary — a World Birding Center site • 280 species recorded on South Padre Island based on the published World Birding

Center checklist • The first sighting in the U.S. of a Black-Headed Siskin was on SPI in February 2009 • The only World Birding Center site where a visitor can possibly see a Magnificent

Frigate or a Masked Booby • Spring and Fall migration brings large numbers of birds to South Padre Island • Home of the South Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary • South Padre Island is home to the Brown Pelican and a wide range of shorebirds • Home of the best World Birding Center site for shore bird photography • 40-minute drive to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) • LANWR has 418 documented birds, which is more than any other national refuge • South Padre Island is visited by birding enthusiasts from England, Spain, the

Netherlands, and Puerto Rio, as well as people from all over the United States