Texas Coastal Bend Birding, Nature & Whooping Crane Migration

Texas Coastal Bend is a premier destination for birding in the United States. The area is located along the Gulf of Mexico coast and covers a wide swath of land from Matagorda Bay in the north to the Rio Grande Valley in the south.

There are several great birding spots in the Texas Coastal Bend, including the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, and the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

The area is known for its diverse birdlife, including species such as the endangered Whooping Crane, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, and numerous species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds. The best time to visit for birding is during the fall and winter months when many migratory species make their way through the area.

In addition to birdwatching, visitors to the Texas Coastal Bend can enjoy other outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking. There are also several museums and historical sites to explore in the area.

The Whooping Cranes that winter in Rockport, Texas, are a part of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population, which is the only remaining wild population of Whooping Cranes in the world. These cranes are migratory birds that travel annually from their breeding grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park, which straddles the border of northern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories in Canada, to their wintering grounds on the coast of Texas.

The journey from Canada to Texas is over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) long and takes the cranes approximately two months to complete. During their migration, the cranes stop at various wetlands and grasslands to rest and feed along the way. They typically travel along a route that takes them through the central United States, including states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The Whooping Cranes have a remarkable ability to navigate during their migration. They use a combination of visual cues, such as the position of the sun and stars, and magnetic cues, such as the Earth's magnetic field, to guide their journey. Additionally, the cranes often follow established migration corridors that have been used by their ancestors for centuries.

Overall, the Texas Coastal Bend is a must-visit destination for birding enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.