Earlier in April, I visited the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center and saw Green Herons sitting on eggs. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to return and see how the next generation of Green Herons was coming along. This past Tuesday I took the time to revisit the SPIB&NC and was not disappointed. … Read more
I’ve made it no secret. My mission is to experience as much of the vernal migration through south Texas as I can. South Padre Island is the best place I know to meet these birds. It lies at the crossroads of their trip from Mexico, Central and South America, before they scatter with the winds … Read more
If the show is good enough, it bears watching repeatedly. A second look may teach us something new. We might see something worthwhile we missed on the first go-round. I feel the same way about birding on South Padre Island. I did not meet a new bird species on this visit. However, the birds that … Read more
In the coming weeks, I intend to spend as much of my time on South Padre Island as I can. Spring migrant birds could begin trickling into Texas at any time. I like my chances to meet these migrating birds at South Padre Island (SPI), and the more often I can visit, the more my … Read more
Weekends are the only time when Texans can access the beach at Boca Chica. The nearby Space-X launch complex executes tests and launch operations during the week and closes the road to the beach. Weather reports predicted Saturday was the best time to pay a visit there, so I broke camp early and headed out … Read more
On this early Tuesday morning, cloudy gray skies greeted me at the South Padre Island Convention Centre (SPICC). I investigated the center’s bayside and its boardwalks, but the birds were not active. It encouraged me to see offerings of nectar and fruit placed around the grounds, even though no migrants were in view. Having these … Read more
Deciding where to spend my last day in Brownsville wasn’t easy. I plan to stay two more weeks in the Rio Grande Valley, but I want to explore sites further upstream before I resume my journey east. There is still so much of the Gulf Coast I’ve yet to see. Spring hasn’t yet arrived, and … Read more
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center is part of a network of birding meccas in south Texas, collectively called the “World Birding Center”. It sits next door to the Convention Centre, which I love, and so I’ve not bothered to pay my fees to enter its grounds. On Monday, with my time in Brownsville … Read more
A visit to the Lower Rio Grande Valley without spending time on South Padre Island would be silly. Tuesday I paid the island my respects. It came as no surprise the variety of birds in winter did not compare to a spring visit. Still, there was enough variety to keep me busy most of the … Read more
I visited South Padre Island twice during my stay in Brownsville. My first stop was on 2020-04-30 and my second on 2020-05-02. My day-one visit was a lengthy one. I arrived early at the Convention Center and the birds were abundant. Many were those I seldom or have never seen before. It was Great! By … Read more
