5:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Powderhorn Ranch contains saltwater wetlands that offer important, year-round habitat for shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl. Elsewhere, extensive woodlands and freshwater wetlands as well as restored coastal prairie provide critically important “fall-out areas” for migrating songbirds, particularly during spring migration when, exhausted from their flights across or around the Gulf of Mexico, birds use these areas to rest and refuel. Birds that are expected on this trip are ducks, herons, egrets, gulls, terns, shorebirds, wrens, roadrunner and sparrows. Also possible are alligator, deer and Sanbar. Mainly car birding with light walking.

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

The Mad Island Marsh Preserve is ground-zero for the nation-leading Matagorda County Christmas Bird Count and hosts over 300 species of birds. The sprawling prairie, fresh and brackish water marshes and thorn scrub habitats host a variety of waders, rails, shorebirds, sparrows, wrens and perhaps an early neotropical migrant. We might also see an Alligator, or three! The Preserve is normally closed to regular public access so this is a great opportunity to bird this special property. Car-birding and light walking.

6:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

The tour will feature a majority of the Matagorda County Birding Hot Spots; places like Chinquapin Road, Matagorda Beach, Hanson Turf Farm, Oyster Lake and the Birding Center. We'll visit coastal prairie, beaches, mudflats, turf farms, riparian corridors and more. Though the home of the nation-leading Matagorda County CBC, it's safe to say that Matagorda County, outside of CBC season is an under-birded county. This trip will give participants an appreciation of the avian richness and diversity found in Matagorda County. Shorebirds like American Golden-Plovers or Wilson's Plover are possible on this trip. Expect a fast-paced trip with high species count consisting mainly of car-birding and moderate walking.

7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Meet at Matagorda Marina at 189 CR 255

Dog Island is a 900-acre property that was once part of the relic landmass of the original Colorado River Delta. The island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and is located adjacent to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Mad Island Marsh WMA. It is accessed via a short boat ride from Matagorda harbor. The island's habitats include wooded uplands, tidal wetlands, fringing oyster reef and a small freshwater lake. Participants will be able to view all habitats from a four-mile loop through the upland area. Expect shorebirds, ducks, waders, sparrows and perhaps passerines on this unique tour.

5:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

The JB Harrison Foundation's Burr Property is tucked away in Wharton County near the community of Burr and near Peach Creek. It encompasses approximately 1500 acres and is managed for waterfowl and songbirds. This beautiful property includes 3 large Bald Cypress and Live Oak-lined lakes and associated wetland areas. One of these lakes serves as a nesting site for colonial waterbirds like Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Other habitats like wooded timber, grassland, open pasture, and row crop will add chances for woodpeckers, wrens, sparrows and more. The trip will also visit the King Ranch Turf Farm near Lane City for a chance at American Golden-Plovers. Moderate walking on uneven surfaces.

6:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Oyster Lake is a shallow, brackish lake that lies just north of the IntraCoastal Waterway on the east side of West Matagorda Bay. Here, there are salt marshes, a large saline flat and views of both Matagorda Bay and Oyster Lake, all from an impressive concrete bridge that leads to a ranch gate at the end of a very 'birdy' 5-mile gravel road. Birds that are expected on this trip are ducks, cranes, waders, gulls and terns, shorebirds and a chance for raptors and winter sparrows along Oyster Lake Road. Who knows, a Clapper Rail or Seaside Sparrow might even treat us to a rare look.

6:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Join us for some fun and relaxing birding right in Palacios. The Palacios Marine Ag Research site offers wetlands, thorn scrub and views of the bay....who knows what we’ll find! The Trull Marsh and Palacios Prairie Wetland host sparrows, Clapper Rail, waders and various shorebirds. The Palacios Port and Bay front should have lingering ducks, loons, pelicans, shorebirds, gulls, terns and Purple Martins. Last year we had 74 species all within the city limit! Mainly car birding with light walking.

6:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Just 6 miles northwest of Palacios and comprimsed of 150 contiguous acres of wetlands and ponds, the 230 acre Harrison Ranch is a must stop for migrating shorebirds and lingering waterfowl and waders. Adjacent pasture and fence row thickets may provide opportunities for passerines. And a nearby Bald Eagle nest will round-out the birding hit parade. Expect moderate walking and be sure to bring your scope for the best view of the shorebirds.

6:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

The Matagorda County Birding Nature Center (MCBNC) covers 34 beautiful acres along the Colorado River in Bay City. It has six botanical gardens and three major eco-systems dominated by the riparian corridor along the river. This habitat variety provides refuge for a wide variety of birds from Pileated Woodpeckers, to Barred Owls to nesting Bald Eagles to a possibe Green Kingfisher. Passerines and over-wintering sparrows provide lots of excitement for visiting birders. Neighboring Le Tulle Park has many mature Live Oaks that provide an additional opportunity for resident and migrating passerines. Mainly car birding with light walking.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Meet at Matagorda Marina at 189 CR 255

Dog Island is a 900-acre property that was once part of the relic landmass of the original Colorado River Delta. The island is separated from the mainland by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and is located adjacent to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Mad Island Marsh WMA. It is accessed via a short boat ride from Matagorda harbor. The island's habitats include wooded uplands, tidal wetlands, fringing oyster reef and a small freshwater lake. Participants will be able to view all habitats from a four-mile loop through the upland area. Expect shorebirds, ducks, waders, sparrows and perhaps passerines on this unique tour.

6:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Here's another opportunity to visit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Powderhorn Ranch. It contains saltwater wetlands that offer important, year-round habitat for shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl. Elsewhere, extensive woodlands and freshwater wetlands as well as restored coastal prairie provide critically important “fall-out areas” for migrating songbirds, particularly during spring migration when, exhausted from their flights across or around the Gulf of Mexico, birds use these areas to rest and refuel. Birds that are expected on this trip are ducks, herons, egrets, gulls, terns, shorebirds, wrens, roadrunner and sparrows. Also possible are alligator, deer and Sanbar. Mainly car birding with light walking.

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Jackson County, like many coastal counties, has quite diverse habitats and the interesting birds that frequent them. The Formosa Tejano Wetland is 245 acres of ponds, wetlands, woodlands and coastal prairie typically holding shorebirds, waders, passerines and other interesting birds in early March. This stop will involve some light walking on flat ground. The next stop is the east shore of Carancahua Bay, including a large fish farm that attracts lots of gulls, terns and shorebirds. We might also have a chance for thorn scrub birds like Long-billed Thrasher. This trip might also visit Ganado for chances at Swallow-tailed Kites or CR 127 with chances for herons, egrets, raptors, woodpeckers and various passerines. Mostly car birding with light walking to miaximize species count.

7:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

A repeat of this popular Friday tour will feature a majority of the Matagorda County Birding Hot Spots; places like Chinquapin Road, Matagorda Beach, Hanson Turf Farm, Oyster Lake and the Birding Center. We'll visit coastal prairie, beaches, mudflats, turf farms, riparian corridors and more. Though the home of the nation-leading Matagorda County CBC, it's safe to say that Matagorda County, outside of CBC season is an under-birded county. This trip will give participants an appreciation of the avian richness and diversity found in Matagorda County. Shorebirds like American Golden-Plovers or Wilson's Plover are possible on this trip. Expect a fast-paced trip with high species count consisting mainly of car-birding and moderate walking.

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Meet at The Point, 608 1st St., Palacios, TX

Here is another chance to visit TNC's Mad Island Marsh Preserve. It's ground-zero for the nation-leading Matagorda County Christmas Bird Count and hosts over 300 species of birds. The sprawling prairie, fresh and brackish water marshes and thorn scrub habitats host a variety of waders, rails, shorebirds, lingering sparrows, wrens and perhaps an early neotropical migrant. We might also see an Alligator, or three! The Preserve is normally closed to regular public access so this is a great opportunity to bird this special property. Car-birding and light walking.