Texas: Coast, Valley, and Hills
Join EcoTravel for a grand adventure in "The #1 Bird State." Three-quarters of all birds occuring in the continental United States have been recorded in Texas! On this eleven-day trip, you can see over 250 species, including Green Kingfisher, Plain Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Tropical Parula, Golden-cheeked Warbler, and more. The scenery is fabulous, featuring vast open spaces unlike anything in the East. Visit famed High Island, Bolivar Flats, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, King Ranch, Sabal Palm, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and the Edwards Plateau.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to meet your leaders. We’ll make a fast-food lunch stop if needed and then drive to the town of Winnie and check into the hotel. We’ll bird at High Island in late afternoon, prime time for greeting migrants arriving after almost 24 hours of flying since their departure from Central America the evening before. Then, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local eatery. Some of the birds we’re likely to see today include Inca Dove, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Great-tailed Grackle, and a variety of neotropical migrants.
Night: Winnie.
Meals: D
Day 2
We’ll spend the morning birding at Jocelyn Nungray (Anahuac) National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area. With luck, we’ll find some Fulvous Whistling-Ducks and Hudsonian Godwits among the more common ducks and waders. After lunch, we’ll again spend the afternoon at High Island, exploring a wading bird colony in hopes of finding Roseate Spoonbills, and the groves of hackberry and live oak that surround the marsh, providing migrants a first landfall after crossing the Gulf of Mexico.
Night: Winnie.
Meals: B
Day 3
We’ll depart in the early morning to explore Bolivar Flats. This impressive shorebird sanctuary is an important wintering site for thousands of shorebirds and hosts even more during migration. With luck, we’ll find Snowy Plovers on territory, while flocks of Long-billed Curlews, Marbled Godwits, and a variety of sandpipers feed among the waves. Then, we’ll travel south along the coastal plain. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the south end of Galveston Island.
Night: Corpus Christi area.
Meals: B
Day 4
After breakfast we’ll start the day exploring Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Formed to protect the wintering population of Whooping Cranes, then only 15 birds, back in 1937, the refuge today remains an important conservation area with nearly 400 species recorded all-time on site.
In the afternoon we’ll head farther south, into the Rio Grande Valley, continuing to check the multitude of barrier islands for migrants and other species. In recent years, Mangrove Yellow Warbler, a split from American Yellow Warbler, has bred around South Padre Island.
Night: Brownsville.
Meals: B
Day 5
Today we’ll depart bright and early to head to the Norias division of King Ranch. This private ranch, nearly the size of Rhode Island, is considered one of the top birding destinations in Texas and arguably the United States. Tropical Parula and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl are the the main targets of the visit, but other species such as White-tailed Hawk and Botteri’s Sparrow can also be found.
After dinner we’ll check some of the local parrot roosts, for Green Parakeet and Red-crowned Amazon.
Hotel: Brownsville.
Meals: B
Days 6 - 7
The next two days will be spent exploring the famous Rio Grande Valley, searching for all the specialties it provides. We’ll check everything from State and County parks to National Wildlife Refuges and preserves owned by National Audubon Society. Along the way, we’ll target Plain Chachalaca, Green Jay, White-tipped Dove, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Ringed Kingfisher, Altamira Oriole, Common Parauque, and more. These species just barely cross into the United States, and the Rio Grande Valley is the best place to see them.
Nights: McAllen.
Meals B
Day 8
We’ll depart early from the hotel and visit some final places along the Rio Grande, searching for species we haven’t seen yet, including Red-billed Pigeon. Some desert habitat should also give us a chance at species such as Pyrrhuloxia, a cousin of Northern Cardinal. In the evening, with luck, we’ll search for Mottled Owl, the first living US record that has been around for a couple years.
Night: Zapata
Meals: B
Day 9
Mainly a travel day, after breakfast we’ll begin the drive up towards the hill country.
Night: Uvalde.
Meals: B
Day 10
After breakfast we’ll explore the oak forests, searching for the plateau-unique Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, two species that only breed in this restricted area. Other species we’ll search for include Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay. In the evening we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner, reminiscing over new memories, photos, friendships, and species!
Night: Uvalde.
Meals: BD
Day 11
Travelers will have an early morning departure from San Antonio, with the option of driving back to Houston with the leaders and departing from there, either late afternoon or the next day.
Meals: B
Matt Bell
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
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