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Most visitors to the Island the opportunity to learn about to northern Nicaragua.
become “accidental birders” before the incredible American Alligator The Migratory Bird
they even set foot in the sand. through daily “Gator Talks”. Sanctuary was again
As you cross the Queen Isabella Following the “Gator Talks” THE place to be during
Causeway keep your eyes open for you can wade with the gators in spring migration 2018
the Brown Pelican, and at the base the gator pond, hold a juvenile when a juvenile Great
of the causeway look to your left gator, learn about and hold a Black Hawk was found
and right at the black mangrove non-venomous snake, and don’t on April 13th. This was
flats for all types of shorebirds. forget to feed the Sulcata Tortoise not only the first rec-
Not only can you see more egrets, before you leave. The South Padre ord for Texas, but also
terns, and oystercatchers here, Island Birding, Nature Center, the United States of
but you might also spot a few and Alligator Sanctuary is truly this tropical raptor spe-
Roseate Spoonbills, plovers, and A Wildlife Adventure! For more cies. The bird was later
all types of herons. information go to www.spibird- rediscovered all the
In May 2019 the South Padre ing.com or call 956-761-6801. way in Maine where
Island Birding and Nature Center The South Padre Island it caused a nationwide
added Alligator Sanctuary to Migratory Bird Sanctuary sensation in the birding
their name. Because the wetlands located on West Sheepshead community. Definitely
around the Center provide the Street, is a project of the Valley worth a google search!
perfect safe haven for the alliga- Land Fund, and is open to the Many birding spots
tors; the Center is now one of public. In 1999, six residen- and nesting sites locat-
only two alligator sanctuaries in tial lots were purchased for the ed on and around the
Texas approved by Texas Parks feeding and resting of neotrop- Laguna Madre bay sim-
and Wildlife. The new Center icals. In addition to offering ply can not be seen by
opened with over 75 rescued habitat protection for migrants, land. To bird watch from
juvenile American Alligators from these lots are also a showplace the water, check with the numer- eral preserve is one of the jewels
around the great State of Texas. to educate Island residents and ous dolphin watch companies on of the refuge system and has 418
“Big Padre”, a 12’ 6”long - 700 visitors in techniques for mak- the Island. birds documented which is more
pound alligator is also making ing their privately owned land Birding by boat or by land is than any other national refuge.
the sanctuary his home, along “bird friendly”. The Migratory especially rewarding during the The most recent addition to
with his wife “Laguna”. Bird Sanctuary was THE place winter. The Island’s mild tem- the checklist is a male and female
Visitors to the Center have to be in February 2008 when peratures make it a sanctuary for Blue Bunting. It is also home
an “once-in-a-lifetime White Pelicans, all kinds of ducks, to endangered species such as
experience” flew into avocets, loons, gulls, grebes, and the ocelot and jaguarundi. Other
town. A Black-headed the elusive Peregrine Falcon. animals found at the refuge are
Siskin was spotted and Always exciting is the occasional javelinas, deer, Texas tortoises,
photographed which sighting of frigatebirds, boobies, indigo snakes, bobcats, coyotes
was the first sighting of and other pelagic birds. Whether and mountain lions. Admittedly,
the bird in the United you tour South Padre Island by mountain lions are rare, but have
States. The Black-headed car, boat, or on foot, your birding been spotted none the less.
Siskin, a type of Finch, experience will be a special one. Visitors can connect with
is found in Mexico A short 40-minute drive from nature through a variety of activ-
and northern Central South Padre Island is the Laguna ities including fishing, hunting,
America. They are typical- Atascosa National Wildlife wildlife observation and photog-
ly found from southern Refuge. Located east of Rio raphy, bicycling, hiking and
Tamaulipas and southern Hondo and bordering the Laguna interpretive tours and programs.
Sonora to central Mexico Madre bay, this 45,000-acre fed- A Visitor Center with exhib-
its, restrooms, and a nature store
is available. For more informa-
tion, including hours of operation
South Padre Island Birding Facts and tour schedules, please
visit the website www.fws.gov/
• Home of the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary — a World Birding Center site refuge/laguna_atascosa or call the
visitor center 956-748-3607 ext
• 280 species recorded on South Padre Island based on the published World Birding Center checklist 111. From South Padre Island,
• The first sighting in the U.S. of a Black-Headed Siskin was on SPI in February 2009 take 100 west to Laguna Vista.
• The only World Birding Center site where a visitor can possibly see a Magnificent Frigate or a Masked Booby Take a right on FM510 and follow
• Spring and Fall migration brings large numbers of birds to South Padre Island signs to the visitor center.
• Home of the South Padre Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary For more birding opportun-
• South Padre Island is home to the Brown Pelican and a wide range of shorebirds ities in the area, please contact
• Home of the best World Birding Center site for shore bird photography the South Padre Island Chamber
• 40-minute drive to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) of Commerce at (956) 761-4412
• LANWR has 418 documented birds, which is more than any other national refuge or the South Padre Island Visitor
• South Padre Island is visited by birding enthusiasts from England, Spain, the Netherlands, and Puerto Rio, as Center at 1-800-SOPADRE for
well as people from all over the United States a complete list of area birding
attractions. J

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