Fran's Photos

Birding

Migration Projections https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-321

Cattle Egrets at Grassy Point ….More Western Cattle-Egrets
Clapper Rail – Lookout Point marsh More….Clapper Rail
Common Goldeneye – in the bay along the seawall
Common Gallinule – Formosa-Tejano Wetlands
Common Loon – in the bay along the seawall
Double-crested Cormorant – in the bay along the seawall
Couch’s Kingbird Matagorda County Birding Nature Center
Crested Caracara on Perryman Avenue
Red-winged Blackbird and White-winged Dove – bird feeder
Mallards – East Bay
Eastern Phoebe – Lookout Point marsh
Boat-tailed Grackle – in the bay along the seawall
Eastern Kingbird – Johnson Road
Brown-crested Flycatcher – Collins Road
Great Blue Heron cooling off – Lookout Point marsh
Great Blue Heron – Lookout Point marsh
Great Blue Heron – Lookout Point marsh
Great Blue Heron – Lookout Point marsh
Great Egret Lookout Point marsh
Greater Scaup – South Bay
Green Heron – Lookout Point marsh More…Green Herons
Laughing Gulls – on a jetty at the seawall
Red-tailed Hawk
White-tailed Hawk – Mad Island
Killdeer – Lookout Point marsh
Little Blue Heron? Matagorda County Nature Birding Center
Loggerhead Shrike – Lookout Point along Palm tree line
Long-billed Curlews – Lawn at the bay
Eastern Meadowlark – Johnson Road
Northern Mockingbird – Perryman Avenue
Northern Bobwhite – Green Avenue
Northern Cardinal
Osprey – Mad Island
Great Horned Owl – Magic Ridge
Reddish Egret – Matagorda County Nature Birding Center
Rock Pigeon – Lookout Point
Roseate Spoonbill – Matagorda
Ruddy Turnstones – Along the beach at the seawall
Sanderling – Along the beach at the seawall
Spotted Sandpiper – Along the rocks near the seawall
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Buffaloe Road
Snowy Egret – Lookout Point marsh
Savannah Sparrow -Collins Road
European Starling
Turkey Vulture – Collins Road
Whimbrel – Lookout Point marsh
Immature White Ibis – Lookout Point marsh
Willet – Along the beach
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Perryman Avenue
Yellow-crowned Night Heron – Lookout Point marsh
Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs – Lookout Point marsh
Dickcissel – Johnson Road, Palacios, TX
Yellow-rumped Warbler – Matagorda County Nature Birding Center
Least Tern – Along the beach
TriColored Heron – Lookout Point Marsh on Margerum
TriColored Heron – Lookout Point Marsh on Margerum

More birds:

Bald Eagles

Clapper Rails

Green Herons

Roseate Spoonbills

Snowy Egrets

Western Cattle Egrets I and II

Black-bellied Whistling Duck – Collins Road
Sandhill Cranes – Perryman Ave

Matagorda County County Birding Nature Center

Click here to see what others have seen at the center


Matagorda County Birding Nature Center showcases the natural beauty and wildlife that thrive in this area. Come and enjoy! Since 1997, Matagorda County has been No. 1 in the prestigious National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count

Matagorda County Official Birding County of Texas

89R17694 KRT-D

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Situated on the Texas coast, Matagorda County provides a diverse set of habitats that welcome hundreds of bird species each year; and
WHEREAS, The county’s shoreline and marshes attract birds such as ospreys, pelicans, and egrets, while inland terrains are home to hawks, hummingbirds, blackbirds, and more; along the area’s bays and rivers, loons, cormorants, and mergansers can be found, and the county is also on the pathway for numerous migratory species, including flycatchers, vireos, and orioles; and

WHEREAS, Since 1993, the county has participated in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and it has consistently earned a top ranking for its rich diversity of species; during the 2023-2024
count, the county had 225 types of birds in its tally, taking first place for locations north of the U.S.-Mexico border; in addition, it had the only examples of such rare birds as the surf scoter and
the blue grosbeak; and
WHEREAS, Matagorda County features many conservation areas that help protect bird habitats; these include the Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area,
The Nature Conservancy’s Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh Preserve, the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area, and the
Dog Island Preserve, which together encompass more than 26,000 acres; in addition, residents and visitors can enjoy the region’s biodiversity at the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and the
Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Palacios is the site of the annual Matagorda Bay Birdfest, where attendees can enjoy bird tours, a
parade, a youth art contest, and other activities; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County has demonstrated a notable commitment to preserving its abundant natural resources, ensuring that it will continue to host myriad bird species, and the county’s
status as a premier location to appreciate avian wildlife is indeed deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital
of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally passed by the legislature.