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Whether you're a card-carrying Audubon member or a beginner birder eager to scan the skies with your new binoculars, there are wilderness patches scattered across America to spot these feathered creatures. Florida's Everglades and California's Point Reyes National Seashore are some of the marquee wildlife destinations. But travelers looking for a less-obvious spot to spy on our avian friends can head to Texas' Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center instead. The 10-acre preserve may be small, but its birding opportunities — with over 300 recorded species — are nothing to scoff at, approaching those found at some of the best birding spots in the country.
Free to visit and established back in 1994, the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is thriving with lush wetland ecosystems that support a diverse mix of plants, animals, and an abundance of birds. These critical habitats, alongside the refuge's location on a major coastal migratory bird corridor, make it a rest stop for many winged critters, so you can see a different category of birds each season. "One of the best bird sanctuaries and underrated spots in Corpus Christi. This spot isn't talked about more. It was so interesting we visited it thrice in 2 days," writes one past visitor on Google. Tucked on the northeastern fringes of Mustang Island, one of the many U.S. islands that feel like the Caribbean, it's a secret little getaway on the Gulf Coast for birders and sun-seekers alike.
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What to see at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
For a chance to see some birding hotspots, you can set out on the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center trail that winds for less than a mile amidst shallow coastal wetlands. Witness birds wading and preening in their natural habitats as you maneuver a scenic landscape of lush freshwater marshes, saltwater marshes, ponds, and native trees framed by an endless horizon. Meanwhile, the center also has 1,250 feet of boardwalks with spotting scopes and listening benches, along with elevated gazebos for a convenient place to admire the winged critters and take in the picturesque wetland views. At the entrance, find some educational signage, bird-friendly water features, and a pollinator garden to set the tone for your exploration.
Some of the iconic birds (according to the eBird database) you can spot at this sanctuary include tricolored herons, least bitterns, cinnamon teal, magnificent frigatebird, sora, redheads, and the bright pink roseate spoonbill, which is commonly mistaken for flamingos. Bird nerds can also print a checklist from this database and have a Sharpie ready to strike all the species you see.
As the refuge is a reprieve for many migratory species, birding opportunities change with seasons. For instance, spring migration brings in colorful songbirds — such as Bullock's oriole, summer tanager, yellow-throated vireo, and several warblers — that rest their weary wings at the refuge and fill the air with beautiful melodies. You will see them gather around the shady sections of black willow trees near the entrance. One Google visitor shared an anecdote of their visit: "We were incredibly lucky to visit the center today, 4/26 during a huge spring migration. We saw all kinds of unusual birds who are flying North for nesting season."
Plan your visit to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
If you've ever wanted to spot the magnificent and rare whooping crane — North America's tallest bird that boasts a wingspan of 7 feet — in the wild, then time your trip during the winter migration. Starting in November, hundreds of these birds winter on Texas' Gulf Coast, and the annual Whooping Crane Festival is held in early February to celebrate their arrival. Alongside whooping cranes, other avian residents such as cinnamon teal, neotropic cormorant, and white pelicans, alongside several ducks and shorebirds, also find a safe place in the center's sweeping marshes during winters.
No matter when you come to mosey around these scenic wetlands, make sure to respect the wildlife and maintain a safe distance. The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is open daily from sunup to sundown. If you want a chance to up your birding game, arrive on a Wednesday at 9 a.m. for a free guided walk through these bird-rich habitats. And most importantly, leave your furry friends out for this one — they aren't allowed as they can spook the birds around the area.
The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is part of the serene Port Aransas Nature Preserve and is located about a 45-minute drive from Corpus Christi, where the nearest major airport is also found. You can stay there for your adventure, as the city has a bevy of hotel options and restaurants. Those who'd like to go back to the basics can also hunker down at the seaside campsites of Mustang Island State Park, known for its miles of pristine beaches. It's only 20 minutes away from the sanctuary. Lastly, leave no trace as you enjoy the wilderness beyond the Gulf Coast's more famous landscapes.
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Read the original article on Islands.
