The Binocular Site
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, California
Covering 45000 acres, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is the largest protected area of natural habitat in the Lower Grand Valley.
The refuge was originally set aside as a winter refuge for ducks in 1946, and rests in Laguna Madre.
It is rich in rare wildlife and also marks the northern-most point for many native Mexican plants and animals.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife is naturally protected by South Padre Island and presents a unique mix of sub-tropical, coastal, and desert habitats. With the protection provided by South Padre Island and an excellent water management program, Laguma Atascosa is a haven for massive numbers of wintering waterfowl.
The refuge features a 15 mile one way loop you can drive around, which takes in all of the park's habitats, and provides many stopping points for viewing and photography.
The vast array of birds in the refuge runs the gamut from desert dwellers like the Greater Roadrunner to shorebirds including Black-necked stilts, Mottled ducks, and Least grebes. Also keep an eye out for nesting Aplomado falcons, which have recently been re-introduced to the area.
The official Texas state bird is the Northern Mockingbird and you can find a checklist of birds to watch for in Texas here.
Photo credit to ljmacphee, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the trails and available tours at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and find a bird species checklist for the refuge here.If you've visited the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Texas bird watching location below.
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