Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Situated on the Texas Gulf coast along San Antonio Bay, the 70,504 acres of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge are host to an exotic array of wildlife, including alligators, javelina (collared peccary), snakes, bobcats and whooping cranes. A 16-mile one-way driving tour takes visitors through the refuge's grassland, oak thicket, freshwater pond, and marshland habitats, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Additional activities include hiking, birding, picnicking, and fishing. Six leisurely hiking trails totaling 4.3 miles are available, but visitors must bring insect repellent as mosquitos are usually abundant. (See Shannon's Notebook for further details.) Camping is not permitted in the refuge. Aransas has a well-deserved reputation as one of the prime birding locales in Texas, as was in fact originally named Aransas Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Over 392 bird species have been cataloged in the area, including ducks, herons, egrets and other waterfowl. The refuge's most notable visitor, however, is the endangered whooping crane, one of the rarest animal species in North America. Each year from late-October to mid-April, the only wild flock of whooping cranes in the world makes its long journey south from Canada to winter in the protected habitat of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. As recently as the 1940's, only sixteen birds remained. The 2003-2004 winter census at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas resulted in a population record of 194 cranes! Taking a commercial boat tour of the bays and Intercoastal Waterway, offered by operators such as Whooping Crane Boat Tours and Rockport Birding & Kayak Adventures, provides an excellent opportunity to view whooping cranes and other bird species. Throughout April and May, large numbers of migratory songbirds grace the Texas coast. Ducks and geese are present from August through March, and year-round birding opportunities exist for roseate spoonbills, ibises, herons, and egrets. The 40-foot observation tower, located 5 miles down the one-way driving tour road, is equipped with two high-power spotting scopes to assist birders.