Book Description
Birding is booming. The hobby (or, in many cases, passion, or even addiction) has been growing steadily for years, according to studies conducted by both governmental and private organizations. An amazing number of people -- more than 70 million, by one 2001 survey of recreation preferences -- say they participate in birdwatching.
Undoubtedly, many of these people simply put feeders in their back yards and enjoy watching the hummingbirds, chickadees, and goldfinches that show up. But just as certainly, more and more birders are venturing out to discover the fun of seeing new birds in new places, whether it's a drive through a national wildlife refuge or a guided walk at a nature preserve.
Once someone has discovered the joys and challenges of birding, it doesn't take long to learn that there are places in the United States that experienced birders visit as surely as geese fly south in the fall. These spots are to birders what the Rockies are to skiers, or Pebble Beach is to golfers. Such a place is the region encompassing the Texas Gulf Coast and the lower Rio Grande Valley -- now the home of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, a state-designated driving route connecting more than 300 birdwatching sites from the Louisiana state line to the Mexican border. Brown highway signs, marked with the profile of a Black Skimmer, point the way to these bird-rich destinations.
Exploring the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail examines highlights of this popular route: locations ranging from national wildlife refuges with tens of thousands of acres to small city parks to stretches of isolated road passing through birdy habitat. In this guide, expert birder/writer Mel White profiles more than 80 of the best sites along the trail, chosen for diversity of habitat, species, and seasonality; productivity; and accessibility. Site listings give general (and often specific) directions, contact information (including websites when available), advice about when and how to bird the location, and a listing of some of the notable species that might be found. Also featured are nearby museums, nature centers, festivals, and accommodations of particular interest to the visiting birder.
Undoubtedly, many of these people simply put feeders in their back yards and enjoy watching the hummingbirds, chickadees, and goldfinches that show up. But just as certainly, more and more birders are venturing out to discover the fun of seeing new birds in new places, whether it's a drive through a national wildlife refuge or a guided walk at a nature preserve.
Once someone has discovered the joys and challenges of birding, it doesn't take long to learn that there are places in the United States that experienced birders visit as surely as geese fly south in the fall. These spots are to birders what the Rockies are to skiers, or Pebble Beach is to golfers. Such a place is the region encompassing the Texas Gulf Coast and the lower Rio Grande Valley -- now the home of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, a state-designated driving route connecting more than 300 birdwatching sites from the Louisiana state line to the Mexican border. Brown highway signs, marked with the profile of a Black Skimmer, point the way to these bird-rich destinations.
Exploring the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail examines highlights of this popular route: locations ranging from national wildlife refuges with tens of thousands of acres to small city parks to stretches of isolated road passing through birdy habitat. In this guide, expert birder/writer Mel White profiles more than 80 of the best sites along the trail, chosen for diversity of habitat, species, and seasonality; productivity; and accessibility. Site listings give general (and often specific) directions, contact information (including websites when available), advice about when and how to bird the location, and a listing of some of the notable species that might be found. Also featured are nearby museums, nature centers, festivals, and accommodations of particular interest to the visiting birder.
Back Cover copy
From the Piney Woods of eastern Texas to the Rio Grande Valley bordering Mexico - a distance of more than 400 miles—the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail links 300-plus sites and offers birdwatchers access to such avian spectacles as Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Whooping Cranes, Painted Buntings, and Roseate Spoonbills as well as countless migrating songbirds, raptors, and waterbirds.
Expert birder Mel White profiles about one hundred of the best sites along the trail, chosen for diversity of habitat, species, seasonality, and accessibility. Locations range from national wildlife refuges to small city parks to stretches of isolated road passing through avian habitat. Inside you’ll find: advice about when and how to bird the location; driving directions and contact information, including Web sites; listings of notable species to look for; accommodations of particular interest to the visiting birder; nearby museums, nature centers, and festivals.
Whether you are a dedicated birder or simply wish to visit nature sites along the Texas coast, use Exploring the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail as your guide.
Expert birder Mel White profiles about one hundred of the best sites along the trail, chosen for diversity of habitat, species, seasonality, and accessibility. Locations range from national wildlife refuges to small city parks to stretches of isolated road passing through avian habitat. Inside you’ll find: advice about when and how to bird the location; driving directions and contact information, including Web sites; listings of notable species to look for; accommodations of particular interest to the visiting birder; nearby museums, nature centers, and festivals.
Whether you are a dedicated birder or simply wish to visit nature sites along the Texas coast, use Exploring the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail as your guide.
