Texas regional hotspots with Dottie Lamolinara and Bill Supulski.
- Alejandro Pinto
- May 15
- 8 min read
Updated: May 16
by Alejandro Pinto
Texas, a premier destination for observing one of nature's most spectacular events: bird migration. Every year, this vast and diverse state becomes a vital stopover for thousands of migratory birds traveling along the Central Flyway. From the lush wetlands of the Gulf Coast to the expansive plains and rugged hill country, Texas offers a rich tapestry of habitats that attract a wide array of species.
As a short introduction, due to its size and geographic location, Texas is unique among states, having 10 natural regions or ecoregions: the Piney Woods, the Gulf Prairies and marshes, the Post Oak Savanah, the Blackland Prairies, the Cross Timbers, the South Texas Plains, the Edwards Plateau, the Rolling Plains, the High Plains, and the Trans-Pecos
(https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education/online-course/wildlife-conservation/texas-ecoregions)
The first portion of the trip took place in the south Texas plains, gulf prairies and marshes. These expansive, wetland-rich landscapes serve as crucial stopover points for migratory birds, providing abundant food and shelter. During migration seasons, you can spot a variety of waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, and songbirds as they rest and refuel. The vibrant marshes are especially alive with activity, showcasing species like herons, egrets, ibises, and shorebirds. Birding here not only offers the chance to see stunning species up close but also highlights the importance of these ecosystems in supporting migratory bird health and biodiversity.
Specially birds like Warblers are not afraid of birders, they are in a hurry to refuel, hunting actively insects in flight, skulking under lives and tree trunks and using the fontains for a fresh bath before continue their journey towards north.
I was totally impressed by the infrastructure and organization of the birding spots, but also by the culture surrounding birding. Every spot was, if not packed, then at least bustling with birders trying to get good views or photos of the migratory birds. This dynamic somehow fosters a sense of community and creates places to socialize—of course, all centered around birds!
This year, it seems like the birds are a bit late; birding was slow with fewer sightings—maybe they were still on vacation in the Neotropics! But gradually, we started to add species. Since it was my first time birding in the northern part of the continent, many of these were lifers, even the common residents: Black-crested Titmouse, Curve-billed Thrasher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and the smallest owl out there, the Elf Owl, which was nesting in a post at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. After dark—and several mosquito bites—it came out of its nest and posed for a brief moment.
The South Padre Island Convention Center and Laguna Madre & Valley Land Fund provided an introduction to shoreline birding with higher chances of spotting migratory birds. We encountered several local residents, but also the Cape May Warbler, which made our morning! The patches of natural vegetation also gave us great views of several other species: Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, among others.
Estero Llano Grande State Park also located in the lower Rio Grande Valley near Weslaco. It’s well-known for its diverse birdlife and lush wetlands, making one of our favorite spots for birding in the area. the easy walk was highly productive and we recorded 53 species in few hours including the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Green Jay, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Olive Sparrow, Altamira Oriole, Hooded Oriole and migrants Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Yellow and Black-throated Green Warblers.
Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, situated along the Laguna Madre, with wetlands and coastal marshes that attract a diverse bird population boost the number of shore birds for the trip with over 60 of them reported during our visit, including a non-lifer American Flamingoe, somehow he made it all the way to here! All the areas nearby offers prime viewing of migratory birds, wading birds, pelicans, herons, ibises, and other waterfowl, with great facilities, observation decks, picnic areas and an accessible trail along the marsh.
Our main spots in Lower Rio Grande Valley area:
Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park
Estero Llano Grande State park
La Lomita historical Park
Boca Chica
Gulf Prairies and Marshes:
South Padre Island convention center and Laguna Madre & Valley land fund
To the north:
John F Kennedy Causeway Wetlands and Port Aransas area (Leonabelle Turnbull Birding, Hold Paradise Pond and the port area)
Port Lavaca
High Island, Smith Oaks Sanctuary
Galveston area
In the Piney Woods, we visited areas around Conroe, including Sam Houston National Forest and W.G. Jones State Forest. Here, I finally felt at home — tall trees, easy walks, and the challenge of identifying numerous birds singing from all over. Of course, we heard more birds than we saw!
The Piney Forest is simply beautiful and offered a different birding experience compared to the previous days. We started our morning there with sightings of the stunning Eastern Bluebird and the Red-headed Woodpecker, a couple of which were playfully exploring near their nest.
The Pine Warbler was singing high in the canopy, while the Carolina Wren called from the lower parts of the forest. A family of Wood Ducks perched atop an old pine, and finally, our main target appeared: the endemic and endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
A short stop on the way west at Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, we knew our main target—the Prairie Chicken—would be very difficult to spot, and unfortunately, we didn't see it. However, we still enjoyed a few hours watching birds in this beautiful refuge. The morning was filled with Northern Bobwhite, Northern Harrier, and a multitude of Dickcissels.
Our trip to west had several stops in what is locally know as the hill country. The Texas Hill Country is a scenic and culturally rich region in Central Texas, known for its rolling hills and charming small towns. It's roughly bordered by Austin to the east, San Antonio to the south, and extends northwest, here the main spots include the beautiful South Llano river park and areas near Fredericksburg.
South llano River Park, was amazing! the hills around, the river, birds blinds and birding experience. The park's location in the Texas Hill Country, part of the Edwards Plateau, places it along the Central Flyway, during the spring migration the park serves as a stopover for neotropical migrants and the bird blinds provides expceptional good chances for bird photography, without disturbing natural behaviors. At South Llano River Park, these structures are carefully integrated into the landscape while facilitating detailed observation of both resident and migratory species.
We were able to watch several good species including one of our main targets in the area, the Golden-cheeked Warbler. Since the park is in their exclusive breeding range, it's a key species there. Their nesting habits (using cedar bark and spider webs) and dependence on juniper-oak woodlands make the park's habitat critical.
But other very good species here: Black-capped Vireo, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Nashvilled Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo and Painted Bunting, Bewick´s Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, Spotted Towhee and many more.
During our Texas regional hotspots we visited not only the main migration flyways spots but also southwest Texas, focusing in areas near the town of Marathon and Big Bend National Park, including spots like: Lajitas, Terlingua, Chisos mountains basin campground and slightly north near the town of Marathon. In the southern areas because of the influence of Chihuahua desert and local geological story, creates a dramatic scenery and pristine environments, ideal conditions for birding.
We approached the national park, making a stopover in Marathon, a quiet, old-fashioned but charming town. A quick 45-minute stop at Gage Garden — a small park on the outskirts of town with very nice facilities — provided us with excellent birding! We saw American Pipit, Green-tailed Towhee, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Hermit Thrush, Wilson’s Warbler, and many other birds.
Nestled in the rugged southwestern corner of Texas, Big Bend National Park is a breathtaking sanctuary where desert, mountain, and river landscapes converge. Covering over 800,000 acres, with dramatic canyon walls, expansive deserts, and the winding Rio Grande. Big Bend offers an untouched glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the region.
During our first approach to the park and with the Chisos mountains in the back, the Catcus Wren gave us a warming welcome, Pyrrhuloxia, Loggerhead Shrike also were added to our trip list!
During our full day in Big Bend, we started early morning driving though the area and making stops along the way, for our surprise a couple of Coyotes walking quietly was our first sight, but also the Greater Roadrunner, a lot of Vermilion Flycatchers - specially in the picnic areas - Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blue Grosbeak among others.
Terlingua, the ghost town provide us incredible views of the Scaled Quail, singing on top of a fence, Lajitas provides good shots of the Zone-tailed Hawk soaring quite low and the Chisos basin campground the Mexican Jay!
Davis Mountains above Fort Davis was another amazing spot. Nestled in the Trans-Pecos region, this rugged mountainous area provides a diverse array of habitats—woodlands, shrublands, and high-altitude grasslands—that support a rich variety of bird species. The Davis Mountains are especially renowned for their diversity of southwestern birds, including regionally rare and endemic species such as the Montezuma Quail - of course a main target! -
With numerous scenic trailheads, canyons, and mountain peaks around. We simply walked inside the park, drove on the roads and make stops in the birds blind and our birds list was boosted! The bird blinds were great scenario for bird photography as well.
Our first sight early morning in the blind was the unique Montezuma Quail, male and female approach the water feature and grabbed some seeds, eventually we realized that this species was also visiting other blinds. Orioles, Buntings and Grosbeak were also part of this morning.
For our surprise during the drive we spotted a single Painted Redtstar, I jumped out of the car and managed to get a shot, it was one of the coolest birds of the area!
Other birds in Davis mountains includes: Woodhouse´s Scrub Jay, Canyon and Green-tailed Towhee, Acorn Woodpecker, Bushtit - with nesting material, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, MacGillivray´s Warbler, Townsend´s Warbler among others.
Last stop, Balmorhea Lake just to add few more, the beautiful Eared and Western Grebes but also new for our trip the Snowy Plover!
To end our trip we re-visited south padre island and for our surprise was very active and loaded with good migrants: Ovenbird, Northern Waterhthrush, American Redstar, Black-and-White, Cape May, Magnolian, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Yellow, Chesnut-sided, Bay-breasted and the last addition to the trip the Prairie Warbler.
Our trip ended with 248 species and 105 additions to my lifelist! you can check the map and full list by clicking on the link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/355469
I can't thank my friends and hosts Dottie & Bill enough, for such and opportunity and enriching trip, they were the coolest guides, drivers, and companions during the trip. super knowledgeable and super patient with my inexperience outside the Neotropics! they not only taught me about their birds, wildlife and geography but also introduced me a lot of culture, food and lifestyle.
here some of the best local dishes, starting with the Texas BBQ going throught sea food and ending with tons of delicious tacos, dessert and some beers!
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