32 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Winter 2018-19 TheCoastalBend.com TAMUCC Nature Trail University allows birders access to north shoreline of Oso Bay; piping and snowy plovers, roseate spoonbills and many shorebirds. Ocean Dr. south of Ennis Joslin Rd. Blucher Park This densely wooded park with a small creek flowing through its center attracts migrating landbirds. Stroll through the park and check every nook and cranny for flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers. The Audubon Outdoor Club conducts birdwalks every Saturday and Sunday in April at 7:30 a.m. N. Tancahua St. @ Blucher Dr. near downtown, enter @ Central Library Texas State Aquarium A bird rehabilitation center is operated out of the aquarium, and a number of injured and orphaned birds (such as pelicans) are kept on display. The aquarium also offers a rather extensive environmental education program, and information on area birds and birding is always available here. 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. on North Beach • texasstateaquarium.org Indian Point/Sunset Lake Indian Point is an exceptional spot for observing waterbirds. Look for various shorebirds on the tidal flats and along the beach, and search the bay for gulls and terns. Old Portland Road continues toward Portland for another 2 miles, eventually coming to Sunset Lake (look for loons, grebes, and diving ducks here). US Hwy 181 exit Old Portland Rd. from Causeway, on right. Fred Jones Nature Sanctuary This sanctuary, owned and managed by the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi, is well worth the side trip during migration. Situated on the upper reaches of Nueces Bay, and well vegetated with native brush (mesquite, blackbrush acacia, brasil, agarita, Texas olive), this tiny site is an oasis in the middle of miles and miles of barren agricultural fields. Landbirds crossing the bay are naturally drawn to this spot, and the selection of vireos and warblers here in spring may be sizable. From US Hwy 181 left on Moore Ave., left on County Rd. 69-E Hilltop Community Center The nature trail here traverses native brush habitat, so search for migrants as well as for residents (Groove-billed Ani, Pyrrhuloxia, Olive Sparrow). Walk along the creek and look for a variety of sparrows in winter (Swamp, Lincoln’s), and listen in late spring for the incessant“chick three beers” song of the White-eyed Vireo. 11425 Leopard St. north of Violet Rd. Pollywog Pond Used by the water department as settlement ponds, this collection of lakes and pools provides habitat for a rich assortment of waterfowl (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck). Look for Least Grebe here, as well as Least Bitterns in the summer. The willows that line the ponds attract migrants (as well as White-winged Doves and Great Kiskadee), and Groove-billed Ani is often seen here in the low scrub. Tule Lake (off the 7200 block of Up River Rd.) is often worth checking for waterbirds as well. Up River Rd. off IH-37, 2 miles north of Violet Rd. More Info Online at: tpwd.state.tx.us 71 73 74 76 70 72 77