This tour offers the opportunity to see two sought after species with very limited ranges in North America; the federally endangered Whooping Crane and the federally threatened Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl.
A boat trip through the coastal marshes in and around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge provide up close views of Whooping Cranes along with an incredible diversity and abundance of waterbirds including Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Brown Pelican, and American Oystercatcher, among others.
We take a full-day local tour on the King Ranch, Norias Division – searching the extensive mesquite brushlands and oak mottes for the elusive Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. Formerly more widespread in areas of the Rio Grande Valley, this species is now restricted to private lands on the northern end of their range. In addition to the Pygmy-Owl, other species of interest include Tropical Parula, Botteri’s Sparrow, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Audubon’s Oriole, and several species of raptors including White-tailed Hawk and Harris’s Hawk.
From the diminutive Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl to the majestic Whooping Crane, this tour including the Central Texas Coast and the historic King Ranch, offers a birding adventure unlike any other.
Enjoy a 3-hour boat trip through the coastal waterways of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to get close views of Whooping Cranes.
Marvel at a variety of wintering shorebirds, waterbirds, and waterfowl in the bays and marshes of the Central Texas Coast.
Look for Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Audubon’s Oriole, and Northern Beardless Tyrannulet in the oak mottes and mesquite savannas of the legendary King Ranch.
Observe several species predominantly found in the Rio Grande Valley such as Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Long-billed Thrasher and Olive Sparrow.
Spot Aplomado Falcons on Mustang Island.
Dates: March 25-30, 2026
Price: $3,060 per person (DBL)
$475 single supplement
Deposit: $300 per person
Starts/Ends:
Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP)
This tour is limited to 8 participants
AVAILABLE: 8
The package includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6, ground transportation during the tour, entrance fees to parks/preserves, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, and guided services provided by the tour leader(s). This tour includes two local tours: a 3-hour boat tour to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the Whooping Cranes and a King Ranch tour. It does not include travel expenses including but not limited to airfare to and from the tour destination, travel insurance, extended stays (before and/or after the tour), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and items/expenses of personal nature.
OSCAR CARMONA
Moderate (2-3 miles of daily walking). Field time each day is typically between 7-10 hours (weather permitting). Most of the birding is done on trails, boardwalks, beaches and along the road as we drive to various birding locations. Walking on uneven, soggy terrain, or in the rain is possible. Days start with breakfast at the hotel and departure for the field between 6:30 to 7:00 am. We bird throughout the morning, take a break for lunch and resume birding until 5:00 pm followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.
Wednesday, March 25 – Day 1: Arrive at Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) before 2 pm. After meeting everyone at the airport, we drive to Rockport to check in to our hotel. If time allows, we try to get in a few hours of birding at local sites before the evening orientation session and welcome dinner. Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites, Rockport-Fulton.
Thursday, March 26 – Day 2: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Rockport. This morning, we take a 3-hour boat trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the Whooping Cranes and a variety of other wading, shore, and waterbirds. We have the opportunity to get close looks at family groups of Whooping Cranes as we cruise through these marshes brimming with bird activity. We are likely to see a large variety of waterfowl including Brown and American White Pelicans, White Ibis, Tricolored Heron and several species of wintering ducks. After the boat trip, we spend the remainder of the day birding in the Rockport area including Goose Island State Park and Rockport-Tule Creek Nature Preserve. These locations offer chances to observe a variety of wintering passerines and waterfowl. Overnight: Home2Suites, Corpus Christi Southeast.
Friday, March 27 – Day 3: King Ranch. We spend the day birding the Norias Division of the King Ranch. Norias is located on the southern end of the vast 825,000 acre ranch. The mesquite brushlands and oak mottes in this area are one of the few places in Texas where our target bird, the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, can be seen with some degree of regularity, although it is not guaranteed due to its secretive nature. Additional uncommon species of interest we may see include Tropical Parula, Audubon’s Oriole, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and Botteri’s Sparrow. The various habitats in the ranch host many species predominantly found in south Texas, including Harris’s Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Hooded Oriole, Green Jay, Olive Sparrow and Long-billed Thrasher. The King Ranch is a haven for wildlife; we have a good chance of seeing White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Javelina, and exotic Nilgai antelope. Overnight: Home2 Suites, Corpus Christi Southeast.
Saturday, March 28 – Day 4: Hazel Bazemore County Park, Pollywog Pond, and Corpus Christi. Today we focus our efforts on birding in and around Corpus Christi. Some of the sites on the western end of Corpus Christi, such as Hazel Bazemore County Park and Pollywog Pond, offer a sampling of the Rio Grande Valley with species including Least Grebe, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, and Great Kiskadee. We spend the afternoon visiting several birding spots in Corpus Christi including Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge and Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve, both sites providing views of the marshes and open waters of Oso Bay where we may see a variety of wintering ducks and shorebirds. We also visit Rosehill Cemetery and Blucher Park which are known to be spring migration hotspots. The wooded areas of these two sites support a variety of wintering passerines and occasional rare birds including Clay-colored Thrush and Tropical Parula. Overnight: Home2 Suites, Corpus Christi Southeast.
Sunday, March 29 – Day 5: Mustang Island. On our final full day, we drive east across Corpus Christi Bay to Mustang Island. The first stop is at Packery Channel Park to search the wooded areas for early spring migrants and overwintering passerines. The adjacent mudflats are ideal to find Wilson’s Plover and American Oystercatcher. The nearby Packery Channel Jetties are often a great place to scan the offshore waters for terns, gulls and possible pelagics. Heading north on the island, we make a stop to look for Aplomado Falcon which was reintroduced in this area several years ago. We end the day on the northern end of Mustang Island at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center where we may see a large variety of bird species including Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret as well as a variety of wintering ducks, shorebirds and marsh species including Clapper Rail and American Bittern. We visit the beach front on the island to look for shorebirds, gulls, terns and scan the offshore waters for pelagic species including Northern Gannet and Brown Booby. Overnight: Home2 Suites, Corpus Christi Southeast.
Monday, March 30– Day 6: Tour Conclusion & Departures. If time allows, we visit a few local birding spots in Corpus Christi to get in some last-minute birding before your flight home. We will arrive at the airport by no later than 11 am. Participant may arrange departure flights from Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) after 1 pm.
