Head to the Central Texas Coast this winter for great weather, quiet beaches, and some of the best birdwatching in Texas on Mustang Island.

Take a break by the water and enjoy some well-earned rest this winter. In addition to quiet beaches and mild temperatures, I was wowed by the birds on Mustang Island, part of the Central Texas Coast. With migratory songbirds of every color, birders and winter Texans flock to this area that includes Port Aransas, a popular Texas beach town. In 2020, Port Aransas earned the designation of Bird City Texas, a partnership between Audubon Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife to preserve birding habitats. If you are new to birding, or an avid birder, add Mustang Island and Port Aransas to your list for the best birdwatching in Texas.

Best Birdwatching in Texas

With coastal bays and barrier islands, approximately 400 bird species fly through the Port Aransas area, including some of the most impressive yellow birds in Texas. Some species stop over and rest on the Texas Coast before continuing to Mexico or Central America. Some birds choose Texas as their winter home, like the Whooping Crane and the Painted Bunting. Other species live on Mustang Island and neighboring North Padre Island year-round. The Central Texas Coast is a popular birding area from fall until spring and offers some of the best birdwatching in the U.S.

A whooping crane in flight at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Photo by wiliamhc via iStock by Getty Images

As one of the final U.S. departure points along the Central Flyway, a frontal system brings the birds to town as they take advantage of tailwinds. Some birds come in for a landing and use the tree and shrub cover for protection. Then the birds feed on nectar and bugs while using the freshwater ponds for bathing and drinking. 

Central Flyway in North America

Central Flyway comprises a large part of the Western U.S. and Canada and generally follows the Great Plains. With a good source of water and food along the route, some birds—like the Whooping Crane—begin their migration as far north as Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Canadian Geese and many other birds migrate south through Texas via Central Flyway. Photo by tntemerson via iStock by Getty Images

The Central Flyway touches the Mississippi Flyway. Birds west of the Rocky Mountains use the Pacific Flyway to get to the warmer weather of Central America. Birds from the Canadian Maritimes migrate down the eastern seaboard to Florida and beyond.

Top Birdwatching Hotspots 

Port Aransas plays host to birds with an island-wide effort, securing its role as the best birdwatching in Texas. By planting native plant species, the bird lovers of Port Aransas ensure that migrating birds can munch on bugs and sip on nectar. Each is essential, offering equal parts protein and sugar for the long journey. In addition to planting native plants, the area has reduced its invasive species that can overrun areas competing with beneficial natives.

Port Aransas ensures that birds have a safe and healthy habitat when they migrate. Photo by Kandfoto via iStock by Getty Images

Leonbelle Turnball Birding Center

With a 700-foot boardwalk overlooking freshwater wetlands, Leonbelle Turnball Birding Center is the most popular site for birding in Port Aransas. In addition to the boardwalk, find a covered observation tower, where visitors frequent spot Boots, the resident alligator. 

Located at 1356 Ross Ave. in Port Aransas, Leonbelle Turnball Birding Center is free and open daily from dawn to dusk.

See birds at the Leonbelle Turnball Birding Center.Photo by Catherine Parker

Port Aransas Nature Preserve

With three miles of hiking and biking trails, the Port Aransas Nature Preserve is a popular birding site. It features a mixture of coastal prairie with native grasses along with tidal salt flats next to the Corpus Christi Channel. With a covered pavilion, birders can see over the inlet and the salt flats beyond. The channel is popular with wild dolphins and brown pelicans.

Located at the end of Port St., the preserve is also free and open from dawn to dusk.

Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond

The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is a two-acre park that features a small freshwater pond—important for bird welfare. You can frequently find Blue-Winged Teals and Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks on Paradise Pond. 

You will frequently spot blue-winged teal (Anas discors) during the winter months at the Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond. Photo by mirceax via iStock by Getty Images

Located off Cut Off Road near the intersection of W. Avenue C, the Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is free for visitors and is open from dawn to dusk.

Mustang Island State Park 

With five miles of coastline, Mustang Island State Park is a popular birding hotspot and includes coastal sand dunes that can reach heights of 30 feet. The park has recorded 400 different bird species and offers a quiet stretch of beach south of Port Aransas in the off-season. 

Mustang Island State Park near Port Aransas. Photo by Catherine Parker

Reach Mustang Island State Park at 9394 State Highway 361 in Corpus Christi. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. Camping is available but you should make reservations online before your trip.

Padre Island National Seashore

As the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, Padre Island National Seashore is a vital part of the ecosystem with its natural dunes, coastal prairies, and the Laguna Madre—one of six hyper-saline lagoons in the world. Padre Island (not to be confused with South Padre near the Mexican border) offers a refuge for many species, including migratory birds and the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, the most endangered sea turtle species. 

Each spring, Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtles lay eggs on the beaches at Padre Island National Seashore. Photo by sdbower via iStock by Getty Images

Each spring, mother sea turtles come ashore and lay eggs in the sand then head back to the Gulf. Since 1978, teams of scientists and volunteers have dug up the eggs to ensure their safety. The teams then bury the eggs in the safe sand area away from predators. Then, in June each year, the volunteers release the tiny hatchlings as crowds watch and keep seabirds from snatching the turtles as they march towards the water.

Padre Island National Seashore entrance is at the end of Park Road 22 and is open 24 hours a day. A one-day car pass is $10 and a seven-day car pass is $25. 

The boardwalk at Padre Island National Seashore. Photo by Catherine Parker

Winter in Texas

With mild winter temperatures and the best birdwatching in Texas, Port Aransas and Mustang Island are popular destinations for winter, especially for people from the Midwest. This is such a popular winter destination that locals call the winter visitors Winter Texans. They usually follow the birds and arrive in October and start departing as the Spring Breakers flock to the town in March. 

Winter Texans love the mild winters and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in Texas. Photo by Kanokwalee Pusitanun via iStock by Getty Images

The weather in Port Aransas averages with highs the low 60s from December through February. The overnight temperatures hover in the low 50s.

Port Aransas is RV friendly with a dozen RV resorts offering a variety of amenities. Port Aransas Parks and Recreation host events for Winter Texans as well.

Take a Scenic Cruise 

Enjoy the sunset and look for dolphins on a scenic cruise during your Port Aransas stay. Climb aboard the Scarlet Lady to cruise along the Lydia Ann Channel looking for wild dolphins splashing in the water. 

In addition to dolphins, birds such as brown pelicans fly overhead. The brown pelicans nearly disappeared from Texas during the 1970s, though have made a comeback since the banning of DDT in 1972. 

Be sure to look for the brown pelicans that fly overhead during your cruise. Photo by Benton Thomas via iStock by Getty Images

During your cruise, see the Lydia Ann Lighthouse—the second oldest lighthouse in Texas. It was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1952. After that, the CEO of the HEB grocery store chain purchased it. He restored the light and it is now the only Texas lighthouse to have an on-site light keeper. 

The Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure is a 90-minute tour. It departs from Captain Kelly’s Deep Sea Headquarters at 440 W. Cotter Ave. in Port Aransas. Tickets start at $30. 

Take a scenic cruise and see wild dolphins.Photo by Catherine Parker

Where to Eat in Port Aransas

Ahoy Mateys! Head to Moby Dick’s Seafood Restaurant to satisfy your seafood cravings—fried, fresh, or grilled. It’s got the pirate ship, marlin on the wall, tiki bar feel that is a must for every beach trip. Find a cocktail menu full of tiki bar favorites and I recommend the Roasted Colada. For the littlest beachgoers, there’s also a kids’ menu.

You can find all the great seafood awaiting at Moby Dick’s Seafood Restaurant at 517 S. Alister in Port Aransas. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. 

Moby Dick’s Restaurant at Port Aransas. Photo by Catherine Parker

Where to Stay in Port Aransas

For quiet walks on the beach and the best birdwatching in Texas, consider Lively Beach Condominium Community on the southern end of Mustang Island, between Mustang Island State Park and the North Packery Channel Jetty. Lively Beach guests enjoy a section of beach to themselves, nestled in a nature reserve and with a private boardwalk over the dunes.

The Lively Beach complex includes a resort-style pool with a shaded lounging and dining area along with lots of loungers for sunning. Find a couple of rooftop decks with seating for stargazing. The outdoor kitchen area is perfect for burgers or grilling up your catch and features an attached dining area. Golf carts are also available for your stay.

Find studios with one bathroom to two bedrooms with three-bathroom units, all with an equipped and stocked kitchen. You might never leave Lively Beach condominiums during your visit to Mustang Island. With an eye towards conservation, the units are energy efficient and feature contact-less check-in.

The interiors offer a muted palette of sand-washed grays with seagrass accents. Find convenient additions like beach towels and plastic dinnerware for the pool.

Lively Beach is at 138 Zahn Rd., on Mustang Island, just south of Corpus Christi.

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When You Head to Mustang Island for the Best Birdwatching in Texas

Enjoy a quieter side of the Texas coast with a winter stay on Mustang Island and find lots of birds to keep you company. Be sure to check out more ideas on Wander for what you can do during your visit to Texas.

Find the Best Birdwatching in Texas on Mustang Island