Good time to visit the Aransas Wildlife Refuge? (Port Lavaca, Rockport: health, area)

[CptnRn]

Years ago, roughly around this time of year, I helped a friend sail a sailboat down the ICW from Port Lavaca to Rockport. It was an all day trip. When we passed through the Wildlife Refuge the abundance of recently hatched out birds of every type was truly enchanting to see.

I have always meant to go back there and take one of the charter boat tours of the area again, when all the birds are hatching out. I would really like to see that again.

Is this a good time to go and see that again or have I already missed it? I know in past years we have often visit in April, and there were very few birds to see at that time, it was too late in the season.

[Marlow]

I'm pretty sure the Whooping Crane festival was held in Port A this past weekend, so I'm guessing it's still a good time. You can always call the refuge and ask.

[IslandCityGirl]

CptnRn, I know this info is probably too little too late for your purposes, but I took a boat tour through the Aransas Wildlife Refuge with some out-of-town guests just two days ago (Apr. 4) and was no less than dazzled by the variety and quantity of birds spotted.

Just to name a few highlights...
Whooping cranes are still around and were spotted throughout the preserve. Egrets were nesting (in large numbers, in close proximity to the boat's path) in full mating plumage (I had no idea what this meant until two days ago, but it's really neat). We were up close and personal with a large flock of spoonbills, in full crimson mating plumage. Blue herons, with lots of cute, fuzzy babies, were nesting in large numbers, also in very visible proximity to our boat. It was really special.

We went with "Whooping Crane Tours" out of Fulton Harbor. I definitely recommend them and I'll bet a quick phone call to them would offer specifics about what you can see when.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by IslandCityGirl

CptnRn, I know this info is probably too little too late for your purposes, but I took a boat tour through the Aransas Wildlife Refuge with some out-of-town guests just two days ago (Apr. 4) and was no less than dazzled by the variety and quantity of birds spotted.

Just to name a few highlights...
Whooping cranes are still around and were spotted throughout the preserve. Egrets were nesting (in large numbers, in close proximity to the boat's path) in full mating plumage (I had no idea what this meant until two days ago, but it's really neat). We were up close and personal with a large flock of spoonbills, in full crimson mating plumage. Blue herons, with lots of cute, fuzzy babies, were nesting in large numbers, also in very visible proximity to our boat. It was really special.

We went with "Whooping Crane Tours" out of Fulton Harbor. I definitely recommend them and I'll bet a quick phone call to them would offer specifics about what you can see when.

Sounds wonderful, thank you for sharing this information. I do remember that what I had seen before was truly remarkable. Unfortunately some health problems that developed prevented me from going this year but I will put it in on my calendar for next year.