SANTA GERTRUDIS CREEK
Hooded Oriole by www.naturespicsonline.com
At the juncture of Bus.77 and TX 141 the Santa Gertrudis Creek forms a
rather sizable pool, and the surrounding trees and brush draw a variety
of south Texas species such as Great Kiskadee, Couch’s Kingbird, Green
Jay, Pyrrhuloxia, and Audubon’s Oriole. In an otherwise arid landscape,
this lush oasis also attracts land birds as they migrate north in spring.
Look for Lark Bunting flocks in winter along the shoulder of TX 141 as
you head toward Kingsville, and be vigilant for White-tailed Kite, Whitetailed Hawk, and Harris’s Hawk.
KING RANCH
A must stop is the legendary King Ranch. King Ranch offers public bus
tours of the famous ranch, great nature trips and you can even arrange a
trip solely devoted to bird watching. A number of south Texas specialties, extremely rare anywhere in the United States, are relatively common
there on the ranch.
Another great spot for viewing birds is University Boulevard on the Texas A&M-Kingsville campus. The Hooded Oriole resides here, so drive
slowly and take a look around for nests in the scattered palm trees. That
“once-in-a-lifetime” photograph could be yours!
DICK KLEBERG PARK
Next on the Kingsville Loop is Dick Kleberg Park. Walk the trail along the
lake in winter to see Vermilion Flycatcher, a variety of waterfowl (including Black-bellied Whistling-Duck), Lark Sparrow, and in summer look
under the bridge at the north end of the lake for nesting Cave Swallows.
Resident species here include Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, and Curve-billed and Long-billed
Thrashers. Check the short grass fields for both pipits (Sprague’s is uncommon).
SANTA GERTRUDIS CREEK
BIRD SANCTUARY
While exploring the Santa Gertrudis Creek Bird Sanctuary, walk the
levee to view the extensive marsh and its inhabitants: Least Grebe,
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Purple Gallinule (summer),
Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and a variety of herons and egrets.
King, Sora, and Virginia Rails winter here (listen for their calling in late winter and early spring). Look for Great Kiskadee and Green Jay in the surrounding mesquite woodlands.
Cave Swallows nest in summer in the culverts under FM 1717.
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