DRUM POINT AND
KAUFER-HUBERT
HUBERT MEMORIAL PARK MEMORIAL PARK
These two sites are about a 20 minute drive southeast of Kingsville and
offer the best possibility for large numbers of waders, waterfowl, and
shorebirds on Cayo del Grullo, an arm of Baffin Bay, itself a Laguna
Madre bay. From fall into spring the bay before you may have flocks
of pelicans, ducks, gulls, and terns. Southern Laguna Madre is the major wintering location for Redhead, and this species may be present
in large numbers along with Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck,
and more. Watch for Common Ground-Dove, Groove-billed Ani, the
two thrashers, Pyrrhuloxia, and Painted Bunting (in summer) along
the fencerows.
Proceed to Loyola Beach and veer south before reaching the town.
Veer south on FM 628, eventually angling left to Arana Creek and
Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Park (watch for the signs). As you enter the
park search the wetlands and mudflats at the mouth of Vattmann Creek
for herons, egrets, and shorebirds (Wilson’s Plover nest commonly here,
Semipalmated, Snowy, and Piping occur in winter, and species such as
Stilt, Pectoral, and White-rumped sandpipers may appear in spring).
The ponds inside the park may contain flocks of waterfowl (Greater
Scaup, Black Scoter, and Surf Scoter have appeared in the past), and
look in the brushy areas around the park for Common Ground-Dove,
Green Jay, and Olive Sparrow.
RIVIERA FISHING PIER
Retrace your path to FM 628, and turn south toward Riviera Beach
and the Riviera Fishing Pier. The fishing pier overlooks the mouth of
the Laguna Salada. Scan the waters for grebes, pelicans, and waterfowl.
Residents in Riviera Beach often lure Green Jays to feeders, and look for
Groove-billed Ani in the thick brush along the road.
LOUISE TRANT
BIRD SANCTUARY
Return on FM 771, west to Riviera and travel north
on US 77. Be on the lookout for the Louise
Trant Bird Sanctuary just north of the intersection. Soras winter in this pond,
and Yellow-headed Blackbirds may
frequent the cattails in spring. Among
the rarities that have appeared here are
Red-billed Pigeon and Masked Duck.
HAWK ALLEY
No birding adventure
would be complete
without a visit to
Hawk Alley.
Green Jay by Alan WIlson
12
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