THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Winter 2018-19 29 TheCoastalBend.com T hrough functions of geography and climate, Texas is the winter home to more bird species than any other state, and our coastal region in particular is the final migratory destination for thousands of flocks taking the Central and Mississippi Flyways south from Canada and northern Midwest states. A 1991 American Birding Association (ABA) study by Roland Wauer showed that Texas was the top bird watching destination in the United States for its members. In 1993 Texas Parks and Wildlife undertook a first of its kind project anywhere in the country, a system of trails, bird sanctuaries and nature preserves designed to provide better public access to the coast’s unequalled birdwatching opportunities. A year later the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail was inaugurated with the opening of its first section, the Central Coast Region, aka the Texas Coastal Bend. The plan and the concept were largely developed by Ted Eubanks and Madge Lindsay. Site improvements included trail markers, trail development, boardwalks, observation stations, and many others. The goal was both to encourage environmental protection and to establish a tourism network that would benefit businesses through- out the Texas Gulf Coast region catering to ecotourists. The Birding Capital of Texas is a title that can rightfully be expanded to cover the entire United States, and for good cause. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge north of Rockport is home to the only wild flock of Whooping Cranes in the world, which at one point numbered only 21, and today includes about 400 birds. Corpus Christi and Nueces County consistently earn the titles “Birdiest City” and coastal county, respectively, by the National Audubon Society. And of course, the Coastal Bend is where the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail was started. The Padre Island National Seashore is regarded worldwide as one of the most important bird sanctuaries, serving as the seasonal home to some 380 species— roughly half of all bird species identified in the United States—including 13 on the federal endangered list. Port Aransas and Mustang Island boast five viewing sites that are part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, including recently constructed boardwalks and observa- tion decks that take birdwatchers into the marshy habitats of so many rare local and migrating species. In addition to the self-guided birdwatching tours provided by the Birding Trail system, guided tours are available by private vessel as well as on party boats, which depart from Fulton Harbor north of Rockport and Port Aransas during the winter months. In addition to the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and national refuges, both the Goose Island and Mustang Island State Parks offer unique geographic characteristics and have their own sets of fees and rules for visitors. Like fishing and other recreational activities, birding opportunities are both unique and plentiful in all areas of the Coastal Bend, north to south, and evolve and grow as the winter progresses. So this year, visit often to see it all in The Birding Capital of Texas!