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South Padre Sandbars

Texas South Padre Island  >  United States

A great spot to see sea and shorebirds. A sandy beach that changes because of the tides with dunes along the side.

Added* by Bouke Atema
Most recent update 23 april 2023

Description

I was at South Padre Sandbars in October while fall migration was still busy. I have seen 15 species of waders like Black-necked Stilt, Short-billed Dowitcher, Piping Plover, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Roseate Spoonbill, etc. As well both species of pelicans, many terns and skimmers such as Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern and Black Skimmer. In the dunes you can find birds like Killdeer and Western Meadowlark.

Details

Access

Passing the South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center and the South Padre Island Convention Center (two great places to check out as well) you will see a sandy road going towards the water. This looks like the entrance of a parking space with no car parked. You can drive over the mudflats like a lot of people do but of course youll be walking because the birds are not shy like most American birds. During the migration period you see birds everywhere because of the tides and different depths of water. You just have to walk around to have the light in your advantage.

Terrain and Habitat

Plain , Beach , Mud flats , Sea

Conditions

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration , Autumn

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Ot is also a place where herons and egrets forage such as the Great Blue Heron, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, etc. Brown Pelican, American White Pelican, Willet, Grey Plover and Marbled Godwit.

Best time like always the morning and end of the day. Texas can be hot and bright so during the day I went to areas with more trees.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

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