Plan to arrive at Corpus Christi Airport by early afternoon. We'll head north along the coast where species such as Roseate Spoonbill, Long-billed Curlew, American White Pelican, Reddish Egret, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Neotropic Cormorant are just a few of the many exciting birds that we'll see. Overnight in nearby Rockport.

A morning boat trip out of Rockport Harbor on the Wharf Cat will give us our best chance to see the endangered Whooping Crane, hopefully at close range; more than 200 have wintered in this area in recent years. We should easily find 50 or more additional species during our morning on Aransas Bay. Tomorrow is reserved as a back-up day for the boat ride, just in case of bad weather. We'll spend the afternoon at Aransas NWR. There we'll see lots of American Wigeon and Redheads and try for Great Horned Owl, Collared Peccary, and many Armadillos in the picnic area. American Alligator is almost guaranteed. Second night in Rockport.

We'll head south to the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens, where we have seen Bobcat and Coyote on previous tours. Birds that we are likely to find include Lark Sparrow, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Sandhill Crane. Near Kingsville we will see Great Kiskadee, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Crested Caracara. Masked Duck and Northern Jacana are two rarities that are always possible, especially in the ponds near Riviera. We'll search as many of these ponds as time allows. Overnight in Brownsville on the Mexican border.

Our first stop is Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, maintained by the National Audubon Society to preserve the largest remaining stand of this native palm tree. Avian specialties include White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, and Buff-bellied Hummingbird. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat has been regular here for several years. South Padre Island is excellent for rails, raptors, and shorebirds, including our first Piping Plovers. Late in the day we'll look for Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Green Parakeet, and Red-crowned Parrot. One year at this time we were happily surprised with a Tropical Parula! A second night in Brownsville.

Today we look forward to a full day of birding in the 45,000-acre Laguna Atascosa NWR, on the inland side of Laguna Madre. We'll look for Aplomado Falcon, Harris's Hawk, Marbled Godwit, Sedge Wren, King Rail, Olive Sparrow, and Groove-billed Ani. Half a million or more Redheads winter here, along with an abundance of other waterfowl. Late in the day we should see Lesser Nighthawk, Plain Chachalaca, Wild Turkey, and Nine-banded Armadillo, as we have in past years. A third night in Brownsville.

Our morning at Santa Ana NWR should produce Green and Ringed Kingfishers, Least Grebe, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and perhaps a Hook-billed Kite. Previously we have seen Bobcat and Texas Coral Snake. After a stop at the refuge visitor center and bookstore, we'll finish the day at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. Target birds at Bentsen include lots of Plain Chachalacas, Altamira Oriole, Barn Owl, and Pauraque. Clay-colored Robin and Blue Bunting are sometimes found here. One year we were lucky enough to discover an immature Roadside Hawk, the fourth ABA record! We'll make time for a visit to the Frontera Audubon Sanctuary, especially if any rarities are being seen there. Overnight in McAllen.

A drive west will take us to Falcon Dam for our morning birding. We should see Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Scaled Quail, and possibly Muscovy Duck. Falcon State Park should produce Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrrhuloxia, and Greater Roadrunner. Salineno is often good for Altamira and Audubon's Orioles, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Ground-Dove, Zone-tailed Hawk, and Gray Hawk. San Ignacio is the most reliable location for White-collared Seedeater in the Valley. A second night in McAllen.

Our first stop is the El Canelo Ranch, famous for its resident Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls. We'll look for White-tailed Hawk, Vermilion Flycatcher, Lesser Goldfinch, Grasshopper Sparrow, and lots more waterfowl that may include Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Mottled Duck. Sprague's Pipit has become regular here, often observed well through the spotting scope. We'll drive to the coast and spend the night in Corpus Christi.

We'll begin at Hans Suter Park on Oso Bay for more great Texas birding, close-up and personal. Roseate Spoonbill, Long-billed Curlew, American White Pelican, Reddish Egret, and Neotropic Cormorant are just a few of the many species we'll see. The boardwalk at Hans Suter is a nature photographer's dream-come-true! We'll bird some of the barrier beach islands as time allows, especially looking for Snowy Plover and Northern Gannet. Overnight in Corpus Christi.

This morning we'll look inland for Mountain Plover, and then scan the ocean for Sandwich Tern and Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphins. We'll return to the Corpus Christi Airport for our early afternoon flights home.

Our Texas Gulf Coast - Lower Rio Grande Valley Tour will be led by Bob Schutsky or John Puschock, both of whom are intimately familiar with this region and enjoy exploring it with you.

$2095 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge of $435.

Expert guide service, lodging for 9 nights, ALL meals, entrance fees, ground transportation within Texas, and the Whooping Crane boat ride. ALL tips are also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish to give to your tour leader(s) and boat captain.
Does not include the cost of airfare to and from Corpus Christi, Texas. BIRD TREKS will, upon request, gladly help you obtain the best possible airfare. Also not included are the cost of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.

A $500 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 1 Dec 2007.

We offer the services of our exclusive BIRD TREKS travel agent, Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 years of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail lori@baileytravel.com. By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.

With written notice more than 60 days prior to the first day of the tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $75 service fee. With 30-60 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your spot on the tour. No partial refund can be given once a tour begins. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the following link to Access America or contact BIRD TREKS for information on obtaining this coverage.