Birding Texas: Rockport Beach Park

Rockport, Texas itself is one of the most amazing bird watching spots in America. Rockport Beach Park is a very pretty beach located there, which offers up a sample of the bird watching that you can experience in Rockport. This is Texas' only "Certified Blue Wave Beach," meaning it is one of the cleanest, prettiest, most environmentally friendly beaches you will ever visit. (For more on the Blue Wave certification program click here.) But in addition to that, you will also get in some terrific bird watching. There is a bird watching observation deck there, where you can see many nesting species on the islands in the bay, as well as bird watching tours. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Rockport Beach Park in Texas, see below.

Least Tern. You can identify this small tern when bird watching at Rockport Beach Park in Texas from its black cap, white forehead, and white eyestripe, as well as its yellow bill with a black tip. It also has a light gray back and white underparts. Look for it plunge-diving for small fish at Rockport Beach Park in Texas. This is the smallest of the American terns.

Cattle Egret. Recognize this medium sized egret while bird watching from its stocky white body and the pale orange patches on its head, neck and back. It also has an orange bill, and orange eyes and legs. Look for it foraging for insects at Rockport Beach Park in Texas, where you are as likely to see it in the tall grasses as you are on the shore.

White-faced Ibis. Look for this medium sized wading bird along the coastal islands at Rockport Beach Park in Texas, where you will recognize it from its iridescent bronze body and its bare red face. It also has a long curved bill, and red eyes, legs and feet. You will find it feeding on frogs and fish at Rockport Beach Park in Texas.

Turkey Vulture. Identify this vulture while bird watching at Rockport Beach Park in Texas from its black body and red, featherless head and neck. One interesting fact about the Turkey Vulture is that it is one of the few birds of prey that uses its sense of smell to find prey. Turkey Vultures are more likely to be found hunting alone, rather than in flocks like Black Vultures.

Snowy Egret. Look for this pretty egret feeding on insects and fish in the water while bird watching at Rockport Beach Park in Texas. You will recognize it from its all white body, along with its long black bill and yellow lores. It also has yellow eyes and black legs with yellow feet. The plumes on its neck and head are long and feathery.

Brown Pelican. This is the only pelican that you will find along the ocean shores, rather than on inland lakes. Recognize it while bird watching at Rockport Beach Park in Texas from its large, heavy, dark body, as well as its short legs and tail. It also has the unmistakable large, pouched bill of a pelican. Look for it plunge diving for fish along the shores of Rockport Beach Park in Texas.

Source list:

Personal experience
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
http://identify.whatbird.com
http://www.cleanbeaches.com/beaches.html