Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail

The hugely successful Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through 43 Texas counties, encompassing the entire Texas Coastal region. Completed in April 2000, the Trail features 308 distinct wildlife viewing sites. Enhancements such as boardwalks, parking pullouts, kiosks, observation platforms and landscaping to attract native wildlife have been constructed at a number of sites.

Each section of the trail (upper, central and lower coast) has a map showing 12-16 separate loops. The color-coded loops encompass an array of associated sites and birds and provide easy access to related information. Each site on the Trail is marked with a unique sign and site number designed to coincide with the site description on the map. The trail maps have information about the birds and habitats likely to be found at each site, Migrations and Winter are the best seasons to visit and Alvin makes an excellent base to explore the entire trail with several options for food and lodging available.

UTC 087 ALVIN MUSTANG BAYOU TRAIL

Suggested Seasons to visit: Migrations, Winter
Site open for day use only.

Located off Business 35 from State Highway 6 is the Mustang Bayou Trail in Alvin. A trailhead is located at the restored Historic Alvin Train Depot. Alvin is an ideal base from which to explore Brazos Bend State Park (UTC 117). While in the area, check the woodlands along the Mustang Bayou Trail.

Latitude: 29.42475
Longitude: -95.24389

UTC 109 AMOCO (CHOCOLATE BAYOU) NATURE TRAIL

Suggested Seasons to visit: All Seasons
Site open for day use only.

Located Northeast on FM 2004 is the Amoco (Chocolate Bayou) Nature Trail. The grasslands in this area (along CR 227 and FM 2004) support an impressive diversity of raptors. In addition, be sure to inspect the flooded rice fields in spring for American Golden-Plovers, Whimbrels, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. White-tailed Hawks have nested in previous years in the prairie across FM 2004 from the Amoco plant. To access the nature trail, park on the west side of FM 2004 near the Mustang Bayou bridge. Amoco has developed this area for wildlife watching, and the woods here (along Mustang Bayou) attract landbirds during migration.

UTC 110 AMOCO WETLANDS TRAIL

Suggested Seasons to visit: All Seasons
Site open for day use only.

Located on FM 2917 is the Amoco Wetlands Trail (1.1 miles from FM 2004). The ponds may be reached by walking the road (look for the GTCBT sign) to an observation platform. The road first passes through a sizable prairie (listen for Sedge Wrens in spring), eventually reaching the wetlands and pond. American Bitterns and Green Herons are often seen here, and migrant shorebirds often drop into the shallow wetlands during migrations.

UTC 111 SOLUTIA PRAIRIE

Suggested Seasons to visit: Migrations, Winter
Site open for day use only.

Also located in the Chocolate Bayou on FM 2917 is the Solutia Prairie (2 miles from FM 2004). Solutia has restored a significant tract of coastal prairie at this location, and Sedge Wrens and Le Conte’s Sparrows may be seen (or at least heard) here.