Lake birding habitat

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake

Texas · Southeast

Habitat
LakeWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 257 species recorded on eBird. This lake and wetland habitat attracts American Kestrel, Northern Mockingbird, and Yellow-rumped Warbler among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Cactus Wren

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

4/12/2026Goose Island SP (CTC 048)1 observed

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

4/12/2026Guadalupe Delta WMA--Calhoun Co. (CTC 036)4 observed

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

4/10/2026Goose Island SP--Campground area1 observed

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

4/10/2026Guadalupe Delta WMA--Calhoun Co. (CTC 036)2 observed

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

4/10/2026Gypsy River cabin1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Dunlin

34/11/2026

Laughing Gull

104/11/2026

Tricolored Heron

24/11/2026

Reddish Egret

14/11/2026

Snowy Egret

14/11/2026

Western Cattle-Egret

44/11/2026

Turkey Vulture

14/11/2026

White-eyed Vireo

14/11/2026

Northern Cardinal

14/11/2026

Killdeer

14/11/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

14/11/2026

Forster's Tern

14/11/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

24/11/2026

Neotropic Cormorant

14/11/2026

Little Blue Heron

54/11/2026

Great Egret

54/11/2026

Great Blue Heron

34/11/2026

Osprey

14/11/2026

Northern Harrier

14/11/2026

Belted Kingfisher

24/11/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake for birding?
The best months to visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake?
Notable species at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake include American Kestrel, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia. The area supports lake, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake?
Birding at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake?
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Wild Hog Lake offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.