Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road)

Texas · Southeast

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

GrasslandWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 233 species recorded on eBird. This grassland and wetland habitat attracts Plain Chachalaca, American Coot, and American Herring Gull among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Plain Chachalaca American Coot American Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Neotropic Cormorant

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

6/2/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

6/1/2026822 E Taylor Street, Harlingen TX 785501 observed

Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla

5/31/2026822 E Taylor Street, Harlingen TX 785501 observed

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

5/31/2026Resaca de la Palma SP WBC (Brownsville) (LTC 048)2 observed

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

5/29/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

5/29/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center2 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

5/27/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

5/27/2026Laguna Atascosa NWR--HQ and Kiskadee Trail1 observed

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

5/26/2026115 West Pompano Street, South Padre Island, Texas, US (26.099, -97.168)1 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

5/23/2026South Padre Is.--WBC/Conv. Center/Laguna Madre Trail (LTC 035)1 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

5/21/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

5/21/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

5/21/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

5/21/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center1 observed

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

5/20/2026Santa Monica Wetlands (LTC 012)4 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

46/2/2026

Plain Chachalaca

66/2/2026

Northern Bobwhite

16/2/2026

Common Ground Dove

106/2/2026

Mourning Dove

76/2/2026

Common Nighthawk

16/2/2026

Black-necked Stilt

46/2/2026

Killdeer

16/2/2026

Willet

166/2/2026

Laughing Gull

16/2/2026

Gull-billed Tern

26/2/2026

Reddish Egret

16/2/2026

Great Blue Heron

36/2/2026

Turkey Vulture

16/2/2026

White-tailed Hawk

16/2/2026

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

46/2/2026

Crested Caracara

56/2/2026

Couch's Kingbird

16/2/2026

White-eyed Vireo

26/2/2026

Horned Lark

46/2/2026

Birding Tips

1
Scan fence posts and utility wires for perching raptors and kingbirds.
2
Walk field edges at dawn when sparrows and grassland species are most vocal.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Auto Tour Route

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) for birding?▼

The best months to visit Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road)?▼

Notable species at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) include Plain Chachalaca, American Coot, American Herring Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Neotropic Cormorant. The area supports grassland, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road)?▼

Birding at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road)?▼

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie Trail (south of General Brant Road) offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.