Mustang Isl. - the Willows

Texas · Southeast

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

ForestWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Mustang Isl. - the Willows is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 276 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Black-crowned Night Heron, Red-winged Blackbird, and Great-tailed Grackle among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Black-crowned Night Heron Red-winged Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Phoebe

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

7/20/2026Auto selected 27.55145, -97.236241 observed

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

7/20/2026Home, Port Aransas, Texas, US2 observed

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

7/18/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

Masked Booby

Sula dactylatra

7/17/2026Offshore Port Aransas1 observed

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates castro

7/17/2026Offshore Port Aransas1 observed

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

7/16/2026Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture8 observed

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

7/16/2026Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture8 observed

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

7/16/2026Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture2 observed

Seaside Sparrow

Ammospiza maritima

7/15/2026Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Loggerhead Shrike

17/15/2026

Birding Tips

1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Texas

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Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Subtropical Rio Grande Valley forest with rare Mexican species found nowhere else in the US.

Big Bend National Park

Remote Chihuahuan Desert park with the only US breeding population of Colima Warbler.

Texas Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Texas →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Mustang Isl. - the Willows for birding?▼

The best months to visit Mustang Isl. - the Willows for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Mustang Isl. - the Willows?▼

Notable species at Mustang Isl. - the Willows include Black-crowned Night Heron, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Phoebe. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Mustang Isl. - the Willows?▼

Birding at Mustang Isl. - the Willows is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Mustang Isl. - the Willows?▼

Mustang Isl. - the Willows offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.