TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet

Texas · Southeast

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Habitat

Lake

Best Seasons

Spring Fall Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 204 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Black-necked Stilt, American Oystercatcher, and Long-billed Curlew 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-necked Stilt American Oystercatcher Long-billed Curlew Willet Ruddy Turnstone

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

5/31/2026South Padre Is.--Birding and Nature Center2 observed

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

5/29/2026Primer Campo Pesquero, Tamaulipas, MX (25.817, -97.154)

Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

5/29/2026Pelagic Leg 13 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

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

5/26/2026Laguna Atascosa NWR--Lakeside Drive1 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

Common Yellowthroat (insperata)

Geothlypis trichas

5/19/2026UTRGV—Duckhead (Limited Access)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Northern Bobwhite

35/30/2026

Killdeer

15/30/2026

Wilson's Plover

55/30/2026

Willet

35/30/2026

Black Skimmer

25/30/2026

Least Tern

25/30/2026

Bewick's Wren

25/30/2026

Northern Mockingbird

15/30/2026

Cassin's Sparrow

15/30/2026

Lark Sparrow

35/30/2026

Eastern Meadowlark

45/30/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

55/30/2026

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

25/23/2026

Common Nighthawk

25/23/2026

Black Vulture

35/23/2026

Harris's Hawk

25/23/2026

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

15/23/2026

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

95/23/2026

Great-tailed Grackle

65/23/2026

Horned Lark

15/21/2026

Birding Tips

1
Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.
2
Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

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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 TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet for birding?▼

The best months to visit TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet?▼

Notable species at TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet include Black-necked Stilt, American Oystercatcher, Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone. The area supports lake habitats.

How difficult is birding at TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet?▼

Birding at TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet?▼

TX48 - Shrimp Basin Bridge / Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp/ San Martin Lake outlet offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.