Port Lavaca Bird Sanctuary

As I was travelling to and from the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, I kept seeing the sign for the Port Lavaca Bird Sanctuary.  I didn't have time to visit on that weekend, so I drove a little out of my way on the trip home from Palmetto State Park.

I'm linking this photo to Sunday Bridges.  The pedestrian walkway crosses the coastal marsh to a birding tower, continues along the beach, and ends at a grassy field.    

The Willet, which I found near the birding tower, showed off his striking wing pattern.  

The Long-billed Curlew peeked out from the marsh grass near the beach.

I thought the Great Egret, which was stalking his dinner in the shallow bay water, might be spooked by a pair of loud teenagers pointing and shouting, "Look at that one!"  He ignored all of us.

There were joggers and a few noisy children that crossed my path, but the birds seemed to know they were safe from people on the bridge and weren't disturbed.

I found Savannah Sparrows in the grassy field.  No bridge here, just a sidewalk, so the birds are a bit more cautious of approaching humans.  They did allow me to watch and photograph them as long as I kept my distance.

The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Central Texas Coast
CTC: 030
Date of visit:  2/16/2014
Time of day:  Late afternoon
Temp:  70's (F)
Conditions:  Partly sunny, sea breeze
Species Identified (16):  Western Sandpiper, White Ibis, Rock Pigeon, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Long-billed Curlew, Lesser Yellowlegs, Great Egret, Laughing Gull, Savannah Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, Eurasian Collared-Dove, European Starling, Great-tailed Grackle, Snowy Egret, Brown Pelican