Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

Great Texas Birding Trail - UTC 049

FM 1985, Anahuac, TX (Directions)

Anahuac NWR is one of the premier waterfowl refuges on the Texas coast. Greater White-fronted and Snow goose flocks (with a few Ross’ mixed in) crowd the marshes and wet fields throughout the winter. After entering the refuge, travel the first road to the west toward Shoveler Pond Auto-Tour Loop. Least Bitterns (in summer), American Bitterns (in winter and migration), and Marsh Wrens (in summer) are common in these cattail marshes. Check the open waters of Shoveler Pond for Canvasbacks and Redheads (Masked Ducks have bred here in the past). Common and Purple gallinules are abundant breeders in the marshes that border the tour loop. American alligators and an occasional river otter can also be found here, swimming and sunbathing. After returning to the main entrance road, continue south toward East Bay. Short-eared Owls patrol these coastal prairies in the winter and spring (look around sunset). Sprague’s Pipits winter along the road east of Crossover Rd. Finally, the seemingly endless marshes in Anahuac are home to all of the regular rails in the U.S.—Clappers, Kings, Virginias, and Soras are all regularly seen here in spring.