Located on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Matagorda County is on the central flyway – one of four principal North American migratory bird routes. Bird enthusiasts flock to Matagorda County during the spring and fall migration seasons, specifically each December to spot any of hundreds of reported species during the Mad Island Christmas Bird Count.

The annual event is one of many counts sponsored around the nation by the prestigious Audubon Christmas Bird Count . Since 1997 the Mad Island event has led the nation in the largest number of species counted. Birders participating in the event try to observe the most species in a single day in a 15-mile diameter circle. Participants in the 2005 event reported observing 250 species. This year’s event is Dec. 18.

“ Matagorda County is a good birding spot at any season and an excellent one during migration,” said Betsy Terrel, programs supervisor at LCRA’s Matagorda Bay Nature Park, one of the sites included in the Mad Island Christmas Bird Count.

Terrel looks forward to the completion later this year of the park’s natural science center, where she plans to facilitate seasonal birding workshops among a variety of educational and recreational programs for children and adults.

“We’re going to partner with the community’s existing nature programs to bring more opportunities for people to observe birds and learn about and enjoy nature,” Terrel said.

Egret

Click here to see a photo slideshow of the 2005 Christmas Bird Count in Matagorda.