Millions of birds migrate north from the American tropics to the forest and plains of the Eastern United States. They travel over the open Gulf of Mexico. When they reach the Texas-Louisiana coastlines they either put down due to the inclement weather or continue inland during fair weather. During late cold fronts, migrants will stop along the coastal prairies in groves of trees that dot the coast. The bird numbers can reach into the thousands when conditions are perfect.
Conditions vary and many migrants move inland during mild weather.
The coastline to 25 miles inland will teem with birds. Texas Marshland Tours provide access to J. D. Murphree Wildlife Refuge, and the Blue Elbow Swamp via boat. Both of these refuges offer great birding experiences. The J. D. Murphree Refuge consist of 25,000 acres of coastal marsh teeming with birds. On your tour you can expect to see Common Moorhen American Coot, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Purple Gallirule, Black Crowned Night Heron, Tri Colored Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, and also many Raptors such as Black Shouldered Kite, Broadwing Hawk, Red Tail Hawk, American Kestrel.