Rockport & Lamar Peninsula · Texas Coast
Where Whooping Cranes Walk Across the Road.
The Texas coast between Rockport and the Lamar Peninsula is one of the most extraordinary birding destinations on the planet. We live here, we know every tide flat and marsh trail, and we want to share it with you.
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Whooping cranes at sunrise — Aransas NWR
Why Rockport Isn’t Just Another Birding Destination
The Central Flyway funnels hundreds of millions of migrating birds through the Texas coast every year. Rockport sits at the narrow point where land meets bay — and the birds have no choice but to stop here.
The Last Self-Sustaining Whooping Cranes
The Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock is the world's only naturally self-sustaining wild migratory whooping crane population — 560+ birds that have followed this ancient Texas flyway for thousands of years without human guidance. A second flock exists, but they learned their route by following ultralight aircraft flown by scientists. The cranes that come to Rockport? They figured it out themselves.
Hummingbird Highway
Every September, Rockport becomes the last fuel stop for millions of hummingbirds about to cross the Gulf of Mexico. Ruby-throated, Rufous, Buff-bellied — they swarm local feeders in numbers you have to see to believe. The Hummingbird Festival draws birders from across North America.
Year-Round Diversity
Over 400 species have been documented along the Texas Coastal Bend. Shorebirds in fall, waterfowl in winter, songbird fallouts in spring, nesting spoonbills in summer. There is literally no bad time to be here if you love birds.
Everything You Need for Your Rockport Birding Trip
Whooping Cranes
560+ birds — the world's only naturally self-sustaining wild migratory whooping crane population — winters right here. They walk across Beach Road. They wade tide flats 30 feet from your truck.
Where to See Them →
Hummingbird Festival
Every September, millions of hummingbirds funnel through Rockport on their way to Mexico. Ruby-throated, Rufous, Buff-bellied — they swarm feeders in numbers you have to see to believe.
Festival Details →
Birding Spots Guide
From Aransas NWR to the legendary Lamar Beach Road, we know every hotspot — and the quiet pull-offs the tour buses skip.
Explore the Spots →
Plan Your Trip
When to come, what to pack, how to get here — and the timing secrets that separate a good birding trip from a great one.
Start Planning →Seasonal Migration Calendar
There’s always something extraordinary happening on the Texas coast — here’s what to expect each season.
Hummingbird Festival (Sep). Monarch butterflies. Shorebird migration peaks. Cranes begin arriving late October.
Peak whooping crane season. Waterfowl everywhere. Raptors hunting the marshes. Boat tours in full swing.
Spectacular songbird migration — neotropical warblers and tanagers. Oysterfest (Mar). Cranes depart for Canada.
Roseate spoonbills. Wading birds nesting at Goose Island. Beach shorebirds. Quieter season — fewer crowds.
Our Favorite Local Shop
Can’t Leave Rockport Without Stopping at Hummingbird Company
Quirky bird art. Custom feeder mix. Whooping crane gifts. Locally inspired goods made for people who love birds as much as we do. It’s not just a shop — it’s a Rockport institution.
🛍️ Shop Hummingbird CompanyTrusted Local Partners
These are our people. We know them, trust them, and send our own friends to them.
Big Tree Cottages
Charming coastal cottages steps from Goose Island State Park. The perfect birding basecamp — roll out of bed and you're already at the hotspot.
Visit site →Texas Birding Photos
Stunning bird photography and Aransas Bay birding charters by locals who know every sandbar and tide channel.
Visit site →Hummingbird Company
Rockport's beloved bird shop — quirky art, feeder mix, whooping crane gifts, and everything a bird-obsessed visitor needs.
Visit site →Get Migration Alerts — Free
We’ll tell you when the cranes arrive, when the hummingbirds peak, and when that rare bird everyone’s talking about shows up at Connie Hagar. Seasonal emails only — no spam, ever.
Join thousands of birders who rely on Rockport Birding HQ for local intel.