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ViewsQuintana Neotropical Bird SanctuaryFrom Opus The entrance to Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, showing the observation tower, March 2009
[edit] OverviewThis is a small bird sanctuary, managed by the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, on the Upper Texas Coast, close to the towns of Freeport and Lake Jackson. It is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, site no. UTC 121. In the Spring and Fall it attracts neotropical migrants. There is easy access to beach front and jetties for additional birding from here.
 [edit] Birds[edit] Notable SpeciesSpring migrants, such as warblers, vireos, buntings, thrushes and hummingbirds often rest and recuperate for a few days here after crossing the Gulf of Mexico, in March and April. [edit] RaritiesPurple Sandpiper on the jetties in the winter of 2003. Pyrrhuloxia in March 2008. Kelp Gull in November 2008.  The water drip feature at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, March 2009. The tree cover was extensively damaged by Hurrricane Ike in Sept. 2008 [edit] Check-listBirds you can see here include: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Common Loon, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Magnificent Frigatebird, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Green Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Franklin's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Royal Tern, Forster's Tern, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, Common Nighthawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse,House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Nelson's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow [edit] Other WildlifeGray squirrel, skunk, raccoon.  [edit] Site Information[edit] History and UseQuintana, is an island located south of Freeport and Lake Jackson, between the mouth of the Old Brazos River and the New Brazos River. There has been a community here since 1532. The area is very industrial, with chemical plants and busy seaports. In 1994 the town of Quintana purchased a small tract of land, across from the Town Hall, with the help of a grant from Partners in Flight. It was an overgrown salt cedar lot, but has been improved by the addition of a nature trail, water features, benches and an observation tower, with the help of funds and volunteers from the local chemical companies. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike damaged the sanctuary and a lot of the tree cover was lost. Local volunteers have worked hard to clean up the sanctuary in preparation for the busy spring migration season. [edit] Areas of InterestNearby areas are:
 The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail sign for site UTC-122: Quintana Beach County Park [edit] Access and FacilitiesThe sanctuary is open daily from dawn to dusk, all year. There is no entrance fee, but donations towards upkeep are appreciated. During the month of April, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will have staff at Quintana daily, during their "Spring Fling" event. A photo blind (hide) has been added to the features in the sanctuary. [edit] Contact DetailsGulf Coast Bird Observatory [edit] External Links
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