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Photo by HelenB
Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary in April 2008, before the area was impacted by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008

United States, Texas

Overview

Located on the southeast Texas coast, the Bolivar Peninsula is essentially a washover bar separating Galveston Bay to the north, from the Gulf of Mexico to the south. At the southern end is the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, 1,146 acres consisting of coastal beach with mudflats and this the prime birding spot on the peninsula. The beach was extensively damaged by Hurricane Ike in Sept. 2008, but is recovering well. Other nearby spots on the tip of Bolivar Peninsula (all west of Retillon Rd) are also birdy, including French Town Road, Fort Travis Seashore park, ferry landing at tip of peninsula. See below in External Links for a map of the area.

The Bolivar Peninsula is on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, site nos. UTC 56-60. See External Links.¹

• Spring Migration 2011 - see below in External Links for a link to the Houston Audubon website.²

Birds

Long species lists are turned up here each month. For example 100 species were seen in 4 of the last 12 months. Minimum number of species was 73. Each monthly count was only over a 3 hour period in a relatively small area by less than 10 participants.

Notable Species

To do

Photo by HelenB
Birds on the shore at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo

Photo by HelenB
American Avocets and other shorebirds, Bolivar Flats, April 2008. Click on image for larger photo

Rarities

To do

Check-list

• Official Checklist

Birds you can see here include:

275 Species reported from Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (see external link)

Other Wildlife

To do

Site Information

History and Use

The Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary was first established in the late 1980's, with the permission of Galveston County. The beach was closed to vehicles with the building of a vehicular barrier. Over the years more land was acquired and the sanctuary is now 1,146 acres in size. The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network recognizes it as a site of hemispheric importance, and National Audubon Society and Birdlife International, as an Important Bird Area.

Areas of Interest

• Every third Saturday a species count occurs at Bolivar Flats, sponsored by Houston Audubon, which is an excellent way for visitors to learn from local experts. It begins at 8am at the ferry landing.
• During Spring migration (mid-March to mid-May) there are volunteers at Bolivar Flats, with spotting scopes, to help visitors with shorebird identification.
• Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary
• Rollover Pass

Access and Facilities

You can drive right up to the ocean's edge on the flats themselves but be careful or you'll get stuck in the mud.

Directions

• From Houston take I-45 South to Galveston. In town I-45 turns into Broadway. Follow Broadway to Seawall Boulevard. Turn left on Seawall. Turn left on Ferry Road to the terminal (ferry is free of charge). You will exit the ferry on Hwy. 87. Follow this for 3.7 miles to Retillon Road. Turn right and drive to the beach. Turn right on the beach and drive on the beach to the vehicular barricade where you may park.
• From Fifth Street in High Island, turn left onto Hwy. 124. Go to the stop sign. Turn right on to Hwy. 87 and it is about 25 miles to Retillon Road . Turn left on Retillon and drive to the beach. Turn right on the beach and drive on the beach to the vehicular barricade where you may park.
• Driving along the beach is free, but parking permits are required if you intend to park anywhere on the beach. To visit the shorebird sanctuary, you must park at the vehicular barrier and enter the sanctuary on foot. The fee is $10.00 a year (from March 1st, 2011 - Feb. 28th, 2012) and permits are available from most stores and real estate agents on the peninsula, or by contacting the Galveston County Parks Department in advance of your trip: Galveston County Parks Department, 4102 Main (FM 519), La Marque, Texas 77568; Tel: 409-934-8100.

Contact Details

Houston Audubon Society
440 Wilchester Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079
Tel: 713-932-1639

Email: info@houstonaudubon.org

External Links

• Updates on happenings at the HAS Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary for Spring Migration 2011
• Horseshoe Marsh Sanctuary
• Map of Bolivar Flats area
• Link to Monthly Bird count lists
• Link to 275+ species seen at Bolivar Flats (per eBird)
• Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail

Content and images posted by bernerjc and HelenB

Reviews

bernerjc's review top spot on the Upper Texas Coast for shorebirds. free. Only downside is hard to get to from Galveston /Houston. Must take car ferry which is fast in winter but requires long waits in the spring/summer during middle of day