The Port Aransas Nature Preserve is made up of 4 sites, which include the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture, Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, and Wetland Park. The goal of these sites is to preserve and protect the coastal habitat of the hundreds of species that inhabit the area. All sites are open from dawn to dusk and are free to the public.
Book one of our Port Aransas vacation condos, and then take part in one of Port A’s favorite pastimes – bird watching.
Reminder: Hunting, fishing, beachcombing (shelling), seed collecting, pets, or alcohol are not allowed at any of these sites to protect the environment and wildlife.
Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture
The Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture is 1,280 acres of upland prairies, tidal flats, and marshlands. The preserve is one of the few remaining tracts of undeveloped land, serving as a sanctuary for over 30 native and migrating species of shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl throughout the year. Depending on when you visit, you may come across birds like the Snowy Plover, Wilson’s Plover, Dunlin, and the threatened Reddish Egret. It’s also a wintering site for the globally endangered Whooping Crane species.
The Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture has two entrances: the North entrance (Port Street entrance) and the South entrance (361 entrance).
Along with a pavilion, picnic tables, and restrooms, the North entrance features 3 trails:
Community Park Trail (1 mile), Clay’s Hill Trail (.25 miles with paved trails, viewing scopes, and ADA accessible), and the Salt Island Trail (2.2 miles with a boardwalk that takes you through the tidal salt marsh and leads you to the Salt Island Tower and connects to the Birding Center).
The South entrance includes a parking area and a shaded picnic area. You’ll find one trail here, the South Trail, which is about 1 mile long and switches from boardwalk to a granite trail. You’ll find an observation tower about ¾ of a mile into the trail, which overlooks the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture.
Weekly/Monthly Activities at the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture
– Nature Walk @ Salt Island Trail: Held monthly on the first Saturday. Take a FREE guided walk through the marsh, tidal flat, and grassland habitats, see birds, plants, and other critters. The walk begins at 8:00 AM, and registration is required on porta.recdesk.com. Be sure to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. The meeting point is at the Charlie’s Pasture Pavilion at the end of Port Street.
– Nature Preserve Yoga: A certified yoga instructor will teach adaptable types of Yoga, 12:30 PM each Tuesday at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture Pavilion.
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is a birders’ paradise. The center is a part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and offers two boardwalks that make up 1,200+ feet, two shaded observation platforms, benches, and two spotting scopes. You’ll walk over the area’s unique freshwater wetlands and get the chance to see spotted spoonbills, ducks, and more. The site is now connected to the Salt Marsh Trail at the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture, so you can extend your walk if you choose.
Weekly Activities at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
– Birding on the Boardwalk: Join experts at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center to experience birding from the boardwalk. This walk will be short along our boardwalk, but offers great vistas for watching all our wonderful birds. All experience levels are welcome, and binoculars are available for loan. No registration is required. The program begins at 9 am. Meet at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center picnic table in the front under the big trees.
– Nature Walk @ the Birding Center: Take a free guided walk through the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center & Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture along the South Trail. Walk along the boardwalk and through the marsh, tidal flat, and grassland habitats, and see birds, plants, and other critters. Registration required. Third Saturdays through November.
Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond
The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is located behind Restaurant San Juan. The 2-acre freshwater pond is home to several neotropical migratory birds during the spring and fall migratory season, so that is considered the best time to birdwatch. The boardwalk takes you through a pollinator garden and is now connected to the Community Park through a ¼ mile trail.
Wetland Park
Wetland Park offers a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, you’ll find a boardwalk that leads to a gazebo that overlooks the tidal flats. Come during the wet periods or when the tide is high to see visitors like shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds. Keep note of the birds you’ve seen and then write down the species on the chalkboard at the entrance of the birding area!
