Rockport Birding Circuit
The legendary Connie Hagar route — six key stops along the Coastal Bend
Connie Hagar made these routes famous. Starting at the sanctuary that bears her name, this half-day driving circuit hits the best birding spots in the Rockport area — from colonial waterbird nesting colonies to harbor diving ducks. Excellent any season, exceptional during spring migration (March–May) and winter (November–February).
★ Tour Highlights
- ✓Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary — legendary spring migrant trap
- ✓Rockport Beach Park Bird Island — Black Skimmer and Reddish Egret nesting colony
- ✓Bent Oaks Rookery — Great Blue Heron and Great Egret nesting
- ✓Rockport Harbor — diving ducks and loons in winter
- ✓Fulton Harbor — Magnificent Frigatebird in summer, Common Loon in winter
Tour Stops
Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
Birding Site1429 S Church St, Rockport, TX 78382
1429 S. Church St. Start here — 6.25 acres of oak motte and native grasses. In spring migration, every oak can be dripping with warblers. Wheelchair accessible.
Rockport Beach Park
Birding Site319 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382
319 Broadway St. Drive 5 minutes north to Rockport Beach. Walk to the observation platform overlooking Bird Island — Reddish Egrets, Black Skimmers, and Tricolored Herons nest here in spring and summer. Entry fee required.
Bent Oaks Rookery Park
Birding Site1401 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382
1902 E. Maple St. A short drive to Little Bay — the massive live oaks across from the water hold an active Great Blue Heron and Great Egret rookery, federally protected. 14-space parking lot.
Rockport Harbor
Birding Site320 Veterans Memorial Dr, Rockport, TX 78382
320 Veterans Memorial Dr. Walk the harbor perimeter — best in winter for Common Loon, Redhead, Bufflehead, and occasionally Pacific Loon.
Rockport Demo Bird Garden & Wetlands Pond
Birding Site2402 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382
2002 Tule Park Dr. The Pathways native plant demonstration garden and constructed wetland pond — great for a quick stop between harbor and Fulton.
Fulton Harbor
Birding Site250 Deforest Loop, Fulton, TX 78358
250 Deforest Loop, Fulton. End at the commercial fishing harbor — Brown Pelicans year-round, Magnificent Frigatebird in summer, Common Loon and American White Pelican in winter.
Tour Details
- Type
- birding
- Transport
- Driving Tour
- Duration
- 4h
- Distance
- 15 miles
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cost
- Free
Make a Weekend of It
Rockport has all four tours plus guided boat tours and 35 birding sites. Stay a few days and explore it all.
