Play Port Arthur’s Bird Bingo!
A Willet Away from BINGO?
Port Arthur’s always birdy. Spring and fall migration are showstoppers. Sabine Woods, Sea Rim State Park and Pleasure Island are hotspots In in Port Arthur, the Cajun Capital of Texas. That’s why we couldn’t wait to be part of Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Texas Bird Bingo.
How to Play
Easy. Get out there and start looking for our beautiful birds. Bring family, bring friends, bring BINOCULARS!
You can play by region, or play all of Texas through Nov. 30, 2024. Participants who complete a Bird Bingo will be entered to win:
- A birding excursion with a Texas Audubon master birder (30 winners)
- One grand prize winner (1) will win a tour of a bird sanctuary island off the Texas Gulf Coast.
- Read the rules here.
Where to Get a Bingo Card
Stop by the Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau office or Sea Rim State Park to pick up a card, or download one sponsored by us, Visit Port Arthur and Galveston FeatherFest. The link to the Gulf Coast Region cards is right here.
Start at Sabine Woods
Sabine Woods is the first land birds see as they fly in for spring migration. The oak mott is internationally famous for attracting thousands of “first landing” migrants each year. Warblers, Viereos, Grosbeaks, Flycatchers, Thrushes, Tanagers and Orioles visit March through May. Painted Bunting and Scarlet Tanager are among the showiest of visitors. Sabine Woods features paths under a canopy of trees, a pond, drips and a mulberry patch that Cedar Waxwings love.
Sea Rim State Park & Gulf Coast Faves
Our upper Texas Gulf Coast invites shore birds who love to fish the coast. American Avocet, Ruddy Turnstone, White Ibis and Brown Pelican are among beach favorites Sea Rim State Park’s foamy Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Catch Heron while secluded at Pleasure Island’s new bird blind or look for Pelicans along the jetties of Sabine Lake. Showy pink Roseate Spoonbills are a local favorite, adding color to the marshland. The sound of Laughing Gulls just make your picnic better. Nearby hotspots include:
- Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge, full of trees for an easy “quick look” for Orchard Orioles and wrens.
- McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge offers a driving trail with fishing piers and observation platforms.
- Clam Lake, at the McFaddin refuge, draws waterfowl in winter. Kingbirds, Orchard Orioles and Crested Caracara are some regulars.
Bird Port Arthur, Texas
Port Arthur is in both the Central and Mississippi Flyway, so our abundance is a natural. There’s coast, forest and marshland keeping our resident and visiting birds chirping. Our spring migration peak is April 19 through early May and our fall migration peak is Sept. 5-Oct. 29. #birdportarthur and have some fun in the Cajun Capital of Texas. Museum of the Gulf Coast tells our story from nature and maritime history to music and sports. A bit more about migration is here.
More Port Arthur hotspots
Back to this new bird blind on Pleasure Island. That’s heron territory. Pier fishing, a round of disc golf and watching the ships come in to the Port are also good pastimes. As you head to Sabine Woods, visit Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge for those colorful warblers and McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge for water birds.
Our birding hotspot book could help you BINGO! Download yours here and get birding! Our whole area is great for birding, so come to Port Arthur and also visit nearby sites such as Cattail Marsh, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Bolivar Flats and High Island.
Texas Bird Bingo is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Program. Visit Port Arthur is a sponsor. #birdportarthur
