Calling all bird enthusiasts! The Coastal Bend is home to hundreds of resident and migratory birds, making us the richest birding region in all of North America. Corpus Christi’s Birding Festival, “The Birdiest Festival in America,” is taking place from April 26-30. Join over 200 birders and counting for four days packed with the best birding in the country, educational speakers, classes, entries from the Build a Birdhouse contest and more. This event boasts 13 total individually priced birding field trips all over The Coastal Bend.
The Coastal Bend features unique geography for birds in that it’s right at the hub of major spring migration flyways and features coastal landscapes. This combination makes our city the perfect spot for a diverse population of birds and the best place to witness the migration.
Maybe you’ve never gone birding before and don’t know where to start. If so, the festival will also be hosting “new birder” seminars to get you caught up. It will also host birding photography and art workshops for those looking to get creative, among other individually priced workshops to attend.
Hear Keynote Speaker and Texan birder Tiffany Kersten speak about her journey to complete her goal of spotting 700 species this year, and the fear, empowerment and healing involved in her personal growth throughout the adventure. Kersten spent 2021 traveling the lower 48 states tallying birds and spreading awareness of women’s safety issues in the outdoors. Find out how she ended up not only surpassing her goal but setting a new Lower 48 Big Year record of 726.
The event will also be host to six other presentations throughout, covering topics such as identifying birds by sight and sound, kids’ birding programs, specific species and more. On Saturday, Apr. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a family fun day, artisan market and trade show open to the public with a $2 admission fee.
Local art centers are also getting in on the fun with bird-themed art exhibits. The Art Center of Corpus Christi has an exhibit available until Apr. 29, and the Rockport Center for the Arts exhibit is open until Apr. 23.
There are also two four-day trips available to the Rio Grande Valley. Sign up to spend four days traveling and spotting specialty birds that can only be found in deep South Texas. The trips include transportation, an experienced guide, entry fees and lodging.
For more information and a full schedule, visit the Birdiest Festival in America website. Registration for this event is $25 and is available online.
