March is the month when Texas birding really begins to buzz. Winter residents are still hanging around, early migrants are on the move, and the first warblers and shorebirds begin trickling in. It’s the sweet spot where winter abundance overlaps with spring excitement. Personally, I love March—it’s the month when you feel the birding year shift into high gear.

Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During March, based on years of muddy boots, binocular neck strain, and a couple of sunburns I pretended were “field badges of honor.”

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1. High Island (Upper Texas Coast)

March is when High Island begins to wake up. The famous sanctuaries like Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks start drawing in the first real waves of spring migrants. I once had a Prothonotary Warbler glowing like a candle in the swamp here before April even began.

Why Go: Early spring migration kicks off here.
Prized Birds: Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Parulas, Black-and-white Warblers, vireos.
Known For: Being the first big stopover oasis for northbound migrants.

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2. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Central Coast)

March is your last good chance to see Whooping Cranes before they begin heading north. On one memorable trip, I watched three cranes striding across the marsh while a Peregrine Falcon zipped by overhead—migration and winter residents in one view.

Why Go: Whooping Cranes linger, while migrants begin to appear.
Prized Birds: Whooping Cranes, Roseate Spoonbills, Peregrine Falcons.
Known For: Iconic crane viewing before they leave for Canada.

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3. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (Upper Coast)

This refuge is always productive, but in March, it starts to feel like a birder’s transition buffet. Waterfowl are still plentiful, sparrows hang on, and the first shorebirds move through. I once had a Sora practically walk across the road in front of me.

Why Go: A blend of lingering winter birds and early migrants.
Prized Birds: Ducks, Snow Geese, Soras, rails, early shorebirds.
Known For: Marshes alive with birdlife year-round.

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4. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Lower Rio Grande Valley)

March in the Valley is electric. Tropical residents are singing, and early migrants begin to arrive. I once had a Clay-colored Thrush sing from a mesquite while a White-tailed Hawk circled overhead—two birds from different worlds in one moment.

Why Go: Tropical specialties meet the first migrants.
Prized Birds: Aplomado Falcons, White-tailed Hawks, Altamira Orioles, Clay-colored Thrushes.
Known For: Wide open habitats full of raptors and Valley endemics.

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5. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (Rio Grande Valley)

Santa Ana in March feels like a warm-up for the main migration push. Winter residents linger while warblers and orioles trickle in. I once had a Vermilion Flycatcher practically pose on a fencepost for me—redder than a Valentine’s heart.

Why Go: Valley specialties plus incoming migrants.
Prized Birds: Green Jays, Plain Chachalacas, Vermilion Flycatchers, orioles, early warblers.
Known For: A reliable mix of tropical residents and migrants.

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6. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (Bolivar Peninsula)

March is shorebird magic. Some are still in drab winter plumage, while others begin showing off their breeding colors. I once had a Reddish Egret perform its “drunken sailor dance” across the flats while a flock of American Avocets gleamed in the background.

Why Go: Large numbers of shorebirds gathering.
Prized Birds: American Avocets, Piping Plovers, Reddish Egrets, Marbled Godwits.
Known For: Premier shorebirding on the Upper Coast.

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7. Padre Island National Seashore (South Coast)

By March, Padre Island starts heating up with shorebirds and raptors. On one windy day, I watched a Peregrine Falcon chase gulls over the surf—it missed, but I nearly cheered like it was a sporting event.

Why Go: Early migrants plus lingering winter specialties.
Prized Birds: Peregrine Falcons, Long-billed Curlews, Red Knots, American Oystercatchers.
Known For: A migration crossroads on the Gulf.

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8. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (North Texas)

Goose flocks begin thinning in March, but raptors linger and early spring arrivals trickle in. I once watched a Bald Eagle dive on a flock of ducks here, sending them into complete chaos.

Why Go: Transition season with geese, ducks, and raptors.
Prized Birds: Snow Geese, Bald Eagles, Northern Pintails, American Kestrels.
Known For: A shifting mix of wintering and migrating birds.

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9. Brazos Bend State Park (Near Houston)

March here is about sparrows, ducks, and early spring arrivals. I once had a Vermilion Flycatcher glowing on a perch while a Belted Kingfisher rattled nearby—a pretty good soundtrack for birding.

Why Go: Winter residents meet early migrants.
Prized Birds: Vermilion Flycatchers, kingfishers, sparrows, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
Known For: Scenic wetlands with easy birding access.

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10. Davis Mountains State Park (West Texas)

March is crisp, quiet, and birdy in the mountains. I once had a pair of Montezuma Quail cross the road in front of me—they scuttled like feathered footballs.

Why Go: Mountain specialties in cool spring weather.
Prized Birds: Montezuma Quail, Acorn Woodpeckers, Canyon Towhees, Scott’s Orioles.
Known For: High-altitude birding with unique West Texas species.

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Final Thoughts

March birding in Texas is all about anticipation. Winter specialties are still around, but the first waves of migration bring a buzz to every hotspot. Whether it’s Whooping Cranes at Aransas, Prothonotary Warblers at High Island, or shorebirds dancing at Bolivar, March offers a little of everything.

So dust off your binoculars, pack your sunscreen (yes, already), and get out there—because in Texas, March birding is the bridge between winter’s abundance and spring’s frenzy.

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