11. COASTAL REGION

Anahuac NWR:  Chambers County

The estuaries of Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge are an important nursery for the fish and shellfish species found in the Gulf of Mexico.  Beyond the estuaries, the saltwater marshes ease inland.  Fresh water from an occasional storm and the inflow from rivers and creeks helps the keep saltwater out of the freshwater marshes, as well as providing nutrients and sediments. These freshwater marshes are the best spots for searching for odes.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=117688
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/anahuac/

Aransas NWR:  Aransas County

Situated primarily on the Blackjack peninsula, the main unit of the Aransas Refuge lies behind the protective influence of Matagorda Island, part of a long chain of barrier islands extending down the Texas coastline. The refuge is surrounded by several shallow bays where strong winds push bay waters onto a landscape that, on the mainland, gradually shifts from salt to brackish and eventually freshwater marsh. It is this range of habitat that supports a diversity of wildlife.  It is these freshwater marshes that most of us ode watchers look at like the one across from the visitor’s center.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=117857
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/

Brazoria NWR:  Brazoria County

It is because of its strategic location on the Texas Gulf Coast that the refuge supports an incredible diversity of wildlife. Mild temperatures, fresh and salt water estuaries, bay waters and a blend of soils are a few of the factors that have created this rich habitat and home for many wildlife species.  Again just like the other coastal refuges, the freshwater marshes is what ode watchers are looking for.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=119232
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/brazoria/

Guadalupe Delta WMA:  Calhoun County

Portions are open daily for fishing and nonconsumptive use with a Limited Access Permit. Hiking on the Guadalupe River Unit is allowed along the two mile part of River Road, the part of the county road that accesses the area and runs parallel to the river. Hiking is also allowed in the narrow strip between the road and the river, although thick undergrowth in most places makes walking difficult. This low lying road is unpaved clay which can be hard to maneuver with the humid environment. There are also freshwater marshs and lakes accessible to the public.  Check out the site for these access points.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=37

San Bernard NWR:  Brazoria County

San Bernard Refuge supports a diversity of coastal wildlife, including more than 320 species of birds, 95 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 130 species of butterflies and dragonflies.  Like the other coastal refuges, freshwater marshes and ponds are what we look for when observing odes.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=119580
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_bernard/