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McFaddin/Texas
Point National Wildlife Refuges
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 Refuge Overview: Located on the upper coast of southeast Texas, McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges provide vital feeding and resting areas for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Established in 1979, the 8,000 acres Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge was purchased in part with Federal Duck Stamp dollars. McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, established a year later, encompasses nearly 59,000 acres and has been acquired entirely through Migratory Bird Conservation Commission Funds (includes Federal Duck Stamp dollars). The most recent tract of 2,681 acres was approved for acquisition June 9, 2004.
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| Wildlife and
Habitat: McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge protects
the largest remaining freshwater marsh on the Texas coast as
well as thousands of acres of brackish marsh. Texas Point National
Wildlife Refuge, located just east of the McFaddin refuge and
adjacent to Sabine Pass, protects mixed fresh/salt water marshlands,
wooded uplands, and prairie ridges. Both refuges are important
for migratory waterfowl, particularly snow geese and pintails.
Resident mottled ducks are also common on the refuges. During
the spring migration, the refuges are popular stopover spots
for neotropical migratory songbirds such as warblers, vireos,
grosbeaks, tanagers, orioles, and buntings. Other wildlife species
represented on the refuges include American alligators, muskrats,
river otters, raccoons, bobcats, gray foxes, and coyotes. |
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| Recreation Opportunities: Both
refuges offer excellent opportunities for fishing and crabbing. Common
species include red drum, flounder, alligator gar, blue catfish,
and blue crab. Waterfowl hunting is also permitted during appropriate
seasons on McFaddin and Texas Point National Wildlife Refuges. For
some units, there is a hunting fee; please contact the refuge staff
for specifics. Both refuges are also excellent destinations for birders
and wildlife photographers. |
Additional Resources
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