Paul Iverson/Caller-Times FISH-LOVING BIRDS: A flock of brown pelicans waits for fish separated out of the catch of a shrimp boat to be thrown their way, as a laughing gull rides the air currents above and waits for its chance at a tasty morsel of fresh seafood.

Birders find an eyeful in area
Laugh with gulls, hum with hummers or whoop with whoopers

By Kimberly Vetter, Caller-Times

Bird Watching Hints for birding - Birding takes a little equipment - a field guide, a pair of binoculars. Binoculars should be 7 x 30 power. The field guide should be up to date on bird names. The latest edition of "Birds of North America" is a good beginning guide. - From the Corpus Christi Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1201 N. Shoreline Blvd., get a checklist of the birds of Corpus Christi. An informative Web page is at www.ccbirding.com - Join a birding club. Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi is a good one. Field trips and news sheets are worth the price (dues are $10 a year) and will take you to places not normally accessible. - Take a course in birding. Call the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens (852-2100) for a schedule of courses. - Blucher Park behind the library is especially good in April and May for migrating birds. Keep in mind: It has been proven that the number of birds seen is determined by the number of hours spent in the field and by how close to your eyes your binoculars are carried. Birding column Phyllis Yochem, a Corpus Christi resident, has studied birds in Texas since 1960. Her column appears each Tuesday in the Living section of the Caller-Times.

   Pelicans, ducks and hummingbirds are a few of the more than 490 species of birds that make their way to the Texas Gulf Coast throughout the year.
   Whooping cranes, laughing gulls and skimmers can also be seen making their way across the coastal skies and shores. Their behaviors and colorful bodies draw a slew of visitors to the coast each year.
   According to local birders, a few of the area's birding hotspots include:
   Blucher Park
   Blucher Park is a major stopover for migrating passerines and hummingbirds. Guided bird walks are available at 7:30 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday in April except on Easter. The park is in the 100 block of Carrizo Street, adjacent to the Central Library.
   Indian Point, Sunset Lake
  

Indian Point Park and Sunset Lake are home to migratory birds, black skimmers, herons, gulls, terns and rails. To get to Indian Point Park and Sunset Lake, take Highway 181 to the end of Nueces Bay Causeway and follow the signs to Indian Point Park.
   Pollywog Pond
   Pollywog Pond is an isolated, heavily wooded area off Up River Road at Sharpsburg Road. The area is a hotbed of activity for water birds, songbirds and migratory birds. To get to Pollywog Pond, take exit 13 from Interstate Highway 37 North. Turn right on Callicoatte Road, then turn left on Up River Road. Drive 0.9 miles to the park's entrance on the right.
   Padre Island, Bird Island
   Padre Island National Seashore and Bird Island Basin are good for watching gallinules, grebes, waders, sparrows, hawks, ducks, wading birds, shore birds and more. The national seashore is located on Park Road 22 (South Padre Island Drive).
   Port Aransas
   Port Aransas Birding Center is not to be missed, local birders say. Ducks, roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons, gulls, terns and least bittern can all be seen. Guided bird walks are at 9 a.m. Wednesdays. Check the bulletin board at the center's entrance for updated information. To get to the center, take Cutoff Road west from Alister Street and follow the signs.
   Another option for visitors and novice birders is local birding clubs and field trips.
   Information on these activities can be obtained through the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shoreline Visitors Information Center, Padre Island Visitors Information Center and Nueces River Visitors Information Center.