With the strong NW winds blowing the water away from the shoreline, we have lots of mudflats and shorebirds. Among the most notable have been a dozen or so marbled godwits the last few tours. We've also seen a peregrine falcon hunting ducks. We have been dry for several years, so if you want to see water and all the water birds it brings, come on out. Tours along the Bayside Drive are running Thurs - Sunday from 9 - 12 and 1 - 4. Bird tours begin January 4 and alternate between our main refuge unit (going around the freshwater lake) and our Bahia Grande unit (salt and freshwater bays, coastal prairie, thornscrub habitats). Reservations in advance are required. Call 956-748-3608 ext 111 for more information. The refuge visitor center is open 7 days a week from January - March. Check our website for details on all programs and services. Marion Mason, Ranger Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge 956-748-3608 ext 111 -- www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner