Golden Crescent Nature Club,
Texas Ornithological Society
Challenged to Acquire “Magic Ridge” Property

The Texas Ornithological Society is conserving about 70 acres of Tamaulipan Scrub and Tidal Marsh communities for the birds, birders and other wildlife. Located just off the beach at Indianola, this tract is bisected by Zimmerman Road, and is well known to club members as “Magic Road” (so-called by Doris Wyman), one of the better known area sites for observing neotropical migratory songbirds and shorebirds. About 250 species of birds have been observed on or immediately adjacent to this site.

TOS members participated in a cleanup party on April 25, 2001.

Note:  Graphics from the following two links may take 2-5 minutes with a 28.8 baud modem:

Texas Ornithological Society is the sole owner, with conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy of Texas, and site partnership with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.

Low maintenance activities are anticipated through cooperative activities with Calhoun County staff.

"Magic Ridge" is a former beach ridge made up mostly of shell that lies between a broad tidal slough and flat just inland from Lavaca Bay at Indianola-Magnolia Beach. The proposed acquisition contains about 45% Tamaulipan Scrub community growing on top of the shell ridge, and the remainder is a broad tidal slough on the east which adjoins the beach ridge of Lavaca Bay. To the west, is a broad tidal flat that is used daily by hundreds of shorebirds, gulls and terns and is within view of birders on the Magic Ridge.

Along the ridge, there are additional properties with similar habitat that might become available for acquisition in the future to expand the size of this sanctuary if this acquisition is successful. The adjoining Indianola/Magnolia Beach community does not have any buildings adjacent to the Magic Ridge property, but does have within ½-mile by road a rustic restaurant, picnic tables with shade shelters on the beach and a public restroom.

Area birders for years have frequented this site and birded from the one public access point (the county road and Old Town Cemetery). This site and adjoining land is ranked within the top 5 birding destinations near Victoria by the GCNC, and is one of the main reasons Calhoun County was able to amass 243 species during the spring migration

For a number of years, local birders have been trying to get county and other officials to obtain the property for public use with no luck. However, existing county staff has expressed strong interest in ecotourism and have expressed willingness to help with road maintenance and some other maintenance activities.

The idea of forming partnerships arose when we sought a variety of sources to pursue ownership. Acquisition was proposed as one of the conservation donations from the Birding Classic (when it was re-monikered “Magic Ridge”).

The Nature Conservancy of Texas acquisition staff will be used to negotiate with the realtor and obtain legal services at no charge to us. They will require a conservation easement which will essentially put a deed restriction on the property to prevent development of the site and loss of habitat.

Magic Ridge has long been a popular birding destination for members of the Golden Crescent Nature Club. Blooming Turks cap, Salvia, Coral-bean, Mountain laurel and Lantana attract swarms of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in spring and fall. During the 1995 Spring Convention of the Texas Ornithological Society, it was featured on field trips, when a Hooded Oriole was found there by Paul Meliotis.

The Tamaulipan Scrub of Magic Ridge provides habitat for species that rarely breed further east, like Common Ground-Dove, Long-billed and Curve-billed Thrasher, and Cassin’s Sparrow. Occasionally reported are Groove-billed Ani, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Vermilion and Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cactus Wren and Olive Sparrow.

White-tipped Dove was heard by Brush Freeman and Petra Wirths-Hockey in 1999. Black Rails can sometimes be heard from the bulrushes near the northern corner of the property, from April through September. Glossy Ibis, Piping and Snowy Plover and Red-necked Phalarope have been reported from the immediate area. The adjacent open bay is sometimes host to all three scoters and Common Merganser.

The most significant ornithological feature of Magic Ridge is its ability to attract northbound migrants during spring migration. Passerines and shorebirds, weary from the 700-mile gulf crossing, follow the coastline along Matagorda Island until they reach Pass Cavallo. Here, many turn inland rather than cross Matagorda Bay. The scrub on Magic Ridge provides the dense cover they need to rest and feed before continuing north. The fall migration is also remarkable but less impressive.

Twenty-seven warbler species are known to occur on the property, with another two reported from adjacent tracts. About 200 species can be seen on the property, with another 50 recorded from the adjoining scrub, bay, marshes and mudflats. An additional 30 bird species have been reported from the ricefields and ag fields, wetlands, and pastures within 2 miles of Magic Ridge (including the Whitmire annex of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and Henke’s Marsh, a privately-owned wetlands project.).

Over 75 bird species breed in the 12-square-mile area (including spoil islands), and roughly twenty seven of these nest on the property itself.

For more information on how to help with this project, contact:

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