On the second day, of our two day stay near Hight Island, Texas we decided to take a ride to the Gulf of Mexico. We drove along the Bolivar Peninsula until we reached the Galveston ferry and retraced our drive back toward High Island. We were not interested in going into Galveston.
As we crossed over Rollover Pass we noticed what looked like birds near the shoreline of the south end of Rollover Bay. I am glad we turned into this parking lot, where people were fishing, some were birding, but mostly they were enjoying this bay that leads into the Gulf of Mexico.
A couple tidbits of interesting history about Rollover Pass – it is a man-made strait that cuts through private property on the Bolivar Peninsula and links the Gulf of Mexico with Rollover Bay and East Bay in Galveston. Rollover Pass earned its name from the practice of smugglers who, from the days of Spanish rule through prohibition, avoided the Galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise over the narrowest park of the peninsula.
Today people visit this area, from all over the world, to camp, fish and bird. We must have hit this area just when a few hundred birds decided they needed a rest. We saw Gulls, Terns, Pelicans, Egrets, Dowitchers, Godwits, Avocets, Willets and I am sure some that I missed. Migrating birds as they rested at Rollover Bay on this day, March 24, 2015.
Short-billed DowitcherResting. I think that is a Willet resting with them.Black SkimmerBlack-Skimmers in the background.This is my first time seeing so many Black Skimmers at once. Avocets and other Terns in the background.“Get your foot off of mt face.”Laughing Gull – Adult Breeding
More photos to follow of our time spent at Rollover Bay, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas.
Sharing with:
~Charlotte at Prairie Birder for “Feathers on Friday”
at https://prairiebirder.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/feathers-on-friday-144/#comment-7176
29.478288-94.579914
Bolivar Peninsula, TX, USA
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7 thoughts on “~A Ride Along the Bolivar Peninsula”
Hi Judy, I am so glad we drove the peninsula otherwise we would’t have seen as many birds. We stopped at The Boy Scout Woods and walked around, speaking with the Houston Audubon Society staff that were there, but didn’t see may birds. It is fun to be there when there is a chance to see migrating birds!
Take Care, Safe Travels
During our stay in Galveston, a couple of times I made plans to take the ferry over to Bolivar Peninsula but each time the weather was less than agreeable. Thus, I never did make it. Lucky you to time your visit with the birds 🙂
We enjoyed driving through the Bolivar Peninsula on our way to take the ferry to Galveston. I had no idea it was such a good place to see birds. Thank you for these posts about the area.
Wolf Song Blog 
Looks like you were there at just the right time!
Hi Judy, I am so glad we drove the peninsula otherwise we would’t have seen as many birds. We stopped at The Boy Scout Woods and walked around, speaking with the Houston Audubon Society staff that were there, but didn’t see may birds. It is fun to be there when there is a chance to see migrating birds!
Take Care, Safe Travels
During our stay in Galveston, a couple of times I made plans to take the ferry over to Bolivar Peninsula but each time the weather was less than agreeable. Thus, I never did make it. Lucky you to time your visit with the birds 🙂
Ingrid, is is a lovely drive especially if one is looking for migrating birds!! 😉
Maybe next time you will get to drive the Bolivar Peninsula!
We enjoyed driving through the Bolivar Peninsula on our way to take the ferry to Galveston. I had no idea it was such a good place to see birds. Thank you for these posts about the area.
Hi Beth, I guess I was too late in trying to tell you to stop at some of the birding spots in this area, next time!! 🙂
You have seen some gorgeous areas in the Texas Hill Country on your last adventure!
Safe Travels!!
That header is totally awesome!!! The Roseate Spoonbill are my very favorite!