Padre Island National Seashore, Texas - Unique Places around the World

Birdwatching, such as that of the Great Blue Herons commonly seen on its sand dunes, is one of the biggest natural draws to Padre Island National Seashore.

5. Description

Located a short distance off of the coast of South Texas is Padre Island. To the north of Padre Island is the Padre Island National Seashore, or PAIS. It is situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre close to the city Corpus Christi. This National Seashore is 70 miles long and just as much as four miles into the park is open for vehicle traffic. The serene park is open for camping and has its share of dunes, palm lined beach, wind tidal flats and lush dense vegetation. Padre Island has long hot summers and short spans of winter. The afternoons and the evening breezes reduce the temperature.

4. Tourism

The nearest airport is the Corpus Christi International Airport. You shall be able to drive down forty-three miles to reach Padre Island National Seashore. Likewise, you shall be able to drive east on Highway 358 via the city of Corpus Christi. On crossing the JFK Causeway, you shall reach Padre Island and then you shall be taking the Park Road 22. Ten miles south on the road you shall be entering the park of Padre Island National Seashore. In short, the park is quite accessible. PAIS also draws hundreds and thousands of wildlife and nature photographers every year.

3. Uniqueness

Padre Island is known for its vibrant natural environs and wildlife. The Grasslands Nature Trail will take you along the scenic marshlands that are home to a variety of critters, from baby turtles to and even birds. A tourist can see the best of these beaches and bear witness to the area's wildlife in their most natural habitats. You can occasionally spot a coyote, a kangaroo, and the most endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtles that may have just hatched. This place has a little bit for everyone. From kayaking to fishing by yourself to camping on the white sands of Malaquite campgrounds, you shall soak yourself in the many interests that dot this island.

2. Habitat

A myriad of various groups of animals and birds co-exist here in Padre Island. Just a walk along the Grasslands nature trail could prove to be lucky for you and if you are carrying your camera or binoculars, you shall spot everything from over five species of turtles that choose to lay eggs on the beaches of the Padre Island to kangaroos, to even coyotes. But before you go hiking to spot a Brown pelican, Mottled Duck, White-tailed Hawk and Reddish Egrets are found all through the year. Summer and winter also bring in a lot more of birds to the island.

1. Threats

The Padre Island National Seashore is under threat from the humans that visit it and carry out commercial enterprises nearby far more than they are from it. Due to oil rigging, various concerns are continuously being raised regarding the integrity of the area's habitats. Padre Island's tourists are given ranger talks in order to raise greater awareness, but much damage has already been caused by humans. Microscopic algae, namely Kareniabrevis, are producing toxins causing high red tide concentrations in the seawater that has proved fatal for birds and fishes. Further, the climate change in these parts added to the barriers and rings made for rigging is taking its toll on natural life. The declining number of nesting on the beaches is a proof to that.

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