Santa Ana Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeAt Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Butterflies: the most kinds fly between October and December, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: usually between October and December. No official report yet this season.
Updated
Sources for this timing ↓About Santa Ana Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Texas
- A little history
- In 1943, as a sanctuary for migratory birds.
- What you'll see
- Butterflies · usual peak Oct–Dec
- Before you go
- When is the refuge open? Seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Your guide to the area
- Santa Ana RefugeUsually: between October and DecemberThis page
Where to watch
- Tower TrailA short, easy half-mile trail to the refuge's 40-foot tower, with a view over the surrounding habitat
- Malachite TrailA short, easy trail with benches and picnic tables over the pond; watch for butterflies, waterfowl and colorful birds
Worth the drive
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The year at Santa Ana Refuge
- Migrating raptors overhead, including broad-winged hawks and peregrine falconsspring
- Lizards, snakes and Texas tortoises bask; Mexican free-tailed bats at dusksummertime
- Raptors migrate over the refuge againNowfall
- Peak butterfly diversityNowbetween October and December
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?
Butterflies: the most kinds fly between October and December, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: between October and December. That's the usual peak in the source's own words, not a forecast.
Is it the season at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
When is the best time for butterflies at Santa Ana?
Between October and December, when the most species fly. One October day turned up 65 documented species, but that was a single record day, not a usual count.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (timing) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How tall is the tower, and how far is it?
40 feet, at the end of the half-mile Tower Trail, an easy, family-friendly walk.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What's the landscape like?
A rare subtropical world: Spanish moss hangs from tall ebony trees, and sabal palms rise between prickly pear cacti.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge open?
Seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When was Santa Ana Refuge established?
In 1943, as a sanctuary for migratory birds.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?
Tower Trail: a short, easy half-mile trail to the refuge's 40-foot tower, with a view over the surrounding habitat; Malachite Trail: a short, easy trail with benches and picnic tables over the pond; watch for butterflies, waterfowl and colorful birds.
What is Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Peak butterfly diversity (Oct–Dec), Migrating raptors overhead, including broad-winged hawks and peregrine falcons (Mar–May), Raptors migrate over the refuge again (Sep–Nov) and Lizards, snakes and Texas tortoises bask; Mexican free-tailed bats at dusk (Jun–Aug).
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (timing) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)