Freshwater marsh at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge on a grey, misty day (date not given). Photo: USFWS · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
San Bernard Refugewinter wildlife
At San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for winter wildlife comes in 3 separate phases, each its own display, none of them a peak: Migrating songbirds, fall, October to early November; Wintering forest songbirds, October to March; and Wintering waterfowl at the Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area, November to February. Its usual window for this year has passed.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Spring songbird migration, late March to early May: coastal woods can fill with migrants in a falloutMar–May
- Fall songbird migration, October to early NovemberOct–Nov
- Wintering forest songbirds, October to MarchOct–Mar
- Nov: 2026-27 waterfowl hunting in the Sargent permit area opens November 7, 2026 (lottery permits)Nov
- Wintering waterfowl at the Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area, November to FebruaryNov–Feb
- October–NovemberMigrating songbirds, fallOctober to early November
- October–MarchWintering forest songbirdsOctober to March
- November–FebruaryWintering waterfowl at the Cocklebur Slough Recreation AreaNovember to February
This week at San Bernard Refuge
Right now in San Bernard Refuge · September
Next usual winter wildlife timingMigrating songbirds, fall, October to early November
Where to watch
- Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area and Moccasin Pond Observation DeckWhere the refuge times its wintering waterfowl. The deck looks across the estuary toward Cowtrap Lakes, and the self-guided auto tour passes Moccasin and Rail Ponds. Maps at the entrance kiosk; open daily, official sunrise to official sunset.
- Bobcat Woods Trail and BoardwalkAn easy 2.5-mile loop on accessible boardwalk and concrete through riparian forest along Cocklebur Slough, overlooking the Wolfweed wetlands, across from the Moccasin Pond loop. Restrooms at the trailhead.
- Hudson Woods Recreation AreaInland bottomland forest west of Angleton, with the Scoby Lake, Live Oak and Oyster Creek trails (mowed paths) and restrooms
Nearby
- Aransas Refuge85 miLocal timing: typically arriving in late October and departing by mid-April · starts soonTuChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeChance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyMoChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likely
- Laguna Atascosa Refuge215 miLocal timing: November, the peak month · starts in ~5 weeksTuSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeMostly Sunny, rain likely, wind to 22 mphThChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likely, wind to 22 mphFrShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyMoShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likely
- Hagerman Refuge341 mi2 separate phases, from by August · starts in ~5 weeksTuMostly SunnyWePartly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Rain Showers, rain likelySuChance Rain Showers, rain likelyMoMostly Sunny, rain likely
- Sequoyah Refuge453 miLocal timing: November through January · starts in ~5 weeksTuMostly SunnyWeMostly Sunny, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuSlight Chance Rain Showers, rain likelyMoSunny
San Bernard Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge?
In 3 separate phases: Migrating songbirds, fall, October to early November, Wintering forest songbirds, October to March and Wintering waterfowl at the Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area, November to February. They're separate displays, not one long season, and none of them is a peak.
Is it wildlife season at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Migrating songbirds, fall, October to early November.
Is there a fee?
No, there is no charge to visit any of the public use areas.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When are the recreation areas open?
Every day from official sunrise to official sunset. The complex office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except federal holidays.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the restrooms?
At the refuge field office, the Bobcat Woods trailhead, and the Dow Woods and Hudson Woods recreation areas.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there hunting in winter?
Yes, waterfowl hunting is allowed seasonally in designated areas. For 2026-27 the Sargent permit hunt area opens with the regular season on November 7, 2026, by lottery permit (applications were taken September 1 to 30).Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog, and what should I bring?
Dogs are fine on a leash. Bring insect repellent in every season, plus drinking water and sunscreen for the heat and sun. Early morning and evening are best for wildlife, and weekdays are quieter than weekends.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge?
Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area and Moccasin Pond Observation Deck: where the refuge times its wintering waterfowl. The deck looks across the estuary toward Cowtrap Lakes, and the self-guided auto tour passes Moccasin and Rail Ponds. Maps at the entrance kiosk; open daily, official sunrise to official sunset.; Bobcat Woods Trail and Boardwalk: an easy 2.5-mile loop on accessible boardwalk and concrete through riparian forest along Cocklebur Slough, overlooking the Wolfweed wetlands, across from the Moccasin Pond loop. Restrooms at the trailhead.; Hudson Woods Recreation Area: inland bottomland forest west of Angleton, with the Scoby Lake, Live Oak and Oyster Creek trails (mowed paths) and restrooms.
Are there closures or permits to know about in San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge?
2026-27 waterfowl hunting in the Sargent permit area opens November 7, 2026 (lottery permits) (Nov).
What is San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Wintering waterfowl at the Cocklebur Slough Recreation Area, November to February (Nov–Feb), Wintering forest songbirds, October to March (Oct–Mar), Fall songbird migration, October to early November (Oct–Nov), Spring songbird migration, late March to early May: coastal woods can fill with migrants in a fallout (Mar–May) and 2026-27 waterfowl hunting in the Sargent permit area opens November 7, 2026 (lottery permits) (Nov).
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernard NWR (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)