Friends of Padre Beach Report 12/26/2016

Friends of Padre Surf Report

Jen Merchant

12-26-16

Air Temp: 70

Water Temp: Low 60's

Wind: 10-12mph SSE

Weed: None

Water:  4-5 ft. swells. Still muddy.  Green water could be seen past the third sandbar.

Driving:  Four wheel drive after the 5 mile marker at high tide with driving open in one lane or less at time.  At low tide what looked like hard packed sand was actually like mush or sinking sand.  Very difficult driving conditions.  If you decide to go out make sure you go at low tide and take four wheel drive.

On the way in we saw birds diving past the third sandbar.  We managed to make it to the 50 mile marker but turned around because we wanted to conserve gas for the much needed four wheel driving.  We stopped once for fishing and caught redfish and whiting.  Bird viewing and picture taking were difficult because of the driving.  It was impossible to slow down or stop in most places.  A lot of debris was washed in.  Beach combing was excellent.  Lots of wildlife seen on the way off the beach.

Birds Seen:  Laughing Gull, Herring Gull, Reddish Egret, Willet, Curlew, Sanderlings, Blue Heron, Cormorant, Pelicans,  Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern, Royal Tern.