| McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
.jpg) McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge | |
 Interactive map of McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge | |
| Location | Jefferson County, Texas, United States |
| Nearest city | Sabine Pass, Texas |
| Coordinates | 29°40′00″N94°09′00″W / 29.66667°N 94.15000°W /29.66667; -94.15000 |
| Area | 58,861 acres (238.20 km2) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Operator | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge |
| Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
 Great blue heron, Texas Point NWR | |
 Interactive map of Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge | |
| Location | Jefferson County, Texas,United States |
| Nearest city | Sabine Pass, Texas |
| Area | 8,972 acres (36.31 km2) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Operator | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge |
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge andTexas Point National Wildlife Refuge are both located in southernJefferson County on the upperTexas coast.McFaddin, the larger one, is located at around29°40′00″N94°09′00″W / 29.66667°N 94.15000°W /29.66667; -94.15000, has a total area of 58,861.43acres (238.2038 km2).Texas Point, the smaller, is located near the Louisiana border atSabine Pass, around29°42′00″N93°53′00″W / 29.70000°N 93.88333°W /29.70000; -93.88333, and has 8,952.02 acres (36.2275 km2). The refuges have a combined 105.96 square miles (274.4 km2) of fish and wildlife habitat.[1]
Texas Point and McFaddin refuges supply important feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering populations ofwaterfowl using theCentral Flyway. Feeding flocks ofsnow geese have exceeded 70,000 birds at McFaddin.
Dozens of migratory bird species use habitat on both refuges to feed, rest, nest and raise their young. McFaddin contains one of the densest populations ofAmerican alligators in Texas. Alligators are most easily seen during the spring, but are often visible throughout the summer and fall.
Mammal species native to Texas include themuskrat,North American river otter,American mink,raccoon,striped skunk,Virginia opossum,nine-banded armadillo,gray fox andbobcat.
Large portions of both refuges aretidally influenced, creatingestuarine environments important to a variety of fish,shrimp andcrabs, as well as other life forms higher on thefood chain that feed on such organisms. These estuaries are productive communities and are vital to the life cycle of many marine species. Some of the more commonly sought after fish found in refuge waters includered drum,flounder,alligator gar andblue catfish.
Located on the coast,Sea Rim State Park borders McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge.
