Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is a 44,414-acre conservation area on the Texas coast along Christmas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway, separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Follet's Island. Established in 1969 to provide habitat for wintering migratory waterfowl and other birds, it combines a freshwater slough with surrounding salt marshes that attract heavy seasonal bird use. More than 100,000 birds gather there in winter, while summer brings nesting herons, egrets, white ibis, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers, and scissor-tailed flycatchers. Along with San Bernard and Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuges, Brazoria is part of an important coastal wetland complex supporting more than 300 bird species.