Michael Mathews

By November, Texas birding feels like a Thanksgiving feast—plenty to choose from, all flavors represented, and you’ll probably overindulge. Migration is tapering, wintering birds are arriving, and the cooler weather makes long days in the field a joy instead of a sweat-soaked endurance test. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During November, based on years of personal treks, muddy boots, and binoculars permanently glued to my face. 1. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Central Coast) November means Whooping Cranes are back. Seeing them in person is like spotting royalty—tall, elegant, and rare. I once watched a…

October in Texas is a birder’s dream. Migration is in full swing, the weather finally lets you wear a long-sleeved shirt without melting, and the birds themselves seem to know they’re putting on a show. I’ve been fortunate enough to bird across this big, beautiful state for years, and October is when Texas really struts its feathers. Here are my top ten best places to bird in Texas during October—complete with personal notes, prized species, and a little humor (because birding without laughter is just staring at trees). 1. Padre Island National Seashore (South Texas Coast) October at Padre is…

August birding in Texas is like watching nature flip the switch from summer to fall. Sure, it’s still hotter than a jalapeño on a dashboard, but birds don’t mind—they’re already on the move. Shorebirds stage in massive flocks, early warblers trickle through woodlots, and swallows swirl like feathered tornadoes. If you think August is “too early” for migration, trust me—Texas proves otherwise. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During August, built from years of sweaty treks, iced tea recovery sessions, and plenty of “just one more look through the scope” moments. 1. Bolivar Flats Shorebird…

July in Texas is… well, let’s be honest, it’s hot. Very hot. But that doesn’t mean birding stops. In fact, summer birding in Texas is a great time to slow down, savor breeding residents, and catch some early shorebird migration heading south again. (Yes, believe it or not, some birds already start fall migration in July—apparently, they don’t mind sweating either.) Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During July, drawn from years of sweat-soaked fieldwork, early dawn wake-ups, and more refilled water bottles than I can count. 1. Big Bend National Park (West Texas) July…

June birding in Texas is a bit different from the migration madness of April and May. By now, most migrants are long gone, and the birds you’ll see are the ones setting up shop for summer. But don’t think for a second that June is “quiet.” In fact, it’s one of the best months to slow down and appreciate Texas’ resident breeders, watch nesting activity, and soak in the song-filled mornings before the heat kicks in. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During June, drawn from years of sweaty fieldwork, 5 a.m. alarms, and more…

May in Texas is birding at full throttle. Spring migration is peaking, birds are singing, and warblers seem to drip from every tree. The spectacle is so overwhelming that even seasoned birders (like me) still find themselves gasping, “Wow.” May is also when shorebirds are in their sharpest breeding plumage, and the Valley is buzzing with colorful activity. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During May, drawn from years of muddy boots, sunburned necks, and more than a few happy warbler hangovers. 1. High Island (Upper Texas Coast) If April is famous, May is downright…

If March is the warm-up, then April is the main event. Migration goes from a trickle to a flood, and Texas becomes the stage for one of the greatest birding spectacles in North America. Warblers light up the trees, orioles flash like jewels, and shorebirds pack the flats. April is the month when even non-birders stop and say, “Wow, what was that?” (while you’re already scribbling it into your notebook). Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During April, from my years of birding boots-on-the-ground and neck-craning in the field. 1. Sabine Woods (Upper Texas Coast)…

March is the month when Texas birding really begins to buzz. Winter residents are still hanging around, early migrants are on the move, and the first warblers and shorebirds begin trickling in. It’s the sweet spot where winter abundance overlaps with spring excitement. Personally, I love March—it’s the month when you feel the birding year shift into high gear. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During March, based on years of muddy boots, binocular neck strain, and a couple of sunburns I pretended were “field badges of honor.” 1. High Island (Upper Texas Coast) March…

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s long on birding opportunities in Texas. Migration hasn’t quite revved up yet, but winter residents are still thick, waterfowl are dazzling in their full plumage, and early spring stirrings keep things exciting. I love birding Texas in February—it’s cool enough to spend the whole day outside, and there’s always a surprise waiting. Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During February, based on years of muddy boots, goose-chasing mornings, and enough coffee to keep a Barn Owl awake. 1. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Central Coast)…