Birding

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)…