The Upper Texas Coast including High Island is recognized as the top places in North America to be during spring migration. Several species of warblers, vireos, flycatchers and other passerines pass through the region’s coastal woodlands and prairies. In addition, the region’s shoreline, flats and estuaries are brimming with many species of shorebirds and others such as Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret and migratory shorebirds.

 

We visit the sanctuaries of High Island managed by the Houston Audubon Society including Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks in search of Neotropical migrants that have just crossed the Gulf of America on their northward journey to their breeding grounds. We also visit the nearby coast and the Bolivar Peninsula for more migrants, shorebirds and raptors including White-tailed Kite, Peregrine Falcon and White-tailed Hawk.

 

In addition, we cover Galveston Island to the south and the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge to the north to search for additional species in varied habitats. For those interested in a customized tour, High Island and the Upper Texas Coast can be combined with an East Texas Pineywoods tour.

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Best times to visit and what to expect:

Mid April through Mid May during spring migration- Neotropical migrants

November through March - Wintering waterfowl 

Some of the resident species found year-round include Roseate Spoonbill, Crested Caracara, Brown Pelican, Reddish Egret and Mottled Duck among others.

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