Photo Gallery
Photos by Michael O’Brien unless otherwise noted
When northerly winds or rain meet prevailing southerly winds along the Gulf of Mexico Coast, staggering numbers of northbound songbirds appear in coastal pastures, scrub and forest, seeking shelter from the elements. During our weeks of birding along the Upper Texas Coast, we’ll hope to witness one of these legendary avian”fallouts” as we explore the riches of this birdy area. Here, an Eastern Kingbird ponders which way to go next
Our home base each week is a very comfortable lodge located on Bolivar Peninsula, close to all major birding areas.
The lodge overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. From the porch we may see Northern Gannet and Magnificent Frigatebird feeding among scores of gulls and terns. Flocks of migrating waterbirds including herons, egrets, Blue-winged Teal, and Fulvous Whistling-Ducks will pass by just offshore, and various passerines will find shelter in the low thickets around the lodge.
Even without fallout conditions, the Upper Texas Coast is full of birds. Wading birds in particular are everywhere. Roseate Spoonbills are a common sight in roadside marshes, and we’ll see them up close at a nesting colony.
At Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge we’ll see such marsh denizens as Purple Gallinule…
…and Fulvous Whistling-Duck.
As we explore Bolivar Peninsula, scattered pastures hold migrant Upland Sandpipers…
…and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers.
Photo: Beth Russell
At Bolivar Flats we’ll see flocks of gulls, terns, and shorebirds…
…including Wilson’s Plover…
…Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers…
…and perhaps a rare gull like this young Glaucous, here with a Sandwich Tern.
Should we encounter fallout conditions, flocks of Dickcissels may pass overhead or carpet weedy fields.
Tired songbirds such as this Wood Thrush can offer dazzling views…
…and we should tally a long list of warblers including Ovenbird…
…and Louisiana Waterthrush.
One of our favorite spots will be the Houston Audubon Society’s Boy Scout Woods. Here, birders sit at “the bleachers” to watch songbirds coming to a water drip…
…including the brilliantly colored Scarlet Tanager.