Spring migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in North America, and every spring, warblers, tanagers, buntings, and dozens of other neotropical migrants make landfall along the upper Texas coast, turning our High Island sanctuaries into a birder's paradise.
Our Smith Oaks Sanctuary opened March 7, and this weekend marks the opening of our Boy Scout Woods Sanctuary!
This season will continue through the first weekend of May, and our success depends on a steady stream of dedicated volunteers to keep our operations running at Boy Scout Woods and Smith Oaks. Whether you're a seasoned birder or brand new to volunteering with Houston Audubon, there's a role for you!
All shifts run 8 AM to 4 PM, every day through May 3rd -- and trust us, the birding after your shift makes it all worth it. Afternoon birding at High Island is incredible. Migrants fly overnight and tend to be most active in the afternoon, so a day of volunteering followed by some prime birding time makes for a wonderful day.

Ready to sign up? High Island needs you!

Looking forward to seeing you at one of our sanctuaries soon,
Caroline Evans
Volunteer Coordinator, Houston Audubon

Make a difference for migrating birds and the habitat they rely on by supporting Houston Audubon as a Spring Migration Volunteer

Boy Scout Woods Admissions & Sales Kiosk Volunteers - Open March 27!
We need four volunteers per day at Boy Scout Woods (two at Admissions, two in Sales), and this is our biggest need all season long. Please consider signing up for a day or several!
Admissions Volunteers are the first stop for visitors see when they arrive at Boy Scout Woods. You'll collect admissions (daily wristbands or annual warbler patches), and provide bird guides and trail maps. Admissions sales bolste rHouston Audubon's conservation work, and a warm welcome from you sets the tone for their whole visit!
Sales Volunteers help visitors browse a selection of Houston Audubon merchandise including apparel, puzzles, postcards, tote bags, bug spray, and more. Every purchase supports the work that keeps these sanctuaries running and these birds protected. It's a genuinely feel-good shift.
First-time volunteers are a perfect fit for both kiosk roles, so don't be shy if you're new. We'd love to have you!

Smith Oaks Kiosk Volunteers
Smith Oaks Kiosk Volunteers wear a few different hats: collecting admissions, welcoming visitors, handing out trail maps and bird guides, and staffing a small sales operation featuring Houston Audubon apparel and some very special roseate spoonbill mugs and tote bags. Every admission collected and every item sold goes right back into supporting Houston Audubon's conservation work and keeping Smith Oaks open and thriving for birds and birders alike.
Like BSW, this role is open to volunteers of all experience levels, and newbies are especially encouraged to sign up. It's a great way to get familiar with High Island, learn a little about what Houston Audubon does, and have genuinely great conversations with visitors who are often experiencing High Island for the very first time. This is also one of our highest-need positions of the season, so if you're on the fence, please consider giving us a day!

Canopy Walk Volunteers
Canopy Walk Volunteers at Smith Oaks
This one's for the birders and naturalists. Canopy Walk volunteers set up along the Smith Oaks Canopy Walk with a spotting scope (borrow one of ours or bring your own) to give visitors a front-row seat to one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles in Texas. Nest-building of herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills in the Rookery, migrants moving through the canopy, and questions from curious visitors keep things active all day long. Stools and umbrellas are provided to keep things comfortable. Texas Master Naturalists and experienced birders will feel right at home here. There's a short online training presentation (about 30 minutes) covering the history of High Island and an overview of the Rookery species. A link will be provided by email when you sign up!

High Island Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
This Satuday marks the opening of our Boy Scout Woods Kiosk, you are invited to celebrate the 2026 spring migration season with fellow Houston Audubon volunteers!
Our High Island Volunteer Appreciation Picnic is a potluck-style luncheon.
BBQ will be provided for all to enjoy, but please bring a side or sweet treat to contribute to the celebration (utensils and plates will be provided).
We encourage you to share this invitation with your friends or interested birders as we are still actively recruiting volunteers for High Island, and would love to have them join us!
This year, we will celebrate all our spring migration volunteers and honor two very dedicated High Island volunteers, Brian and Vickie Anderson.
Please RSVP by clicking the link above or the image to the right so we can include you in our headcount

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