Hello, everyone! July is here, and with it comes the full force of summer heat. Just like many of our feathered friends, it’s best to stay active during the cooler parts of the day—early mornings and late evenings—when both birds and people can enjoy the outdoors more comfortably.
After a wet June, the landscape is looking especially green and vibrant, providing lush cover and food for wildlife. As summer settles in, take time to enjoy the season—but don’t forget to stay cool and hydrated out there!
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Happy birding!
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- Jed Aplaca, President & CEO
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Purple Martin Watch Parties are back!
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Join us this summer as we witness the magic of Purple Martin migration. Houston hosts two major roosts of Purple Martins - in Stafford and Willowbrook. We'll keep an eye on the martins and pick the location of the parties based on where the larger roost is. Mark your calendars for the following dates:Â Â
Learn more about our Purple Martin Watch Parties »
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Houston Audubon owns and manages 17 bird sanctuaries totaling over 4,100 acres, many of which are open to the public! Our most frequented sanctuaries include the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in west Houston and our High Island and Bolivar Flats sanctuaries on the coast.Â
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
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By John LeaRussa, ELMNS Sanctuary Lead
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Greetings from Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Summer is in full force here at the sanctuary and the mosquitos and other pesky insects are thriving. When you come to visit, be sure to dress appropriately and bring your bug repellent. We have had a relatively wet late spring and the sanctuary is literally buzzing with activity.Â
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In June, the Trail Crew removed several large limbs that had severed from standing trees and were hung up overhead in the canopy. People don’t often think about the potential overhead dangers on their leisurely stroll through the sanctuary, but the Trail Crew volunteers do! If you would like to be part of this fun and safety-focused group, please consider coming out on Trail Crew Tuesdays. We get together every Tuesday at 8 AM and it’s a great way to connect with nature and beautify our lovely sanctuary. No prior experience or special skills are required. Â
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On the Coast - High Island and Bolivar Flats
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By Wyatt Egelhoff, Sanctuary Manager
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Thus far it has been a very productive season for our nesting Wilson’s Plovers on the Bolivar Peninsula. There are many fledged or nearly-fledged chicks running around, most still attended to by their parents. As usual, please stick to the darker, wet sand as you explore our beaches. This will reduce the chances of unwittingly stepping on a nest or young chicks as they are exceedingly well camouflaged. Least Terns have also done much better this summer than last, with a dozen or so successfully fledging at our monitored sites.
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July means the beginning of fall migration for many shorebirds, with the first Piping Plovers usually appearing about the fourth of July. Other long-distance migrants follow suit and it can be a good time to search for unexpected shorebird species typically found in the Eastern Hemisphere.
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We need volunteers to help at our Coastal Natives Nursery! Get your hands dirty propagating native plants that will be used to restore habitat at our sanctuaries. The next Coastal Nursery Workday will be Thursday, July 10th from 9am-noon.
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Our next Bolivar Flats Beach Ramble will be Saturday, August 2nd from 10 AM-noon. We will not have a Ramble in July.Â
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Plastic-Free July: Easy Tips to Reduce Your Impact on Wildlife
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By Schyler Brown, Bird-Friendly Communities Program Manager
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July marks the month in which we recognize our overuse of plastic and emphasize the harm it causes to wildlife and the environment, such as entanglement hazards, creating toxins in the environment, destroying habitat, and causing starvation through ingestion. Here are some simple ways you can help reduce your plastic-caused impacts on the environment:Â
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Get involved with your local politicians. Call your representatives and express your desire to see tighter restrictions on single-use plastics such as grocery bags and plastic utensils. Vote for policy that helps reduce litter and requires better waste management solutions.
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- Consider switching from plastic bags to recycled and upcycled re-usable bags. Be sure to use them regularly though, as the creation of re-usable bags itself is environmentally taxing.
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- Bring utensils (including a straw, fork, and spoon) with you from home for dining outside of the house. There are even some companies that sell great compact on-the-go utensil kits that fit right in a purse or pocket!
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Take your lunch to work with you - eating out usually means purchasing food packaging that is made of plastics, which can be littered into the environment, even when discarded properly, due to poor waste management solutions.
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Shop less: shopping not only encourages businesses to produce more plastic products, but it also means creating more plastic waste through packaging. Additionally, production of products alone creates a ton of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Consider going birding instead of shopping!
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By Christine Wehrli, Community Outreach Programs Manager
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In June, Houston Audubon helped kick off the Summer Saturday series at the Houston Botanic Garden with a Birding 101 class. It was a fun and inspired evening with 40 bird enthusiasts.
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Attendees got an overview of bird identification tips and common birds of Houston, then braved the heat and took a stroll in the Garden to practice their newfound skills. Together, we spotted several birds including Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Barn Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds. The event ended with a lively round of Bird Bingo, where winners took home bird-themed prizes.
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We will be holding two more workshops on Summer Saturdays - Avian Artistry on July 12 and Birds & Blooms on August 9.
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Become a Member
Join or renew your Houston Audubon membership to receive great benefits like members-only birding trips, early access and free admission to certain events, discounts on our merchandise, and more! Membership levels start at $40/year.
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Conservation License Plate
Show your love of birds when you hit the road! Order your specialty license plate to support bird conservation while driving around town. $22 of the $30 annual fee goes to support Houston Audubon.
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Attend Avian Affair
Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Avian Affair Gala on Thursday, October 23rd at the elegant Post Oak Hotel! Celebrate birds, conservation, and community—mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details!
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