Dear friend,
Â
May always seems to arrive before we have a chance to catch our breath. After a full and fast-paced April, I find myself reflecting on just how much it takes to support spring migration across our region.
A sincere thank you to our volunteers, staff, members, and supporters who make this work possible. From welcoming visitors to maintaining our sanctuaries and sharing their knowledge with others, your efforts ensure that both birds and people have meaningful experiences during this special time of year. I’ve especially enjoyed visiting with birders at Boy Scout Woods Sanctuary in High Island and spending time on bird walks at Cullinan Park; getting to connect with so many passionate people is one of the best parts of this season.
While peak migration may be winding down, there is still so much to see and enjoy. Many birds are continuing north, while others are settling in for the breeding season right here along the Upper Texas Coast. I encourage you to take a moment this month to slow down, get outside, and enjoy the transition into summer.
With gratitude for your support,
- Jed Aplaca, President & CEO
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Houston Audubon protects over 4,300 acres of critical habitat for nearly 400 bird species. We invite you to explore these vital ecosystems and connect with nature firsthand. Here are a few highlights from our most popular public sanctuaries.
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Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
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By John LeaRussa, ELMNS Sanctuary Lead
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April has been a busy and rewarding month for birding at ELMNS, and visitors have not been disappointed. From the variety of warbler species to the colorful tanagers, this migration season has been an outstanding spectacle for everyone who has visited. One highlight has been the emergence of our newest Barred Owlet. Thanks to Sharon Wang for sharing her adorable photo taken back in early April.Â
We also completed renovations to our frog pond, adding lily pads and an air bubbler to enhance the water quality for our aquatic life. We look forward to this feature becoming a wonderful attraction for snakes, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife to enjoy.
On the volunteering front, we completed our last community workday of the season in April and will be taking a break until October due to the summer heat. Thanks to all the volunteers who have done so much during these workdays to make our sanctuary beautiful and vibrant. Until next month, happy birding.
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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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AÂ huge thank you to the many volunteers who joined the fun during our spring activities in High Island this past March and April. Whether you worked shifts at the kiosks, provided interpretation on the McGovern Canopy Walkway and trails, or tackled a myriad of other tasks, you made our daily operations possible.
You are all an essential part of the coastal team, and our spring activities wouldn’t happen without you. While there are many birding destinations on the Texas Coast, it is this community of dedicated volunteers and nature enthusiasts who make springtime in High Island uniquely special.
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As temperature and humidity levels climb and summer arrives, our coastal staff shifts focus to maintenance and monitoring. While staff-led activities are more limited during the summer months, we will continue hosting monthly nature walks (“rambles”) at Bolivar Flats on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to noon.
Throughout the latter half of this month, coastal staff will be busy counting colonial waterbirds at over 15 sites across Galveston Bay and the mainland as part of the Texas Colonial Waterbird Survey. This statewide effort began in 1973 and continues today through the dedication of wildlife professionals and volunteers from dozens of organizations. Other ongoing projects include protecting beach-nesting birds through monitoring, outreach, and interpretation at beach-nesting bird sites on the Bolivar Peninsula. To learn more about this project and how to help make Texas beaches safer for the birds we share them with, visit our Bolivar Birds page.
Even after the migrants have moved through, habitat management never stops. With over 4,300 acres to attend to, there is always meaningful work to be done, regardless of the heat or mosquitoes. Maintaining prairies, treating invasive plant species, propagating native plants at the Entergy Coastal Nursery, and repairing infrastructure are just a few examples of what keeps our team busy once the main rush of birders leave.
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The High Island sanctuaries remain open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Because kiosks will not be staffed after May 3rd, visitors without a 2026 Annual Patch should be prepared to pay the daily admission fee ($10 for adults, students free) at the red “honor boxes” located at Smith Oaks or Boy Scout Woods. Annual patches will be available for purchase online via our website on May 11.
The first half of May can still be very birdy, with northerly breeding species moving through the region until the end of the month. Visitors should prepare for high heat, humidity, and biting insects; long sleeves, bug repellent, and plenty of water are highly recommended. Persistence often pays off, as some of the most unusual species ever recorded at High Island—such as the Greenish Elaenia or Double-toothed Kite—have been spotted in May. You may also find less unprecedented vagrants like the Black-whiskered Vireo, Gray Kingbird, or Connecticut Warbler.
The latter half of May is when many colonial waterbird eggs at Smith Oaks begin to hatch. This is a great opportunity to observe fascinating nesting behaviors at Smith and Clay Bottom Ponds throughout summer.
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How to Improve Habitat Connectivity at Home
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By Schyler Brown, Conservation Science Project Manager
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Habitat loss is the leading cause of diminishing biodiversity. Birds that depend on prairie habitats (like the Eastern Meadowlark) are disappearing as we continue to replace these ecosystems with unregulated urban sprawl. The resulting habitat is a patchwork of small, functionally extinct grasslands that support almost no biodiversity. There is hope, however, as planting native grasses and forbs in our landscapes can create small "pocket prairies" in our own yards. If we continue to spread the message about native plant gardening, friends and neighbors will be more likely to create their own pocket prairies. Eventually, with enough habitats created in our yards, there will be connectivity across the landscape to create a healthier habitat for wildlife! So get out there, plant natives, and spread the word!
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By Christine Wehrli, Community Outreach Manager
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Houston Audubon has been proud to partner with Friends of Columbia Tap for the past several years. Their mission is to bridge the past, present, and future of the Columbia Tap Trail by interpreting history, influencing policies, and enhancing the trail environment to create positive, equitable change for residents and visitors. From 3rd Ward on Tap festivals to biking & birding along the trail, it’s been a truly collaborative partnership.
In March, we were able to plant native plants in the two garden beds along the trail near 3rd Ward Bike shop, including Turk's cap and white gaura. Soon, there will be interpretive signage about native plants and hummingbirds. Join us for our "Bike & Bird the Columbia Tap Trail" event on March 16 from 9 - 10:30 AM—a guided bike ride along the 4-mile trail. Learn more and register here!
In recent news, the Columbia Tap Trail was recognized as an integral part of the Green Corridor in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Houston events transportation plan. As the only continuous hike and bike trail between the Fan Festival in EaDo and the matches at NRG Park, the trail represents the most sustainable way to travel between these spaces.
To learn more about the Friends of Columbia Tap and all the great work they do, click here.
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