Dear friend,
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Here's what's happening at Houston Audubon this month.
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New website, same great content.
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You may have noticed that our website has a fresh new look! We've revamped our website with a more modern aesthetic, but all the same great content is still there. Learn about our sanctuaries that you can visit, learn how you can be more bird-friendly, check out our resources like the Bird Gallery and birding information, and keep up with what's happening at Houston Audubon all month round. If you want to dive deeper, you can learn all about the origins of Houston Audubon and the people that made it what it is.Â
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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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In addition to the bouts of cooler weather we’ve been experiencing, fall has brought lots of great birding opportunities to Edith L. Moore. Neotropical Migrants flying south for the winter have been trickling through the sanctuary, testing the abilities of birders with their non-breeding and juvenile plumages. Early temperate migrants have been spotted around the sanctuary too, including Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers! Notable sightings have included a large number of lacewing insects, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Redstarts, and other warblers!
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Please continue to avoid visiting the trails on the northwestern side of the property- if there is caution tape, then the trail is off-limits for your safety.
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Our first High Island Workday of the fall was a resounding success, and we would like to thank those volunteers that helped us clear and open trails in Boy Scout Woods.Â
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November means our wintering shorebirds are settling into Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. Later migrants such as Dunlin become more evident as the last stragglers of our summering species (Least Tern and Wilson’s Plover) finally depart for points south. Though largely clad in shades of white, brown, and gray this time of year, the large number and kinetic energy of these marathon migrants are a sight to behold. Join our coastal staff at the Bolivar Flats vehicle barrier for our monthly Bolivar Beach Ramble on  Saturday, November 2nd to learn more about these birds and the habitats they rely on.
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November often heralds the departure of most warmer-weather bird species from the Upper Texas Coast with many of our wintering species arriving. Ducks and geese often become more evident, and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers stage large flights on their way south. It is also one of the most exciting times for vagrants in Texas. Young birds hatched this summer embark on their first migrations, some more successfully than others. Cooler temperatures can also mean fewer biting insects.
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Damuth Bird Sanctuary Revisited
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As you may recall, our previous sanctuary spotlight was on Damuth. Why revisit the property a second time? Well, as we delve deeper into what makes Houston Audubon sanctuaries so important, we can begin to look at the plants that call the land their home. Typically, when a section of land has a lot of extremely rare plants that haven’t been found for decades, it is a good indicator that the land is potentially healthy or untouched relative to an urban plot of land covered in turf grass. The reason for this is that some plants (and other organisms) are highly specialized to a specific environment and sensitive to change. On a recent visit to Damuth, members of a team of biologists found a few very rare plants, including a bladderwort that hasn’t been seen but a couple of other times in Texas. The Purple Bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) is a tiny carnivorous plant that lives in the Eastern United States, and is very rarely found in Texas. It traps its prey in nodules on its roots, and produces a lovely small purple flower. Visit Damuth to try and find the Bladderwort for yourself, but remember, be respectful and leave no trace!
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Become a Member
Become a Houston Audubon member today to receive great benefits like members-only birding trips, early access and free admission to certain events, discounts on our merchandise, and more!Â
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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 comes to Houston Audubon.
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| Make a Donation
Individual donations are the backbone of Houston Audubon's programs. Donations from individuals such as yourself are the driving force behind all of our education and sanctuary programs.Â
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440 Wilchester Blvd. | Houston, TX 77079 US
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