Dear friend,
April is here, and with it comes the excitement of spring migration. Birds are on the move; they're traveling north after wintering south of Texas and now is the perfect time to get outside and see what you can find. At Houston Audubon, we work to protect the critical habitats these birds depend on to stop, rest, and refuel along their journey. This important work is made possible by our dedicated staff and incredible volunteers, whose efforts ensure these sanctuaries remain healthy, welcoming places for both birds and people.
We’re also proud to offer programs that help people of all ages learn more about birds and the habitats they depend on. We invite you to join us, whether in the field, at an event, or through one of our programs to deepen your connection to nature. We’re grateful to share these spaces with you. Whether you’re visiting a sanctuary, volunteering your time, supporting our work, or simply staying connected, you play an important role in this effort. I encourage you to get out, enjoy the beauty of migration, and be part of what makes it all possible.
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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Our resident Barred Owl, who has been delighting visitors with frequent roosts this spring, has recently welcomed a partner. While it’s still too early to tell if there are additions to the nest box on the horizon, staff are hopeful that fledglings may become part of the ELMNS experience in the future.
There’s more excitement happening around the sanctuary as well. We’re currently working on a much-needed cleanout and upgrade of the bullfrog pond near the cabin. By early summer, we expect to have a healthy, refreshed pond ready to support the many species that rely on this important aquatic habitat.
A huge thank you to the 30+ volunteers who joined us for our March Community Workday. With beautiful weather on our side, we were able to tackle a variety of spring-cleaning projects, all while sharing plenty of smiles along the way.
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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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April is finally here, and with it comes a deluge of migratory birds. Staff and volunteers have been working around-the-clock to prepare our sanctuaries for the thousands of visitors we expect in the coming weeks. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers that have worked with us over the past six months at our High Island Workdays to maintain the trails and improve the habitat, and to those that have participated in our Coastal Natives Nursery Workdays propagating more plants to augment the habitat we manage across the Bolivar Peninsula. As we wind down preparations, the real fun is about to begin as both new and familiar faces make their way to High Island to experience one of North America’s most spectacular migratory spectacles. There are ample opportunities to join the community and learn more about birds, birding, and why our coast offers such a unique opportunity to observe migration. From volunteering at one of our kiosks or canopy walkway, to attending our free guided bird walks or classes, there’s plenty to do and see in the month of April. Sanctuary information, rules, and tips for making the most of your visit can be found on our website.
The peak period for the most diversity in bird species is typically the last ten days of April and the first seven days of May. However, the best time to visit depends on which species you most want to see. Birds that breed in the southern U.S. (e.g. Louisiana Waterthrush, Swainson’s Warbler, Swallow-tailed Kite) move through our area earlier in the season than birds that breed in the northern U.S. (e.g. Canada Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher). That is why the latter part of April is the “sweet spot.”
It’s important to note when birding our coastal sanctuaries that, while there are interesting birds in the mornings, Trans-Gulf migrants begin arriving in the mid-afternoon or evening. They depart the Yucatan after sunset and spend all night and much of the next day crossing 650 miles of open water. This means a slow morning is not an indicator of a slow afternoon, especially if we get a midday cold front with north winds. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary and Jocelyn Nungaray NWR (formerly Anahuac NWR) are great places to bird while you wait for the afternoon migrants to arrive.
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How YOU Can Help Birds This Spring Migration!
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By Schyler Brown, Bird-Friendly Communities Program Manager
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Spring migration is near, and in some cases it's already here! Some say that it arrives with the coming of the first Purple Martins, others say it comes with the arrival of the first Hooded Warbler. Whatever your first sign of spring is, prepping your home for the arrival of our migratory birds can help give them the boost they need to reach their northern breeding grounds. Here are a few tips:
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Put out a bird feeder – Readily available bird food such as nuts, seeds, and worms can give birds the protein and fat boost they need to make it to their breeding grounds.
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Provide water – Water is helpful for birds that need to freshen up their feathers, cool down, or simply take a drink! A water feature with a dripper will attract many birds to your yard (DIY drip instructions coming soon!)
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Plant native plants – Native plants host the specific insects that our native birds need to survive. Native trees, like mulberries, also produce fruit that birds can eat to refuel before they continue their journey north.
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Turn your lights out and put up window decals! Building collisions are a major source of mortality for our migrating birds. Most migratory birds fly at night, and city lights can disorient them, often resulting in fatal collisions. Turning out non-essential lights from 11 pm - 6 am during migration can substantially help reduce light pollution. For daytime collisions, you can put up window decals or special window treatments. To make it fun, challenge your neighbor to a window art competition!
- Share your work! Post pictures of your efforts on social media and show your friends and family what you're doing to help birds. Spreading awareness about bird migration and the hazards birds face will help encourage others to take part and make a difference.
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By Casey Smith, Coastal Community Liaison
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Coastal Community Liaison Casey Smith was thrilled to visit third graders at Crenshaw Environmental Science Magnet last month as a special Bulldog guest reader. During her visit, she shared stories about Texas coastal birds, introduced students to beach-nesting birds, and highlighted the importance of protecting their habitats. The students were already full of impressive knowledge, but their curiosity and enthusiasm made the experience even more special. It was inspiring to see their passion grow as they learned more about how they can help protect birds right in their own backyards and along our beaches.
These students are truly budding conservationists and bird heroes in the making, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to care for our feathered friends.
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