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Birding Classes with Glenn Olsen
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U.S. and World Travel
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Sighting Reports
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- Texas Sightings: For what's being seen at our sanctuaries and on the Upper TX Coast, visit eBird or the Texbirds archives. It is not necessary to register to use either resource.
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Rare Bird Alerts: Houston Audubon sponsors NARBA, the home of the North American and statewide Texas Rare Bird Alerts.
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Birding on the Upper Texas Coast:
July - November Highlights
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The Upper Texas Coast witnesses a steady flow of migratory birds beginning as early as July and lasting through November. Many species hug the coastline on their way to South and Central America for the winter.
Shorebirds: See
A Birdwalk at Bolivar Flats by Cin-Ty Lee of Rice University.
The Rookery at Smith Oaks: Sunset is a magical time at the Rookery in late summer and fall, with potentially thousands of birds coming to roost on the island in Claybottom Pond. This show starts about an hour before sunset when the first birds trickle in, soon it is small flocks, then big flocks, then they pour in from all directions. (The Rookery webpage).
Hawks: Hawk migration begins in August. Within the city limits, in August
Mississippi Kites soaring overhead are a common sight. The
Smith Point Hawk Watch, sponsored by the
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory has counters and volunteers daily August 15 - November 15.
Hummingbirds: Migration begins in July and lasts through October; peak numbers are in September.
Houston Audubon Hummingbird Fact Sheet.
Swifts and Swallows: Peak numbers for
Purple Martins are in July and August. The largest congregations of
Chimney Swifts are in September and October. Not as well known are the spectacular numbers of swallows, particularly
Barn and Tree, which may be seen along the coast August through October.
Fall Coastal Landbirds: See Don Verser's article and spreadsheet of
Fall Migration Data on this website.
Radar Patterns: Migration patterns, particularly of Purple Martins, are sometimes visible on weather surveillance radar. To learn more, see our Purple Martins page and
Radar Ornithology: Introduction on the Clemson University website.
More information: on Houston Audubon's Fall Migration webpage.
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 June 1 - 30
 Weekly Chimney Swift Counts in Houston & Dayton
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