SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2026 CELEBRATION OF FLIGHT

The crew is setting up on the HawkWatch platform in Corpus Christi’s Hazel Bazemore County Park (4343 County Road 69 in the Calallen area of Corpus Christi) to record the number of raptors cruising south over the Coastal Bend this fall.
The count begins Saturday, , August 1, and continues until November 15. Let's hope for an outstanding year!

During the last weekend of September, HawkWatch International and the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi host a free family event called the Celebration of Flight. Speakers, live bird shows, food trucks and vendors make this a weekend of fun and education.
Local experts lead daily bird walks in the morning and school children from the area visit to learn about raptors and other critters. The celebration concludes with an inspiring Native American performance on Sunday afternoon.

https://www.gcbo.org/connect/xtreme-hummingbird-xtravaganza/

Held on Two Consecutive Saturdays:
September 12, 2026, 8 AM to 12 PM
September 19, 2026, 8 AM to 12 PM

Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza (XHX) is a yearly event at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory that takes place during the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration in the fall. It features symbolic hummingbird adoptions and live hummingbird banding where you get the opportunity to see these amazing birds up close and in the hand!

One of the big attractions at XHX is our live hummingbird banding. Hummers are caught in special traps and handled by professional banders. They are then weighed, measured, and banded. Ruby-throated hummingbirds weigh, on average, about as much as a penny. Despite their small size some make an annual journey of 1,300 miles from breeding grounds as far north as Canada to wintering grounds in Central America. In the fall most begin migrating south between late August and mid September. When they reach the Gulf Coast some fly straight across, marathoning an 18 to 24 hour journey across the ocean! Banding data allows us to collect information on individual hummingbirds that help us study their health and migration patterns. Symbolically ‘adopt’ a hummingbird at XHX to support our conservation efforts. You will also receive updates if your bird is caught in the future!

There will be educational booths, activities for kids, plant sale, and our nature gift store.

Tickets are $5 for adults and children 12 and under get in for free!

Contact

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

979-480-0999

View Organizer Website

csilling@gcbo.org (Celeste Silling)

Location

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

299 Hwy 332 West
Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Houston Bird Week is about celebrating the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of our resident birds.

Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of events centered around our region’s birds and wildlife – from bird walks to mindfulness talks to watch parties, there’s something for all Houstonians to enjoy. Your participation and excitement will help our city continue to be a welcoming home for birds.

Keep up with Bird Week on social media using #HoustonBirdWeek!

For dates, descriptions, and locations of all the events, check our website at www.houstonaudubon.org/birdweek .

Contact:

Houston Audubon

713-932-1639

View Organizer Website

birdweek@houstonaudubon.org

Location:

Houston Audubon

440 Wilchester Boulevard
Houston, TX 77079

Hawk migration is a true spectacle of the natural world, and Corpus Christi HawkWatch has the largest and most diverse in the country.

Celebrate the magic of migration during the annual Celebration of Flight Festival at the Corpus Christi HawkWatch at Hazel Bazemore County Park. This is a family-friendly event with free activities in the park that coincide with peak Broad-winged Hawk migration in September.

Thanks to our partners at the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi and the many volunteers who make this festival possible.

Contact:

Hawkwatch International

801-484-6808

View Organizer Website

hwi@hawkwatch.org

Location:

Hazel Bazemore County Park

4343 Co Rd 69
Corpus Christi, TX 78410

http://www.rgvbf.org/

See why birders have been flocking to this festival for more than 25 years—great birds (at least 30 new ones if you’ve never been to the Rio Grande Valley), fantastic professional guides, reunion-like socials, keynotes, workshops, huge trade show, and lots of goodies in the silent auction.

We are TEXAS FRIENDLY! Visit our website in July for details and for registration dates. For more information, contact (209) 227-4823 or (956) 423-5565; info@rgvbf.org.

Contact:

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

209-227-4823

View Organizer Website

info@rgvbf.org

Location:

Harlingen Convention Center

701 Harlingen Heights Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550

Join us for the 2026 Bosque del Apache Festival of the Cranes as we come together in celebration of the return of the Sandhill Cranes to their winter home. Rated among the top wildlife, birding, and photography events in North America, this nationally recognized festival offers about 85 to 90 events/classes over four days. Regardless of your birding or photography skill, the Festival of Cranes offers an extraordinary opportunity for premiere photography and birding classes, as well as guided tours and hikes with world-renowned photographers and expert birders. Whatever your interests, Festival of the Cranes has something for you.

Bosque del Apache NWR offers expansive vistas, exquisite light, enchanting bird songs, and the unique proximity of wildlife. Avid birders and photographers from around the world flock to the festival to view the spectacular sights of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese. While Bosque del Apache is known for Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese, they are certainly not all you’ll see at the refuge. Come for the ducks, raptors (including bald eagles), iconic roadrunners, and much, much more!

Annual Photo Contest

Each year the Friends of Bosque del Apache host an art and a photo contest. The Art Contest calls for Sandhill Crane artwork in any medium: paintings, digital, printmaking, mixed media, two- or three-dimensional art, photography, as well as any other. Photographs can be unaltered originals or edited. Friends of Bosque del Apache also offer a free Expo booth or table during the festival, where the featured artist of the year can sell her/his artwork, from postcards to originals. Official rules and art submissions are available at our website.

The Annual Photo Contest consists of these five categories: Sandhill Cranes, Wildlife, People, Landscapes, and Comedy.  Winning photos will be displayed at the Bosque del Apache Visitor Center atrium prior to and through the Festival of the Cranes and throughout the year until the next winners from the Photo Contest are selected.  Official rules and photo submissions are available at our website.

Contact

Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR

View Organizer Website

Festival@friendsofbosquedelapache.org

Location

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

1001 Hwy 1
San Antonio, NM 87832

With a rich and diverse river eco-system, Laredo is home to hundreds of species of local and migratory birds. Laredo is considered part of the “birdiest” corridor in North America. Our prized birds include the Morelet’s Seedeater, Scaled Quail, Gray Hawk, Audubon’s and Altamira Orioles, Green Parakeets, Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon, and Clay-colored Thrush, among many others.  Laredo is the only place in the U.S. to have boasted four species of kingfisher: the Ringed, Belted, Green, and Amazon.

The Laredo Birding Festival offers birders a variety of full-day scenic trips. Planned by the Rio Grande International Study Center and escorted by professional field guides and members of the local Monte Mucho Audubon Society, birdwatchers will have the opportunity to deepen their avian knowledge of South Texas and explore areas along Laredo’s river front, creek systems, and nature trails. Carefully selected public green spaces and private ranchland will provide visitors the chance to visit sites that have never been birded before, while an afternoon trip to St. Peter’s Plaza will give birders a chance to catch Laredo’s local green parakeets in action. Several festival favorites will also return, including “Bird ’til you Drop – Webb County” and two different kayak trips: “Floating Under Flyways I & II” and “Birding on the Rio Grande.”

Click HERE to view images of Laredo’s prized birds.

Visit our website for more information or call (956) 718-1063.

Contact

Rio Grande International Study Center

956-718-1063

View Organizer Website

info@rgisc.org

Location

La Posada Hotel

5928, 1000 Zaragoza St
Laredo, TX 78040

The Coastal Bend is the only spot in the United States where the endangered Whooping Crane can be viewed at close range, and the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce celebrates this astonishing natural wonder with an annual festival honoring these grand birds.

In addition to the Whooping Crane, an awesome array of wintering migratory birds flock into the wetlands and onto the Texas shorelines of Mustang Island in and around Port Aransas. Birding tours by land and sea are highlights during the festival. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the many festivities during the celebration. Free trade show featuring numerous unique vendors. A wide selection of optics, paintings, photography, and one-of-a-kind gift items for the nature lover in all of us will be featured. Other activities include world-renowned speakers, photography workshops, and a variety of field trips.

Contact

Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce

361-749-5919

View Organizer Website

events@visitportaransas.com

Location

Port Aransas Civic Center

710 W. Avenue A
Port Aransas, TX 78373

What is Spring Chirp?

A Boutique Birding Festival

Registration is now open: https://springchirp.com/festival

Come on down to Weslaco, Texas, the place to be in the spring for an excellent variety of wild birds, butterflies, and even dragonflies unlike anywhere else in the USA. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is home to many great birding sites, and Weslaco sits smack dab in the middle — certainly one of the valley's jewels. Small by city standards but situated near the banks of the Rio Grande, it supports a large array of birdlife found in few other places. With close proximity to both the Progreso and Donna International bridges, we're a destination that has something for everyone.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, our premium field trip locations and exclusive access to private properties let you explore this renowned birding mecca for species such as Plain and Piebald Chachalacas, Green Jays, hummingbirds, and a number of Mexican seasonal migrants regularly found here — nothing short of extraordinary.

Field Trips for Beginners to Experts

Private Gardens & Guided Hot-Spot Tours

Lunch & Dinner Included Each Day

The Valley Nature Center is honored to host the Spring Chirp Festival during one of the prime birding seasons. Our goal is to provide attendees a fulfilling and rewarding experience. To learn more — where to stay, what to do, and how to participate — simply explore this site!

Mark your calendars to attend Galveston Island’s 25th FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival during the peak of spring migration. Galveston is one of the top locations in the country for birding because it hosts a diverse variety of habitats in a small geographical area where some 300 species make their permanent or temporary home throughout the year.

Choose from 100+ expert-led birding and nature photography activities to beach, bay, Bolivar Flats, High Island, and more! Go by bus, boat, kayak, or drive your own vehicle for our meet-at-site trips.

Come experience spring migration, area charm, history, and hospitality in Galveston.

Pre-festival field trips to be announced.

Contact

Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council

409-789-8125

View Organizer Website

FeatherFest@gintc.org (Eowyn Johnson)

Location

Moody Gardens Hotel

1 Hope Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77554

Matagorda Bay Birdfest is a truly exceptional event and bird celebration. There will be expert-guided tours to Powderhorn Ranch, the Nature Conservancy’s Mad Island Marsh, Dog Island Preserve, JBH Burr Ranch, Harrison Ranch, Birding Nature Center and LeTulle Park, and other locations.

The Matagorda County Christmas Bird Count has been #1 in the bird species count for the Audubon Christmas bird count in 29 of the last 33 years! It is the undiscovered jewel of midcoast Texas! Our extensive panel of speakers will include many outstanding professionals including speakers from Audubon, Smithsonian, and International Crane Foundation.

Don’t miss the Keynote dinner at the Palacios Pavilion overlooking beautiful Matagorda Bay or the one-of-a-kind Bird Parade along the waterfront that is both fun and fabulous!

Contact

Matagorda Bay Birdfest

956-285 3234

View Organizer Website

lbeck@matagordabaybirdfest.org (Laurie Beck)

Location

The Peaceful Pelican

East Bay Boulevard 317
Palacios, TX 77465

Join us for a weekend of birding, nature, workshops, and outdoor adventure at the southernmost tip of Texas.

Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, TX

More details coming soon!

Information on this annual festival will be coming soon.

spotting a remarkable variety of species that reflect the region’s unique blend of habitats. Over the three day experience, immerse yourself in the varied landscapes of the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains, and the Chihuahuan Desert. You’ll have the chance to spot target species like the golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos, Morelet’s seedeaters, and the vibrant buntings—varied, indigo, and painted. More than just a birding event, Birding the Border celebrates conservation, community, and the spirit of exploration that defines birding in Texas.

Each morning, choose from 6 unique locations for a guided birding adventure. With groups capped at 10 to 13 participants, you’ll receive personalized attention as you explore and learn. For photography aficionados, specialized trips focus on capturing stunning images at bird blinds and scenic spots, limited to just six participants per day.

Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and local partners, Birding the Border celebrates the incredible avian diversity of the region.

2027 Event Information:

Dates: April 30 – May 2, 2027
Location: Del Rio, Texas
Registration: Opening November 2026
Contact: agrilife.birding@gmail.com

Connect with fellow birders and guides at our curated social events:

• Welcome Social – Thursday, April 29, 2027
  Kick off your birding adventure with our Welcome Social. Here, you’ll meet our team of expert guides and fellow birding enthusiasts while learning about Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and enjoy a savory taco bar!

• Tweets & Treats Evening Social – Friday,  April 30, 2027

• Birding with Extension Dinner – Saturday, May 1, 2027

Join us at Birding the Border for an enriching experience filled with community, learning, and the breathtaking beauty of Texas’s avian wonders.