Apr
4
to Apr 26
Apr
8
to Apr 11
Spring Chirp Birding Festival - Weslaco, TX
Come on down to Weslaco, Texas, the place to be in the Spring for an excellent variety of wild birds, butterflies and even dragonflies which is unlike anywhere else in the USA. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is the home of many great birding sites, and Weslaco sits smack dab in the middle and is certainly one of the valley’s jewels. Weslaco is small by city standards, but situated as it is near the banks of the Rio Grande, supports a large array of birdlife found in few other places. With close proximity to both the Progreso and Donna International bridges we are a destination that has something for everyone.
Weslaco in the Rio Grande Valley are an ecological crossroad, where subtropical, Gulf Coast, Great Plains, and Chihuahuan desert climates come together. Birds from the Central and Mississippi flyways go right through the area on their way to and from Mexico, Central and South America. Weslaco and the Rio Grande Valley is the primary corridor in the spring for the raptor and hawk migration.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced enthusiast with premium field trip locations and exclusive access to private properties you can explore this renowned birding Mecca for species such as Plain and Piebald Chachalacas, Green Jays, and Hummingbirds, and a number of Mexican species of seasonal migrants which are regularly found here and are nothing but extraordinary.
Field Trips & Educational Activities for Beginners – Experts
Private Gardens and Guided 'Hot Spot' Tours
Lunch and dinner included each day.
To learn more about Spring Chirp such as where to stay, what to do, and how to participate, simply explore this site!
Come see for yourself why the Rio Grande Valley has earned worldwide recognition for its outstanding birding spots, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover its remarkable assortment of preserves, refuges, nature parks, trails, and more.
The Valley Nature Center is honored to host the Spring Chirp Festival. Our goal is to provide attendees a fulfilling and rewarding experience. The Festival is taking place during one of the prime birding seasons.
To register, please go to the following link:
https://www.springchirp.com/register
or contact:
Spring Chirp c/o Valley Nature Center
301 S Border Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 969-2475
Apr
9
to Apr 13
Texas Mid-Coast Birding Festival - Port Lavaca, Texas
This unique event offers birding enthusiasts the rare opportunity to explore a variety of exclusive locations that are typically off-limits to the public. Join us for guided tours, expert-led workshops, and a chance to witness the diverse avian species that make this region a birding paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, this festival is your gateway to unforgettable birdwatching experiences along the Texas coast.
Registration opens in early January 2026. All tours require registration. With registration you will receive admittance to the Welcome Reception.
Meet and Greet
The Texas Mid-Coast Birding Festival kicks off with a meet and greet starting at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 9. Participants will gather to enjoy casual appetizers and mingle.
At 6 p.m. the festival will officially kick-off with introduction of the guides who will lead the next day’s tours, offering insights into their planned adventures. With excitement in the air and connections blossoming, the evening sets the perfect tone for the adventures that await at dawn. Included with full festival registration.
Raptor Demonstration
Join us for an exciting raptor demonstration by Wildlife Revealed/Sky Kings Falconry. The schedule will be coming soon. This event is free and open to the public, so don’t miss out! Victor Lawrence has been working with Wildlife Revealed for the past 8 years. He has had a passion for birds his entire life, beginning with parakeets and cockatiels; advancing to Macaw parrots for over 30 years, and now experiencing the joy of working with the Raptors/Meat eating birds.
Wildlife Revealed specializes in free-flight bird demonstrations. The group is dedicated to education and the conservation of our planet’s wildlife. They convey information to audiences not only in an educational methodology, but in an entertaining manner as well. They believe there should be an element of “fun” while learning about the different species. They have approximately 40 birds with three licensed falconers conducting the educational presentations who are considered “Support Staff” to the real stars of the programs.
Grand Supper
We invite you to an unforgettable evening at the Grand Supper of the Texas Mid-Coast Birding Festival on Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. This year, we are excited to welcome Tiffany Kersten. Tiffany spent 2021 traveling, birding, and gifting personal safety alarms to women birders she met on the trails along the way during her Lower 48 States Big Year. In 2022, she founded Nature Ninja Birding Tours, offering customized private tours in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
Join us for a remarkable opportunity to connect with fellow birding enthusiasts, savor a delectable meal, and gain insights from one of the foremost voices in the field. Don’t miss this chance to be inspired and celebrate our shared passion for birds and nature. Mark your calendars and prepare for an evening filled with inspiration and camaraderie at the Grand Supper!
Apr
11
6:30 AM06:30
Brownsville Birding Festival 2026
Stay tuned for The First Annual Brownsville Birding Festival
The Brownsville Birding Festival celebrates the unique bird species and migration patterns found in our region of South Texas—one of the most biologically diverse birding areas in the country. Our inaugural festival will take place April 11–12, 2026, and will include guided tours, expert speakers, and hands-on workshops in partnership with local organizations and parks.
Further information will be available on the Festival’s website at:
https://visitbtx.com/birdingfest
For further information, please contact:
Eva L. Millan
Tourism Coordinator | Film Commissioner
City of Brownsville
Convention & Visitors Bureau | Office of Space Commerce
Brownsville Border Film Commission
1312 E. Adams St. | Brownsville, Texas 78520
(O) 956-551-6025
(C) 956-561-2852
Apr
15
to May 15
Great Texas Birding Classic
https://tpwd.texas.gov/events/great-texas-birding-classic
Gather your friends, family, or fellow bird club members to join your team in the Great Texas Birding Classic—the biggest, longest, and wildest birdwatching tournament. The days of participation are your choice between April 15 and May 15 during peak spring migration. There’s a tournament category for everyone from beginning birders to competitive aces. Gather your team, register, pick your day of birding, and enjoy the experience. Registration fees raise money for Texas bird conservation project grants.
All levels and ages of birders are welcome to join this Texas birdwatching event during the amazing spring migration.
There’s a tournament category for everyone—from the beginning backyard birder to the competitive lister!
Registration fees raise money for Texas bird and birding conservation project grants.
Gather your team, register, and go birding—it’s truly that simple.
Review how to participate and all tournament rules. There are a number of tournament categories (length of time in the field, number of team members, dispersed vs. intact flock team rules, etc.).
The deadline to register for the Texas Birding Classic is April 1.
Visit our website for more details.
Contact
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
512-389-4500
shelly.plante@tpwd.texas.gov (Shelly Plante)
Location
State of Texas
TX
Apr
16
to Apr 19
Galveston FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival
https://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/
Mark your calendars to attend Galveston Island’s 24th 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, electric bike, 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
FeatherFest@gintc.org (Eowyn Johnson)
Location
Moody Gardens Hotel
1 Hope Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77554
Apr
16
to Apr 20
Olympic Bird Fest - Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula
Set on Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula, between the million-acre Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this region is renowned for its rich birdlife and diverse habitats, making it one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier birding destinations.
Olympic BirdFest takes place each April, timed perfectly to capture the overlap of wintering birds and spring migration. Species such as Harlequin and Long-tailed Ducks, seabirds, and winter songbirds are still present, while spring arrivals like Rufous Hummingbirds return from Mexico alongside the blooming red-flowering currants.
Expert-led field trips explore some of the region’s most iconic birding locations, including Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Dungeness Bay, Ediz Hook, Dungeness Spit, and the Elwha River. Additional outings venture through forests, fields, and prairies to seek out a variety of songbirds. Beyond the field trips, BirdFest offers engaging presentations, workshops, and a Saturday night banquet featuring a special guest speaker and raffle.
Apr
17
to Apr 19
Matagorda Bay Birdfest
https://matagordabaybirdfest.org/
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 28 of the last 32 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
lbeck@matagordabaybirdfest.org (Laurie Beck)
Location
The Peaceful Pelican
East Bay Boulevard 317
Palacios, TX 77465
Apr
22
to Apr 26
Birdiest Festival in America 2026 - Corpus Christi, TX
Experience spring migration on the Gulf Coast and private ranch hotspots including more regions of the world-famous King Ranch. Nineteen different full or half-day field trips offer plenty of flexibility to attend presentations, workshops, and choice, guided bird walks. Two Pre-trips, Rio Grande Valley and Texas Hill Country; one Post-trip to Rio Grande Valley. Jonathan Wood’s photogenic Raptor Project returns along with Vendor Trade Show, Texas BBQ Welcome Dinner, Artisan Booths, Family Fun Day, and Friday’s Keynote! The Birdiest Festival in America will be held at the beautiful South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
Location
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
8545 S. Staples Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
361-852-2100
Contact
South Texas Botantical Gardens & Nature Center
361-563-5968
denise@aquariaservicesinc.com (Festival Chair)
Further questions to veteran Chair Denise, 361-563-5968.
The 2026 Keynote Speaker at the Birdiest Festival in America will be David Sarkozi, author of “The Birds of Texas.” David Sarkozi began birding as a teenager in Central Texas and has been an avid birder for over 45 years—still keeping his very first field guide. A past President of the Texas Ornithological Society and longtime board member, he has led countless birding trips across Texas and organized over 30 trips to Belize through KoziBirding.com. David’s birding achievements include two Texas Big Years (500 species in 2015, 509 in 2017) and, in 2019, birding all 254 Texas counties in one year.
Apr
29
to May 3
Birding the Border 2026
Discover Birding on Private Ranch in Three Eco-Regions
Join us in Del Rio, TX for Birding the Border 2026!
Each spring, birders from across Texas and beyond gather in the borderlands of Val Verde County, where the Hill Country, Edwards Plateau, and South Texas Brush Country come together. Over the course of several days, participants explore landscapes that few ever have the chance to experience –private ranches, river corridors, and canyons alive with song.
Bird with Professional Guides – Featuring 8 Daily Trip Choices
Participants have eight distinct field trip options to choose from daily. We strive to highlight a variety of habitats and bird diversity each day. Small group sizes, typically 8 to 13 participants, create an intimate setting where you can connect with guides, fellow birders, and the birds & land itself. Participants depart each morning for trips between 5:15 – 6:30 a.m. and return after having lunch (included) no later than 2 p.m. for afternoon educational seminars.
*Schedule & locations are subject to change based upon landowners, birds, and weather.*
Birding the Border 2026 Offers 2 Specialized Track Options
Photography Track
Participants who choose the photography track will have the opportunity to hone their birding and photography skills during this slower paced trip. Participants will have the unique opportunity to advance their field photography skills at McKenna Ranch and the Ranch at Bakers Crossing, while wrapping up on the last day in the unique bird blinds of the Transition Ranch. This pre-set 3-day package includes 3-days of guided morning birding trips, lunch, and transportation. $495
Beginner Track
Beginners are welcome to participate in all aspects of Birding the Border. With guides who have a true heart for education, we’re confident you’ll have a great experience no matter which trips you choose.
If you prefer to take things a little slower and focus on building your birding skills alongside an expert guide, the Beginner Track might be the perfect fit for you. During these trips, the guide will take time to break down the identification process step by step, helping you learn as you bird. Traveling through all three eco-regions, this track combines bird diversity with a unique hands-on learning experience. Beginner trips include: Zuberbueler Ranch, Las Ciénegas, & Dobbs Run Ranch.
Participation in the Beginner Track is limited to 10 participants, ensuring plenty of personal attention and opportunities to ask questions. $475
TOS Century Club Trips
Designed for birders chasing 100 species in every Texas county, this fast-paced track targets Sutton, Maverick, and Edwards Counties. With chances to boost your Val Verde and Kinney lists on other Birding the Border trips. Hit top county hot spots and enjoy the thrill of birding on the move!
Join the Big Day Del Rio challenge, where 2024 participants tallied 100 species with barley leaving city limits. This year, if the count falls short, you can expand your search and bird until you hit 100!
Texas Ornithological Society members receive a $50 discount on Birding the Border registration. To access this discount enter BTB2026 at checkout. If you already registered and did not get the discount please contact the Birding with Extension Team at agrilife.birding@gmail.com and we will give you the discount.
To Register, click on the following link:
https://wildlife.tamu.edu/birding/birding-the-border-2026/
Mar
28
5:00 PM17:00
Gulf Coast Brew on the Bayou
Come to Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to sample and enjoy specialty brews from local breweries as well as wines. Listen to live music, grab a bite to eat from local food trucks, and check out some hot items at our silent auction. Our beautiful wooded grounds will be lit by torchlight making it a perfect spot to enjoy the brews, the food, and the music! Additional highlights include a birds of prey show with live raptors and pontoon rides on the bayou.
Tickets are $20 in advance on our website or $25 at the door. We hope to see you there!
Contact
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
979-480-0999
csilling@gcbo.org (Celeste Silling)
Location
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
299 Hwy 332 West
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
This event is open to ages 18 and older. Please bring a valid ID.
Mar
14
9:00 AM09:00
Choke Canyon Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park
Enjoy a day of bird themed family-friendly outdoor and indoor activities... including a live bird show!
Program Expectations:
A day full of outdoor and indoor activities, including
Live Bird Show and viewing opportunities (trained birds of prey)
Guided family bird walks
Bird blind watching
Kid-Friendly activity booths (arts and crafts, learn how to use binoculars, trivia, scavenger hunt, bingo, shooting)
Native Plant Sale
Guest Speakers
Take home prizes, arts and crafts, new knowledge and perhaps purchase a native plant for your home!
What to bring:
Jacket
Water
Snacks, maybe a picnic lunch
Accessibility: Parking will be in the parking lot near the recreation complex, 75 acre lake or in the RV loop. Restrooms are located by every parking area and activity area and are wheelchair accessible. The recreation complex is wheelchair accessible, and one of the trails being used will be paved and wheelchair accessible.
Fees
This program is included in park entry fees.
5 dollars for 13+
Free for 12-
Programs are subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Cancellations will be announced on this website, or you can call park headquarters.
Park Address:
358 Recreation Rd. 8
Calliham, TX 78007
The Park HQ, at the Calliham Unit, is located at:
Latitude: 28.465773
Longitude: -98.354195
The South Shore Unit of this park is located at:
Latitude 28.467458
Longitude -98.246528
Feb
19
to Feb 22
Port Aransas Whooping Crane Festival
Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival has celebrated the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas Coastal Bend is the only place where you can see the world’s last naturally occurring population of Whooping Cranes.
See you February 19–22, 2026!
Feb
5
to Feb 8
14th Annual Laredo Birding Festival
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.
For further information, see the Festival website at:
https://laredobirdingfestival.org/
If you have any questions contact LBF Planning Committee by email at laredobirdingfestival@rgisc.org
Dec
3
to Dec 7
Festival of the Cranes
https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/festival/
Join us for the 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 five 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 four categories: Sandhill cranes, Wildlife, People, and Landscapes. 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
Festival@friendsofbosquedelapache.org
Location
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
1001 Hwy 1
San Antonio, NM 87832
Nov
5
to Nov 9
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN LATE AUGUST, 2025
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.
Location
Harlingen Convention Center
701 Harlingen Heights Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550
Sep
26
to Sep 28
Celebration of Flight Festival - Corpus Christi
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.
Don’t miss our trivia night the night before the festival, or the birding tour after!
Vendors and food trucks will be present throughout the festival.
Friday
7:30am Guided Bird Walk
Migration is on, but not just for raptors! Come see why Corpus Christi is known as the USA’s Birdiest City.
Liam Wolff, President, Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi
12:00pm Parade of Raptors
Do you know the difference between a hawk and a falcon? You will after this program! Join us and meet two Raptor Ambassadors up close and learn more about what makes them different.
2:00pm Program TBD
From How to HawkWatch to an Intro to Raptor ID, join our experts to learn more about all things raptor migration! Specific program and speaker info coming soon!
Saturday
7:30am Guided Bird Walk
Liam Wolff, President, Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi
10:00am Reading with Raptors
Perfect for families! Listen to a story about a raptor while meeting an Ambassador bird up close!
11:00am Program TBD
From How to HawkWatch to an Intro to Raptor ID, join our experts to learn more about all things raptor migration! Specific program and speaker info coming soon!
12:00pm Parade of Raptors
Do you know the difference between a hawk and a falcon? You will after this program! Join us and meet two Raptor Ambassadors up close and learn more about what makes them different.
2:00pm What All Do Owls Eat?
We’re often asked: what do raptors eat? Now, you can learn for yourself! Dissect a pellet and learn what a wild owl really eats by examining the bones of its prey.
3:00pm Program TBD
From How to HawkWatch to an Intro to Raptor ID, join our experts to learn more about all things raptor migration! Specific program and speaker info coming soon!
Sunday
7:30am Guided Bird Walk
Clay Taylor, Naturalist, Swarovski Optik
10:00am What All Do Owls Eat?
We’re often asked: what do raptors eat? Now, you can learn for yourself! Dissect a pellet and learn what a wild owl really eats by examining the bones of its prey.
11:00am Program TBD
From How to HawkWatch to an Intro to Raptor ID, join our experts to learn more about all things raptor migration! Specific program and speaker info coming soon!
12:00pm Parade of Raptors
Do you know the difference between a hawk and a falcon? You will after this program! Join us and meet two Raptor Ambassadors up close and learn more about what makes them different.
1:00pm Native American Blessing Ceremony
1:30pm Danza Azteca
Directions to Hazel Bazemore County Park
Take FM624 west from SH77 for about 1 mile. Take a right onto County Road 69 at the stoplight (look for the park sign), which takes you to the park.
Sep
20
to Sep 27
Houston Bird Week
https://houstonaudubon.org/birdweek
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
birdweek@houstonaudubon.org
Location
Houston Audubon
440 Wilchester Boulevard
Houston, TX 77079
Sep
18
to Sep 21
Annual Rockport-Fulton HummerBird Celebration
https://www.rockport-fulton.org/HB
The HummerBird Celebration is an annual event held each September in the charming and friendly coastal towns of Rockport and Fulton. The purpose is to celebrate the spectacular fall migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird through the area, first documented by Connie Hagar in 1938, and to expand one’s knowledge of all birds and associated wildlife. The Celebration is fun, educational, and inspiring. There is something for everyone, and it’s designed for those who simply enjoy birds to the more experienced birder. If you enjoy nature, or some aspect of it, then this event is for you.
Located in the migratory flyway with beaches, bays, estuaries, inland woods, prairies, and fields, there is extraordinary birding throughout the area , including 10 birding sites on the Great Texas Birding Trail. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is home to migrating Whooping Cranes, and Rockport-Fulton area has a great diversity of birds. Visit our birding page: https://www.rockport-fulton.org/Birding.
Contact
Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce
361-729-6445
chamberexec@1rockport.org (Makinzie Krnavek)
Location
Rockport-Fulton High School
1801 Omohundro St.
Rockport, TX 78382
Sep
13
to Sep 20
Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza
Held on Two Consecutive Saturdays:
September 13, 2025, 8 AM to 12 PM
September 20, 2025, 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 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
csilling@gcbo.org (Celeste Silling)
Location
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
299 Hwy 332 West
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
979-480-0999
Aug
15
to Nov 30
Smith Point Hawk Watch
Further information is available through the Smith Point Hawk Watch at:
https://www.gcbo.org/avian-research-and-monitoring/smith-point-hawk-watch/
From August 15 through November 30, the Hawk Watch is held daily at the Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area where GCBO has a 30-foot observation tower. The hawk watch is staffed daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 PM CDT. You are invited to come out any day during the season.
GCBO’s Smith Point Hawk Watch is celebrating its 29th year of raptor monitoring in 2025. On October 11 from 10:00am -1:00pm, we will be hosting our Smith Point Hawk Watch Celebration at the hawk watch. There will be food, drinks, a raptor presentation, and hopefully some live raptors on display. And, as always, plenty of raptors soaring through the sky! Our staff and volunteers will be manning the tower, monitoring the birds and pointing them out to guests. Visitors will be able to look through scopes and binoculars and see the migration up close. Come celebrate 29 years of research and conservation with us this fall! For more info visit www.gcbo.org or call us at 979-480-0999.
Contact
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
979-480-0999
csilling@gcbo.org (Celeste Silling)
Location
Candy Abshier Wildlife Management Area
Smith Point Road
Anahuac, TXUnited States
409-736-2551
View Venue Website
Aug
14
to Aug 17
Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration
In the heart of Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert Sky Islands, Fort Davis, at an elevation of 5,050 ft, is known as the Hummingbird Capital of Texas. Ten hummingbird species have been identified at the Hummingbird Celebration! Pack your life list with hummingbirds and great southwestern bird species. Exceptional field trips to the beautiful Christmas Mountains and Lucifer Hummingbirds, spectacular private ranches, and bird gardens.
The Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration will be held biennially in odd years.
Contact:
Cecilia Riley
info@davismountainshummingbirdcelebration.com.
Location
Fort Davis, Texas
101 Memorial Square
Fort Davis, TX 79734
Apr
25
to Apr 27
Balcones Songbird Festival
The Texas Hill Country is a rest stop for migrating birds—a way station where they can relax, catch a good meal, and gather strength for the rest of their journey. Nestled in the Hill Country is the 24,000-acre Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge that offers some of the best bird watching and habitat in Texas, with more than 215 bird species part or all year. The refuge also provides critical habitat for two endangered songbird migrants—the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. They not only stop to rest, they stop to nest. Other specialities include Painted Bunting, Black-crested Titmouse, Vermilion Flycatchers, Bushtits, Black-throated Sparrows, LeConte’s Sparrows, and Canyon Towhees. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks nest regularly as well as Cooper’s Hawks.
The Balcones Songbird Festival is a celebration of nature through a collection of interpretive events to experience both bird species and their habitat. There are bird walks, presentations, and talks. Small group focus tours, with leaders of distinction who will provide you with a quality and fun-filled experience. Experienced guides help you add to your life list.
While many of the nature tours and events take place across the Hill Country, the main event will be located at the Refuge Headquarters on FM 1431 just west of Lago Vista. It’s hosted by the Friends of Balcones and Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and supported by local and national conservation-minded sponsors who make this event possible.
Location
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
24518 FM, 1431
Marble Falls, TX 78654
Apr
23
to Apr 27
Birdiest Festival in America
TExperience Gulf Coast and private ranch hotspots including more regions of the world-famous King Ranch. Twenty-one different full or half-day field trips offer plenty of flexibility to attend presentations, workshops, and choice bird walks. Jonathan Wood’s photogenic Raptor Project returns along with vendor trade show, Texas BBQ Welcome Dinner, artisan booths, Rio Grande Valley Pre-Trip, scenic Texas Hill Country Post Trip, and Family Fun Day! Keynote speaker to be announced.
With a six-year total of 341 species sighted; 92 species on a three-hour bird walk; and a 10-hour BIG DAY record of 156 species, it’s “wings-up” to register early, at BIRDIESTFESTIVAL.ORG.
Beginning December 1, visit our website for REGISTRATION, DETAILS, SCHEDULE.
Location
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
8545 S. Staples Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
361-852-2100
Contact
South Texas Botantical Gardens & Nature Center
361-563-5968
denise@aquariaservicesinc.com (Festival Chair)
Further questions to veteran Chair Denise, 361-563-5968.
The 2025 Keynote Speaker will be Kevin Karlson, an accomplished birder, author, professional tour leader, wildlife photographer, and instructor, who will present: “Through the Looking Glass: Reflections of a Grateful Birder.”
Apr
5
to Apr 27
Blucher Park Bird Walks, Corpus Christi - Hosted by the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi
The Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi will be holding informal guided Bird Walks in Blucher Park every SATURDAY & SUNDAY in April 2025 (with the exception of Sunday, April 20th, which is Easter Sunday). Walks begin at 8:00 AM on each Saturday & Sunday and last for 1-2 hours. The walks are pretty informal, so if you can’t make it at 8 am, come when you can. Blucher Park is located at 209 S Tancahua St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. (See location provided below for the meeting place.)
Meet on Carrizo Street at the entrance to the park across from the Blucher houses.
April is the peak time for spring migrants such as warbler, orioles and tanagers, so grab your binoculars and join us for the show!
Mar
29
6:30 AM06:30
Gulf Coast Brew on the Bayou
March 29, 2025 All day
Come to Gulf Coast Bird Observatory to sample and enjoy specialty brews from local breweries as well as wines. Listen to live music, grab a bite to eat from local food trucks, and check out some hot items at our silent auction. Our beautiful wooded grounds will be lit by torchlight making it a perfect spot to enjoy the brews, the food, and the music! Additional highlights include a birds of prey show with live raptors and pontoon rides on the bayou.
Tickets are $20 in advance on our website or $25 at the door. We hope to see you there!
Location
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
299 Hwy 332 West
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Contact
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
979-480-0999
csilling@gcbo.org (Celeste Silling)