Finding the Piratic Flycatcher: A Lesson in Discretion

By Schyler Brown, Houston Audubon Conservation Specialist “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching – even when doing the wrong thing is legal.” – Aldo Leopold I will not pretend for a second that I knew what the bird was. In fact, upon spotting it on our way out […]

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Beak of the Week – Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) Family: Parulidae (New World Warblers) By Rachel Myers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician The Black-throated Green Warbler is one of the many species of warblers that migrate through the Upper Texas Coast and can be seen during spring migration. They can be seen in the area from March through May […]

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National Volunteer Week: Highlighting John LeaRussa

By Schyler Brown, Conservation Specialist I want to thank John LeaRussa, a member of the Edith L. Moore Trail Crew, for his hard work and dedication as a Houston Audubon volunteer. The Trail Crew is a team of volunteers who assist the sanctuary manager in maintaining the life of our trail systems at Edith L. […]

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Beak of the Week – Cerulean Warbler

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) Family: Parulidae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Cerulean Warblers are small, dashing warblers. Males are sky-blue above, and white underneath with a thin blue “necklace” and streaking on the sides. Females are similar but are green-blue above and their underparts have a faint yellow wash. Females also lack […]

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Welcome to Caroline Nixson, Houston Audubon’s New Volunteer Coordinator!

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Caroline Nixson! Caroline is a native Houstonian, coming to Houston Audubon after working in secondary education and the performing arts for several years. She has profound love for the natural world, from her own backyard, to the trails of Terry Hershey Park, the Texas Gulf Coast, […]

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Beak of the Week – Chestnut-collared Longspur

Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) Family: Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings) By Rachel Myers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician The Chestnut-collared Longspur is a common passerine of North America’s shortgrass prairies, rangelands, and desert grasslands. They are rarely seen on the Upper Texas Coast but one has shown up on the Bolivar Peninsula! These birds are […]

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Beak of the Week – Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) Family: Cardinalidae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician With their dazzlingly bright plumage, Scarlet Tanagers are distinctive summertime residents of eastern deciduous forests. During the breeding season, adult males have brilliant red bodies and black wings and tails. Females are yellow, with darker olive wings and tails. Immature males […]

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Beak of the Week – White Ibis

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) Family: Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) By Rachel Myers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician The White Ibis is an easy to recognize resident on the upper Texas coast. They are often found in groups in wetlands and estuaries across the southeastern United States. White Ibises occur year round in our area and […]

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It’s Beach (nesting bird) Season!

By Rachel Myers, Grace Yaros, Wyatt Egelhoff Spring has sprung on the Upper Texas Coast (UTC), bringing with it the return of our beach-nesting birds! From March through August, fencing is placed around the dunes and beaches where these birds raise their chicks to protect them from disturbance. Houston Audubon, American Bird Conservancy, and other […]

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Beak of the Week – Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) Family: Parulidae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Blue-winged Warblers are small, dashing warblers; males have brilliant yellow faces and underparts with greenish backs and light blue-gray wings, two contrasting white wing-bars, and a thick black eye-line. Females are very similar to males, but have more green coloration in […]

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