By Robert Buckert, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician By now you’ve likely come across the idea of Christmas Bird Counts (CBC), but if you’ve never participated, you likely have a lot of questions. How did they come to be, why do they matter, and how can I join? During the 1800s, it was popular tradition […]
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Caroline Nixson, Volunteer Coordinator, Houston Audubon Houston may be known for its freeways and skyscrapers, but it’s also a city shaped by water, sky, and the creatures that move through both. Perched at the intersection of coastal prairie, piney woods, bottomland forest, and estuarine wetlands, the Bayou City is uniquely positioned at a vibrant ecological […]
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Wyatt Egelhoff, Sanctuary Manager, Houston Audubon We’re excited to introduce everyone to a “new” Piping Plover at Bolivar Flats – “VGV” (short for ”Violet, Dark Green, Violet”)! This female Piping Plover was born in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Lake Superior), Wisconsin in 2023. She returned to the area in 2024 and this past summer […]
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By Sharon Young, Friends of Keegans Bayou Trail As part of the Witness Series event, “Blooming into History: Beautiful, Fierce and Free,” held on April 26, 2025, Houston Audubon staff Jed Aplaca and Carolyn Klein led a walk that helped participants identify wildflowers, grasses, pollinators, and birds along Keegans Bayou Trail in southwest Houston. Among […]
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By Kassandra Robles, Art Teacher, Elsik High School This spring, our students from Alief ISD’s Elsik High School had the incredible opportunity to visit Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary with Houston Audubon, a first for us, and hopefully the beginning of something that continues to grow. As an art teacher in one of Houston’s most diverse […]
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Article and photos by Amanda Jerng I recently collaborated with Houston Audubon to host our first bird walk for students at Cullinan Park, an event that ranks among the most inspiring experiences of my life. I had so much fun sharing everyone’s excitement, talking to parents about the origins of their children’s interest in birds, […]
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By Nick Minnich, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician With 2025 fully underway, spring migration is right around the corner! Exciting vagrants are already finding their spotlight in and around our High Island sanctuaries, such as a Spotted Towhee, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hooded Oriole, and more! It’s time to start studying your field guides and strengthening your […]
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By Theresa Kelly, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician The best weather for birding can vary heavily based on what you’re looking for. Although wind-driven rain might cause songbirds and waders to hunker down, it tends to push migrating seabirds such as petrels and terns closer to shore, making for great seawatching. Migrants of all orders, […]
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Sneed B. Collard III, Author There’s no one right way to start birding. Some people begin by catching “birding fever” from friends. Others, by watching birds in their gardens. Perhaps a “spark bird” captures your attention and propels you into the larger joys of birding. Or maybe you get wowed by Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent […]
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By Kenena Hanson, Houston Audubon Member Growing up with autism, it can be difficult to make connections with other people. I have been in love with birds from a very young age and have always wanted to be around them. Expressing my love for birds can seem obsessive to someone on the outside, but with […]
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