Great Egrets, High Island— Photo: Brennan Mulrooney

High Island, Texas, has become known as one of the premier spots in the world to observe spring bird migration. Every spring millions of birds journey north from the American Tropics to the forests of eastern North America. Many fly over the Gulf of Mexico and, if they encounter north wind or rain, may put down by the thousands in the isolated groves of live oaks at High Island. Surrounded by hundreds of square miles of coastal marsh and prairie, these tiny woodlands offer much needed food and shelter to the exhausted migrants. A number of these groves have been preserved as sanctuaries and are open to birders.

This short tour is designed to provide an introduction to the rich avifauna of the Upper Texas Coast. It will focus on bird migration as observed in the coastal groves as well as in nearby freshwater marsh, rice fields, and in the coastal intertidal regions which provide feeding grounds for thousands of shorebirds, hundreds of herons, ibises, and spoonbills, and much more.

Every day at High Island is an exciting one, especially in April when migration reaches its crescendo. If weather conditions are right, you may see 10 Scarlet Tanagers in one mulberry tree, 50 Indigo Buntings feeding on the ground, or several species of warblers, thrushes, and vireos bathing in one small pond. Join us for some of the world's most exciting birding. On this Introductory Tour, we will give special attention to instruction about birds, birding, migration, or other topics. In the field, we will take plenty of time to discuss a variety of aspects of birding, including bird identification, getting the most out of your optics, habitats, bird songs, etc. If possible, we will schedule time for a short break at the hotel each day.

Good accommodations; all nights at one location; easy walking on boardwalks and beaches; midday breaks some days; warm, sometimes humid conditions.