Dates: April 19 - 26, 2025

Leaders: Erik Bruhnke & Brian Gibbons

E-bird

Total Species: 200 birds

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Overall Summary

Our High Island Migration tour was an exciting whirlwind of incredible migration and wonderful local specialties alike. Every day was a birding treasure hunt, as we explored different environments with different birding possibilities that changed day by day. We read the winds and weather patterns, planning our daily route to best coincide with the arrival of birds. What a fun and memorable adventure this was!

On our first morning, we had a pre-sunrise breakfast, welcomed to the van by charismatic Great-tailed Grackles in the parking lot. For as common as they are, it was fun to be in the presence of these chatty birds every day of the tour. We set our sights on birding the Pineywoods north of Houston, and the specialties delighted us. A casual walk through the towering pine trees had us viewing three fabulous Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, a big target of our morning there! Impressive views of this species were enjoyed through the scopes. It was sad to know that this wonderful species is threatened, and we felt honored to have such great views of it. Cute squeaks were heard overhead as Brown-headed Nuthatches fed along the pine branches. The Pineywoods visit was a lively success, with many other bird species enjoyed as well.

Later that morning, we birded some areas of the Sam Houston National Forest. Hooded Warblers sang their beautiful songs through the understory. Pine Warblers trilled far overhead. We came across two beautiful and uncommon Swainson’s Warblers along our casual forest roadside walks. It was a treat to bird through these southeastern pine forests. After a tasty lunch, we enjoyed impromptu views of a Fish Crow in a parking lot. Throughout the afternoon, highlights included scoping out six Buff-breasted Sandpipers among sod fields. We also birded along rice fields south of Winnie. We scored some amazing sightings on our first afternoon in the area, including six Hudsonian Godwits, 85 Whimbrels, and more. A very pale Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk was seen perching and flying around, as were a White-tailed Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, and Crested Caracara. Sassy Loggerhead Shrikes were also observed, on high alert for their next fast-flying meal. The highlights kept on coming until we returned to Winnie for our first night in the area.

The next morning, we had our sights set on the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (formerly known as Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge), but not before birding some fields en route. It was fun to soak up the birding both on the way to the refuge and, of course, within the refuge itself. We found ourselves saying, “There are simply too many cool birding moments,” while visiting field after field on the way there. We found several areas chock-full of shorebirds, including both dowitcher species, Pectoral Sandpipers, and others (10 shorebird species altogether). Point-blank views of a chatty Sedge Wren were special! Upon arriving at the refuge, we were greeted by Orchard Orioles whistling in the parking area, a variety of swallows flying around, and the distant chatter of Boat-tailed Grackles. Our time around the wildlife drive was exciting in both rain and shine. Hopping from viewing area to viewing area, we enjoyed comparing both Black-bellied and Fulvous whistling-ducks, each beautiful in its own way. American Alligators of various ages rested along the nearby mudflats. Common Gallinules strutted along the water’s surface while their less common cousins, the Purple Gallinules, fed more secretly while still offering views. Among a wild and numerous kaleidoscope of shorebirds, we found two uncommon White-rumped Sandpipers, each in full breeding plumage. Gull-billed Terns fed over the saltmarsh environments, and a Black Tern was picked out among the many Forster’s Terns. Dozens of White-faced Ibis were seen feeding among the saltgrass, and later on we found two less common Glossy Ibis among the mudflats. A sneaky and beautiful Least Bittern came into view. There were just so many birds to enjoy! Adorable baby Barn Owls were seen at midday, swaying together and analyzing us from the little nook and cranny where they were being raised, and all of this was enjoyed before a fun picnic in the field.

On our first afternoon at High Island, we hit a birding jackpot of 18 warbler species and more! Many of the warblers were seen among food-rich mulberry trees and also at the nearby Boy Scout Woods ponds and drip areas. Among the many exciting warbler highlights was a female Cape May Warbler. This species is quite rare in Texas, often migrating slightly east of East Texas, and was a considerable rarity for the tour. An Indigo Bunting fed near three Painted Buntings, while both Summer and Scarlet tanagers gorged themselves on berries. A late-lingering White-throated Sparrow was seen in a tree, and three thrush species were noted: Gray-cheeked, Swainson’s, and Wood Thrush. Tasty and festive bayou dinner fixings at Tia Juanita’s complemented a great day of birding.

The next day, we had our sights set on the beach birding scene. Rollover Pass was a treat to the senses, as the highlights stacked up one after another. A super-close Clapper Rail strutted right in front of us among the saltgrass. We were very surprised to see a visibly migrating Northern Cardinal fly past us along the beach, unexpected in the vast dune environment. A temporarily exposed tidal island offered scope views of a large gathering of Brown Pelicans along with one American White Pelican. Nonstop opportunities to study a kaleidoscope of terns, gulls, and wading birds ensued. Black Skimmers rested their heavy beaks on the sand in their own comical way. Before we left, a Marbled Godwit was seen in the saltgrass while Brian picked out a distant Black Scoter, a rarity for the area. A little later on, we explored the Bolivar Flats area, walking down the beach and enjoying wonderful views of hundreds of American Avocets, Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, and wave-chasing Sanderlings, to name just a few species. A few Roseate Spoonbills flew by, and both white and dark morph Reddish Egrets were seen well. During our walk, we saw six Piping Plovers and three Wilson’s Plovers! We enjoyed a “picnic-with-the-plovers” afterward in a designated picnic area, where we saw both American and Black-bellied plovers while eating. Before our day ended, we had a fabulous time visiting the Smith Oaks sanctuary, taking time to enjoy the Roseate Spoonbills, herons, egrets, and cormorants nesting there. The bold colors of the Roseate Spoonbills were especially eye-catching. We also enjoyed views of large Swamp Rabbits, as well as Red-eared Sliders and American Alligators.

The next morning, we made our way toward Sabine Woods. Before birding the legendary woods, we enjoyed the wild sense of place while birding among vast saltmarsh habitat, with no fewer than nine Seaside Sparrows singing and flying around their unique home sweet home. Throughout the morning, we saw nine of these incredible habitat specialists, giving their eerie, sharp, shrilled songs. Boat-tailed Grackles squawked in the background while Marsh Wrens cackled among seven species of wading birds. There was so much going on, and our day was just beginning. A visit to Sabine Woods brought views of Prothonotary Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a flyby Peregrine Falcon, and more. A midday visit to Sea Rim State Park was thrilling, as we watched hundreds of American Avocets feeding together, reflecting on what Victor Emanuel called the “Avocet Dance.” We took moments to reflect and appreciate all that was happening right in front of us. It was beautiful, soothing, and mesmerizing. Nesting Wilson’s Plovers were seen, and we were treated to some surreal comparison moments of Greater and Lesser yellowlegs feeding together side by side for minutes on end (a nearby comparison that doesn’t happen very often). Midday rain could not have arrived at a more opportune time, nearing the end of our lunch picnic, with the “Yucatan Express” of migration arriving more by the minute. On this tour, midday or early afternoon rain can really bring birds into the area. On our way back to Sabine Woods, we found a flock of thirty Bobolinks, usually a very uncommon species for the timing of this tour. Upon arrival at Sabine Woods, we found ourselves looking at ten different species of warblers, both Gray-cheeked and Swainson’s thrushes, no fewer than ten Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and more. It was a fun afternoon, and it was hard to pull ourselves away for the fantastic dinner that followed.

The next day, we birded locally throughout the High Island area again, and what a fun day it was. The birds present had changed over the previous few days. The rookery at Smith Oaks was as fabulous as ever, as one visit during a tour is never enough. A recent wave of cuckoos had arrived, and we saw four Yellow-billed Cuckoos and one Black-billed Cuckoo throughout the day. Wood Thrushes sang and hopped along the forest floor. We were very surprised to hear a Pileated Woodpecker calling from Smith Oaks (this is a super-rare species for the immediate High Island area). A flashy Blackburnian Warbler sang throughout the branches while both a Painted Bunting and several Indigo Buntings worked their way through the more open areas along the edges of the woods. There were too many birds to cherish and enjoy. We also had some great moments watching an Ovenbird bathe in one of the nearby drips.

Our last day of the tour always came too soon. We made our way into the Pineywoods to mix up the birds we had been seeing throughout the trip, and what a special day it was! We scored fantastic views of Red-headed Woodpecker and the dapper Prairie Warbler. During our birding trek back to Houston, we enjoyed one more picnic in the field, this time complemented by truly memorable experiences with kettles of Mississippi Kites, two Swallow-tailed Kites, and up-close views of an adorable Northern Mockingbird fledgling bouncing around the nearby grass. Our last birding stop had us along a waterway, where we scored views of a Limpkin! It was fun to watch this cool bird search the waters for Channeled Apple Snails. This tropical species is not typically on the radar for this tour. What a finale for an exciting tour all around. Throughout our trip, we enjoyed 200 species of birds, in addition to an exciting array of beautiful reptiles and amphibians, Hermit Crabs along a jetty, several mammals, butterflies, and more. What a thrill. I am already looking forward to next year’s High Island adventure!

Day-by-Day Summary

April 19 – Arrived in Houston and began the tour with birding in the Pineywoods north of the city. Highlights included Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Swainson’s Warbler, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and an impressive variety of raptors.

April 20 – Explored coastal rice fields and wetlands en route to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds, whistling-ducks, gallinules, ibis, and Least Bitterns were among the highlights before arriving at High Island for an exciting afternoon of spring migrants and warblers.

April 21 – Birded the beaches and coastal habitats of Bolivar Peninsula and High Island. The day featured excellent views of shorebirds, terns, gulls, plovers, Roseate Spoonbills, and nesting wading birds at Smith Oaks Sanctuary.

April 22 – Visited saltmarsh habitats and Sabine Woods near the Louisiana border. Highlights included Seaside Sparrows, marsh birds, migrating warblers, thrushes, grosbeaks, and other neotropical migrants arriving on favorable winds.

April 23 – Continued exploring the High Island area and nearby sanctuaries. New waves of migration brought cuckoos, buntings, thrushes, colorful warblers, and other spring songbirds.

April 24 – Birded locally around High Island and surrounding coastal woodlots, enjoying another full day of migration activity and rookery viewing among the marshes and forests.

April 25 – Returned toward the Pineywoods and Houston area, searching for specialties such as Red-headed Woodpecker, Prairie Warbler, Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, and other memorable final highlights.

April 26 – Enjoyed final morning birding before departures from Houston.

Wildlife Seen: 

MAMMALS: 

Eastern Gray Squirrel 

Eastern Fox Squirrel 

Hispid Cotton Rat 

Common Muskrat 

Swamp Rabbit 

Eastern Cottontail 

Wild Boar (Feral Pig) 

REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS: 

Gulf Coast Toad 

Blanchard’s Cricket Frog 

American Bullfrog 

Red-eared Slider 

Spiny Softshell Turtle 

American Alligator 

BUTTERFLIES: 

Black Swallowtail 

Giant Swallowtail 

Monarch 

MOTH: 

Fir Tussock Moth Caterpillar 

OTHER ANIMALS NOTED: 

Channeled Apple Snail 

Hermit Crab 

Fire Ants 

Leaf Cutter Ant 

Gallery