For other reports of what is being seen in our area, please visit the Texbirds web site. A full list of posted messages may be viewed in their archive area

When you bird High Island or Bolivar Flats, please do not disturb the birds. Remember many of the birds there are in the middle of very long migrations and don't need to waste energy trying to get away from birders especially if they can't feed. I know the excitement of seeing a new bird sometimes overwhelms one but PLEASE remember the welfare of the birds should come first. PLEASE respect the need of all the birds to rest!

May 4: Not as many birds or birders around today but there are still warblers and other migrants in the woods. Today is the last day of birdwalks and the kiosk is shutting down. But as many birders know spring migration continues for several more weeks.

-- Winnie Burkett

May 3: Our regular 'shorebird showdown' at noon on Bolivar Flats brought the first signs of the flurry that was to follow later, when birders witnessed the thrilling sight of warblers bombing over the sand and diving down into the shrubbery behind, a great sight that sent a tingle of excitement and anticipation about the afternoon ahead. The shorebirding was good down there too though, with a group of 6 'Hudwits' (Hudsonian Godwits) defying their usual freshwater hangouts, by lounging just off the beach. A raft of Surf Scoters also lingered in the breakers just offshore too, and a few lucky birders enjoyed the sight of a Pomarine Jaegar resting on the flats. Aside from that some of the specialty waders were on view, with a flock of rusty red breeding plumage Red Knots resting on the beach, and Piping and Snowy Plovers running around frantically on the sand. Least Tern numbers were swelling notably and many were showing signs of nesting out there. Thrown in were a few sooty-breasted Black Terns hangin' with their smaller cousins.

Back on the 'dome' the afternoon birding was electric, as warblers fighting to migrate against the northerly airflow, decided to just drop out of the sky, rest in the trees and show off in our bins instead. Birders walking into HAS Boy Scout Woods were stopped dead in their tracks by the sight of warblers flowing through the trees above their heads, many birders not even reaching the grandstand as the action was right there on the edge of the woods. Standing across 5th Street in the Tropical Birding Information Center yard we picked out a fine male Golden-winged Warbler sharing a branch with a glowing orange-faced Blackburnian Warbler, while Tennessee after Tennessee whizzed past below them. These are truly treasured days in birding, that make us long for the spring to never end. In the end at least 22 species of warblers crowded the woodlots on the island, packed in there with a wave of vireos, orioles, buntings and grosbeaks. Ovenbirds prowled the leaf litter, while a profusion of redstarts, Black-throated Green Warblers, Bay-breasted Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers and the like flitted excitedly in the trees above. A Nashville or two, Canada Warbler and a few Blue-winged Warblers were also picked out in the woods. All in all a magical days birding in High Island, for those who bucked the trend to cut loose from the island when the death knell of April sounds. Clearly the Upper Texas Coast still has plenty to offer those who tough it out into the 'late spring'. Long may this continue!

-- Sam Woods

High Island - Bolivar Flats Daily Bird Walks

This spring Houston Audubon and Tropical Birding are partnering to provide daily bird walks in the High Island sanctuaries and at Bolivar Flats from March 21 to May 5.

High Island Daily Bird Walks: Meet by the Boy Scout Woods hummingbird gardens. Walks for beginners will be held at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Walks for intermediate and advanced birders will start at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Bolivar Flats Daily Bird Walks: Meet at the vehicular barrier at Bolivar Flats at noon. If you are planning to attend and won't be at High Island before noon to sign up please email Winnie Burkett so the leaders know you are coming. These walks are very popular and we send more then one leader if there are going to be a lot of participants.

Evenings at the Rookery: This spring a volunteer will be on the large Rookery observation platform at Smith Oaks with a telescope every evening to answer questions and help visitors enjoy the action.

Tropical Birding maintains an information center at High Island. Details on Tropical Birding's Birding High Island website