Spring 2026 Special Events
All programs are included with admission and do not require registration unless otherwise noted. Please check in at the visitor kiosks upon arrival for the latest information & meeting location. High Island Visitor Information »
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Guided Bird Walks
April 4 *Free Admission Day*
10 am: Bolivar Flats Beach Ramble
April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
8:30 am: Bird Walk @ Boy Scout Woods
1 pm: Bird Walk @ Bolivar Flats
4:30 pm: Bird Walk @ Smith Oaks
April 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
8:30 am: Bird Walk @ Boy Scout Woods
1 pm: Bird Walk @ Bolivar Flats
4:30 pm: Bird Walk @ Smith Oaks
April 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
8:30 am: Bird Walk @ Boy Scout Woods
1 pm: Bird Walk @ Bolivar Flats
4:30 pm: Bird Walk @ Smith Oaks
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Join us on the canopy walkway to learn all about the birds of the Rookery
Flock Talks at the Rookery
Flock Talks are held on the following dates at 11 am at the Smith Oaks Rookery
April 3, 4, 5 (April 4 is Free Admission Day)
April 10, 11, 12
April 17, 18, 19
April 24, 25, 26
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Hone your birding skills at the field station across from the entrance to Boy Scout Woods!
Our bird walks are led by the professional guides of Sabrewing Nature Tours!
Saturday, April 4: Free Admission to all High Island sanctuaries!
On Saturday, April 4th, enjoy free admission to all of Houston Audubon's High Island sanctuaries! These sanctuaries are a haven for birds and visitors - we welcome almost 400 species of birds and thousands of visitors from all 50 states and 20+ different countries! On our free admission day, staff and volunteers will be available to answer all your bird questions. We'll also have free classes in the Morse Field Station, Flock Talks at the Rookery, and volunteers stationed throughout the McGovern Canopy Walkway to help you spot wildlife – from birds to turtles to gators! Bring the family out for a day of nature exploration with the birds.
10 am Birding 101 with Pete Deichmann (Morse Field Station)
10 am Guided Walk at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (meet on beach at bollards)
11 am Rookery Talk on the McGovern Canopy Walkway at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary
Free Digiscoping Workshop
April 24 and April 25
Jeff Bouton is a self-proclaimed “digiscoping nut”. He’s been shooting images through spotting scopes for almost 3 decades and in 2023 he set a world record “digiscoping year” capturing images of 1,050 bird species with his iPhone through spotting scopes! Jeff, a manager with Kowa Sporting Optics, says, “One thing about taking thousands of digiscoped images each week is that you quickly learn what NOT to do to get better results.” Come join Jeff and friends for a free digiscoping workshop and learn how to avoid digiscoping pitfalls and get the best results with your digiscoping gear. If you don’t have a kit, staff from Land, Sea & Sky will be on hand offering discounted sales opportunities on new optics. Learn what makes digiscoping such a unique style of digital photography for nature and birds and see how it differs from traditional photo techniques.
The workshops are held at 3 pm, April 24 and April 25, on the lower level of Platform D in Smith Oaks. No registration is required.
Land Sea and Sky Optics
The knowledgeable staff of Land Sea and Sky will once again provide High Island visitors the opportunity to try out several binoculars and scopes in the field. They will be set up in Smith Oaks by the pumphouse next to the McGovern Canopy Walkway entrance. A portion of purchases will be donated to Houston Audubon. Dates: April 9-12, April 16-19, April 23-26.
Saturday BBQ Lunches
St. Matthew's Methodist Church in High Island offers BBQ lunch for $15 every Saturday in April from 11 am to 1 pm. The address is 1308 Weeks Avenue, High Island, 77623.
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This is the 2025 brochure. The 2026 brochure is coming soon!
