Galveston’s Summer Birding: Two Birders, Two Ways to Wander
Slow Drives, Early Walks, and All the Wild Moments in Between
It’s summertime on Galveston Island, and the birding is easy!
When the Texas summer starts to heat up, some birders tend to hang their binoculars and cameras up for the season. In this article, discover reasons why you shouldn't write off summer birding in Galveston.
Why Birding in Galveston Doesn’t Stop in Summer
Many people stop birding after the excitement of spring migration has waned and temperatures have begun to rise. Although it’s definitely too hot to go hiking down trails looking for birds, here in Galveston there’s really no need to do that. It’s possible to see dozens of species without leaving the air-conditioned comfort of your vehicle! Not sure where to visit? The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council site has you covered.
Self-Guided Birding Itineraries
Meet the Birders
Two local birders share how they beat the heat—and still catch all the action.
- Robert Becker is a retired journalist and avid birder who lives in Galveston.
- Kristine Rivers, Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council
Birding on Foot with Robert Becker
Early Starts, Open Trails, and Wild Encounters
This summer, I’m ignoring conventional wisdom. I get up early in the cooler hours and head out the door. I’ve been looking for some of the bird species that spend the summer here. I’ve watched them set up territories, sing their lusty songs, find a mate, build a nest, lay eggs and raise their young. This is a great way to offset the summer birding 'blahs.'
In short order I found five species to track. The songbirds were an easy choice, given their eye-pleasing colors and plumages. I spent hours watching Painted Buntings, Dickcissels, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Common Yellowthroats. I also kept an eye on a pair of Northern Harriers that were cooperatively hunting together and likely nesting at the park.
When the weather gets hot I bird a lot of days at Galveston Island State Park (watch the virtual tour below), with its abundance of wetlands, beachfront and oak mottes. My sidekick on these jaunts is my faithful pooch Cody, who’s used to my start-and-stop method of walking the trails. He’s very patient when I raise my binoculars to search for a bird heard calling in the trees.
Birding by Car and Coastal Views with Kristine Rivers
Birdwatching from the Comfort of Your Car
If you haven’t birded by car before, this is the perfect time to try it! Vehicles make great mobile blinds, allowing close views of many birds – if you resist the temptation to exit, which usually prompts them to fly. It’s also possible to get some wonderful photos, often at eye level. This is particularly true of our summer resident the Common Nighthawk. If you haven’t seen this lovely species, try driving down 8 Mile Road on the West End and keep a close eye on the fence line. You’re sure to discover a sleepy-looking nighthawk perched atop a fencepost or gate along the way!
Summertime also provides the opportunity to see a lot of fascinating behavior, as birds busily engage in courtship and nesting activities. Many otherwise shy species perch out in the open, singing and displaying. Hopeful mates enthusiastically gather nesting materials and build nests, while others like the Killdeer simply lay their eggs in a scrape on the ground. Once the young have hatched, parents work busily feeding them and teaching them to forage on their own. Clapper Rail families often come out to preen and bathe before the day’s end; watch for them lurking along the edges of the East End Lagoon in the late afternoon.
This is also the best time of year to see our most exciting summer resident, the Magnificent Frigatebird. This amazing angular-looking seabird has a 7-foot wingspan and spends most of its life soaring over open ocean waters. Interestingly though, because its feathers aren’t waterproof, it can’t land in the water to catch its prey. Instead, it resorts to kleptoparasitism, stealing desirable prey items from other birds in mid-air with acrobatic flair. If you’d like to see this species, try riding the free ferry over to Bolivar Peninsula and back. There are often several frigatebirds soaring overhead, ready to chase any unsuspecting gulls and terns that pull prey from the water churning behind the boat.
Summer Stars: Birds to Watch for in Galveston
With its electric blue head, neon green back, and crimson belly, the Painted Bunting is a living rainbow — the kind of bird that stops you in your tracks. Despite their bold colors, they can be surprisingly elusive, often hiding in dense thickets or brush. You’re more likely to hear their bright, bubbling song before you catch a glimpse. Look for them along the trails at Galveston Island State Park or in the coastal woodlands around East End Lagoon during spring and summer, when their colors are at their peak.
With its striking black “bandit” mask and bright yellow chest, the Common Yellowthroat is a small warbler with a big personality. Found darting through marshes, wetlands, and dense undergrowth, it has a sharp, distinctive call that cuts through the coastal air. Listen for its familiar “wichity-wichity-wichity” song as you walk the trails at East End Lagoon or along the marsh edges at Galveston Island State Park.
As graceful in flight as its name suggests, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is known for its long, forked tail that slices through the sky like a pair of shears. Pale gray with soft peach sides and black-and-white tail feathers, this bird adds a touch of drama to the open fields and fence lines it calls home. Watch for their acrobatic flights as they hunt for insects on the wing, often seen perched along roadside wires.
Often mistaken for a miniature meadowlark, the Dickcissel sports a bold splash of yellow across its chest, set off by a sharp black bib. These prairie songbirds are known for their buzzy, staccato call and tend to gather in open fields and grasslands, making their way south from the Midwest during migration. Look for them along the fence lines and meadows of Galveston Island State Park in late spring.
With its distinctive white rump patch and low, gliding flight, the Northern Harrier is a raptor built for stealth. These graceful hunters hug the contours of marshes and coastal prairies, tilting and weaving as they hunt for small mammals and birds. Males are ghostly gray, while females sport rich, streaked browns. Look for them over the open fields of 8 Mile Road or skimming the marshes at East End Lagoon.
A master of twilight flight, the Common Nighthawk cuts through the evening sky on long, pointed wings, marked by a bold white bar. Known for their erratic, moth-like flight and booming courtship dives, these nocturnal hunters feed on insects in midair. Listen for their nasal “peent” calls as the sun dips behind the seawall, or catch their silhouettes against the last light of the day.
Secretive and often heard before it’s seen, the Clapper Rail is a marshland specialist, perfectly camouflaged in its saltwater world. With a long, slightly curved bill and a preference for dense grasses, it slips through the reeds like a whisper. Its loud, clattering call echoes through the tidal creeks and mudflats of East End Lagoon — a sound as much a part of the marsh as the rustle of spartina grass.
With a wingspan that can stretch over seven feet, the Magnificent Frigatebird is a master of the coastal sky. Often seen soaring high above the island, it cuts a sharp, prehistoric silhouette with its long, pointed wings and deeply forked tail. Males are known for their bright red throat pouches, which they inflate like balloons during mating displays. Look for them gliding effortlessly on thermals above the Gulf, rarely flapping as they patrol the coast.
Quick Tips for Summer Birding on the Island
- Start early or go late (to beat the heat)
- Stay hydrated, pack snacks
- Bring insect repellent
- Use your car as a mobile blind
- Respect wildlife and keep a respectful distance
Plan Your Birding Adventure
Related
