Summer Birding in Galveston Can Be Fun, Avid Birder Explains
Learn more about some summer nesting birds in Galveston.
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.
When the Texas summer pushes the thermometer to triple digits, a lot of birders call it quits. I get it. It’s uncomfortable being outdoors, and from personal experience, I know heat exhaustion is no joke. Plus, everybody says there are fewer birds to see compared to spring, fall, and winter.Robert Becker
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.
Summer Nesting Birds
These are just a few of the cool birds to be found in Galveston during the summer. Grab your binoculars and find some more! Don't forget to tag Visit Galveston and Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council on social media to share your finds!
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