Birdwatching in Texas

Birding contacts and birdwatching information



Birding Pals

		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		M	Borg	Austin	Semi-retired, can take off of work at will.	English (native), Spanish (certified fire department interpretor), Portuguese.
		I have more than a decade of birding in the Austin Area and farther afield. Willing to take guests to any area within the agreed distance, or to help look for a specific bird.		Area: Austin has varied habitat. Hill Country, Hill Country, Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge, Audubon refuge Area Birds: Golden Cheeked Warbler, Black Capped Vireo Roadrunner, Monk Parakeet	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, butterflies, fishing, skiing, swimming, beach Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, climbing, train, bus, car, hitchhiking, biking, long walk, backpack, portage, canoe, ship, cruise Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, club, vineyard, ski run/trail, monument, arboretum, architecture appreciation, Attend: concert, horse race, ballet, dance show, theatre, live music, sports event, auction, antique, convention, political rally, protest, competition, swap Participate: night life, party, dance, club, bar, rock, country, classical, hiphop, rap, swing, wine, beer, liquor, ceremony, flash mob, round table Play: cards, sports, board games, billiards, chess, checkers, scrambled letters games, lawn games, water sports, computer games, motor sports
		K	Whittier		Anytime	English
		There are over 30 species noted at Rio Grande Valley specialties, ie, birds found here that do not go very far into the US. During spring migration,we can observe many raptors migrating mornings from the Hawk Tower at Bentsen State Park. Many songbirds are easily seen at Quinta Mazatlan. Shore birds (red bellied whistling duck, etc.)are plentiful at Edinburgh wetlands, Estero Llano and Santa Ana NWR. Salineno is famous for the most amazing feeding station along the Rio Grande. Falcon State Park is sure to yield road runners, vermillion flycatchers, and many others. Green parakeets fly overhead in the Palmview McAllen area daily in flocks of 20-200.I can show you 3 monk parakeet nests inhabited by about 3o birds in Hidalgo. The Hidalgo pump House is another great birding spot. I also can take you to the Brownsville dump to look for the Tamaulipas crow and the Chihuahuan raven. There are 3 kinds of kingfishers found in these hotspots: belted, ringed and green.		Area: Estero Llano Grande, Salineno, Bentsen Rio Grande SP, Santa Ana NWR, Quinta Ma Area Birds: green jay chachalaca vermillion flycatcher great kiskadee Altamira oriole clay	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, photography, hiking, butterflies, fishing, sport fishing, boating, skiing, swimming, surfing, snowmobiling, sky diving Travel: train, bus, car, hitchhiking, biking, long walk, packpack, canoe, portage, dog sled, snow mobile Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, club, vineyard, outdoors, nature spot, beach, lake, ocean, architecture, shop, antique, swap Attend: concert, horse race, ballet, dance show, theatre, live music, sports event, auction, antique, convention, political rally, protest, competition Participate: night life, party, dance, club, bar, rock, country, classical, hiphop, rap, swing, wine, beer, liquor, social games, computer games, casino map
Inactive		J	Hunt	Austin, Texas	Anytime	English
		If you are available to travel, you might look into High Island, Texas. It is a focal point for migration. It is under the direction of the Houston Audubon Society. Going there you will be will many fellow birders and free guided walks. Houston Audubon High Island Thanks, Joseph.		Area: Area Birds: In season - Golden cheeked warbler or Black capped vireo	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, Geocaching, hiking
		D	Smith	Amarillo	Anytime	English
		I'm an amateur birder with a Life List of just over 400 species. I spend 2-3 days per week birding our local state park and visit a nearby National Wildlife Refuge at least weekly. I also bird multiple local city parks on a regular basis. If you bird with me I"ll keep track of the species seen or heard using the eBird mobile app, and I'll share the checklist with you via the app or by e-mail.		Area: Texas Panhandle. Just 20 minutes away from Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park which is located in the 2nd largest canyon in the United States. Buffalo Lake NWR, Medi-Park, Thompson Park Area Birds: Some of the species that can be expected, based on season of course, are the Greater Roadrunner, Painted Bunting, Chihuahuan Raven, Great-horned Owl, Burrowing Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Mississippi Kite, and various warblers during migration. You can also expect to see several wrens. We have the Canyon, Bewick's, and Rock Wrens year round.	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, car, long walk, Visit: tourist site
		J	Luce	Amarillo	Anytime	English
		J	Sipiora	Arlington	Anytime	English
		About 20 minutes from DFW airport. Several good birding areas nearby.
		C	Ross	Austin, TX: Texas	weekends (except late March - early April 2017)	English, Spanish, Japanese
		I've been birding since childhood, and have taken advantage of living in California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas to amass a decent lifelist. Birds are best when shared, so if you're coming to the Austin area and want to hit the highlights or even just enjoy a weekend morning out away from the hustle and bustle of town, let me know!		Area: Balcones Canyonlands, Hornsby Bend Area Birds: Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Ringed Kingfisher	Interests: birding, wildlife photography, anime/manga, video games, travel, environmental protection, progressive social causes
		Z	Hunt	Austin	Anytime	English
		S	Barko	Austin	Anytime	English
		Intermediate birder with knowledge of south Austin parks and birding areas south of Austin.
		S	Winslow	Blanco, Texas	Anytime	English
		I volunteer at our local parks for bird walks and education. I enjoy birding and am quite familiar with our resident bird population.Since I began this hobby after retirement, I can still be stumped by birds going through our area during migration.		Area: Blanco State Park, Pedernales State Park, Guadalupe State Park, Inks Lake State Area Birds: Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo are endemic to the hill country	Interests: birdwatching, gardening, traveling, cooking
		L	Merino	Austin	Anytime	English, Spanish, Italian
		Enjoy birding and hiking. Austin has many green areas and is close to state parks and lakes with many opportunities for birding.
		C	Campbell	Austin	Anytime	English, Spanish (proficient)
		I'm a beginning birder and am in bird language and would love to have someone to bird with.
		B	Friedrichs	Bay City, Palacios, Port Lavaca, Texas	Anytime - except when I'm traveling outside of the area	English
		I have birded Texas and specifically the Gulf Coast off/on for 30+ years. I am a certified Texas Master Naturalist for the Midcoast section. We will bird along country roads bordering sod farms, ag fields, fencerows, rivers/creeks and bays to find your target species. There are several public hot spots where short walks are in order to find your target species. I'm knowledgeable of hot spots in Matagorda, Jackson and Calhoun counties and many adjacent counties as well. I use eBird extensively and have used Birding Pal when I travel with great success. Glad to be a part of this community.		Area: Matagorda Bay Park, Matagorda Birding Ctr, Formosa Tejano Wetland, Magic Ridge Area Birds: Bald Eagle, Ducks and Geese, Shorebirds, Warblers and passerines	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, fishing, beach, surfing, walking, hiking, car
		S	Head	Bay City	Anytime	English
		K	Russell	Bryan	Anytime	English, German
		S	Dillard	Bryan	Anytime	English
		I am in central Texas but not to far from the coast (about 3 hrs max). Living in Aggieland makes this a great jump off point to many places all over the state. I can get away on weekends for sure but some other days might be available depending on advance notice.		Area: Pretty much anything on the upper Texas Coast and various other places around Texas. I have been to many places in this state and have fun birding them all. High Island and the Bolivar Peninsula I am very familiar with. Area Birds: Depending on the season will show you anything that is in our area or other areas that I am familiar with such Painted Bunting (nests in our area) or Swainson's Warbler (nests in our area)	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, photography, hiking, butterflies, fishing, boating, skiing, swimmi Travel: train, bus, car, long walk, backpack, canoe, portage, Visit: museum, restaurant, club, outdoors, nature spot, beach, lake, ocean Attend: concert, live music, auction, antique, convention Participate: dance, club, bar, rock, wine, beer, liquor, computer games
		S	Jones	Bryan	Anytime	English
		I am an avid birder when time allows. My area is not very bird rich, although Texas as a whole is, especially in migration.
		D	Green	Canyon Lake	Weekend	English, Spanish
		I live in the Hill Country of Texas half way between San Antonio an Austin. In the spring I can usually show or tell people how to find the Golden- Cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo.
		J	Huth	College Station	Anytime	English
		Master's student from Central Texas attending TAMU. Been birding for years and am always looking for a reason to go.
		L	Yaklin	Concan	Anytime	English
		S	McClellan	Conroe	Anytime	English
		I am located in South East Texas 40 Miles North of Houston, Texas. I live in the piney woods. Avid Birder, Photography Skills. Have some near extinct birds in area. State and National Forests abundant in the area. Know Texas Birds fairly well.
		L	Even	Corpus Christi	Weekend	English
		L	Mathis	Dallas	Anytime	English
		I have enjoyed the hobby for many years and am excited each day to anticipate new arrivals. There exists many nice spots and opportunities to view birds in the area and I would sharing this opportunity anytime.
		J	Meldahl	Eagle Lake	Anytime	English
		M	Kolstad	El Paso, Texas	Mon thru Sat	English, Spanish
				Area: Tom Mays Park, Keystone Park, urban parks Area Birds: desert birds; Monk Parakeet, Cooper's Hawk, Cactus Wren, White-crowned Sparrow	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, butterflies, Travel: stroll, walking, long walk, cruise Visit: tourist site, museum, monument
		M	Kolstad	El Paso, Texas	Mon thru Sat	Spanish
				Area: Tom Mays Park, Keystone Park, urban parks Area Birds: desert birds; Monk Parakeet, Cooper's Hawk, Cactus Wren, White-crowned Sparrow	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, butterflies, Travel: stroll, walking, long walk, cruise Visit: tourist site, museum, monument,
		A	Vinson	El Paso	Anytime	English
		I bird regularly in West Texas and in mid- and southern New Mexico. Also, I travel to SE Arizona pretty regularly to bird. I am a school teacher, so the "anytime" only applies to summers, Christmas break and Spring Break. The working year I am available on weekends. So,if you would like to bird the Chihuahuan desert, Bosque del Apache, Big Bend, or even look for the Tucson area specialties with me, please email.
		M	Streater	Hamilton	Anytime	English
		P	Kennedy	Deer Park, Houston	Anytime	English
		K	Whittier	Hebron(Winter only)	Anytime	English
		I am a retired teacher and a Certified Texas Master Naturalist. I have led groups on bird walks in several places including the Mission, Texas area. I have attended many expertly guided walks around the country, especially in the Rio Grande Valley and in southern Maine. I love to help folks, young and old, learn about birds and how to find them. I am in Hebron, Maine (near Lewiston) May 15 to mid-September and in Mission, Texas, Jan. 15-March 15.
		J	Baldwin	near Houston	Anytime	English
		New to the area and somewhat new to birding.
		F	Edgar	Irving	Anytime	English
		I am between Dallas and Ft Worth, TX. I consider myself a high-level amateur.
		A	Lemon	Junction, Kimble	Anytime	English
		J	Stowers	Kerrville	Anytime	English
		T	Perkins	Killeen	Anytime	English, Spanish
		Killeen is located in Central Texas, home to a diverse mix of Eastern and Western species and local specialties including Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. I'm relatively new to the area but happy to show visiting birders around.
		J	Sinclair	Kingsville	Anytime	English
		R	Delgado	Laredo	Weekend	English, Spanish
		White-Collared Seedeaters are often found in the Laredo area.
		F & K	Zagst	Marble Falls	Anytime	English
		Husband and wife duo to share the fun of birding in the Texas Hill Country--about one hour west of Austin, Texas. Local specialty birds are the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo in breeding season. Other fabulous birds are the Crested Caracara (also known as the Mexican Bald Eagle), the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Vermilion Flycatcher (again in the breeding season). Summers are hot so we usually try to escape the area for cooler climes. We have been casual birders for many years, planning trips around birding in new areas, but are becoming more focused on being better birders and are actively learning new species. We would rate our skills as moderate birders, but we will make sure to help you get on the birds and want your time in our area to be fun and fulfilling. Local hot spots include one national wildlife refuge (set aside for the Golden-cheeked warbler and the Black-capped Vireo), three state parks or state natural areas, a national fish hatchery as well as many other local neighborhood ponds and spots. Happy to help in any way we can. We have been birding for several years but have recently retired and hope to be more focused on being better birders.		Area: Located on the central flyway in the Texas Hill Country near Lakes LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis. About 1 hour west of Austin, Texas. Balcones Canyonlands NWF, Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, Inks Lake State Park Area Birds: Golden-cheeked Warbler (endangered), Black-capped Vireo (just reduced from Endangered to Threatened)	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, butterflies. Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, canoe. Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant
		R	Brittain	Mathis	Weekend	English
		G	Dollgener	Maypearl, Texas	Anytime	English
		I'm a sales person believe a good conversationalist is a good listener		Area: Joe Pool park Area Birds: Blue birds, Canada geese,painted buntings	Interests: Bird watching
		C	Miller	McKinney	Anytime	English
		40 years of birding exper. Would be willing to guide at Hagerman NWR & Heard Nature Center, near McKinney, where I partipate in bird banding. Also knowledgeable on Texas gulf coast & Hill country.
		C	Gifford	Mesquite	Weekend	English, Spanish
		I live on the edge of the country and work in a neighborhood area that also has farming around. I seen 1 American Kestrel an occasional Bald Eagles.
		M	Thornton	Mission	Weekend	English
		B	Jackson	Mont Belvieu	Anytime	English
		Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge nearby. 20 minutes from Sheldon Lake State Park. 55 minutes from High Island.
		M	Moore	Plano	Anytime	English
		One of the premiere birding spots in the Dallas area is about an hour north on US-75 to Sherman, Texas then a few minutes west. The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, on the southern shore of Lake Texoma, hosts a wide diversity of habitats supporting a large number of avian residents as well as seasonally large numbers of visiting ducks, geese, and shorebirds. Access is easy, not extensive, and you'll get some good views of the lake and shore by driving the dike roads leading to the several oil drilling pads that jut into the lake.
		L	Jackson	Plano	Anytime	English
		Plano is an urban area but close to good biring on Lake Texoma, Lake Tawakoni in McKinney at Heard natural area.
		T	Cantrell	Portland(Coastal Bend)	Anytime	English
		M	Rogers	Richardson	Anytime	English
		T	Richmond	San Angelo	Weekend	English, some Spanish
		M	Dolliver	San Angelo and Christoval	Anytime	English
		A	Grunspan	San Antonio	Anytime	English, Spanish
		San Antonio and its surrounding area has much to offer birders. Since I love birding this area, I also enjoy taking visiting birders around, so they can fall in love with it as well.
		C	Reid	Schertz	Anytime	English
		Retired Air Force, 79 years of age, stroke victim, can walk after a fashion, love the outside.
		B.	White	Spring, Texas	Weekends	English
		Lived here >20 years. Can take visitors to Katy Prairie, Coastal migrant traps, refuges, wherever you want to visit in SE Texas.		Area: Area Birds: Red-cockaded Woodpeckers	Interests: Nature: birdwatching
		J	Moritz	Spring	Anytime	English
		Back yard feeder photos watching.
		D	Patrick	Wichita Falls	Weekend	English
		2.5 hrs NW of Dallas, Wichita Falls is on Hwy 287 which would take you to Colorado. Not especially great birding area, but many of the common birds here are lovely. Lots of ducks and sparrows in winter.
Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		O	Carmona	Arlington	Anytime	English, Spanish
		Oscar Carmona has been birding for 25 years, primarily in Texas and Mexico. He has lived in Texas all of his life and has spent countless hours studying the birds of this great state. Oscar is available to guide groups and/or individuals wishing to have a more personalized tour. I will also lead groups and individuals to Mexico as well. Please feel free to contact me for more information. My daily fees vary based on location within Texas. But usually fees run about $175/day.
		H	Laidlaw	Houston	Anytime	English, Spanish, Portuguese
		Howard was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, where his interest in birds and natural history developed from an early age. Before settling in Texas, he lived in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil for a combined total of 17 years. His birding adventures have taken him from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, Europe, Africa and the South Pacific, and he has spent the equivalent of several years in the field. Howard has been guiding for a number of years and has organized and led bird tours in Texas and also to Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. One of his keen interests is the recording and study of bird vocalitions and he has built up an extensive collection of sound recordings. Howard speaks both Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and his language abilities, combined with his intimate knowledge of the region, allow him to travel in Latin America with ease. His company, Texas and Beyond, offers guided tours in Texas and to other destinations, including Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela. Group rates are $ 200 – 250 per day. For more information about competitive rates for 1-3 personsContact him.
		G	Olsen	Houston	Anytime	English
		Glenn Olsen has had a passionate interest in nature, especially birds, since early childhood. He has been involved with organized birding and conservation efforts in Texas since 1988. In addition to bird identification, he has a special interest—and continues his studies—in the relationships of plants, birds, butterflies, and other insects. As a member of the Houston Audubon Society, he has served as vice president of education and is an instructor for Audubon's Birding Classes. Glenn has also taught Introductory Bird Identification Classes at Rice University in the Continuing Studies Department and at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Since1993, he has been actively involved with the Native Plant Society of Texas and has served as State President. Glenn has been and continues to be involved with various birding, habitat, and native plant projects with many different organizations. Through his guide tour company he leads birding and nature tours for groups and individuals. Glenn supports the conservation of habitat and educational programs about birds through memberships in the American Birding Association, Houston Audubon Society, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Texas Ornithological Society, Houston Ornithology Group, and the Native Plant Society of Texas among others.		I also enjoy just helping visiting birders, and can email them with good birding sites, directions, places to eat and stay, migration timing, etc. Area: Area Birds: Warblers, Shorebirds, Hawks, Sparrows, and others	Daily Fees: US$250.00 for a full service tour package. (If the client provides the transportation and pays expenses then it is US$175 per day.) Phone 281.345.4151 Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, photography, butterflies, all outdoors, plants Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, train, bus, car, long walk, Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, arboretum, architecture appreciation, shop, antique, Attend: theatre, antique, www.facebook.com/gobirdingecotours
		G	Lavaty	Houston	Anytime	English
		My name is Greg Lavaty and I have been birding and photographing birds in Texas for the past 10 years with my main focus on birding in the Houston/Galveston area. I am familiar with all of the species in the Houston/Galveston areas as well as all of the commonly birded areas. Over the past several years I have gotten more and more involved in bird photography so my guiding is generally geared towards photographing the birds as well as finding them and observing them. Some samples of my photographic work are here My daily rate is $150/day for an 8 hour day for local trips in SE Texas. I will do trips state-wide and in northern Mexico. Availability is generally M-F, but I can do weekends if it is part of a longer trip.
Local Information
		Name			Description
		Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia			Texas
		Local weather			Yahoo
		Audubon Society Texas			Club
		Texas Ornithological Society			Club
		Audubon Society Dallas			Club
		Bastrop County Audubon Society			Club
		Bexar Audubon Society			Club
		Big Country Audubon Society			Club
		Central Texas Audubon Society			Club
		Coastal Bend Audubon Society			Club
		El Paso Audubon Society			Club
		Fort Worth Audubon Society			Club
		Golden Triangle Audubon Society			Club
		Houston Audubon Society			Club
		Huntsville Audubon Society			Club
		Llano Estacado Audubon Society			Club
		Monte Mucho Audubon Society			Club
		Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society			Club
		Rio Brazos Audubon Society			Club
		Rio Grande Delta Audubon Society			Club
		San Angelo Birding Club			Club
		San Antonio Audubon Society			Club
		Texas Panhandle Bird Club			Club
		Travis Audubon Society			Club
		Tyler Audubon Society			Club
		Twin Lakes Audubon Society			Club
		Texas Bluebird Society			Club
		Gulf Coast Bird Observatory			Observatory
		Lower Rio Grande Valley Nature Center			Site
		Great Texas Birding Classic			Tournament
		Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival			Festival
		Monte Vista Crane Festival			Festival
		Port Aransas and Mustang Island. Annual Celebration of Whooping Cranes			Festival
		Patty Waits Beasley's Central Texas Coast			Sites
		300 birding sites and rookeries in South Texas			Detailed Maps
		John D. Ingram's Windows on Nature			Photos
		Bert Frenz's Bird Checklists of Texas			Checklists
		NABA South Texas			Butterflies
		David and Jan Dauphin's Rio Grande Valley's Nature Site			Butterflies
		Birding Hotspots around the world			Sites