This trip to a private ranch is so popular that we offer it twice - as a pre-festival trip and a post-festival trip so you can either begin or end your FeatherFest adventure at Hall's Bayou Ranch! Hall’s Bayou Ranch encompasses over 25,000 acres of private land that begins at Halls Lake near Alvin TX and flows southeasterly into West Galveston Bay. It is somewhat secluded and normally open only to members. FeatherFest has been given exclusive entry to this…

Clear Creek winds its way from Clear Lake through Galveston County on the mainland, providing beneficial freshwater riparian edge habitat to a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife. This pre-festival trip explores two of the hidden gems in the Clear Lake Loop of the Upper Texas Coast – Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, beginning with the beautiful Challenger Seven Memorial Park. We’ll hike along the trails there looking for spring migrants such as Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Painted…

In northeast Harris County, Lake Houston dams the confluence of the two forks of the San Jacinto River, Luce Bayou and Cypress Creek. The mighty San Jac watershed bottomlands hold a bounty of flora and fauna along its courses. Beaver and river otter share Lake Houston with alligator and banded water snakes to name a few. Overhead gulls, pelican and waterbirds move in groups plying the water of the lake for fish. In the spring, the dawn song from the forest is large and loud. Target local nesters include Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red- headed Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Anhinga and Pine Warbler. Neotropic nesters we hope to encounter: Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Painted Bunting, Hooded Warbler, Purple Gallinule and Yellow-billed cuckoo. This habitat also serves the avian migration north, with respite for Blue Grosbeak, Black-throated Green Warbler, Swainson’s Hawk, Western Sandpiper and many others.

Located on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, the Baytown Nature Center (BNC) is a 450-acre peninsula surrounded by three brackish bays. Renowned for its rich bird life, over 350 species have been recorded throughout its 25-year existence. BNC is equipped with trails and observation platforms throughout the center, providing close views of wading birds and shorebirds. Huge utility towers across Burnet Bay often attract migrants as they travel through the area, with brown boobies becoming a fairly common site…

Come join us for a day in Brazoria County birding some of the lesser-known hotspots, although that does not make them any less birdy!  These sites are enjoyed by local birders year-round and are especially attractive during spring migration. We will stay flexible with our route depending on weather, bird activity, and other considerations, but we will likely begin by birding the marsh along Crab Road in Surfside.  This tidal saltmarsh habitat is ever-changing, attracting a different variety of species…

We visit two sites within the City of Pearland to observe how one city’s mission, “To protect, manage, and enhance the City’s natural resources, provide citizens with outdoor recreation opportunities, and to further the public’s understanding and appreciation of its natural resources through education and hands-on experiences”, has been taken to the next level. From 50 acres of constructed storm water wetlands to 140 acres of parkland managed entirely for nature and wildlife, the concept of bringing nature to everyone…

For over forty years Armand Bayou Nature Center has been a leader in habitat restoration. Join us for a behind the scenes adventure of their wildlife treasures. This tour will deepen your appreciation for the richness of life that exists right here next to the fourth largest city in the country.

Follett’s Island is just across the San Luis Pass toll bridge from Galveston Island, yet few people are familiar with its name. This pre-festival trip will introduce you to the importance of this ecologically sensitive and narrow barrier island as we explore some of the best birding hotspots along the Bluewater Highway. We’ll begin at San Luis Pass County Park on the Brazoria County side of the bridge, which hugs the shoreline of the pass and provides excellent birding of…