This area is a must see for all birders, and when conditions are just right, one can enjoy the vast number, variety, and beauty of the resting birds without leaving their car.
When you reach the large wetland area just south of the Seawall, there are cormorants, egrets, herons, ibis, ducks, etc. This beach area is a favorite resting area for black skimmers, gulls, terns, etc. Check the tidal ponds for a variety of other species.
Explore the East Lagoon Nature Trail to witness the natural tidal marsh environment. Here, visitors enjoy bird watching, natures study, walking, and fishing. The tidal creek and pond are prime locations for birding. The ADA-compliant trail is approximately 750 feet long, and runs from Boddeker Drive to the edge of the un-maintained marsh area. An ADA-compliant wooden walkover is 160 feet long by four feet wide and consists of a series of ramps and level sections that ascend and descend from the uplands behind the dunes down to a beach that runs parallel to Bolivar.
To reach this area, go east on Seawall Boulevard, turn right when it ends onto Boddeker Drive, and park opposite the bridge which crosses to Big Reef Nature Park. After birding this area, go south on Boddeker Drive to R.A. Apffel Park (East Beach). There is a charge to enter the park during summer months.
This area includes shallow inter-tidal marsh, tidal creek, oyster reef, mud flats, brackish fresh water pond, and pasture. Lafitte's Cove is a 20-acre oak moat preserve and is an excellent place to find migrating songbirds in spring and fall. At least 137 species were recorded in the preserve during the spring migration of 1997.
To reach this area, proceed west on Seawall Boulevard (also FM 3005), and turn right (north) onto 8 Mile Road and go to the intersection with Stewart Road. To reach Lafitte's Cove, go west from 8 Mile Road on Stewart Road, past 11 Mile Road, and turn right into the Lafitte's Cove Subdivision and follow the signs to the parking area.
Best areas for viewing are:
8 Mile Road to Galveston Bay
Sportsman's Road, last left turn on 8 Mile Road
There are many 'duck' ponds and flooded wetlands north of Stewart Road between 8 and 10 Mile Roads which can be viewed from roads in the area.
Ponds near 7 1/2 Mile Road feature black-crowned night herons, ducks, and many more species.
Galveston Island State Park stretches from the Gulf to West Bay and is about 2000 acres in composition. North of FM 3005 there are several improved trails with observation platforms.
To reach this area, follow the signs to the entrance of the park which is approximately 6 miles west at the end of the Seawall on both sides of FM 3005.
Information about the park, including maps and a bird checklist, is available at the park headquarters, located directly south of the main entrance off FM 3005. South of FM 3005, there is easy access to the Gulf beaches and large open grassy areas in the three well-developed camping sights.
This area consists of large tidal flats that cover many acres of open sand bars, grass-covered wetlands, and several miles of beaches. The grass-covered wetlands are summer nesting areas for many skimmers.
To reach this area, turn left off FM 3005 on the road right before you cross the east side of the San Luis Pass bridge. In case it is impossible to access the beach due to high water, enter the beach just south of the water tower and ride on the beach two miles to the Pass.
Most beaches are closed to vehicles, but San Luis Pass is the exception, so this makes birding even all the more enjoyable. Check the many miles of open pasture land for feeding shorebirds and waders on west FM 3005.
An excellent site to view migratory songbirds. Travel east on Seawall Boulevard, turn left on Ferry Road, then right on Highway 168 to explore the woods on the right.
Located at Avenue O and 28th Street. When weather conditions are right in spring, this wooded park is home to migrant land birds seen sweeping through the oak trees. American robins have nested here, and White-winged doves are common in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Watch the birds waiting for the return of the shrimp boats, known locally as the "Mosquito Fleet" at Pier 19, and enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants on Harborside Drive between 22nd and 19th Streets.
A small colony of Eurasian collared doves can be seen in this area. Scouting around is often necessary to view the doves.
61st Street crosses the east end of Offatts Bayou. Grebes, diving ducks, and - in the spring - Pacific loons are often seen in the bayou area.
This corridor surrounds Interstate 45 from the Texas City Interchange on the north; south to the Santa Fe Overpass; bounded on the east by the Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad.
55° Sunny
