Shorebirds of Texas

The upper Texas Coast – one of the best places in the nation for observing shorebirds – is a beautiful and complex habitat of salt marsh, coastal marsh, uplands, and beach. Only a short drive from Houston, this critically important habitat provides resting, feeding and breeding sites for hundreds of thousands of birds each year. Included in this habitat is Bolivar Flats, recognized as an important resting and feeding site for migrating shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere.

In this course, participants will learn the “how, what, when, and where to look" to identify families and individual species of shorebirds. On the field trip we will observe shorebirds in their natural habitat and practice the concepts, tips, and techniques learned in class to identify them. Class is open to everyone but beginners may find this class more meaningful if they have taken Beginning Bird Watching and Fundamentals of Bird Watching, although not required.

Class Advisory:

Class will be offered remotely online.  Class participation is welcomed and recommended. 

Field trip for this session: August 22, 2020 8AM to 4PM, exact location TBA FIELD TRIP FULL as of 8/3/2020

If you select the optional field trip component these are planned in recognition of the current virus conditions. Consequently, we will follow certain safety measures for everyone’s benefit. These include wearing masks, everyone traveling in their own vehicle, physical distancing (6 feet or more). Other measures may be added if needed. 

Additionally, if conditions worsen the field trip may be rescheduled to a future date. If you cannot attend the field trip, you will have a credit for any future class field trip of your choosing. In registering for the class you agree to follow these safety procedures and follow the instructor’s guidance on the trip.