September in Texas means two things: lingering summer heat and spectacular birding. As migration kicks into high gear, the Lone Star State becomes the ultimate crossroads for millions of birds heading south. I’ve been birding Texas for decades, and September is one of those months where you never leave the field without a story—and usually without a stiff neck from staring up at kettles of hawks.

Here are my top ten best places to bird in Texas during September, based on years of binocular time, field notes, and the occasional sunburn.

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1. Padre Island National Seashore (South Texas Coast)

Padre Island is like a bird airport hub in September, with arrivals and departures all day long. I once watched a Peregrine Falcon chase shorebirds over the surf—it missed, but I nearly fell over cheering.

Why Go: Fall migration makes the beaches, dunes, and mudflats come alive.
Prized Birds: Peregrine Falcons, Red Knots, American Golden-Plovers, Roseate Spoonbills.
Known For: Being the Gulf Coast’s migration superhighway.

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2. Hazel Bazemore Park (Corpus Christi)

This is the raptor capital of Texas in September. Broad-winged Hawks gather in kettles so large you stop trying to count and just marvel. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve stood there, neck aching, muttering “just one more minute” until hours had passed.

Why Go: Tens of thousands of raptors pass overhead daily.
Prized Birds: Broad-winged Hawks, Swallow-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, Zone-tailed Hawks.
Known For: One of the best hawk watches in North America.

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3. High Island (Upper Texas Coast)

Most birders think High Island is only for spring, but September has its charms. The woodlots are quieter, yes, but I once had a Magnolia Warbler practically pose in front of me for five minutes straight.

Why Go: Migrants fueling up on their way south, without the spring crowds.
Prized Birds: Tanagers, orioles, and a mix of fall warblers.
Known For: Legendary sanctuaries like Smith Oaks and Boy Scout Woods.

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4. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (Bolivar Peninsula)

Mud, sand, and birds—what more could you want? September is shorebird paradise here. I once had to explain to a fisherman why I was staring at “just another sandpiper” when, in fact, it was a Red Knot.

Why Go: Thousands of shorebirds pack the flats.
Prized Birds: American Avocets, Long-billed Curlews, Piping and Wilson’s Plovers.
Known For: The best shorebirding on the Upper Texas Coast.

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5. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (Rio Grande Valley)

September mornings here can be hot, but the birding is even hotter. I once watched Green Jays and a Blackburnian Warbler in the same tree—only in the Valley.

Why Go: Tropical residents plus migrants moving through.
Prized Birds: Green Jays, Plain Chachalacas, Groove-billed Anis, Vermilion Flycatchers.
Known For: A taste of Mexican birding right in Texas.

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6. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (Upper Coast)

This is marsh birding at its finest. On one September visit, I had a Sora dart across a trail in front of me like a feathered mouse—it vanished so quickly I wondered if I imagined it.

Why Go: Rails, sparrows, and raptors all over the refuge.
Prized Birds: Soras, King Rails, Seaside Sparrows, Northern Harriers.
Known For: Marsh magic (with bonus alligators).

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7. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Hill Country)

September brings hawks, warblers, and scenic views. I once had a Nashville Warbler join me for lunch at a picnic area—well, it joined the crumbs, but still.

Why Go: Migrating raptors and passerines with stunning vistas.
Prized Birds: Broad-winged Hawks, Nashville Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers.
Known For: Hill Country migration spectacles.

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8. Davis Mountains State Park (West Texas)

Cooler nights, crisp mornings, and some of the best birding in the state. I’ll never forget watching an Acorn Woodpecker stash acorns in a telephone pole while Scott’s Orioles called from nearby.

Why Go: Mountain specialties and migrating raptors.
Prized Birds: Scott’s Orioles, Acorn Woodpeckers, Canyon Towhees, Montezuma Quail.
Known For: Birding at altitude with West Texas charm.

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9. South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center (SPI)

SPI is birder-friendly, with boardwalks that put you right into the action. Once, I had a Clapper Rail casually walk out in the open like it was trying to prove me wrong about how “secretive” it’s supposed to be.

Why Go: Easy-access birding, with shorebirds and passerines.
Prized Birds: Clapper Rails, Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, migrating warblers.
Known For: Some of the best boardwalk birding in Texas.

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10. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Lower Rio Grande Valley)

This refuge is massive and magical. On a September morning, I once had an Aplomado Falcon swoop right past my car—coffee nearly spilled everywhere.

Why Go: Raptors, waterbirds, and Valley specialties.
Prized Birds: Aplomado Falcons, White-tailed Hawks, Altamira Orioles, Green Jays.
Known For: The only place in the U.S. where you might reliably see Aplomado Falcons.

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Final Thoughts

September birding in Texas is like opening a mystery box—you never know what you’ll get, but it’s always thrilling. From hawk kettles in Corpus to shorebird flocks on the coast, from Green Jays in the Valley to Scott’s Orioles in the mountains, this state offers the best birding variety in the country.

So bring your binoculars, a hat, and a willingness to sweat a little. Because in September, Texas birding is at its absolute best. And trust me—you won’t even notice the heat once the birds start flying.

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