June birding in Texas is a bit different from the migration madness of April and May. By now, most migrants are long gone, and the birds you’ll see are the ones setting up shop for summer. But don’t think for a second that June is “quiet.” In fact, it’s one of the best months to slow down and appreciate Texas’ resident breeders, watch nesting activity, and soak in the song-filled mornings before the heat kicks in.
Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During June, drawn from years of sweaty fieldwork, 5 a.m. alarms, and more bug spray than I’d care to admit.
1. Davis Mountains State Park (West Texas)
June in the Davis Mountains is paradise. Hummingbirds swarm feeders, Montezuma Quail call from grassy slopes, and Scott’s Orioles sing from yuccas. I once had five hummingbird species buzzing around me like tiny helicopters.
Why Go: Mountain specialties and cooler weather than the lowlands.
Prized Birds: Montezuma Quail, Scott’s Orioles, Acorn Woodpeckers, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.
Known For: High-altitude birding and unbeatable summer skies.
2. Big Bend National Park (West Texas)
If you haven’t birded Big Bend in June, put it on your list. It’s hot, yes, but where else in the U.S. can you find Colima Warblers singing on mountain slopes? I once climbed the Chisos Basin Trail at sunrise and felt like I was in another country.
Why Go: Unique desert and mountain specialties.
Prized Birds: Colima Warblers, Varied Buntings, Lucifer Hummingbirds, Gray Hawks.
Known For: Birding adventure in rugged, breathtaking landscapes.
3. South Llano River State Park (Hill Country)
This park is a June gem, especially for Painted Buntings. The males look like someone used up all the bright markers in the crayon box. I once had one perch on a fencepost and sing for 20 minutes while I forgot all about the mosquitoes.
Why Go: Breeding buntings, flycatchers, and Hill Country specialties.
Prized Birds: Painted Buntings, Black-capped Vireos, Yellow-throated Warblers, Summer Tanagers.
Known For: Colorful songbirds in a Hill Country setting.
4. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Hill Country)
June here means Black-capped Vireos are singing, Golden-cheeked Warblers are busy with young, and the hills are alive with sound. I once spent half a day chasing a vireo before it finally posed—worth every step.
Why Go: Endangered breeders in prime habitat.
Prized Birds: Black-capped Vireos, Golden-cheeked Warblers, Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings.
Known For: Rare songbirds and rugged beauty.
5. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Central Coast)
The Whooping Cranes are long gone, but June still offers spectacular coastal birding. Spoonbills, herons, and skimmers are busy nesting. I once watched a Black Skimmer skim the surf at sunset—it was poetry in motion.
Why Go: Coastal breeders and waders.
Prized Birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Black Skimmers, Reddish Egrets, White-tailed Hawks.
Known For: Stunning coastal scenery with summer residents.
6. High Island Rookery (Smith Oaks, Upper Coast)
The warblers may be gone, but the rookery is still rocking. Roseate Spoonbills, egrets, and herons are feeding chicks, and the noise is spectacular. I once described it as “avian rush hour”—honking, flapping, and squawking everywhere.
Why Go: Nesting colony action.
Prized Birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Great Egrets, Neotropic Cormorants, Tricolored Herons.
Known For: A front-row seat to rookery chaos.
7. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (Upper Coast)
June is quieter here, but rails, gallinules, and marsh specialties keep things lively. I once had a Purple Gallinule strut across lily pads like a runway model.
Why Go: Marsh breeders and wading birds.
Prized Birds: Purple Gallinules, King Rails, Seaside Sparrows, Black Terns.
Known For: Marsh birding with summer drama.
8. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (Rio Grande Valley)
Even in the heat, Santa Ana delivers. Tropical specialties are nesting, and the birding is always colorful. I once had a Green Jay feeding young right over the trail.
Why Go: Valley specialties during nesting season.
Prized Birds: Green Jays, Altamira Orioles, Groove-billed Anis, Couch’s Kingbirds.
Known For: Tropical birding, even in summer.
9. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Lower Rio Grande Valley)
In June, the birding is quieter but still rewarding. Raptors and Valley specialties remain, and the refuge is alive with summer sounds. I once had an Altamira Oriole sit so close I could hear it ripping fibers for its hanging nest.
Why Go: Summer breeding specialties.
Prized Birds: Altamira Orioles, Aplomado Falcons, White-tailed Hawks, Groove-billed Anis.
Known For: Big skies, big birds, and summer activity.
10. Brazos Bend State Park (Near Houston)
Hot? Yes. Birdy? Absolutely. June mornings at Brazos Bend are a symphony of calls. Purple Gallinules, Painted Buntings, and flycatchers make every walk worthwhile. I once watched a Least Bittern climb a reed like a tiny acrobat.
Why Go: Colorful breeders and wetland specialties.
Prized Birds: Purple Gallinules, Painted Buntings, Least Bitterns, flycatchers.
Known For: Accessible wetlands and colorful summer birding.
Final Thoughts
June birding in Texas may not have the frenzy of April migration, but it makes up for it with nesting drama, colorful breeders, and a chance to slow down and savor the season. From hummingbirds in the Davis Mountains to Painted Buntings in the Hill Country and spoonbills in coastal rookeries, June proves there’s no such thing as an off-season in Texas birding.
So grab your hat, a gallon of water, and some patience—because June birding rewards those who don’t mind a little sweat.
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