July in Texas is… well, let’s be honest, it’s hot. Very hot. But that doesn’t mean birding stops. In fact, summer birding in Texas is a great time to slow down, savor breeding residents, and catch some early shorebird migration heading south again. (Yes, believe it or not, some birds already start fall migration in July—apparently, they don’t mind sweating either.)

Here are my Top 10 Best Places to Bird in Texas During July, drawn from years of sweat-soaked fieldwork, early dawn wake-ups, and more refilled water bottles than I can count.

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1. Big Bend National Park (West Texas)

July in Big Bend is rugged but rewarding. The desert may sizzle, but the Chisos Mountains provide cooler escapes where Colima Warblers still sing. I once had a Lucifer Hummingbird zip past me so fast I thought it was a bug until it hovered in front of my face.

Why Go: Unique mountain and desert specialties.
Prized Birds: Colima Warblers, Varied Buntings, Lucifer Hummingbirds, Gray Hawks.
Known For: Birding adventure in dramatic landscapes.

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2. Davis Mountains State Park (West Texas)

At higher elevation, July mornings are surprisingly pleasant. Hummingbirds are everywhere, and Montezuma Quail often call from grassy hillsides. I once had one pop up on the roadside like a feathered surprise package.

Why Go: Mountain specialties and cooler temps.
Prized Birds: Montezuma Quail, Scott’s Orioles, Acorn Woodpeckers, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.
Known For: High-country summer birding.

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3. South Llano River State Park (Hill Country)

Painted Buntings steal the show here in July. The males glow like rainbow lanterns against the summer backdrop. I once had one sing so loudly I wondered if it was competing with the cicadas.

Why Go: Hill Country breeders in full song.
Prized Birds: Painted Buntings, Summer Tanagers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Black-capped Vireos.
Known For: Songbird paradise in the Hill Country.

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4. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Hill Country)

By July, Golden-cheeked Warblers are raising young, and Black-capped Vireos are still singing. I once spent an entire morning watching a vireo defend his territory like a feathered warrior.

Why Go: Endangered breeders in prime habitat.
Prized Birds: Golden-cheeked Warblers, Black-capped Vireos, Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings.
Known For: Rare Texas specialties.

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5. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (Central Coast)

The cranes are gone, but July belongs to the waders and skimmers. I once had a Reddish Egret dance across the marsh while a Black Skimmer zipped by—it looked like a choreographed routine.

Why Go: Coastal breeders in action.
Prized Birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Black Skimmers, Reddish Egrets, White-tailed Hawks.
Known For: Summer coastal spectacle.

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6. High Island Rookery (Smith Oaks, Upper Coast)

Even in July, the rookery is booming with nesting activity. Spoonbills, herons, and cormorants are all busy feeding chicks. I once described it as “avian daycare with no volume control.”

Why Go: Nesting colonies in full swing.
Prized Birds: Roseate Spoonbills, Great Egrets, Neotropic Cormorants, Tricolored Herons.
Known For: Easy rookery viewing.

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7. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (Upper Coast)

July here is about marsh birds and early shorebird migration. That’s right—by mid-July, shorebirds are already heading south. I once spotted a Wilson’s Phalarope spinning in circles like it was auditioning for synchronized swimming.

Why Go: Marsh specialties plus early migrants.
Prized Birds: King Rails, Purple Gallinules, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Seaside Sparrows.
Known For: Marsh magic with migration bonus.

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8. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary (Bolivar Peninsula)

Speaking of shorebirds, Bolivar in July is outstanding. Some are still sporting breeding plumage, while others are already staging in big flocks. I once found a Marbled Godwit among a sea of avocets—it was like spotting the tall kid in the group photo.

Why Go: Early fall migration of shorebirds.
Prized Birds: Red Knots, American Avocets, Marbled Godwits, Reddish Egrets.
Known For: Premier shorebird birding year-round.

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

July may be hot, but tropical residents are still showing off. I once had an Altamira Oriole feed a chick while Green Jays argued nearby—it was pure Valley drama.

Why Go: Tropical residents during nesting season.
Prized Birds: Green Jays, Altamira Orioles, Plain Chachalacas, Couch’s Kingbirds.
Known For: Tropical birding even in summer heat.

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

This massive refuge is still alive in July. Raptors soar, orioles sing, and Groove-billed Anis chatter in the thickets. I once had an Aplomado Falcon blaze past me—it was faster than my shutter finger.

Why Go: Summer raptors and Valley specialties.
Prized Birds: Aplomado Falcons, White-tailed Hawks, Altamira Orioles, Groove-billed Anis.
Known For: Big skies, big birds, all year long.

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Final Thoughts

July birding in Texas may be warm (okay, downright hot), but it’s still worth every minute. From hummingbirds in the Davis Mountains to shorebirds at Bolivar Flats and Painted Buntings in the Hill Country, July is proof that there’s never a bad month to bird Texas.

So pack water, wear a hat, and plan your outings early in the morning. Trust me, even in the heat, Texas birding will reward you with color, song, and plenty of surprises.

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