Looking for the best birding spots in Texas every month of the year? From Whooping Cranes in January to warbler fallouts in April and shorebird spectacles in August, we’ve built Top Ten lists for each month so you’ll always know where to go and what birds to look for. Some hotspots appear more than once (because they’re just that good), but each month’s list stands on its own—giving you the very best Texas birding recommendations, season by season.
Texas is big. Really big. Which is why birding here never goes out of season. From the chilly mornings of January to the sweltering afternoons of August (and everything in between), there are always birds to see and always places worth visiting.
That’s why we created the Top Ten Places to Bird in Texas for Every Month of the Year. Each monthly guide is designed to highlight the best places to bird right then and there—whether you’re chasing Whooping Cranes in January, soaking in warbler fallout in April, or watching shorebird spectacles in August.
Now, you may notice some overlap in locations as you explore these monthly lists. Yes, High Island shows up more than once. Yes, so does Aransas, Bolivar Flats, and a few other favorites. And no, that’s not because we’re lazy (though we do enjoy a shady bench after a 6 a.m. bird walk). It’s because these spots are so consistently spectacular that they earn a place on multiple months’ lists.
Think of it this way: each month’s “Top Ten” stands on its own. If you only read one month’s page, you’ll get the absolute best birding recommendations for that specific time of year—without needing to cross-reference what came before. Birds move, habitats shift, and the experience changes with the seasons, even if the location stays the same.
So whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip in May or mapping out a full year of birding adventures across Texas, you’ll find:
- Where to go each month (from the Valley to the Panhandle and everywhere in between).
- Which birds to look for (seasonal specialties, migration spectacles, and those Texas-only gems).
- Why it’s worth the trip (personal notes, funny encounters, and a nudge to pack extra water in July).
Because here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as a bad month to go birding in Texas. Some months are colorful, some are dramatic, and some are just plain noisy (looking at you, Snow Geese). But every single one offers something worth seeing—and probably worth bragging about later.
So dive into the month that interests you most, or work your way through all twelve. Just be warned: once you see how good Texas birding can be, you may never look at your calendar the same way again.