WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Texas

By species reported, the top birding spots in Texas are Estero Llano Grande State ParK, Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, and Pirates Cove. Estero Llano Grande State ParK has the longest list (320 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Estero Llano Grande State ParKHidalgo County32017,327235289165268
Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's PastureNueces County31712,945192286152264
Pirates CoveGalveston County29511,139149278134235
East LakeHidalgo County2947,801214268141244
Goose Island State ParkAransas County2944,12619126972193
Clay Bottom PondGalveston County29311,012168274114187
Mitchell Lake Wildlife RefugeBexar County2914,534190249183240
Quintana Neotropical Bird SanctuaryBrazoria County2905,47397255113230
Hazel Bazemore County ParkNueces County2873,209169244127233
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge (east)Chambers County2812,27616224697177
Galveston Island State ParkGalveston County2802,970158254112205
Sabine WoodsJefferson County2786,088121259107219
Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State ParkHidalgo County2778,167209233126237
Cullinan/Oyster CreekFort Bend County2767,611166215144228
Packery Channel Nature Preserve ParkNueces County2712,77712725273167
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (north 2)Cameron County2701,26217521483193
Clark LakeGalveston County2688,11511425299141
Devine Lake ParkWilliamson County2632,652124233139195
Choke Canyon State ParkMcMullen County2632,356196213115201
Bob Wentz/ Windy PointTravis County2622,788118227126190
Resaca de la Palma State ParkCameron County2595,544188206100206
Pilant LakeFort Bend County2595,512173212114195
El Franco Lee ParkHarris County2595,459153212116201
Palm GroveCameron County2582,60116121796183
Old Goose PondGrayson County2571,896140216147196
San Bernard National Wildlife RefugeBrazoria County25787715119992166
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding CenterHidalgo County2554,16418121793200
Estero Llano Grande State ParK (Llano Grande Lake)Hidalgo County2532,47717721464178
Balmorhea LakeReeves County2531,496164184142184
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife RefugeChambers County2523,24514422694155

By county