Houston, Tx
HIDDEN GEM: Smith Oaks Sanctuary
For a lot of migrating songbirds, their final cease earlier than Excessive Island is the Yucatan Peninsula. That’s about 600 miles.
BOLIVAR PENINSULA, Texas — We’re in the course of peak migration season for birds in Texas. If you wish to catch a glimpse of the greater than 100 species flying by means of, we all know simply the place: Smith Oaks Sanctuary in Excessive Island.
“It’s not an precise island,” explains Pete Deichmann, Houston Audubon’s land director. “It’s not surrounded by water. It’s surrounded by marsh and coastal prairie.”
However, as a result of it’s 30 toes above sea degree, this island-not-island stands out.
“It’s notably necessary for migrating songbirds, who’ve spent their winters in Central and South America,” Deichmann says.
Within the spring, these birds head north. Their final cease earlier than Excessive Island is the Yucatan Peninsula. That’s about 600 miles.
“Excessive Island is a beacon of habitat, so we handle our sanctuaries for birds to have the ability to drop in, relaxation, refuel, get a drink of water and proceed on their journey,” says Deichmann.
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It’s additionally a spot for these birds to boost their households.
“The rookery does get full this time of 12 months,” Deichmann says. “A lot of exercise. A lot of noise. A lot of child birds being born.”
There’s additionally plenty of curiosity from birders all all over the world, who refill social media with the images they seize right here.
“We get guests from 48 totally different states and 20 totally different nations,” says Deichmann.
Smith Oaks is one in every of 4 fowl sanctuaries managed by Houston Audubon in Excessive Island.
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“Even should you’re not a birder, this may flip you right into a birder,” Deichmann says. “It’s an incredible place to benefit from the open air and a ravishing day like right this moment and see some cool issues.”
If you wish to test them out, the Houston Audubon sanctuaries in Excessive Island are open three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months from daybreak till nightfall.
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Do you have got a hidden gem we should always take a look at? Tell us by emailing Brandi Smith at bsmith@khou.com!
