Beaches, bayous and coastal prairie! Galveston Island offers an amazing natural array of fauna, flora and lots of opportunity to enjoy and explore the outdoors even in the winter months. Whether you are visiting the island or call it home, please come along and be introduced to the wonderful natural world of Galveston Island. Join us for any or all of the outings and talks.
Our winter activities take place in Jan, Feb and part of Mar. We are deleting the ones that have already taken place so that you don’t have to scroll too far to get to the current list!
Most of the activities REQUIRE an RSVP and you’ll find it’s quite easy to reserve your spot. Sign up info is noted on each activity that requires an RSVP. Most activities are FREE unless otherwise noted in the description below.
These activities are designed for adults 18 years or older unless otherwise noted.
Photo by Kristine Rivers, San Luis Pass
February 14, Wednesday, 4:30pm – 6:00ish
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Woody’s Beach Bar, 11149 Termini San Luis Pass Rd
Click here to RSVP
Informal birdwatching opportunity and discussion in a setting that lends itself to enjoying nature with a beverage of choice. If you don’t have Valentine’s Day plans, this is a casual happy hour opportunity to visit with a transplanted northerner that has been enjoying Galveston’s diverse bird-life, and tasty beer for many years. Conversation and bird viewing will concentrate on gulls, terns and beach habitat shore birds that are likely to be viewed from the scenic deck.
February 16, Friday, 5:30pm
Facilitator: Kristine Rivers
REGISTRATION DETAILS BELOW
Think you know all about Texas wildlife? Play as an individual or put a team of 2-4 people together and test your knowledge in this entertaining trivia game created by Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun. You’re sure to have a great time and learn a lot in the process from this passionate Texas Master Naturalist. Score points by being the first team to answer the question correctly, but watch out! Get it wrong and another team can steal your points! The team with the highest score at the end will be awarded bragging rights as the inaugural winners of this first annual event. All of the fun will take place in the event space at Gypsy Joynt restaurant, an Island favorite with a fun and eclectic ambiance! We encourage you to order dinner and/or drinks from their extensive menu, which offers a wide array of options including pizza, sandwiches and wraps, seafood, chicken wings, all-day breakfast, fresh bakery goods, and more!
Click HERE to register. NOTE: When registering, register yourself first and then if you want to form a team, add 2-3 people as your guests.
February 22, Thursday, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Presentation: Using Nature Photography for Education Outreach
Presenter: Allen Hardee
Where: Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy
No RSVP necessary
Join us at the GCAG meeting where Allen will share his photos of butterflies and birds that he uses to educate employees on the Marathon Refinery Wildlife Habitat Team. Their Wildlife Team teaches adults and children about conservation, birds, pollinators, and recycling. They focus on introducing the joy of nature to employees, family members, and the Texas City community.
February 24, Saturday, 8:00am-noon
Destinations: Texas City & La Marque
Leader: Allen Hardee
Meet at Moody Gardens bus will be leaving Moody Gardens Aquarium parking lot at 8am to drive to Mac McGaffey Highland Bayou Park on the mainland to meet our trip leader Allen Hardy. Field trip will include some of the private Marathon Refinery property as well as other Texas City birding locations. Space is limited to 13 passengers, but others may caravan behind and bird the locations where we stop. For info the morning of, call 409-370-4585.
No RSVP necessary
March 1, Friday, 7:00am – 9:00am, FREE
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens west parking lot north tram stop
No RSVP needed – 409.683.4101 for questions
https://houstonaudubon.org/birding/bird-surveys/moody-gardens.html
3.6-mile walking route around Moody Gardens property recording all species and individuals of birds encountered. The habitat is a combination of upland marsh, intertidal saltmarsh, bay, and woodlot. We’ll mainly use paved pathways with manicured landscape areas, but there will be some walking through a bit higher grass, marsh habitat and possibly moist/muddy conditions depending on rain and tides. Restrooms are available in buildings along the route. Remember your sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars.
Photo: Barbara Rabek
March 6, Wednesday, 4:30pm – 6:00ish, FREE
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Tin Cup’s Caddy Shack, 9020 Stewart Rd.
Click here to RSVP
Informal birdwatching opportunity and discussion in a setting that lends itself to enjoying nature with a beverage of choice. Come visit with a transplanted northerner that has been enjoying Galveston’s diverse bird-life, and tasty beer for many years. Conversation and bird viewing will concentrate on Sandhill Cranes and various other species that are likely to be viewed from the scenic deck.
March 8, Friday, 7:00am – 9:00amLeader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens Golf Course – clubhouse, 1700 Syndor Lane
Click here to RSVP. RSVP required – limited to 5 participants – call 409.683.4101 with questions.
This monthly survey is part of the Houston Audubon Urban Surveys and is conducted on the second Friday of every month (weather permitting). We are limited to 3 golf carts, which limits the available seats to 5. Survey includes 5.25 miles of driving generally along the golf course paths while recording all species and individual birds encountered. Restrooms are available at 2 locations on the course as well as the clubhouse. We will need 2 willing volunteers to drive carts. Remember your bug spray and binoculars.