Top Gulf Coast Birding Hotspots for Spring Migration

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020

Birding along the Gulf Coast is always fun but it's even better when you visit these birding hotspots during spring migration.

The time of year when warblers arrive is rapidly approaching, and some species have even started to arrive along the Gulf Coast! Migration might not last long, but it sure is exciting while it’s going on. If you want to see some of the most spectacular displays of warbler and other passerine migration, make a stop at one or more of these birding hotspots along the Gulf Coast during late March and early to mid April. Birding should be good no matter when you go, but if you are lucky and experience a “fallout” it can be one of the most remarkable experiences in all of birding. A fallout occurs when the weather forces migrants to take shelter as soon as they hit the coast. These conditions can cause massive concentrations of migrants at these and other birding hotspots along the Gulf.

1. High Island, Texas

High Island is one of the most famous and active spring migration hotspots on the Gulf Coast. It’s designed to be birder-friendly, and there are many smaller birding hotspots within the High Island area where you can experience migration. Learn more about High Island from the Houston Audubon Society here.

Although Black-and-white Warblers aren't as flashy as some of the other warbler species, I still find them to be a stunning species to observe. — Although Black-and-white Warblers aren’t as flashy as some of the other warbler species, I still find them to be a stunning species to observe.

2. Dauphin Island, Alabama

Just off the the coast of Alabama sits a barrier island called Dauphin Island (not Dolphin like I hear many call it). This is one of the first places that migrants can make landfall after flying over the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. There are a number of parks and reserves that you can visit on the island to experience migration first-hand. Click here to learn about all of the birding sites. Also consider taking the ferry over to Fort Morgan for more birding fun!

Time to Start Looking for Fall Warblers — I’m always excited to see a Blackburnian Warbler, no matter the season!

3. South Padre Island, Texas

This is the farthest south of the hotspots that I have included and thus has migrants earlier than some of the other locations. This barrier island has few trees which means there are fewer places to look for birds, but there are also fewer places for the birds to hide. The best site on the island is the South Padre Island Convention Center trails. Not only can there be an amazing number of migrants, you’re sure to enjoy all of the wading birds and shorebirds using the tidal flats to feed.

Chestnut-sided Warblers are always a crowd favorite at birding hotspots!

4. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

This is the most remote and inaccessible location on the list. In order to get to this national park, you must first travel to Key West and then catch either a ferry or seaplane to get out to this small set of islands. While migration might not be as constantly amazing here, when a fallout occurs, the birding is phenomenal. The only fresh water on the entire island is a small well, and since all of the birds need water, the well is the place to be!

Since the Dry Tortugas sits much farther east than the other birding hotspots, more of the migrants that winter in the Caribbean can be found there. That includes species like this Black-throated Blue Warbler.