Observe Today. Conserve Tomorrow.
Join Galveston Bay Foundation's Director of Land Protection, Suzanne Simpson, and Texas Master Naturalist & GBF Dedicated Volunteer, Lisa Hardcastle, in surveying our Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve on the East Bay. This public-access preserve is home to an impressive variety of wildlife and we need your help observing birds there.
About This Site
This 514-acre preserve is located in a unique transitional region of Southeast Texas where several ecosystems converge, creating a rich mosaic of diverse and productive natural communities.
Visitors can experience towering pine forests characteristic of the East Texas Piney Woods, the flat terrain and expansive grasslands of the Gulf Coastal Plain, and the distinctive hydrology and geology of the Trinity River floodplain and delta.
As a Bird Survey Volunteer, you will:
- Work in a group to collect bird data using established protocols
- Identify bird species by sight and, when possible, by their calls
- Count and record the number of birds observed
- Use binoculars, field guides, or mobile apps as needed
- Minimize disturbance to birds and their habitats
- Follow safety guidance provided by the survey lead
Heat Safety
Be prepared to walk and conduct observations outdoors in potentially warm and humid conditions. Review GBF heat safety guidance here ↗
Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Restrooms are not available onsite. Public restrooms are available a few miles away at the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
Data Collection
Survey results will be submitted to GBF staff and eBird ↗. Staff will share the completed eBird checklist with all registered participants.
Before the survey, consider downloading the eBird Mobile app ↗ to more easily contribute your observations.
Getting There & Parking
- Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve is located off FM 563. The entrance is an unpaved dirt road.
- There are no marked parking spaces. Please pull to the side of the drive and leave enough room for other vehicles to pass.
Your time contributing to these surveys helps us collect valuable data that guides habitat management and conservation efforts at Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve.
