Opportunities From: Galveston Bay Foundation

Healthy bird populations are an indicator of a healthy Bay.

Join the Galveston Bay Foundation for a monthly bird survey led by Texas Master Naturalist and Lead GBF Volunteer, Lisa Hardcastle, at Sweetwater Preserve, a 140-acre GBF property that is not open to the public. This restored site includes coastal prairie, estuarine marsh, salt flats, freshwater wetlands, brackish wetlands, and coastal woodlots, which support a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.

Surveys take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 a.m. at the end of 103rd Street in Galveston. From there, participants will drive short distances to three survey areas. The survey typically lasts three to four hours, but volunteers may leave early if needed.

All levels of birders are welcome! Bring your own binoculars and field gear.

As a Survey Volunteer, you will assist with:

Conduct bird surveys at assigned location following 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. Respect wildlife by minimizing disturbance to birds and their habitats. Follow safety guidelines instructed by the survey lead

No restrooms on site. Conditions can vary, so wear closed-toe shoes (boots recommended) and bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water.

DATA COLLECTION
Survey results will be submitted to GBF staff and eBird, and the eBird list will be shared with all registered participants. These data help document species use of restored coastal habitat in the Galveston Bay watershed.

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.