Birding in Pearland

Birding in Pearland is popular as the City is located in northern Brazoria County, home to the Upper Texas Coast – Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Pearland preserves several habitats that are critical for birds flying in for migration. Birds fly in from across the Gulf of Mexico and as the saying goes “location is everything”.  Luckily for bird watchers, novice and seasoned alike, Pearland is a perfect stop for birding – prepare to love it!

Birding is available in Pearland year round but many species like warblers and hawks can be spotted seasonally during the migration times of Fall & Spring. Many sparrows and water fowl choose to call Pearland home during the winter.

Local Birding Hot Spots in Pearland

Visitors can enjoy birding in Pearland with multiple locations throughout the City.  These spots are excellent locations for spotting a variety of birds.

Shadow Creek Ranch Nature Trail
1801 Kingsley Drive
Pearland, TX 77584

  • One of Pearland’s newest parks, this green space offers paved trails, educational signage and natural vistas for viewing wildlife throughout the trail. Enjoy the beautiful scenery from an observation deck.
  • In Winter months: Sparrows, Blue-winged teal, Yellow-rumped warbler, Herring Gull, Cedar Waxwing can be seen.
  • Early spring is a great time for birding in Pearland with sightings for the Sandhill Crane, Pectoral Sandpiper and the Crested Caracara.
  • Year round, Killdeer, Herons, Egrets, Red Shouldered Hawks, Mottled ducks can be seen.
Birding in Pearland
Birding in Pearland

John Hargrove Environmental Complex
5800 Magnolia Street
Pearland, TX 77584

  • This community park has a trailhead that’s located near the Stella Roberts Recycling Center. Enjoy waterfowl and other birds on Texas’s first municipal floating wetlands and stroll on the 1.7 mile recreational nature trail. Rookeries, a nesting colony of water birds, are a regular sight here.
  • The Delores Fenwick Nature Center is an environmental education facility offering hands-on workshops, programs and field trips.
  • Along Magnolia road, additional trails and ponds are good places to spot birds. Near the Fite Road bridge, there is a local bat colony that can be viewed at dusk.
  • Year round, a wide variety of Herons, Egrets, Roseate Spoonbill, Ring-billed Gull, Ibis, Blue Jay, and American White Pelicans can be found. Bald eagles can be spotted in this area as well.
  • During the winter months, you will likely see Cedar Waxwing, Killdeer, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Coot.

El Franco Lee Park
9400 Hall Road
Houston TX 77089

  • While managed by Harris County, this park offers 80-acres of protected wetlands. In addition to nature trails, there is an elevated boardwalk with a gazebo, perfect for wildlife observation.
  • Popular species in the Winter/Spring- northern shoveler, gadwall, green winged teal, northern harrier, wilsons snipe, eastern phoebe, vermillion flycatcher, house wren, American robin, orange crowned warbler.
  • During the Summer months you will be able to see Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Purple Martin, Chimney Swift
  • In the fall season, Warblers are a common sight.
  • The following species can be viewed year round – Eurasian Collared-Dove, Rock Pigeon, European starling, Woodpeckers, black bellied whistling duck, Barred Owl.
Birding in Pearland
Birding in Pearland

Additional Locations

Tom Bass Park, Section 3:

  • Kinglets
  • Chickadees
  • Eastern Blue Bird
  • Pie-billed Grebe

Christina Adair Park:

  • Cardinals
  • Goldfinches
  • Blue Gray Gnatcher

Other Area Hotspots

Armand Bayou Nature Center – 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena TX 77507

Brazos Bend State Park – 21901 FM 762 Road, Needville, TX 77461

Mustang Bayou Trail – 200 Depot Centre, Alvin, TX 77511

Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary – Lamar Street, Quintana, TX 77541

Resoft County Park – 349 CR 281, Alvin, TX 77511

Local Programs

City of Pearland Parks & Recreation Department offers seasonal birding workshops specific to birding in Pearland. Visit pearlandparks.com for dates and registration information.

Wild Birds Unlimited Pearland store offers Nature Talks at the store in addition to a variety of bird and wildlife products. Visit pearland.wbu.com for more information.

Tips for a Great Experience

You may want to pick up a field guide or download an app to help track and identify your sightings. E-Bird and Merlin Bird are great starting points. Additionally, you will want to wear muted colors, bring a hat, sunscreen and/or bug spray, and binoculars if you have them.

Locally, binoculars may be purchased at Wild Birds Unlimited, Bass Pro Shop, or Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Special thank you to photographer Pete Romfh, Texas Master Naturalist-Cradle of Texas Chapter