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Migratory Bird Festival—That’s a Wrap!
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
All photos courtesy Betsy Cross
Betsy Cross
World Migratory Bird Day celebrates the remarkable journeys of migratory birds and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend upon along the way. This year’s observance coincided with the San Marcos Migratory Bird Festival on May 9, where bird walks and educational programs highlighted the diversity of birds moving through Central Texas during spring migration.
Guided bird walks were offered throughout the morning at the festival.
This year’s bird walk was easily the best day of birding I’ve experienced at this event since I began attending it in 2023. I was fortunate to cross paths with a young wildlife biologist, Danielle Belleny, who walked with me. She was a delightful, experienced birder. Migration seemed to be unfolding around us everywhere we looked. Danielle spotted numerous migrating birds that I could not find in my camera lens. However, among the highlights that I was able to photograph were a female American Redstart, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, a Black-throated Green Warbler, a male Orchard Oriole, a Gray Catbird, and a brilliant male Yellow Warbler.
Not every memorable sighting involved a migrant. Along the trail, three recently fledged Eastern Phoebe youngsters huddled together on a branch while an adult remained nearby. It was a reminder that spring in Central Texas is both a season of arrival and a season of new beginnings.
Here are some highlights:
American Redstart (Female, side-facing view)
American Redstart (Female, front-facing view)
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Orchard Oriole
Eastern Phoebe (adult, non-migratory)
Eastern Phoebe Fledglings
Gray Catbird
Yellow Warbler (male)
Then just before closing out for the day and heading back to the car, a bird posed briefly in a tree at the end of the trail. Unobstructed by the foliage, its striking black-and-white plumage and vivid rose-red breast were clearly visible—the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak—a new bird for me! It was an exciting ending to a wonder-filled day.
Red-breasted Grosbeak (male)
Whether through a casual backyard sighting, participation in bird counts, or simply creating habitat for native species, every observation contributes to a larger understanding of migratory birds and the challenges they face across the globe. As this year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme reminds us, every bird counts—and so does every observer.
Happy Birding, Y’all!