Houston, Galveston, and the Upper Texas Coast
Ted Lee Eubanks, Jr., Robert A. Behrstock, and Seth Davidson, Maps by Cindy Lippincott
What I like about this book is that it combines information on birds and OTHER wildlife along with tales of the trail. This book was born of the frustration of having to describe one of the state’s, if not the country’s, most diverse and interesting birding areas in about 100 short paragraphs that can fit onto the back of a map. It’s well written enough to be an enjoyable, informative read even if you never plan to travel beyond your favorite reading spot.
Flexbound with flaps, 5 3/4x8 ½ inches, 258 pp, 179 color photos, 13 maps, Index, MAY 2008
Scroll down to see links to related books and to find Texas’ birding trail maps.
From the publisher: The Texas coast offers rich avian treasures for expert birders and beginners alike, if only they know where to look. For those familiar with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's maps to the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, this book on the Upper Texas Coast offers more—more information, more convenient and detailed maps, more pictures, more finding tips, and more birding advice from one of the trail's creators, Ted Lee Eubanks Jr., and trail experts Robert A. Behrstock and Seth Davidson. For those new to the trail, the book is the perfect companion for learning where to find and how to bird the very best venues on this part of the Texas coast.
In an opening tutorial on habitat and seasonal strategies for birding the Upper Texas Coast, the authors include tips on how to take advantage of the famous (but elusive) fallouts of birds that happen here. They then briefly discuss the basics of birding by ear and the rewards of passive birding before turning to the trail itself and each of more than 120 birding sites from the Louisiana-Texas border, through Galveston and Houston, to just south of Freeport. In an attractive, durable, and user-friendly format, the book includes:
Maps to each of 15 trail loops, with birding sites clearly marked
Text directions to each site
Site rating recommendations for prioritizing trips
Site descriptions that feature birds likely to be found
Advice on finding bird groups
While not intended as a field identification guide, the book contains more than 175 color photographs of birds and their coastal habitat, giving readers an excellent feel for the trail's diversity and abundance. Whether you are making your annual spring pilgrimage to Texas, leisurely traveling with the family along the coast, or wondering what to do during a layover in Houston, using this book as your guide to the trail will greatly enhance your birding experience.
See also:
Bird Finding in Texas, for the Birding Trail Maps
BirdLife of Houston
Houston Atlas of Biodiversity
