The Houston Arboretum’s Nature Blogs

2018 was a great year for birds here at the Arboretum.

Why does the Arboretum get so many fall migrant birds? Because we have a lot of native plants!

It’s dragonfly season here at the Arboretum. Technically dragonflies are here all year, but you can see the greatest diversity of species in the brutal summer heat.

It’s no secret that the Arboretum is a gorgeous piece of wildlife habitat right in the middle of Houston. From birds and bunnies to turtles and snakes, we are home to a wide variety of native species, but that doesn’t mean our grounds are a great place for ALL animals.

I started 2017 with a goal: to see 100 species of birds at the Arboretum in a single year. On Friday, December 15th I finally achieved my goal. I’ve seen everything from American Kestrels to Yellow Warblers. However, some birds stand out as favorites. Here’s my top 10 list of the 100 birds of 2017.

Spring is the busiest hatching season for our resident animals, and we’re seeing lots of nests, eggs, and hatchlings right now.

Can you see through the trickery, deception, and general foolery of these Arboretum critters?

After many years of preparing for the ecological restoration of the Arboretum and the expansion of public amenities, Master Plan implementation is about to begin.

Spring is a special time for birds, and based on what we saw during the March Second Saturday Bird Walk, spring has definitely sprung at the Arboretum.