Lafitte's Cove Nature Preserve

Lafitte's Cove Nature Preserve on the west end of Galveston Island is one of the island's best spring migrant traps. The preserve's dense vegetation, freshwater ponds, and coastal scrub attract trans-Gulf migrants that make landfall on the island, concentrating songbirds in a compact, walkable area.

The preserve's bird list exceeds 280 species. Spring migration brings waves of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other songbirds to the dense shrubby vegetation. The freshwater ponds attract herons, ducks, and migrant shorebirds, while the open areas host buntings and grosbeaks. Roseate Spoonbills and other wading birds use the ponds year-round. The neighborhood yards adjacent to the preserve are also productive — many residents maintain bird-friendly landscapes with drips and feeders that attract migrants.