Quintana Beach & Jetty

Texas · Southeast

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

Coastal

Best Seasons

SpringFallWinter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Quintana Beach & Jetty is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 291 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts Red-breasted Merganser, Willet, and Ruddy Turnstone among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Red-breasted Merganser Willet Ruddy Turnstone Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Iceland Gull (Thayer's)

Larus glaucoides

2/26/2026San Luis Pass (Galveston Co.)(UTC 071)1 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

2/24/2026500–598 Coleman St, Clute US-TX (29.0278,-95.4019)2 observed

Wilson's Plover

Anarhynchus wilsonia

2/22/2026Follett's Island Blue Water Hwy/TX257 (UTC105)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Red-breasted Merganser

23/1/2026

Willet

13/1/2026

Ruddy Turnstone

93/1/2026

Laughing Gull

83/1/2026

Ring-billed Gull

53/1/2026

American Herring Gull

23/1/2026

Royal Tern

13/1/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

13/1/2026

Brown Pelican

113/1/2026

Great-tailed Grackle

83/1/2026

Snowy Plover

42/20/2026

Western Sandpiper

122/20/2026

Birding Tips

1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Texas

High Island

Legendary Texas coast migrant trap where trans-Gulf birds make landfall during spring fallouts.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Subtropical Rio Grande Valley forest with rare Mexican species found nowhere else in the US.

Big Bend National Park

Remote Chihuahuan Desert park with the only US breeding population of Colima Warbler.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Quintana Beach & Jetty for birding?▼

The best months to visit Quintana Beach & Jetty for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Quintana Beach & Jetty?▼

Notable species at Quintana Beach & Jetty include Red-breasted Merganser, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull. The area supports coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Quintana Beach & Jetty?▼

Birding at Quintana Beach & Jetty is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Quintana Beach & Jetty?▼

Quintana Beach & Jetty offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.