Experience
Bird Migration in
Baytown
Join us for Baytown Birding Week, a 3.5-day birding experience featuring guided excursions throughout the Baytown area and showcasing some of the region’s best coastal habitats and wildlife viewing opportunities.
This experience offers free guided birding tours with complimentary transportation to some of the top birding locations in Baytown and the surrounding area. All transportation to and from birding locations, meal destinations, and the hotel will be provided throughout the program. Scheduled airport shuttle service to and from Hobby Airport is also available upon request.
Baytown Birding Week is provided free of charge exclusively to guests who book their stay through the official Bird Week hotel reservation link below. To participate, first reserve your hotel room using the designated booking link, then complete your registration. Please have your hotel booking confirmation number available when registering.
While guided tours and transportation are included at no cost, participants are responsible for their own meals and any applicable admission fees. Participation is limited to guests who book all four nights through the exclusive Bird Week hotel booking link.
Event Details
Meet the Expert
Tracey Prothro has become one of Baytown’s most passionate voices for birds, conservation, and outdoor education. Her lifelong fascination with wildlife began in childhood, when she rescued injured birds and even cared for a ruby-throated hummingbird in her bedroom for weeks.
That early curiosity grew into a deep commitment to connecting people with nature and helping others discover the joy of birding.
Today, Prothro serves as the Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism for the City of Baytown. She is also a certified Texas Master Naturalist and an experienced birding guide who leads educational field trips and conservation programs throughout the region.
Her knowledge of local birdlife makes her an invaluable part of Baytown Birding Week. Prothro often highlights that Baytown is positioned along the Central Flyway and offers a rare combination of freshwater and brackish ecosystems, creating habitat for more than 300 documented bird species throughout the year. From osprey and rails to warblers and belted kingfishers, she helps birders of all skill levels discover the incredible diversity found right in their own community.
What makes Tracey especially valuable to Baytown Birding Week is her ability to make birding approachable. She encourages beginners to simply grab binoculars, be patient, and start observing. Her philosophy is that birding is for everyone — whether exploring a backyard, city park, or coastal marsh. Through guided tours, bird counts, educational exhibits, workshops, and storytelling, she creates experiences that inspire both seasoned birders and first-time visitors.
For Baytown Birding Week, Tracey Prothro offers more than expertise, she offers enthusiasm, mentorship, and a genuine passion for helping people connect with nature. Her knowledge of local habitats, migration patterns, and bird behavior helps visitors experience the Baytown area through the eyes of someone who truly loves the birds and ecosystems that make the area special.
Why Baytown?
Baytown is the perfect home base for birders exploring the Texas Gulf Coast year-round. Located within an hour of several premier birding destinations and along two major migratory flyways, Baytown offers easy access to a variety of habitats and incredible birding opportunities. During the spring and fall migrations, the region's coastal habitats become vital stopover sites where thousands of birds rest and refuel before continuing their journeys, making every day an opportunity to experience a new birding adventure.
Don’t miss birding on Bayland Island, where you’ll likely spot plenty of Brown Pelicans while enjoying some downtime near the host hotel the Hyatt Regency Baytown Houston. The hotel has views of the Houston Ship Channel, the marina and the iconic Fred Hartman suspension bridge. Enjoy their on-site restaurant, lobby bar, and pool area.
How to Register for Baytown Birding Week
Step 1: Confirm Event Dates & Overview
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Baytown Birding Week runs November 18–22, 2026
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This is a 3.5-day guided birding experience in Baytown and surrounding coastal areas
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Includes expert-led excursions, transportation, and curated birding locations
Step 2: Reserve Your Hotel Room
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Host Hotel: Hyatt Regency Baytown – Houston
100 Convention Center Way, Baytown, TX 77520 -
Stay is required for all four nights to participate
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Discounted rates:
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$129/night (King Bed)
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$139/night (2 Queen Beds)
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Booking Deadline: November 3, 2026
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Reservations must be made using the official booking link:
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/IAHRB/G-BWCB
Step 3: Complete Your Registration Requirements
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Provide names of all attendees in your group
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Ensure your group is included in transportation vehicle capacity (limit: 26 attendees)
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Complete the Annual Waiver & Release of Liability Form (sent after registration)
Step 4: Arrange Airport Transportation (If Needed)
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Airport: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
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Shuttle service is available upon request only
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Arrival shuttle times (Nov 18):
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12:00 PM pickup
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5:00 PM pickup
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Departure shuttle (Nov 22):
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2:30 PM drop-off to Hobby Airport
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Request by emailing: Staci.Wise@Baytown.org
Step 5: Prepare for Your Trip
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Meals are Dutch treat (attendee responsibility)
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Breakfast available at hotel starting at ~$10 (Anchor & Hearth, The Market, or To-Go option)
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Entry fees may apply at some sites:
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High Island Sanctuaries: $10/day or $35 annual pass
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Bolivar Flats: $10 parking per vehicle
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Suggested packing:
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Binoculars
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Bug spray
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Sunscreen
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Snacks and water provided during excursions
Step 6: Enjoy Guided Birding Excursions
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Transportation provided to all locations
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Local bird expert included daily at no cost
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Sites include:
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Baytown Nature Center
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Sheldon Lake State Park
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Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge
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High Island Sanctuaries
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Bolivar Flats Sanctuary
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San Jacinto Museum & Battleground
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Step 7: Know the Policies & Important Notes
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Itinerary subject to change due to weather or site conditions
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Updates will be communicated to registered participants
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Capacity is limited to 26 attendees
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All participants must be fully registered and included in submitted attendee lists