Wildflowers, warblers, and a Mac and cheese-stuffed quail recipe from one of Austin’s best pitmasters. Spring in Texas never looked so good.
If there’s one time of year in Texas that deserves its own magazine issue, it’s right now. The wildflowers are peaking, the birds are moving through in waves, and the kind of weather that makes you want to spend all day outside is finally here. Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine’s May issue leans all the way into the season — and it is packed.
What’s Inside the May Birding Issue
The centerpiece is a first-hand account of the Great Texas Birding Classic, told through the experience of Jennifer Bristol as she travels the state chasing species counts in one of the most unique competitive birding events in the country. It’s the kind of story that makes even non-birders want to grab a pair of binoculars.
The issue also takes readers to Goose Island State Park on the Texas coast for a coastal birding trip that doubles as a travel guide to one of the state’s most underrated wildlife destinations. Two endangered species — the red-cockaded woodpecker and the black-capped vireo — get their own dedicated features, putting a face on conservation stories that matter beyond the Texas border.
For something completely different, the issue spotlights Canyon, Texas, proving there is always more to explore in this state than most Texans realize.
And then there’s the recipe. Chef Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin contributed a Mac and Cheese-Stuffed Quail straight from his new cookbook, releasing May 12. Whether you’re a hunter, a home cook, or just someone who appreciates the intersection of Texas wildlife and Texas food culture, this one is worth clipping.
The 2026 debut of Bird Bingo rounds out the issue with some competitive seasonal fun the whole family can play.
Why This Is the Right Time to Subscribe
Spring migration in Texas is one of the great natural spectacles of North America. The state sits along the Central Flyway, one of the major bird migration corridors on the continent, which means that from late March through May, millions of birds pass through Texas on their way north. Warblers, shorebirds, raptors, hummingbirds — the diversity during peak migration is staggering, and Texas birding hot spots like High Island, Goose Island, and the Davis Mountains draw serious birders from across the country every spring.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine has been covering the outdoors of this state for decades, and the May issue is one of the year’s best — deep enough for enthusiasts, accessible enough for beginners, and beautifully photographed throughout.
How to Get Your Copy
A subscription to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine starts the storytelling going all year. To subscribe and lock in a copy of the May birding issue, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine website or search for it directly online.
For year-round birding news and seasonal coverage, Texas Highways also publishes the Flight Path newsletter — a free seasonal birding newsletter worth signing up for if you want to stay connected to what’s moving through the state.
Magazine: Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine Contact: [email protected] Social: @tpwmagazine on Facebook, X, and Instagram
