Forest birding habitat

Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City

Texas · Southeast

Habitat
ForestWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 206 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Common Goldeneye among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

6/1/2026Countryside Park (Galveston Co.)3 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

6/1/20264817 Jolly Roger Road, Jamaica Beach, Texas, US (29.192, -94.977)1 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

6/1/2026El Jardin Park/Beach1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

6/1/2026Galveston Island SP--Observation tower area2 observed

Least Bittern

Botaurus exilis

5/30/2026Smith Point--James H. Robbins Park1 observed

Sandwich Tern (Cabot's x Cayenne)

Thalasseus sandvicensis

5/30/2026Port Bolivar beach SE of ferry landing1 observed

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

5/30/2026Galveston--Lafitte's Cove (UTC 068)1 observed

Wilson's Plover

Anarhynchus wilsonia

5/30/2026El Jardin Park/Beach1 observed

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

5/29/2026Galveston Bay-- Vingt-Et-Un Islands (Chambers Co.)1 observed

Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

5/29/2026Galveston Bay-- Vingt-Et-Un Islands (Chambers Co.)3 observed

Willet (Western)

Tringa semipalmata

5/29/2026Galveston Bay-- Vingt-Et-Un Islands (Chambers Co.)2 observed

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

5/27/2026Galveston--Lafitte's Cove (UTC 068)2 observed

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

5/25/2026Galveston--Lafitte's Cove (UTC 068)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

26/1/2026

King Rail

16/1/2026

Common Gallinule

36/1/2026

American Coot

26/1/2026

White-rumped Sandpiper

26/1/2026

Laughing Gull

1306/1/2026

Forster's Tern

26/1/2026

Neotropic Cormorant

46/1/2026

Turkey Vulture

16/1/2026

Monk Parakeet

16/1/2026

European Starling

46/1/2026

Boat-tailed Grackle

26/1/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.

  2. 2

    Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City for birding?
The best months to visit Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City?
Notable species at Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City include Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City?
Birding at Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City?
Marathon (ex-Amoco) Settling Ponds, Texas City offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.