As a birdwatcher with a romantic soul, I can’t help but think of The Notebook’s opening scene whenever I watch egrets glide across the water. Their beautiful white wings and peaceful essence symbolizes love, new beginnings and togetherness. My usual spot for admiring these majestic birds is the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park, but I recently found myself wondering if there was a place where I could see even more of them. After some online research, I stumbled upon this under-the-radar location about an hour and half from Houston—and I knew I had to check it out.
About Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary
Driving east from Houston on Interstate 10 East, my fiancé Dan and I arrived at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary, a nature preserve on High Island that offers refuge for thousands of migrating waterbirds each year, including egrets, spoonbills, herons and more. Spanning 177 acres, the sanctuary is a stunning mix of ponds, wetlands, fields and woods teeming with wildlife.
After paying $10 for our day passes, we browsed the trail map. That’s when I noticed the canopy walkway leading to the rookery; it seemed like the perfect place to start our adventure.
The Kathrine G. McGovern Canopy Walkway provided a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the marshes and pond. As I stepped onto the walkway, I instinctively reached for Dan’s hand. Suspended 17 feet above the ground, we watched as songbirds flew from tree to tree. The serene atmosphere made us walk more slowly, so that we could absorb the beauty of this avian oasis. Then, suddenly, we saw them—hundreds of egrets. I gasped, “This is like a dream.”
We veered toward the rookery, which sits in the middle of Clay Bottom Pond, where countless migrating waterbirds nest and roost. From every direction, birds were in flight: Snowy Egrets, Great White Egrets, Little Blue Herons and pink-hued Roseate Spoonbills, Tricolored Herons, White Ibis, Cattle Egrets and more.
A Notebook-worthy scene
Seeing so many waterbirds immediately transported me to The Notebook—the scene where Noah rows Allie across a lake filled with swans. While you won’t find swans here, the sanctuary’s canopy creates an intimate, romantic setting. With few other visitors around, it felt like it was just us and the birds, as if this magical place belonged to us alone.
High Island serves as a critical stopover for birds migrating 600 miles from South and Central America. Here, they find sanctuary—and, for many, a mate. Tricolored herons fluffed their feathers to attract a partner, bowing gracefully and gently nibbling each other's bills as a sign of affection. The spoonbills, full of energy, bobbed their heads and bodies like they were dancing, exchanged sticks like gifts and clasped their bills together in what looked like kisses.
We didn’t bring binoculars, but I’ll be sure to next time so I can get a closer look at the birds nesting in the distant trees. While the canopy walkway offers a spectacular view, we also spent time at the rookery’s ground-level observation platforms, taking in the sights from a different perspective.
Exploring High Island’s wooded trails
After marveling at the waterbirds, we set off to explore the sanctuary’s wooded trails and ponds. Dan especially loved the solitude. Along the trails, you might spot warblers, wrens, mockingbirds, crows, waxwings, doves, hawks, tanagers, thrashers, buntings and other songbirds.
Beyond its impressive birdlife, High Island stands out for its unique geology. According to the Houston Audubon, the island was formed by a massive salt bed located six miles underground. Because salt is lighter than soil and rock, it rises over time, pushing up the surrounding layers. This process has created a rare coastal bump—or salt dome—that elevates High Island 32 feet above the surrounding marshes, making it an ideal habitat for countless waterbirds.
Final thoughts
Before leaving, I wanted one last look at the egrets from the canopy walkway. As a flock of white-winged birds soared across the pond, I hugged Dan, completely mesmerized. I watched as one egret, carrying a twig, flew to its partner—a quiet, touching moment in nature.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but think of The Notebook again—of Noah and Allie on the shore, seagulls circling above as Noah declares, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.” I didn’t want to leave this enchanting place, but I knew we’d be back.
The sanctuary is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, with peak migration season occurring from mid-March to mid-May. If you’re planning a visit, consider extending your trip to the nearby Boy Scout Wood Bird Sanctuary, where you can spot pelicans, hawks and even more incredible bird species.