Birds are typically so close, binoculars are optional! The Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center at Sims Bayou is an urban 1.5-acre sanctuary with gravel trails and wooden boardwalks leading to Sims Bayou. Bird feeders are active throughout the year with a variety of species including Monk Parakeets, chickadees, cardinals, finches, and more.

The site has an eBird list of 125 species. Osprey, eagles, Wood Ducks, Anhinga, and more frequent the bayou. Flocks of Monk Parakeets visit the bird feeders daily; resident Barred Owls and Red-Shouldered Hawks can also be seen on property. 

The Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center is privately owned and managed by Houston Audubon. The small sanctuary offers walking trails, birding, educational programs & tours, a nature store, and a unique look into the history of the surrounding neighborhood.

With access to Sims Bayou, the Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center has a canoe launch for those who bring their own equipment. The habitat along Sims Bayou is teaming with birds and other wildlife such as river otters, beavers, alligators, and many others.

It is also the location of Houston Audubon’s animal ambassadors, including 12 non-releasable raptors of various species and other animals as well. The sanctuary contains raptor mews (or aviaries), a log cabin, a barn, a gazebo, gardens, a pond with native plants, and seasonal wetland trails that afford a unique opportunity to experience nature in a dense urban setting

Because the sanctuary is a conservation property for wildlife and birds, there are slightly different rules (listed on their website) from city and county parks to keep the Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center a quiet respite for humans and animals alike.

The Houston Audubon Raptor and Education Center is open to the public on Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for $5 per person; free admission for children ages 3 and under, as well as Houston Audubon Members.

There are only 4 or 5 parking spaces in front of the nature center, so you may have to park at Charlton Park or along the street.

The trails lead down to a historic meander of Sims Bayou, with a bayou overlook deck perfect for observing Kingfishers, Egrets, and more. The canopy deck gives an elevated view of the forest canopy where the Barred Owls and Red-Shouldered Hawks can frequently be spotted.