2014 Spring/Summer Birding Calendar
Compiled by Rachel Bradley
Grab your binoculars, family and friends, and go discover birding – the most popular sport in America – at an event near you!
Texas is home to more than 630 bird species, which are sure to beautify your spring/summer at first sight. Beginning and experienced birders alike are invited to attend the community events below and add to their life list.
In addition to the events listed below, a regularly updated calendar of events hosted at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facilities can be found online (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/calendar/). Click “Birding” for a complete list of bird walks, owl prowls, bird identification classes and more offered at various Texas state parks, including the state park World Birding Centers. Additional events at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and Sea Center Texas can be found by selecting “Site Calendars” from the list of options on the main calendar page.
Monthly Recurring Events
Birding on the Board Walk – Wednesdays
The popular boardwalk extends into a marsh associated with the adjoining wastewater treatment plant. Walk along the boardwalk and from the observation tower look for Cinnamon Teal, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Least Grebe, herons, egrets, cormorants and Roseate Spoonbills.
Host: City of Port Aransas
Location: End of Ross Ave., Port Aransas
Time: 9 a.m.
Fee: None
361.749.5919
www.portaransas.org
All Aboard for Cardinal Express Tram Tour – Saturdays and Sundays
Tour Wildlife Drive and the pad roads at the Refuge aboard our all electric, open air tram; driver/guide points out wildlife including shorebirds, waders, nesting waterbirds and more. Limited seating; reservations recommended; call Refuge.
Host: Friends of Hagerman NWR and Hagerman NWR
Location: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman
Time: Various times. Call ahead.
Fee: None
903.786.2826
www.friendsofhagerman.com
Early Bird Special – Saturdays (May – July)
Explore the wonders of McAllen's big backyard on a guided walk along the half-mile of nature trails surrounding the historic 1930s adobe mansion.
Host: Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center
Location: 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen
Time: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Fee: $3/adult, $2/Senior, $2/Child
956.682.3370
www.quintamazatlan.com
Bird Banding - Third Saturdays (May – December)
Volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of our community.
Host: Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Location: 103 Texas 332, Lake Jackson
Time: 8 a.m. – Noon
Fee: None
979.480.0999
www.gcbo.org
Guided Birding Night Hikes – Second Saturdays (May – July)
Join us on a guided hike while learning about the birds that call Dogwood Canyon home.
Host: Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill
Location: 1206 W. FM 1382, Cedar Hill
Time: Start time varies by sundown. Call ahead for start time.
Fee: None. RSVP required.
469.526.1980
http://dogwoodcanyon.audubon.org
Beginners Birdwalk – Second Saturdays
Birdwalk for beginners and newcomers to the San Antonio area. Binoculars are available to lend out.
Host: San Antonio Audubon Society
Location: Judson Nature Trails on Viesca St. next to the Alamo Heights swimming pool.
Time: 8 a.m. in May. 7:30 a.m. in June, July and August.
Fee: None
210.308.6788
www.saaudubon.org
Guided Birding Early Morning Hikes – First Saturdays (May – July)
Members can join this guided hike while learning about the birds that call Dogwood Canyon home.
Host: Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill
Location: 1206 W. FM 1382, Cedar Hill
Time: Start time varies by sunrise. Call ahead for start time.
Fee: Members only free admission, RSVP required.
469.526.1980
http://dogwoodcanyon.audubon.org
Hummingbirds and Backyard Birding – May 3, 10
Join the Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas for a two-part birding series in partnership with the Dallas Arboretum. The first class will cover birding and hummingbirds at the Dallas Arboretum. The second class resumes the quest for hummers at Trinity River Audubon Center.
Host: TRAC and Dallas Arboretum
Location: First class May 3 – Dallas Arboretum – 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
Second class May 10 – TRAC – 6500 Great Trinity Forest Blvd., Dallas
Fee: $38 for TRAC or Arboretum members; $42 for non-members
214.309.5801
www.dallasarboretum.org/adulteducation
Birds on the Water – June 7, 14
Join the Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC) in Dallas for a two-part birding series in partnership with the Dallas Arboretum. The first class will cover the basics of birding and canoeing. The second class will be spent birding by boat at the TRAC.
Host: TRAC and Dallas Arboretum
Location: First class June 7 – Dallas Arboretum – 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
Second class June 14 – TRAC – 6500 Great Trinity Forest Blvd., Dallas
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Fee: $81 for TRAC or Arboretum members; $90 for non-members
214.309.5801
www.dallasarboretum.org/adulteducation
Summer Bird Camp – June 9-13
This summer day camp is for children ages 8 to 11. Kids have loads of fun and learn all about birds.
Host: Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Location: 103 Texas 332, Lake Jackson
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fee: $150
979.480.0999
www.gcbo.org
May
May 2 – Early Birds
Come take a leisurely hike around the Fort Worth Nature Center to see birds beginning their day. Bring binoculars and cameras to enhance your experience.
Host: Fort Worth Nature Center
Location: 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Fee: $5/adults, $3/Seniors, $2/Child
817.392.7410
www.fwnaturecenter.org
May 2-4 – 2014 Prairies & Pineywoods BirdFest
Expert guided tours of prairies, lakes and forests, 200+ bird egg exhibit including extinct bird eggs, Owl Prowl and Insects at Night at beautiful Selah Ranch. Keynote speaker, Noppadol Poathong, author of "Save the Last Dance,” will present his award-winning photos of prairie chicken and grassland grouse as we celebrate our festival bird, the diminishing prairie chicken.
Host: Franklin County Historical Association
Location: Selah Ranch 450 County Road Northwest 1051, Talco
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Fee: $70 all-inclusive fee with exception of Saturday evening dinner $30.
713.882.4195
www.birdingmtvernon.com
May 3 – Birding 101
Rio Brazos Audubon Society invites the public to a free beginning birder walk at Lick Creek Park, College Station. Please meet at the chimney swift kiosk near the parking lot with study walking shoes, bug spray and binoculars!
Host: Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Location: Lick Creek Park 13600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Fee: None
riobrazosaudubon@gmail.com
www.riobrazosaudubon.org
May 3 – Bolivar Big Sit
The Bolivar Big Sit is a birding, tailgating party that features the globally important Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary on the west end of the Bolivar Peninsula. Houston Audubon biologists will be present at a temporary observation tent to help visitors find and identify shorebirds.
Host: Houston Audubon
Location: Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
Time: Sunrise – 5 p.m.
Fee: None
713.832.1639
www.houstonaudubon.org
May 3 – Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary – Birding and Nature Site
This 4.5-acre site is the newest addition to Aransas Pathways and is still under construction. Numerous bird drips will soon be installed. The site has a large slab for viewing and a drop off to a natural low spot that becomes a large pond during rainy times. There is a good example of a remnant prairie that has a meandering path. When the project is complete, it will have trails, boardwalks, interpretive signage along with other enhancements to the property.
Host: Aransas Pathways and Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Location: Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary
Time: 10 a.m.
Fee: None
361.729.6445
www.aransaspathways.com
May 8 – Bird Banding in the Park
West Texas Avian Research Group are trained volunteers who band birds for the purpose of acquiring data regarding movement and behavior of bird populations for use in conservation and research. Join our local school kids for an opportunity to see birds in hand.
Host: San Saba Bird and Nature Club
Location: LCRA San Saba River Nature Park
Time: 8 a.m. – Noon
Fee: None
325.372.7615
http://sansababirdandnatureclub.org
May 10 – Guided Bird Walk
Wayne Meyer, associate professor of biology at Austin College, will lead a guided birding walk on one of the trails at Hagerman NWR.
Host: Friends of Hagerman NWR and Hagerman NWR
Location: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman
Time: 8 a.m.
Fee: None
903.786.2826
www.friendsofhagerman.com
May 10 – Guided Bird Walk
Over 280 species of birds have been documented on Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area's 2,000 acres of forest, prairie, river and wetland habitat. The guided tour takes birders to some of the best locations; some of them not regularly open to public access. Bird watchers of all skill levels are welcome, ages 10 and up.
Host: Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Location: 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Fee: $7/person
972.219.3930
www.LLELA.org
May 10 – Migration Celebration
Join us to learn about the migration patterns of birds that fly from as far north as Canada to central Mexico, and pass by the Audubon Center along the way.
Host: Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill
Location: 1206 W. FM 1382, Cedar Hill
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fee: None
469.526.1980
http://dogwoodcanyon.audubon.org
May 10 – North American Migratory Bird Survey
Rio Brazos Audubon Society invites anyone with an eye for birds to join us in covering Brazos County on our annual migratory bird survey. This daylong event is an internationally coordinated event, with birders in South, Central and North America all getting out and counting their local migratory birds.
Host: Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Location: Brazos County, various sites
Time: All day
Fee: None
riobrazosaudubon@gmail.com
birdday.org/birdday
www.riobrazosaudubon.org
May 10 – International Migratory Bird Day, San Antonio
Participate in San Antonio’s city-wide celebration of the world-wide International Migratory Bird Day. Five locations (Mitchell Lake, SeaWorld, Government Canyon, San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio River Authority) around the city celebrating the return of migratory birds with games, bird banding demos, birding tours, and family-fun and free activities for bird lovers of all ages.
Host: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Location: Five locations
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fee: None (at Mitchell Lake)
210.628.1639
www.mitchelllake.audubon.org
May 24 – Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary Open Gate
Private, premier inland migration hotspot, Lone Star Land Steward Winner, 289 species, 40 species of warblers. 124 acres. Please park efficiently, sign in on arrival and leave a list of what you find
Host: Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary
Location: 19349 Old Wiederstein Rd., Cibolo
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fee: None. Donations appreciated.
warblerwoods@gmail.com
www.warblerwoods.org
June
June 6 – Early Birds
Come take a leisurely hike around the Fort Worth Nature Center to see birds beginning their day. Bring binoculars and cameras to enhance your experience.
Host: Fort Worth Nature
Location: 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Fee: $5/adults, $3/Seniors, $2/Child
817.392.7410
www.fwnaturecenter.org/
June 7 – Birding 101
Rio Brazos Audubon Society invites the public to a free beginning birder walk at Lick Creek Park, College Station. Please meet at the chimney swift kiosk near the parking lot with study walking shoes, bug spray and binoculars.
Host: Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Location: Lick Creek Park 13600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Fee: None
riobrazosaudubon@gmail.com
www.riobrazosaudubon.org
June 14 – Guided Bird Walk
Wayne Meyer, associate professor of biology at Austin College, will lead a guided birding walk on one of the trails at Hagerman NWR.
Host: Friends of Hagerman NWR and Hagerman NWR
Location: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman
Time: 8 a.m.
Fee: None
903.786.2826
www.friendsofhagerman.com
June 14 – Guided Bird Walk
Over 280 species of birds have been documented on Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area's 2,000 acres of forest, prairie, river, and wetland habitat. The guided tour takes birders to some of the best locations; some of them not regularly open to public access. Bird watchers of all skill levels are welcome, ages 10 and up.
Host: Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Location: 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Fee: $7/person
972.219.3930
www.LLELA.org
July
July 5 – Birding 101
Rio Brazos Audubon Society invites the public to a free beginning birder walk at Lick Creek Park, College Station. Please meet at the chimney swift kiosk near the parking lot with study walking shoes, bug spray and binoculars!
Host: Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Location: Lick Creek Park 13600 Rock Prairie Road, College Station
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Fee: None
riobrazosaudubon@gmail.com
www.riobrazosaudubon.org
Call for Reservation
Custom Bird Watching Tour
Pack a picnic and go birding with a personal and experienced guide.
Host: Fennessey Ranch
Location: FM 2678, Bayside
Time: TBD upon reservation.
Fee: $110/person. Two person minimum.
361.529.6600
Photograph Fennessey’s Feathered Friends
Host: Fennessey Ranch
Location: FM 2678, Bayside
Time: TBD upon reservation.
Fee: $120/person/day. Memberships available.
361.529.6600
