The 20th Annual SparrowFest
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ Doeskin Ranch
All Day: 7:00am - 5:00pm
In-Person Sparrow Identification Workshop
Hosted by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR
Facilitated by Byron Stone, Bill Reiner, Randy Pinkston & Jeff Patterson
The Texas Hill Country is one of the best locations in the United States for the study of native sparrows in late winter.
This extended in-person workshop will focus on field identification of the species of native sparrows that are regularly seen each winter in Central Texas. Our talented leaders will take you to various refuge tracts beyond the trails where 'little brown birds' play. Participants will learn how to identify the subtle differences and behavior of Texas wintering sparrows.
What to Expect
Level of Physical Difficulty – Moderate
Level of Birding Difficulty - Moderate to Difficult
Level of Fun & Learning - EXTREME!
Participants will be split into smaller groups to maximize opportunities for bird study and will visit a variety of habitats that provide the best opportunity to practice identification techniques and to maximize the chance to observe the large numbers and variety of sparrows present in the grasslands and scrub environments of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. The instructors expect that workshop participants will have a good chance to see over 15 species of sparrows during the course of the day.
The workshop leaders, Byron Stone, Bill Reiner, Randy Pinkston, and Jeff Patterson all have a great deal of experience with teaching and conducting field trips to observe sparrows and other specialty birds in Central Texas.
The entirety of this event will take place outdoors. Participants should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, ranging from mild to bitterly cold. Average highs in early February are in the low 60's; average lows are in the 40's. Chance of rain on any given day in early February is about 25%.
Sturdy footwear is encouraged as attendees will be walking in rocky, brushy terrain, often among prickly-pear cactus. Ideal footwear for this type of trip would be waterproof hiking boots. We will spend several hours walking, although the pace will be slow, as we will (hopefully) be spending a fair amount of time observing flocks of winter sparrows and other birds.
Participants should bring binoculars and other appropriate birding gear. Each of the instructors will have a spotting scope and tripod, but workshop participants are encouraged to bring their own scopes if they wish. A water bottle and a small pack to carry snacks and gear are highly recommended.
Registration includes a light breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack and a hot drink. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable beverage containers.
