Balcones Songbird Festival

Hill Country Birding

Tour Description:

Join top Texas birders to look for special Hill Country birds that nest on the Refuge. This tour makes multiple stops along one of the quietest, birdiest country roads in western Travis County, and then brief stops at Doeskin, Flying X and Simons, affording participants the opportunity to see and hear many of the breeding and spring migrant birds of the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau. The trip leader is familiar with these birds and their vocalizations, and will strive to get scope views for all participants of most of the target birds on the route. We do not specifically target Golden-cheeked Warbler, but occasionally encounter them on this route. In addition to the targets mentioned below, we also often see spring migrants including Raptors, Flycatchers and various smaller birds. 

Targets: Wild Turkey, Cave Swallow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Summer Tananger, Painted Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Bell's Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo (migrant, but singing), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow and occasionally Vermillion Flycatcher, Canyon Towhee and Black-throated Sparrow. 

Guide(s): Dr. Byron Stone & Rob Hardway

Dr. Byron Stone is an Austin physician and naturalist with a lifelong love of the outdoors. He has been an avid birder for over three decades, and has traveled all parts of Texas to observe birds and wildlife. His identification talents have been touted in the Wall Street Journal as well as other prominent sources. Dr. Stone is the Past President of the Texas Ornithological Society.

Rob Hardway (bio pending)

Transportation:

Tour attendees will be transported via 15-passenger van. This tour will include birding from the van, as well as some walking, including areas of uneven, rocky roads and trails.