Balcones Songbird Festival

Birding the Plateaus and Springs

Tour Description:

Located in the northwestern portion of Balcones Canyonlands NWR, this tour offers a great chance to see and hear many wonderful bird species found in the dry, rocky upland savannas and shrublands of the Texas Hill Country. We will also visit a natural spring nestled within a beautiful lush woodland area which attracts an interesting variety of songbirds, as well as other animals.

In the woodlands, we will target the Federally Endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Cooper's Hawk, and Black-and-white Warbler.

In the drier upland savannas and shrublands, we will target the Black-capped and Bell's Vireos, Crested Cascara, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo and Painted bunting, Scott's Oriole, Scissor-tailed and Vermilion Flycatchers, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Verdin, Common Ground-Dove and Canyon Towhee.

Guide(s): Jeff Osborne & Joseph Plappert

Jeff Osborne was born in Madison Wisconsin, and spent as much time as he could outside while growing up. His first real appreciation of birds really came through hunting, and he eagerly learned the silhouettes of all the likely ducks to be encountered before going out to the blind in the early morning. One of his favorite all time birds is still the Ruffed Grouse that he first encountered during this time. In his 20’s he bought hi first real camera, learned how it worked, and practiced taking photos of many wildlife subjects, including the wintering eagles that fished on the Wisconsin River.

By the time Jeff moved to Texas in 1998, he considered himself a casual birder. After his children left home he ramped up his bird finding, which soon turned into an almost daily habit. Being a teacher, he really enjoys showing others how to find birds and to better appreciate the workings of the natural world.

Joseph Plappert is an Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife. As an Urban Biologist, Joseph performs professional planning, management, research and public outreach associated with wildlife, habitat and natural resource management.

Joseph received his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology and his Master’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University in San Marcos. His Master’s thesis focused on using remote sensing to evaluate the habitat associations of several grassland bird species in Texas. 

Joseph has professional experience in monitoring for grassland birds and golden-cheeked warblers. In addition, Joseph has experience teaching ecology, bird conservation, and field ornithology.

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.