Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu
Contacts: Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, Emily.Grant@ag.tamu.edu
Brad W. Roeder, 830-997-3452, BWRoeder@ag.tamu.edu
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Birding the Hills will run Oct. 7-11.
FREDERICKSBURG — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a multi-day birding workshop Oct. 7-11 in Fredericksburg.
Birding the Hills will be limited to 15 participants. Online registration is available at https://valverdeextension.ticketleap.com/birding-the-hills/. The total cost is $850, with $500 required to reserve a spot.
The cost includes lunch and dinner while in the field and transportation to and from the birding locations in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. Departures each morning will be from the AgriLife Extension office in Gillespie County, 95 Frederick Road, Fredericksburg.
The Edwards Plateau covers an area of West Central Texas that lies roughly between San Angelo, Del Rio, Austin and San Antonio. The eastern part of this region is considered Texas Hill Country.
Workshop highlights include a welcome dinner, three full-days of birding, photography opportunities at a private ranch acclaimed by nature photographers and access to private lands, some of which have never been birded before. There will also be educational presentations during lunch.
“Birding the Hills is a great birding program for beginner and intermediate birders,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent, Val Verde County. “We’ve focused on educating landowners and birders about the opportunity to use private lands for nature tourism opportunities, and we now will have access to some truly remarkable properties.”
Some of the species the workshop hopes to see includes the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, yellow-billed cuckoo, blue grosbeak and zone-tailed hawk.
“We’re right in the heart of Texas Hill Country, and we’re excited to welcome birders from Texas and across the U.S. to this event,” said Brad Roeder, AgriLife Extension agent, Gillespie County. “Participants will gain access to some of the most scenic ranches and places in Gillespie County.”
Participants are encouraged to register and then book accommodations immediately due to the high demand in Fredericksburg year-round. A list of hotels, recommended items to pack and additional details are available by contacting Grant at 830-774-7591 or Roeder at 830-997-3452.
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