The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has announced additional details of the 2021 Birding the Border event, which is part of the Birding with Extension Program.
The event takes place April 29-May 2 and will feature birding trips to a mix of private, restricted-access and public lands in Kinney and Val Verde counties.
Highlights of the 2021 program include guided trips to Devils River State Natural Area, Kickapoo Springs, Fort Clark Springs, numerous privately owned ranches and a “Birds, Bats and Owls” benefit dinner.
“We have had a year to prepare and adjust and should social distancing and other guidelines still be in place, we will be equipped to abide by all rules and regulations while still being able to offer our participants an amazing experience,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent for Vale Verde County.
The cost of an event registration pass is $50. It includes all seminars, which will be held April 30-May 1 at the Del Rio Civic Center and feature AgriLife Extension experts. The cost ranges from $100-$145 for day trips led by experts and professional guides.
There are also spouse-of-birder passes available to allow participants to bring a plus-one to the seminars and social events. If you prefer to register by phone, call Teri Gaston at 830-278-9151, ext. 283.
“As much as we were bummed to cancel the 2020 event, we have taken this year to continue to work with landowners on management practices that benefit birds,” said Maureen Frank, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “We hope that 2021 will be an even better experience for our participants than past years, and we are excited to be able to take attendees to beautiful locations and offer one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Grant said that while the beginner’s track is full, there is still space in the photography track and daily passes for a wide variety of birding and outdoor experiences are still available.
“The Birding with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension team has selected some target species that participants could see on the trip and have made them into collectible stickers for this year’s Birding the Border,” explained Grant, who is also a founder of the Birding with Extension program. “We want to thank stickeryou.com for making this a new, fun and exciting activity for our Birding with Extension programs.”
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