The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s 2023 Birding the Border event is open for online registration. The program’s events take place April 27-30 and will feature educational seminars, workshops and birding trips to a mix of private, restricted-access and public lands in Kinney and Val Verde counties.
The cost of an event registration pass is $60. It includes seminars led by AgriLife Extension experts, which will be held on April 28-29 at the Del Rio Country Club, 801 Stewart Road, Del Rio.
Registration will close April 14, but participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure the options they prefer at https://tx.ag/2023BirdingTheBorder.
The cost ranges from $100-$150 for day trips led by experts and professional guides. Optional nighttime seminars are also available. Transportation is provided for all guided tours.
For assistance during the registration process or to register by phone, call Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Gillespie County, at 830-988-6122.
“Each day, participants have the option to choose one of five locations to spend the morning birding with a professional guide and our local birding buddies,” Grant said. “Trips are limited to 10-13 birders per day, and transportation and lunch are provided during each trip.”
For participants wanting to focus on beginning or expanding their birding knowledge, a beginner’s track is available. The beginner track includes a registration pass and a pre-set agenda of three trips at a special price of $450.
2023 Birding the Border program highlights, social events
“The location of Birding the Border puts us in the middle of the ‘Central Flyway’ and at the intersection of three different ecoregions, providing our participants with the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds in the borderlands of southwest Texas,” Grant said.
Highlights of the 2023 program tours include guided trips to Devils River State Natural Area, Kickapoo Springs, Fort Clark Springs, Seminole Canyon and privately owned land and ranches.
She said over the three-day event, participants can travel through a wide variety of unique habitats in the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and the Chihuahuan Desert to find target species such as golden-cheeked warblers; black-capped vireos; Morelet’s seedeaters; varied, indigo and painted buntings; and tropical parulas.
On April 27, the Birding the Border program will kick off with a social at the Val Verde Winery, 100 Qualia Drive, Del Rio.
“The social is an opportunity to meet the Birding the Border guides and birding buddies as well as your fellow birders while enjoying the beautiful atmosphere of the oldest bonded winery in Texas and a delicious taco bar,” Grant said.
The Birds, Bats and Owls benefit dinner will be held Kickapoo Cavern State Park, 20939 Ranch-to-Market Road 674 N., Brackettville, on April 28. On April 29, a Birding with Extension dinner will be held with a keynote speaker.
For a complete list of topics, schedules, events and accommodations, visit the Birding the Border website.
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