big bend & hill country, texas
April 27 to May 6, 2024
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
Golden-cheeked Warbler by Josh Engel
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Colima Warbler by Liam Wolff
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Birds Georgia Host: Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation
Local Guide: Red Hill Birding
Group Size: Minimum group size of 6 / Maximum group size of 11 (a second guide and van will be added for 7+ participants)
Member Price: $4,750/person*
Non-member Price: $4,785/person* (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement: +$760
*Based on double occupancy
Texas maintains a unique status in American birding lore, and certain places within the state loom particularly large. Among those are the Hill Country and Big Bend National Park. The Hill Country is where east-meets-west-meets-south, with two endangered migratory songbirds, Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, breeding almost nowhere else. Across the dusty desert plains to the west of Hill Country lies Big Bend National Park, one of the park system’s hidden gems. The incredible scenery, remote location, and rugged mountains make the trip worthwhile on its own, but the spectacular birding adds a welcome extra dimension to a visit.
The mountains are home to the northernmost breeding population of Colima Warbler, the only place where it can be found north of the Rio Grande. Many other border specialties are also found here, shared with Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands. These include birds like Mexican Jay, Mexican Whip-poor-will, Painted Redstart, and Blue-throated Hummingbird. We will also search the desert scrub for Varied Bunting, Gray Vireo, and Lucifer Hummingbird, along with the many more common desert denizens. Our final destination, both as a way to break up the drive and for more great birding, will be Davis Mountains State Park. While the difficult Montezuma Quail will be a major target, the park is always full of birds.
Local Guide: Red Hill Birding
Group Size: Minimum group size of 6 / Maximum group size of 11 (a second guide and van will be added for 7+ participants)
Member Price: $4,750/person*
Non-member Price: $4,785/person* (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Single Supplement: +$760
*Based on double occupancy
Texas maintains a unique status in American birding lore, and certain places within the state loom particularly large. Among those are the Hill Country and Big Bend National Park. The Hill Country is where east-meets-west-meets-south, with two endangered migratory songbirds, Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, breeding almost nowhere else. Across the dusty desert plains to the west of Hill Country lies Big Bend National Park, one of the park system’s hidden gems. The incredible scenery, remote location, and rugged mountains make the trip worthwhile on its own, but the spectacular birding adds a welcome extra dimension to a visit.
The mountains are home to the northernmost breeding population of Colima Warbler, the only place where it can be found north of the Rio Grande. Many other border specialties are also found here, shared with Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands. These include birds like Mexican Jay, Mexican Whip-poor-will, Painted Redstart, and Blue-throated Hummingbird. We will also search the desert scrub for Varied Bunting, Gray Vireo, and Lucifer Hummingbird, along with the many more common desert denizens. Our final destination, both as a way to break up the drive and for more great birding, will be Davis Mountains State Park. While the difficult Montezuma Quail will be a major target, the park is always full of birds.
Questions? Please contact Adam Betuel by email for quickest response.
Lodging Note: Tour price is based on double occupancy. Depending on group construction, single travelers may be asked to pay a single supplement if we are unable to pair you with another guest. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense, though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
trip overview
Click on each day for more information.
DAYS 1-3, APRIL 27-29: ARRIVAL IN SAN ANTONIO / TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
After meeting in San Antonio, we will take the 1.5 hour drive to Concan, along the Rio Frio, which will be our base of exploration for two full days in the Hill Country. One day will be spent northeast of Concan in Lost Maples State Park, which offers our best opportunity to find the area’s two top birds: Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. Both are endangered species, although with productive management schemes their numbers have increased in the last couple of decades. Both are at their most active at this time of year. Because of their endangered status, we will not be using playback to lure them in, but we will try our best to get good views of both. Other birds that we will look for at Lost Maples include Painted Bunting, Hooded Oriole, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, Scott’s Oriole, the recently split Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
The other day will be spent southwest of Concan, especially around Chalk Bluff Park. Situated along the Nueces River, the birdlife here has a distinctly Rio Grande Valley feel to it, with Great Kiskadee, Olive Sparrow, Long-billed Thrasher, Couch’s Kingbird, and Green and Ringed Kingfishers all present. Other birds of the south and southwest that we will look for include Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-throated Sparrow, Cassin’s Sparrow, and Black-crested Titmouse. We will also bird around some local wetlands, where we should find a variety of ducks and other waterbirds, including Cinnamon Teal, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and Black-necked Stilt.
Both spots can have migrants coming through in April, so we’ll be watching out for birds like Swainson’s Hawks and Nashville and Wilson’s Warblers on their way north.
We will take an excursion on one of our evenings in Concan to see one of North America’s great wildlife spectacles, millions of Mexican Free-tailed Bats leaving their roosting cave in the evening. They are often “accompanied” by Red-tailed Hawks and other raptors taking advantage of the sheer biomass, creating a sight that is not soon forgotten.
The other day will be spent southwest of Concan, especially around Chalk Bluff Park. Situated along the Nueces River, the birdlife here has a distinctly Rio Grande Valley feel to it, with Great Kiskadee, Olive Sparrow, Long-billed Thrasher, Couch’s Kingbird, and Green and Ringed Kingfishers all present. Other birds of the south and southwest that we will look for include Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-throated Sparrow, Cassin’s Sparrow, and Black-crested Titmouse. We will also bird around some local wetlands, where we should find a variety of ducks and other waterbirds, including Cinnamon Teal, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and Black-necked Stilt.
Both spots can have migrants coming through in April, so we’ll be watching out for birds like Swainson’s Hawks and Nashville and Wilson’s Warblers on their way north.
We will take an excursion on one of our evenings in Concan to see one of North America’s great wildlife spectacles, millions of Mexican Free-tailed Bats leaving their roosting cave in the evening. They are often “accompanied” by Red-tailed Hawks and other raptors taking advantage of the sheer biomass, creating a sight that is not soon forgotten.
DAY 4, APRIL 30: CONCAN TO BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
Today will be a long travel day as we head deep into the Chihuahuan desert. We will do some early morning birding around the lodge, then after breakfast will make our way to Big Bend National Park, keeping an eye out for Crested Caracara, Harris’s Hawk, and other roadside birds along the way. We will stop at a prairie dog colony, where we could find Burrowing Owl and Chihuahuan Raven. We will spend three nights in the beautiful Chisos Basin Lodge in the heart of Big Bend National Park. Upon arrival in the evening, we will do a bit of birding around the lodge, perhaps finding Mexican Jay, Say’s Phoebe, and Cactus Wren.
days 5-6, may 1-2: big bend national park
Each day we will take excursions to different areas of this magnificent national park in order to explore its diversity of habitats. Each habitat, from the riparian zone along the Rio Grande River, through the desert, to the oak-pine forests in the mountains, has its distinctive birdlife.
One day will be devoted to the Boot Springs hike, famous for its steep trail with its reward of Colima Warbler, here at the northern end of its breeding range, and this time of year in peak song. The hike is strenuous, and we will be carrying our day’s food and water with us, but it offers spectacular views of the surrounding desert and mountains, not to mention excellent birds. Besides the Colima Warbler, we may find Painted Redstart, Blue-throated Hummingbird, Hutton’s Vireo, Mexican Jay, Black-chinned Sparrow, and Zone-tailed Hawk. Migrants are sometimes found along the route as well, including Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers. Any participants who do not wish to make the Boot Springs hike will have the day to relax and/or explore some of the short hikes around the Lodge.
We will also search the desert for border-zone specialties like Mexican Jay, Varied Bunting, and the elusive Lucifer Hummingbird. We will look for the always uncommon Gray Vireo and Crissal Thrasher. Typical birds will also include that strangest of cuckoos, Greater Roadrunner, as well as Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Scaled Quail, Vermillion Flycatcher, and Verdin.
In the riparian stretch at Rio Grande Village, we will keep our eyes peeled overhead for Common Black-Hawk, Gray Hawk, and Zone-tailed Hawk. In the riparian vegetation we will look for Lucy’s Warbler, Bell’s Vireo, Bronzed Cowbird, Painted Bunting, and migrants taking advantage of the lush stopover, perhaps a MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and more.
We will have optional outings for night birds in the Chisos Basin, hoping to find Western Screech-Owl, Elf Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, and Common Poorwill.
One day will be devoted to the Boot Springs hike, famous for its steep trail with its reward of Colima Warbler, here at the northern end of its breeding range, and this time of year in peak song. The hike is strenuous, and we will be carrying our day’s food and water with us, but it offers spectacular views of the surrounding desert and mountains, not to mention excellent birds. Besides the Colima Warbler, we may find Painted Redstart, Blue-throated Hummingbird, Hutton’s Vireo, Mexican Jay, Black-chinned Sparrow, and Zone-tailed Hawk. Migrants are sometimes found along the route as well, including Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers. Any participants who do not wish to make the Boot Springs hike will have the day to relax and/or explore some of the short hikes around the Lodge.
We will also search the desert for border-zone specialties like Mexican Jay, Varied Bunting, and the elusive Lucifer Hummingbird. We will look for the always uncommon Gray Vireo and Crissal Thrasher. Typical birds will also include that strangest of cuckoos, Greater Roadrunner, as well as Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Scaled Quail, Vermillion Flycatcher, and Verdin.
In the riparian stretch at Rio Grande Village, we will keep our eyes peeled overhead for Common Black-Hawk, Gray Hawk, and Zone-tailed Hawk. In the riparian vegetation we will look for Lucy’s Warbler, Bell’s Vireo, Bronzed Cowbird, Painted Bunting, and migrants taking advantage of the lush stopover, perhaps a MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and more.
We will have optional outings for night birds in the Chisos Basin, hoping to find Western Screech-Owl, Elf Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, and Common Poorwill.
days 7-8, may 3-4: big bend to davis mountains
After yesterday’s hike, we will start the morning with breakfast, followed by a final morning of birding along the Rio Grande inside the park. After lunch, we will leave Big Bend for the next mountain range to the north, the Davis Mountains. Along the way, if road conditions allow, we will pop in to a privately-owned oasis which happens to have feeders that are the best spot anywhere to find Lucifer Hummingbird. The feeder setup attracts many other birds as well, including Canyon and Green-tailed Towhees, and we will poke around looking for migrants before moving on to Davis Mountains State Park.
We will have a full day to bird in and around the Davis Mountains. The state park itself also has good feeder setups (complete with a viewing blinds); we will cross our fingers and hope that Montezuma Quail are in attendance at the same time we are. We can also tromp around the hillsides looking for this rare and beautiful quail. We may also encounter other new birds for the trip, like Phainopepla, Western Bluebird, or Gray Flycatcher, as well as migrants like Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak. At night we may be able to find a Common Poorwill or an Elf Owl near our hotel in the state park.
We will have a full day to bird in and around the Davis Mountains. The state park itself also has good feeder setups (complete with a viewing blinds); we will cross our fingers and hope that Montezuma Quail are in attendance at the same time we are. We can also tromp around the hillsides looking for this rare and beautiful quail. We may also encounter other new birds for the trip, like Phainopepla, Western Bluebird, or Gray Flycatcher, as well as migrants like Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak. At night we may be able to find a Common Poorwill or an Elf Owl near our hotel in the state park.
day 9, may 5: davis mountains to lake balmorhea to san antonio
After an early breakfast, we will head to nearby wetlands, which will have a whole new set of birds for the trip. Lake Balmorhea often hosts Western, Clark’s, and Eared Grebes, along with a variety of ducks and shorebirds. White-faced Ibis stalk the edge of the lake and Long-billed Dowitchers inhabit the marshes. The nearby Sandia Wetlands, if they have water, can host more shorebirds, including Western and Baird’s Sandpipers and Wilson’s Phalaropes. The newly split Chihuahuan Meadowlark (formerly considered a subspecies of Eastern Meadowlark) inhabits the surrounding agricultural landscape.
We will break up the long drive back to San Antonio with a visit to the fantastic South Llano River State Park. If we haven’t seen Black-capped Vireo, we will have another shot to find it here. The birding is generally excellent, and it is another place with feeders and water features, where we could come across birds like Painted Bunting and Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay. Eventually we will end up back in San Antonio, where we will arrive in the evening for a night at a hotel near the airport.
We will break up the long drive back to San Antonio with a visit to the fantastic South Llano River State Park. If we haven’t seen Black-capped Vireo, we will have another shot to find it here. The birding is generally excellent, and it is another place with feeders and water features, where we could come across birds like Painted Bunting and Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay. Eventually we will end up back in San Antonio, where we will arrive in the evening for a night at a hotel near the airport.
day 10, may 6: departure from san antonio
You can plan your departure flight for any time this day.
additional details
Price Includes:
Price does not include:
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Birds Georgia Travel Program must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date, including having at least one booster. Birds Georgia will verify participants' vaccination status at least two weeks prior to the travel dates. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Payment Plan:
Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $500 down-payment at the time of registration ($550 for non-members). Payment in full will be due by November 1, 2023. The single supplement will also be billed at this time if that option was selected.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 29, 2023, a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. If notice of cancellation is received between December 30, 2023, and January 28, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given, unless the space can be filled, in which case a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator and/or Birds Georgia.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
- All meals (including soft drinks and bottled water) from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
- All ground transportation and accommodations during that period
- Local guide from Red Hill Birding
- All park entrance fees
Price does not include:
- Airfare
- Tips (for the local guide(s), housekeeping, etc.)
- Alcoholic or specialty beverages
- Optional activities
- Snacks
- Laundry
- Travel insurance, recommended
- Medical costs
- Souvenirs
- Other incidentals participants may wish to purchase
COVID-19 Travel Precautions:
Until further notice, all participants in the Birds Georgia Travel Program must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of their travel date, including having at least one booster. Birds Georgia will verify participants' vaccination status at least two weeks prior to the travel dates. Participants will also be expected to adhere to all local travel guidelines and restrictions at the destination at the time of travel. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the COVID-19 travel precautions, please do not register for this event at this time.
Payment Plan:
Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia Member or Non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $500 down-payment at the time of registration ($550 for non-members). Payment in full will be due by November 1, 2023. The single supplement will also be billed at this time if that option was selected.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 29, 2023, a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. If notice of cancellation is received between December 30, 2023, and January 28, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given, unless the space can be filled, in which case a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a refund of all payments made will be given, less a $50 cancellation fee and forfeiture of all credit card/ACH processing fees and/or non-refundable payments made to tour operators or incurred by Birds Georgia. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator and/or Birds Georgia.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
important information
Timing:
The trip will begin at 2:00 PM in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 27, and will end in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 6. You can schedule your flight for any time on Tuesday, May 6. The hotel in San Antonio will provide free airport shuttles.
Physical Difficulty:
This trip is physically moderate. Much of the trip is easy, roadside birding, or walking short distances on good trails at a “birding pace.” Depending on how cooperative the birds are, we may take a hike in Lost Maples to see Black-capped Vireo that includes a short but steep climb. The Boot Canyon hike in Big Bend to look for Colima Warbler and other birds of high elevations is particularly strenuous, a 9.5 mile trek that gains about 2000 feet to reach a maximum elevation of 6500 ft. We will be carrying lunch, water, and snacks with us. We will be doing other, shorter hikes in Big Bend. You will always have the option to opt out of hikes or to turn back at any time.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up early to catch the peak early morning bird activity. This is particularly important if the weather is predicted to be hot during the day. Some days will have us eating breakfast at the lodge where we are staying; some breakfasts will be in the field. Likewise, we will sometimes be taking packed lunches into the field, other days we will eat in cafes or restaurants. Some days we will be in the field all day, other days will afford us the opportunity for an afternoon siesta. We will have optional nighttime excursions in Big Bend and the Davis Mountains, but these will be near the lodges.
Dietary Restrictions:
All efforts will be made to accommodate any dietary restrictions. However, at some points during this trip, dining options may be limited. Please contact Michelle Hamner by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue.
Hotels:
Despite few options in the areas we are visiting, the hotels are of high quality. We stay in four hotels during the trip, including the last night near the San Antonio Airport. Wireless internet is available in the hotels, but, in the Hill Country and Big Bend, it is mostly limited to common areas. Due to the remote location of much of the tour, cell phone service can be spotty.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are good. The generally open nature of the habitat and often-clear skies make for good photography conditions. We will also be visiting several feeder setups, including one with a viewing blind, that are excellent for photography. That said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be ample opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers.
Weather:
The springtime weather in central and west Texas can be variable, but is generally mild, comfortable, and dry. Nights and early mornings can be cool, as low as 40°, and daytime highs in the desert can reach 100°. We will avoid birding in the hottest part of the day, but you will want to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures.
Packing Considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Light weight clothing, with layers, and long pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended for protection from the sun and thorns and to be prepared for various weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are a must and hiking boots are helpful for the Boot Springs and other hikes. Sturdy boots also protect against cactus spines. Rubber boots are not necessary. An umbrella and/or raincoat in case of rain as well as a mid-weight jacket or sweater for cold mornings are also important. Some lodges have swimming pools, so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage.
In terms of gear, apart from the usual binoculars, hat, field guide, etc., a flashlight or head lamp is very useful for nighttime activity. A trekking pole (such as made by Leki) is very important for our walks that are over uneven ground, like in Big Bend. Most people appreciate having a camera along. Sunscreen is important to protect against the strong Texas sun, and bug repellant can also be useful, although biting insects are rarely a problem on this tour. A reusable water bottle is useful for hikes and to carry in the car during the day.
Resources:
Because this trip spans an east-west cross section of Texas, you will want a field guide that covers the whole country, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds or the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. We often see interesting mammals, reptiles, and plants on this trip. Your guide will have some useful books for identifying them, but if you are particularly interested in certain organisms, you might want to consider bringing a field guide.
There are quite a few interesting books about Big Bend natural history, geology, and history. A good introduction is Naturalist’s Big Bend by Roland Wauer and Carl Fleming. The PBS series Nature has an excellent hour-long program about Big Bend, called Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas.
The radio program Birdnote did a series of episodes hosted by Alex Chadwick about birds of the Big Bend area. It can be found at this link: https://www.birdnote.org/birdnote-special-alex-chadwick-goes-big-bend-national-park.
Tipping:
We encourage participants to tip our local Texas guide(s) for exceptional service. While tipping is never expected, if you feel that your local guide(s) went above and beyond, you are welcome to leave them with a gratuity. Tips at restaurants are included in the cost of the tour.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1-2 weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
The trip will begin at 2:00 PM in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 27, and will end in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 6. You can schedule your flight for any time on Tuesday, May 6. The hotel in San Antonio will provide free airport shuttles.
Physical Difficulty:
This trip is physically moderate. Much of the trip is easy, roadside birding, or walking short distances on good trails at a “birding pace.” Depending on how cooperative the birds are, we may take a hike in Lost Maples to see Black-capped Vireo that includes a short but steep climb. The Boot Canyon hike in Big Bend to look for Colima Warbler and other birds of high elevations is particularly strenuous, a 9.5 mile trek that gains about 2000 feet to reach a maximum elevation of 6500 ft. We will be carrying lunch, water, and snacks with us. We will be doing other, shorter hikes in Big Bend. You will always have the option to opt out of hikes or to turn back at any time.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up early to catch the peak early morning bird activity. This is particularly important if the weather is predicted to be hot during the day. Some days will have us eating breakfast at the lodge where we are staying; some breakfasts will be in the field. Likewise, we will sometimes be taking packed lunches into the field, other days we will eat in cafes or restaurants. Some days we will be in the field all day, other days will afford us the opportunity for an afternoon siesta. We will have optional nighttime excursions in Big Bend and the Davis Mountains, but these will be near the lodges.
Dietary Restrictions:
All efforts will be made to accommodate any dietary restrictions. However, at some points during this trip, dining options may be limited. Please contact Michelle Hamner by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue.
Hotels:
Despite few options in the areas we are visiting, the hotels are of high quality. We stay in four hotels during the trip, including the last night near the San Antonio Airport. Wireless internet is available in the hotels, but, in the Hill Country and Big Bend, it is mostly limited to common areas. Due to the remote location of much of the tour, cell phone service can be spotty.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are good. The generally open nature of the habitat and often-clear skies make for good photography conditions. We will also be visiting several feeder setups, including one with a viewing blind, that are excellent for photography. That said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be ample opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers.
Weather:
The springtime weather in central and west Texas can be variable, but is generally mild, comfortable, and dry. Nights and early mornings can be cool, as low as 40°, and daytime highs in the desert can reach 100°. We will avoid birding in the hottest part of the day, but you will want to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures.
Packing Considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Light weight clothing, with layers, and long pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended for protection from the sun and thorns and to be prepared for various weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are a must and hiking boots are helpful for the Boot Springs and other hikes. Sturdy boots also protect against cactus spines. Rubber boots are not necessary. An umbrella and/or raincoat in case of rain as well as a mid-weight jacket or sweater for cold mornings are also important. Some lodges have swimming pools, so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage.
In terms of gear, apart from the usual binoculars, hat, field guide, etc., a flashlight or head lamp is very useful for nighttime activity. A trekking pole (such as made by Leki) is very important for our walks that are over uneven ground, like in Big Bend. Most people appreciate having a camera along. Sunscreen is important to protect against the strong Texas sun, and bug repellant can also be useful, although biting insects are rarely a problem on this tour. A reusable water bottle is useful for hikes and to carry in the car during the day.
Resources:
Because this trip spans an east-west cross section of Texas, you will want a field guide that covers the whole country, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds or the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. We often see interesting mammals, reptiles, and plants on this trip. Your guide will have some useful books for identifying them, but if you are particularly interested in certain organisms, you might want to consider bringing a field guide.
There are quite a few interesting books about Big Bend natural history, geology, and history. A good introduction is Naturalist’s Big Bend by Roland Wauer and Carl Fleming. The PBS series Nature has an excellent hour-long program about Big Bend, called Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas.
The radio program Birdnote did a series of episodes hosted by Alex Chadwick about birds of the Big Bend area. It can be found at this link: https://www.birdnote.org/birdnote-special-alex-chadwick-goes-big-bend-national-park.
Tipping:
We encourage participants to tip our local Texas guide(s) for exceptional service. While tipping is never expected, if you feel that your local guide(s) went above and beyond, you are welcome to leave them with a gratuity. Tips at restaurants are included in the cost of the tour.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1-2 weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Mexican Jay by Josh Engel
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Red-tailed Hawk & Mexican Free-tailed Bats by Josh Engel
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Greater Roadrunner by Josh Engel
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