Listening to a Blue-Headed Vireo on Cow Road with Byron Stone's group, seeing a group of Cave Swallows punctuated by a surprise flock of White-faced Ibis flying over with Chuck Sexton's group after capturing a picture of a GC Warbler and learning to get more out of photographing birds with Karen Kilfeather, all of these were very special experience. Wonderful. Pam, Liberty Hill

The staff of the Balcones NWR are among the finest people I know. Everything they do is first rate. They are outstanding, experts, and a joy to know. Keep up the great work. Jeff, Austin

This was one fantastic event for me. The Raptor Show was spectacular and so was the Endangered Ones with Chuck Sexton. People and Staff were friendly and outgoing. Everything was done very professionally. I will be sure to attend future events and continue to support Friends of Balcones. Thank you all so much! Jim, Copperas Cove

2010 SCHEDULE BELOW

Wine & Star Shine Benefit! 
Flat Creek Estate Winery

Friday, April 23  5:30-9:30 p.m.

Share in the joy of accomplishment and benefit our festival programs.

Join us at 5:30pm for a Sculpture Stroll through the vineyard.
Enjoy elegant art works brought to you by the Texas Society of Sculptors.

At 6:30pm - Chef Sean Fulford will delight you with food pairings to complement Flat Creek Estate award winning wines. View the MENU

At Dusk - Jeffery Phillips will provide tales and lights of the sky.

This event starts at the winery. DIRECTIONS. $35.00pp

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NATURE TOURS start at the Refuge Headquarters.

The Endangered Ones

Saturday, April 24 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (2 tours)
Sunday, April 25 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Monday, April 26 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This tour will span the refuge in search of its two endangered songbirds.  Experts on the species will take you to shady, relatively moist woodlands of oak and juniper to listen and look for Golden-cheeked Warblers.  At the other end of the refuge, we will listen for the raspy songs of Black-capped Vireos in and around thickets of scrubby oaks, sumacs, and greenbriars.  Easy to moderate hiking.

Explore Hill Country Birding

Saturday, April 24 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (2 tours)
Monday, April 26 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Join a top Texas birder to look for special Hill Country birds that nest on the Refuge. Painted Bunting, Canyon Towhee, Vermilion Flycatcher, Black-throated Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow possibilities to name a few.

Backyard Habitat

Saturday, April 24 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This is a tour of Cedar Stump Ranch. Joan Mukherjee will take you around her home and down along Cow Creek in search of plants, trees and wildlife that can be found along the beautiful creek. Wear your hiking boots because of the loose rocks along the creek.

Useful Wild Plants of the Refuge

Saturday, April 24 12:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
If you have a toothache in the wild, which plant should you search for? Why is the American beautyberry bush being researched by our United States military? Which plant did Euell Gibbons call the "supermarket of the swamp" and why? Join us for a leisurely afternoon as we tour several locations on the Refuge and learn about some of the many ways that native plants have been employed by Native Americans, early pioneers, and even today's modern technology.

New Birders Explore Balcones

Saturday, April 24 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Are you a new or relatively new birder? Are you somewhat intimidated to go birding with a group of experienced birders? Would you like to go on a tour with a leader who takes the time to point out field marks of all birds seen? If you answered yes to any of these questions, join Theresa Bayoud for a tour specifically designed for you. Theresa will take the time to point out field marks, help participants identify birds using a field guide, and answer any questions. After this tour, you will feel much more comfortable birding alone or with others.

Breeding Birds of Balcones

Saturday, April 24 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Join Shelia Hargis and Judy Bell as they seek out some of the birds that breed on the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. This tour will focus on providing a more in-depth understanding of these birds. Aspects of natural history such as distribution, habitat, migration, and behavior of these species will be discussed as well as any conservation concerns. This tour is for those who want to know more about our birds than just the field marks.

Monitoring Backyard Birds

Saturday, April 24 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.(learning program)
Have you ever wanted to know more about the nesting activities of birds in your backyard or at your neighborhood park? Jim Giocomo will present information to help you understand how difficult it is for parent birds to raise a family even in the best of habitat conditions. It is typical for songbird nests to succeed producing young less than 50% of the time in a season, and the populations still persist. Jim will draw on his 15+ years of experience monitoring nesting bird populations to discuss the history of nest searching and Oology, tips and techniques for finding and monitoring nests, breeding ecology of neighborhood birds, and how this information is being used to inform large scale bird conservation efforts. The presentation will include pictures and video clips from many of the grassland and forest birds Jim worked with over the years.

Creeks to Canyons

Sunday, April 25 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Led by the Refuge's biologist, this trip will explore the natural history of the Hill Country--the wildlife, vegetation, and geology of the area. Learn about the canyons of the Balcones Canyonlands, study the creeks, and explore the woodlands, savannahs, and shinneries which make up the Refuge.

Exploring the Backcountry

Sunday, April 25 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Explore one of the most beautiful parts of the Refuge as we walk along Post Oak Creek and venture into the backcountry in an area normally not open to the public. We'll talk about everything we come across, from geology to local wildlife and native plants to weather's influences on habitats. Moderately difficult hiking: wear ankle-supported, waterproof shoes as uneven footpaths and stream crossings will be encountered.

A Walk on the Fire Line

Sunday, April 25 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
See how fire is used as a dramatic tool to create and enhance habitat for songbirds. The tour will start with a slide show of before and after photos of areas that will be visited.

Nature Photography Workshop

Sunday, April 25 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Karen Kilfeather will emphasize basic outdoor photography. Film or digital cameras are welcome. Karen will cover composition, lighting, depth of field, and some basic field tips for bird and nature photography. All cameras are different, so be sure to bring your camera manual with you to class!

Learning to Bird by Ear

Sunday, April 25 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wherever there are birds, there are bird songs!  And springtime in Central Texas is certainly no exception.  Bird songs and other vocalizations provide a wealth of information that birders can use to quickly identify familiar birds, distinguish between closely related species and perhaps to decipher some of the complex communications that go on between birds.  Join Jeff Patterson for a brief introductory lecture and hike intended to introduce you to the springtime bird vocalizations of Central Texas.  Learn some of the keys to identification, the purposes of birdsong, digital resources and responsible use of recordings, while taking a hike through the beautiful hill country of the Refuge

Getting to Know the Birds

Sunday, April 25 1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m.(learning program)
The Hill Country of Central Texas is well known for its diversity of bird-life. With so many kinds of birds around, how do you know what you're looking at? To get you started, we'll focus on a few of the birds that people are most likely to see here and learn how to identify them. In the process, you will learn what characteristics to look for that you can apply to any bird you see in order to help you find their ID in a field guide. This is how to begin to know the birds around you.

What You Need to Know to Be a Birder/Birdwatcher

Sunday, April 25 2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m.(learning program)
It's not hard to get hooked on birds, but then what do you do? How do you identify birds? Which binoculars are the best? Where do you go to see birds? If you are new to the birding/birdwatching scene and would like a little help getting started, this presentation is for you. Theresa Bayoud's presentation will include topics such as binoculars, field guides, journals, where to go birding in Central Texas, birding/conservation organizations, and resources to learn more. Get your new hobby (or obsession) off to a great start with the information Theresa provides.

Gardening with Binoculars

Sunday, April 25 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.(learning program)
Landscaping with Native Plants – Give your yard “Bird Appeal!”
What is the connection between wildlife and plants?  Our plant choices and gardening practices make a huge difference to resident and migrating wildlife. You will learn about some of the best native bird and butterfly plants that provide food, shelter and places to raise young. Some specific bird-plant connections will be explored and you will learn  how gardening practices can enhance wildlife habitat at home.  After this talk you will be gardening with binoculars!

 
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