Let’s Go Birding Together

Let’s Go Birding Together welcomes everyone in the LGBTQIA2+ community who is curious about nature, birds, and birding to come enjoy a free monthly nature walk together. Everyone deserves to spend time in nature without fear about their safety or wondering if they will be welcome and accepted. With a primary focus on community and connection, our walks offer space for everyone to experience the joys of nature in a safe, affirming, and inclusive space.

Since October 2021, Travis Audubon has been offering Let’s Go Birding Together (LGBT) walks nearly every month (we take a break during the hot summer months). This allows us to witness the wonderful diversity of bird species in Central Texas throughout the year, from colorful spring warblers and unassuming fall migrants to subtle winter beauties and stunning summer residents, including our unofficial mascot, the stunning rainbow-colored Painted Bunting. Walks usually include a short nature poem written by a queer writer and a brief discussion about some aspect of queer ecology, such as a book, a research project, or natural history info about a particular species of bird or other animal or plant.

Walks are queer-led by a knowledgeable birder with Travis Audubon. All experience levels are welcome, from those who are curious about nature to those who have been birding for years. All ages are also welcome, from elders to youth (please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or parental figure). In very rare instances, a walk might have a lower age limit, if designated by preserve rules.

While the walks prioritize creating space for the LGBTQIA2+ community, allies, friends, and family are also welcome to participate.

Walk Dates and Times: Walks are usually held on the 4^th Sunday morning of each month (sometimes this changes close to holidays) from 8:00 to 10:30ish am. Please note we sometimes end a little late if the birding is really great or if we are having an especially fun time.

Accessibility Needs and Accommodations: Each walk description provides additional information about the outing to help people decide if a particular walk will be suitable for their needs. Travis Audubon recognizes that different people with accessibility challenges have different kinds of needs, and these challenges might include mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, mental health challenges, learning differences, neurodivergence, chronic pain or illness, and hearing or vision loss.

Detailed walk information is provided to create walks which are intentionally inclusive for anyone who experiences accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other physical or mental health concern. The walk organizer and leader experiences accessibility challenges, including a chronic illness, early-onset hearing loss, sensory sensitivities, and mental health struggles.

If you have any questions, or if there are any accommodations that would make the walk more comfortable or pleasant for you, please feel free to email the walk organizer ahead of time. You are also welcome to discuss any accommodations or needs you might have during or after the walk.

Registration Details: All walks are free. Most walks do not have a cap on the number of participants, but occasionally a cap is needed when a walk will occur in an ecologically sensitive environment. Registration is required for all walks. Additional details will be emailed to everyone who registers, usually on Saturday morning, the day before the walk. If you do not receive this email, please contact the walk organizer.

Questions? Please email the walk organizer, Amy Sugeno, at amysugeno (at) gmail (dot) com.

Future Events

Travis Audubon hosts LGBT walks usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, but sometimes this date changes. Please check out our events calendar to find the next upcoming walk!