2026 Travis Audubon Master Birder Program

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Are you ready to take your birding to the next level and make a real impact?

The Travis Audubon Master Birder Program is more than just a course — it’s a chance to deepen your knowledge, refine your skills, and become a conservation leader in your community. Through expert-led online lectures, immersive field trips, and meaningful volunteer experiences, you’ll not only grow as a birder but help others discover the wonder of birds and the importance of protecting their habitats.

Become a more confident birder. Join a passionate community. Inspire change through education.

Apply for a Scholarship

Application closed

Please note, if you are having any issues with the applications, contact annemarie@travisaudubon.org. After submitting the application successfully, you should receive an email thanking you for your submission. If you did not, please let us know.

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Who Should Apply

The Master Birder Program is ideal for individuals who:

  • Have a solid foundation of birding skills
  • Are comfortable using binoculars and field guides
  • Have taken Travis Audubon’s Introduction to Birds or other 100-level TAS courses
  • Enjoy learning and sharing birding knowledge
  • Are committed to volunteering with Travis Audubon

This is not a beginner course, nor is it aimed at advanced experts. It’s for intermediate birders ready to deepen their understanding and give back through service.

Program Highlights

Participants will experience a blend of classroom learning, fieldwork, and community engagement:

  • 10 online classroom sessions beginning in late January (Tuesdays at 7 PM via Zoom)
  • 8 in-person field trips (Saturday mornings around the Austin area)
  • Initial in-person orientation session (date and location to be announced)
  • Expert-led instruction on ornithology, bird ID, habitat ecology, and conservation
  • Hands-on birding practice in Central Texas habitats
  • Opportunities to build confidence in public outreach and education

2026 Draft Schedule

Class Time: All classes will meet Tuesday from 7pm – 9pm and will be held virtually via Zoom Web Conferencing. The class will begin with an orientation dinner on Tuesday Jan 20th, and zoom lectures will start the following week and continue through March 31, 2026
Field Trip Time: Most field trips will be held on Saturdays between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Field trips will begin on February 14, 2026 and continue through April 11, 2026.  Detailed information about times, locations, and directions will be shared before each trip.
Click here to see the 2026 Master Birder Schedule – Please note, these dates, and locations are subject to change.

Requirements for Participation

To successfully complete the program, participants must:

  • Attend at least 8 of 10 classroom Zoom sessions
  • Attend at least 6 of 8 in-person field trips
  • Attend at least 1 Sanctuary workday (Either as the scheduled field trip or if unable to attend on the scheduled day, attend a different workday on your own)
  • Complete all reading and homework assignments
  • Pay the full program fee before the first class

If your schedule is uncertain, consider one of Travis Audubon’s other birding classes with fewer commitments.

Key Dates & Application Info

  • Applications Open: November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM CST
  • Application Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
  • Notification of Acceptance: By December 20, 2025

How to Apply

Submit your completed application online. Application link to become available on November 3rd.

Email: annemarie@travisAudubon.org

Mail:
Travis Audubon – Master Birder Program
PO Box 140947
Austin, TX 78714

Program Fee

  • Cost: $270
  • Due before the first class
  • No refunds after the program begins
  • Accepted applicants who are not current Travis Audubon members must join before the first class

Limited Scholarships Available
Travis Audubon is able to offer a limited number of financial scholarships for our Master Birder program. The Travis Audubon Master Birder scholarship is a need-based scholarship. While we hope to accommodate every scholarship request, in order to make the scholarship fund as accessible as possible, we may be limited to offering partial scholarships. This scholarship is made possible by the Audubon Foundation of Texas.

Apply for a Scholarship

What You’ll Gain

This program will enhance your birding skills, deepen your understanding of Central Texas habitats, and prepare you to engage others in birding and conservation.

Upon completion, graduates will receive:

  • A Master Birder certificate
  • An official Master Birder name tag
  • A custom Master Birder hat

While you may not finish as a bird ID expert, you’ll be better equipped to continue learning—and more confident in leading, teaching, and giving back to the birding community.

Why Join?

Whether you’re looking to take your birding to the next level, connect more deeply with Austin’s natural spaces, or give back through environmental education, the Master Birder Program offers a transformative experience. You’ll gain knowledge, purpose, and a community of like-minded birders — all while helping inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Post-Program Expectations

Graduates of the Master Birder Program are expected to:

  • Complete 30 hours annually of approved volunteer service for 3 years following graduation
  • Complete 8 hours annually of continuing education for 3 years following graduation
  • Finish these requirements by April 14, 2029

Volunteer service must span at least three of the following categories:

  • Bird walk leader or assistant leaders
  • Bird surveys and habitat assessments
  • Outreach (tabling, community events, talks)
  • Blog or content contributions
  • Youth education programs
  • Workdays at Travis Audubon sanctuaries

Continued education can include Travis Audubon Speaker Series, Classes and events or pre-approved classes from other organizations in ornithology, bird ID, environmental education, or conservation.

Graduates are also expected to maintain active Travis Audubon membership and continue contributing 30 volunteer hours and 8 education hours annually for three years following program completion.

Questions?

Please contact:
Email: annemarie@travisAudubon.org
Website: www.travisaudubon.org