BIRD-115: Introduction to Raptors (New! Sunday, Feb 16th field trip open) with Dave Read begins on February 5th. Raptors are exciting birds to encounter in the wild, larger-than-life birds that prey on mammals, reptiles and even other birds. Raptors are plentiful in the Austin area, with over a dozen species regularly seen in Travis County. This course will cover raptor biology, behavior and adaptations, and we will learn how to identify the 8 most common species you might encounter.
BIRD-302: Advanced Sparrows (New!) with Byron Stone begins on Feb 4th. Dr. Byron Stone will teach this popular class again this winter. Learn why Doc refers to central Texas as “Sparrow Heaven” as we review the 2 dozen species of native sparrows that occur regularly in the Austin area each year. The class is designed for intermediate birders (birders who have taken a beginning birder class and/or have been regularly birding for at least a year).
BIRD-403: Purple Martin Workshop with Julia and Andy Balinsky on Feb 22nd. Do you want to know more about Purple Martins, how to set up a colony, and be a Purple Martin landlord? Are you an existing landlord wanting to meet other Martin aficionados and learn tips? Have you always wanted to be a citizen scientist, gathering useful data that can help Martin conservation efforts? If so, this workshop is for you.
Austin School of Furniture Owl Nesting Box Construction Class (NEW date available on Feb 25th) Travis Audubon is working with Austin School of Furniture to promote their Community Class: Owl Nesting Box. Austin School of Furniture will donate a portion of their proceeds to Travis Audubon Are you new to woodworking or maybe never tried but always wanted to? Then check out this Community Class that builds an Owl Nesting Box in only a few hours. This class is perfect for beginners, couples or nature enthusiasts alike. Travis Audubon’s Master Birder Susanne Harm will give a brief presentation on the specifics of when and where to place your newly constructed owl box. Note: Registration for this class will be handled by Austin School of Furniture.
The following classes are full. You may register to join the waiting list
BIRD-102: Beginning Backyard Birding (FULL) with Matt Law and Richard Deulofuet and in collaboration with Wild Birds Unlimited – West Lake Hills begins Jan 23. Get acquainted with common backyard birds that are here year-round, along with some of the winter visitors that grace our neighborhoods.
BIRD-411: Common Winter Birds of Commons Ford (FULL) with Shelia Hargis begins on Jan 8th. Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is one of Travis County’s top birding locations. The park has a variety of habitats, including a restored native prairie, a riparian area along Lake Austin and a small creek, and a mixed woodland canyon. This new class is oriented toward newer birders and will highlight some of Commons Ford’s common winter species.
BIRD-101: Intro to Birds and Birding (FULL) with Rich Kostecke begins Jan 15. This class is for those who want to take an active role in seeking out birds and learning to identify them. It promises to start you down the road toward a life-long love and enjoyment of birds by providing you with the tools to discover, identify and understand the birds that surround you every day.
BIRD-106: Introduction to Owls of Travis County (FULL) with Shelia Hargis begins on Dec 4. New field trip session now available! Many people, birders and non-birders alike, are fascinated by owls. This new class will focus on the six species of owl found in Travis County. We’ll cover identification and where you can go to potentially see or hear owls, but we’ll also delve into the natural history of these species.
BIRD-112: Introduction to Waterfowl in Travis and Surrounding Counties (FULL) with Shelia Hargis begins on January 25. In this class, we’ll discuss the field marks for those 19 species commonly found in Travis County as well as the 12 species that are considered rare but show up regularly, focusing mainly on the more easily identified males but also spending time looking closely at the females.
BIRD-107: Introduction to Sparrows (FULL) by James Giroux begins on January 28th. The class will focus on the most common sparrows found in Central Texas. The class will cover ID challenges, but will also cover behavior, habitat preferences, vocalizations and range.
BIRD-120: Birding by Ear Workshop (FULL) with Mikael Behrens on November 9th. Texas Hill Country supports many species of birds, but its dense oak-juniper woods can make them difficult to see. Birding by ear is a way of finding and identifying birds without having to see them. And it’s so much more! Tuning into the subtle sounds birds make increases awareness and mindfulness, enhances bird behavior interpretation, and helps to make your birding a strong and lasting form of nature connection.
Have you already taken the Waterfowl class, but need a refresher? There are still spots available in our BIRD-113: Waterfowl Refresher with Shelia Hargis on November 10th.
BIRD-310: Be a Better Birder (FULL) with Jeff Patterson and Eric Stager begins on February 9th. This intermediate to advanced class will focus on detailed identification of specific species. Flycatchers, swallows, meadowlarks, thrushes, vireos, orioles, tanagers, and other birds found in Texas which present identification problems may be addressed. Prerequisite: Graduate of Master Birder program or TAS Volunteer of at least 20 hours annually or pre-approval from TAS office.
BIRD-408: the Evolutionary Adaptations of Austin bird species (FULL) with Brian Stokes begins on Feb 11. In this class, we’ll explore the unique adaptations that have helped birds thrive in various habitats around the globe and how some of these traits evolved over time. Along the way, you’ll learn how to identify several local species that will serve as examples of some incredible adaptations of birds. Registration for this class coming soon!
BIRD-108: Introduction to Woodpeckers with Rich Kostecke and Dave Read begins on December 2. Woodpeckers are considered to be a keystone species due to their importance in our environment. By the end of this class, you will understand the basics of woodpecker biology and be able to identify the 8 woodpeckers most commonly found in Austin and the surrounding area.
BIRD-306: I Don’t Do Gulls with Jeff Patterson begins Nov 13th. Gulls can be a vexing identification challenge, there’s no doubt. But this class will strive to make gulls “doable”, if not simple. Rather than getting lost in the myriad of gull plumages, this class will first address gulls based on their likelihood of occurrence, then on their structure, and finally it will support the identification with plumage details. The class will address the gulls likely to be found in Texas during the winter “gulling” season. If time allows, the class will also address the terns of Texas.
BIRD-410: Birdwatching at Hornsby Bend: History and Habitat Workshop with John Bloomfield, Keven Anderson and Robert Reeves starting Nov 19th. This class offers a detailed introduction to Hornsby Bend, focusing on its historical development and the practical aspects of birdwatching at this site. Participants will learn about the site’s transformation into an important bird habitat and receive guidance on how to effectively plan and conduct their visits.
BIRD-300: Master Birder Class of 2025 begins on Jan 14th – Registration for this class will be available November 1st. Deepen your birdwatching skills through engaging lectures and hands-on field experiences. This 12-week class is perfect for the intermediate birder who is ready to enhance their skills by focusing on ornithology, bird identification and volunteerism. To learn more, please visit this Master Birder FAQ. Check back November 1st for more details.
