Let's Go Birding Together (LGBT)

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.

For more general information, including information about accessibility needs and accommodations, walk dates and times, and registration, please go to the main Travis Audubon Let’s Go Birding Together walk page.

This field trip is free for everyone, but registration is required.

Commons Ford Park Walk Information

Walk Description:

The trail is a little over one mile long and winds through a beautifully restored native tallgrass prairie, through wooded Pecan bottoms along the Colorado River, and alongside a peaceful unnamed tributary of the Colorado River that is also wooded. The trail is shaded along the river and tributary but is exposed through the prairie.

The majority of the walk is 0%-2% grade, which is about zero to 1:50 slope, with one short section (11 feet) with a grade of 3%, which is about 1:30 slope. The trail is mostly about 8 to 10 feet wide, and the terrain is earthen comprised of compacted soils, which is slightly uneven in some places. The parking area is crushed gravel, and there are no ADA-compliant parking spaces.

Because Commons Ford is a public park, it is expected we will see other people and groups, including occasional off-leash dogs. At the river, there are also occasional boats traveling up or down the river. Although a park road runs through the park, road noise is not expected during the walk, except at the beginning and end. There is no max cap on the number of people for this walk, and the size of the group is typically between ten and twenty-five participants.

There are several port-a-potty restrooms available at the trailhead/parking area. Drinking water is not available at the park. Please plan to bring your own water.

For the safety of wildlife and the quality of the experience, dogs (other than service animals) are not permitted on field trips or bird walks. We appreciate your understanding.

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