Birding at Dowell Ranch (FULL)
Description
Registration will close at 8pm the night before the field trip
Photo Credit: Dowell Ranch by Kirsti Harms
| Date | Saturday, July 25, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00am - 9:00am |
| Location | Dowell Ranch 301 Farm to Market 1626 Manchaca, TX |
| Walk Leader | James Giroux, Rachel Zierzow and Kirsti Harms |
| Attendance Cap | 10 |
Join Rachel Zierzow and James Giroux to explore the Dowell Ranch in Manchaca (south Austin). This private former working ranch is now the headquarters for the Native Prairies Association of Texas. The ranch is 150 acres and contains a wide variety of habitat, including a small pond, grassland, woodland, a spring and an old ranch house.
This trip is mostly for the birds, but if we see other interesting things along the way (butterflies, dragonflies, insects, plants, etc.), we will pause to take notice.
Please wear close-toed shoes and a hat. Be prepared to walk about 2 miles at a leisurely pace on mostly flat terrain. Restrooms will be available at the headquarters before we head out.
Contact Rachel at rachel.zierzow@gmail.com or James at jamesagiroux@gmail.com with any questions.
Photo Credit: Great Horned Owl by Rachel Zierzow
Photo Credit: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher by Rachel Zierzow
James Giroux has been a birder with a particular interest in bird photography for 20 years. He is on the Travis Audubon field trip committee and has led birding trips throughout the Austin area, and to the Chiricahua Mountains in SE Arizona. James also teaches an Intro to Sparrows class in the winter.
Rachel Zierzow has been leading welcoming bird walks across Austin since 2023, helping new birders gain confidence and longtime birders rediscover their wonder. With a background in biology and ornithology and past service on the Travis Audubon Board, she loves bringing people together through a shared connection to birds and nature.
Kirsti Harms has been a birder and naturalist for 26 years. She retired as director of the Native Prairies Association of Texas in 2024, but continues to volunteer on their properties. She also serves on the Travis Audubon Commons Ford Prairie Committee.
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Email Policy
The email used to register will be used to communicate any changes or cancellations due to weather or other factors. Please check your email the morning of the walk before leaving home, and check your spam folder if needed.
Payment Policy
Payment is due at registration. If not received within one week, the registrant may be removed. Fees are nonrefundable unless the event is canceled and cannot be transferred. To withdraw, contact Travis Audubon at 512-300-BIRD (2473) or info@travisaudubon.org.