BIRD-001: Getting Started Birding Workshop

This hands-on workshop is designed for beginners who want more than just a casual bird walk. In a small group setting (limited to 8–10 participants), you'll build foundational birding skills through guided observation, interactive conversations, and thoughtful reflection.

Over the course of the workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Use binoculars with confidence

• Observe and describe birds beyond just their names

• Understand how habitat influences bird behavior

• Use apps like Merlin, Sibley, and eBird as helpful tools—not shortcuts

We’ll start with a short introduction to connect as a group and ease into the experience. Then, on a relaxed birding walk, we’ll pause at key moments for “Stop and Chats” that focus on real skills: how to see birds more clearly, how to match birds to their environment, and how to continue your birding journey with Travis Audubon.

Whether you’re peeking at your backyard feeder or planning your first birding trip, this workshop will help you slow down, see more, and feel part of a welcoming birding community.

“Birding is what you want it to be.”

Meeting Location Details

 With 274 bird species having been identified at the park, Commons Ford is one of the best birding locations in Central Texas. The park contains diverse habitats, including riparian, oak/juniper woodland, and the centerpiece, a restored forty-acre prairie. We will be looking for year-round residents and migrants, including Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, Barn Swallow, Lesser Goldfinch, Summer Tanager, several species of woodpeckers and vireos, and possibly Painted Bunting and Blue Grosbeak. There are port-a-potties available at the trailhead/parking area, and a composting toilet ~1/2 way through the walk. Drinking water is not available at the park, please plan to bring your own water.

The email used to register for this walk will be used to communicate any changes or cancellations due to weather or other factors. Please ALWAYS check your email inbox on the morning of the walk, prior to leaving your home, in case of last-minute changes in the trip plan. Please also check to be sure our emails do not land in your spam folder. When in doubt, please call or email your trip leader. We encourage participants to put the leader’s email address in their safe sender list. Their contact information is included in this trip description.

Payment for a class, workshop, or other fee-based event is due at the time of registration. If payment is not received within a week of registration, the registrant may be dropped from the roster. To withdraw from a class, workshop, or other fee-based event, please contact the Travis Audubon office: 512-300-BIRD (2473) or info@travisaudubon.org.

If a registrant withdraws from a class, workshop, or other fee-based event at least seven (7) days before the first session, Travis Audubon will offer a full refund less a $5.00 administrative fee that helps defray our costs. If the registrant withdraws less than seven (7) days before the first session, no refund will be made. If Travis Audubon cancels the class, workshop, or other fee-based event, we will fully refund the tuition.