Let's Go Birding Together - Texas
December 20, 2026 — 9:00am - 10:30am CDT
Last day to register: December 18, 2026
Join TVOP Austin and the Travis Audubon Society for an LGBT (Let’s Go Birding Together) adventure!
Let's Go Birding Together welcomes everyone in the LGBTQIA2+ community who is curious about nature, birds, and birding to come enjoy a 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.
All walks are queer-led by knowledgeable birders 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).
While the walks prioritize creating space for the LGBTQIA2+ community, allies, friends, and family are also welcome to participate.
Target Birds
The two bird blinds at Pedernales Falls SP can be really fun places to observe birds close up. It’s not unusual to get long and wonderful looks at lots of different species, including a variety of Hill Country birds. If you enjoy photographing birds, bird blinds can be great places to visit. Our target birds include: Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow. If we’re lucky, we might even get a glimpse of a Fox Sparrow or Canyon Wren!
If you want to be guaranteed to get into the park, please be sure to reserve your Day Pass ahead of time. You can also try getting in on the morning of the outing, but if the park does not have any Day Passes left, you will not be able to enter. Day Passes can be obtained online from the Pedernales Falls State Park website. If you need help making your Day Pass reservation, or if you are unable to pay the entrance fee, please contact the organizer.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Austin, TX. See below for notes on ancestral land.
Parking: There are no designated ADA parking spaces; however, the lot usually has enough room to park and claim the space you might need to safely enter/exit your vehicle. The organizer will be arriving early and can assist with claiming space for a vehicle that needs extra space.
Pets: While we love animals, we ask that furry friends who are not service animals stay at home for this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Hike: .1 mile, no elevation gain
Meet: December 20, 2026
Cost: Entrance fee: $6 per person, unless you have an Annual Parks Pass (in which case the entry fee is $0)
Bring: Water, comfortable shoes, and binoculars. Optional: snacks, hat, sunscreen, small backpack or bag
Land: Although other peoples may have connections to this land and this land is not necessarily claimed as ancestral or traditional land by all, these are some of the Indigenous Peoples connected to this land: the Tonkawa, the Apache, the Ysleta del sur Pueblo, the Lipan Apache Tribe, the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, the Coahuitlecan, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas, Carrizo & Comecrudo, Tigua Pueblo, Caddo, Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita, Chickasaw, and Waco peoples.
COVID SAFETY
Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.