Family Birding

Travis Audubon is leading a family birding walk through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Saturday, November 14, from 9 AM to 10 AM. It's part of the Center's new series of monthly guided walks through the gardens, so if you miss this one, there'll be another coming up soon.

The walk is run by Travis Audubon volunteers who spend the hour teaching young nature enthusiasts the basics of birding. They'll show you how to use binoculars and how to identify native and migratory birds by both sight and sound. It's a good way to get comfortable with the tools and the process, especially if you're just starting out. Texas is home to more than 600 bird species, which makes it one of the most bird-diverse states in the U.S., so there's plenty to see right in our own backyard.

The walk takes place across the Center's campus, which includes native plant gardens, the Texas Arboretum, and the Luci and Ian Family Garden. The Center itself was founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982 and has been part of The University of Texas at Austin since 2006. It's a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation of native plants, and it's known for its work in plant conservation, ecosystem design, sustainable landscapes, and education. The walk is suitable for ages 8 and up, and anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 per youth (ages 8-17), and members get a discount—Travis Audubon members can get in for free with a discount code. Advanced registration is required, so you'll want to sign up ahead of time rather than just showing up. The walk runs from 9 AM to 10 AM on Saturday, November 14, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739.