The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. This month, members will discuss 1) the native birds that they love, 2) the native birds that (for whatever reason) they dislike, and, 3) how they came to have those opinions.

Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of why people respond to birds the way that they do.

Master Gardener Willard Horn will give a FREE talk about the pollinators native to our area, and the host plants they need to survive. “A host plant is a specific plant that a bug, butterfly, or caterpillar eats, lives on, or lays its eggs on,” according to The Plant Native.

This presentation is part of the Highland Lakes Master Gardeners Association’s (HLMGA’s) Green Thumb Program.

The Highland Lakes chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will host guest speaker Lee Marlowe at this meeting. Lee will discuss the key features of sustainable landscape practices. Topics to be covered include considerations in creating or maintaining a healthy landscape, cues to look for that will tell you about the health of your landscape, when you need to act on those clues, and some tips for long-term sustainability and success with your landscape. The meeting is FREE and open to the public. Please note that there will be a 30-minute business meeting beginning at 1 p.m., and following a short break, the speaker will begin her presentation.

Please note: Spaces are strictly limited and fill up very fast, so early purchase of the $75/person tickets is recommended. Vanishing Texas River Cruise (VTRC) also has a cancellation policy requiring at least 5 days’ notice. Tickets can be purchased at this website.

VTRC offers an amazing river cruise experience in partnership with the Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy (LCF). During this cruise, rehabilitated birds of prey - those with injuries or illness that were successfully treated and can be returned to the wild - will be released back to freedom. It is exhilarating to see these birds stretch their wings and soar back into the natural world. LCF members will be on hand to talk about each bird, and also will have ambassador birds available for cruise participants to see up close. Ambassador birds are those that have been rehabilitated but for certain reasons cannot be returned to the wild.

Participants are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for a prompt 11:00 a.m. cruise departure time. Bring binoculars and cameras to fully enjoy this experience - you will never forget it!

The Ranch describes this tour as follows: Explore various prairie, woodland and riparian habitats on the ranch to identify and learn about the forbs, grasses and woody plant species of Central Texas. To aid in our search we will utilize Bill Carr’s Spicewood Ranch Plant List of the 600 plant species found on the ranch. The Intermediate Botany Tour will assume that the participants might know many of the common species, and will focus on the less well known species. (The Introductory Botany Tour, in October, will focus on the 75 most common species on the ranch.) These field Botany Tours are aimed at students, ranchers, gardeners and others interested in increasing their knowledge of Central Texas plants through field classes, books and the internet. 

Those interested in registering for the tour should do so here. A liability waiver is required to complete the registration.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-September for updated information about today’s program.

Each Sunday (except for any 5th Sunday in a given month), for $10/person, an expert guide leads a bird walk around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Participants may see as many as 30-50 different bird species. The bird walk can last up to 4 hours and is best suited for those aged 15 and up. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 participants each. For full information and the link to purchase tickets, please see the list of events on this page.

October Big Day is a great opportunity to participate in a global citizen science effort. At the most basic level, participation requires at least 15 minutes of birdwatching and recording your observations in eBird. It’s that easy! So if you are looking for another excuse to go out and birdwatch on an autumn weekend, this is a great one.

Find all the details and helpful resources about taking part in the October Big Day on the eBird website.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The Ranch describes this tour as follows: Explore various prairie, woodland and riparian habitats on the ranch to identify and learn about the forbs, grasses and woody plant species of Central Texas. To aid in our search we will utilize Bill Carr’s Spicewood Ranch Plant List of the 600 plant species found on the ranch. The Introductory Botany Tour will focus on the 75 most common species on the ranch. (The Intermediate Botany Tour, in September, will assume that the participants might know many of the common species, and will focus on the lesser well known species.) These field Botany Tours are aimed at students, ranchers, gardeners and others interested in increasing their knowledge of Central Texas plants through field classes, books and the internet.

Those interested in registering for the tour should do so here. A liability waiver is required to complete the registration.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

Each Sunday (except for any 5th Sunday in a given month), for $10/person, an expert guide leads a bird walk around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Participants may see as many as 30-50 different bird species. The bird walk can last up to 4 hours and is best suited for those aged 15 and up. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 participants each. For full information and the link to purchase tickets, please see the list of events on this page.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-October for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-November for updated information about today’s program.

Each Sunday (except for any 5th Sunday in a given month), for $10/person, an expert guide leads a bird walk around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Participants may see as many as 30-50 different bird species. The bird walk can last up to 4 hours and is best suited for those aged 15 and up. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 participants each. For full information and the link to purchase tickets, please see the list of events on this page.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

Welcome to 2026, everyone! The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society typically meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, in January 2026 the meeting will be pushed to the second Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-December for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-January for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-February for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-March for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-April for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.

The Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. This will be the last regular meeting of the 2025-2026 program year. Monthly meetings will resume on September 3, 2026.

Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. The business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and an invited speaker delivers a presentation immediately after the business meeting. If the weather permits, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-May for updated information about today’s program.

On the second Monday of each month, the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery conducts a bird survey led by a team of experts. All HLBWS members are welcome to help with the survey. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring all that you will need for the morning (water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, etc.). For more information about the bird surveys, please use the “Contact Us” form found here.

The HLBWS Study Group meets at 11:00 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, from September through June. Please note that this is the last meeting of the study group for the 2025-2026 program year. Study group meetings will resume in September, 2026. Participants are advised via group email about the focus of each month’s discussion. Come join in the fun and camaraderie, and gain a greater appreciation of the topic at hand.