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.

Today is the registration deadline for anyone wishing to attend the ONLINE conference, “From Balconies to Backyards,” hosted by the Good Water Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists. The cost is $20/person. More information about the event, including the link to registration, can be found here.

Five speakers, including our state’s ornithologist, an entomologist, and more, will deliver presentations relating to the impacts of climate change. Each will focus on adjustments we can all make to cope with climate change and help sustain keystone species like pollinators. Cost is $35/person (includes a boxed dinner) for the in-person event, or $20/person for the on-line version. Full details and the link to registration can be accessed here.

Marisa Bruno will give an overview of a 2025 guide, “Model Language for HOAs in the Texas Hill Country: A Practical Guide for Protecting and Preserving Water Resources, Native Landscapes, and Night Skies,” prepared by the Hill Country Alliance. Marisa will share reflections and learnings on the initial rollout of the guide to new developments and established homeowners’ associations (HOAs). Additionally, the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance will present its complimentary guide, “Watershed Stewardship for the Edwards Aquifer Region: A Low Impact Development Manual.” Attendees will leave with two new tools in their toolkit for promoting native landscapes and protecting water resources.

Those who wish to attend the online version of the meeting must register using the link provided here, where all details about this event are available.

A team of four experts in bird taxonomy, nomenclature and bioinformatics will introduce a new, global avian checklist released just last month, June 2025. This new checklist provides “the most current and authoritative taxonomy of birds.” The checklist recognizes 11,131 species of birds in the world, classified within 252 families.

The scientists who prepared AviList had a very specific goal in mind: to create a single list of species names that would make it easier to compile and share information on bird species to improve conservation and scientific outcomes. The result? A single, current, consensus taxonomy for the birds of the world, along with key information on taxonomy and nomenclature.

For full details about this new, unified checklist, including the link to register for this FREE event, please visit the Birds of the World website.

Our organization takes a break during the two hottest, and heaviest travel, months of the year, July and August. Our 2025-2026 program year will start with our meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

One HLBWS activity continues through the summer: the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery’s monthly bird surveys. The August survey will take place on the second Monday of the month, which is August 11, 2025.

Other events of interest, hosted by other organizations, take place in August so please continue to check the calendar for events you might enjoy.

Every day from August 1, 2025 to November 15, 2025, if the weather permits, visitors can gather to witness the migration of Broadwinged Hawks and other species. HawkWatch International professionals count the birds in a massive effort to monitor the bird population. Other raptors that have been documented during HawkWatch include Swallow-tailed Kites, White-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, Zone-tailed Hawks, Short-tailed Hawks, White-tailed Hawks, and Harris’s Hawks. Find out more on the HawkWatch website.

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.

Rufus Stephens, a certified wildlife biologist, will discuss how diverse and healthy native plant communities are the cornerstone of healthy wildlife habitats. Birds can be a great indicator for healthy plant communities. Recent articles have sounded the alarm about dramatic declines in bird and butterfly populations. Learning to look at the plant community level, to identify and implement needed habitat improvements, will help provide environmental support for birds, pollinators and more. For full details, including how to access this online meeting, please visit the chapter’s 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.

Welcome, everyone, to HLBWS’s first meeting of the 2025-2026 program year!

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. Weather permitting, there is a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.

Please check back in mid-August 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-September 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-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.

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.