Resources

Birding Photography Ethics, Gear and “How to’s”:

https://www.audubon.org/photography/ethics

Birding “Hotspots” in Burnet County (Based on data in eBird, May 2021)

  • Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, 345 Clay Young Road in Hoover’s Valley

    Great place to see waterbirds and many more species; easy access.

  • Inks Lake State Park (entrance fee charged unless going only to the bird blind), 3630 Park Road 4 in Hoover’s Valley near Burnet

  • Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (various locations; refuge comprises multiple parcels of land)

    Headquarters is located off RR 1431 east of Marble Falls and FM 1174 between Bertram and Smithwick. ​The refuge is home to the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. There are also great hiking trails available.

  • Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J, Marble Falls

    Good parking and easy walking; on Backbone Creek near Lake Marble Falls.

  • Canyon of the Eagles (Lake Buchanan area), 16942 RR 2341, Burnet

    Charges entrance fee; private resort and park.  

Area Bird Blinds

  • Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery (free), 345 Clay Young Road in Hoover’s Valley

  • Quarry Park Bird Blind, Leo Manzano Trail (free), 2221 Phillips Ranch Road in Granite Shoals

  • Inks Lake State Park (admission is free if visiting only the bird blind), 3630 Park Road 4 in Hoover’s Valley near Burnet

    Check-in at Park entrance. Access by car or by hike.

  • Pedernales Falls State Park in Blanco County (entrance fees), 2585 Park Road 6026 east of Johnson City

Free Apps that Help with Bird Identification

  • Merlin Bird ID​, eBird, and BirdNet

  • ​Audubon 

  • Feather Atlas by US Fish and Wildlife Service

Free Apps that Help with Plant Identification

  • iNaturalist and Seek

Some of the Nature-Focused Organizations in Burnet County

  • Highland Lakes Master Naturalists (HLMN)

Master Naturalists provide education and services dedicated to beneficial management of natural resources. Membership requires training, but guests are welcomed at their programs. Website: https://txmn.org/highlandlakes/

  • Highland Lakes Master Gardeners Association (HLMGA)

Master Gardeners volunteer in service projects for the community and present educational programs helping people plant and grow their own gardens. Membership requires training. Website: www.burnetcountyhighlandlakesmastergardener.org

  • Highland Lakes Chapter Native Plant Society of Texas (HLNPSOT)

The Native Plant Society promotes the conservation and use of native plants by sponsoring educational programs and other projects. Website: https://npsot.org/wp/highlandlakes/

The “Friends” organizations listed below are nonprofit groups which promote and support the missions of the organizations with which they are associated.

Citizen Science Opportunities

  •  eBird.org: International group documenting information about birds around the world, using individual observations entered on the internet. eBird provides training in identifying birds. eBird and its app are free.

  • iNaturalist.org: Allows participants to enter data on plants, animals, insects, and birds. iNaturalist also helps users to identify observations. Participants can join Projects, which allows data to be used for specific research.  iNaturalist and its app are free.  

  • TexasInvasives.org: Interested individuals are trained on how to monitor and report observations of invasive species in Texas that pose significant economic, agricultural and/or human health threats.

 Both eBird and iNaturalist provide on-line training on how to get the most out of participation.