Memorial Day Weekend Guided Bird and Nature Walks
Day One: Arrival Day! River Oaks Courts, Medina, TX - Friday, May 24, 2024
Day Two (half day): Deer Creek Camp, Medina TX - Saturday, May 25, 2024
Day Three: Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, TX - Sunday, May 26, 2024
$40/person for half day at Deer Creek Camp
$75/person for full day at Lost Maples
Golden-Cheeked Warblers are here! Enjoy two guided bird walks to look for these endangered species before they migrate back south. We'll also search for Black-Capped Vireos, Painted Buntings and many of the other species found in Bandera County.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, May 24 - Join us on the River Oaks Courts Social Club Patio at 6 pm to meet your guide. The Social Club will be serving our legendary dinner and drinks. Live music by Kyle Broll on the patio. Stroll the garden and enjoy the beautiful Hill Country sunset!
Saturday, May 25 - Spend the morning at Deer Creek Camp, a nearby youth adventure camp. Laura will point out and inform you about the local flora and fauna. This easy walk covers 2 miles of flat, open terrain. About 30 different bird species are expected, including our favorite little burning ember, the Vermilion Flycatcher. With numerous wildflowers in bloom, butterflies will surely be on your list of finds. Return to River Oaks Courts for a leisurely one hour lunch break and then enjoy a recap of the morning’s adventure and presentation on citizen science.
Sunday, May 26 - No one has led more walks or knows the parks’ secrets better than Laura. In addition to the highly sought Golden-Cheeked Warblers and Black-Capped Vireos, expect a dream list of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and plants along the 2-mile round trip to the pond. Terrain is slightly more challenging (rocky with slight slope in areas) than Deer Creek, but very doable.
Afternoon on your own or continue exploring Lost Maples and other nearby sights with Laura. Join us on the patio at six for a “beer and birds” recap of the day. Enjoy dinner on the ROC patio or drive the short distance into Bandera.
Lost Maples State Natural Area Park Fees: Adult - $6; Children (12 & under)- Free; Annual Park Pass - $70 (unlimited access to more than 80 state parks) https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/passes/sppass-faq
Guided tours will be led by our own local birding expert, Laura M. Levy. Her company, Busy-Birding, specializes in custom birding and nature tours for all levels of birders and naturalists. See https://busy-birding.com for more information. For any questions about the tour portion of your Nature Getaway Package, feel free to email Laura directly at liltex775@gmail.com.
For reservations to stay the weekend with us, call our office at 830-246-2222.
What should I bring? Here are some suggested items to make your guided walk more enjoyable:
- Binoculars if you have them. (Laura has a couple of loaner pairs)
- Camera or cell phone for pix (there is no cell service at the park)
- Water and snacks
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Hat/bandana
- Walking stick
- Shoes with tread
- Notebook to take notes
- SEEK and MERLIN are both fun and free mobile apps for identifying and recording your observations