Rio Brazos Audubon Society
Last updated: April 20, 2004
September 1999 to January 2000
Texas boasts some of the best birding and wildlife spots in the United States. This year we are adding out-of-state trips as well. Come along on one of over two dozen field trips sponsored by the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. You don't even have to be a member to join in the fun and adventure. Each trip is organized and led by a local expert with years of experience in the field.
Meet for field trips at the College Station Conference Center, CSCC, (1300 George Bush Drive, across from TAMU golf course) at times specified below. Overnight trips require advance planning for accommodations, so contact Darrell Vollert well ahead of time.
Join us the third Thursday of each month for the local meetings of the Rio Brazos Audubon Society. We meet at 7:30 PM at the College Station Conference Center.
Fall migrant discovery in Washington county. Best-kept birding secret in the heart of Texas. Orchard Orioles, Blue Grosbeaks, Eastern Kingbirds, Epidonax flycatchers and a variety of warblers along FM 2447 and the Brazos River outside of Chappell Hill. Meet in downtown Chappell Hill in front of Lesser’s store (first building on the right on the way into town) at 8 AM, or meet to carpool at the College Station Conference Center at 7AM. Should finish birding by 2-3PM. Darrell Vollert leads.
Sep 25-26 Smith Point Hawk Watch
At sunrise low-flying Merlins, Mississippi Kites and, perhaps Swallow-tailed Kites pass through. As the morning winds pick up, we can start to see Accipiters, Broad-Winged Hawks and Peregrine Falcons. We don’t want to miss the action, so we will try to be at Smith Point by daybreak. You’re on your own for transportation and lodging. Some may want to leave College Station in the predawn hours. Others may wish to stay in Winnie on Friday night before. You might try the Best Western Gulf Coast Inn in Winnie (800/528-1234). Here are directions to reach Smith Point: Head to Houston and pick up I-10 East. Continue on I-10 past Baytown to Lake Anahuac and then exit south on SH61. Continue on 562 to Smith Point. Follow the road to Robbins Park and turn at the signs. Drive into the field and park by the tower. Contact Larry Griffing (693-9059)
Oct 2 Brazos Bottoms Hawk Watch
Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawk migration peaks around this date in Burleson County. We will explore the bottoms for other birds in the morning and then watch for hawks around midday. Bring a lawn chair and meet at CSCC at 8 AM. Darrell Vollert leads.
Oct 30-31 Garner State Park & Lost Maples State Park
Fall classics at the headwaters of the Sabinal. Camp at
Garner State Park and enjoy the beautiful colors of Fall at Lost Maples State Recreation
Area. Darrell Vollert leads. 
State Park reservations
Our local threatened flora is in full flower. This is the time to see the shy Navasota Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes parksii) in costume. Scare up old avian favorites and new winter arrivals. Meet at the Lick Creek parking lot at 8AM. Mike Manson (birds) and Jim Manhart (flowers) leads.
We'll head toward Huntsville to find woodpeckers, including known sites for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Leave from CSCC at 8 AM. Check with Mike Manson for additional details.
Dec 18 College Station Christmas Bird Count
The National Census awaits. Help with the oldest and largest volunteer scientific endeavor in the world. We’ll try to count and identify as many birds as we can within a 7.5 mile radius of College Station. Mike Manson will coordinate the activities, assigning territories and tabulating results.
Dec 27 Gibbons Creek Christmas Bird Count
Note! Dec 27 falls on a Monday. This is the second count handled by the Rio Brazos Audubon Society. A very different bird population makes this count an interesting contrast to the College Station Count. Contact Bert Frenz to be included among this year’s observers.
Jan 6-8 Texas Ornithological Society - Lower Rio Grande Valley
The winter TOS meeting will include many exciting field trips in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. For registration information, check the TOS website at http://www.texasbirds.org
For a tabulation of sightings on previous trips, click on "Audubon Field Trips" above.
Previous Field Trips
Texas State Park
reservation information
For statewide reservations call (512)389-8900. Use Visa/MasterCard for deposit.
To cancel reservations call (512)389-8910 (24 hrs/day) at least two days before arrival
date.
Check out is 2 PM. If you arrive later than 5 PM you are asked to call the park to confirm
late arrival.