Balcones Songbird and Nature Festival is a call to all birders, especially ‘fledglings’
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — While the Balcones Songbird and Nature Festival on April 26-29 is billed as a “songbird” festival, attendees might hear the screeches of much larger birds such as a screech owl and an American bald eagle.“It’s going to be a pretty unique program,” said Jonathan Wood of the New York-based Raptor Project. “We’re going to have all six of the falcon species found in the United States at (the Balcones) show.”
The Raptor Project is an educational and entertainment program that introduces people to the many species of birds of prey. Wood, a licensed master falconer and wildlife rehabilitator, conducts birds-of-prey shows across the country, including at major theme parks. The goal, he said, is to open people’s, especially children’s, eyes to the natural world around them.
“A state such as Texas has a bunch of different habitats, but when people think of the South Texas brush country, they often think of it as some desolate, uninhabitable space,” Wood said. “But when I bring out a burrowing owl and tell people how it depends on that habitat, they begin to realize how important the brush country and other habitats are. These birds serve as incredible ambassadors for these places.”
Wood’s show, scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. April 28, is only part of the four-day celebration.
The epicenter for the Balcones Songbird and Nature Festival is the Balcones National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, 24518 RR 1431 about 15 miles east of Marble Falls.
During the event, people can sign up for tours and bird-watching events on portions of the refuge not generally open to the public. And two of the biggest stars are the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo.
“There is only one part of the refuge the public can see the vireo, and that’s at the Shin Oak observation deck in the northern part of the refuge,” said Rob Iski of the refuge. “Currently, there are a pair of birds in proximity to the deck, but not close. We’re offering tours so people can try and see these two species in places on the refuge that aren’t usually open to the public.”
There are several signature birding tours April 26-29.
Along with birding opportunities, the festival offers several other nature tours such as Native Plants on the Refuge; Nature Photography Workshop; Exploring the Backcountry; and Blossoms, Butterflies and Bird Identification for Beginners.
The event is sponsored by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR and includes a Family Day on April 28 from noon to 5 p.m. This particular time is set aside for youth and families to explore the outdoor world.
The Fledgling Fest, as the family event is named, includes plenty of wild “critters,” a scavenger hunt, sunflower planting, birdhouse making and a spider hunt with Spider Joe.
The Raptor Project also will have a birds-of-prey demonstration.
“We do an exciting show where we fly the birds. We use music and sound effects,” Wood said. “It’s like the Cirque de Soleil of bird shows. But what we’re doing is promoting the birds along with people’s understanding. We’re especially trying to reach the youth because they need an awareness of the outdoors and the natural world. If they’re detached (from the natural world), they don’t realize how important it is and what we’re losing.”
For more information about the Balcones Songbird and Nature Festival, go to www.friendsofbalcones.org.
daniel@thepicayune.com