Pull out the binoculars for a little birdwatching in the Highland Lakes

Spring is a great time to track the activities of birds along the migratory path in the Highland Lakes. Activities for birdwatchers include:

• 13th annual Balcones Songbird and Nature Festival, April 26-29, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Nestled on 23,000 acres on the Edwards Plateau, the refuge straddles Burnet, Travis and Williamson counties. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo, both endangered songbirds that nest exclusively six months out of the year in the refuge. For a listing of daily activities during the festival and through the spring and fall, go to www.friendsofbalcones.org/festival. The park has access areas on RR 1431 midway between Marble Falls and Lago Vista and also on FM 1174 between Smithwick and Bertram.

• Marble Falls Public Library programs — Take a Bird Walk the first Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the library, 101 S. Main St., and ending at Johnson Park, 230 Ave. J South in Marble Falls. Also, a program on birds, wildflowers and related topics happens at 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at the library.

• Breakfast with the Birds boat tours — The fee-based tour takes place in the spring, summer and fall every week at Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 West in Burnet County. For more, call (512) 793-2223.