Dec : Winter Birding

We’ll be the first to admit, finding a cute little penguin all bundled up in a winter hat and scarf is fairly unlikely during even the coldest Texas Hill Country day. Yet, how can you be sure unless you go out and ‘bird every bird.’

Grab a refreshing drink, delicious sandwich and other goodies in the Art House Café then sit back and relax as we tell stories about these winter birds, where to find them and the best way to do so.

____________

Keep Learning ....

TPWD Links to identify and report Texas Milkweeds and other regional pollinators

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/texas_nature_trackers/monarch

Journey North: Track Monarch Migrations, Milkweeds and much more !

https://journeynorth.org

Monarch Watch - Tagging Program

https://monarchwatch.org/tagging

US-wide tagging data

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ji_jObNssnoQfN27NXknwIuvDy1g3Cjl--5m1EBHrV4/edit?usp=sharing

Register your very own Monarch Waystation

www.monarchwatch.org/waystations

Another site with updated Monarch Migration info

TexasButterflyRanch.com

Intro to Butterfly Watching - lists many butterfly host plants

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0752.pdf

We could not live without CITIZEN SCIENCE -

iNaturalist.org : online community and mobile app

SEEK, the kid-friendly version of iNat that works offline for kids and kids-at-heart

Insider Tips -

# 1 : Walk the River Oaks Court's short loop trail to the river. Relax at the wooden tables and chairs or just a few feet further walk down on the river's edge. Absorb the nature's sights and sounds as you relax in the vintage red chairs.

# 2 : The Native Plant Garden was installed by Medina Gardens & Nursery. Walk over 3 acres of trails designed for butterflies and other pollinators. No one knows the local plants better - or is friendlier - than Ishmael !

____________