The butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are always invited to the River Oaks Courts Native Garden. And guess what - YOU are too!
We updated our Plant ID challenges this year (2026) to reflect which plants serve as hosts for specific caterpillars. Our Butterfly ID has also been updated to include the plant(s) each species needs to lay its eggs so when they hatch, the caterpillars have enough food to eat to complete the chrysalis and adult butterfly cycle.
So, feel free to come in and explore the gardens with plenty of shade, places to lounge, think and explore. And don't forget, there is also a leisurely path to stroll down to the Medina River and a new stone picnic table. Sit, stay a while and practice your 'urban foraging' skills at the Art House Cafe or Social Club.
Click on any image to download these pages. And, while these sheets were designed for the Courts this 2026 season, most will be present across most of the Tx Hill Country
ENJOY !
One of the most beautiful gardens is at the Medina River Oaks Courts, who hosts our 2nd Saturday Nature Talks. Stroll the gardens and see which flowers you can find and identify in the garden. It's a perfect activity after a coffee, breakfast or lunch in the Art House Cafe. Or, come on out and enjoy the dinner, sunset and a stroll through the garden after a relaxing dinner and music on the patio. The garden is installed and carefully watched by Medina Garden Nursery on the other side of downtown Medina. Less than a mile away, feel free to drop in on Yshmael to learn more about these plants - and take a few home for your own garden.
Click on any image to download the challenge.
Plant names and butterflies who use these for their eggs/caterpillars are also listed
Plants and Flowers
In conjunction with the annual Love Creek Butterfly Count, we teamed up with the Medina Community Library to count the butterflies onsite and inspire young lepidopterists ! Here is YOUR chance to do as the kids did -
Check off each butterfly you find
Count how many of each species if you wish
Listed plants are specific to each species' caterpillar
Click on either image to download both pages
ID CHALLENGE / SCAVENGER HUNT
Butterflies
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Still need more challenges????
The Butterfly and Plant ID Challenges are our own creation focused on species in the Texas Hill Country.
But Texas is B-I-G. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), has created Bird Bingo cards for 9 different regions in the Lone Star State.
Find your region - or try them all - at https://www.texasbirdbingo.com.
Bird Bingo from Texas Parks and Wildlife
We love hearing from you!
Laura@Busy-Birding.com
830-328-2662
