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It’s easy to spot a bird watcher. Often they can be seen leisurely sauntering along outdoor paths with binoculars slung around their neck, scanning tree lines for a flash of feathers and the chance to capture a rare bird on film. Their passion is to identify bird species in the wild.
In the Brazos Valley alone, over 350 birds have been spotted historically and the average birder can see more than 200 different species of birds throughout the year, says Mark McDermott, president of the Rio Brazos Audubon Society, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society. “During the spring, after heavy periods of north winds or rain, keen bird watchers traveling around the farmland, river bottoms, and city parks can see over 100 species of birds in a day.”
Some bird watchers — or birders — are willing to travel great distances for a chance to see a rare bird, but Brazos Valley birders don’t have to go far. In fact, some of the most extraordinary species can be found in the Lone Star State. Texas is a particularly popular birding destination in North America due to its massive avian diversity and is home to one of the biggest birding events in the United States — The Great Texas Birding Classic. The event raises money for Texas Parks and Wildlife, to be used for conservation projects throughout the state, McDermott says.
The annual event brings together birding groups throughout the state to see who can identify the most birds in their area. “It’s a competitive event, which surprises people — the thought of competitive bird watching,” McDermott says. “It’s an interesting concept because it’s an honor system.” That is, rather than appointing judges to preside over the event, birders are expected to be truthful on their reports.
The Rio Brazos Audubon Society has participated in The Great Texas Birding Classic for the last eight years under the moniker Brazos Banditry and has brought home trophies and cash prizes almost every time. The organization, sponsored by Moore Wild Birds, will compete this year in the regional Big Sit tournament category, a 24-hour event during which teams hunker down in a 50-foot diameter circle and attempt to identify as many birds as possible from their spot.
“You can trade off team members throughout the 24 hours; you don’t have to be there for the whole event,” McDermott says. In addition to the main team, interested locals and novice bird watchers can attend the event in support and learn from the team as they point out various birds and wildlife, he says.
The prizes for the competition include various grants given by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Through events like these, Rio Brazos Audubon Society has raised enough funds to organize group trips and member events for their 65 to 70 members, like hosting special speakers such as the famed genomic scientist and Texas A&M University professor, Leif Andersson. The organization also uses the grant awards to pay for bird blinds in parks throughout the Brazos Valley. One of their bigger projects, bird blinds allow people to observe and photograph birds in their natural habitat without being seen. “Some of them may just be a wooden wall with some holes cut out,” McDermott says.
Currently, Rio Brazos Audubon Society is constructing a bird-blind structure in Lake Somerville State Park, with accessibility for the disabled and protection from the elements. McDermott confirms that the City of College Station has funds earmarked to build similar blinds in College Station parks, such as Lick Creek Park, says McDermott. “All members of the community will be able to go out to these places for free and have somewhere they can sit, take photographs, and watch the birds.”
Involving and educating the next generation is something that McDermott strives for, he says. “I’m keen to make sure that everyone gets exposure to nature, no matter what their background … that they get the opportunity that I had to interact with the natural world.” IN
Membership fees are $15 for students and veterans, and $20 for individuals and families. For more information on the Rio Brazos Audubon Society and their free monthly bird watching events, visit riobrazosaudubon.org.
