Welcome to the Birds & Blooms e-newsletter!

Here we focus on wildlife and nature, important environmental updates, and events at Dripping Springs area parks. After years of diligent work to help people protect birds and their habitat, Dripping Springs has been certified as an official “Bird City” by the Texas Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). With only seven other designations throughout the state, this is an honor for the city and its partnering organizations. This designation is exciting news for the nearly 2.2 million Texas enthusiasts looking for their next bird watching destination. Throughout the year, Dripping Springs will hold a variety of events, activities, and initiatives to help protect birds and their habitats, including its bi-annual Lights Out Dripping Springs campaign and the Festival of Flight event in May that celebrates World Migratory Bird Day.

Visit Westcave Preserve

Folks in the Field

Amber Ahrns Gosselin -

Westcave Preserve Director

Would you tell our readers a bit about yourself & where your passion for birds came from? My name is Amber Ahrns Gosselin I am the Preserve Director at Westcave Preserve. My love of birds and birding started at a young age but really got more intense in my 20’s as part of my job at that time was doing Golden-cheeked warbler surveys.

What is your favorite park/area in the Texas Hill Country area & surrounding to go birding and take photographs? Our own Dripping Springs parks are great for birding, in particular Charro and Ranch Park. Of course, birding at Westcave is the best!

What bird are you most excited to encounter? That first song of the season when our beloved Golden-cheeked warbler finally arrives back in the Hill Country always excites me! I also enjoy spring and fall migration, so many cool birds coming through that you don’t get to see year-round.

Beautiful pictures of the Rufous Hummingbird taken in Dripping Springs Ranch Park by Tom Hausler

Although it is one of the smaller members in a family of very small birds, this species is notably combative. The male Rufous, glowing like new copper penny, often defends a patch of flowers in a mountain meadow, vigorously chasing away all intruders (including larger birds). The Rufous also nests farther north than any other hummingbird: up to south-central Alaska. Of the various typically western hummingbirds, this is the one that wanders most often to eastern North America, with many now found east of the Mississippi every fall

and winter.

The 2023 Audubon Photography Awards: Winners and

Honorable Mentions

Grand Prize: Liron Gertsman

Professional Award Winner: Shane Kalyn

Female Bird Prize: Sandra M. Rothenberg

What is the state bird of Texas?

Texas is the second-largest state by area and population in the US, the longhorn, armadillo and Mexican free-tailed bat are all animal symbols of this state, but what is the state bird of Texas? The state of Texas chose the Northern mockingbird (Mimus Polyglottos) as the state bird in 1927. Texas recognized the loyalty of its state bird because throughout its extremely hot summers and freezing cold winters, it remained steadfast.

Nature Events

Bird Hikes and Birds & Brew at Westcave Preserve

Bird Hikes are a fun and informative hike led by a local expert avian biologist. Birds & Brew is a BYOB potluck and social gathering. All level of birders are welcome!

Star Parties at Pedernales Falls State Park

The stars at night are big and bright! Come see them even better with expert and amateur astronomers alike! The public is invited to safely observe the sky using electronically-assisted astronomy setups. We’ll have astronomy talks, telescopes, and constellation tours.

More Info

DS Ranch Park Guided Nature Walk

Embark on a captivating journey of exploration and connection with the guided nature walks - led by Hays County Master Naturalists