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.


Native Texas Plants

  • Black Eyed Susan
  • Box Elder
  • Pecan
  • Sunflowers
  • Trumpet Honeysuckle

Plants for Birds

Over the last 100 years, urban sprawl has transformed 150 million acres of farmland and native habitats across the United States into buildings, hardscape, and 40 million acres of highly manicured lawns. Filled with exotic plants, these urban landscapes no longer support the healthy, functioning ecosystems that birds and wildlife need. Texas provides critical habitat for approximately 632 of our 914 North American bird species. These birds depend on our native plants to provide them with various sources of cover, nesting sites, and food, especially the insects most birds rely on to feed their young. One native oak tree can support over 500 species of caterpillars, while most Asian alternatives only host up to 5 species.

Beautiful Hays County

Folks in the Field

This month we spoke with Tina Adkins,

the HCMN Dripping Springs Ranch Park Program Coordinator. Tina created and designed Bird Identification signs within the bird blinds at both DS Ranch Park and Charro Ranch Park.

2. What inspired you to become a Master Naturalist?

Immersing myself in nature whether it be the amazing show of wildflowers including Stork’s Bill in the Spring, the native bunches of Big Muhly, Indian Grass and Sideoats Grama (Texas’ state grass) waving in the breeze or the curious behaviors of Ash-throated Flycatchers as they hunt for bugs. Nature is very adaptive and resilient despite man’s heavy footprint. Conservation and preservation of all natural resources are foremost for most Master Naturalists as I have been for 5 years.

2. What is your favorite park/area in Texas to go birding and take photographs?

I enjoy hikes at many Texas parks to observe and photograph diverse plants and unique birds. Some of these include Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, South Padre Island Birding Nature Center/Alligator Sanctuary and Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center (Golden-cheeked Warblers occasionally can be spotted here). However, nature walks at both Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Charro Ranch Park are very special. The White-eyed Vireo and endangered Black-capped Vireo are making their presence known along with Yellow Warblers, Summer Tanagers and Orchard Orioles. My current favorite is Scott’s Oriole spotted in my garden at home.

3.Tell us about the identification signs you created!

Bird Identification signs within the bird blinds at both of these parks were designed by me to assist in educating the public to identify and perhaps be inspired to join other avid bird enthusiasts in preserving the diversity of bird species at our local parks. Compiled data from BioBlitz 2022, eBird and Feederwatch determined the bird species seen at both parks. Grapevine Signs and Designs manufactured the 4” and 6” signs. Hays County Master Naturalists provided bird photographs, installed and funded the Identification signs in February 2024.




Share the Shore!

It's summer and everyone is traveling and going on vacation. Whether you love the beach for sunbathing, walking your dog, fishing, kayaking, or boating, please remember to take care of our coastal birds by sharing the shore.

Here are some tips for making our beaches safer for birds:

  • Give nesting birds at least 50 yards of distance if the space allows.
  • Respect the fences and signs and stay outside of areas marked as breeding grounds for birds.
  • If pets are permitted on beaches, keep them leashed and away from birds.
  • Remove trash and food scraps, which attract predators that might eat birds’ eggs and/or chicks. 


Share the Shore

Westcave Preserve

Star Party

Tour the night skies at Westcave Preserve, a dark sky location convenient to Austin. Star Party nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high quality telescope.

Star Party

Birding & Nature Hike

Kick off your weekend with a guided birding and nature hike at Hill Country Conservancy’s Nalle Bunny Run Wildlife Preserve. Whether you are an avid birdwatcher or picking up binoculars for the first time, join us for an early morning hike and get a glimpse at some of the birds that spend the winter in the Hill Country. 

Birding Hike

Have you seen un-mowed areas and these signs around Dripping Springs? Here is why! By allowing the grass to grow we are increasing the habitat for birds & wildlife, encouraging native plant grown and more!

The future Rathgeber Natural Resource Park is a donation of 300 acres of land from Dick Rathgeber and Rathgeber Investment Company. This future Resource Park will not only protect 300 acres of pristine Texas Hill Country and the convergence zones of Barton Creek and Little Barton Creek, but it will provide public access to passively recreate, immerse in nature, birding, hiking, and explore the Texas Night Sky.

More Information