Are you interested in birds but don’t know which end of the binoculars to look in? This is the class for you. Participants will learn about basic bird anatomy, where to find birds, what a field guide is, and how to use binoculars. Then the group will go on a bird walk to practice the new skills.

Binoculars will be available to borrow. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Owl Prowls begin with a lively program on owls including a rare opportunity to meet live, rehabilitated owls at the Edith Moore log cabin. Then, you’ll go out on the Sanctuary’s wooded trails in search of wild owls. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org/programs.

Meet count leader Jason Bonilla in the parking lot of Woodland Park. Please note that the park does not have a maintained trail system. As such, there is a lot of poison ivy that is somewhat unavoidable when walking the park and looking for birds. Additionally, there are terrain changes and unstable areas. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. They usually meet on the fourth Saturday of the month.

Free to attend, donations appreciated. Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center on the second Saturday of each month at the front door of the building for a two-hour bird walk led by Kelsey Low and Theo Ostler, a resident bird enthusiast. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all ages (as long as you’re quiet) – but no dogs, please! If you have binoculars of your own, please bring them. We do have some binoculars available to borrow. For more events with the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, visit their Events Calendar!

Workdays are held once a month, October through March on the second Saturday of the month. We start work around 8:30 AM and work until about noon, when we break for lunch, provided by Houston Audubon and prepared by the lunch crew. Lunch at the picnic area of Boy Scout Woods is a good chance to visit with other volunteers and recharge from a morning of exercise and work. After lunch, we take about an hour to tie up any loose ends and clean up.

Come be a part of sanctuary maintenance, habitat restoration, and Houston Audubon’s amazing volunteer workforce. Email Pete Deichmann at pdeichmann@houstonaudubon.org for more information or to be put on the email list.

• November 10
• December 8
• January 12
• February 9
• March 9

The Adult Owl Prowl is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night in nature. Learn about the wise and wonderful owls you can find in Houston, and get up close and personal with live owls from the Wildlife Center of Texas. After the presentation, participants will head out into the woods to look for owls (and other nocturnal animals) along the Arboretum trails. Enjoy light snacks, wine, beer, and hot drinks to warm you up after the night’s walk.

Come meet some incredible nocturnal hunters from the Wildlife Center of Texas and learn about their amazing adaptations. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and other refreshments (with wine and beer for the grownups) and then join the Arboretum for a night hike to look for owls and explore their nighttime trails.

Night hikes at 7 and 8 p.m., mini owl prowl at 7:30 p.m., cabin tours, winter bird craft, pond fishing and live animal time. Campfire, s’mores and tacos. (Vegan and gluten-free options available). Tacos catered by Tacos A GoGo – veggie, chicken, beef tacos with corn/flour tortillas available. Reservation includes 2 tacos per person.

Cost: $30 adult/$35 non-member adult; $15 children (ages 3 & up); $20 non-member children; FREE for children under 3 years

Meet count leader Jason Bonilla in the parking lot of Woodland Park. Please note that the park does not have a maintained trail system. As such, there is a lot of poison ivy that is somewhat unavoidable when walking the park and looking for birds. Additionally, there are terrain changes and unstable areas. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. They usually meet on the fourth Saturday of the month.

Join Bethany Foshee, Edith Moore Sanctuary Manager, and Paul Fagala of Wild Birds Unlimited, for a free bird walk at Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary, September through May on the 4th Saturday of the month. Bird walks last 1 hour. Birders can arrive and leave as their schedules require. Novices are welcome!

Meet at the Edith Moore Cabin at 8 a.m.

Please note that in November and December, the walk will on the third Saturday.