Explore one of America’s best birding destinations on this top-rated Texas Hill Country Birding and Nature tour. Amidst the open landscape of the Edwards Plateau region, we explore the verdant area surrounding Concan, Texas, and its mosaic of avian life. We stay at one delightful lodge, so it’s an easy one-stop, unpack and relax tour, giving us ample time to soak in the area and its array of species and habitats.

In 2024, the Texas Hill Country region will play center stage to a phenomenal solar event: a Total Solar Eclipse. This is a very big deal! Whether you can see a total solar eclipse depends on where you are in the world. This Naturalist Journeys group will have the privilege of being at the exact right place at the exact right time. The next total solar eclipse that can be observed over central Texas won't appear again until well into the 23rd century!

Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy for five nights at Neal’s Lodge, a longtime hotspot for birders and naturalists
  • Witness a spectacular astronomical event as the Moon fully covers the Sun during the 2024 total solar eclipse!
  • Search Golden-cheeked Warblers amidst Ashe Juniper at Lost Maples State Natural Area
  • Witness millions of bats emerging from the Rio Frio Bat Cave
  • See for captivating raptors including Swainson’s, Zone-tailed, and Harris’ Hawks
  • Explore one of the Green Kingfisher’s few habitats in the United States
  • Take in Hill Country’s kaleidoscope of butterflies; over 140 species have been spotted in the area

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Thurs., Apr. 4: San Antonio | Concan


Welcome to Texas! Our group gathers at the San Antonio International Airport at 3:00 PM to begin our intriguing expedition into the Texas Hill Country. Some may want to arrive early to enjoy the Riverwalk and history of San Antonio on their own.

Straight from the airport we drive to Concan, Texas, a quiet community with an exciting abundance of Texas specialty birds that occur along the lush Rio Frio. Our route winds through Edwards Plateau, where crystal clear rivers have spent thousands of years cutting a path through gleaming limestone. Have binoculars and cameras ready, birds and blooms abound!
Roadside birds might include Swainson’s Hawk, Crested Caracara, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. We arrive at Neal’s Lodge, our comfortable accommodations in Concan. Built along the spring-fed Frio River, Neal’s Lodge is our home this week. We settle in, unpack once, and turn our focus to the Hill Country’s natural wonders.

Neal’s grounds host birds from the Eastern and Western U.S., as well as the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This area has been a bucket list destination for naturalists for decades. Accommodation at Neal’s Lodge (D)

Fri., Apr. 5: Uvalde | Ft. Inge | Fish Hatchery | Chalk Bluff Park


Today we head south to Uvalde. As we leave Concan, the habitat becomes noticeably more desert-like. Possible sightings on our drive include Harris’ Hawk, Bell’s Vireo, Bullock’s Oriole, and Crested Caracara.

Arriving in Uvalde, we find the remains of frontier-era Fort Inge, now a 42-acre protected park along the Leona River. The park features a 140-foot volcanic plug, whose dry slopes attract Cactus and Bewick’s Wrens, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Pyrrhuloxia. Along the Leona River, we find migrant and resident songbirds, and perhaps a Mississippi Kite.

A tour tradition is visiting Uvalde’s classic soda fountain for ice cream, shakes, and malts ? fun (and delicious)!

Next, we go west to the Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, where ponds attract a variety of shorebirds ? surprising migrants can show up at this time of year. From a permanent blind we spot Black Phoebe, species of waterfowl such as Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Blue Winged Teal, and a host of dragonflies.

We then drive northwest to Chalk Bluff Park, where Tamaulipan Scrub vegetation cloaks hillsides along the Nueces River. Here we find Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Black-crested Titmouse in a stand of live oaks.

Along the River, we scan cottonwoods, pecans, and mulberries for Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole, and Blue Grosbeak. We have another chance to see tiny Green Kingfisher, secretive Ringed Kingfisher, and a vulture-mimic, the Zone-Tailed Hawk.

The park’s pecan grove may draw in migrants including Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and several warblers.
Accommodation at Neal’s Lodge (B,L,D)

Sat., Apr. 6 : Neal’s Lodge | Rio Frio Bat Cave


This morning we get up early to bird the area around Neal’s Lodge. We comfortably observe several species as permanent feeding stations draw in some of the Hill Country’s best species. Clay-colored Sparrow are common at the “cattle guard feeder”—often joined by Black-throated, Lark, White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows. Three species of orioles are possible visitors, along with resident Olive Sparrow and Long-billed Thrasher.

Continuing to the pecan grove for more feeder watching, we look for Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Carolina Chickadee, Black-crested Titmouse, and various migrants.
Neal’s Lodge maintains hummingbird feeders throughout the grounds. These attract numerous Black-chinned Hummingbird, a few Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and the nectar-loving Hooded Oriole.

For lunch, we visit a delicious BBQ stand in Concan for tasty brisket and smoked turkey. After lunch we return to Neal’s Lodge for continued feeder watching.

After dinner, we take a short drive to the Rio Frio Bat Cave. Every night, 10-million or more Mexican Free-tailed Bats exit the cave to feed. If you haven’t experienced a bat cave emergence, you are sure to be mesmerized as the smoke-like river of bats emerges against the setting sun.

Local bat biologist Bain Walker joins us as we take in the sights and sounds of one of the largest gatherings of mammals in North America. Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawk are likely visitors as they feed on the frenzy of bats.

Cave Swallow share the cave and we see them as they return to roost.
Accommodation at Neal’s Lodge (B,L,D)

Sun., Apr. 7 : Lost Maples State Natural Area


Today we depart for Lost Maples State Natural Area, a 2,200-acre protected site straddling the serene Sabinal River. The park is famous for its Golden-cheeked Warbler, and is home to many other species.

Black-chinned Hummingbird, occasional Indigo Bunting, and Scott’s Oriole often greet us at the visitor center’s feeders. Along the Maple Trail, we walk through a limestone canyon populated with oak, sycamore, and relict Bigtooth Maple. We listen for the sweet, buzzing song of the park’s Golden-cheeked Warbler. We might also see Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireos, and Black-and-white Warbler.

Lost Maples hosts a stunning array of butterflies; over 140 species live in and around Concan. A previous trip recorded many species, including Nysa Roadside-Skipper, Red Admiral, Gulf Fritillary, and Pipevine, Spicebush, and Giant Swallowtail.

After a picnic lunch we hike along rivers and ponds, scanning the branches for Green Kingfisher, a striking species rarely found in the United States.
For dinner, we visit Lost Maples Café and its regionally famous pies.
Accommodation at Neal’s Lodge (B,L,D)

Mon., Apr. 8 : Total Solar Eclipse Viewing | Kerr Wildlife Management Area | Black-capped Vireo


This Naturalist Journeys group will have the privilege of being at the exact right place at the exact right time to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Totality in Texas begins at 1:27 PM!

Today we also visit the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in the basin of the Guadalupe River. On the drive, we look for Blue Bonnets and Mealy Sage. The park is home to a large population of Black-capped Vireo, an endangered specialty of Central Texas. Finding them is our focus, though abundant wildflowers can prove a pleasant distraction!
Other species at Kerr WMA include Wild Turkey, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Common Ground-Dove, Summer Tanager, Field Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, and Painted Bunting.

Tonight we enjoy a final dinner and conversations, and then tally up the rich sightings from a week of birding the Texas Hill Country! Accommodation at Neal’s Lodge (B,L,D)

Tues., Apr. 9 : San Antonio & Departures


We load our vans with Blue Jay watching overhead, and return to San Antonio. Some may wish to stay on to explore this historic city, home to the Alamo and a delightful Riverwalk.

We plan to arrive at the airport at 11:00 AM, so please plan your departure (or connecting flight to El Paso if you plan to go on our Texas Big Bend Tour, too) after 12:00 PM.
It’s always hard to say goodbye to new travel friends, but with Naturalist Journeys loyal clientele, we’re likely to travel together again.

Those continuing on our Texas Coast & Big Thicket journey can look forward to more amazing birds, fantastic scenery, and West Texas hospitality. Book the two tours and we’ll pay the air between them, up to $100!

  • Bluebonnets, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Blue Bonnets

  • Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Lazuli Bunting

  • Frio Bat Cave, Mexican Free-tailed Bats, Texas Hill Country, Texas, Texas Birding Tour, Texas Nature Tour, Naturalist JOunreys

    Frio Bat Cave by Pat Lueders

  • Longhorn Cattle, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Longhorn Cattle

  • Hooded Oriole, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Hooded Oriole

  • Texas Hill Country Sunset, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Texas Hill Country Sunset

  • Mexican Free-tailed Bats, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Mexican Free-tailed Bats

  • Field of flowers in Texas Hill Country, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Field of flowers in Texas Hill Country

  • Frio River, Texas Hill Country, Texas, Texas Birding Tour, Texas Nature Tour, Naturalist JOunreys

    Frio River by Pat Lueders

  • Black-crested Titmouse, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Black-crested Titmouse

  • White-eyed Vireo, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    White-eyed Vireo

  • Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    Blue Bonnets

  • Birding Group, Texas Hill Country, Texas, Texas Birding Tour, Texas Nature Tour, Naturalist JOunreys

    Group by Pat Lueders

  • Birding Group, Texas Hill Country, Texas, Texas Birding Tour, Texas Nature Tour, Naturalist JOunreys

    Group by Pat Lueders

  • White-winged Dove, Birding Texas Hill Country, Bird watching Texas, United States, North American birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Total Solar Eclipse

    White-winged Dove

Cost of the Journey

The cost of this journey is $2,690 DBL / $3,290 SGL, from San Antonio, TX, and includes all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary, group airport transfers, professional guide services, local park and other area entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. The deposit for this special departure is $1000 per person. The cost does not include transportation to or from your home to San Antonio, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, porterage, maid gratuities, or beverages from the bar.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

Arrival Details:  Plan flights to arrive April 4, 2024 no later than 2:00 PM.

Departure Details:  Plan flights to depart April 9, 2024 after 12:00 PM.

Travel Tip:  San Antonio is a fascinating city to explore with a rich history and the delightful River Walk area that is a magnet for dining and fun. There are a wide variety of attractions to see in San Antonio including museums, The Alamo, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Many attractions are within walking distance of the River Walk area, making it a great base to explore from. The River Walk area is approximately 8 miles from the San Antonio International Airport and can be reached by taxi, Uber/Lyft, or renting a car. You will need to return to the airport no later than 2:00 PM on April 4 if you are not staying at an airport hotel.

Hotel Recommendations:  If you prefer to stay in the trendy River Walk area, we recommend: Courtyard San Antonio Riverwalk (210) 223-8888 Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk (210) 404-7516 Would you prefer to relax and stay near the airport? We can pick you up at hotels within 5 miles of the airport and would recommend these: Holiday Inn Express San Antonio Airport (210) 308-6700 Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport  210) 525-9999.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Texas

Big Bend & Davis Mountains

Big Bend Monsoon Madness

South Texas

Texas Coast

Texas Hill Country

  • Bryan Shirley

    Bryan Shirley graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Japanese/International Economics. He lived in Japan for 3 years when he was 20 and fell in love with the language and culture and has been guiding and birding there ever since. Besides guiding in Japan, he regularly leads tours for Japanese birding groups around the US and other countries. When not guiding he has been involved with various DWR and USFWS projects such as relocating Sage Grouse, breeding bird surveys, and bird-related projects for private environmental consulting firms. He also has volunteered his time to serve as president of Utah County Birders and organizes the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts for Provo and Payson, Utah where he currently resides. He currently is a member of the Utah Bird Records Committee.

    Other trips with Bryan Shirley

  • Bryan Calk

    Bryan started birding at Fort Clark Springs in southwest Texas when he was 10 years old and never stopped. He got his first taste of guiding while leading trips for the Rio Brazos Audubon Society during college. After graduating from Texas A&M in 2015 with a degree in genetics, Bryan worked as an avian field biologist on several projects across Texas and New Mexico. Currently residing in Albuquerque as a professional birding tour guide, he leads field tours, workshops, and youth birding programs across the US. In his free time, Bryan enjoys butterflies, searching for herps, photography, art, cooking, and gardening.

    Other trips with Bryan Calk

  • Stephen Grace

    Stephen is an award-winning author, natural history educator and conservationist. He has also contributed to documentary films, and his nature photography has been widely published. Over the past two decades, he has introduced groups of travelers to nature and culture in destinations as varied as Uganda, New Zealand and Alaska.

    After moving from Colorado to the Oregon coast, Stephen was captivated by the sight of a Tufted Puffin carrying fish back to its burrow, and the first time he heard a Swainson’s Thrush sing, he knew his life would never be the same. He has been studying birds and sharing their beauty with people ever since.

    Formative experiences during Stephen’s journey as a naturalist have included tagging along as a teenager with his grandparents in Madera Canyon, where he absorbed their love of Arizona’s sky islands; helping people with different ability levels experience the Yellowstone ecosystem when he lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and sailing aboard a historic schooner to share the wonders of the Salish Sea with students.

    Now based in Port Townsend, Washington, Stephen explores the Pacific Northwest by backpacking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, biking, trail running, and skiing. His wide-ranging natural history pursuits include coring trees to count their growth rings, identifying bats by analyzing their biosonar signals, hunting mammoth tusks in Pleistocene bluffs, searching for the elusive Rubber Boa, preserving native prairie, raising awareness about plankton, and leading sea slug safaris.

    Other trips with Stephen Grace

Map for Texas Hill Country: Birds + Full Solar Eclipse!

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please Pack Light! Protective eclipse glasses will be provided by Naturalist Journeys for this tour! Soft luggage Read more

Please Pack Light!

Protective eclipse glasses will be provided by Naturalist Journeys for this tour!

Soft luggage is easier for us to pack than a rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. The trip is informal and the weather fine – no need to pack heavily this time of year.

Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. Your carry-on bag must be able to fit under the seat or it will be taken away by airline staff and put with the regular luggage. You will want a daypack for field trips, so this is the ideal carry-on. We recommend that you double check with your airline a week or so before departure to verify luggage size and weight restrictions. A reminder, keep your EMERGENCY CONTACT list with your airline tickets – just in case!

In general, the weather during your stay should be warm (70-80°F in the day, 50-55°F in the evenings and early mornings) and we want you to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing, as they are more protective from sun, insects and vegetation. Quick-dry fabrics are ideal, and you may wish to spray your field outerwear with Permethrin beforehand or try bug repellent clothing – Exofficio’s Bugs Away and Craghoppers Insect Shield are options. If you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty – and things that are comfortable and easy. Layering is your best strategy for comfort. While closed toed shoes and hiking boots are ideal for our fieldwork, a pair of sandals will be most welcome for travel days and evenings.

Clothing and Gear

  • Lightweight long pants, 2 pair
  • Shorts (optional)
  • Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 (Loose fitting keeps you cool)
  • T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or equivalent, 4-5
  • Comfortable clothing for travel days and evenings (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress, etc.)
  • Personal underclothing and pajamas
  • Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry (Long enough to tuck your pants into, to help protect from chiggers)
  • Comfortable walking/hiking shoes such as tennis shoes
  • Lightweight hiking boots
  • Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days
  • Lightweight fleece jacket or sweater for early morning walks
  • Lightweight raincoat or poncho
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when you are hot and sweaty)
  • Swimsuit (optional)

Equipment and Miscellaneous

  • Photo Identification
  • E-ticket verification
  • Passport (for international travelers)
  • Small daypack or fanny pack to carry your field gear
  • Walking stick (optional but recommended if you usually use one when hiking)
  • Umbrella – small and not brightly colored (optional but useful for protection from rain)
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Alarm clock (if you use your phone, be sure to turn off data roaming)
  • Sunscreen/Chapstick or equivalent
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletry articles
  • Binoculars (a shower cap is great to cover these when raining)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional)
  • Camera and extra batteries/battery charger, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
  • Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing
  • Earplugs (optional)
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)

 

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Medical and First Aid Items

  • Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses – or have at easy reference to call or fax from home) and any medical alerts
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments and stomach ailments
  • Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
  • Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Health insurance information
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
  • Tweezers

 

Suggested Reading List +

  There are many terrific books about Texas. The following are a few titles that we Read more

 

There are many terrific books about Texas. The following are a few titles that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Field Guide to the Birds of North America

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Texas Hill Country

Eclipse Related

The Ultimate Guide for Solar Eclipse Photography

Road Atlas for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024

Texas Total Eclipse Guide and Keepsake

The Under-standing of Eclipses

The Astronomical Almanac 2023 —2027

General Reading

Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country Map

Field Guides

ABA Field Guide to Birds of Texas

The TOS Handbook of Texas Birds

Birds of Texas Field Guide

The Sibley Guide to Birds

Hawks in Flight

The Warbler Guide

Texas Butterflies & Pollinators: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

Butterflies of North America

Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas

Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West

Texas Bug Book: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Mammals of Texas

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country

Texas Wildflowers, A Field Guide

Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country

General Birding

Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion: A Comprehensive Resource for Identifying North American Birds

Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding: Understanding What You See and Hear

The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds

The Complete Birder, A Guide to Better Birding

Lives of North American Birds

Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior

Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds

Geology

Roadside Geology of Texas

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

 

Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024

Texas Hill Country – Encyclopedic Overview

Concan

Uvalde

Fort Inge

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birding in Texas

Birding at Neal’s Lodges

San Antonio Audubon Society

Hill Country Wildlife – Texas Parks & Wildlife (TP&W website has a wealth of additional information!)

Chalk Bluff Park, Uvalde – Hotspot

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Rio Frio Bat Cave

Edwards Plateau Ecological Region

Kerr Wildlife Management Area

Endemics of the Texas Hill Country

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Hill Country Conservancy

The Watershed Association – Texas Hill Country Conservation Network

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Geology & Geography

Texas Hill Country Geology

Geography of Texas

History & Culture

Natural History of the Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country – Texas State Historical Association

Hill Country Conservancy Article “Stories of Rocks and Rivers”

Texas Highways Article “Where Does the Texas Hill Country Actually End?”

Historical Ecology of the Texas Hill Country

History of Neal’s Lodges

History of Concan

History of San Antonio and It’s River Walk

Helpful Travel Websites

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

Homeland Security Real ID Act

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

ATM Locator

Date & Time


Photo credits: Banners: Butterfly in THC, NJ Stock; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, NJ Stock; Summer Tanager, NJ Stock; Hill Country Scenic, NJ Stock; Green Kingfisher, NJ Stock; Black-throated Sparrow by Carlos Sanchez; Thumbnails: Total Eclipse Pattern, American Astronomical Society; Blue Grosbeak, Carlos Sanchez; Swainson's Hawk by Greg Smith; Barred Owl, Carlos Sanchez; Golden-fronted Woodpecker, NJ Stock; Painted Bunting, NJ Stock; Crested Caracara, NJ Stock; Ruby-throated Hummingbird, NJ Stock; Black-capped Vireo, NJ Stock

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