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!

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.

• 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

  • Japan Birding & Nature
    FULL! See Summer in Hokkaido, Japan!
    January 7 - 23, 2024
  • Guyana: Unspoiled Wilderness
    March 8 - 20, 2024
  • NEW! Wild Japan: Summer In Hokkaido
    June 18 - 29, 2024
  • Arizona Monsoon Madness
    Birding & Nature in a Season of Wonder!
    August 1 - 8, 2024
  • Nevada's Great Basin
    August 23 - 31, 2024
  • Deltas to Dunes: A Botswana-Namibia Safari
    Full...Check out our Grand Uganda tour in July!
    September 27 - October 15, 2024
  • Japan Birding & Nature
    January 7 - 23, 2025
• 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

  • New Mexico Nature & Culture
    December 3 - 10, 2023
  • Costa Rica Birding & Nature
    Full! Take a look at our July Costa Rica tour!
    January 16 - 23, 2024, w/Pacific Coast extension
  • Best of Belize
    February 17 - 25, 2024
  • South Texas Birding & Nature
    March 12 - 20, 2024
  • Texas Hill Country
    Birding & Nature Tour
    April 26 - May 1, 2024
  • Oregon's Malheur NWR & Woodpecker Wonderland
    May 20 - 29, 2024
  • Alaska Sampler
    Anchorage, Homer, Seward & Kenai Fjords
    August 9 - 17, 2024
  • Arizona Monsoon Madness
    Birding & Nature in a Season of Wonder!
    August 25 - September 1, 2024
  • Yellowstone in The Fall
    September 21 - 28, 2024
  • South Texas Birding & Nature
    Special Departure!
    November 11 - 19, 2024
• 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

  • Trinidad & Tobago: Incredible Birds & Wildlife
    February 23 - March 3, 2024
  • Southeast Arizona
    April 26 - May 5, 2024
  • Birding Canyon Country
    Zion, Bryce Canyon & Grand Canyon National Parks
    May 18 - 26, 2024
  • Atlantic Island Odyssey
    Sable Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundland, & the Magdalen Islands
    June 27 - July 8, 2024

Essential Information +

Packing List +

Suggested Reading List +

Useful Links +

• Durango Highway & San Blas: Total Solar Eclipse
  FULL - Try our Baja's Bounty Sea of Cortez Cruise!
  April 5 - 13, 2024
• Texas' Big Bend
  FULL - Check out our April 27 - May 5, 2024 departure!
  April 18 - 26, 2024
• Southeast Arizona
  May 3 - 12, 2024