Songbird Tours
April 16-26!
April is a prime time to spot the breeding birds of Central Texas in their nesting habitat as well as migrant species just passing through. Some of those species include the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo as they settle into their breeding season. We may also see spring arrivals and resident species like Chimney Swifts, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Hutton’s Vireos, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays, Canyon Wrens, Grasshopper Sparrows, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Blue Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, Black-and-white Warblers, and Nashville Warblers.
Tours & Programs
Rare & Endangered Birds
Bird Language
Slow Birding
Bird Language
Hill Country Birding
Bird Behavior
Tour Guide Bios
Shelia Hargis:
Shelia Hargis has been birding for over 25 years, sparked by early Travis Audubon field trips. Her passion for birds is evident in her deep interest in bird behavior, which she incorporates into her field trips alongside species identification. She finds joy in all birds, even the common ones.
Shelia leads field trips, teaches Travis Audubon classes, and gives birding presentations. She also surveys birds for the City of Austin and the North American Breeding Bird Survey and participates in multiple Christmas Bird Counts each year. A Past President of both Travis Audubon and the Texas Ornithological Society, she remains active with both groups. Shelia received Travis Audubon’s Victor Emanuel Conservation Award in 2020 and became a Capital Area Master Naturalist in 2022.
Bill Reiner / John Chenoweth:
Bill Reiner and John Chenoweth have been birding together since they worked as a team on the refuge from 2001 to 2004. In those years, they mapped territories of the refuge’s two endangered bird species, though their primary task was monitoring and control of the oak wilt fungus. Today they are both employed as biologists with the City of Austin, where they continue to monitor and protect Golden-cheeked Warblers and Black-capped Vireos on lands of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. They enjoy challenging each other’s bird and plant identification skills, and sharing with refuge visitors their passion for exploring the natural communities of the Texas Hill Country.
Dennis Palafox:
Dennis Palafox
is a native Texan who moved to Austin in 1975. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology and has 40 years of experience in natural resources. Dennis became passionate about birding about 15 years ago after taking Byron Stone’s Sparrow Class. He has expanded his birding knowledge through classes, workshops, and bird surveys, and has birded across Texas, the U.S., Central America, and Europe. Dennis has led field trips for the Travis Audubon Society (TAS) and served as TAS Field Trip Committee Chair. He enjoys helping new birders and believes birding should be a fun, collaborative learning experience. Recently, he has taken up bird photography and aims to photograph every species he sees.
Lee Kothmann:
Lee Kothmann is a dedicated naturalist and the founder of Restore Texas, a land and wildlife company focused on native habitat restoration. His lifelong love for the land began early on his family’s ranch and through camping adventures across Texas, where he developed a deep appreciation for the state’s natural beauty and ecosystems. Lee’s interest in birds was sparked during his first undergraduate class in ornithology, setting the foundation for a career centered on conservation and wildlife management. For over 15 years, he has conducted bird surveys for leading organizations, including Plateau Wildlife, Audubon, Hill Country Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Concordia University, Vanishing Texas River Cruise, and the National Park System. His work has contributed valuable data to support bird conservation and habitat preservation efforts.
Through Restore Texas, Lee combines his expertise in land and wildlife management with a passion for restoring native landscapes. He is committed to helping landowners and conservation groups improve habitat quality, support native species, and promote sustainable land stewardship.
Byron Stone:
Byron Stone is an Austin physician and dedicated naturalist with a lifelong passion for the natural world. A central Texas native, he has been an avid birder for over four decades, traveling extensively across Texas and beyond to observe and photograph birds and other wildlife. His deep appreciation for nature has driven him to study bird behavior, migration patterns, and habitat conservation.
Byron is an active educator, teaching birding classes for the Travis Audubon Society on sparrows, hummingbirds, and raptors. He is widely recognized for his expertise in sparrow identification and has helped many birders refine their skills in distinguishing these often-challenging species. His commitment to birding education extends beyond the classroom, as he frequently leads field trips and shares his knowledge with both new and experienced birders.
His passion for sparrows led him to develop SparrowFest, a signature winter event at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge that celebrates the diversity and abundance of sparrows in the region. This event has become a beloved tradition for birders, offering unique opportunities to study these birds in their natural habitat. Through his teaching, leadership, and dedication to conservation, Byron has made a lasting impact on the birding community and the refuge.
Paul DiFiore:
Paul DiFiore is an Austin-based birder, conservationist and environmental law student at the University of Texas. Born and raised in Dallas, he has more than a decade of experience birding across the Lone Star State. He has worked with several local environmental non-profits and volunteered for years with different chapters of the Audubon Society. Prior to entering the practice of public interest environmental law, he started his career in global corporate social responsibility in the energy industry, and has been fortunate to travel (and see birds!) in many remote places. He holds degrees from Davidson College and Georgetown University.
Lee Burton:
Lee Burton is the founder of Naturalist Studies, an organization focused on creating educational content for the general public and natural resource professionals. The programs cover ancient skills like wilderness survival, wildlife tracking, foraging, and bird language, fostering a deeper connection to nature.
Lee teaches animal behavior at Texas A&M University, the University of Florida, and the University of Idaho. He was formerly the director and program manager for the Conservation Centers for Species Survival. A Master Naturalist, Lee is certified in Wildlife Track and Sign by CyberTracker North America and is a Bird Language Leaders Instructor, having mentored under Jon Young.
Through Naturalist Studies, Lee shares his expertise in wildlife observation and behavior, providing practical skills and ecological insights to help participants engage with the natural world.
Carlos Cardenas:
Carlos Cardenas was born and raised in Austin, Texas, where his love for the natural world took root. He pursued his passion for aquatic ecosystems at Texas State University, earning a degree in Aquatic Biology. Since 2008, he has been the Design & Construction Manager at Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery in Cedar Park, where he combines his expertise in water features and native landscapes to create sustainable outdoor environments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlos became an avid "bird nerd," deepening his appreciation for avian life. His enthusiasm for birding led him to become a volunteer hike leader at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in 2022, where he enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for the outdoors. He is also an active member of the Travis Audubon Society, further immersing himself in the birding community.
When he’s not working, Carlos travels with his family—both near and far—in search of the next new bird to add to his ever-growing list. Whether exploring North America's diverse landscapes or venturing beyond, his adventures are always guided by a keen eye for all of nature’s wonders.
Tania Peña:
Tania Pena is a District Wildlife Biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), serving Hays and Travis Counties. She follows Aldo Leopold’s "Land Ethic", believing that focusing on a single species can positively impact the entire ecosystem.
Tania holds a Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology from Texas State University. Her field experience includes serving as a Field Crew Lead with the American Bird Conservancy, monitoring Black-capped Vireo and other songbird nests, conducting surveys, and supervising field technicians. As a Conservation Practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, she participated in prescribed fires, assisted with fire line and trail maintenance, and analyzed game camera photos to assess white-tailed deer populations. She also worked as a Field Biologist with Landmark Wildlife Management LLC, conducting bird surveys on privately-owned land across central Texas and coordinating with landowners.
She is a bird enthusiast and deeply committed to wildlife conservation for future generations.
Songbird Tours at Balcones Canyonlands NWR are Made Possible by these Sponsors
