We do activities
We gather occasionally and informally to watch birds, share knowledge, and enjoy the rhythms of West Texas. Whether you're new to birding or have a life list as long as a scissor-tail flycatcher, you're welcome here. Check below for upcoming activities.
Marfa Christmas Bird Count
Join the MBC for the National Audubon Society’s annual bird count. We’ll be gathering across Marfa to count as many birds as possible, for science!
The Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of the Marfa area provide key wintering habitat for many of North America's grassland birds, including Baird's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Sprague's Pipit, and Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspurs. This is a new count circle and we are happy to accept participants of all experience levels! Routes vary and can cover grasslands, urban parks, and water features. Teams and routes will be assigned ahead of time via email, so please reach out for more information and to be assigned a route.
Save the date: December 21, 2025
Lannan Park Birds and Books
Monthly on the last Thursday of the Month
5 pm (winter) 7 pm (summer)
Lannan Park - Marfa, Texas
A gentle evening walk through Lannan Park and a casual reading under the trees. Bring binoculars and a book or notebook to trade sightings, swap stories, and share sketches.
Highest Golf Course in Texas
Monthly on the first Monday of the Month
8 am (winter) 6:30 am (summer)
Marfa Municipal Golf Course in Marfa, Texas
The Marfa municipal golf course offers open skies and tree-lined fairways that are home to owls, flycatchers, and the occasional surprise migrant. We’ll walk slowly, listen closely, and enjoy the long desert light as the day winds down. Bring binoculars, layers, and a sense of calm.
Another activity will be coming soon
Date, time & location - TBD
Join the MBC or check back soon to hear about our next group outing. It’ll be happening in August. It will be a very cool location, with some awesome folks. Stay tuned.
IDEAS FOR FAR WEST TEXAS BIRDING? TELL.
IDEAS FOR FAR WEST TEXAS BIRDING? TELL.
Past Events
Hike with a Ranger
Saturday, October 18 - Davis Mountains State Park, Texas
The Marfa Bird Club and visitors met at the interpretive center and communed with park guides, then commenced a guided hike and bird watching through the state park to the park’s two bird blinds. NOCS graciously provided lots of great optics for members to use.
Sightings
acorn woodpecker
ruby-crowned kinglet
ladder-backed woodpecker
canyon towhee
woodhouse scrub jay
yellow-rumped warbler
lesser goldfinch
blue grosbeak
black crested titmouse
Chinati Presents: Talk & walk with Tiffany Kersten
August 15 & 16 - CDRI - Fort Davis, Texas
The Chinati Foundation and the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) invite you to join renowned birder Tiffany Kersten for her “Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders” talk and a birding walk on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16. We were so excited to be involved with this experience. It was inspirational to hear about Tiffany’s adventures across the US, overcoming adversity and finding her way as a solo birder. Thanks to all the intrepid birders who came out!
Sightings
cactus wren
turkey vulture
black-throated sparrow
western kingbird
rufous hummingbird
broad-tailed hummingbird
black-chinned hummingbird
lesser goldfinch
house finch
blue grosbeak
Bird Hike on Mimms Ranch
July 23 - Marfa, Texas
Mimms Ranch of the Dixon Water Foundation promotes healthy watersheds through sustainable land management to ensure that future generations have the water resources they need. We had a special guided hike an area of the ranch – not visible from town – with water and diverse bird habitat, perfect for sunrise viewing.
Thanks to all the intrepid birders who came out!
Sightings
scaled quail
loggerhead shrike
western kingbird
barn swallow
red-winged blackbird swainson’s hawk
blue grosbeak
killdeer
blue-winged teal
More past events
Bikes and Birds on 2810
Monthly - Marfa, Texas
Monthly on the last Sunday we ride bikes out Pinto Canyon Road, 10 to 20 miles, and stop along the way to look for Chihuahuan Meadowlarks, Swainson’s Hawks, and Loggerhead Shrikes. Bring snacks, water, binoculars and your bike.
Colima Warbler Backpacking Expedition
May 2025 - Big Bend National Park
Three days and two nights backpacking into the Chisos Mountains, exploring Boot Canyon and Colima Trail, in search of the elusive Colima Warbler. Challenging hiking, limited water, and volatile weather likely. Exciting!
New Year Birding in Hot Springs Arroyo
January 2025 - Chinati Hot Springs
A morning walk through the arroyo below these remote hot springs to observe the local winter birds – Canyon Towhees, Varied Buntings, Vermillion Flycatchers and more – and time to relax and reflect in the healing waters of Chinati Hot Springs. Overnight.