Texas state residents will head to the coast, forests, prairies and mountains in April in search of birds.
The 19th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic, the nation’s biggest and longest bird watching tournament, will run from April 15-May 15.
The registration deadline is April 1.
Last year, more than 400 competitors – individuals and teams – participated in the Birding Classic, documenting a record 425 species out of Texas’ 639 documented avian species. There were regional and statewide daylong and weeklong events.
“The Birding Classic is a wonderful opportunity for bird watching enthusiasts and all nature lovers to gather with family and friends to see how many bird species they can spot in a few hours, a full day, or event a few days in a row,” Shelly Plante, nature tourism manager for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said.
There will be age-specific tournaments, and teenagers are encouraged to get involved, the TPWD reports. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Logo provided by the TPWD, no copyright infringement inferred)