Lake Tahoe’s Birds, Burgers and Brews event planned Aug. 1

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science is hosting four free birding tours around Lake Tahoe and Truckee on Saturday, Aug. 1. Following the tours, attendees will converge at 64 Acres in Tahoe City, next to the Transit Center, to enjoy local craft brews and burgers.

This event is part of TINS’ Tahoe Big Year, a yearlong event that celebrates the hundreds of bird species that make the Tahoe region their home. Although Tahoe Big Year events typically are reserved for TINS members only, the Birds, Burgers and Brews event invites attendees to bring a friend — or three — and discover the world of birding. Anyone can attend the cookout, which will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Meal tickets are available for pre-purchase at www.TINSweb.org and include a burger or hotdog, fixings, chips, drinks, and a beer for those over 21. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Birds, Burgers, and Brews will have four different birding tours to choose from. Three of the tours will be caravan style, moving up the west and east shores of Lake Tahoe, and also south from Truckee. These tours will be led by guides who will stop at their preferred birding locations. Tours depart at 8 a.m. and end around 3 p.m. at 64 Acres. In addition, there will be a family/kid tour, led by Sarah Hockensmith, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Event organizers recommend carpooling to make getting into and parking at birding locations easier. Those coming from the North Shore/ Truckee area are encouraged to leave their cars at 64 Acres on the way down to South Lake. All birding tours require preregistration. To register or to purchase a barbecue meal ticket in advance, go to www.TINSweb.org.

TINS is a member-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of natural history, conservation, and ecosystem knowledge of the Tahoe region through science, education, and outreach. TINS has a long-term goal of bringing a world class interpretive nature center and educational facility to the Tahoe area. For more information, go to www.tinsweb.org.