Outings
Many Bexar Audubon South Central Texas outings take place in Bexar County, but we regularly venture farther afield to explore the other counties we serve, state parks, and natural areas.
Wherever we go, we hope you’ll join us!
Bird Walk at the Boot Ranch Community
Monday, March 31
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Boot Ranch Community in Gillespie County
1447 Boot Ranch Circle, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Come bird Boot Ranch Community (about 1.5 hours from central San Antonio) with Activities Director and birder, Amy Crowson, who has invited us and 6 Bexar Audubon South Central Texas members to join a group of birders from the Boot Ranch Community for a bird walk around this beautiful residential property in Fredericksburg.
We will meet at the clubhouse, and Amy will join us for a birding walk around the property. This residential community features many amenities, including extensive native plantings, which attract a variety of birds. The golf course also has water, a further attraction for migrants on their way and in need of a drink and a bath.
We will bird on roads and improved paths covering about two miles. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. You may bring your lunch to eat before returning to San Antonio or avail yourself of the many dining choices in downtown Fredericksburg. It will make a GREAT outing to the Hill Country that includes birds.
If you want to carpool, please let us know if you want to ride or would be willing to drive and take someone along with you. Tom and Patsy can take two people in their vehicle.
Sign up HERE
Don’t delay - only six people can sign up for this outing!
Van Trek to Heart of the Hills Fisheries Center
Mountain Home, TX (Kerr County HOTW 069)
Friday, April 4
6:45 am - 1:00 pm
Meeting point: HEB Parking lot on Boerne Stage Road
Join Tom and Patsy Inglet for a comfortable van trip to Kerr County for a Special Day just for us! We’re going to the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Center in Mountain Home, TX, which is the eBird #1 Hotspot in Kerr County!
We will meet at the HEB Parking lot on Boerne Stage Road (the parking lot farthest from the store, between the Broadway Bank and the Service Station) at 6:45 AM to load up and leave by 7:00 AM.
Our ride through the Texas Hill Country will take just over an hour; we will arrive when the center opens at 8:00 AM. We will bird until about 11:00 AM, have lunch at the Picnic area (drinks provided), then make our way back to San Antonio to 1:00 PM.
Bring your binoculars, your lunch, and your sharp birding eyes and ears. We will bring a spotting scope. Dress for the weather and the field.
Cost: $45 per person
Pre-pay by Cash or Check (To Bexar Audubon), Venmo, or Zettle (Credit Card)
Pay at the March meeting or at the Van
For questions, contact Patsy Inglet at engagement@bexaraudubon.org
Only 11 spots available; must have 8 to confirm trip.
Sign up HERE
Bird Survey at Natural Bridge Caverns
Wednesday, April 9
8:00 am - Noon
Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
Bexar Audubon South Central Texas has been given a unique opportunity to count birds at the Natural Bridge Caverns. We will be a part of an extensive biological inventory of the ranchland surrounding the cavern system. We will start at 8:00 and bird until noon.
More details will be given to those who sign up as to where to meet and park. We will be driving to various locations by car; once we are inside, we will carpool, so we have as few vehicles as possible.
Those who are interested can bring a sack lunch to eat after the bird survey. As a post-survey benefit, participants have special permission to stay and visit the park free of charge.
Sign up HERE
Bird Walk at Comfort Water Treatment Ponds and James Kiehl Natural Area
Thursday, April 10
8:00 am - Noon
Comfort Water Treatment Ponds in Kendall County
Comfort Water Treatment Ponds
The starting location will be the Comfort Water Treatment Ponds located just beyond the Buckhorn Golf Course entrance off HWY 473 near Comfort; this about a 45-minute drive from central San Antonio. Please park on the gravel area just behind the ponds gate—we are asked to NOT park on the golf course parking lot. The walk around the ponds will be in a compact area on generally level ground but with a couple of very short climbs up an inclined embankment. We will be walking through some sections of grass, and “mud boots” will be appropriate.
The second stop will be the nearby James Kiehl Natural Area, 118 River Bend Road, just off FM 473 in Kendall County. The walk will be on level ground for about 1.5 to 2 miles. There are some possible sections of grassy areas, so mud boots remain appropriate. We will target 12 noon to finish at James Kiehl Natural Area, but we could run a bit longer.
Please bring snacks and plenty of water. It will be easy for any participants who need to leave early to do so.
For directions the day of, contact leader Ken Bulter directly at 713-409-8656
NOTE: The Water Treatment Pond is restricted to 7 visitors at a time, including the leader. Therefore, only SIX birders can sign up for this outing.
Sign up HERE.
Bird Walk at Black Cap Heaven Ranch
Private Ranch in Gillespie County
Saturday, April 12 (CORRECT DATE -- incorrect date on newsletter)
8:00 am - Noon
Black Cap Heaven Ranch
Gate Coordinates: 30.3366, -99.1939
BASCTx Board Member, Allison Hayne has arranged for a bird walk on 125+-acre Black Cap Heaven Ranch, Gillespie County, Harper, TX. Representatives of the ranch, which is currently for sale, will meet us at the gate at 8 AM to walk us down the road and along the trails (about 2 miles) to look for birds on this classic Hill Country property. The road is unpaved, and the trails are unimproved, although mostly level. Wear stout hiking boots and bring a walking stick if that helps you navigate uneven ground.
The ranch is about 1 hour 30 minutes from central San Antonio; carpooling can be arranged for those who sign up for this special outing. Those wishing to carpool will meet at the HEB Plus Store in Boerne by 6:45 AM; parking lot near the gas station to continue the drive to the ranch. We will bird from 8 AM to 11 AM, have lunch on the ranch, and return to HEB in Boerne by 1-1:30 PM. If you need to leave earlier, you must drive your own vehicle.
If you wish to carpool, please let Sherie Gee know if you are willing to drive and how many others you can take. If you wish to ride with someone else, we will do our best to find a space for you.
Dress for the weather and for ranch walking. Bring your binoculars and your sharp eyes and ears.
Sign up HERE
Other Places to Visit for Outings
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Seasonal Hours
Tuesday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Center is closed on major and/or Federal holidays.
Visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center website.
Ten Best Hiking Trails in San Antonio
From the rocky hills of the far north side to the riparian areas near the Spanish Missions on the south side, San Antonio offers a variety of topography to explore while hiking and birding. Check out these recommended trails from the AllTrails.com website.
Best Ways to Preserve Nature While Hiking
Getting outdoors to hike is a fantastic way to reap the benefits of spending time in nature. Studies have shown that spending time in nature will cause your stress level to drop. And the physical exercise of hiking will keep your heart healthy and give you a great workout without the boredom of working out in the gym.
Every year more than 40 million people go hiking, and that number is increasing rapidly. But, all of those people hiking can cause serious damage to the natural world if they’re not careful. Even hikers who don’t mean to can damage the ecosystem of the trail or cause damage in the area without knowing it. Read the rest of the article here.
Visit Warbler Woods
Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary, located just northeast of San Antonio, is open year-round. Click here for visitor information.
Visit our Conservation ACTION page to sign up our conservation events including Birding with a Purpose Surveys.
Use iNaturalist to Post Observations, Help with IDs
You can take pictures of plants, birds, insects, and other animals to upload to iNat for identification. Or, you can help identify others’ photos. The observations in iNaturalist uploaded by others always have species in need of identification. If you need instructions on helping with the IDs, please read this helpful guide. Watch our iNat presentation by Craig Hensley of TPWD and Texas Nature Trackers.