8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Located right in the middle of the City of Bee Cave, Central Park is a surprisingly pleasant place to bird. Alongside the usual playgrounds and pavilions, park planners also left some areas in a more natural state, with small pockets of grassland and woodland with mostly native plants. Running through the park is a small, clear creek, with a nice buffer of trees, shrubs, and grasses, all of which attract a variety of birds. Of particular interest, there is an interesting patch of native Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) in the riparian woodland area which provides good cover for Lincoln’s and Song sparrows. We will be looking for winter residents, including Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chipping and Savannah sparrows, and Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned warblers. However, if we’re lucky, some possibilities also include: Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Field Sparrow, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Spotted Towhee.
We will walk slowly for about 1 mile, possibly a little longer if people wish to explore the new trail extension, located in the Dwarf Palmetto riparian woodland. While high diversity or numbers are not expected, this park is a good place to get long, clear looks at birds because of the relative openness of the park. It is also a nice park to know about, especially because it allows easy, quick access to birding for almost anyone.
Most of the walk will be on concrete paths, with a short section on the new trail extension, which is a stabilized crushed granite path.
Registration is required, and further details will be provided to registrants a few days prior to the date of the trip. Limited to 12 registrants. Please contact Amy Sugeno at amysugeno@gmail.com for questions.