December 28, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leader Sheridan Coffey will be at the entrance on Moursund Road, 0.7 miles
south of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. Visitors welcome.
December 15, Sunday
San Antonio Christmas Bird Count
Annual day-long bird census for participants of all skill levelsyou
do NOT have to be an expert birder to help. Our circle in Southwest Bexar
County is a great place for birds, and the cause is a good one: our numbers
will be added to the databases of Cornell Univ. to further conservation.
Participants will report directly to their areas.
December 14, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginners Bird Walk
Meet leader Karen Moulder at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights
swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on
Ogden to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on
Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Everyone
is welcome and binoculars are available.
December 14, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Braunig and Calaveras Lakes
in SE Bexar County. December is a prime time for gulls and terns. Meet
in the parking lot at Braunig Lake. Directions: take IH 37 South. The
park entrance is about five miles SE of the intersection of IH 37 and
IH 410. Take the Southton Rd exit, go left under IH 37 and then right
(south) on this currently two-way access road to the parks entrance.
December 8, Sunday, 8:30 AM
SAAS field trip to El Canelo Ranch
near Raymondville in the Rio Grande Valley. Famed as the easiest place
in the United States to see Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Over 50 pairs of these
small owls nest on the ranch, including one pair in the ranch house yard.
Fee is $35 each. Limited to 12 participants. [On Saturday, December 7,
any participants are welcome to bird with Sheridan at some of the other
valley hot spots, depending on what birds are around.]
November 23, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Pullin Ranch at Whitsett, TX
Directions: Take I-37 south to exit #83 for Whitsett and Peggy, FM 99.
Turn right on FM 99 and go through Whitsett and past the railroad track
to Pullin Drive on the left, almost out of town. Turn left and meet at
the house. Bring lunch and dress for the weather. This is a walking trip.
Driving time is about 1 1/4 hours.
November 23, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leader Curt Harwerth will be at the entrance on Moursund Road, 0.7 miles
south of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. Expect the trip to last
about four hours.
November 22, Friday, 7:00 PM
SAAS Sparrow Identification Class
taught by Sheridan Coffey at HEB Central Market, 4821 Broadway. This class
will help build skills towards identifying the sparrows commonly found
in the Bexar County area. The following morning, Saturday November 23,
the class will meet at Commanche Lookout Park at Nacogdoches and Topperwein
to practice. Class size is limited.
November 17, Sunday
SAAS field trip to Lost Maples SNA
Lost Maples is well known for its fall color, which reaches its peak in
mid-November. We will meet to carpool at Huebner Oaks Shopping Center
in front of Borders Books at 6:30 AM. Huebner Oaks is located at
I-10W and Huebner. We should arrive at Lost Maples at approximately 8:00
AM. Lost Maples SNA is located 4 miles North of Vanderpool on RR 187.
November 9, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginners Bird Walk
Leader will be Georgina Schwartz at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo
Heights swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn
west on Ogden to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then
right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
November 3, Sunday
SAAS field trip to Laredo
Rescheduled trip with leader Lily Engles. Many Rio Grande Valley specialties
are found in the Laredo area, including White-collared Seedeaters, Green
Parakeet and Ringed Kingfisher, and several different habitats will be
visited. Lily requests a minimum of six participants. Please contact her
by October 25 to sign up. She will give you information on lodging, meeting
time and place and other details.
October 26, Saturday, 8:00 AM CANCELLED
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leader Curt Harwerth will be at the entrance on Moursund Road, 0.7 miles
south of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. Expect trip to last
about four hours; bring water and sunscreen.
October 12, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginners Bird Walk
Leader will be Karen Moulder at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights
swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on
Ogden to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on
Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
October 6, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Field trip to Millers Pond park
in SW San Antonio for a half-day bird walk. Millers Pond is home
to breeding Pied-billed Grebes, Common Moorhens, Coots and Black-bellied
Whistling-Ducks. Herons and egrets are found in good numbers. Surrounding
the pond is a nature trail that could hold early sparrows and some late
fall migrants. Take Loop 410 south, exit at Pearsall, heading back toward
San Antonio. The park is on the right.
September 28, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leaders Wendy and Andy Garcia will be at the entrance on Moursund Road,
0.7 miles south of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. The gate will
be on your left. This is a half-day trip, bring water, sunscreen and mosquito
repellent.
September 21, Saturday
SAAS Birding Canoe Trip
The new date for the postponed Canoe trip with the Alamo Rivermen Canoe
Club. We will meet at 9:00 AM in front of the Gap store at the Quarry
Shopping Center on Hwy 281. We will be canoeing one of the local rivers
with members of the club for approximately 5 miles. Be prepared for wet
feet! We may have to get out and drag the canoes in shallow water. The
canoe club members will decide which river, according to water conditions,
closer to the time of the trip. You must sign up by Sept. 7th for this
trip, so preparations can be made to have the correct number of canoes.
September 14, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginners Bird Walk
Leader will be Georgina Schwartz at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo
Heights swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn
west on Ogden to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then
right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
September 7, Saturday, 9:00 AM
SAAS Hawk Identification Class
Patty Beasley of the Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch will be our instructor.
We will meet at 9:00 AM at the HEB Central Market at 4821 Broadway in
Alamo Heights for a three-hour class. Afterwards we will go to Mitchell
Lake to put our new skills to the test! We will be at Mitchell Lake most
of the afternoon, so bring plenty of water and any food you might need
for the day. Sun screen and mosquito repellent are a must. This will be
a great addition to building your birding skills!
August 30 & 31, Friday & Saturday
Shorebird ID Class and Field Trip
On Friday, August 30th, Mike Hannisian, Executive Director of the Valley
Land Fund, will be teaching a Shorebird Identification class. Mike will
then follow up with a trip to Mitchell Lake the following morning, Saturday,
August 31st to apply what youve learned in class to the experience
of being in the field. The Friday evening class will meet from 7 PM to
9 PM at the HEB Central Market at 4821 Broadway in Alamo Heights near
Hildebrand. Snacks will be provided. Please be prompt! The Mitchell Lake
field trip will meet at 7:30 AM at the gate. Don't forget to bring plenty
of water, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, binoculars, and your notes from
class. Please contact Tracey Norris as soon as possible if you wish to
sign up for this class as space is limited to 20 people. Look forward
to hearing from you soon!
August 24, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leader Curt Harwerth will be at the entrance on Moursund Road, 0.7 miles south
of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. Expect trip to last about four hours;
bring water and sunscreen.
August 17, Saturday, 7:30 AM
Hornsby Bend in Austin
We will have a joint a field trip with the Travis Audubon Society at Hornsby
Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant in Austin. Mid-August is an excellent time for
shorebird migration and Hornsby Bend is one of the hottest shorebird spots in
the state! We will meet at 7:30 AM at the front entrance. To reach Hornsby Bend,
take I-35 into Austin. Take Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. east past US 183 to
FM 973. Turn right and drive 3.3 miles.
August 10, Saturday, 7:30 AM
Beginners Bird Walk
Leader will be Georgina Schwartz at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights
swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on Ogden
to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to
small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
August 3, Saturday, 7:30 AM
Calaveras and Braunig Lakes
We will take the morning to explore the other two big lakes in Bexar
county, beginning at Calaveras at 7:30 AM. We will meet at the south end of
the lake near the dam. Target species will include birds such as Least Bittern,
several Heron species, Common Moorhen, Common Ground-Dove, Pyrrhuloxia and what
ever else we can scare up. For those interested, we will then head over to Braunig
Lake so see what else is in the vicinity. Those staying for Braunig should bring
a lunch, or a few bucks to grab something at Burger King. A $4 entrance fee
covers admission to both lakes for the day.
July 27, Saturday, 8:00 AM
Monthly SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake
Leader Sheridan Coffey will be at the entrance on Moursund Road, 0.7 miles south
of Loop 410 (Exit 46) in south San Antonio. Expect trip to last about four hours;
bring water and sunscreen.
July 13, Saturday, 9:00 AM - CANCELLED
SAAS Birding Canoe Trip
A San Antonio Audubon first! We will be having a birding canoe trip with the
local Rivermen Canoe Club. We will cruise one of the local rivers (to be decided
closer to the trip, depending on water levels) in canoes for approximately 5
miles, seeing birds and wildlife from a very different angle. The Canoe Club
will provide the water transportation. We will meet at the Quarry Shopping Center
on Hwy 281 at 9:00 AM. This will be a more physically demanding trip than some.
There will be some dragging canoes over shallow areas, so wear water proof shoes.
Bring sunscreen, insect repellent and water.
July 13, Saturday, 7:30 AM
SAAS Beginner's Bird Walk
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz, at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights
swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on Ogden
to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to
small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
July 6, Saturday, 7:00 AM
SAAS field trip for Bird Banding at Mitchell Lake
We will be privileged to observe a morning of bird banding with Sumner Dana.
This is an opportunity to get close up and personal some of our resident summer
birds! We will meet at the gate of Mitchell Lake at 7:00 AM for an early start.
June 29, Saturday, 8:00 AMWalker Ranch Historical Park
Leaders Andy and Wendy Garcia will meet you at the front parking lot of the
park, on Salado Creek at West Avenue (just north of the Nakoma intersection).
This is a relatively new area that is producing some nice birds!
June 22 & 23 Overnight camping trip to Matagorda Island State
Park
Target birds include nesting rails. Black rails have been reported nesting near
the campground in recent years. Bring camping gear, sunscreen, and LOTS of insect
repellent. Please bring plenty of water as none is available on the island.
Bring food for lunch Sat. and breakfast and lunch Sun. Trip leader will provide
Sat. evening meal. Raccoons can be a problem, so pack accordingly. You must
RSVP! Please do so ASAP so we can get ferry reservations. Ferry cost $10, camping
$4. Call trip leader Mike Sims.
June 15, Saturday, 10:00 AM Guided Tour of Fredericksburg Butterfly
Ranch and Habitat
We will meet at the front gate of the butterfly ranch for a guided tour of this
facility dedicated to native Texas butterflies. Up to 12 different species of
native butterflies are bred for release here in the 1500 sq. ft. butterfly house.
The native gardens surrounding the house draw in many other species of butterflies
and birds. There is a $3 entry fee. To reach the ranch, take I-10 to Highway
87 N. all the way into Fredericksburg. Turn left on Main St. The ranch is located
at 508 West Main on the left, just a few blocks west of the shopping district.
June 8, Saturday, 6:15 AM Laredo
This area has many of the Rio Grande Valley specialities, including Green Parakeet
and White-collared Seedeater. The trip will begin at 6:15 AM, so hotel accommodations
are recommended. Those interested in making the Laredo trip, please phone trip
leader Lily Engles and leave a message, no later than June 6. She will phone
you back with trip details.
June 1, Saturday, 7:00 AM Choke Canyon
Choke canyon is located about 75 miles south of San Antonio, off IH-37. Exit
IH-37 at Three Rivers and continue on US 281 into Three Rivers. Take state highway
72 west from Three Rivers and we will meet leader Mike Creese at the gate of
South Shore Unit, four miles west of town. We will bird here for short time
and then continue to Calliham Unit, 8 miles farther west (those not meeting
at South Shore can meet here at 7:30 AM). We will bird here for 45 hours
and those wishing to bird all day should bring a lunch. Please bring insect
repellent, water, hat, and sunscreen. It will be hot.
May 18, Saturday, 8:00 AM Castroville
Three different habitats in one area. Meet leader Janice McClintock at Castroville
Regional Park [traveling west on US 90 through Castroville, turn left at Athens
Street and follow the signs to the park]. We'll look for summer residents in
the park, then on to the Landmark Inn SHP (small fee) for hummingbirds (and
butterflies), and finally to the Medina Valley Greenhouses on Old River Road
for songbirds and more hummers.
May 12, Sunday, 7:30 AMMaverick Ranch (SAAS members only)
Bebe and Mary Fenstermaker have invited us to the Maverick Ranch, for Mother's
Day. They are going to show us around their property and the new things that
are happening there; SAAS has been there many times but not lately. Meet at
their gate on Old Boerne Stage Road. [Exit I-10 West at Leon Springs. Turn left
on Old Boerne Stage Rd, drive 3 miles to stop sign. Turn right at this intersection
where Old Boerne Stage Road joins Scenic Loop Rd and go 1.4 miles to the Maverick
Ranch gate on the left.] Bring a snack. Bebe and Mary will serve coffee and
famous brownies and tell us all about this historic ranch after we walk around.
May 11, Saturday, 8:00 AMSAAS Beginner's Bird Walk
Leaders will be Shirley and Dick Bartels, at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo
Heights swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west
on Ogden to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca
to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool.
May 5, Sunday, 8:30 AMBotanical Gardens
Greg Lisciandro will lead us through the Botanical Gardens at 555 Funston Place;
meet him at the Carriage House at 8:30 AM. The variety of native habitats there
attracts many different types of birds. Target species include Long-billed Thrasher,
Bell's Vireo, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Black-chinned
Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch and spring migrants including warblers. Admission
fee is $4.00 (discount for seniors).
April 26–28, Friday–Sunday High Island, TX
This area is world famous for Spring migrants. We will begin the trip birding
most of Friday at Boy Scout Woods. This is a small area and the group will be
easy to find. Other spots we will cover during the weekend are Anahuac NWR,
Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass. There is a daily admission to the Houston Audubon
Refuges at High Island of $5 a day. This includes both Smith Oaks and Boy Scout
Woods. A patch can be purchased for $20 that allows admission for the entire
year. Call Sheridan Coffey ASAP for more info.
Here is a list of hotels in Winnie, the closest spot to stay:
• Holiday Inn Express, 14932 FM 1663; 866-597-9330
• Al T’s Inn, 205 Spur 5 Hwy; (409) 296-2947
• Best Western Inn, 43618 IH-10 Exit 829 E.; (409) 296-9292
April 21, Sunday, 7:30 AM–2:00 PM Government Canyon SNA We will have access to this natural area which is not yet open to the public. The gate will be open from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM There will be short walks and long walks and birding around the cabin. Bring lunch and water. Everyone must be out by 2:00 PM. No fee will be charged, but your contributions to the box in the office will be gratefully accepted. [Directions: From Loop 1604 and FM 471 (Culebra) in west Bexar county, go west past Taft High School about 3 miles until you reach Galm Road. Turn right and proceed to the gate on the left at the sharp right turn (a little less than 2 miles).]
April 13, Saturday, *3:00 PM* Wiedenfeld Ranch This is an evening trip with James Middleton to try for Poorwills and other night birds. Meet at the Welfare Exit off I-10, about 6 miles NW of Boerne. If time permits we will hike along Big Joshua Creek or up the hill to the caprock. At sunset, Egon will provide a bonfire for a cookout, so bring hotdogs or whatever else you want to eat. Lawn chairs are a good idea, as we will sit and wait for the Poorwills until about 9:00 PM.
Saturday, April 13, 8:00AM Beginner's Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails . Leader: Georgina Schwartz
April 6, Saturday, 8:00 AM Schaezler Ranch on Old Weiderstein Road with hosts Susan and Don Schaezler. Meet at the Garden Ridge Pottery store [I-35 N to exit 176, Old Wiederstein Rd , and loop back to the left to Garden Ridge Pottery Store's parking lot.] for carpooling. We don't want to overwhelm Susan's driveway! We will observe birds at the feeders and hike some of the trails.
SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2002 Sheridan Coffey will be the leader of a field trip to Freidrich Park, looking for newly arrived Golden-Cheeked Warblers. Please meet at the parking lot of the park at 9:00 AM. Expect trails to be steep and rocky.
SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2002 Joe Orr will lead a San Antonio Audubon field trip to Floresville and Fall City south of San Antonio. We will meet at the Walmart parking lot in Floresville at 8:00 AM on the 16th. We will carpool to Floresville City Park, then on to Falls City City Park, with a possible stop at the Promise Land Dairy for ice cream. After Falls City we will bird the bridge over the San Antonio River on CR 207 (Maverick/Manka Road). Bring a lunch and water.
SATURDAY MARCH 9, 2002 There will be a day trip to Rockport to view
the Whooping Cranes. The San Antonio Audubon Society will take the tour
on the Wharf Cat, which is $30. (A coupon is available for $5 off). Due to the
length of the drive please contact leader Sheridan Coffey for meeting time.
She would like to get a consensus of which time would be best for the boat.
Saturday, March 9, 8:00AM Beginner's Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails . Leader: Georgina Schwart
SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2002 8:30 AM. SAAS member Mike Creese will lead a San Antonio Audubon Society bird walk along one of the hottest migrant traps in San Antonio, Avenue A. Meet at the small gravel parking lot off of Mulberry on Avenue A, between the east side of the San Antonio River and the golf course.
February 16,Saturday,8:00 AM Applewhite Properties
Robert Arrendondo will lead. Meet at the SAWS Neal Road gate,1.2 miles
east of Applewhite Road or 2.2 miles west of Pleasanton Road in southern Bexar
County.No restroom facilities;bring snacks and water,and wear long pants. This
trip is mostly walking and will include the area around the Watson-Presnell
house,the Applewhite house ruins, and the Medina River bottom.We expect to be
done by 2:00 PM at the latest.Please let Robert know you are coming so you don
’t get locked out.
February 10,Sunday,8:00 AM Hidden Valley Recreation Park with leader Helen Rejzek (679-7437).Meet at the entrance to the park:from I-35 south,exit at Fischer Road (first exit south of Loop 410 in southern Bexar County).Turn left across the freeway and take Fischer Road about a mile to big green sign and Campground Road.Turn right and follow the dirt road to the entrance to the park.Follow signs to the office for check in. Reduced fee for birders is $2
Saturday, Februaury 9, 8:00AM Beginner's Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails . Leader: Georgina Schwartz
February 2, Saturday,8:00 AM SAAS field trip to Northeast San Antonio
Meet leader Mariann Golden at Perrin-Bietel and Briar Glen Drive,which is 1/2
mile inside Loop 410.Mariann will show us some of her in-town birding spots,including
Perrin Creek,the large pond in El Dorado,Comanche Lookout Park, and a pond off
of Bat Cave Road.We should get closeup looks of the wintering ducks and winter
birds of the San Antonio sub- urbs and surrounding area.Bring water and snacks
if you wish.
January 19, Saturday, 8:00 AM SAAS Field trip to New Braunfels & Canyon Lake Join us as we travel to fields near New Braunfels airport and to Canyon Lake in search of Sandhill Cranes,Longspurs,Mountain Plovers,Horned Larks,Loons,Greater Scaup,Osprey,and Ducks.Bring lunc or snacks,but in case of really cold weather, we probably will hit Roy ’s Deli or a fast food place on I-35. Meet at Clear Springs Cafe about 3 miles east of I-35 on Hwy 46.
January 12, Saturday, 8:00 AMBeginner's Bird Walk at Judson Nature Trails . Leaders: Dick and Shirley Bartels
January 5, Saturday Boerne Christmas Bird Count Contact Sue Wiedenfeld.
January 5, Saturday 8:00 AM SAAS field trip to Calaveras and Braunig Lakes We start our annual list with Swamp Sparrow and Marsh Wren with a chance for a Virginia Rail in the reed beds.Come prepared to walk in the brush for Pyrrhuloxia,Curve-billed Thrashers and Ground Doves.From US 181 south take Loop 1604 a mile north to Stuart Road and follow signs to lake.Pay entrance fee and meet in nearby parking lot,saving ticket for use at Braunig Lake.We will probably move to Braunig in time for lunch.Leader James Middleton.
San Antonio Audubon Society, 5150 Broadway
#257, San Antonio, TX 78209-5710, (210)
308-6788, E-mail
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