February Weekender Fundraiser to Austin’s top birding hotspots (including
optional trip to Warbler Woods for rare Golden-crowned Sparrow) Saturday and
Sunday, February 3 and 4, 2018
Our February trip to Austin includes Hornsby Bend and Commons Ford Ranch, the
top two birding hot spots in Travis County, which offers 409 sp. compared to
414 in Harris County. We will enjoy wintering waterfowl at Hornsby Bend, and
sparrows at Commons Ford Ranch.
Austin offers opportunities to see birds that are rarely encountered near
Houston, including Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Canyon Towhee, and Lesser Goldfinch.
Additionally, a Golden-crowned Sparrow has been seen at Warbler WoodsBird
Sanctuary in Schertz
(http://www.warblerwoods.org/). This is very rare and is typically only seen
in the Texas Panhandle and far west Texas;
we will have an optional Sunday afternoon trip to Warbler Woods for a chance to
see four Zonotrichia species –
Golden-crowned, White-crowned, White-throated, and Harris’s Sparrows.
• Our Austinite guides are Deb and Lee Wallace, who saw 476 species in Texas
last year! • $30 for OG and TOS members or $40 for nonmembers; 14-person
limit.
Saturday: Hornsby Bend and McKinney Falls State Park • 7:30AM: meet at Hornsby
Bend Bird Observatory (2210 South FM 973, Austin, TX 78725). Let guard know you
are birding before heading to main building, which should open by 7:00AM. • We
will consolidate into four cars and leave promptly at 7:45 AM. • Bring lunch
and drinks. Check local weather reports and dress accordingly. • Head to
McKinney Falls State Park for lunch. Bring Texas State Parks Pass (if you have
one). • We will decide on when and where to have dinner during the day. •
Overnight at La Quinta Inn & Suites Austin Airport or any preferred
accommodations.
Sunday: Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park • 7:00 AM: Meet in lobby of La
Quinta Inn and Suites Austin Airport (7625 East Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX
78741; hotel phone 512.386.6800).
Drive to Commons Ford Ranch, unless you are meeting us at the park (let trip
coordinator know of your plans). • 7:30 AM: Arrive at Commons Ford Ranch
Metropolitan Park (614 N. Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733), assemble near the
barn and main buildings. • Finish before noon and either head home or go onto
Warbler Woods, which is a little over an hour from Commons Ford, and 3 hours
from Houston.
Warbler Woods has limited parking, so off-site parking or carpooling is
encouraged. Remember to bring a small donation to support Warbler Woods
operating costs.
Trip Coordinator: Teresa Connell (505.280.7443). Trip Leaders: Lee Wallace
(512.800.2962) and Deb Wallace (512.937.7572).
