[texbirds] Mueller Austin birding

From: Jake McCumber <jake_mccumber@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Elliott Gordon <tengalloncat@xxxxxxxxx>, "texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 22:01:23 -0800 (PST)
Elliot and others,
the Mueller Development in Austin actually can be very productive for birding.  
In a general sense the birds and habitat are shifting as it gets developed 
(Grasshopper Sparrow and Upland Sandpiper habitat is hard to find now).  
However, the park spaces have been designed very well and bring in and support 
some good birds.  The Southwest Greenway you mention was designed and 
implemented as a prairie restoration with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 
and a couple of us with the Travis Audubon Society Conservation Committee have 
worked with Mueller for a couple of years regarding bird habitat and 
conservation.  Additionally, there is a lot of native landscaping and gardening 
throughout the neighborhood, which has brought in some nice wintering 
hummingbirds and the like.  Between the grassy areas, ponds, wetland fringes, 
and landscaped flower gardens there is some good habitat diversity.  


Despite the sad aspect of seeing the grasslands and old-fields converted to 
housing, the developers - spearheaded by Catellus - have done an excellent job 
of creating a sustainable development that incorporates some strong urban 
conservation features.  They have been very open and supportive of reasonable 
conservation measures and actively work with other conservation groups beyond 
TAS.  There is more park space that will be developed somewhat soon and it is 
planned to be a bird-focused project.  


http://www.muelleraustin.com/parks-and-open-spaces 


I would say there is ample parking around the primary park areas.  You can park 
all along Tom Miller Street for the Southwest Greenway and the larger HQ park, 
Lake Park, has street parking surrounding much of it and parking lots off of 
both Airport Blvd and Simond Ave.  There is good birding to be had at both main 
parks, but fewer people at the SW Greenway.


Mueller has a pretty substantial list with a fair number of surprises as well 
as some reliable good birds.  Most of it can be found among a couple of 
different eBird hotspots.  There's a few of us who really love birding there.  
Additionally, for other parents, it can even be strategic birding since there 
are good playgrounds either at or adjacent to the birding areas.

I hope this helps and encourages you to check out Mueller.

Cheers,
Jake McCumber
Austin

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[texbirds] Mueller Austin birding

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