Based on the available scientific literature,
whilst Kerrville has had great ornithologists live
and study there, the Sabinal River Valley has
not had a resident "crack-birder"
(one who knows every call they hear) ever focus
on the Utopia area and attempt to record
everything there, or in the Sabinal River Valley.
Cave (on lower right) and Cliff Swallows gathering mud for nests
The area is most often birded by traveling birders
(mostly from out of state) that are in the Texas
"Hill Country" April-June primarily to see the two endangered
songbirds of the Edwards Plateau. The Golden-cheeked
Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo are mostly
"hill country-Edwards Plateau specialties."
Other bird species on local "hit lists" are
usually things like Black Phoebe, Zone-tailed Hawk,
Cave Swallow, and Green Kingfisher. These birders
are a significant source of local tourism and
tourist revenue. They are almost all going to
Lost Maples SNA, with fewer going to Garner State Park.
Zone-tailed Hawk
To say the birding in this area is fantastic is
an understatement. The area has a unique diversity
of species, unlike any other area, and the two
main local public access areas (Garner and Lost Maples)
allow average birders very good to excellent opportunities.
If you are not from here, I guarantee you an
unforgetable day birding in the area, and that you'll
wish you had another day, or two to explore.
Or to watch the river flow.
Green Kingfisher
Check out the bird news page to see what's been seen lately.
Check out the bird list page to see the local area list.
It is complete with seasonal abundance designations now.
The "Old Bird News" archive pages might have lists from
the month you are looking to get ideas about or visit.
So far, there is a record from Nov. '03 to present.
Those are only linked at the bottom of the Bird News page,
but we'll fix that soon. The bird photo pages might
help you ID something you saw.
(P.S. - It is OK to take notes and even a
small digital picture and send it to me).
Anyway, just bookmark the site, and when it is too hot,
cold, or wet to go outside, you can virtually explore
some aspects of the local bird life here....
Happy feathers !!
Cliff & and Cave (center) Swallows
Kestrel
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