Looking Ahead
 

Field Trip listing is usually updated the during first and third week of each month. The Beginner's walk is scheduled on the second Saturday of each month.

Regular hours for the public are now Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 4 PM with other times by appointment. Call the Center at 210-628-1639 for more information. The gate will be opened from the Visitor's Center after you push the button at the gate. A small entrance fee is charged. You may become a member of the Center at $40 for an individual, $60 for your family for one year.

Birding trips:

August 9, 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 AM with Helen Rejzek and Georgina Schwartz
August 8, 2nd Sunday, 7:30 AM with Curt McCamy
July 18, August 15, 3rd Sunday, 7:30 AM with Mariann Golden, Helen Rejzek, and Georgina Schwartz
July 24, August 28, 4th Saturday, 8:00 AM with Curt McCamy

Check the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center website for the very latest schedule.

July 10, 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. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.

July 6, Tuesday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip Crescent Bend
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler(659-8168) in the parking lot of Nature Park. From IH-10 East take the FM 1518 exit and go north toward Schertz. Look for the brown park sign at Schaefer road. Turn right and go about 3 miles. Bring water and insect repellent.

June 27, Sunday, 7:30 AM
Castroville Regional Park
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz () in the upper parking lot of the park. Take US 90 west to Castroville. At the end of the Medina River bridge entering Castroville, turn left in front of the Landmark Inn onto Florence Street and follow the signs to the park. We will do lunch in Castroville after the walk.

June 22, Tuesday,  8:00 AM
Field trip to Aquarena Springs
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler at Aquarena Springs main parking lot. Take I-35 north to exit 206, TX-82 Loop/Aquarena Springs Dr; merge onto the I-35 Frontage Rd N. Turn left at Aquarena Springs Dr. Go 0.9 miles; Aquarena Springs will be on the right.

June 19, Saturday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip Medina River Natural Area
Meet leader Helen Rejzek() in the parking lot of Medina River Natural Area. From south Loop 410 take the SH16/Palo Alto exit. Go south on SH 16 for about 4.2 miles to the entrance which will be on the left just before the Medina River bridge. After birding the park will bird the Applewhite portion of the park. Bring water and insect repellent.

June 12, 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. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.
 

May 25, Tuesday 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Crescent Bend Nature Park
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler in the parking lot of Crescent Bend. From IH-10 east take the FM 1518 exit and go north toward Schertz. Look for the brown park sign at Schaefer Road.Turn right and go about 3 miles to the park.

May 23, Sunday 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Avenue A/SA Botanical Gardens
Meet leader Tim Katafias at the parking lot on Red Oak. Turn north on Red Oak from Mulberry in Brackenridge Park. From there will walk to Avenue A. After birding Avenue A can continue to the Botanical Gardens located at 555 Funston. Fee at B. Gardens.

May 22, Saturday 8:00 AM
Guadalupe River State Park
Meet leader Bill Zwartjes in the parking lot of the park. From 281 go west on 46 towards Boerne, past Honey Creek and then turn right at the sign onto the park road. After birding will check out a local restaurant. Fee or state park pass required.

May 15, Saturday 8:00 AM
South Llano River State Park
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz at the headquarters of the park. Take IH-10 west to Junction. Take Exit 456 and follow the signs to the park south of town. Allow 2 hours driving time. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and fee or Park Pass.

May 9,Sunday 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Warbler Woods
Meet Don and Susan Schaezler(210-602-8621) at their sactuary near Cibolo. Take IH-35 N towards Austin. Take Exit 176,Wiederstein. Turn right on Wiederstein Road at the overpass. Turn left at the next road, Old Wiederstein. After you pass Dean Road, the Schaezler property begins on the right. look for green mailbox 19349 Old Wiederstein. Walk the property or just sit in the yard and enjoy the birds. If you like, bring your lunch.

May 8, Saturday, 8:00 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. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.

May 4, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Live Oak Park
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler in the main parking lot of Live Oak Park. From Loop 410 northeast take IH-35 north towards Austin. Take exit to Judson Road and turn right at the first stop sign after you get off of IH-35. Judson Road becomes Toepperwein Rd. toward Randolf AFB. At the traffic light at Leafy Hollow turn left. Go to the end of the street which then turns right and becomes park road. Go to the end of the parking lot.

May 2, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Tobin Park
Meet leader Mariann Golden in the parking lot of Tobin Park on Salado Creek,100 Ira Lee. From Austin
Highway,heading northeast from Alamo Heights,exit to the right just before the bridge over Salado Creek. The bridge is about 1/4 mile past the Eisenhower Road traffic light.Before the low water crossing turn left and go under
Austin Highway. Tobin Pasrk is on your right.

May 1, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Comanche Lookout
Meet leader Karen Moulder in the parking lot of Commanche Park. From the intersection of Judson Road and Nacogdoches Road in north San Antonio go NE on Nacogdoches for about 200 yds. to the park entrance on the left.

April 27, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip James Kiehl River Bend Park
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler at the park,118 River Bend Road in Comfort. From I-10 N take Exit 524;stay on Business 87 N (at the Chevron, the road will fork stay to the right). Continue on Business 87N until you come to FM 473(from Exit 524 to FM 473 in 1.5 miles). Turn right onto FM 473; stay on FM 473 until you come to North Bend Road (approximately 3.5 miles). Turn right onto North Bend Road. Stay on North Bend Road for 1.3 miles. The park will be on your right. Please RSVP to leader Sandi Wheeler,210-659-8168 or e-mail her(Wheels5683@satx.rr.com) if you plan to attend.

April 25, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Jackson Nature Park
Meet leader Eva Fromme at the parking lot of the park in Wilson County. From San Antonio take US 87 toward Victoria and La Vernia. Just before Stockdale turn south on CR 104 and go to the park on the left just after it crosses Cibolo Creek. There is a fee of $1.00.Bring water and insect repellent.

April 20, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Leon Creek Greenway
Meet leader Helen Rejzek(679-7437) in the parking lot to the Leon Creek Greenway. Driving from Loop 1604 exit Babcock and drive south about 2 miles to the Greenway,12160 Babcock Road. Coming from IH-10 exit at De Zavala and drive west about 1.75 miles to light at Babcock. Turn right on Babcock. The greenway is about 0.7 mile on the left. Bring water and insect repellent.

April 18, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip San Antonio Missions
Meet leaders Andy and Wendy Garcia(344-4162) in the parking lot of the Mission Juan. From Loop 410 in SE San Antonio take S. Presa Street northwest about 2 miles to Graf Road. Turn left on Graf and proceed past Ashley Road to the mission complex. Bring water.

April 11, Sunday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip Maverick Ranch/Fromme Farm
Meet Mary and Bebe Fenstermaker at the gate to their ranch on Boerne Stage Road in NW Bexar County. Exit I-10 west at Leon Springs. Turn left on Boerne Stage Road. Drive 3 miles to stop sign and turn right on Boerne Stage Road. Go 1.4 miles to their gate on the left. The gate will be locked once everyone is there. Bring lunch and water. Contact Bebe(831-981-4477).

April 10, Saturday, 8:00 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. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.

April 6, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Mud Creek
Meet leader Bill Zwartjes (4nine5-5one23) in the parking lot of Mud Creek Park located at 16675 Jones Maltsberger, 1.2 miles inside (or south of) Loop 1604. Those using 1604 should take the Bulverde exit and turn south on Bulverde Road. Continue right on Bulverde then right on Jones Maltsberger. The park can also be reached by traveling north on Jones Maltsberger.

April 3, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Medina River Natural Area
Meet leader Helen Rejzek() in the parking lot of Medina River Natural Area. From south Loop 410 take the SH16/Palo Alto exit. Go south on SH 16 for about 4.2 miles to the entrance which will be on the left just before the Medina River bridge. After birding the park will bird the Applewhite portion of the park. Bring water and insect repellent.

March 30, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Friedrich Park/Crownridge
Meet leader Helen Rejzek() at the parking lot of Friedrich Wilderness Park. Take I-10 west to Camp Bullis Road exit. Continue on access road about 1.5 miles to next available turnaround, do a u-turn under the expressway and continue down access road on opposite side of (eastbound)I-10 to Milsa where you right to go into the park. Expect the trails to be
steep and rocky, bring water.

March 28, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Choke Canyon State Park
Meet leader Mike Creese(479-5552) at the entrance to the Callihan Unit Of Choke canyon State Park. The park is located about 75 miles of San Antonio. From San Antonio take IH-37 south, exit at Three Rivers. Continue on US 281into Three Rivers Callihan Unit is about 12 miles west of town, past the South Shore Unit. Bring water, insect repellent, and lunch.

March 27, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip SS Lion's Park
Meet Brad Weir at the main parking lot inside the park. From IH-37 southbound exit Pecan Valley Drive. Turn left and go northeast on Pecan Valley Drive a half mile past Southcross Blvd. and the golf course. The park entrance is on the right. Enter the park and stay to your left, follow road to main parking lot.

March 23, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Max Starke Park
Meet Sandi Wheeler in the large parking lot in front of the water treatment plant at Max Starke Park in Guadalupe County. Take IH-10 to Exit 603 to merge onto W. Kingsbury St/W US 90. Slight right at W. Court St./US 90. Turn right at S. Austin/State Loop 513/TX-123 business. Turn right at Wave Pool Drive, then turn left at S. Guadalupe St.. turn right at River Drive.

March 13, Saturday, 8:00 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. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.

March 14, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Crescent Bend Park
Meet Sandi Wheeler(6five9-eight16eight) at the park. From IH-10 East take the 1518 exit and go toward Schertz. Look for the brown Crescent Bend sign at Schaefer Road, turn right and go about 3 miles to Cibolo Creek. Bring water and insect repellant.

March 6, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Stone Oak Park
Meet leader Gail Nickel (49seven-seven6two6) at the Stone Oak Park located at 20395 Stone Oak Parkway. Take US 281 N and turn left at Stone Oak Parkway. Go about 1.2 miles to the park on the right. Bring water.

February 28, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Palmetto State Park
Meet leader Bill Zwartjes (4Nine5-Five12Three) at the park office in Ottine, Texas. From IH 10 East take the exit to US 183 and proceed south. Go about 2 miles. Turn right onto TX P11.Travel time about 1 1/2 hours. Bring money or park pass for entry and lunch.

February 20, Saturday, 7:45 AM
SAAS field trip Canyon Lake
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz()in the parking lot of the headquarters of the Canyon Lake Dam on COE Drive at the east end of the lake. We will bird various access points to the north side of the lake. Expect to carpool from the meeting place and have lunch at a local cafe before returning to the parking lot. Bring water, scope, and snacks.

February 13, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginner's Bird Walk
Meet  SAAS leader at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on Ogden. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.
For more information contact Georgina Schwartz() .

February 7, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Sparrow Workshop
Meet leader Bob Doe() at 8:00 AM at the Valero station at the intersection of US 281 and FM 306 in northern Comal County for a habitat based trip along Canyon Lake concentrating on sparrows. Lunch in New Braunfels. Meet at 2:00 PM at the intersection of Dauer Ranch Road and FM 758 near the New Braunfels Airport for an extension into the farm fields.

February 6, Saturday, 8:00 AM           Cancelled due to recent rains on the ranch
SAAS field trip to Cartwright Ranch
Meet leader Jean Bensmiller at the causeway on FM 534 over Lake Corpus Christi; arrive early if you want to bird there. About 2 hours south of SA: take IH-37 south to exit 47 (Swinney Switch), go to the intersection of FM 534. Turn right on 534 toward Dinero and go about a half mile; park off the road before you reach the causeway. Carpooling is encouraged; Jean will lead the caravan to the ranch gate. Bring lunch and water. No restrooms. Call Georgina Schwartz() for info.

January 31, Sunday, 1:00 PM
Whooping Crane Tour, Rockport, Texas
Meet Helen Rejzek () at the Skimmer dock no later than 12:20 PM. Please be prompt! The Skimmer is located at 216 N. Fulton Beach Road. Take TX 35 through Rockport. You will make a right on Cactus Street. Turn left on Beach Street (S. Fulton Beach Road). You will see the sign for Rockport Birding and Kayak. This is where we will depart.
Drinks and food are allowed on the boat. We will return at 4:30 PM. At this time there are still seats available.
Call Helen if you want to join the tour. Cost is $40.00 that needs to be paid in advance. No refund unless your spot is filled. For people spending Saturday night in the area there will be time to bird some areas nearby before heading to the boat. Driving time from San Antonio is more than 3 hours.

January 23, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Haggard Ranch.
Meet Metha Haggard on her ranch in southwest Bexar County. The ranch ,around 250 acres, has varied brush, trees, and open habitat with water. Go south on IH 35 about 4 miles south of Loop 1604, take exit #137 (Shepherd Road) off of IH 35,go left over the interstate, take another left onto the northbound access road. Drive 0.5 mile to gate (cattle guard). Once through the gate, go over the second cattle guard and go left at the fork to the house. Info contact Metha Hargard (SixTwoTwo-3886).

January 19, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip South Side Lion's Park
Meet leader Brad Weir at the main parking lot inside the park. From IH 37 southbound exit at Pecan Valley. Turn left and go northeast on Pecan Valley Drive 1/2 mile past Southcross Blvd. and the golf course to the park entrance on the right. Enter the park and stay to your left ,follow theroad to the first parking lot.

January 9, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Granger Lake area
Meet leader Bob Doe at the entrance to Friendship Park on Granger Lake at 8:00 AM. Target birds: Chestnut-collared Longspur. Lapland Longspur, Mountain Plover, Short-eared Owl.
Directions: From San Antonio take I-35 north to Geoergetown (exit 261).Turn right, then left onto Business 35 for about 1/3 mile to FM 971 (Weir Road). Continue on 971 to Granger. Turn left on Commerce Street (Highway 95)for a couple of blocks, then right onto 971 east (Davilla Street). Friendship Park is on the right after about 4-5miles between County Roads 358 and 359. Allow at least 2 1/2 hours travel time. If open we will bird Friendship Park, then the roads north of FM 971. Bring lunch and be sure you have sufficient gas (station in Granger may not be open early).
After lunch we will bird south of FM 971.Trip will cancel for adverse weather (ice, snow, or flooding rain) but will be held during light rain or cold. Please call Bob Doe at 830-438-8399 the night before if in doubt of the trip going.

January 9, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Beginner's Bird Walk
Meet  SAAS leader at Judson Nature Trails next to Alamo Heights swimming pool. At 5900 block of Broadway in Alamo Heights, turn west on Ogden. Go to stop sign at Greely Street. Turn left one block, then right on Viesca to small parking lot on left before the swimming pool. Binoculars available, everyone is welcome.
For more information contact Georgina Schwartz() .

January 5, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip McAllister Park
Meet Bill and Marian Collins at the first parking lot inside the park. From US 281 exit Bitters and go east to the stop light at Jones Maltzberger and turn left (north). Go to the park entrance on the right after the police station and go to the first big parking lot on the left. Great place to look for winter visitors.