The San Antonio Audubon Society leads field trips on almost every Saturday and sometimes on Sundays. Occasionally we lead extended trips to such places as Big Bend National Park, High Island, or the Rio Grande Valley. The field trips are usually open to anyone who wishes to attend, and in that case you do not have to be a member to participate. Things to bring: binoculars, field guides, bug repellent, water, a hat and sunscreen. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
If you need information that is not given below, please call
our tape at 
or
write to
and Field Trip Coordinator Helen Rejzek will get back to you. [View
a list of past trips below.] We
welcome volunteers to lead trips -- you don't have to be an
expert birder to do so, and it's a rewarding experience. Please call the tape
or send an
e-mail
if
you can spend a few hours birding with others at your favorite location.
More information on most of the trip locations can be found on our Birding Sites In and Around San Antonio page.
Upcoming SAAS trips
June 6, Saturday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to Stone Oak Park
Meet leader Lora Reynolds at the park
entrance, 20395 Stone Oak Parkway. Take US 281 N heading toward Johnson City. At Stone Oak Parkway turn left and go
about 1.2 miles. The park will be on you right. Bring water.
June 13, Saturday,
7:30 AM
SAAS Beginner’s Bird Walk
Meet SAAS 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.
June 20,
Saturday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to Tobin Park
Meet leader Mariann Golden in the parking lot at Tobin Park. From east
bound 410 on the north side, take the Harry Wurzbach exit. Continue on the
access road, proceeding to the traffic light.( get in the left turn lane; there
is a barrier between the left and center lane.) Turn left at the light and
continue on the access road to Ira Lee. Ira Lee is just before Salado Creek.
Turn right on Ira Lee. Tobin Park is about one mile on your left, just before
Ira Lee goes under Austin Highway. 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 of a mile past the Eisenhauer Road traffic light.) Before
the low water crossing, turn left and go under Austin Highway. Tobin Park is on
your right.
June 28, Sunday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to Medina River Park and Natural Area
Meet leader Helen Rejzek
(
)
in the upper parking lot of the park. From Loop 410 South take
the SH 16 /Palo Alto exit. Go south on TX 16 for about 4.2 miles to the
entrance, which will be on the left.
July 11, Saturday, 7:30 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.J
July 18, Saturday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to Cresent Bend Park
Join leader Bill Skinner at Crescent Bend Park. This park is land that was
condemned by FEMA after the last big flood. It is 115 acres and is bordered on
the east and northeast side by Cibolo Creek. Directions from IH10 east: Take the
FM1518 exit and go north toward Schertz, look for brown Crescent Bend sign which
is at Schaefer Rd., turn right and go about 3 miles to Cibolo Creek. There is a
mixture of native and non-native trees in the park.
July 26, Sunday,
8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Choke Canyon
State Park
Meet Mike Creese at the Calliham Unit parking lot. Directions: take IH-37
south for about 75 miles. Exit at Three Rivers and continue on US 281. Take SH
72 west from Three Rivers to County Road 302 (R8). Turn right and follow R8 to
the Calliham Unit gate. Approximate driving time from San Antonio is 2 hours.
Bring lunch, water, and insect repellant. Be prepared to pay the state park
entrance fee.
Looking Ahead
August 1, Shorebirds ... location and time to be announced later.
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.
Mitchell
Lake Audubon Center access
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:
June 14, 2nd Sunday,
7:30 AM with Curt McCamy
June 9, 2nd Tuesday,
7:30 AM with
Helen Rejzek and Georgina Schwartz
June 21, 3rd Sunday, 7:30 AM
with Mariann Golden, Helen Rejzek, and Georgina Schwartz
June 27, 4th Saturday, 8:00
AM with Ernie Roney and SAAS
Check the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center website for the very latest schedule.
May 31 Sunday, 8:00 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.
May 30, Saturday, 7:30 AM
Field Trip to Concan
Meet leader Bob Rasa at Neal’s in Concan for a trip to his favorite birding
spots and lunch at Neal’s Cafe. Bring snacks and water and money for lunch.
Directions: take US 90 towards Uvalde, but at Sabinal, turn north on FM 187,
then left on TX 127 across the Sabinal River. When you cross the Frio River,
look to the right for Neal’s parking lot. Info at (210)342-2073. Travel time
about 2 hours from San Antonio.
May 27,Wednesday 8:00 AM
Max Starke Park in Seguin
We will meet Sandi Wheeler in the large parking lot in front of the water
treatment plant at Max Starke Park in Guadalupe County. Take interstate 10 to
Exit 603 to merge onto W Kingsbury St/W US-90. Make a slight right at W Court
St./US 90.Turn right at S Austin/State Loop 513/TX-123 Bus. Turn right at Wave
Pool Dr, then turn left at S. Guadalupe St. Turn right at River Dr. W.
May 23, Saturday, 8:00
AM
SAAS field trip to Mitchell
Lake
Meet leader Ernie Roney at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center entrance on Moursund/Pleasanton
Road, 0.7 mile south of Loop 410 (exit 46) in south San Antonio. There is $5
tour & entrance fee.
May 16, Saturday 8:00 AM
South Llano State Park
We will meet leaders Rhandy Helton, Ann Lemon, and Elaine Council at the
Headquarters of the park. There is a fee unless you have a state park pass. Take
I-10 West to Junction. Take Exit 456 and follow the signs to the park. Allow
about 2 hours driving time. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent.
May 10, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Tobin Park
Meet leader Karen and Jerry Moulder(8two4-2five47) at Tobin Park. From east
bound 410 on the north side, take the Harry Wurzbach exit. Continue on the
access road, proceeding to the traffic light.( get in the left turn lane; there
is a barrier between the left and center lane.) Turn left at the light and
continue on the access road to Ira Lee. Ira Lee is just before Salado Creek.
Turn right on Ira Lee. Tobin Park is about one mile on your left, just before
Ira Lee goes under Austin Highway. 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 of a mile past the Eisenhauer Road traffic light.) Before
the low water crossing, turn left and go under Austin Highway. Tobin Park is on
your right.
May 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.
May 5, Tuesday, 8:00 AM
Avenue A/Botanical Gardens
Meet leader Helen Rejzek ()
at the parking lot on Red Oak. Turn north on Red Oak from Mulberry. It will be
the first parking lot on your left in Brackenridge Park. Depending on time spent
at Avenue A, we can continue birding at the SA Botanical Gardens. Admission to
SABOT is $7.00 or $5.00 for seniors.
May 3, Sunday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to Maverick Ranch
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 the stop sign and turn right on Boerne Stage Road. Go 1.4
miles to their gate on the left. The gate will be unlocked once everyone is
there. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Always a fun day!!!
April 28,Tuesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Leon Creek Greenway
Meet Helen Rejzek(679-7437) in the parking lot of the Leon Creek Greenway.
Driving from Loop 1604 exit Babcock and drive south about 2 miles to the Leon
Creek Greenway(12160 Babcock). Coming from IH 10 exit at De Zavala and drive
west about 1.75 miles to the light at Babcock. Turn right on Babcock the
Greenway is about 0.7 mile on the left. Bring water. At this time there are new
trails being constructed in the park. Will have a backup plan to bird other
areas near the park depending on the construction.
April 26 , Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Warbler Woods
Meet Susan and Don Schaezler at their wonderful sanctuary near Cibolo. Take IH
35 north toward Austin. Take exit #176,Wiederstein. Turn right on Weiderstein
Road at the overpass. Turn left at the next road, Old Weiderstein. After you
pass Dean Road their property begins on the right. Look for the green mailbox,
address 19349 Old Weiderstein. Enjoy a walk around the property or just sit in
the yard and watch the birds come to the feeders.
April 25, Saturday, 8:00
AM
SAAS field trip to Mitchell
Lake
Meet leader Ernie Roney at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center entrance on Moursund/Pleasanton
Road, 0.7 mile south of Loop 410 (exit 46) in south San Antonio. There is $5
tour & entrance fee.
April 22, Wednesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Live Oak Park
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler(six5nine-8168) in the main parking lot of Live Oak
Park. Take I-37 north towards Austin from Loop 410 exit to Judson Road and turn
right at the first stop sign after you get off of IH 35. Judson Road becomes
Toepperwein toward Randolf AFB. At the traffic light at Leafy Hollow Street turn
left. Go to the end of the street which then turns right and becomes the park
road. Go to the end of the parking lot.
April 18, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to San Antonio Missions
Meet leaders Andy and Wendy Garcia at the Missions San Juan parking lot. From
Loop 410 in SE San Antonio, take South Presa Street northwest about 2 miles to
Graf Road (on the left) Turn onto Graf and proceed past Ashley Road to the
mission complex. Bring water.
April 11, 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.
April 5, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Avenue A and the Botanical Gardens
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz()
at the parking lot that is on Red Oak north of Mulberry in Brackenridge Park.
From there we will walk south to Avenue A. After birding Avenue A, Georgina will
continue birding at the Botanical Gardens. There is a fee of $7.00 at the
Gardens.
April 4, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Medina River Natural Area
Meet leader Helen Rejzek()
in the parking lot of the Medina River Natural Area from Loop 410 take the SH 16
/Palo Alto exit. Go south on 16 for about 4.2 miles to the entrance, which will
be on the left. After birding the park we will bird the new area which is
nearby. Carpooling to the new area is highly recommended due to very limited
parking space. Bring water.
March 29, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Cibolo Nature Center
Meet leader Georgina Schwartz in the parking lot of the Cibolo Nature
Center. From San Antonio, take IH 10W to the first Boerne exit, US 87. Take this
route until TX 46 turns right at the Cibolo Creek bridge. Turn right on 46 and
follow to the edge of town where there is a sign on the right to Boerne City
Park and the Cibolo Nature Center. Go to the end of the road. Bring water. The
field trip is free but donations to the center would be appreciated.
March 28, Saturday, 8:00
AM
SAAS field trip to Mitchell
Lake
Meet leader Ernie Roney at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center entrance on Moursund/Pleasanton
Road, 0.7 mile south of Loop 410 (exit 46) in south San Antonio. There is $5
tour & entrance fee.
March 25, Wednesday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip San Marcos
Meet leader Sandi Wheeler at the San Marcos Tourist
Information Center. Take I-35 north to exit 205; take turn around and
go under I-35 and then go south on access road to the Center,
approximately 0.5 miles on the left. Field trip includes the Rio Vista
Park along the San Marcos River and Aquarena Springs.
March 22, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip Friedrich Park
Our target bird will be the returning Golden-cheeked Warbler. Meet leader
Helen Rejzek () in
the parking lot of Friedrich Wilderness Park. Directions: From the intersection
of Loop 1604 and I-10 in NW San Antonio, take I-10 west. Exit at Camp Bullis
Road. Turn left under the freeway, then right on the access road. Follow the signs to
the park. Depending on time, we will continue to bird at Crownridge Park.
March 14, 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.
March 7, Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Field Trip Stone Oak Park
Meet leader Mariann Golden at Stone Oak Park. The park is
located at 20395 Stone Oak Parkway. Take US 281 N heading toward Johnson City.
At Stone Oak Parkway turn left and go about 1.2 miles. The park will be on you
right. Bring water.
February 28, Saturday, 8:00
AM
SAAS field trip to Mitchell
Lake
Meet leader Ernie Roney at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center entrance on Moursund/Pleasanton
Road, 0.7 mile south of Loop 410 (exit 46) in south San Antonio. There is $5
tour & entrance fee.
February 21,
Saturday, 8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Choke Canyon
State Park
Meet Mike Creese at the Calliham Unit parking lot. Directions: take IH-37
south for about 75 miles. Exit at Three Rivers and continue on US 281. Take SH
72 west from Three Rivers to County Road 302 (R8). Turn right and follow R8 to
the Calliham Unit gate. Approximate driving time from San Antonio is 2 hours.
Bring lunch, water, and insect repellant. Be prepared to pay the state park
entrance fee.
February 14, 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.
February 8, Sunday, 8:00 AM
SAAS Field Trip to Jackson Nature Park
Meet lead Derek Muschalek at the Dairy Queen in Stockdale. Stockdale
is about 45 miles east of San Antonio. The Dairy Queen is located at
the intersection of Highway 87 and Highway 123. You must exit from
Highway 87 and go north on Highway 123 for about 100 yards. It is on
the left side of the road in Stockdale. Entrace fee to the park is $1.
Bring water. Contact Georgina Schwartz at
.
February 7, Saturday, 8:00 AM
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. Call Georgina
Schwartz(342-2073) for info.
January 24, 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 (six two two-3886).
January 21,
Wednesday,
8:00 AM
SAAS field trip to Mudd Creek. Meet leaders Dana Green and Sandi
Wheeler in the parking lot of Mudd Creddk Park located at 16675 Jones
Maltsberger, 1.2 miles inside loop 1604. Those using 1604 should take the
Bulverde exit and turn south on to Bulverde Rd, continue right on Bulverde, then
right on Jones Maltsberger. The park can also be reached by traveling north on
Jones Maltsberger. This is not a strenuous walk but it is a little long. Bring
water. We will be walking along the base of Gold Canyon.
January 11, Sunday, 7:30 AM
SAAS field trip to McAllister Park. Meet leaders Bill and Marian
Collins at the first parking lot inside the park. From the corner of Jones-Maltzberger
and Starcrest just north of San Antonio International Airport take Jones-Maltzberger
north about 0.75 miles to the park entrance (just past the police station). The
first parking lot will be on your left about 1/4 mile inside the park. Great
park to look for winter visitors!
January 10, 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.
San Antonio Audubon Society, 5150 Broadway
#257, San Antonio, TX 78209-5710, (210)
308-6788, E-mail
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