Nature Trips on a Tank...or less

Smun98, Blue Heron, MLAC Flikr page

With fuel costs rising we're all looking for ways to see America in "trips on a tank" of gas, that is.  And if you visit San Antonio or stay with us here at Hidden Valley RV Park,the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is a great way to have fun, do something different and on only a couple gallons of petrol, round trip.  

Looking for day trips and things to do in San Antonio, one of our guests, Marylou from Katy, Texas visited the Birding Center and has returned with a favorable report.  She told me of their miles of trails and more than 320 bird species.  According to their website, "The Mission of the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is to connect people with nature through conservation and community education focused on birds and their habitats."

Great Kiskadee

I did some "googling" myself and came across this local newscast from last year that gives an informative video report of the Center.  They have a beautiful website and flickr page full of pictures and info about their hours, birding tours, programs and their Fall Wildlife Festival every October.  They have open admission on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm with a $2 admission and with advance appointment by phone (210-628-1639) you can visit on weekdays.

"Just south of downtown San Antonio, the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is located on a 1200-acre natural area. This unique and beautiful bird haven consists of the 600-acre Mitchell Lake, 215 acres of wetlands and ponds and 385 acres of upland habitat. Located on the northern edge of the South Texas plains eco-region, it is not uncommon to see American White Pelicans by the hundreds resting among an assortment of waterbirds such as Northern Pintail, American Avocet, and Green Heron. Where, in the summertime, Painted Buntings and Orchard Orioles can be heard and seen off the porch of the beautifully restored 1910 home that is now the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. The Center is nestled among a colorful garden of xeriscape plants that invites an assortment of birds, butterflies, and the occasional lizard." Compliments of the MLAC website

Visitor Center, formerly housed at  the McNay Art Museum

Directions: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is located at 10750 Pleasanton Rd. in San Antonio, Texas. The entrance gate to the Center is located in south San Antonio, on Moursund Blvd. From Hidden Valley RV Park, take loop 410SE, exit 46, Moursund Blvd and go south 0.7 mile. The gate is on the left. Click Here for maps.




Stop by the registration Center at Hidden Valley for further info and maps as well as other nearby natural areas to enjoy.  Happy Birding...chirp, chirp!

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV