An Activity Thats "For The Birds"

Red Tailed Hawk

This year marks the 114th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Since the Christmas Bird Count’s birth on Christmas Day of 1900 with 27 observers at 25 locations across Canada and the United States the Count has grown to include well over 63,000 counters at more than 2200 locations each year from above the Arctic Circle to the waters of the Drake Passage off Tierra del Fuego.  

 

Across North America the CBC (Christmas Bird Counts) occur on Saturdays and Sundays and have assisted us in gaining much knowledge of birds, their migratory routes, their habits and living conditions.  They do this by promoting a culture of conservation and by connecting people with nature.  As we participate and involve ourselves in this educational endeavor we ourselves become more aware of the need to share this planet generously with our feathered friends and all wildlife.  

Vesper Sparrow

Birding itself is amazingly satisfying.  Even as a novice it is very fulfilling to have a list of birds, divided into species and types and to systematically check off the ones indigenous to your yard, your nearby parks, your vacation spots and soon...every place you go.  My first experience was with a regular birder and almost once a minute she would stop in mid-conversation with her ear averted skyward and a quizzical look in her eye.  Then the look of accomplishment when a bird darted out of a bush or tree and she'd say "I thought that was a chickadee" or some other local bird.  

Fox Sparrow

This centuries old tradition has been held for longer than I can remember, at our own Hidden Valley.  The Sunday before Christmas is the usual date and our local chapter of the Audubon Society breaks up into many organized groups and heads out to various locations  to make a fastidious count of where, when and how many of each bird species they sight.  

Chickadee

Our local group is usually led by Mariann and Keith, adventurous and zealous birders for years.  Each year we anxiously wait for the completion of the count to get an accurate idea of the wildlife that our park supports and is graced by.  This year 23 species were sighted at the time our park was counted.  The list was small this year.  I was surprised that the birds we see most in the part of the park where we live were not among them.  During this last week, in addition to the birds below we have seen scissor tails, mockingbirds, titmouse, grackles, killdeer, our mascot "Roadie" the roadrunner and of course, cardinals.  Other parts of the year have many other varieties as well. 

Savannah sparrow

 
  

Here's the list:

Red-Tailed Hawk                  Black Vulture                              Kestrel
                                              Turkey Vulture

Great Blue Heron                  Mourning Dove

Fox Sparrow                          Golden fronted Woodpecker
Song Sparrow                        Flicker
White-Throated Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Vesper                                    Red-Winged Blackbird             Chickadee
Savannah Sparrow
House Finch                           American Goldfinch

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet          Eastern Bluebird
Chickadee                              House Wren

W. Pelican                              Barred Owls

If you've never tried birding, feel free to come by Hidden Valley (advance phone call required: 210-623-6737) and see what you can see.  We'll point out some good spots and you can take a relaxing stroll through the park.  Binoculars are helpful but not required.  A field guide or smart phone apps are available that can be very beneficial in identifying the individual birds.  A remember, if you'd like to participate in next years CBC...google Christmas Bird Count or your local Audubon Society for information of how to sign up. 

If you already love birding and have seen your life bird or an unusual bird where you live, tell us about it in the comments.

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 us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV

     

A Rare Bird for San Antonio

Each year on the Sunday of the week before Christmas, local Audubon Birding groups in San Antonio take to local areas that are heavily populated with birds and make a composite "Christmas Bird Count."

It is analyzed regionally and then added to a database with the results of more than 2,200 other bird counts going on from mid-December to Jan. 5 across the Western Hemisphere.  This years Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the 113th.

The count began in 1900 as a National Audubon Society protest of holiday hunts that left piles of bird and animal carcasses littered across the country. Prior to the turn of the century, people engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt": They would choose sides and go afield with their guns; whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages around the turn of the 20th century, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition-a "Christmas Bird Census"-that would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them.  So began the Christmas Bird Count.

The CBC helps scientists understand how birds react to short-term weather events and may provide clues as to how they will adapt as temperatures rise and climate changes.  It provides critical data on population trends and tens of thousands of participants know that it is also a lot of fun.

Tropical parula, seen along Campground Rd, Hidden Valley RV

Hidden Valley has long been a birding site for the local chapter of the Audubon Society and this year they conducted their CBC on Sunday, December 16th.  Chapter members Mr. Bartels and Ms Golden are very familiar with the landscape here as well as the usual habitats and customs of the birds indigenous to this area.  Their enthusiasm is infectious and encourages us all to be more conscious of the creatures of the air we share the earth with.  Below is the current list of birds sighted on December 16, 2012 including what some may call a "Life Bird," not because it's endangered or rare, as is often the case when speaking of seeing your 'life bird' but because, as Ms Golden mentioned "this warbler is rare for this time of year and place...It is a warbler that is seen in Mexico and very southern Texas, so we were excited to see it." 

red wing black birds

great tail grackles

house sparrows

blue birds

eastern phoebe

cardinal

chickadee

titmouse

red tail hawk

cooper hawk

golden fronted woodpedker

sapsucker

downy woodpecker

ladderback woodpecker

Yellow legs 

least sandpiper

shoveler

great blue heron

great egret

yellowrump warbler

orange crown warbler

tropical parula

red crowned kinglet

house wren

carolina wren

song sparrow

lincoln sp

vesper sp

green wing teal

least grebe

great egret

ring neck duck

Henry, our Campground Road runner

Of course, these are only birds who winter in Texas, the group of summer birds repeats some birds but includes many others.   We've listed over 170 kinds of birds over the years here at the Valley and have adopted one, our Henry.

 So when you travel through San Antonio, remember the Alamo but don't forget the scores of birds that grace our southern state and our SW San Antonio RV Park.  We also have the Medina Natural Area - only 4 miles away and the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 5 miles from the RV Park.  Ask us for a bird list when you arrive and Happy Birding!

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

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

Batty in April

I-35 Bridge by Camden and Newell

Recently one of our guests reminded me of a Spring/Summer attraction that has marveled San Antonians for some time, the Mexican free-tail bat "cave" on the River Walk under an Interstate 35 bridge.  The San Antonio River Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife have adopted a project to educate visitors to the benefits of having these bats nearby and to help us understand their habits and lifestyle. (Um, do bats have a lifestyle...sure, why not, right?)

During the month of August they give a series of special bat talks about...yes...BATS. 

From these talks I learned that this is a bachelor colony (all boys, hehe) and that San Antonio has a couple maternal (girl bat) colonies as well, the Bracken and the Frio Caves.  Male and female bats roost in different locations.  These Mexican free-tail bats are migratory.  They are usually present in San Antonio from April to October and move to Mexico in the winter.  As you can see from the video below, the bats fly out from underneath the I-35 overpass for a short few minutes (about 20) and people gather in advance to get the best views.  However, that's not difficult as there are thousands of the little buggers that flock out from the bridge cubbies.  This I-35 overpass is by Camden and Newell Streets and is part of the new extension of the River Walk, next to a new art installation of illuminated fish.



 Use this map and directions link to get you there from Hidden Valley RV Park.

There may be an advantage to bringing nose plugs.  If you've never had the distinct privilege of visiting a bat cave, their guano (poo poo) is pretty strong.

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

Critters of Hidden Valley

  For those of you who may have missed our newsletter commentary on the the many animal friends we have at Hidden Valley, here's a summary:

    Imagine it is the 1860’s.  Mexican soldiers, Texicans, eastern frontiers persons and Native Americans were roaming around this currently called ‘South Central Texas’ location.  On horseback, on foot and by covered wagon they traversed the rich land we now know as San Antonio.  Little did they know it but history was being made during their very lives and created by their very actions.  But in the course of their everyday life they came across something in their daily activities that we at Hidden Valley are greatly gifted to share, a wealth of varied wildlife.  From the waterfowl who frequent the water features in their season, to the occasional visiting gator, there is a wide selection of creatures that grace our “little piece of country in San Antonio.”

  Come along for a virtual walk through some of our trails and the more secluded spots at the Park and let the pictures recount the story that was a “day in the life” for the early settlers and natives of this South Texas paradise.

  Birds

This is "Roxanne" who along with her mate, "Roadie," have become our affectionate mascots at our San Antonio RV Park.  Their roadrunner family has grown over the years and it seems they remain here all year long.  They have moved their home to different locations on our entrance road and pretty much make their selves at home here. 

 


Behind site 14, Dr. Whooot, as we've named him, spends most of his time by his self-made nest on the edges of the nature trail.  He's not pesty but he does let us know when he's home with a characteristic "who, who."

  

This gobblin' gal stopped by for a bit of 
deer corn.  She's in a hurry to eat as much 
as she can before the rest of her flock 
arrives and she has to share.

 

 

 

 Lizards

Not sure of the scientific name of this amphibian but we call them "long lizards" and they are everywhere this year.  They seem to love gardens where they can hide but sun themselves at the same time.  They scoot around like lightning from one spot to the next.

 

Mammals, etc.

This little armadillo fella is a baby from a family with four siblings, birthed right here in 2011 by the Medio Creek.  Once they were old enough to walk and root, mama migrated with them to the Bonfire Cove area, undoubtedly because of all it's protective brushy bushes and trees.  During any quiet morning walk you can hear them rooting around in the leaves and ground cover for their breakfast bugs and worms.  Yum.

Grey Fox

   

This happy grey fox was photographed near 
our night vision motion activated camera in 
a quiet corner of the acreage.

   

Pigs

Pigs are plentiful in the valley and although I wouldn't call one, ("Here, piggy, piggy,") they're fairly tame and seem to be oblivious of us when we pass near them on the road.  They sure hover around our deer feeders at dinner time.

   

 

Horses

Our horses used to be here in this road side field which borders the RV Park and our Nature Trail but due to the Texas drought this year we've had to move them to the lower 40 to graze.

    

Deer

  Our favorite visitors by far, are the deer families.  No matter how many times you see it, there's nothing more awesome than catching site of a deer or two feeding in the field or along the road,

 

Bobcat

 These guys are rarely seen.  This one was captured by our motion camera near a deer feeder.  We do see feline tracks fairly often but bobcat sightings are very rare here in the valley. Umm, that's good news.  But we do see their large paws tracks in the sand.

 

Another seldom seen Hidden Vallian creature 
is Gaylord, our gator guest.  The gators traverse the nearby Medina River and get access to 
 the Medio Creek but generally they just make 
a pass through the park and head on down 
the River.  Occasionally we'll find a slide 
into the water that the gators used often enough 
to make it obvious on the water banks.

   

 L'il Stinky is thankfully a shy fella and minds his own business.  
We've never had one spray but occasionally their musky scent
will touch your nose if one has recently walked by.

 

As you walk along the creek you'll often hear a quiet splash and it's usually
a sunbathing turtle trying to hide from you by taking a dip into the water.

Not many birds were included here but our blog has featured several articles on birds over the years and you're are welcome to go there and check them out.  Here is a link to the latest post about birds.  You can also do a search on our blog for "Birding" and you'll get a series of related articles.

These are but a few of the critters we've had the privilege to see during our time here at Hidden Valley and we are working with the Parks and Wildlife Management to continue to promote a safe and hospitable environment for more and more species of Texas wildlife.  When you visit ask about our 5 step wildlife management program.

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, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV and our RV Country Daily Magazine and don't forget to Say hello to the voice of Hidden Valley 

See your 'Life Bird"

Painted Bunting

Hermit Thrush

 What's a life bird?  Simply put it's a bird of a species you've never seen before in your life.  For Mark and I, the most amazing life bird we've ever seen was a painted bunting.  This little beauty flew into our front yard and head on into our sliding glass window.  Although not avid birders, we've always dabbled with our field glasses when hiking and hoped to see an unusual bird. This unfortunate little guy was stunned and on the ground but looked okay.  We picked him up and put him on Mark's shoulder and he stayed there for about 15 minutes.  He seemed to be moving a little better so we placed him in this potted plant.  He walked around it for a few turns then flew off.  A few minutes later he flew back into the yard and sang his little bunting song as if to say "thanks for the help."  We were frantically clicking the camera to capture our new yard companion.

Lincoln's Sparrow

These little fellows were photographed by one of our guests at the RV Park.
 

Ladderback woodpecker

This woodpecker is a constant visitor to the park and has
several favorite trees and phone posts that he pecks on. 

Barred Owl

These owls have a nest that seems to be inhabited year after year by yet another family of owls and their offspring.

From February 18 through the 21st the Audubon Society is sponsoring the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) and our RV Park is one BIG backyard so I hope to get some of our guests and friends to participate with me in this special nationwide bird count.  I have downloaded and printed some bird check lists for our area.  If you'd like to join us or even if you want to do a bird count on your own, let me know and I'll get you copies of the check list.  There's a great website to help us identify birds by their physical appearance, behaviors and sound.  Just click on the birds on this check list and get a thorough description of it's details including some videos and recordings of their songs and calls.  Field glasses can be a great help if you have them.   Digital and phone cameras are also helpful to photograph a bird for later identification.
This bird count along with the annual Christmas Bird count, Project feeder Watch, and E-bird have done much to help to give the Audubon Society an immense picture of our winter birds. Each year that these data are collected makes them more meaningful and allows scientists to investigate far-reaching questions.
So join us if you can by stopping by the office for your bird check list and instructions on how to report your findings.  Love to bird with you...give us a call.

Six of the Truly "Natural" Spots in San Antonio

Although the Riverwalk is serene and natural in appearance, the landscape there has been mostly imported and very tropical in appearance.  San Antonio has six truly natural areas that began as either ranches or privately owned land but have now become preserves for all kinds of nature, both plant and animal.  Although I haven’t been to them all, the ones I’ve seen are pristine and teaming with native flora and fauna, butterflies are abundant and varieties birds grace every tree limb.  Native wildlife, (some cute and cuddly, some not so cuddly)  also make these parks there home. 

The six Natural Areas all have a different flavor but their mission unites them:  to

“1) Preserve and manage San Antonio’s Natural Areas to protect natural ecosystems,
 2) Promote inclusive and transformative relationships between people and natural systems.”

Courtesy of Medina River Natural Area Website

Here’s a list of the parks with a link to each of their websites:

• Crownridge Canyon Natural Area
• Dwight D Eisenhower Park
• Friedrich Wilderness Park
• Phil Hardberger Park
• Walker Ranch Historic Landmark and our personal favorite
• The Medina River Natural Area

Although all the Parks are wonderful and each deserves a visit, since the Medina River Natural Area is on our turf, (the far south side of San Antonio,) that will be the focus of today’s post. 

The Medina River runs through this 500-acre Natural Area constructed on the site of the old proposed Applewhite Reservoir.
The main entry, park headquarters and the large covered pavilion are located on the north shore. There are also 6 miles of trails, restroom facilities, and native plant displays.  At the entrance there is a cement parking lot.  From Hidden Valley you can access the park in less than 10 minutes by taking Fischer Road, at the head of our entrance road, for about 3 miles to hwy 16.  Take 16 going south (right) for a couple miles and just before the Medina River bridge, turn left into Medina River Natural Area. (15890 Hwy 16 South, San Antonio, 78264.)
Historically, the El Camino Real wagon trail, used by many early settlers in South Texas, goes through the Medina River Natural area.  
The Medina River Natural Area is home to many plants, mammals, snakes, birds, fish and insects.  Hiking, fishing, pets on a leash, bikes and Geocaching are allowed.  The Medina River Natural Area is a paradise for birders.  You can download a list of birds sited at the natural area as well as one comprised of all Bexar (pronounced bear) County birds.  An extensive butterfly list  (7 pages!) is also available and a plant key for those botanically minded folks. 

Courtesy of Medina River Natural Area Website

The hike and bike trails are of varying degrees of difficulty and accessibility. They follow along the river and climb to the upland areas above the north shore. The trails are all concrete paths making for wonderful biking paths and fairly easy hiking paths.
Trail maps are available on site but you can view and print one out here also.  The Park is open from 7:30am to sunset daily except Christmas and New Years Day. 
Another nice opportunity is found in this invitation on their website:

Viva Voluntarios!
Help Beautify Your
      Natural Area!

8 am - noon each day, January through October

Join us on the last Saturday morning of each month. We will plant native plants and remove non-native plants, pick up trash, remove weeds and spread mulch .We will meet near the kiosk by the Parking Lot.

Please bring gloves and a water bottle! Call (210) 207-3111 for Details & to Sign Up!

A great event is planned for this Saturday, November 13, 2010:

Owl Prowl  
Medina River Natural Area
15890 Hwy 16 South
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Saturday, November 13, 2010 - 6 pm to 8 pm

Owl Prowl

Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Hwy 16 South - Richard Heilbrun, TPWD Wildlife Biologist for an evening about owls, take a walk to the interpretive area where live barred owls will be called in with owl calls as they stake out their territory. This program is very popular and limited to 50 people, so call 210-624-2575 today to RSVP.

Call (210) 207-3111 for reservations and information. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis. Suggested donation: $3.00 per individual/ $5.00 per family

Note:  If you're at Hidden Valley RV Park we'll be glad to carpool with you to the Natural Area