Birding in San Marcos, Texas
Sites:
sits at the foot of the Balcones escarpment where the view to the south and east from the highest point in this river city reveals prairie flats all the way to the coast.
- The opposite view, if you could see forever, would reveal the hills, rivers and lakes to the north and west from San Marcos to Kerrville. This unique geographic setting, dividing birding into east and west, allows convergence of major flyways of migratory birds which stop to feed and rest near the San Marcos River and area ponds. Many species winter here, attracted by the constant temperature of the unique spring-fed river. Brushy thickets, abundant vegetation and tall trees provide a rich diversity for different bird species throughout the year.
The Great Blue Heron
- Copyright J.E. Korthals
Directions Click on corridor map below for reference
Most visitors to this area are on a beeline for the huge factory outlets just south of San Marcos proper, but this small town has one of those Texas treasures: a square with an historical county courthouse surrounded by good home-cooking restaurants and intimate, friendly, fascinating gift shops.
From San Antonio exit Wonderworld Drive, turn left under the interstate to Hunter Rd and turn right (north). If you are a browser/shopper/historian, the courthouse square is worth a stop. Hunter Rd. becomes Hopkins Street and intersects with CM Allen, the Chamber is a left turn. The Children's playscape is a right turn. From Austin exit the highway on Aquarena Springs Drive. Aquarena becomes University Drive and if you stay to the left, the street becomes CM Allen and the Chamber is on the left. They refer to San Marcos as the gateway to the hill country. West of us are some fascinating small towns: Wimberley, Luckenback, Boerne, Bandera and Kerrville.
Habitat
When to go
Map of San Marcos Birding Sites
Black and White map of birding sites
Map of the IH 35 Corridor locating San Marcos
Special Notes At feeders in winter, there are many unusual visitors. Most are Rufous in various stages of maturity, some Anna's and Broad-tailed. In the summer of 1995, a Green Violet-ear stayed for over a month. This season brought reports of Buff-bellied and Calliope hummers.
Birding Guides available
Acknowledgements: Photographs from the Southwest Texas State University archive by Media Photographer Don Anders and the slides of local birder Dick Henderson. Bird graphics by San Marcos artist Jo Ellen Korthals, San Marcos map by Smartworks, Inc. and colored by SWT student J.J. Wampler. Web page design: Cathy Supple. Text provided by Dick Henderson, edited by Diane Wassenich, Florence Dodington and Cathy Supple. Thanks to Southwest Texas Student Media: Jeff Henderson, director and Pat Ramsey editor, University Star.
San Marcos is located between Austin (25 miles) and San Antonio (45 miles) along the IH 35 Corridor. The community was named because of its discovery on St. Mark's day when Spanish explorers arrived at the springs and river. This area had been occupied for centuries by Indians and there is an archeological dig under the dammed river in that portion called Spring Lake.
Extensive water, tall trees and thickets in the San Marcos environs provide respite for migrating birds.
Any time of year.
Especially good are migration times.
The Inca and the White Wing Doves People from other states may be interested to know there are four species of doves to be found in San Marcos: Mourning Doves, Inca Doves, and recently, quite a few White-winged Doves. Ground Doves are relatively rare, but possible.
Hummers.
Hummingbird aficionados should know that the major breeding species in San Marcos is the Black-chinned, lesser numbers of Ruby-throated.
Kingfishers
Three kinds of kingfishers have been sighted along the San Marcos River, the Belted, Green, and even an occasional Ringed.To get the monthly reports on birds in the area call 512-396-BIRD (2473). The bird alert for this part of Central Texas is 512-926-8751--the Travis County Bird Hotline.
For Bird Rescue in San Marcos call 396-6180.
Contributor:San Marcos River Foundation
cs05@academia.swt.edu
Last Updated: 5 July 1996