Schulle Canyon Natural Area
Schulle Canyon Natural Area
Betsy Cross
Schulle Canyon Natural Area is a beautifully conserved green space located right in the middle of San Marcos proper.
Thanks to the efforts of Hays County Master Naturalists Jo Ellen Korthals and Kenneth Dees, in collaboration with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance and the City of San Marcos, a new bird viewing area has been constructed in the heart of this magical 21-acre urban forest.
“Grab your binoculars! We now have a bird viewing station in a San Marcos natural area.” — Jo Ellen Korthals
Jo Ellen continues… “After approval by the City of San Marcos, funding by a Firefly grant from the Hays County Master Naturalists and a fundraiser in partnership with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, the structure is ready to host birders. The location is appropriately on the Warbler Way Trail in the Schulle Canyon Natural Area . This site is #61 on the Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail East map, published by Texas Parks and Wildlife.”
The structure was designed by Hays County Master Naturalist and San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance member Kenneth Dees. A small group of the Greenbelt Alliance Trail Crew, including Mark Taylor, Kenny Skrobanek, Al Scott, Kenneth Dees, and Jon Cradit (not pictured), built the structure.
Ben Taylor, HCMN class of 2012, helped to paint the structure and to plant native salvias, columbine, mealy blue sage, and other native plants provided by the San Marcos Discovery Center. In addition to providing the site for the birding station, the City of San Marcos contributed a rain water collection receptacle that will support a guzzler to lure in birds.
City Urban Forester Kelly Eby and members of the Greenbelt Alliance Team Flora planted trees, shrubs, and perennials near the station to provide shelter and food for wildlife.
What can you expect to see?
I shot all of the photos in this article at Schulle Canyon over the last 10 days of April. I also saw and heard a pair of Great-crested Flycatchers, Nashville Warblers, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and numerous Black-crested Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, and Bewick’s Wrens.
Many birds can be heard and spotted year round …
Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, and Mourning Doves are year-round residents at Schulle Canyon.
The Carolina Wren—a small bird with a big voice—sings his bright teakettle-teakettle solo from the top of a tree.
A lone American Robin hunts for caterpillars. While robins are reportedly here year round, they are more common in the spring.
Spring migration is in full swing right now.
What does that mean for bird watchers?
The spring bird migration is anticipated each year by bird enthusiasts across the nation. Texas is a birding hot spot for visitors from all over the world. Central Texas is a stopping over place for many warblers on their way to their northern breeding grounds. Additionally, Central Texas is a prime breeding location for some of the most beautiful, and even endangered, species in the Americas.
On Wednesday night, April 27, almost 5 million birds crossed over Hays County. Some dropped into our green spaces to rest and take advantage of available food, water, and cover. Many will continue their journey to breeding grounds in the North. Others will remain here to nest and raise their young before returning south in the fall. Go to the BirdCast Migration Dashboard to see more details about the 2022 Spring Migration.
A female Painted Bunting has recently arrived. She and her colorful mate will raise 1-3 broods of nestlings before returning in the fall to the southern regions of Florida, Mexico, Central America, and some of the Caribbean islands.
The Black-and-white Warbler is one of our earliest arriving migrants.
The Magnolia Warbler is on its way to its breeding ground in the northern boreal forests.
Swainson’s Thrush or Gray-cheeked Thrush? Hard to tell?…
…BirdCast shows Swainson’s began crossing over this week.
Based on Cornell’s website, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray-cheeked_Thrush/species-compare/67460781, my assessment is that the thrush facing left is most likely a Gray-cheeked Thrush—no prominent eyering, face is gray-ish and lacks buffy color. And the thrush facing right seems to fit their description of Swainson’s Thrush—note the buffy eyering and buffy wash on face and throat, which is a differentiating characteristic. Click to see each bird in full screen, and make your own assessment.
The Gray Catbird is uncommon in Central Texas but may be seen during migration. I observed the catbird on two separate hikes—April 21 and April 24.
This Black-throated Green Warbler was foraging on caterpillars high in the canopy. The mature trees in Schulle Canyon are a perfect place to spot this migrating warbler.
This immature male Summer Tanager is a splotchy yellow and red. The amount of red depends on age as they molt into the full red plumage of adults.
Female Summer Tanagers are a golden yellow color. This female accompanied the male pictured here—perhaps his mate.
The male Summer Tanager was feeding on insects in the dense foliage.
A small flock of Indigo Buntings foraged together.
Male White-eyed Vireos are heard throughout Schulle Canyon Natural Area. They are sometimes hard to spot, but if you follow their voice, one may pop out of the brush just long enough to have his picture taken.
Schulle Canyon is also home to several raptors. Jo Ellen Korthals often hears and sees a resident pair of Barred Owls.
If you have not hiked the Schulle Canyon Natural Area recently, now is a perfect time to see both year-round residents and migrating visitors. Be sure to stop by the new bird viewing station, and don’t forget your camera!