Birding Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas
Park West of San Antonio Features Bigtooth Maples and Lots of Birds
Apr 30, 2009
Lost Maples State Natural Area covers more than 2,000 acres of Texas hill country some fifty miles northwest of San Antonio. Fall foliage is the primary attraction, with Uvalde bigtooth maples turning color from mid-October through mid-November. The park offers much more than fall color, though, including some of the best birding in Texas.
Features of Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas
Lost Maples park has been in operation since 1979, and hosts about 200,000 visitors annually. The park's 2,000 acres include springs, creeks, limestone canyons and cliffs, hilly woodland and grasslands. Elevation within the park ranges from 1,800 feet to 2,200 feet. There are both improved and primitive camping sites, dump station, restrooms and showers, as well as picnic areas. The park also has eleven miles of hiking trails.
The park is open daily until 10:00 P.M. A daily use fee of $5.00 is charged per person, with a reduced rate for seniors of $3.00.
Birding the Feeders in Lost Maples State Natural Area
A checklist available online or at the visitors center shows 213 resident and migratory birds. Green kingfishers are year-round residents, and two endangered birds, Black-capped vireo and Golden-cheeked warbler, nest in the park in spring.
Bird feeders are maintained at the visitors center and at a blind located at the overflow parking area. The feeders at the overflow parking area are more remote and attract a larger variety of birds, including Northern cardinal, Lazuli, Indigo and Painted buntings, Carolina chickadee, Western scrub-jay, Black-crested titmouse, Ruby-throated and Black-chinned hummingbirds, Dickcissel and Blue grosbeak.
A large variety of sparrows are also found at the feeders, including Clay-colored, Lark, Field, Lincoln's, White-crowned, Rufous-crowned and Chipping, among others.
Birding the Trails of Lost Maples State Natural Area
More than eleven miles of trails wind through the park, presenting varied birding opportunities. From the overflow parking lot, a trailhead leads to the East Trail, which intersects with the West Trail at two points. The East Trail parallels Can Creek for about one mile to some ponds, and offers good birding all along the route. White-eyed vireo, Carolina wren and Yellow warbler are common in this area, and the limestone cliffs before you reach the ponds is a good place to hear and observe Canyon wrens. Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed woodpeckers are also found in the trees along this trail, and the lucky spring birder may find a Yellow-throated warbler as well.
Finding the endangered Black-capped vireo and Golden-cheeked warbler is more difficult, but persistent birders are often rewarded. Of the two, the Golden-cheeked warbler is more commonly found in Lost Maples, and birders should look for the bird's preferred habitat: mixed oak and Ashe juniper.
Other trails in the park include Mystic Canyon, West Loop and the Maple Trail, all of which also offer birding opportunities. Some sections of most trails include steep and rugged terrain, so birders should check with park personnel at the visitors center before hiking unfamiliar trails.
Getting to Lost Maples State Natural Area
Take Highway 16 south from I-10 (Kerrville) or west from San Antonio, to Medina. From Medina, drive west on Highway 337 to the junction with Highway 187 near Vanderpool and drive north on Highway 187 to the park entrance on your left. In addition to campgrounds in the park, there are cabins for rent outside the park to the south.
Birding the Texas Hill Country
Lost Maples State Natural Area offers one of the more beautiful settings for Texas birders, and is home to more than two hundred species, including two endangered birds.
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