Birding The Baker Sanctuary Near Austin, Texas

Travis Audubon Society's Preserve is Home to Over 100 Bird Species

May 5, 2009

The Texas Hill Country provides some of the best scenery in the state. It's also home to hundreds of bird species, and the Audubon's Baker Sanctuary is one premier site.

The Hill Country draws birders from across the U.S., especially in the spring and summer when migrating birds augment the numerous resident species. There are many beautiful sites to bird within this area, and the Travis Audubon's Baker Sanctuary, near Austin, is a good place to start.

The Texas Hill Country

The Hill Country region of Texas embraces the Edwards Plateau and is bordered roughly by Interstate highway I-35 between Austin and San Antonio on the east, Texas highways 183 and 190 on the north, Texas highway 277 on the west and Texas highway 90 on the south. The Hill Country is characterized by rolling limestone hills, granite outcroppings, woodlands, grasslands, rivers and springs. Elevation ranges from near sea-level to well over 2,000 feet.

There are nineteen state parks and state natural areas located in the Hill Country region, and many of these, such as Lost Maples State Natural Area, are ideal birding locations. There are also numerous regional parks, recreation areas and preserves, like the Baker Sanctuary, where excellent birding can be found.

The Travis Audubon Society's Baker Sanctuary

The Travis Audubon Society owns and maintains the Baker Sanctuary, 690 protected acres in northwest metropolitan Austin, and part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The Sanctuary is fenced and gated and access requires membership in or permission from the Travis Audubon Society. Check their web site or call 512-300-2473 to request a visit.

The Sanctuary is just over one thousand feet in elevation, and consists of wooded hills, brushy areas, a spring and creek bed and limestone outcroppings. One primary mission of the Baker Sanctuary is to provide nesting habitat for the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler. To nest, the warbler requires a habitat unique to the Texas Hill Country consisting of oak trees and Ashe juniper, as is found at the Baker Sanctuary.

The main gate on Lime Creek Road opens into the Headquarter's area where there are picnic tables, a registration log (required), posted regulations, a bird list and other relevant notices. There is also a trail map here, showing the routes of three trails.

Birding at the Travis Audubon's Baker Sanctuary

The two trails originating at the Headquarters area on the south side of Lime Creek Road are the Baker Springs Trail (1.2 miles loop) and the Hatfield Trail (2 miles round trip). The North Trail (2.8 miles round trip) begins across the road. Birds are found along all three routes, although if your time is limited, probably the best first choice would be the Baker Springs Trail. All of the trails are well-signed and color coded.

The Baker Springs Trail and the Hatfield Trail start together, and the Baker Springs Trail almost immediately forks off to the right. The trail winds through perfect Golden-cheeked warbler habitat of Spanish oak and Ashe juniper, together with Sycamore and Arizona walnut. It traverses a wooded hillside, drops across a creek bed and loops around to rejoin the Hatfield Trail about a third of a mile from the Headquarters area.

Finding Golden-cheeked warblers can be a challenge if they are nesting, and learning their calls and song before visiting is recommended. They will chase Black-crested titmice away from their nesting area, so learning the Titmouse call is also helpful. Other representative birds that can be found along the trail include Ladder-backed woodpecker, Carolina chickadee, White-eyed and Red-eyed vireo, Eastern phoebe, Black and white warbler, Northern cardinal, Yellow-billed cuckoo and Ash-throated flycatcher. The posted bird list includes 100 species, and birds not found on that list, such as the Blue-headed vireo, have also been seen recently.

The more open Headquarters area is also a good place to bird, and spring birders can find, among others, Painted and Indigo buntings, Mississippi kite, Ruby-throated and Black-chinned hummingbirds, Carolina and Bewick's wrens, and at least seven species of sparrows as well as many warblers.

Regulations for Birding the Travis Audubon's Baker Sanctuary

As noted above, the sanctuary has restricted access which becomes more restricted from March 1 through August 31, to protect the nesting Golden-cheeked warblers. Access is open to Travis Audubon members ($25 individual rate) and others who obtain advance permission.

Getting to Travis Audubon Society's Baker Sanctuary

From Interstate I-35 in north Austin take Texas Highway 183 north approximately 10 miles to Anderson Mill Road. Follow Anderson Mill Road northwest about 6 miles, and turn left on Lime Creek Road. Drive seven-tenths of a mile on Lime Creek Road to the Sanctuary on your left.

The Travis Audubon Society's Baker Sanctuary is in a suburban section of busy Austin, yet offers some premium birding, including an opportunity to see the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler.

The copyright of the article Birding The Baker Sanctuary Near Austin, Texas in Bird Watching is owned by Bob Bowers. Permission to republish Birding The Baker Sanctuary Near Austin, Texas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.