Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge – Austin, Texas
This area is a nesting habitat of migratory endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black capped vireo. The black capped vireo is a small bird only 4.5 inches long. It has been declared endangered because the low growing woody cover they need for nesting has been cleared or overgrazed by livestock and deer. Another problem is that brown-headed cowbirds lay their eggs in vireo nests, causing the vireos to abandon their nest. They have a 5 – 6 year lifespan. The Golden-cheeked Warbler also reaches a length of 4.5 inches. This bird nests exclusively in Texas. The bird has been listed as endangered because many tall juniper and oak woodlands (where they nest) have been cleared to build houses, roads, and stores. Other habitat areas were flooded when large lakes were built.
The refuge is open for daylight use only.
The warbler may be seen on hiking trails at Warbler Vista and Doeskin Ranch public us areas. The vireo may be seen at Shin Oak Observation Deck, excluding the period from the end of March through mid-April to allow vireos to set up nesting territories. This deck and Doeskin Ranch are closed for four weekends from mid-November through mid-December during Big Game hunting season.
Doeskin Ranch has about 5 miles of foot trails. The easiest trail is the 0.4 mile Pond and Prairie Trail followed by the 0.6 mile Creek Trail. An interpretive brochure is available for the Creek Trail. The Rimrock Trail offers a vigorous 2.2 mile hike up through some Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat and onto the plateau top. Hikers must stay on trail surfaces because it is in endangered species habitat.
Warbler Vista and Sunset Deck offers 2.5 miles of foot trail. An interpretive brochure is available. Vista Knoll Trail crosses through some warbler habitat and then descends onto some terraces with views of Lake Travis and the surrounding terrain. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the Hill Country.
Directions: From Austin: If you take 183A Toll Road, exit onto 1431 in Cedar Park and go west. It is about a 50 minute drive from Austin.
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