San Antonio Natural Area Parks
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RESPONSIBLE BIRDING
Jayne Neal
Park Naturalist

birding

Ravens riding wind currents, Cedar Waxwings perched in bare branches, the first warblers flitting through the trees, these are just some of the ways birds delight us. We are fortunate in the San Antonio area to have lots of places to go birding. Some of the places are on private property, some in state parks, and some in City of San Antonio Natural Areas and Natural Area Parks. Wherever we go birding or hiking, it is important to always follow the landowner's rules.

Our City Natural Areas and Natural Area Parks include Friedrich Wilderness Park, Eisenhower Park, and Walker Ranch. Later this year two other City facilities (Medina River Natural Area and Crownridge Canyon Natural Area) will open. The City of San

Antonio Natural Areas and Natural Area Parks have many fragile biological features. In fact, most of the Natural Area facilities have endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers and their habitat. When you consider the sheer numbers of people who visit the Natural Area facilities every year, it is easy to see how these already fragile areas are becoming even more sensitive.

When visiting the City Natural Areas and Natural Area Parks, here are some of the rules you are asked to follow and to encourage others to follow:

  • Stay on designated trails. Off trail traffic is one of the primary causes of erosion and degradation in Natural Areas and Natural Area Parks. Only one incidence of off trail traffic can be the cause for an endangered bird to abandon its nest. One footprint can destroy an endangered plant. The designated trails are carefully designed to allow users to experience nature's beauty while preserving our precious natural resources.

  • Refrain from pishing, playing tapes, or doing other things to bring birds up. Pishing, playing tapes, etc. distract birds from their normal activities of feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for young. The use of tapes (including owl or hawk calls) and other devices is not permitted when endangered or threatened wildlife may be present.

    • According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Endangered Species Act, the use of such devices constitutes harassment and a person(s) is/are criminally liable. A conviction under the Act could carry up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine per individual, $200,000 per organization. The Act defines harass, which falls under the definition of take, as an intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

    Birding is a wonderful way to experience the outdoors, and the environmental sensitivity of many birders is exemplary. Please help us preserve the unique and irreplaceable treasures of nature by birding responsibly and spreading the word to others. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the issue, feel free to contact City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Natural Areas Park Naturalist Jayne Neal (210) 372-9124.

    Jayne Neal is Park Naturalist in charge of ecology for San Antonio Natural Area Parks.

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