Snapshot:
Kickapoo Cavern State Park may be the hidden gem on this year’s photography-focused trip! The park may be known for its 20+ caves; but photographers should be excited to head out with Laura Keene in hopes to capture images of even half of the 240 migrant and resident bird species that have been sighted in the park. Kickapoo Cavern has recently built a beautiful bird blind that will allow birders the unique opportunity to gets some great shots of a wide variety of species.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park will also host our Special Event on Friday, May 3 – Birds, Bats and Owls! Participants will enjoy a delicious catered meal in the park, then watch over 1 million Mexican free-tailed bats leave Stuart Bat Cave to hunt for moths and other flying insects. Finally, we will search for several species of owls that call Kickapoo Cavern home including the elf owl. Money raised from the benefit dinner will support Kickapoo Cavern’s continued investment in birding blinds and songbird management strategies and also support youth Birding with Extension Programs. Cost: $125 per person (limit 14 participants)
Trip Dates:
Friday, May 3 – SPECIAL EVENT: Birds, Bats and Owls Benefit Dinner
Saturday, May 4 – Photography-focused
Departure Time: 6:00 AM
Guides:
TBD (Friday, May 3 Birds, Bats, and Owls Benefit Dinner)
Katy Hoskins (Saturday, May 4 Photography-focused)
Birding Buddy:
TBD (Friday, May 3 Birds, Bats, and Owls Benefit Dinner)
Rose Cooper (Friday, May 3 – Photography-focused)
Travel and Facilities:
Target Birds:
Northern bobwhite, Gray vireo, Hutton’s vireo, golden-cheeked warbler, varied bunting
Bryan’s Birdy Bulletin
When I was in high school, I would occasionally skip my last period of the day to go birding at Kickapoo Cavern State Park with my two birding mentors, one who was the social studies and art teacher and the other who was the guidance counselor at the high school! Kickapoo Cavern was a great opportunity for me to escape the brush country and run for the hills. Just a 20-ish mile drive north of Brackettville, and the species mix of birds becomes completely different! The park itself has extensive trails to explore the rolling hills and dry creek beds. Rare birds seen here in the past include band-tailed pigeon, Cassin’s kingbird, evening grosbeak, and more!