May Birding Hike Along the San Marcos River

  Stephen Ramirez led five of us on an interesting and prolific birding walk May 4th.  We saw a number of migrants as the chilly air kept them flying and moving about the many diverse trees and shrubs that line the San Marcos River.  We met at the Recreation Center in City Park a little after seven a.m. when the temperature was still in the 40's.  Immediately we spotted a Great Blue Heron, a Pied-billed Grebe and most handsome, a wood duck.
  Walking along the river we were able to see first-hand the restoration work that is being done.  Invasives are being removed and the erosion controls are in place.  It is a multi-year project that will have a very positive impact on the health of the river -- and future bird watching.
  When we returned to the Recreation Center half a hundred boy scouts were preparing to paddle down river in some very colorful canoes.  Fortunately for them the temperature was rising and the chill was out of the air.
  To see the list of the birds we viewed with Stephen's help:
 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13984461

--LJ