Bird Watchers Enjoy Sun City Texas

By Ernesto Berturand


Millions of Americans have embraced the hobby of watching birds according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most people choose to observe birds around their homes but many travel away from home to bird watch. There are many publicly accessible birding locations within a short drive of Sun City Texas, located in Georgetown. Texas boasts the highest number of species of all the states at 636 and Williamson County has over 400 species of birds. Many water birds such as great blue herons, varieties of egrets, wood ducks, and teals are attracted to the water retention ponds built around town to drain rainfall from parking lots.

The numerous water features, streams and wetland areas found in Sun City Texas provide an outstanding ecosystem for indigenous as well as migratory birds. There are many chances to relax and watch birds while in the community. Belonging to the Sun City Nature Club, the Birding Special Interest Group supports the enjoyment of wild birds, especially those native to the Hill Country. Many kinds of research resources are available in their library for club members to borrow which includes books, digital video disks, cassette tapes.

Birding club participants assemble for field outings, bird watching hikes and keep an eye on nests for birds in indigenous habitats. Sun City Texas has so many different species of birds. The flocks of wild turkeys may frequently be seen feeding on the wild grasses that thrive in the roughs of the golf greens. The Berry Pond bridge which spans Del Webb Boulevard, is home to a large community of cave swallows. The swallows make their mud nests between the cement spans below the bridge.

Perching together in groups on the shoreline of Berry Creek, there is a big population of turkey vultures near the bridge to the White Wing Golf Course. The largest scavenger birds in the United States, turkey vultures give preference to broad open areas which provide nearby woods for nesting. The dead and leafless trees, victims of several years of scarce rainfall, are ideal for vultures to keep keen eyes over the creek bed, an empty field and further down, the golf course. Feeding mostly on carrion, turkey vultures eat armadillos, turtles, squirrels and rabbits that often become a victim of road traffic throughout Sun City Texas.

Because of the abundant wooded areas, water and food sources available to birds in Sun City Texas, it is a birder's paradise. For those who love to watch the growth and development of baby birds, there are many residents who encourage nest building by erecting bird houses, providing bird seed, and flowering plants to attract them. There are many species of hawks attracted to the fields of native grasses, hummingbirds drawn to feeders and bright flowers, and owls that hunt small vertebrates at night.

Lucky Sun City Texas residents have spotted the numerous huge road runners that are native to our area. Their habitat is shrubby country and road runners build a nest on a platform of sticks low in a cactus or a bush. They can be up to 2 feet in length, about half of which is tail. These are particularly valuable birds that feed on reptiles such as snakes, small rodents, spiders, scorpions and road kills. Two roadrunners will sometimes attack a relatively large snake cooperatively.

Sun City Texas Birding Club wild bird hikes are organized two times during each month in order for participants to get out and easily share their own love of wild birds.




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