Birding at Colorado Bend State Park by Sebastian Casarez

I decided to visit Colorado Bend State Park with my parents to see what birds they get there during the Summer. We first started birding around the entrance of the park. We saw lots of Inca Doves, Painted Buntings, and Orchard Orioles around there. There were so many trails to hike, so I decided to take the Gordan Falls Hike to see what birds are in that area. This was a strenuous hike but, it's worth it.

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Gorman Falls Colorado Bend State Park

You can hear and see Northern Bobwhites around the fields. Also, you can find Black-capped Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Field Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Black-throated Sparrows, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Canyon Towhees. Orchard Orioles are common to find throughout the whole state of Texas during the summer (April-October). Males have a black back, black head, and a red belly. Females are all yellow and immature males have a black face. Orchard Orioles spend the winter at South America.

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Orchard Oriole male

There were other types of wildlife there to see. When I was hiking around the trail I got excited when I saw a centipede crawling around the ground. They are beautiful centipedes! But, DON'T touch them! Their venomous!

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Centipede

 Now on my way back to the parking lot I saw a hard working Dung Beetle carrying poop bigger than him. What was interesting, the Dung Beetle was mostly using it's back legs to push the poop inside his burrow.

*Photo by Sebastian Casarez, Dung Beetle

So next time you're in the Hill Country stop by Colorado Bend State Park!

Happy Birding,
Sebastian Casarez

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