Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Description:

• The refuge has two endangered songbirds (Golden-cheeked Warbler & Black-capped Vireo) that nest on the refuge. These two species are the main focus of management activities on the refuge. The Golden-cheeked Warbler is more numerous than the Black-capped Vireo because habitat required by the Warbler is more abundant than habitat required by the Vireo. The refuge has very little public use and is not open to the general public(except for hunting). The use of prescribed fire to enhance vegetation for the Warbler and Vireo will be the main focus of management activities. The Refuge is located in the Hill Country of Central Texas. The dominant vegetation on the refuge is Ashe Juniper interspersed with several oak species. Most of the Refuge is in the Colorado River watershed west/northwest of the city Austin.

  You will find the refuge to be an excellent place for observing and studying wildlife and plants. There are a series of public hiking trails at the nearby Doeskin Ranch unit of the Refuge. That area is open year around (except during a few weekends in the fall for public hunts) and the trails are open sunrise to sunset. One of the trails there, the Plateau Trail, offers a vigorous hike up through some excellent Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat.