Exploring Nature: Hornsby Bend

In my many trips seeking new birds and other interesting creatures, I have visited some interesting places. Africa, New Zealand, Australia, South America and Iceland all come to mind.

But closer to home, one location has been a dependable site for avian riches — the Hornsby Bend sewage treatment plant just outside Austin.

Located at 2210 South FM 973, this facility consists of 1,200 acres of ponds, woods, agricultural fields, vacant pasture and 3.5 miles of Colorado River bottom.

Open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., this slightly-smelly facility has recorded a total of 357 bird species. So far in July, some 78 species have been spotted. Admission is free.

When I visited, there were lots and lots of ducks around. I especially enjoyed seeing northern shovelers and black-bellied whistling ducks. There were also gadwall, redhead and ruddy ducks.

Other avian varieties range from house wrens to hawks and western sandpipers to golden-crowned kinglets. You might also spot pectoral sandpiper, Wilson’s snipe, monk parakeet, tree swallow, Nashville warbler and yellow warbler, just to name a few.

You can drive your car around the premises and get out and walk to get better views. There are also bird blinds if you care to sit awhile and seek out hard-to-see species.

One of the best birding sites in Texas, Hornsby Bend also has lots of butterflies and dragonflies about.

So head on over to Hornsby Bend and remember — there is a slight smell, but the birding is swell!

A juvenile red-shouldered hawk perches atop a light pole overlooking a northbound section of IH-35 between Austin and Kyle. Red-shouldered hawks are one of the native Texas birds you might see at Hornsby Bend. Photo by Justin Harris