Our Place
Edges
and boundaries – where fields join woods, where creeks meet rivers,
where hills rise from plains – in such places the natural world
is both active and unusually visible. Lost Canyon is situated within a
mile of the 100th degree of longitude, the traditional dividing line between
east and west in North America. It is a little north of the southern edge
of the Texas Hill country, where the brush country gradually rises to
twisting hills and ridges. The clean and clear Nueces River is just three
miles down the road, and Dry Creek, flowing into the river, defines a
local riparian habitat as it runs through the property. Finally, on the
back of the property, there are 150 acres of woody hills and draws, with
a hidden spring.
Our Birds
The bird life here is abundant and varied. Both of the Hill Country “signature
species,” the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped vireo, nest
on the property. The warbler can be easily seen on any spring day; the
vireo, as usual, can be a bit trickier. But while looking for these two
birds there is so much else to observe: virtually all of the area’s
regularly occurring birds have been recorded here, and we are often surprised
by western birds wandering our way, and by south Texas birds that are
expanding their range northward. A complete list of our birds is attached
and can be viewed or downloaded. photo © Greg
Lasley
Why choose Lost Canyon for birding?
Simple: we have lots of birds, but very few people. Most birders and birding
tours have traditionally based themselves at resorts on the Frio River.
The birding is good, but there are lots of people and birds that are chased
on a daily basis. There are only six cabins at Lost Canyon, on over 200
acres, and our nearby birding areas are always uncrowded – indeed,
you will generally have the place all to yourselves if you come during
the week. We can help you find the birds you are looking for, and can
often be tempted to take you to interesting locations (we’re birders,
too!). photo © Greg Lasley
Other attractions: bats, butterflies, and botany.
Just north of us, near Rocksprings, is The Devil’s Sinkhole, a legendary spot for seeing millions of Mexican free-tail bats as they emerge from the 300-foot deep cave at dusk. Volunteers conduct tours at the site, now owned by Texas Parks and Wildlife, each evening from spring to fall. One of the most exciting possibilities is to see a red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, or great horned owl catching bats on the fly in the twilight.
Scottie’s Garden, located just behind the cabins, offers guests the opportunity to wander on paths displaying the plant life of the Texas Hill Country, with interpretive signs. There are butterfly gardens at our home, and butterfly habitat is also being created in Scottie’s Garden. Also in the gardens are water drips that attract birds throughout the day.
Some details:
1. Because we are a small facility, and most of our income derives from groups using the entire facility on weekends, we cannot accept reservations for individual cabins on weekends more than 90 days before the arrival date. Weekday reservations are always welcome!
2. We do not allow taping for black-capped vireos or golden-cheeked warblers during nesting season (March 15-July 15). The warblers are easy enough to find without a tape; the vireos are more challenging.
705 S. Adams Street, Fredericksburg, Texas
(830) 9990- 0095 office (830)992-0428 mobile
Tollfree ( 800)986-0095
www.cornerstoneproperties.cc
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