Overview
McKinney Falls is a multi-acre Texas State Park found amid urban Austin, Texas. It sits on land, which is only 13 miles/20.9 km away from the Texas State Capital Building, that once belonged to one of Texas' early settlers. Before him, it is thought to have been utilized by Native Americans as much as 8,000 years ago and boasts a tree believed to have been young when Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.[3]
It is described as an oasis unique given it's in a decidedly urban surrounding. [5]
Within the boundaries of the Park, there are hiking trails, waterways, ancient rock shelters, camping amenities, and other amenities that make it a good place to bird and enjoy nature. [2]
Birds
Notable Species
The amount, and scope, of birding going on here, are noteworthy in an urban setting.
Birders in this Park have reported 260 different species to eBird, spread out over 1400 separate checklists submitted from this one location.
The Franklin's Gull, European Starling, and Red-winged Blackbird are the top three of the most often reported species here, with the Northern Mockingbird, the State Bird of Texas, the fifty-seventh most reported species.
All of this, coupled with the large number of Hotspots scattered throughout this urban area, helps solidify its position as a birding area.[1]
Rarities
As recently as 14 December, 2020, no species have been seen indicated as rare for this Park. But some of the species reported less often are the Merlin, Red-naped Sapsucker, Great Horned Owl, Hutton's Vireo, Egyptian Goose, Zone-tailed Hawk, and Northern Bobwhite. [1]
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Franklin's Gull, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Common Grackle, Barn Swallow, Rock Pigeon, Cedar Waxwing, White-winged Dove, Swainson's Hawk, Sandhill Crane, Chipping Sparrow, Anhinga, Northern Cardinal, Turkey Vulture, American White Pelican, American Kestrel, Black Vulture, Double-crested Cormorant, Mourning Dove, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Cattle Egret, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Goldfinch, Brown-headed Cowbird, Killdeer, Gadwall, House Finch, Monk Parakeet, House Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Carolina Chickadee
Other Wildlife
White-tailed deer, squirrels, armadillos, and raccoons live in McKinney Falls State Park, in addition to the myriad of bird species. [2]
Site Information
History and Use
This state park is named after Thomas F. McKinney, one of Stephen F. Austin's first 300 colonists, who settled in Texas in the early 1820s. Between 1850 and 1852, McKinney moved to Travis County and acquired land on Onion Creek, where he used slave labor to build a large two-story home, with stone fences, and the first flour mill in the area. He became an important breeder of race horses with his own stable and private track. In 1970 the land was made into a park with the aid of a private donation and first opened to the public in 1976.
Areas of Interest
Trails in the park
There are six different hiking trails winding their way through the Park, offering different scenery, habitat, and opportunities to see various bird species while enjoying nature.[4]
National Historic Trail
McKinney Falls State Park is one of the stops on the El Camino Real De Los Tejas National Historic Trail.[5]
Access and Facilities
An entry fee will be required for entry to the Park, which is open daily from 8 am until 10 pm.[2]
Consult a trusted travel professional for specific, up-to-date information regarding a trip to this location.
Contact Details
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-243-1643
Email: [email protected]
References
- eBird – McKinney Falls State Park - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L436433
- Texas Parks and Wildlife – McKinney Falls State Park - https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls
- Friends of McKinney Falls State Park - https://www.mckinneyfalls.org/
- All Trails – McKinney Falls State Park - https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/texas/mckinney-falls-state-park
- United States National Park Service - El Camino Real De Los Tejas National Historic Trail - https://www.nps.gov/elte/index.htm
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) McKinney Falls State Park. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/McKinney_Falls_State_Park
Maps
