Concho Loop

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Hummer House
HOTW 107

Call ahead, access to the site is restricted; visitation may be arranged by contacting the managing entity at the address and telephone number provided.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

From Eldorado, Take US 277 north for 28 miles to Loop 110 into Christoval. Turn right and follow 1 block to RR 2084. Turn right and go 1.8 miles to Hummer House entrance on right.

The Hummer House is located along the South Concho River corridor, which serves as a natural flyway for a large number of passerine and near-passerine species that migrate through west central Texas. The same habitat that serves as a magnet for these migrants is also prime habitat for a large number of breeding species. The Hummer House has long been noted for its Black-chinned Hummingbird, but impressive populations of Painted Bunting and several other species also live on the ranch each summer. More than 45,000 birds representing 154 species have been banded here, making this site a rich resource for our understanding of the birds of this region. The ranch holds the national longevity records for both Black-chinned Hummingbird and Painted Bunting. The air-conditioned viewing room is open to the public on Saturdays beginning the first Saturday in May and ending the last Saturday in August.

(325) 255-2254
www.hummerhouse.com

Latitude: 31.1895
Longitude: -100.4984

Bat Bridge at Foster Road & Loop 306
HOTW 108

This site is open for day use only.

From US 87 and Loop 110 in San Angelo, head west on Loop 306 for 1.7 miles and exit Foster Rd. Park along the southeast feeder road or at the DPS office. Walk down to the embankment below the bridge.

This overpass provides roost habitat for a maternal colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bats. Thousands of bats roost in the crevices beneath the bridge. The bats emerge near sunset to feed on insects in the surrounding countryside.

http://www.samfa.org/attractions

Latitude: 31.4106
Longitude: -100.4567

San Angelo State Park
HOTW 109

This site is open daily, and developed camping is available at the site.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

In San Angelo head west on Loop 306 to US 67 South. Turn left and go 0.6 mile to FM 2288. Turn right and go 2.4 miles to the south entrance to the park. Return to FM 2288 and go 8.3 miles north to the north entrance.

San Angelo State Park consists of lake habitat, rocky hillsides, mixed woodland river bottom and mesquite savannas. Over 300 species of birds, 50 species of mammals and 42 species of reptiles have been observed at the park. Mesquite brush inhabitants include Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, Canyon Towhee, Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, Scaled Quail, Northern Bobwhite, Vermilion Flycatcher, Chihuahuan Raven, Cassin's and Black-throated Sparrows and Cactus and Bewick's Wrens. Summer nesting birds include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Mississippi Kite, Swainson's Hawk, Bell's Vireo, Orchard and Bullock's Orioles and Yellow-breasted Chat. Winter and migrations are the best viewing times for birders, as the migrating shorebirds and waterfowl can be seen when O.C. Fischer Lake has had rainfall. Expect to see a wide variety of ducks, as well as other winter visitors, including Franklin's and Bonaparte's Gulls, Forster's and Black Terns, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Western and Least Sandpipers, Sora and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. In the woodland areas, expect to find a good mix of woodpeckers such as Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted), Yellow-bellied and Red-naped Sapsuckers and an occasional Acorn or Red-headed Woodpecker. Say's Phoebe can occur along the water's edge, along with wintering Swamp and White-crowned Sparrows. Migrating shorebirds such as Pectoral, Stilt, Spotted and White-rumped Sandpipers can also be seen.

(325) 949-4757
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo

Latitude: 31.4905
Longitude: -100.5374

River Corridor
HOTW 111

This site is open for day use only.

From FM 2288 and US 87, head south on US 87 8.6 miles. At the third traffic light turn right on 19th St. Proceed for 0.8 mile to 19th St. ramp, just past the Tom Green Juvenile Criminal Justice Center on the left and just before crossing the Concho River. Turn left onto the ramp, and turn left again on North River Dr. Follow this road through the next 3 parks, which changes its name to Veterans' Memorial Dr. at the Beauregard Dr. Bridge.

The River Corridor encompasses 3 parks located along the North Concho River: North Concho Park, Harmon Park and Santa Fe Park. These sites are multiuse parks, with river access and picnic areas. The east side of the river is banked by limestone ledges and rocky hillsides. The west side of the river is wooded with pecans and mesquite, forming waterside perches for Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and the occasional Great Horned Owl. Monarch butterflies migrate along this river corridor in the fall, and winter brings new avian residents, including Myrtle and Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned, Lincoln's, Swamp and Song Sparrows and shorebirds such as Common Snipe.

(325) 657-4450
www.cosatx.us/parks

Latitude: 31.4712
Longitude: -100.4625

Sunken Gardens
HOTW 112

This site is open for day use only.

From US 67 and US 87 in San Angelo, head south on US 87 0.9 mile to Ave. D. Take a right and the park is on the right.

The park is home to the Richard Salmon Sculpture Garden with a dozen or more unique sculptures being displayed, switching exhibits each year in August. The gardens of canna lilies and other blooming wildflowers at this small park provide a good opportunity to observe butterflies. Look for Red Admiral, American Painted Lady, Painted Lady, Question Mark, Checkered White, Fiery Skipper, Funereal Duskywing, Sleepy Orange and Dainty Sulphur. In summer look for nesting Western Kingbird or Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

(325) 657-4450
www.cosatx.us/parks

Latitude: 31.4538
Longitude: -100.4429

Civic League Park
HOTW 113

This site is open for day use only.

From US 67 and US 87 in San Angelo, head south on US 87 0.5 mile to Beauregard Ave. Take a right and go 0.5 mile to Park St. Take a right and the park entrance is on your right.

This park features The International Water Lily Collection that attracts large numbers of dragonflies. Look for Blue Dasher, Eastern Amberwing, Eastern Pondhawk, Widow and Roseate Skimmers, Eastern Ringtail and Four-spotted Pennant. Black-chinned Hummingbirds abound and can be seen and heard buzzing throughout the garden. The park has an extensive rose garden with many beautiful varieties.

(325) 657-4450
www.cosatx.us/parks

Latitude: 31.4586
Longitude: -100.4510

Rio Concho Park
HOTW 114

This site is open for day use only.

From US 67 and US 87 in San Angelo, head south on US 87 0.7 mile to Concho Ave./Rio Concho Ave. Turn left and continue 1.3 miles to the park on the left.

This park has a walking trail that follows a stretch of the Concho River. A display garden offers the butterfly-enthusiast an opportunity to study assorted skippers and hairstreaks. In addition, look for Red Admiral, Question Mark and Variegated Fritillary. The river bottom is primarily wooded by ash and mesquite, with some oak and pecan trees. Look for Eastern Phoebe, Summer Tanager and Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the summer. Green and Great Blue Herons can be found along the banks as well.

(325) 657-4450
www.cosatx.us/parks

Latitude: 31.4607
Longitude: -100.4237

Paint Rock Excursions
HOTW 115

Call ahead, access to the site is restricted; visitation may be arranged by contacting the managing entity at the address and telephone number provided.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

Take FM 380 east from San Angelo to Paint Rock, about 30 miles. At US 83 turn left and go north 0.7 mile to the sign and gate on the left.

This 1,200-acre ranch consists of mesquite shrub land and wooded bottomland located along the banks of the Concho River. The limestone outcrops on the ranch have over 1,500 pictographs from 9,000 years of Native American occupation. Over 300 tribes are believed to have recorded history here. Birds commonly seen on the ranch include Wild Turkey, Lark Sparrow, Canyon and Cactus Wrens, Canyon Towhee and Painted Bunting. Visitors can also see Bison, White-tailed Deer and other mammals. The Concho Clam, indigenous to this river, with beautiful silky white-to-pink nacre, can often be seen washed up along the shoreline. Call for reservations.

(325) 732-4376

Latitude: 31.5162
Longitude: -99.9207