Trail Closures March 1 to May 31, 2015: Golden Cheek Warbler Nesting Season

A Golden-Cheeked Warbler was sighted Saturday, March 14 not far from the parking lot at Upper Purgatory Creek Natural Area, 1751 Valencia. -LJ

The City of San Marcos released maps that clearly show the trails and areas that are closed from March 1 to May 31, 2015 to protect the nesting golden-cheeked warbler. From the City of San Marcos web site:

Sign posted at affected trail head

The golden-cheeked warbler is an endangered species of bird that breeds only in central Texas and nests in the Ashe-juniper and oak found in some of our natural areas. In an effort to protect these rare birds certain trails in Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Spring Lake Natural Area will be closed from March 1-May 31 annually.

Two of our natural areas: Spring Lake and Purgatory Creek were acquired thanks in part to funding by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife and Texas Parks & Wildlife for the specific purpose of protecting this endangered species. These closures are only a fraction of these large open spaces — please observe the closures!
Click here for maps of the closed areas.