Urban Bird Project was honored to host San Antonio-based artist Mark Menjívar for a slow birdwalk along the newly-designed Martinez Creek and Alazan Creek trailheads. These are just two sections of the work being done with the Westside Creeks Restoration Project.
Co-led by Dr. Amelia King-Kostelac (UBP Co-Director) and Mark Menjívar, this birdwalk asked us to move slowly together and to focus on individual birds–their lives, struggles, and joys–while also taking time to converse and tell stories with the assembled group. Amelia handed out a handmade field notebooks for the event, and Mark expertly guided our group along the creeks where he has plans for upcoming bird installations.
In this urban space with long histories of neglect and suspect flood control (concrete ditches), we were shocked and delighted to find an abundance of local and migratory birds during migration season. The presence of migratory birds like the Western Kingbird, Blue Grosebeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Swainson’s Hawk, and Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher consistently amazed us. They also challenged our preconceived notions of what birding is and where it can be done. Over 6.5 million birds had crossed over Bexar County the previous night. All we had to do was follow the local restored urban creeks–with newly established strong trees, flowing water, and clear walking paths–to engaged with the migratory birds that many people travel hundreds of miles to see. It was a beautiful reminder that nature, in all of its diversity, sometimes comes to us, and all we have to do is get outside and engage slowly together.
