Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is one of 35 Audubon nature centers/sanctuaries across the United States, and birders from across the world come to visit this 1,200-acre site that is located in the Central Flyway, a migratory bird route between Canada and South America.

One of only two natural lakes in Texas, Spaniards called this lake Laguna de los Patos (Lake of the Ducks) back in the 1700s, so it’s only fitting that my husband and I saw a mother and her ducklings paddling around, enjoying the beautiful day.

Little did the ducks know that Mitchell Lake was used as a sewer treatment plant by the City of San Antonio from 1901 until 1987. Thanks to a visionary group of citizens, San Antonio Water System and the National Audubon Society, Mitchell Lake was transformed into an outdoor classroom and nature preserve.

As the Audubon Center’s Travel Journal explains, “Birds are beautiful and inspiring. They also tell us about the health of our planet–their lives are linked to our own.”

The day my husband and I visited, dragonflies and grasshoppers outnumbered birds 100 to one, but any day you visit Mitchell Lake you will for sure spot at least one of the more than 300 bird species that have been documented on the grounds. We also appreciated seeing a bat roost and a chimney swift tower that had been constructed for winged friends. Another standout of our most recent visit was the wide open sky. Don’t forget to look up while you’re roaming around.

From April 20 to May 20, 2022, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center will host a Migratory Bird Fest and Birdathon with workshops, guest lectures, bird tours, contests, and a birding competition.

Be sure to check out the Nature Gift Shop on your way out to find something you can’t live without. I snagged a pair of hand-painted roadrunner earrings that I know will bring a smile to a dear friend. You’ll also want to check out the awesome butterfly garden on the grounds surrounding the welcome center. Queen butterflies were going to town on blue mistflower while we were there.

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is located at 10750 Pleasanton Road on the South Side of San Antonio, not far from the missions. Their summer hours are Thursdays through Sundays from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. You need a ticket to enter. Adult tickets are $5, children (ages 6-16) are $3, and children who are 5 and under are free.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!