Kiosk of Keep Wimberley Beautiful
Last year Liam McLemore received a grant from Keep Wimberley Beautiful to build a Chimney Swift tower kiosk at the Cypress Creek Nature Trail Head in downtown Wimberley. This was his Eagle Scout project under the guidance of his leader Jamie Jobes. The purpose of the kiosk was to provide a home for Chimney Swifts and space to display information related to the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve.
The project was completed last year and there is signage concerning the Preserve on one side. Recently the City of Wimberley established two cases (one on two sides) with the plan to provide visitors with seasonal information related to the trail. I have agreed to maintain these cases in keeping with the goals of Keep Wimberley Beautiful, Hays County Master Naturalists, and Wimberley Valley Watershed Conservation Easement.
Chimney Swifts have had a rough time since people have been covering up their chimneys. They build their nests for their babies on the inside of the chimney. Several years ago the Wimberley Birding Society built a Chimney Swift kiosk in the Patsy Glenn Refuge (PGR) which is located behind the Wimberley Community Center. It took quite a few years for the birds to establish nests in that tower. For the last three years Chimney Swifts have been nesting in the PGR tower.
The information currently in Cypress Creek Kiosk cases includes the history of the Preserve, geology visible on the trail, list of birds observed in April, and common plants you can find in June. When I did my walk on the trail in June to photograph common plants, I found American Germander in bloom. I was most excited to find it as I had never noticed it before.
If you are interested in learning common riparian native plants, come view the display on the kiosk and take a walk on the trail. Cypress Creek Nature Trail is located on Old Kyle Road near the radio station. The City maintains restrooms there, a pavilion with picnic tables and a young children’s play area. Parking is available at the Lumber Yard. Go in the morning for parking availability.
Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist