The location of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is no accident. Its juniper-oak woodlands provide ideal breeding habitat for the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler, and conserving these trees is the refuge's highest priority.

This spring, Friends of Balcones hired two technicians to complete an intensive survey to determine whether the refuge continues to meet its goal of supporting the Endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers. The effort was no small undertaking. Over just four weeks, two biologists visited 500 monitoring points across the refuge to record the number of Golden-cheeked Warblers.

The results are encouraging. Your support of Friends of Balcones is what allows us to do the science projects that we need to as part of the Species plan.

Anna and Derek were our two enthusiastic Point Counters, exploring parts of the Refuge rarely stepped on by people.

“It is very much a privilege to have access to and survey for wildlife at points in the refuge that are not only closed to the public, but also that no one would really have much of a reason to visit outside of the warbler and vireo surveys,”

— Anna, Point Count Technician

They detected more than 500 male Golden-cheeked Warblers and estimated a population of just over 1,000 males. Because the species has a predominantly monogamous breeding system, with most males pairing with a single female each breeding season, the number of males provides a reliable estimate of the number of breeding pairs.

Even more encouraging, biologists found that the estimated population has remained remarkably stable since the last extensive Bird Point count 5 years ago. This consistency suggests that the refuge continues to provide the high-quality habitat the species needs to thrive.

“You learn so much about a species and an ecosystem by just being out in it every day,”

Anna reflected on her season counting warblers across the refuge.

For everyone who cares about conserving the Golden-cheeked Warbler, these findings are welcome news. They demonstrate that long-term habitat protection and careful management at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge are making a measurable difference for one of Texas's most iconic endangered birds.

The work also leaves a mark on the people who carry it out. As Anna put it,

“As someone who aspires to someday work for USFWS or a similar government organization at a place like Balcones Canyonlands NWR, I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about the behind-the-scenes work and management at the refuge.”

Season after season, technicians like Anna and Derek aren't just gathering the data that proves our conservation work is succeeding — they're being shaped into the next generation of wildlife professionals who will carry that work forward. This work continue to happen because of you and the Members of Friends of Balcones.  Support the Refuge and Science work through our Refuge in Science Action Fund here, or join as a member to provide yearly support for all Friends activities. Donations and memebrship have a direct impact on the Refuge and and wildlife.

• Join us Spring 2027 to see the  Golden-cheeked Warbler yourself
• Join as a member to receive first access and discounts to events year round
• Support the next Science based project with a donation to Refuge Science Action Fund