The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve has been a nationally known birding “hot spot” for many years. In 2018, West 11th Street Park was added to the Buffalo Bayou Loop of the Upper Texas Coast - Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. The site number is UTC 093A. Prior to that designation, the park was birded for many years, documenting all of the bird species seen. West 11th Street Park became The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve in 2021 and is also a permanent home to bees, butterflies, spiders, anoles, rabbits, turtles, and a host of bugs.
Each spring and fall numerous species of migratory birds visit our Nature Preserve. Many of our year round and migrant birds eat insects and worms, and some eat seeds. Yet, all birds are attracted to the sound of moving water. Adding a drip installation to The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve provides the sound of moving water which birds find irresistible. Many birds such as chickadees, cardinals and finches will land on the dripper spout and creep down to the end and lean over to take a drink! Some birds will linger long enough to take a quick bath in the water. The bees and butterflies as well as the other permanent residents of the Nature Preserve will also be drawn to the water.
In addition to the sound of dripping water, ripples of glistening water will be seen by birds which only enhance the attraction. The drip base is located on the ground because water ponds are found on the ground in nature. And, because it is moving, mosquitoes will not be attracted to it to lay eggs because they prefer still water. It is hoped that the addition of the water drip to The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve will attract more and different species of birds to the Nature Preserve on a yearlong basis.
The Quiet Zone and Bird Drip is a successful collaboration between the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve and the City of Houston Parks and Recreation. Ongoing planting and plant maintenance around the drip attests to the partnership between all three.
Please do not approach the drip out of respect for the wildlife who live within the Nature Preserve and use the drip. Also, please stay quiet when near the drip so as not to disturb the wildlife. You are welcome to linger to watch the wildlife, and encouraged to listen and create your own art such as poems, music, or drawings as you linger.
The Nature Preserve is a place of refuge in our busy urban environment for wildlife as well as people. Please be kind when you visit, realizing that you are a visitor to our urban animals’ homes. Please do not remove anything from the Nature Preserve or move anything within the preserve. Please stay on the paths (and keep your dogs on-leash and on the paths with you at all times) in an effort to foster more livable spaces for our plants and animals. It is only by working together to preserve our amazing piece of urban nature that we will have beautiful moments with flowers, trees, birds, butterflies, and our neighbors.
