Climate

Bastrop County has a growing season of approximately 270 days, with the average dates of the first and last frosts being November 15th and March 15th. Average rainfall is 35 inches. July is normally the hottest month, with a mean maximum temperature of 96 degrees F. January is the generally the coldest, with a mean minimum temperature of 40 degrees F. Extremes of temperature result in summer temperatures sometimes in excess of 100 degrees and winter temperatures that occasionally dip into the teens or twenties for brief periods of time.

Flora & Fauna

The loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is the most conspicuous tree species in the "Lost Pines" area. This species has developed drought tolerant characteristics that further help it survive in the area. Interspersed among the pines are the post oak (Quercus stellata) and blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica). Other common species include the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), black hickory (Carya texana), and deciduous or possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua).

The isolation of the "Lost Pines" from biologically similar habitats results in a biological community with many unique flora and fauna. Several species with limited distributions can be studied in the area, including the endangered Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis). The range of the "Lost Pines" also corresponds with the central Texas range of the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) and the Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus). Three species of mammals may reach their western boundaries in the Buescher-Bastrop Park area - a flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), a pack rat (Neotoma floridana) and a mole (Scalopus aquaticus).

Bastrop county is home to a wide variety of birds, which is evident by studying the lists of birds seen in the county by Audubon members. Mammals that one may observe in the county include rabbits, raccoons, opossums, skunks, armadillos, foxes, coyotes, deer, bobcats, bats, and occasionally even a cougar.