Finding Birds
at Caddo Lake
Finding Birds
at Caddo Lake
Click on thumbnail pictures to view full-size photos.
From the TX 43 bridge over Big Cypress Bayou, go north on TX 43 about 4 1/2
miles (or from FM 2198, go north on TX 43 about 5 1/2 miles), and turn right
(northeast) on Johnson Road/MC 3416. Johnson Road passes large clear-cut
areas in various stages of regeneration. Around the intersection with Andrews Road/MC
3419, listen and watch for Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat (left), Common Yellowthroat,
etc. in summer; and Eastern and Spotted Towhees plus several species of
sparrows
in winter.
American Woodcocks have been found here at dusk in winter, displaying over the short, scrubby open
areas. The best place to watch and listen for woodcocks has been at the point where the
power line right-of-way crosses Andrews Road.
Continue along Johnson Road to Greening Road/MC 3420. The Greening Road
turnoff is approximately two miles down Johnson Road from TX 43. An oak tree stands in the
intersection. Turn right (southeast) here and follow the dirt road about 0.6 mile to a swampy area with many dead snags on the left side of the road.
A yellow State Park and WMA sign should be visible on one of the trees on the right side of the road.
This part of the Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area can be quite productive for a wide variety of
wetland and woodland species. Watch and listen for Northern Parula;
Yellow-throated, Prothonotary, Kentucky and Hooded Warblers; Louisiana
Waterthrush and American Redstart in summer; plus Barred, Eastern
Screech, and Great Horned Owls; Wild Turkey; seven species of woodpeckers, etc. Wherever the canopy opens, watch
the sky for Anhinga (right), Mississippi Kite, herons and
egrets (primarily summer), plus Red-shouldered Hawk (year-round) and other
raptors (primarily fall and winter).
Swainson's Warbler (spring/summer) and Rusty Blackbird (winter) have both been found in the
Wildlife Management Area.
However, access to the WMA, even for "non-consumptive" purposes, is by
permit only. If you venture beyond the county roadway, you must have with
you one of the following: a Texas Conservation Passport; an Annual Public
Hunting permit; or a Limited Public Use permit. These can be
purchased where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Return to TX 43 and turn left, heading back south about a mile to FM 805. Turn
left (east) on FM 805
(toward Carter's Lake) and follow the signs to Pine
Needle Lodge. Pine Needle Lodge offers lodging, rental canoes and a
picturesque view of the backwaters of Caddo Lake. In this area, one can often find Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons
(right) and occasionally Black-crowned; Fish Crows; nuthatches; Carolina, House and Winter Wrens (in
winter), and several species of warblers (primarily summer).
On the other side of TX 43 and south of Boots Walker
Road, the Walker farm has hosted bird banding activities since September 1996.
So far, 132 species of birds have been recorded here, and 68 species
have been banded, including
Bewick’s
Wren (left), Painted Bunting, Henslow’s
(right), Grasshopper and
Le Conte’s
Sparrows (top right), as well as 11
additional sparrow species, and 14 warbler species. Tom Walker can be
contacted at 500 Private Rd 7222,
Jefferson, TX 75657-5272; telephone:
(903) 665-8279; or E-mail:
twalkercaddolaketx(at)att.net.
For directions and information about the bird banding activities at the Walker
farm, check our Bird Banding Web Page.
Brown-headed
Nuthatch photo by Diane Jones. All other photos on this page by Bob and
Dorothy Metzler. Copyright © 1999-2005. All rights reserved.
No part of this Web site may be reproduced or published elsewhere
without permission.
Webmaster address: caddobirds(at)hotmail.com. Page last updated:
May 24, 2006.
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