Camp Tyler- go south on 69 to 346 to
Whitehouse, then turn left on 848 to 2127, there is a sign for Camp Tyler on
848. It is about a mile up the road. On 2127 before you get to Camp Tyler
there is a branch of Lake Tyler. There is the yard of an old burned house
that can be good birding. From the yard you can scope the Lake. This area is
often very good for ducks in winter. If you drive past Camp Tyler the road
goes to a picnic area on Lake Tyler. This can be good birding. All along
2127 the birding is good in migration. Camp Tyler has wooded area, meadows
and fields, ponds and Lake Tyler waterfront. It is great in winter and
migration.
Camp Tyler is owned by a private foundation that has been very good about
letting people bird. It is used primarily for youth activities for the
schools and youth groups. You must sign a release form to bird. Call the
camp office at 903-510-6406 Monday through Friday for permission. Forms may
be downloaded from their web site The website for Camp Tyler is:
http://wwwcamptyler.org
Map to Camp Tyler
Lake Tyler Concession Area -
Go through Whitehouse on 346 to a small road that has a billboard for the
marina and concession area. Turn left on that road. Turn into the Marina
area. There is a parking lot. Across the road from the lot there is a wooded
area that is good birding in winter and migration. From the parking lot
scope the lake, there are usually ducks, terns, gulls, etc. on the lake in
winter. Check out the boat ramp. Last year there was a Ross's Goose, a white
phase Snow Goose and a blue phase Snow Goose all winter. This is also a good
place to scope the Lake.
Rose Rudman Park - Go south on 69
to South Loop 323 and turn left onto s. Loop. Turn right at first light
(Donnybrook). On weekends you can park in R. E. Lee parking lot. The park
begins across from the R. E. Lee campus and follows a creek. There is
a paved walk on the west side of the creek. If you take the little spur off
the walk to the east you can cross the creek. On the east side of the creek
a trail runs
along the creek. This area is more natural than the west side. Both sides
can be good. Be sure to go to the southern part of the park under the big
oaks. This can be very productive in winter and migration.
U. T. Tyler Campus - Take 248
(University Blvd.) right off of S. S. E Loop 323. Go to second entrance off
University (Old Omen Rd, there's a gas station across the road from
entrance) then turn left off that road into campus. Go to the Science
Bldg... The trees around the Science Bldg. can be good in winter and
migration. If you walk between the science Building and the Student Center,
you will come out on a walk that borders several ponds and goes between the
buildings. On Campus Drive, across from the lake behind the student center,
there is a nature trail.
Tyler State Park - Take 14 north of
Tyler to the Park Road. Throughout the Park there are a number of trails.
The most productive is the trail that circles the lake. In winter and
migration check out the area around the Concession. Take the trail to the
left following the lake. On the far end there is a swampy area that is
particularly good. Follow the trail over the bridge and around to the dam.
the back side of the dam is good for sparrows in the winter. This Park is
very busy in holidays and Summer. The website for TSP is:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/tyler/tyler.htm
Old Sabine Bottoms WMA - Is 5 miles
north of Lindale off CR.. 4106. Take 2710 to 4128 to 4106. There is a map at
the website . This is particularly good in April when Prothonotary and
Northern Parula are breeding. It's also good for butterflies. The website
for Old Sabine WMA is:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/wma/wmarea/sabine.htm#text
Map to Old Sabine Bottoms
Gus Engeling WMA- Gus Engeling is
located on US 287 about 20 miles west of Palestine. Catfish Creek runs
through it. This is a mixed forest area that is the beginning of the Post
Oak Savanna. There are several nice trails, a pond, woodlands and meadows.
This is good in migrations. Prothonary Warblers and Painted and Indigo
Buntings nest here. It's website is:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/wma/wmarea/engeling.htm#top
Richland Creek WMA- Richland
Creek is about 10 miles west of Gus Engeling. There is a sign for the North
Unit just before you get to the Richland Chambers Lake dam. This area is a
fresh water marsh that is owned by the Tarrant County Water Authority. It is
excellent in migration. Many shorebirds and wading birds come through in
migration. Wilson's Phalaropes are found there each year. The willows
along the road can be very good for migrants. Dickcissals, and Buntings nest
there. It's website is:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/wma/wmarea/richland.htm#text
.
Other East Texas sites and information
may be found at these links:
Northeast Texas Field
Ornithologists- a number of sites listed for the Northeast corner of
East Texas, including the Longview Area
Texas State Parks
Texas Wildlife Management
Areas
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department Home Page
East Texas Nature Conservancy Preserves
Information about the coastal area of East Texas can be found at David
Sarkosi's sit Birds of the
Upper Texas Coast
Also check out the
Shreveport, LA Bird Study Group
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Old Sabine Bottoms WMA
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