Bird Watching at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas

Located next to the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas, the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge has over 3,000 acres of marsh and water, as well as 8,000 acres of land that attract migrating, wintering, and resident birds. A Texas bird watching paradise, you'll find Canadian, Snow and Ross's Geese here, as well as Pintail Ducks, Gadwalls, Mallard Ducks and many others. Thousands of American White Pelicans stop here during their spring and fall migrations, with over 300 species of birds documented here. Bird watching habitats at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas include wetlands, grasslands, forests and farm land. Elms, Eastern Red Cedars, Pecans, Willows and Cottonwoods are just a few of the trees found here. In addition to bird watching, you can hike, hunt, and fish at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, but no camping is allowed here. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species that can be found while bird watching at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, see below.

Tundra Swan. Also known as the Whistling Swan, this beautiful bird can be found on the lake as well as the marshes of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Recognize it while bird watching by its completely white body, save for its black bill, legs and feet. This is one of the smallest swans you'll see while bird watching anywhere in North America.

Greater White-Fronted Goose. This medium-sized goose has a dark brown body with a white belly and undertail coverts. Recognize it while bird watching from the white patch on the front of its face, as well as its pink bill and orange legs. Look for it at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas in the marshes of the lake.

Ross's Goose. This is a small, white goose that you can identify while bird watching from its black primary feathers and its stubby, reddish orange bill. It also has reddish orange legs and feet. Look for it in the marshes of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where you may see it foraging for grasses and grain in the company of Snow Geese.

Baird's Sandpiper. Recognize this sandpiper from its grayish brown upperparts, white underparts, and dark grayish brown breast. It also has a buff colored crown, face and neck, streaked with brown. Its legs and feet are black. Look for it while bird watching in the grasslands beside the marshes of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Look for this small sandpiper on the shorelines of the lake and in the mudflats of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, looking for insects, worms, and other food. You can identify it while bird watching from its short, thick black bill, as well as its black legs and feet. It also has very thin, pale streaks of brown on its white breast and sides.

Common Snipe. You will find this bird in the wetlands and wet grasslands of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Recognize it while bird watching from its very long bill, as well as the orange wash on its white underparts, which are barred and streaked with dark brown. Its upperparts are a streaky yellow brown color.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/hagerman/index.html

http://www.allaboutbirds.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagerman_National_Wildlife_Refuge