Birding Texas: Bastrop State Park

Bastrop State Park in Texas consists of almost 6,000 acres of bird watching territory. Located about 30 miles from Austin, Texas, Bastrop State Park is home to the famous "Lost Pines," an isolated region of loblolly pine(named because of the 100 miles of oaks that separate it from other East Texas pines). In addition to bird watching, you can enjoy camping, swimming, hiking, and canoeing at Bastrop State Park in Texas. Bird watching habitats here include lakes, shoreline, ponds, oaks, pines, juniper bushes, and others. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Bastrop State Park in Texas, see below.

White-tailed Kite. This small hawk can be found year round at Bastrop State Park in Texas. Identify it while bird watching from its gray upperparts, black shoulders, and white face and underparts. It also has red eyes and a black bill, with gray feet and legs. Look for it in the open woodlands and marshy areas of Bastrop State Park in Texas, hunting for small mammals.

Crested Caracara. Look for this year round resident of Bastrop State Park in Texas while bird watching in the open areas and pastureland. Recognize it while bird watching from its black cap, pale sides, and the bare red skin on its face. It also has a black body and a white tail tipped in black. Look for it hunting fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, and other prey at Bastrop State Park in Texas. It also eats carrion.

Black-and-white Warbler. Look for this beautiful summer resident while bird watching in the mature forests of Bastrop State Park in Texas. It is very easy to recognize while bird watching from its striking black and white striping, with a white eyestripe and eyering, as well as a black throat and ear patch. Even its underparts are striped. You'll find it creeping along tree trunks and branches, foraging for insects, spiders and caterpillars. This small warbler is also very territorial and aggressive, which is unusual for a warbler.

Painted Bunting. A gorgeous summer resident of Bastrop State Park in Texas, you can identify it while bird watching from its bright blue head and nape, bronze-greenish back and bright red rump and underparts. It also has a red eyering and green shoulder patches on its dark wings. Look for it feeding on insects, caterpillars, and seeds at Bastrop State Park in Texas, usually on the forest edges or the swampier areas.

Bald Eagle. This winter resident of Bastrop State Park in Texas is unmistakable, with its white head and tail and brown body. It also has yellow legs and feet, and long, broad wings. Look for it near the lake while bird watching at Bastrop State Park in Texas, where you will see it hunting for large birds and mammals, as well as fish. A Bald Eagle will wade into the water to catch fish, and also steals food from other birds whenever it can.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.allaboutbirds.org

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/bastrop/