Birding Texas: Boles Lake

Boles Lake, which is formed by a dam on a tributary of Squabble Creek in Rockwall County, Texas, is a small but wonderful bird watching spot for waterfowl and other species of birds. Here you will find shorebirds, marsh birds, and water fowl, among others. The best time for bird watching at Boles Lake is during the winter, as well as during spring and fall for migratory birds. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Boles Lake in Texas, see below.

Whimbrel. Look for this large, long-legged sandpiper while bird watching along the shorelines of Boles Lake in Texas, where you will recognize it from its black crown, striped with white, as well as its long, black decurved bill. It also has bluish-gray legs and feet. You will see them probing in the mud for invertebrates along the shores of Boles Lake in Texas.

Marbled Godwit. Another large sandpiper, you will recognize it while bird watching at Boles Lake in Texas from its long pink bill, which is slightly upcurved and has a dark tip. It also has dark brown upperparts and lightly barred chestnut underparts. Look for it while bird watching along the shores of Boles Lake in Texas, probing in the mud for insects and worms. It also eats seeds and berries.

White-rumped Sandpiper. This small sandpiper can be found along the shores of Boles Lake in Texas, foraging for insects. Recognize it while bird watching from its short neck, thin black bill, black legs and feet, and of course its distinctive white rump. (Interestingly enough, this sandpiper's rump feathers are actually dark brown; the white feathers you will see are their upper tail coverts, the special feathers that cover the base of the tail feathers.) Their upperparts are scaled with brown and black, and they have white eyebrows and dark eyestripes.

Dunlin. Look for this medium-sized sandpiper in the shallow waters of Boles Lake in Texas, wading and probing for food. You will recognize it while bird watching from its reddish-brown upperparts, streaked with black, as well as its black belly patch and long, slightly decurved black bill. It also has black legs and feet. Dunlins often travel in huge flocks, which are known as a "fling" or "trip" of Dunlins.

Sanderling. Recognize this medium-sized sandpiper while bird watching at Boles Lake in Texas from its rufous upperparts and breast, with white underparts. It also has a black bill, legs and feet (the black legs really stand out against the white belly.) Look for it while bird watching along the shores of Boles Lake, searching for worms, plants, insects and other food.

Black-necked Stilt. You'll see this large shorebird on, what else, the shores of Boles Lake in Texas, looking for insects, fish and worms. Easily recognize it while bird watching from its black upperparts and white underparts, along with its thin, upcurved bill. It has red eyes with white eyerings, as well as a white patch above each eye. Its legs are a pinkish-red, and very long. Only flamingos have longer legs in proportion to their bodies. They also have webbed feet, although you'll almost never see one swimming.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://findlakes.com/boles_lake_texas

http://www.allaboutbirds.org

http://identify.whatbird.com