Birding Texas: Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas consists of over 7,000 acres of outstanding bird watching. Buffalo Lake itself has become very dry, but bird watching habitats such as wetlands, woodlands, prairies, marshes, farmlands, grasslands, and canyons still exist. In addition to bird watching, you can picnic, camp, and hike at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. This is a very important wintering area for migrating waterfowl, and thousands of geese, ducks and other birds come here to winter at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It is also part of the Central Flyway, used by birds as they travel between their wintering and nesting areas, making it an amazing bird watching spot. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, including such endangered species as Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and Mountain Plovers. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, see below.

Wild Turkey. Look for this majestic bird in the forests of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Recognize it while bird watching from its unmistakable blue head, red wattle, and huge, gorgeous tail. This is the largest game bird in North America, hunted almost to extinction in the early 1900s, although its current population is estimated to be about seven million.

Eastern Kingbird. This large flycatcher is easy to identify while bird watching from its blue-black wings and back, as well as its black tail and head. It also has a black bill and black legs and feet. Look for it in the open woodlands, farmlands, and other open areas of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Eastern Kingbirds nest at this wildlife refuge, and will defend their nests very aggressively.

Blue Grosbeak. You'll recognize this large finch while bird watching from its bright purple-blue body, black face and dark wings and tail. Look for it foraging on the ground at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, usually in the thickets of the wetlands as well as the brushier areas. This beautiful little bird can be found hunting for insects, seeds, snails and fruit at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.

Orchard Oriole. Look for this Oriole in the open woodlands of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where you will see it hunting for insects, fruits, berries and nectar. Recognize it while bird watching from its black head, back and tail, as well as its orange shoulder patches, underparts and rump. It also has a thin, pointed bill. This is the smallest of the Orioles, and it can be found nesting in the grasslands of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Look for its loosely woven, cup-shaped nest while bird watching there, usually hanging near the end of a tree limb, .

Golden Eagle. This huge, magnificent bird of prey can be found in the canyons and grasslands of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Recognize it while bird watching from it dark brown body and the golden feathers on the back of its head. It has yellow feet, and is one of the few birds of prey with legs that are feathered all the way to its talons.

Source list:

Personal experience
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/buffalo.html
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
http://identify.whatbird.com