Birding Texas: Candy Cain Abshier Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

The Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas consists of over 200 acres of excellent bird watching opportunities. Birding watching habitats include wet prairies, oak forests, freshwater ponds, coastal plains, Galveston and Trinity Bay, and others. During September and October thousands of birds of prey migrate through Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas, including hawks, falcons, eagles, kites, and others. There is an observation tower located here for watching the hawks and other birds. Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas is also a terrific winter bird watching spot. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas, see below.

Magnificent Frigratebird. Look for this large, dark bird stealing food from other birds or catching it up off the surface of the bays at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas. Identify it while bird watching from its long pointed wings and long forked tail. During breeding season, these birds inflate their large, orange throat sacs for an amazing courtship display. Look for them hunting for fish, crabs, turtles and other prey while bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas.

Wood Stork. This huge, white bird is easy to recognize while bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas. It has a bald black head, long grayish-black legs, and a long, thick, downward curved bill. Its wide, beautiful wings have long black tips. Look for it probing in the bay waters for fish and other prey or soaring over the water while bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas.

Merlin. Look for this small, pretty falcon in the forests of Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas, hunting for prey. Identify it while bird watching from its blue-gray upperparts and heavily streaked white underparts. It also has a white throat and white eyebrows, as well as a dark gray bill and yellow legs and feet.

Kestrel. You'll easily recognize this small hawk when bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas from its slate blue wings, black facial stripes, and brown barred back and tail. Look for it hunting for bats, frogs, rodents and birds at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas. The Kestrel is the smallest of the North American hawks.

Black Rail. Identify this small rail while bird watching at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas from its black, white-speckled back and belly. It also has a chestnut brown nape and upper back, and red eyes. Look for it in the marshy areas of Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas, where you will find it foraging for aquatic plants, seeds and insects. This is the smallest North American rail.

Brown Pelican. This large sea bird is easy to recognize while bird watching from its large, pouched bill, brown head, and yellow and brown neck. Look for it plunging into the bay at Candy Cain Abshier WMA in Texas, scooping up fish with its bill. In flight its wings have a distinctive brown and white V-pattern.

Source list:

Personal experience
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=36
http://identify.whatbird.com
http://www.allaboutbirds.org