Birding Texas: Lake Walter E. Long
Located just east of Austin, Texas, Lake Walter E. Long is an outstanding bird watching spot. Also known as Decker Lake, it has over 1,200 surface acres, with plenty of water plants and fish to attract some interesting species of waterfowl. This man-made reservoir is also a popular recreational area, surrounded by the Lake Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, as well as great spots for fishing and boating. This is a good place for observing winter waterfowl, as well as winter bird watching in general. Bird watching habitats at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas include swamps, woodlands, grasslands, and more. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, see below.
Least Bittern. Identify this small heron from its white throat and belly, as well as its black cap and back. It also has yellow legs and feet. Look for it while bird watching in the wetland areas at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where you may see it hunting for fish, insects, and small amphibians along the shores. These secretive little herons freeze in place when they are frightened, then sway to resemble a reed blowing in the wind.
Pied-billed Grebe. Look for this small grebe feeding on insects, small fish and crustaceans in the marshes of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas. You can recognize it while bird watching from the black ring on its white bill. It also has a black chin and dark eyes. This is a stocky little grebe, with brown upperparts and barred sides. When startled, this bird will dive underwater instead of taking wing. Pied-billed Grebes nest at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Osprey. Look for this large bird of prey soaring over Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, searching for food. The Osprey is the only raptor that exists solely on a diet of live fish. Identify it while bird watching from its dark brown upperparts and distinctive white underparts. The Osprey has a small white head with a dark eyestripe and dark crown. This bird has barbed pads on its feet to help it grip fish. Look for Osprey while bird watching during the spring and fall at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Virginia Rail. You'll recognize this medium-sized rail while bird watching from its long, curved reddish-brown bill, as well as the black crown on its head. It also has brownish orange legs and feet. Look for it while bird watching at the marshes at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where it prefers the abundant cattails found there. If startled, the Virginia Rail runs away rather than flying. Look for it during the spring and fall at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Hooded Merganser. This distinctive bird is easy to identify while bird watching from its contrasting black upperparts and white underparts, as well as its reddish-brown flanks. It has a large white patch on its crest when raised, and a beautiful white stripe behind its eyes when lowered. Hooded Mergansers can be found while bird watching near the marshes of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where you will see them diving underwater for prey. Look for them while bird watching during the spring and fall.
Least Bittern. Identify this small heron from its white throat and belly, as well as its black cap and back. It also has yellow legs and feet. Look for it while bird watching in the wetland areas at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where you may see it hunting for fish, insects, and small amphibians along the shores. These secretive little herons freeze in place when they are frightened, then sway to resemble a reed blowing in the wind.
Pied-billed Grebe. Look for this small grebe feeding on insects, small fish and crustaceans in the marshes of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas. You can recognize it while bird watching from the black ring on its white bill. It also has a black chin and dark eyes. This is a stocky little grebe, with brown upperparts and barred sides. When startled, this bird will dive underwater instead of taking wing. Pied-billed Grebes nest at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Osprey. Look for this large bird of prey soaring over Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, searching for food. The Osprey is the only raptor that exists solely on a diet of live fish. Identify it while bird watching from its dark brown upperparts and distinctive white underparts. The Osprey has a small white head with a dark eyestripe and dark crown. This bird has barbed pads on its feet to help it grip fish. Look for Osprey while bird watching during the spring and fall at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Virginia Rail. You'll recognize this medium-sized rail while bird watching from its long, curved reddish-brown bill, as well as the black crown on its head. It also has brownish orange legs and feet. Look for it while bird watching at the marshes at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where it prefers the abundant cattails found there. If startled, the Virginia Rail runs away rather than flying. Look for it during the spring and fall at Lake Walter E. Long in Texas.
Hooded Merganser. This distinctive bird is easy to identify while bird watching from its contrasting black upperparts and white underparts, as well as its reddish-brown flanks. It has a large white patch on its crest when raised, and a beautiful white stripe behind its eyes when lowered. Hooded Mergansers can be found while bird watching near the marshes of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, where you will see them diving underwater for prey. Look for them while bird watching during the spring and fall.
Source list:
Personal experience
http://www.tpw.stat.t.s/fishboat/fish/recreaional/lakes/walter_long
Published by Sally Ann Murphy
Sally is an attorney who enjoys good wine, excellent food, bird watching and learning about gardening in her adopted home of Little Rock, Arkansas. She has a special interest in cultivating roses, and is the... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a Comment♥ nice job
We have ospreys here and they have a huge rookery down by the river. It's funny to see these big birds standing on their nests!
thanks Sally