Birding Texas: Sabine Woods Sanctuary

Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas is owned by the Texas Ornithological Society, and is a fantastic bird watching spot for viewing spring migrations, as well as many resident species. (This is a protected stopping point for neotropical migrants.) Bird watching habitats here include forests of large oaks, mulberry trees, ponds, marshes, wetlands and dense undergrowth. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the birds you may see while bird watching at Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas, see below.

Blue Grosbeak. You'll find this large finch in the bushes at Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas. Identify it while bird watching from its bright purple-blue body, black face, and dark tail and wings. Look for it foraging on the ground and in the bushes for insects, snails, seeds and fruit. You are most likely to see it when bird watching in the wetlands of Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas.

Indigo Bunting. This small finch is easy to recognize when bird watching from its iridescent blue body. It has a darker, purplish crown, as well as black wings and a tail that are all edged in blue. Look for it in the forest clearings and fields at Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas, where you will find it foraging for grains, berries and insects. Indigo Buntings migrate at night, using the stars to guide them.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Look for this stocky heron in the wooded swamps of Sabine Woods Sanctuary, where you will find it stalking insects in the water. You can identify it while bird watching from its gray body, black and white face, and yellow, feathery crown. It also has large red eyes, and a heavy black bill, and its legs and feet are yellow. Unlike many other herons, these can be found in Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas during both the day and night.

Green Heron. You will recognize this small heron while bird watching from its grayish green upperparts, brown head, neck and breast, and small green crest. It also has a white throat and a two-toned bill. Look for it along the shores of the ponds at Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas, hunting for fish, frogs, insects and other prey.

White-tailed Kite. This small kite can be found in the marshy areas of Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas, hunting for small mammals. Identify it while bird watching from its gray upperparts, long white tail, and white face and underparts. It also has a black bill and red eyes, and gray legs and feet. Look for this pretty raptor soaring on thermals at Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Identify this stocky songbird while bird watching from the small hooks on its outer wing feathers. It has brown upperparts and a pale brown throat, as well as long pointy wings and a small bill. Look for it when bird watching near the ponds and marshy areas of Sabine Woods Sanctuary in Texas, catching insects in midflight.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.goldentriangleaudubon.org/focus-areas/sabine-woods

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.allaboutbirds.org