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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Wood Storks-Elm Lake BBSP.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>[[Wood Stork]]s roosting on the north side of Elm Lake, September 2010]] |
[[Image:Ob_tower_BB.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Observation Tower at the NE corner of 40-Acre Lake, Mar. 2009]] | [[Image:Ob_tower_BB.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Observation Tower at the NE corner of 40-Acre Lake, Mar. 2009]] | ||
| − | [[ | + | |
| + | '''[[United States]], [[Texas]]''' | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | Brazos Bend State Park is located about 28 miles southwest of Houston, in Fort Bend County, [[Texas]]. It is about 5000 acres in size and has a variety of habitats, such as lakes, swamp, woodland and prairie. It's eastern boundary lies along the Brazos River. This birding hotspot is | + | Brazos Bend State Park is located about 28 miles southwest of Houston, in Fort Bend County, [[Texas]]. It is about 5000 acres in size and has a variety of habitats, such as lakes, swamp, woodland and prairie, almost all accessible by a great trail system. It's eastern boundary lies along the Brazos River. |
| + | |||
| + | This birding hotspot is site no. '''UTC 117''' on the '''Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''June 16th, 2015: The park is closed till at least June 30th, due to flood damage from the Brazos River. Call the park for updates: 979-553-5102.''' [http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/park-alert-status Click here for a list of the affected parks with map] and [http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/news_roundup/flooding_-_spring_2015/ here for news reports] | ||
==Birds== | ==Birds== | ||
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===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
| − | [[Rusty Blackbird]], [[Tropical Parula]] in mid Jan, 2009 (no recent reports). | + | [[Rusty Blackbird]], [[Tropical Parula]] in mid Jan, 2009 (no recent reports). [[Least Grebe]] seen Mar.16th, 2009. [[Streak-backed Oriole]] in March and April 2005, and [[Masked Duck]] in January of 1996 and 1997. |
===Check-list=== | ===Check-list=== | ||
| − | {{BirdsSee| | + | [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4504_0110b.pdf Official Bird Check list] |
| − | '' | + | |
| + | {{BirdsSee|[[Black-bellied Whistling-Duck]], [[Fulvous Whistling-Duck]], [[Greater White-fronted Goose]], [[Snow Goose]], [[Canada Goose]], [[Wood Duck]], [[Gadwall]], [[American Wigeon]], [[Mallard]], [[Mottled Duck]], [[Blue-winged Teal]], [[Cinnamon Teal]], [[Northern Shoveler]], [[Northern Pintail]], [[Green-winged Teal]], [[Canvasback]], [[Redhead]], [[Ring-necked Duck]], [[Lesser Scaup]], [[Bufflehead]], [[Hooded Merganser]], [[Ruddy Duck]], [[Wild Turkey]], [[Northern Bobwhite]], [[Pied-billed Grebe]], [[Black-necked Grebe|Eared Grebe]], [[American White Pelican]], [[Neotropic Cormorant]], [[Double-crested Cormorant]], [[Anhinga]], [[American Bittern]], [[Least Bittern]], [[Great Blue Heron]], [[Great Egret]], [[Snowy Egret]], [[Little Blue Heron]], [[Tricoloured Heron|Tricolored Heron]], [[Cattle Egret]], [[Green Heron]], [[Black-crowned Night-Heron]], [[Yellow-crowned Night-Heron]], [[White Ibis]], [[White-faced Ibis]], [[Roseate Spoonbill]], [[Wood Stork]], [[American Black Vulture|Black Vulture]], [[Turkey Vulture]], [[Osprey]], [[Swallow-tailed Kite]] (rare), [[White-tailed Kite]], [[Mississippi Kite]], [[Bald Eagle]], [[Northern Harrier]], [[Sharp-shinned Hawk]], [[Cooper's Hawk]], [[Red-shouldered Hawk]], [[Broad-winged Hawk]], [[Swainson's Hawk]], [[Red-tailed Hawk]], [[King Rail]], [[Virginia Rail]], [[Sora]], [[Purple Gallinule]], [[Common Gallinule]], [[American Coot]], [[Sandhill Crane]], [[Black-necked Stilt]], [[American Golden-Plover]], [[Killdeer]],[[Greater Yellowlegs]], [[Lesser Yellowlegs]], [[Least Sandpiper]], [[Wilson's Snipe]],}} | ||
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| + | |||
| + | [[Image:40_acre_lake_pan.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>40-Acre Lake, looking southwest from the Observation Tower. Photo taken Oct 24th, 2008, six weeks after Hurricane Ike did quite a lot of damage in the Park. Click on photo to see a larger image.]] | ||
==Other Wildlife== | ==Other Wildlife== | ||
38 species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including:<br /> | 38 species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including:<br /> | ||
| − | [[American Alligator]], a variety of snakes, turtles, frogs and lizards, [[Fox Squirrel]], [[Nine-banded Armadillo]], [[Raccoon]], [[Nutria]], [[River Otter]], [[White-tailed Deer]], [[Bobcat]] and [[Coyote]]. Good for butterflies and dragonflies, too. | + | [[American Alligator]], a variety of snakes, turtles, frogs and lizards, [[Fox Squirrel]], [[Nine-banded Armadillo]], [[Raccoon]], [[Virginia Opossum]], [[Nutria]], [[River Otter]], [[White-tailed Deer]], [[Bobcat]] and [[Coyote]]. Good for butterflies and dragonflies, too. |
==Site Information== | ==Site Information== | ||
| + | [[Image:Elm_Lake_BBSP.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>[[Yellow-crowned Night-Heron]], at the SW corner of Elm Lake, April 2008]] | ||
| + | |||
===History and Use=== | ===History and Use=== | ||
The land was purchased by the state of Texas in 1976-77 and was opened to the public in 1984. | The land was purchased by the state of Texas in 1976-77 and was opened to the public in 1984. | ||
| − | + | ||
===Areas of Interest=== | ===Areas of Interest=== | ||
*About 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one equestrian trail with primitive campsite. | *About 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one equestrian trail with primitive campsite. | ||
*3 picnic areas with barbeque pits, 2 of them with group pavilions. | *3 picnic areas with barbeque pits, 2 of them with group pavilions. | ||
*Creekfield Lake Nature Trail has interpretive signs and is wheelchair accessible. | *Creekfield Lake Nature Trail has interpretive signs and is wheelchair accessible. | ||
| − | *Elm Lake, 40-Acre Lake, Old and New Horseshoe Lakes, Hale Lake. | + | *Elm Lake, 40-Acre Lake, Old and New Horseshoe Lakes, Hale Lake - all have walking trails around them. |
*Observation Tower overlooking Pilant and 40-Acre Lakes. | *Observation Tower overlooking Pilant and 40-Acre Lakes. | ||
| − | *The George Observatory (Houston Museum of Natural Science) is located in the Park. | + | *The George Observatory (operated by the Houston Museum of Natural Science) is located in the Park. |
===Access and Facilities=== | ===Access and Facilities=== | ||
| + | [[Image:AmAlligator BBSP.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>American Alligator resting by the Spillway Bridge, April 2010]] | ||
*The park is open 7 days a week, all year. | *The park is open 7 days a week, all year. | ||
*Check the website in External Links, for emergency or scheduled closures. | *Check the website in External Links, for emergency or scheduled closures. | ||
*Gate Hours: Fri-Sun: 7am-10pm; Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm. | *Gate Hours: Fri-Sun: 7am-10pm; Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm. | ||
| − | *Fees: $ | + | *Fees: $7 per day, 13 and older; Seniors (65 and older) 50% off with a Texas Parklands Passport; free with the Texas State Parks Pass ($70 per year). |
| − | *Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm. | + | *Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm, major holidays (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) 9am-5pm. |
*Headquarters (at entrance) has gift shop, open daily. | *Headquarters (at entrance) has gift shop, open daily. | ||
*Camping facilities and cabins available in the Park. | *Camping facilities and cabins available in the Park. | ||
*See below for links to park maps and bird checklists. | *See below for links to park maps and bird checklists. | ||
| − | + | '''Directions:''' | |
| − | + | The Park is about 1 hour drive from the center of Houston. Take the 59 Freeway south and exit at Crabb River Road, follow the brown signs south, onto FM 762. The park entrance will be on the left. [http://www.brazosbend.org/parkinfo/directions.shtml Directions map] | |
| − | + | ===Contact Details=== | |
| − | + | [[Image:Spillway bridge BBSP.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Spillway Bridge on the Spillway Trail between 40-Acre Lake and Elm Lake, Feb. 2010]] | |
| − | |||
Brazos Bend State Park<br /> | Brazos Bend State Park<br /> | ||
21901 FM 762<br /> | 21901 FM 762<br /> | ||
Needville TX 77461<br /> | Needville TX 77461<br /> | ||
Tel: 979-553-5102 | Tel: 979-553-5102 | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4504_0110b.pdf Bird Check list] | + | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4504_0110b.pdf Bird Check list - revised 2006] |
| − | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_110l.pdf Park Map] | + | *[http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=hotspots&parentState=US-TX&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2014&reportType=location&continue.x=61&continue.y=2&continue=Continue&hotspots=L141106 eBird bar chart of bird observations for BBSP] |
| − | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_110w.pdf Trail Map] | + | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_110l.pdf Park Map - printable] |
| + | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_110w.pdf Trail Map - printable] | ||
*[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/brazos_bend/ Texas Parks and Wildlife official website for Brazos Bend State Park] | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/brazos_bend/ Texas Parks and Wildlife official website for Brazos Bend State Park] | ||
*[http://www.brazosbend.org/ BBSP Volunteers Website for details of park activities] | *[http://www.brazosbend.org/ BBSP Volunteers Website for details of park activities] | ||
| − | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/ | + | *[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/coastal/upper/brazoria-loop Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Brazoria Loop] |
| + | {{GSearch|Brazos+Bend}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''Content and images originally posted by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}'' | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Texas]] [[Category:Incomplete Locations]] [[Category:Great Texas Wildlife Trails]] | [[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Texas]] [[Category:Incomplete Locations]] [[Category:Great Texas Wildlife Trails]] | ||
Revision as of 01:47, 17 June 2015
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This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
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Overview
Brazos Bend State Park is located about 28 miles southwest of Houston, in Fort Bend County, Texas. It is about 5000 acres in size and has a variety of habitats, such as lakes, swamp, woodland and prairie, almost all accessible by a great trail system. It's eastern boundary lies along the Brazos River.
This birding hotspot is site no. UTC 117 on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
June 16th, 2015: The park is closed till at least June 30th, due to flood damage from the Brazos River. Call the park for updates: 979-553-5102. Click here for a list of the affected parks with map and here for news reports
Birds
Notable Species
Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Anhinga, Bald Eagle, Cinnamon Teal, Vermilion Flycatcher (winter), Prothonotary Warbler (summer).
Rarities
Rusty Blackbird, Tropical Parula in mid Jan, 2009 (no recent reports). Least Grebe seen Mar.16th, 2009. Streak-backed Oriole in March and April 2005, and Masked Duck in January of 1996 and 1997.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, American White Pelican, Neotropic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, White-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swallow-tailed Kite (rare), White-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, King Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora, Purple Gallinule, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, Black-necked Stilt, American Golden-Plover, Killdeer,Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe,
Photo by HelenB
40-Acre Lake, looking southwest from the Observation Tower. Photo taken Oct 24th, 2008, six weeks after Hurricane Ike did quite a lot of damage in the Park. Click on photo to see a larger image.
40-Acre Lake, looking southwest from the Observation Tower. Photo taken Oct 24th, 2008, six weeks after Hurricane Ike did quite a lot of damage in the Park. Click on photo to see a larger image.
Other Wildlife
38 species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including:
American Alligator, a variety of snakes, turtles, frogs and lizards, Fox Squirrel, Nine-banded Armadillo, Raccoon, Virginia Opossum, Nutria, River Otter, White-tailed Deer, Bobcat and Coyote. Good for butterflies and dragonflies, too.
Site Information
History and Use
The land was purchased by the state of Texas in 1976-77 and was opened to the public in 1984.
Areas of Interest
- About 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one equestrian trail with primitive campsite.
- 3 picnic areas with barbeque pits, 2 of them with group pavilions.
- Creekfield Lake Nature Trail has interpretive signs and is wheelchair accessible.
- Elm Lake, 40-Acre Lake, Old and New Horseshoe Lakes, Hale Lake - all have walking trails around them.
- Observation Tower overlooking Pilant and 40-Acre Lakes.
- The George Observatory (operated by the Houston Museum of Natural Science) is located in the Park.
Access and Facilities
- The park is open 7 days a week, all year.
- Check the website in External Links, for emergency or scheduled closures.
- Gate Hours: Fri-Sun: 7am-10pm; Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm.
- Fees: $7 per day, 13 and older; Seniors (65 and older) 50% off with a Texas Parklands Passport; free with the Texas State Parks Pass ($70 per year).
- Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm, major holidays (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) 9am-5pm.
- Headquarters (at entrance) has gift shop, open daily.
- Camping facilities and cabins available in the Park.
- See below for links to park maps and bird checklists.
Directions: The Park is about 1 hour drive from the center of Houston. Take the 59 Freeway south and exit at Crabb River Road, follow the brown signs south, onto FM 762. The park entrance will be on the left. Directions map
Contact Details
Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762
Needville TX 77461
Tel: 979-553-5102
External Links
- Bird Check list - revised 2006
- eBird bar chart of bird observations for BBSP
- Park Map - printable
- Trail Map - printable
- Texas Parks and Wildlife official website for Brazos Bend State Park
- BBSP Volunteers Website for details of park activities
- Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Brazoria Loop
Content and images originally posted by HelenB
