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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Wood Storks-Elm Lake BBSP.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Wood Storks 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]] | ||
[[Image:40_acre_lake_pan.jpg|thumb|500px|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.]] | [[Image:40_acre_lake_pan.jpg|thumb|500px|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.]] | ||
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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]], [[Nutria]], [[River Otter]], [[White-tailed Deer]], [[Bobcat]] and [[Coyote]]. Good for butterflies and dragonflies, too. | ||
| + | ==Site Information== | ||
| + | [[Image:Elm_Lake_BBSP.jpg|thumb|400px|left|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, at the SW corner of Elm Lake, April 2008]] | ||
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===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. | ||
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===Areas of Interest=== | ===Areas of Interest=== | ||
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*See below for links to park maps and bird checklists. | *See below for links to park maps and bird checklists. | ||
| − | + | '''Directions:''' | |
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| − | '''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. | 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. | ||
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Tel: 979-553-5102 | Tel: 979-553-5102 | ||
| + | [[Image:Woodland_trail_BBSP.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Woodland trail in Feb. 2009]] | ||
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| + | [[Image:Elm_Lake2_BBSP.jpg|thumb|400px|left|Photo by {{user|HelenB|HelenB}}<br>Autumn afternoon on the north side of Elm Lake, Nov. 2008]] | ||
==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] | ||
Revision as of 23:47, 13 February 2011
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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.
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 part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail site no. UTC 117.
NB: the park will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 14th, 8am to Thursday, Dec 16th, 12 noon, for the annual 2010 deer hunt.
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 and Masked Duck several years ago.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
To do
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, 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.
- Observation Tower overlooking Pilant and 40-Acre Lakes.
- The George Observatory (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: $5 per day, 13 and older, free with the Texas State Parks Pass ($60 per year).
- Nature Center - open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat & Sun 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.
Contact Details
Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762
Needville TX 77461
Tel: 979-553-5102
External Links
- Bird Check list
- Park Map
- Trail Map
- Texas Parks and Wildlife official website for Brazos Bend State Park
- BBSP Volunteers Website for details of park activities
- Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
Content and images posted by HelenB
