Chambers County

1 - Baytown Tunnel

Birding is best on the northwest side in the Exxon lagoons. In winter, waterfowl and cormorants can abound, and in late summer and early fall Wood Storks are often found among the trees on the far side of the lagoon

2 - HL & P Cooling Ponds

These cooling ponds, which collect the heated water from the HL & P Cedar Bayou Power Plant and allow it to cool before being discharged into Trinity Bay, are in my estimation, the most productive waterfowl birding spot in Texas. Numbers of ducks here can be absolutely mind- boggling in the winter months. Horned Grebe, greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Oldsquaw and all three species of scoter are among the rare species which are found here regularly in winter. This area is PRIVATE, but the O.G. is allowed to enter on field trips. Watch your SPOONBILL for announcements concerning these trips.

3 - Old River-Wallisville Area

This area, easily birded from the shoulder of IH-10 East, attracts many species of herons and waterfowl throughout the year. Of particular interest is the rookery which forms here yearly. Anhinga, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill are among the many species which nest in large numbers here. Watch for Wood Storks which arrive after they nest future south.

4 - Horseshoe Ponds Trail

This trail is located about a quarter mile east of the Trinity River Bridge on the north side of IH-10. Its marked but the sign is small. This area hasn't been explored well by birders yet, but my couple of trips down the trail lead me to believe it can be very productive. Pileated, Red-headed, Red-bellied, and Downy Woodpeckers are present. Watch for migrants in the spring and fall. The cypress lined lake (Miller Lake) at the north end of the trail has Wood Ducks resident. Protonotary Warblers and Northern Parula nest. Lots of wading birds and I would expect Wood Storks present in the late summer and early fall. In the Spring the shallow water has lots of shorebirds. In the winter Sparrows should be looked for in the open areas of the pipeline right of way that the trail crosses. (added by David Sarkozi 7/19/96)

5 - Lake Charlotte

This passively beautiful lake, nestled among the largest stand of Bald Cypress left in the state, holds a great deal of interest and attraction for the UTC birder. Turn north on FM 563 off of IH-10 east, then turn left on Lake Charlotte Road to locate this lovely area. Wood Duck, Osprey and Anhinga can often be found on the lake itself. IN summer, Red-eyed Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Pine Warblers sing in profusion along the shore. A place no birder should miss! (Just as the road turns to the right, park and walk straight ahead, following the trail). Note this area has recently been closed to the public except by special permit. Contact the Lake Wallisville Project Ranger Office for permits

6 - White Memorial Park

This small, heavily forested park is located at the corner of IH-10 east and FM 652 (look for the Hankamer exit, turn right one block). Great fir migrant passerines in the spring and fall, this park is also fantastic for nesting species in the summer. Barred Owl, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow- throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson's Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Pine Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Summer Tanager are among the species which nest here. Also good year round for Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Brown-headed Nuthatches and Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker.

7 - Lake Anahuac

This little birded area can be interesting, particularly in winter. Anhinga can always be found here, and many species of waterfowl winter on the lake.

8 - Oil Roads

As you travel south on FM 562 after leaving White Memorial Park, you will see several shell roads veering off to the left. These are service roads for the various oil leases located here. The large stands of dead pine trees here are home for the largest colony of Red-headed Woodpeckers I have ever seen on the UTC. The best time to look is late in the spring or early summer. Brown-headed Nuthatch is common. DO NOT SMOKE or you may be hastily escorted back to the main road by oil field personnel.

9 - Double Bayou Park

Another recent discovery Double Bayou Park is a little used county park located on Eagle Road about a quarter of a mile east of FM 562. Eagle Road is about 1 mile north of the junction of FM 562 and FM 1985. Should have about the same expected birds as White Memorial Park. (added by David Sarkozi 7/19/96)

10 - Smith's Point

Although rarely birded, this should be a productive area and needs to be covered more thoroughly. The Vingt et un Islands here once hosted one of the largest remnant populations of Roseate Spoonbills left in Texas in the 1930's and 40's (a project in which the Houston Outdoor Nature Club had a major role). Unfortunately, the islands have now mostly eroded away. The Houston Audubon Society has a hawk watch here from mid September till mid October. On days after a cold front has pushed through great numbers of Broad-winged Hawks kettle here (flights of over 50,000 have been observed) before continuing their migration south. All regular Raptors on the UTC are counted most days here during the watch. Peregrine Falcons, Merlin, and Swallow-tailed Kites are regular too. A river of swallows flows over the watch platform during the count. A hundred Hummingbirds has been counted in a day. Large flocks of Anhinga and Wood Stork are also observed. Check the woods Candy Abshier WMA other Neotropic migrants.

11 - Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1963, this area is host to incredible numbers of geese and ducks in the winter and a variety of shorebirds all year. Shoveler Pond can be fascinating any time of the year, with Least Bittern and Purple Gallinules in the summer, and many species of ducks in the winter. Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Orioles and Seaside Sparrow nest here commonly. Other animals of interest include American Alligator, Nutria, Armidillo, Coyote and numerous reptiles. Masked Duck has nested on Shoveler Pond in the past, so keep a sharp lookout for stiff-tailed ducks. Fulvous Whistling Ducks can be common and Wood Storks show up by mid summer. During spring, watch for six species of rails. The small stand of Willows to the west of the sign in kiosk has become famous for spring and fall migrants.

12 - FM 1985

The rice fields along this road are great for migrating shorebirds. Also watch these fields for Fulvous Whistling-Ducks.

13- High Island

Undoubtely the finest migrant trap in Texas. Smith Woods and Boy Scout Woods have no parallel when the migrants move in the spring and fall. Don't forget the oil fields which surround the salt dome on which High Island sits; they are fantastic for shorebirds. The piers which are located on Highway 87 between High Island and Rollover Pass, are interesting in the winter, and have been good for Western Grebe, scoters, and Gannets and the odd shearwater in the winter.

14 - Rollover Pass

Mudflats north of Highway 87 are excellent for shorebirds, gulls, and terns when the tide is low. The first Texas record Long-tailed Jaeger in was found her by Hazel Nichols. Look carefully.