West Harris/Waller Counties

Most of the areas mentioned in this key are PRIVATE PROPERTY and this should be respected at all times. All rice fields and wet pastures in this area can be excellent for shorebirds in spring and rails in fall. In spring and summer, fields and roadsides can be filled with wild flowers, especially in Waller county.

1 - Hegar Road Pond

Bald Eagles, hawks, and ducks in the winter.

2 - Bauer-Hockley Road at Grimes Road

Sparrows, Bald Eagles, Ferruginous Hawk often seen in this area. The short grass field on the south-east corner has had Henslow's Sparrow over winter.

3 - Bauer-Hockley Road

Hedgerows along this road can be great for Harris and Fox Sparrows, and other passerines in winter. Eastern Bluebird often found at eastern end of this road. Pyrrhuloxia has occurred here during some winters. A Mountain Bluebird was found here in November, 1992

4 - Schell Road

A great country road, with lots of hedgerows for sparrows. Ferruginous Hawk and White- winged Doves have occurred here, and Merlin has over wintered several times.

5 - Little Cypress Creek at Muschke Road

Excellent area for woodland birds. Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-headed Woodpecker in winter.

6 - Cypress Creek at House and Hahl Road.

In winter, Purple Finch, Harris Sparrow, and Winter Wren in woods along creek, Red- headed Woodpecker in fields to the east of road. Bachman's Sparrow over wintered here in 1989-90.

7 - House and Hahl Road

In winter waterfowl and hawks in rice fields, Vermilion Flycatcher near cattle pens and small ponds, Harris and other sparrows in hedgerows. In summer, look for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Orchard Oriole, Mississippi Kites, and Wood Storks.

8 - Borgstedt's Pond

PRIVATE PROPERTY, view from the road. Good spot for Bald Eagles and waterfowl in winter. Look for Wood Storks on banks of reservoir in late summer.

9 - Cypress Creek at Katy-Hockley Road

PRIVATE PROPERTY, view from the road. In winter, Western Meadowlark, American Woodcock, Purple Finch, Rufous-sided Towhee, Harris and Fox Sparrows, Caracaras, and Bald Eagles may be seen in this area. All five owls (Screech, Great Horned, Barred, Barn, and Short-eared) can be found in this area in winter.

10 - Jack Road

In winter, LeConte's, Henslow's, Grasshopper, and Harris Sparrow along fences, Common Ground Dove along the railroad track, and White-tailed Kite and Harlin's (Red-tailed) Hawk at the corner near the salt mine Good area fro Barn Owl at night.

11 - Warren Lake

In winter, Bald Eagles on lake's shore, waterfowl on lake, and Harris' Sparrow in hedgerows. White Pelicans and Wood Storks possible in summer. Franklin's Gulls occasionally feed on the lake in migration, and shorebirds may be seen along the shore. Ferruginous Hawk, White-tailed Kite, Roadrunner, and Inca Dove can be sometimes seen in this area. A scope is very helpful here.

12- Hockley

Western Kingbirds are occasional nesters at the HL&P Power Station in this area.

13 - Betka Road

Ferruginous and Northern Rough-Legged Hawks have been seen in this area in winter. Pastures can have Upland Sandpipers in spring.

14 - Mathis Road

Creek crossings, hedgerows, scrubby fields, and woods by golf course all provide good winter birding. Pyrrhuloxias have over wintered in this area.

15 - Barry Road

Samll pond in this area often has Ring-billed Ducks, Lesser Scaups, and other waterfowl in winter. Listen for Western Meadowlark in winter and Grasshopper Sparrow in spring. Brewers Blackbirds possible in winter.

16 - Penick Road

Ferruginous Hawk has over wintered by the large field on the northeast of this road for many years. Crested Caracara has been seen here and Bald Eagle occurs in winter.

17 - Hebert Road

In winter, sparrows and longspurs possible in fields, waterfowl and swallows by ponds, passerines in hedgerows.

18 - Cochran Road

PRIVATE PROPERTY, view from the road. The wooded ponds here can sometimes have Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, and other water birds, as well as Pine Warblers, Harris and White-crowned Sparrows, and other passerines. In winter, listen for Western Meadowlark in the short grass fields

19 - Bonner Road

Good area for Common Ground Doves, and occasionally Horned larks. Longspurs possible in winter.

20 - White Church and Buller Roads

Wet fields in this area can be very good for shorebirds in spring, especially Buff-breasted, Bairds, and White-rumped Sandpiper, and Hudsonian Godwit. Peregrine has been seen here.

21 - Dusek Road

This dirt road and the narrow dirt road to the north of it can be good for passerines, including Bewicks Wren, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Palm Warbler. Huisache stands.

22 - Mackenzie Road

This short dirt road is possibly the best spot around for consistently finding Lark Sparrows.

23 - Harper's Church Road

An excellent area for wintering passerines, such as Harris and Fox Sparrows, and Rufous- sided Towhee. Ash-throated Flycatcher and Bay-breasted Warbler have over wintered here.

24 - Addigee and Mannix Roads

Good for passerines, Lark Sparrows, and Juncos in winter, Great Crested Flycatcher and Painted Bunting spring and summer.

25 - Steven F. Austin State Park

The Park proper and the small picnic area east of 1458 can be very good for woodland birds. The bridge over the Brazos River can have a great number of swallows during migration and in the summer.

26 - Garrett Road

This wooded lake can have Anhinga, Wood Duck, and other waterfowl in winter. Prothonotary Warbler can sometimes be found here in spring and summer.

27 - Muske Road

Bluebirds, Red-shouldered Hawks, and other woodland birds at the south end of this road; hawks and sparrows on the northern part.

28 - Adam's Flat Road

Huisache stands can be good for Bewick's Wren, other passerines.

29 - Wilson's Road

Wooded creek bottom can be good for woodpeckers, other woodland passerines.

30 - Bozeman Road

Lark Sparrow often found here. Also very nice wooded area. Eastern Bluebirds occasional.

31 - McGregor Road

Pond and wet areas at north end of this road can be good for shorebirds in migration, Vermilion Flycatcher in winter, King Rail year round.

32 - Neuman Road

Large pond here can have Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks year round, other waterfowl and shorebirds in migration and winter. Purple Gallinule and Yellow-headed Blackbirds occasionally in spring and fall. Unfortunately, the pond can sometimes be completely drained, but may still be good for shorebirds.

33 - Proposed West Side Airport Site

Excellent for Snow Geese and other waterfowl, and hawks and Bald Eagles in winter.

34 - Morton Road

Great for Dickcissels and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in spring and summer, waterfowl and shorebirds in migration and winter.

35 - FM 2855

Bald Eagles, White-tailed hawk, and Snow Geese in winter.

36 - Morrison Road

Caracara, White-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagles in winter. Lark Bunting has been seen in this area. Hedgerows good for sparrows in winter.

37 - Pattison Road

Excellent area for Bald Eagles and waterfowl in winter. Lapland and McCown's Longspurs, and Mountain Plovers have been seen here in cold winters. Caracara and White-tailed hawk occasional.

38 - Live Oak Creek at Hebert Road

Excellent hedgerows for Fox and Harris Sparrows, and other passerines.

39 - Live Oak Creek at Pattison Road

Excellent area for owls at night, Screech and Barred resident, occasionally Great Horned, barn, and Short-eared. In winter good for sparrows and Gray Catbird.

40 - Cypress Creek at Sharp Road

This heavily wooded area in Waller county can be very good for sparrows and other passerines in winter. Caracara, Couch's Kingbird, both vultures, Red-headed Woodpecker, Green-tailed Towhee, Western Kingbird, and Groove-billed Ani have occurred here. Cypress Creek also crosses Sharp further east in Harris county and Birding can be equally good here.

41 - Barn Owl Woods

PRIVATE PROPERTY, view from the road. Barn and Great Horned Owl, and sparrows and other passerines in winter. Red-breasted Nuthatch has been found here in winter.

42 - Logenbaugh Road

Flooded fields leased by Houston Audubon Society in this area can have an amazing number of waterfowl in winter, plus shorebirds, Bald Eagles, Vermilion Flycatchers, etc.. Western portion of this road can be good for sparrows, accipiters, and geese in winter.

43 - Beckendorf Road

Shorebirds, Le Conte's Sparrows, and Sedge Wrens in wet fields. Vermilion Flycatcher occasional by wet ditches and ponds.

44 - Stockdick School Pond

PRIVATE PROPERTY, view from the road. Resident population of Black-crowned Night Herons, Green Herons in summer, other waders year round, Vermilion Flycatcher and Pyrrhuloxia occasional in winter. Larger shallow lake just north on Pitts road often has hundreds of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, other waterfowl in winter, also PRIVATE PROPERTY. Hedgerows on Pitts Road can be good for sparrows and other passerines in winter, flat plowed fields can have Buff-breasted Sandpipers in spring.

45 - Katy

Western Kingbirds are regular nesters at the Houston Lighting and Power, Power Station in this area

46 - Porter and Peek Roads

Shorebirds and waterfowl in flooded fields, Short-eared, Barn, and Great Horned Owls at night. PRIVATE PROPERTY

47 - South Mayde Creek at Peek Road

Excellent area for sparrows and other passerines in winter.

48 - South Mayde Creek at Clay Road

This area has been heavily disturbed by development in recent years. However, the scrubby growth beyond the fallow field to the south of Clay and west of the creek has, in fall, had Ash-throated Flycatcher and Green-tailed Towhee. Also good for sparrows in winter, Screech Owls at night, and Painted Buntings in summer.

49 - Gummert Road Wooded areas and hedgerows can be good for Harris and White-crowned Sparrow in winter. Wet areas can have Marsh and Sedge Wrens.

50 - Bear Creek Park

In winter, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Rusty Blackbird, Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Bluebirds, and Purple Finch in oaks around picnic grounds at park entrance. In summer, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, and Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson's, Northern Parula, Kentucky, and Hooded Warbler, and Summer Tanager in riparian woodlands bordering Bear Creek. Screech and Barred Owls are the dominant nocturnal raptors. Great Horned Owl by the Farm and Ranch Club. Entrance on Clay Road, east of Highway 6.

51 - Addicks Reservoir

Excellent woodland birding can be accessed off of the southeast corner of Barker-Cypress and Groeschke Roads. Wood Ducks and Great Horned Owls year round, and sparrows and juncos in winter.

52 - Barker Reservoir

Enter this area from Highway 6 at Briar Forest, south of I-10. Wetlands and woodlands provide exceptional winter birding, and it is possible to spend all day at this one site. Winter birds to look for include Le Conte's', Grasshopper, Harris, Fox, and other sparrows, Common Ground Doves, Rusty Blackbirds, waders, hawks, and other passerines. White-tailed hawk, Black-shouldered Kite, Henslow's Sparrow, and Pyrrhuloxia have all been seen here.

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