A Young Eastern Bluebird and A Swainson's Thrush

A Pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a Wild Turkey

The lake level is receding slowly so it was another day of birding on the outskirts of the refuge. It was a very nice cool day. Some of the better sightings of the day were 7 Western Kingbirds, 5 Eastern Kingbirds, 32 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, 34 Eastern Bluebirds, 3 Orchard Orioles, 2 Swainson's Thrushes and 7 Greater Roadrunners. We also saw a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks near Basin Springs on the far west side of the refuge as well as a continuing Rough-winged Swallow at Sandy Point. We finished the day with 70 species. Today's photos, a young Eastern Bluebird, a Swainson's Thrush, a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a Wild Turkey.

May 13, 2025 Complete Bird Census  Printable Version

74 Species Observed, 744 individuals

Painted Bunting and Ruddy Turnstones

Eastern Kingbird and Olive-sided Flycatcher

Lake Texoma has finally crested a little above 635 ft. above sea level and is starting its slow decline. Almost all the roads in the refuge are flooded and will be for some time. Then when the lake finally recedes the cleanup will begin. We were fortunate to find 4 Ruddy Turnstones on the asphalt roadway near headquarters. There were also a couple of Spotted Sandpipers with them. From headquarters we did see a Wood Duck and a Tricolored Heron. As we drove down Lawrence Lane on our way to the west side of the refuge we found an Olive-sided Flycatcher sitting in the top of a dead tree flying out from time to time to catch an insect. We saw a total of 48 Eastern Kingbirds. We heard Bell's Vireos in a couple of places. At Sandy Point we had a Tennessee Warbler, a Wilson's and Yellow Warbler. There was also a Gray Catbird there. The water level was almost to the top of the bluffs there. We saw or heard a total of 25 Painted Buntings. We finished the day with 74 species. Today's photos, Painted Bunting, Ruddy Turnstones, Eastern Kingbird and Olive-sided Flycatcher.

April 29, 2025 Complete Bird Census

96 Species Observed +1 other taxa, 1,094 individuals

Bobolinks and a Western Cattle Egret in breeding plumage

It was a beautiful day for the census. Lake waters continue to rise and you can no longer access the west side of the refuge via Bennett Lane so we had to go around via Hwy 82 to do the census there. The pads are becoming inundated and Wildlife Drive, the main road thru the refuge will probably be closed Wednesday morning. The Bobolinks are arriving in good numbers and we counted 30 today. Some of them let us get very closeup views. They were singing continuously. There are no mudflats and the only shorebirds that can be seen are in high vegetation. If you want to see the Bobolinks tomorrow will probably be the last good chance for a while. Silliman road is probably the best place to look for them. There are still a few mature Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the same area. We saw a lone Clay-colored Sparrow on Plover Pad by the pumpjacks. We also saw a lone Black Tern way out off the end of Plover sitting on a snag. We saw and heard Bell's Vireos on Enterprise Rd. Painted Buntings are present in good numbers as well as Indigo Buntings. Mississippi Kites have arrived and we counted 4. There were 17 White-faced Ibis in the small marsh on the left going down Wildlife Drive before arriving at the entrance to Plover Pad. We finished the day with 96 species, very good, considering there were few shorebirds. Today's photos, Bobolinks and a Western Cattle Egret in breeding plumage.

April 22, 2025 Complete Bird Census

99 Species Observed, +1 other taxa, 1,062 individuals

It was another beautiful day for our census. Several areas of the refuge were closed due to a Wild Turkey hunt for today and the two following days. We were unable to census those areas. The lake is on the rise and all mudflats on the refuge are now covered with water so there was almost no habitat for shorebirds. A few shorebirds were still present in the flooded areas of some of the marshes. Shorebirds seen included one Black-necked Stilt, 3 Killdeer, a baby and the parents, 11 Upland Sandpipers, 1 Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 12 Spotted Sandpipers, 26 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Least Sandpipers and 1 Semi-palmated Sandpiper. Early in the day we saw an American Bittern in Taylor Marsh, near the dead tree on Silliman Road. It was catching crayfish. It is a good year for Yellow-headed Blackbirds with a count of 51 for the day. Many were in the tree at the entrance to Plover pad, early in the morning. On the far west side of the refuge we heard a Broad-winged Hawk calling and then spotted it in a nearby tree. Painted Buntings are arriving and we had a count of 5 for the day. Most of the ducks have left but we did see Blue-winged Teals, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls and Mallards. We saw 4 species of warblers, including Northern Parula, Prothonotary Warbler, Nashville Warblers and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. We saw or heard 12 Summer Tanagers. Dickcissels have arrived and are heard singing in many locations. Grasshopper Sparrows are in the vetch along Silliman Road. We heard 37 Carolina Wrens. They were singing at almost every stop. We finished the day with 99 species. Today's photos, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and American Bittern.

April 15, 2025 Complete Bird Census

113 Species Observed +4 other taxa, 2,095 individuals

Ruff and Osprey

Swainson's Hawk, Yellow-headed Blackbird and a Red-winged Blackbird

Today was a banner day at the refuge. It was a cool day with a northeastern breeze, almost on the chilly side at the start of the day. The story of the day, aside from the large number of species seen, was a super rarity probably not ever seen at the refuge and if so many years ago, a Ruff. It was spotted about 2 this afternoon by Laurie Sheppard in Mineral Marsh, with a flock of other shorebirds. The Ruff is a rare but regular shorebird vagrant to North America, and breeds in northern Eurasia, winters mainly in Africa but also across India and Southeast Asia as well. On Egret pad we encountered a large flock of 27 Yellow-headed Blackbirds and a large portion of the flock flew into a bush right beside the van and sang and fed, paying no attention to us. At Dead Woman Pond there was an Osprey flying back and forth. In the marshy area next to Plover road we found a Marsh Wren and a Virginia Rail as well as Soras. We saw both Short-billed Dowitchers as well as many Long-billed Dowitchers. In Mineral Marsh we also saw Hudsonian Godwits, Wilson's Phalaropes, Dunlins, Stilt Sandpipers, Wilson's Snipes and both species of Yellowlegs. We saw Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Sandy Point. We saw the first Blue Grosbeak of the season. There was a Swainson's Hawk sitting on a sign at the intersection of Enterprise Rd. and Refuge Rd. We finished the day with 113 species. Today's photos, the Ruff, an Osprey, Swainson's Hawk, Yellow-headed Blackbird and a Red-winged Blackbird.

April 8, 2025 Complete Bird Census

101 Species Observed +1 other taxa, 1,579 individuals

Yellow-headed Blackbirds with Red-winged Blackbirds and an American Coot

Snowy Egret with a Crayfish, and a Northern-Rough-winged-Swallow

Today was a beautiful spring day starting out very calm with a breeze picking up midday. A bright spot was 5 species of warblers, Black-and-white Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Yellow-throated Warbler. We saw 14 species of shorebirds, 14 American-Golden Plovers, 4 Killdeer, 4 Semipalmated Plovers, 46 Upland Sandpipers, 139 Long-billed Dowitchers, 4 Wilson's Snipes, 4 Spotted Sandpipers, 25 Lesser Yellowlegs, 35 Greater Yellowlegs, 6 Stilt Sandpipers, 15 Baird's Sandpipers, 35 Least Sandpipers, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers and 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers. There was a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows hanging out at the end of Sandy Point. We have a couple of Crested Caracaras that have become regular visitors at the refuge. We heard 26 White-eyed Vireos and counted 33 Tufted Titmice. There were 4 Yellow-headed Blackbirds on the end of Plover pad. We heard a first of season Summer Tanager on the road to Sandy Point. We finished the day with 101 species which is very good for early April. Today's photos, Yellow-headed Blackbirds with Red-winged Blackbirds, American Coot, Snowy Egret with a Crayfish, and a Northern-Rough-winged-Swallow.

April 1, 2025 Complete Bird Census

92 Species Observed, 2,582 individuals

It was a breezy day, starting out cool for today's census. Shorebirds are moving thru in good numbers and there are lots of mudflats. Shorebirds seen today included, 442 Long-billed Dowitchers, 374 Least Sandpipers, 3 American Avocets, 42 American Golden-Plovers, 10 Killdeer, 12 first of season Upland Sandpipers, 44 Wilson's Snipe, 46 Lesser Yellowlegs, 72 Greater Yellowlegs, 49 Baird's Sandpipers, 92 Pectoral Sandpipers, and a first of season Semipalmated Sandpiper. White-eyed Vireos were singing in many locations with a count of 22. We saw 68 American Pipits. There were 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers at Deaver Pond. There was a lone Yellow-headed Blackbird in with a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds on F pad. We saw a single Black-and-white-Warbler, 2 Yellow-throated Warblers and heard a Northern Parula singing. We finished the day with 91 species. today's photos, Wild Turkey and Black-and-white-Warbler.

March 24, 2025 Complete Bird Census

87 Species Observed +1 other taxa, 1,996 individuals

White-eyed Vireo, Brown thrasher and Red-headed Woodpecker

It was a beautiful day for our first census of spring this year. Migrants are arriving and shorebirds are numerous. The lake elevation is low and there is an abundance of mudflats. We counted 49 American Golden-Plovers and 2 Black-bellied Plovers. There were 256 Long-billed Dowitchers, 132 Greater Yellowlegs, 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, 114 Baird's Sandpipers, 71 Pectoral Sandpipers, 49 Killdeer, 22 Least Sandpipers,4 Wilson's Snipes and 2 Western Sandpipers. We saw 2 Bald Eagles, one of which was sitting in the trees on Goose Point most of the day. We saw or heard 12 White-eyed Vireos that have recently arrived and they were in full song. Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous with a count of 26. We saw the first 2 Lark Sparrows of the season. There are still a few Ross's and Snow Geese present. We finished the day with 87 species. Migration will be picking up each week for the next six weeks or so. Today's photos, singing White-eyed Vireo, Brown thrasher and Red-headed Woodpecker.

March 17, 2025 Complete Bird Census

83 Species Observed +2 other taxa, 1,708 individuals

Crested Caracaras

It was a windy day for today's census. There are plenty of mudflats and shorebirds are moving through in good numbers. Shorebirds seen today included, 117 Killdeer, 9 American Golden-Plover, 178 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 8 Lesser Yellowlegs, 89 Greater Yellowlegs, 80 Baird's Sandpipers, 93 Least Sandpipers, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and 1 Western Sandpiper. A Snowy Plover was seen over the weekend but we could not locate it today. 37 White Geese are still present including 22 Snow Geese and 15 Ross's Geese. Duck numbers were down today with 97 Gadwalls, 88 Northern Shovelers, 63 Blue-winged Teal, 11 Mallards, 39 Green-winged Teal, 5 Northern Pintail and 2 Wood Ducks. We counted 18 Eastern Phoebes today. Sparrow numbers were down. We finished the day with 83 species. Today's photo is a couple of Crested Caracaras seen near the road to Plover Pad, Sunday. The bird on the left is a sub-adult, second year bird that will mature in the third year and an adult.

March 11, 2025 Complete Bird Census

91 Species Observed +2 other taxa, 2,241 individuals

Winter Wren, Northern Harrier and Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Today started out cool but turned into a nice springlike day. Most of the white geese have left with only 82 present today. Duck numbers are still pretty good with a count of 70 Blue-winged Teal, 187 Northern Shovelers, 148 Gadwall, 18 Mallard, 4 Northern Pintail, 111 Green-winged Teal, 2 Canvasback, 110 Redhead, 15 Ring-necked Duck, 3 Bufflehead and 4 Ruddy Duck. We had a high count of 215 Killdeer along with 114 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 5 Lesser Yellowlegs, 67 Greater Yellowlegs, 44 Least Sandpipers, and 26 Pectoral Sandpipers. We saw the first two Snowy Egrets of the year on L pad. In a field on the west side of the refuge we saw a mixed flock of blackbirds containing 18 Brewer's Blackbirds, 2 early Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. We saw an immature Bald Eagle near Tern Pad. We found a Winter Wren, in brush, in Big Mineral Creek past Meadow Pond. We finished the day with 91 species, quite good for mid March. Today's photos, Winter Wren, Northern Harrier and Yellow-headed Blackbirds in a mixed flock quite distant.

March 4, 2025 Complete Bird Census

84 Species Observed +2 other taxa, 3,784 individuals

Vesper Sparrow and American Pipit

The weather for today's census was very varied, starting out with partly cloudy skies after overnight thunderstorms transitioning into a gray windy day with dust filling the air, brought in by the strong southwest winds. About 1500 white geese are still present including both Snow and Ross's Geese. Seven species of shorebirds were present, including Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitchers, Wilson's Snipes Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers and Pectoral Sandpipers. We saw a total of 3 Bald Eagles, two mature and one immature. On the road to Meadow Pond we saw a couple of Wild Turkeys and we had a flyby Pileated Woodpecker near Deaver Pond. We had two flyby Crested Caracaras on Wildlife Drive near the Harris Creek Bridge. We saw two Inca Doves near a residence on the far west side of the refuge. We heard a Fish Crow near headquarters. We saw 10 first of season Barn Swallows and saw a Winter Wren. We finished the day with 84 species. Today's photos, Vesper Sparrow and American Pipit.

February 2025

February 25, 2025 Complete Bird Census

87 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 5,066 individuals

Ruddy Shelducks

It was a very pleasant warm day for today's census. There were at least 3500 white geese still present. They will probably be leaving on their trip north soon. The surprise of the day was 6 Ruddy Shelducks in Muleshoe Marsh. It has been many years since this species has been seen at the refuge. These birds are most likely escapees from someones waterfowl collection. This species breeds in southeastern Europe and Central Asia and winters in South Asia. The lake has thawed out from the recent freeze and ducks were numerous. This past weekend most of the lake on the refuge was frozen over and what ducks there were, were congregated in small patches of ice free water. Shorebirds seen today included, 26 Killdeer, 33 Long-billed dowitchers, 14 Wilson's Snipe, 14 Greater Yellowlegs, 16 Least Sandpipers and an early arriving Pectoral Sandpiper. We had a high count of 12 Red-shouldered Hawks and 9 Red-tailed Hawks. We saw 5 Red-headed Woodpeckers. There were a couple of Hairy Woodpeckers on Raasch Trail. We finished the day with 87 species. Today's photo, three of the six Ruddy Shelducks present today.

February 18, 2025 Complete Bird Census

77 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 6,896 individuals

It was a miserable wet day for our census. Birds were active as though they knew about the very cold weather ahead. There were about 1800 white geese today. Duck numbers are still good with a count of 193 Northern Shovelers, 153 Gadwalls, 7 Mallards, 165 Northern Pintails, 133 Green-winged Teal, 3 Ring-necked Ducks, 10 Buffleheads and 4 Hooded Mergansers. We saw 2 Bald Eagles and I believe we probably have two breeding pairs on the refuge now. We saw 7 species of woodpeckers including a Hairy and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. American Robins were numerous with a count of 370 but we probably saw many more. They are hard to estimate because they move around a lot and we saw them almost everywhere we went. We saw 9 sparrow species including 5 Fox Sparrows, 6 Vesper Sparrows, 43 Harris's Sparrows and 10 Field Sparrows. We finished the day with 77 species. Today's photo, Greater White-fronted Geese.

February 11, 2025 Complete Bird Census

77 Species Observed, +1 other taxa, 3,839 individuals

Bald Eagle

Today was a chilly day with bouts of drizzle. It was very wet as a result of overnight rain. In spite of the conditions it was a birdy day. We only saw 5 white geese today, a Ross's Goose and 4 Snow Geese. Duck numbers were good with 328 Northern Pintails, 187 Northern Shovelers, 101 Gadwalls, 126 Green-winged Teal, 17 Ruddy Ducks, 22 Mallards, 3 Lesser Scaup, and 6 Buffleheads. Shorebirds included 57 Long-billed Dowitchers, 40 Wilson's Snipe, 50 Killdeer and 23 Greater Yellowlegs. The gull count included 737 Ring-billed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls and a mature Lesser Black-backed Gull. There were 7 American White Pelicans feeding with the gulls. We saw 2 Hairy Woodpeckers on the way to Meadow Pond and we had a total of 5 Pileated Woodpeckers. American Robins were numerous with a conservative count of 274. We saw one flock of 600 Common Grackles. We finished the day with 77 species. Today's photo a Bald Eagle sitting on a snag near the end of Tern Pad. We saw a total of 3 Bald Eagles today.

February 4, 2025 Complete Bird Census

82 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 5,700 individuals

A White-crowned Sparrow, an American Coot, and a female Purple Finch

Cool and cloudy seems to be the norm for the weekly bird census lately. Despite a brisk wind, birds were plentiful, and signs of spring were evident. Birds are pairing up and some are singing their spring courtship songs. We started out on Raasch Trail, where we flushed a pair of Wood Ducks as we approached the bridge over Meyer’s Branch. We found many American Robins in the trees beside the trail, as well as lots of Dark-eyed Juncos. Continuing on, we got good looks at two female Purple Finches on Keefer Road. A good number of white geese have returned to the refuge. We estimated about 3000 feeding on grass near the Visitor Center. Perhaps they’ll stay a while before continuing north. Duck numbers continue to be quite good. The lake level is down and the ducks are very spread out, so you’ll find some almost anywhere you look. Along the Auto Tour Route we saw five Lesser Scaup – four female and one male – and later found a leucistic Green-winged Teal off Egret Rd. On the west side of the refuge, we saw a Merlin perched at the top of a tree. We finished the day with 82 species including 219 American Coot, 104 Dark-eyed Juncos, 173 Meadowlarks, 103 American Robins, and 61 Long-billed Dowitchers. Today’s photos are a White-crowned Sparrow, an American Coot, and a female Purple Finch.

January 2025

January 28, 2025 Complete Bird Census

80 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 2,820 individuals

It was cloudy all day but dry and winds were light for today’s census. The lake level has dropped significantly since last week and there were plenty of sandbars and shallow water. We started out on Raasch Trail as usual and found sparrow numbers were low. That trend continued all day, although we did get a good variety of species. Harris’s Sparrows were the most common, with 21 counted, but we found at least a few of most other sparrow species, including 5 Vesper Sparrows on Short Road. As we continued on, we came across a large flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds with about 20 Brewer’s Blackbirds mixed in. We found the first of 5 Brown Thrashers before we got to the Goode picnic area. Back on the Auto Tour route, we started seeing large numbers of waterfowl. It’s clear the ducks are happy to be back in ice-free ponds. We saw 227 Northern Pintails, 229 Green-winged Teal, 137 Gadwall, 115 Northern Shovelers, 98 American Coot, and quite a few Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, and other assorted ducks. Ring-billed Gulls were also plentiful, especially later in the afternoon, with our final tally being 684 individuals, plus 8 American Herring Gulls. A few Long-billed Dowitchers have returned and Wilson’s Snipes are also working the muddy areas. We finished our day with 80 species. Photos today are a Northern Shoveler almost in full breeding plumage, a Wilson’s Snipe dipping into the mud, and a Ross’s Goose backed up by two Snow Geese.

January 21, 2025 Complete Bird Census

68 Species Observed, +3 other taxa, 1,801 individuals

Brown Thrasher, a Northern Pintail standing on ice one year ago tomorrow,

and a Carolina Chickadee

It was a very cold day for the census, with our weather app showing the starting temperature at 15 degrees. Ice covered many of the normal areas we find birds, but the birds and the birders adjusted. We started on Raasch Trail and found many sparrows keeping low to the ground. We also found a few hawks and Mourning Doves there. As we continued on to the Goode area, we passed a large flock of Meadowlarks. At Dead Woman Pond we found the first of three Red-headed Woodpeckers, each in a different area of the refuge. The white geese have eaten most of the wheat, which explains why we only found 239 Snow and Ross’s Geese near the Visitor Center. We were surprised to find Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks off the end of Plover pad, but their usual areas were partially iced over. They were joined by the Eared Grebe which is still around. Many of the ducks were sitting at the edges of the oil pads jutting out into the lake. Many more sparrows were found along Meadow Pond Trail, including a single Swamp Sparrow. A Hermit Thrush sat out in the open giving us all good looks. We ended the day without going to the west side of the refuge, but we still logged 67 species, including all the usual duck species, a Wilson’s Snipe, 101 Meadowlarks, and 3 Brown Thrashers. Photos today are a Brown Thrasher, a Northern Pintail standing on ice one year ago tomorrow, and a Carolina Chickadee.

January 14, 2025 Complete Bird Census

83 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 4,204 individuals

Pine Warbler and Field Sparrow.

After a heavy snow last week(heavy for this area) we were treated to a beautiful calm day for our census, with the temperature starting out in the low twenties but warming up nicely later in the day. There was still plenty of snow and ice on the ground in many areas. Due to the extensive snow coverage after the snow last week most of the white geese have left. We only saw 38 Snow Geese and 14 Ross's Geese. But there is no shortage of ducks with a count of 513 Northern Pintails, 319 Green-winged Teals, 184 Gadwalls, 82 Northern Shovelers, 39 Mallards, 4 Ring-necked Ducks, 16 Buffleheads, 1 Common Goldeneye, 32 Ruddy Ducks, 9 Hooded Mergansers and 483 unidentified dabbling ducks. We saw 5 Greater Roadrunners. In the afternoon a large number of gulls had accumulated on the sandbars off the end of Tern pad including 1600 Ring-billed Ducks and 4 American Herring Gulls. At Sandy Point we had nice closeup looks at a Pine Warbler. We saw a few shorebirds including 7 Wilson's Snipes, 2 Long-billed Dowitchers, 11 Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Killdeer and 5 Least Sandpipers. The Eared Grebe is still present in Silliman Marsh. We saw a total of 3 Belted Kingfishers and 3 Pileated Woodpeckers. We finished the day with 85 species. Today's photos, Pine Warbler and Field Sparrow.

January 7, 2025 Complete Bird Census

75 Species Observed, +2 other taxa, 7,497 individuals

Male and female Brewer's Blackbirds, a Northern Mockingbird and a Field Sparrow

It was a cold day, with a bone chilling wind blowing from the north for today's census. There are still at least 5500 white geese present. They were feeding near Silliman Road this morning and as we surveyed them a Bald Eagle approached and the geese scattered in total directions but a bit later they returned to the same location. There is one Greater White-fronted Goose mixed in with the group but we were unable to locate the Cackling Goose that has been seen with them recently. Duck numbers were good and many were staying around the edges of the marshes trying to stay out of the wind. We saw 320 Northern Pintails, 268 Green-winged Teals, 149 Gadwalls, 103 Northern Shovelers, 43 Mallards, 11 Canvasbacks, 3 American Wigeons, 15 Ring-necked Ducks, 3 Lesser Scaups, 2 Redheads, 25 Buffleheads 14 Ruddy Ducks and a couple of Hooded Mergansers. An Eared Grebe was present in Silliman Marsh and we had a total of 8 Pied-billed Grebes. We had one flyby Wilson's Snipe. We had a nice flock of Brewer's Blackbirds by a private residence on Hagerman Road. There was a Pine Warbler at Sandy Point. We saw a Pine Siskin, a bird that has been scarce this winter, mixed in with a flock of American Goldfinches at a residence on Short Road. We finished the day with 75 species, a count we were very pleased with considering the conditions. Photos, Male and female Brewer's Blackbirds, a Northern Mockingbird and a Field Sparrow.