Spring and Fall Migrant

Whooping Crane

Tarrant County records, majority in October.  Lake Worth, various places, depending on habitat. Pond area off of Winscott Plover Road.   From 377 south of 20, travel through Benbrook to Hwy 1187.  Head east on 1187 to 2331/Winscott Plover Road.  Go south on Winscott Plover Road.  Take a right onto Winscott Plover immediately after crossing railroad tracks.  Pond is only seen by scoping beyond hill on south side of road approximately 1.5 miles after turning onto this area that runs alongside the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad tracks. 

Submitted by Gail Morris

Best found in January and February

American Woodcock

Tarrant County locations:  River Bend area – From westbound I30, exit Hulen Street  From eastbound I30, exit Horne St and stay on service road OVER the bridge to the weird interchange over Camp Bowie.  Continue on service road to Merrick.  North on Merrick to Byers Avenue and right on Burton Hill (a quick left-right combo).  Right/North on Burton Hill.  Proceed down the hill to Santa Clara (right before the Citgo store).  Right on Santa Barbara (almost immediate).  At dead end, go right on Oak Forrest and park at the small parking area at the end. Hide valuables.  Go thru the posts into the park area.  Head left and downhill on the cement path.  Take the path as it heads left and walk until you reach a drainage ditch running perpendicular to the path.  Walk off the cement and to your right towards a T intersection where Indian creek runs.  In the area of the T. intersection listen for bird or slowly walk the grassy area alongside the creek to flush bird.

Western Oaks Road  - This dead end road can be reached by taking Silver Creek Road west from its intersection with Loop 820 in west Fort Worth. From Loop 820, follow Silver Creek Road for 2.3 miles, and turn left onto Western Oaks. Have been heard and seen throughout this road where fields and woods are located. Park well off the road.  18-wheelers speed on this street to reach the dump at the end of the road.

Submitted by Gail Morris

The Fort Worth Audubon Society has developed an exceptional program for observing this species. The goal of the NCTXBR is to emulate and expand their program in order to observe even more elusive species

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

General Description: This species can be very difficult to find in North Central Texas. It currently only occurs in riparian areas interspersed with small marshes and fields along the Red River corridor.

Location(s): The best location for this species is below Denison Dam on Lake Texoma. It also occurs sparingly at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (usually O, P, and Q pads or Sandy Point). Populations are also suspected (although unconfirmed) in Fannin County.

Dates of Occurrence: This species is probably present year-round in some areas. It seems to be more vocal (and nomadic) from March through May. Beware of juvenile American Crows during the summer months. They can sound very similar to Fish Crows.

Notes: none

Submitted by Thomas Riecke