Fort Bend County

This area provides the best birding in winter and spring, but may be productive any time of the year. The birds mentioned may be seen one or more seasons of the year; your checklist of the Upper Texas Coast should be consulted to determine your chances of seeing a particular bird at the time you go.

Go south on the Southwest Freeway (US 59) toward Sugarland

1 - US 59 at Oyster Creek

In the spring and summer, just past the Sugarland exit, exit onto the service road at William's Trace Blvd. Exit and pull off the road to the right at the bridge over Oyster Creek (just before Texas Highway 6). Cliff Swallows nest under the bridge in spring and summer and can be seen over the creek and flying in and out under the bridge. In migration check trees along the creek, both sides of US 59 for migrants, -- Take care in pulling back onto the freeway and continue south.

2 - US 59 at the Brazos River

Red-Shouldered Hawks are common on the fence posts along US 59 approaching the Brazos River. Check woods adjacent to the river for owls, woodpeckers, and migrants in season. After crossing the Brazos River, leave the freeway at the exit to FM 762 (Richmond exit), and turn left (east) on FM 762 toward Crabb. Look for White-tailed Kites in this area also.

3 - FM 762

Open fields along FM 762 between Richmond and Crabb have blackbirds, crows, and wildflowers in the spring. Hawks on telephone poles along the road (Krider's Red-tailed Hawk often seen in this area.). Blackbirds around the grain elevators at Crabb. Just past Crabb turn right across the railroad tracks, following FM 762.

4 - FM 762 at Smither's Lake (Lake George)

Stop at the bridge where a small neck of Smither's Lake crosses FM 762. Look for Purple Gallinules in hyacinths, spring and summer. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks also. Look east at small trees in lake for Anhinga, Cormorants, Ducks on lake in winter, herons, Egrets along the shore, alligators in the lake.

5 - Smither's Lake Road

Just beyond the bridge, turn left off of FM 762 on Smither's Lake Road., continue toward the Houston Lighting and Power Generator; turn right and make the loop on Rabb's Prairie Road. (this road is marked by a sign, but it may be obscured by tall grass). White-tailed Kites, hawks, American Kestrel, herons, sparrows, and quail can be found here. In brush and bushes along the road and railroad, wrens, buntings, and Orchard Orioles. Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, and Wood Storks my be found along the south edge of Smither's Lake. Bald Eagle and Great Horned Owl have be seen here. Return on Smither's Lake Road to FM 762, and turn left (south).

6 - FM 762 from Smither's Lake to the RR Tracks

All along this road is excellent for hawks in winter, Large flocks of geese in fields along this and Ricefield Road. Flooded fields good in spring for shorebirds (Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, and Upland Sandpiper).

7 - FM 762 from RR Tracks to Big Creek

Look closely for Sandhill Cranes in cut over fields north an south of the road in winter. Check for Fulvous Whistling-Ducks which may be found in the same fields. Just past the railroad tracks on the south side of the road, there is an area which sometimes contains and Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Storks.

8 - FM 762 at Big Creek

Lake and small pounds adjacent to creek may have ducks, Anhinga, Eastern Bluebird, woodpeckers, and Red-shouldered Hawk.

9 - Brazos Bend State Park

Continue to follow FM 762 to Brazos Bend State Park. All along this road is good for hawks in the winter. Brazos Bend State Park has great potential for birding - Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, ibis, owls, woodland and marsh birds, and lots of American Alligators.

10 - Cow Creek Road

Leave Brazos Bend State Park and turn left (south) on FM 762. Continue to the intersection with FM 1462, turn left (east) on FM 1462. Go 1.1 miles on FM 1462 and turn right (south) on Cow Creek Road. All this area is excellent for White-tailed Kite in the winter, blackbirds in the fields, and sparrows and quail on the fences.

11 - Cow Creek Road at Cow Creek

Stop before the bridge over Cow Creek. Adjacent woods may have woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and thrushes. Check brush and trees along the creek for migrants in the spring; sparrows and wrens in the witer. Past the bridge, check for towhees grosbeak, warblers, and sparrows. Cow Creek is the boundary between Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties and the road becomes Brarzoria County Road 25.

12 - Brazoria County Road 25

Open fields along this road are excellent for Sandhill Cranes in the winter, hawks and Crested Caracara, blackbirds in cow lots around farms.

13 - Eagle Nest and Manor Lakes

The area approaching Eagle Nest and Manor Lakes is good for hawks and Bald Eagles. At the lakes ducks, American White Pelicans, terns, herons, egrets, ibis, Purple Gallinule, Common Moorhen, and grackles. Swamp Sparrows, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroats in the brush along the edge of the lake. Northern Jacana once (until 1987?) resident here. Although there has been an unfortunate change in water level and plant growth along the edge of Manor Lake in recent years, and the open water of Manor Lake is obscured, this area is still productive and worthwhile. Manor Lake is PRIVATE PROPERTY and may not be entered without permission.