Birding is the Texas Wildlife April Activity of the Month

Did you know that birding is the most popular sport in the United States? Over 51 million people bird-watch in their backyards, state parks and even at birding competitions! April is a great time to get outdoors with your family, and birding is an activity the whole family can enjoy — even while hiking, biking or picnicking. 

Texas has over 630 species of birds (second most species next to California), and Texas state parks are some of the best places to view birds in their native habitat. And many parks host guided bird walks, workshops and other birding events. Visit the calendar to find a birding event near you. 

Before you head out, share this "Introduction to Birdwatching" PDF with your family to learn what to look and listen for. You can also download a colorful PDF called "Texas Birds: Introducing Texans to Common Birds" to take with you. And watching this month’s featured video, "Basics of Birding," will give you an overview of what you should bring and what you can expect on your family birding adventure.

What to Bring

Binoculars Camera Birding field guide Weather-appropriate clothing Water, sunscreen, insect repellent

The Lake Texoma area is well suited to the activity.  Visit the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Eisenhower State Park, Cross Timbers Trail  or Denison Dam Site, where you can find an abundance of wildlife as well as beautiful wildflowers to enjoy and photograph.

Texas State Parks are OPEN

Press Release - Texas Parks & Wildlife

All Texas state parks remain open. As the federal budget impasse persists


Eisenhower Sate Park Camp Site

well into the second week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants you to know that the welcome mat is still out at the 90-plus Texas state parks.

A number of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices and state parks have received calls since the partial federal government shutdown on Oct. 1 from people wanting to know if state parks are still open. Many of the customer inquiries are coming from people who had planned to visit Big Bend National Park, national forests or lake parks operated in Texas by the U.S. Corps of Engineers that have closed their gates due to the federal shutdown.

“Although our federal partners are experiencing temporary closure of their sites, which we hope will reopen soon, Texas state parks remain open and our staff is eager to welcome visitors to the great outdoors,” reported Brent Leisure, Texas State Parks director in this news story.

Plan a day visit or an overnight stay. State park reservations can be made by Internet, fax or phone (512) 389-8900 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. A tip: call volume tends to be heaviest early in the week, so customers might try calling Wednesday through Friday to reserve a campsite, cabin, screened shelter or group facility.

For more information about State Parks in the Lake Texoma Area visit www.texomaconnect.com.  While the Federal lands operated by the Corp of Engineers or National Park Service remain closed during the Congressional impasse, Eisenhower State Park, many marinas and privately owned concessions remain open on Lake Texoma, offering camping facilities, boat launches and other lake services.