Although this North Texas refuge covers 11,320 acres, I rarely get beyond Oil Field Road and the marshes off the main road. And despite miles of walking trails (some with benches), I often find plenty of birds from the car.
The one season when I do walk the trails is spring. In April and May, I know I’m in for hours of warbler neck, but I don’t mind. I start at my favorite spot, the bridge near the Big Mineral Day Use Area parking lot, and bird the thicket of trees to the north on Oil Field Road. I look for warblers and other migrating passerines, including Prothonotary and Wilson’s Warblers, Harris’s and Swamp Sparrows, and Painted Bunting.
Summer months can be quiet unless you start early. In fall and winter, the marshes, ponds, and viewing spots overlooking Lake Texoma are covered with ducks, pelicans, herons, and egrets. December through February is a favorite time. Thousands of Snow Geese, including blue morphs, spend the winter, along with Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese. And I frequently see good comparison views of Cackling and Canada Geese, too. — Gail Morris
Gail Morris is past president of the Fort Worth Audubon Society. She also wrote about the Village Creek Drying Beds, Fort Worth, Texas, Hotspot Near You No. 45, and Cement Creek Reservoir, Fort Worth, Texas, No. 75.
Directions
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge provides nesting, stopover, and wintering habitat for birds 75 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth. From Dallas, take U.S. 75 to the FM 1417 exit in Sherman and turn left onto U.S. 82. Drive 10 miles, turn right on Old Southmayd Rd., right on Elliott Rd., and left on Bennett Lane, following signs to the refuge.
Downloadable Files
At a Glance
Click on the coordinates below to view location:
33°43’19.51″N 96°46’46.37″W
Habitat
Prairie, grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, ponds, large lake, and agricultural habitats.
Terrain
Gravel and dirt roads. More than 15 miles of walking trails.
Birds
More than 290 species, plus 46 accidentals. Targets: Geese, loons, scaup, grebes, sparrows. Raptors and Forster’s, Least, and Black Terns in spring, summer, and fall. Spring: Migrating warblers, vireos, American White Pelican. Summer: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Painted and Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanager, Dickcissel, Mississippi Kite, swallows, lingering shorebirds. Fall: Early geese and ducks. Winter: Green- and Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Eared Grebe, Swamp Sparrow, Marsh Wren. Year-round: Greater Roadrunner, Red-headed Woodpecker. Rarities: Eurasian Wigeon, Little Gull, Long-tailed Duck, White-winged Scoter, Golden Eagle, Northern Shrike, Fish Crow, Bobolink, Great Kiskadee, Tundra Swan.
When to go
Spring for migrating songbirds, fall and winter for thousands of waterfowl.
Amenities
Restrooms at visitor center. Portable toilets. Downloadable checklist on website.
Access
Federal wildlife refuge. No fee. Open from daylight to nightfall every day. Visitor center open Monday-Friday 7:30-4, Saturday 9-3, and, if volunteers are available, Sunday 1-4.
Tips
Drive with caution. Heavy rains may cause flooding and slick conditions along the area’s many creeks. Do not go beyond barricades.
For more info
Hagerman NWR, (903) 786-2826.
Friends of Hagerman
Fort Worth Audubon Society
Sites nearby
Farm roads outside of the refuge
Northern Shrike, Trumpeter Swan, and other birds have been seen along nearby meandering roads. Do not park on the roads.
Preston Point area
30 minutes north of refuge via FM 120 on Lake Texoma. Scan marinas and rec area in winter for loons, mergansers, Eared Grebe, and occasional rare gulls.