Tarrant County occupies nearly 900 square miles in the northeast central region of Texas. It is an area blessed by a wide variety of habitats and geographical zones including the lower rolling plains, eastern and western cross-timbers, grand prairie, blackland prairie, and post oak savannah. It is little wonder then, in this land where East meets West, observers have recorded over 370 species of birds here or about sixty-three percent of all species documented for the state.
Greater Fort Worth Birding Map
One of our members created a Birding Hot Spots map using Google. Click here to view the map.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, consisting of 3,412 acres, is located northwest of the city on Lake Worth. The Center features a picture window overlooking a courtyard where water and food is provided for wildlife. Binoculars, books, and seating are available for the observer. Twenty to twenty-five bird species per day come in to feed each winter including Harris' and Fox Sparrows. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Purple Finch have been recorded in winter. One October day, a male Black-throated Blue Warbler graced the courtyard. Other visitors are Gray Fox, Raccoon, Opossum, Eastern Fox Squirrel, and White-tailed Deer.
NW Tarrant County
Here, you stand the best chance of finding McCown's Longspurs in addition to Lapland and perhaps even a few Chestnut-collared Longspurs. Horned Larks are usually common. Driving the back roads in this area such as Blue Mound Road or Willow Springs Road will sometimes yield large flocks of longspurs in winter. Look for flocks of McCown's and Lapland Longspurs in the plowed agricultural fields and Chestnut-collared Longspurs in the taller grassy fields. Lark Sparrow (summer), Lark Bunting (occasional in winter), Grasshopper Sparrow (summer), and LeConte's Sparrow (winter) have also be found here.
Tarrant County College – NW Campus
This campus can be good in December - February for Lapland Longspurs. Check any Horned Lark flock, particularly in the large field south of the college entrance road. The coldest days, especially the days immediately following a cold front passage (a norther) seem to be the best times. On rarer occasions, it is possible to find McCown's Longspur here as well. Chestnut-collared has occurred in large numbers only once as this species prefers taller grass than exists on the campus grounds.
Marine Creek Lake
This small lake behind the TCC - NW campus can be good at its north end for ducks in winter.
Cement Creek Lake
Least Tern (migration), several species of shorebirds (migration), and a good assortment of ducks (winter) have been seen here. Birders and fisherman are welcome to park here and walk down to the lake. Cliff Swallows nest in the Loop 820 culvert in summer, and Vesper, Savannah, and sometimes a few LeConte's Sparrows can be found in the grassland to the north and west of the lake in winter. Occasional small flocks of longspurs have been found on the slopes surrounding the lake.
Camp Joy and Wildwood Park
Perhaps the best location on Lake Worth for observing a large variety of bird species are these two adjacent parks located on the west end of the lake. Horned and Eared Grebes can be expected in winter, and Hooded Mergansers have occurred in large numbers. Check the woody, sometimes swampy, shoreline in Wildwood park for Winter Wren in winter and the hackberry trees in Camp Joy for Red-headed Woodpecker.