Highlights:
- Easy vehicle access throughout
- Publicly accessible body of water
The Location
This eBird hotspot includes multiple small connected lakes that flow into each other. The southernmost body of water is accessible by Patriot’s Park and Victoria County Park. The outer edges of the other bodies of water are somewhat birdable by car along the road, although much of the central interior is inaccessible and out of view.
The roadside along the ponds/small lakes have plenty of wooded vegetation to attract birds, but also have enough gaps through which to scan for waterfowl.
Much of this hotspot could be birded by car by rolling along slowly with the windows down while listening and watching for bird activity.
For county listers, this spot is an easy visit that will get you access to some open water.
Birding Recommendations
While it’s possible to get over 50 species here in a two hour visit, most birders report 25-30 species in a single visit.
This is a decent spot for Forster’s Tern December – February.
Vermillion Flycatcher can sometimes be spotted here, even during winter months.
If you need a plan, try to hit these three areas:
1. Bird Patriot’s Park
The entrance road can take you straight back to the small, wooded back arm of the lake, or out onto the peninsula in the middle of the lake.
Spend a little time in both spots, especially the wooded back arm.
Birding on foot will allow you to see and hear more. Keep an eye on fences and treetops for Vermillion Flycatcher while here.
Given enough time, a flyover Osprey is likely during the cooler months.
2. Briefly check Victoria County Park
This “park” is basically just a gravel parking lot on Fox Road. To the southwest is the lake, with Patriot Park on the far side.
To the east and northeast is a sizable agriculture field. Scan here for sparrows, pipits, killdeer, flyover raptors, and any other movement you can pick up.
3. Bird Timber Road
Slowly drive your vehicle down Timber Road, while carefully watching your rear view mirror for cars coming up behind you.
Unfortunately the road offers few good spots to pull over, but it does give you a view of the more northern small lakes.
In multiple places it’s very possible to look through gaps in the trees and scan for waterfowl, herons, grebes, and whatever else.
Be sure to differentiate between cormorants and Anhinga, as both can occur here.
Interesting Note
This hotspot saw a surge of birding activity in September 2019, when a Northern Wheatear was found at Victoria County Park. It was the 3rd state record for Texas. This extremely cooperative bird was well seen and photographed during its four day stay.
