Our first stop in the refuge was the Shin Oak Observation Deck. The main attraction to this area for us and others who were there was the black-capped vireo. It was recently removed from the endangered species list and we were excited to find it as it flew between the bushes. Other birds identified here were northern cardinal, turkey vulture, and white-eyed vireo. We went to Doeskin Ranch next and mainly walked along the Creek Trail and Pond and Prairie Trail. Some of the birds we identified here included lark sparrow, ladder-backed woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, black-chinned hummingbird, black-crested titmouse, spotted towhee (in the almost-dried creek), and turkey vulture. When we finished, we went back to Shin Oak to try to get another glimpse of the black-capped vireo. We saw it again although the view was not as good as when we were there earlier. Other birds we found there that we didn’t see earlier were American crow and red-tailed hawk.
MY PHOTOS: black-capped vireo, ladder-backed woodpecker, lark sparrow
