County Listing Guide to Yoakum County - Revision history

Dell.Little at 22:35, 8 March 2019

2019-03-08T22:35:39Z

Dell.Little at 00:40, 28 February 2019

2019-02-28T00:40:28Z

Dell.Little at 00:40, 28 February 2019

2019-02-28T00:40:10Z

Dell.Little: /* Overview */

2019-02-28T00:19:24Z

‎Overview

Dell.Little: /* FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA */

2019-02-26T23:03:04Z

‎FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA

Dell.Little: /* Locations */

2019-02-26T23:02:50Z

‎Locations

Dell.Little at 22:59, 26 February 2019

2019-02-26T22:59:09Z

Dell.Little: /* Locations */

2019-02-26T18:35:38Z

‎Locations

Dell.Little at 16:29, 26 February 2019

2019-02-26T16:29:29Z

Dell.Little: Created page with "Overview Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, t..."

2019-02-26T16:28:47Z

Created page with "Overview Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, t..."

New page

Overview
Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, there is a lot of room to explore and find new locations. Birding centers around three parks, one in Plains, the county park 15 min south, and a trail in Denver City. The good news about the lack of habitat is that these locations serve as migrant traps, similar to the well-known migrant trap Melrose Woods in New Mexico. On a good migrant day, many warbler species and other passerines can be seen all in a relatively close area. While there are no dedicated grassland hotspots in the county yet, it may be worthwhile to drive the dirt roads just outside of the towns near spots that may hold inaccessible sources of water and/or while en route to various locations. Although most habitat is inaccessible, Lesser Prairie-Chicken might be possible north of Plains off from Hwy 214. Compared to the standard mix of species, plan to get more passerines (especially warblers and icterids) to make up for the lack of wading birds, ducks, geese and shorebirds.

Route (from Lubbock): Take Hwy 62/Marsha Sharp SW to Brownsfield, TX. In Brownsfield, turn west on Hwy 380 and continue to Plains. In Plains, turn north on Ave B. Turn east to enter PLAINS- STANFORD PARK. Bird the park and the draw east of it. Return south to Hwy 380 and drive east to Hwy 214. Turn south on Hwy 214 and continue until you reach YOAKUM COUNTY PARK just past FM213. Return to Hwy 214, continue south to Denver City. The parking for the DENVER CITY RECREATIONAL TRAIL is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St. Travel north on Hwy 214 past Plains and turn left at 6 Mile Rd/FM2196. Continue east on FM2196 until you reach FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA. Return to Lubbock either via Hwy 214 or travel east to FM1780 and south back to Hwy380.
Locations
PLAINS- STANFORD PARK
If this location held reliable water, it would be the best spot in Yoakum county. The park holds a lot of tall trees, along with some scrub along the edges. On a good migrant day, many species of warbler can be found, including Tennessee, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend’s Warblers. This park holds one of the northernmost records of Slate-throated Redstart for Texas. East, across the street, is a draw that runs the length of the city. Warblers and other passerines may also be found there, usually in close proximity to the park. In winter, the conifers in the NW corner of the park may hold Townsend’s Solitaire and Red-breasted Nuthatch, especially during invasion years.

Access: Turn north on Ave B from US82/US380. Turn east to enter the park. Alternatively turn north on Ave E and turn west to enter the park. This small park can be easily walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Multiple parking areas and space to pull off to the side of the road in the park.
YOAKUM COUNTY PARK
This location holds free RV camping and is centrally located in Yoakum county. It is also adjacent to a private golf course. While the park can be freely birded, the golf course is less accessible. Bird the golf course ponds from FM213 (standing on your car as needed) because these ponds are one of your better sources for diving ducks and other waterfowl in the county. In the park proper, there is a shallow pond that may hold domestic ducks, a stray goose or two or shorebirds. The tall trees will help bring in passerines and shelter owls.

Access: The park is small and can be freely walked. To bird the golf course ponds, park opposite the ponds on FM213 and stand on your vehicle.
Cost: free
Parking: Park in the parking lot prior to the golf course entrance.
DENVER CITY RECREATIONAL TRAIL
This is a short recreational trail that can be walked in Denver City. As one of the few concentrations of trees and scrub, it can hold a lot of woodpeckers, warblers, kinglets and sparrows and other migrants on a good day. On a bad day, expect to find more typical urban birds plus a few others.

Access: Short, easy recreational walking trail.
Cost: free
Parking: Parking is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St.
FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA
This is a rare source of water in the county, though the water levels usually do not support diving ducks. Look for dabbling ducks, herons and shorebirds. This is also a reasonable spot to try for sparrows and grassland birds.

Access: Road only Cost: free Parking: Roadside

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:35, 8 March 2019
Line 31:		Line 31:
	This is a rare source of water in the county, though the water levels usually do not support diving ducks. Look for dabbling ducks, herons and shorebirds. This is also a reasonable spot to try for sparrows and grassland birds.		This is a rare source of water in the county, though the water levels usually do not support diving ducks. Look for dabbling ducks, herons and shorebirds. This is also a reasonable spot to try for sparrows and grassland birds.
	<br/>''Access: Road only <br/>''Cost: free'' <br/>''Parking: Roadside''		<br/>''Access: Road only <br/>''Cost: free'' <br/>''Parking: Roadside''
		+	[[Category:County Listing Guide]]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 <br/>Return to '''[[County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains]]'''
 <br/>Dell's '''[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R-Gtwsvm6vxaH3SA0F6gM_ht_W3_AuZe&usp=sharing| map of Yoakum County]''' including eBird Hotspots, a route from Peter Keyel's '''[[County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains]]''' and other locations.
-<br/>TCC's [[Yoakum County]]
+<br/>TCC's '''[[Yoakum County]]'''
 == Overview ==
 Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, there is a lot of room to explore and find new locations. Birding centers around three parks, one in Plains, the county park 15 min south, and a trail in Denver City. The good news about the lack of habitat is that these locations serve as migrant traps, similar to the well-known migrant trap Melrose Woods in New Mexico. On a good migrant day, many warbler species and other passerines can be seen all in a relatively close area. While there are no dedicated grassland hotspots in the county yet, it may be worthwhile to drive the dirt roads just outside of the towns near spots that may hold inaccessible sources of water and/or while en route to various locations. Although most habitat is inaccessible, Lesser Prairie-Chicken might be possible north of Plains off from Hwy 214. Compared to the standard mix of species, plan to get more passerines (especially warblers and icterids) to make up for the lack of wading birds, ducks, geese and shorebirds.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Published with permission from Peter Keyel, revised 01/26/19
 <br/>Return to '''[[County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains]]'''
+<br/>Dell's '''[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R-Gtwsvm6vxaH3SA0F6gM_ht_W3_AuZe&usp=sharing| map of Yoakum County]''' including eBird Hotspots, a route from Peter Keyel's '''[[County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains]]''' and other locations.
 == Overview ==
 Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, there is a lot of room to explore and find new locations. Birding centers around three parks, one in Plains, the county park 15 min south, and a trail in Denver City. The good news about the lack of habitat is that these locations serve as migrant traps, similar to the well-known migrant trap Melrose Woods in New Mexico. On a good migrant day, many warbler species and other passerines can be seen all in a relatively close area. While there are no dedicated grassland hotspots in the county yet, it may be worthwhile to drive the dirt roads just outside of the towns near spots that may hold inaccessible sources of water and/or while en route to various locations. Although most habitat is inaccessible, Lesser Prairie-Chicken might be possible north of Plains off from Hwy 214. Compared to the standard mix of species, plan to get more passerines (especially warblers and icterids) to make up for the lack of wading birds, ducks, geese and shorebirds.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 == Overview ==
 Yoakum is an extremely underbirded county. This is primarily due to the general lack of water in the county, lack of access and distance from Lubbock. Consequently, there is a lot of room to explore and find new locations. Birding centers around three parks, one in Plains, the county park 15 min south, and a trail in Denver City. The good news about the lack of habitat is that these locations serve as migrant traps, similar to the well-known migrant trap Melrose Woods in New Mexico. On a good migrant day, many warbler species and other passerines can be seen all in a relatively close area. While there are no dedicated grassland hotspots in the county yet, it may be worthwhile to drive the dirt roads just outside of the towns near spots that may hold inaccessible sources of water and/or while en route to various locations. Although most habitat is inaccessible, Lesser Prairie-Chicken might be possible north of Plains off from Hwy 214. Compared to the standard mix of species, plan to get more passerines (especially warblers and icterids) to make up for the lack of wading birds, ducks, geese and shorebirds.
-Route (from Lubbock): Take Hwy 62/Marsha Sharp SW to Brownsfield, TX. In Brownsfield, turn west on Hwy 380 and continue to Plains. In Plains, turn north on Ave B. Turn east to enter PLAINS- STANFORD PARK. Bird the park and the draw east of it. Return south to Hwy 380 and drive east to Hwy 214. Turn south on Hwy 214 and continue until you reach YOAKUM COUNTY PARK just past FM213. Return to Hwy 214, continue south to Denver City. The parking for the DENVER CITY RECREATIONAL TRAIL is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St. Travel north on Hwy 214 past Plains and turn left at 6 Mile Rd/FM2196. Continue east on FM2196 until you reach FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA. Return to Lubbock either via Hwy 214 or travel east to FM1780 and south back to Hwy380.
+'''Route (from Lubbock):'''
 == Locations ==

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 <br/>''Parking: Parking is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St.''
-== FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA ==
+==== FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA ====
 This is a rare source of water in the county, though the water levels usually do not support diving ducks. Look for dabbling ducks, herons and shorebirds. This is also a reasonable spot to try for sparrows and grassland birds.
 <br/>''Access: Road only <br/>''Cost: free'' <br/>''Parking: Roadside''

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 == Locations ==
+==== PLAINS- STANFORD PARK ====
-'''PLAINS- STANFORD PARK'''
 If this location held reliable water, it would be the best spot in Yoakum county. The park holds a lot of tall trees, along with some scrub along the edges. On a good migrant day, many species of warbler can be found, including Tennessee, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend’s Warblers. This park holds one of the northernmost records of Slate-throated Redstart for Texas. East, across the street, is a draw that runs the length of the city. Warblers and other passerines may also be found there, usually in close proximity to the park. In winter, the conifers in the NW corner of the park may hold Townsend’s Solitaire and Red-breasted Nuthatch, especially during invasion years.
+<br/>''Access: Turn north on Ave B from US82/US380. Turn east to enter the park. Alternatively turn north on Ave E and turn west to enter the park. This small park can be easily walked.''
-''Access: Turn north on Ave B from US82/US380. Turn east to enter the park. Alternatively turn north on Ave E and turn west to enter the park. This small park can be easily walked.
+<br/>''Cost: free''
-Cost: free
+<br/>''Parking: Multiple parking areas and space to pull off to the side of the road in the park.''
 Parking: Multiple parking areas and space to pull off to the side of the road in the park.''
-'''YOAKUM COUNTY PARK'''
+==== YOAKUM COUNTY PARK ====
 This location holds free RV camping and is centrally located in Yoakum county. It is also adjacent to a private golf course. While the park can be freely birded, the golf course is less accessible. Bird the golf course ponds from FM213 (standing on your car as needed) because these ponds are one of your better sources for diving ducks and other waterfowl in the county. In the park proper, there is a shallow pond that may hold domestic ducks, a stray goose or two or shorebirds. The tall trees will help bring in passerines and shelter owls.
+<br/>''Access: The park is small and can be freely walked. To bird the golf course ponds, park opposite the ponds on FM213 and stand on your vehicle.''
-''Access: The park is small and can be freely walked. To bird the golf course ponds, park opposite the ponds on FM213 and stand on your vehicle.
+<br/>''Cost: free''
-Cost: free
+<br/>''Parking: Park in the parking lot prior to the golf course entrance.''
 Parking: Park in the parking lot prior to the golf course entrance.''
-'''DENVER CITY RECREATIONAL TRAIL'''
+==== DENVER CITY RECREATIONAL TRAIL ====
 This is a short recreational trail that can be walked in Denver City. As one of the few concentrations of trees and scrub, it can hold a lot of woodpeckers, warblers, kinglets and sparrows and other migrants on a good day. On a bad day, expect to find more typical urban birds plus a few others.
-''
+<br/>''Access: Short, easy recreational walking trail.''
-Access: Short, easy recreational walking trail.
+<br/>''Cost: free''
-Cost: free
+<br/>''Parking: Parking is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St.''
 Parking: Parking is at the corner of Hwy 214 and 8th St.''
+== FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA ==
-'''FM2196 X CR365 PLAYA'''
 This is a rare source of water in the county, though the water levels usually do not support diving ducks. Look for dabbling ducks, herons and shorebirds. This is also a reasonable spot to try for sparrows and grassland birds.
+<br/>''Access: Road only <br/>''Cost: free'' <br/>''Parking: Roadside''
 ''Access: Road only Cost: free Parking: Roadside''

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:59, 26 February 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Published with permission from Peter Keyel, revised 01/26/19		Published with permission from Peter Keyel, revised 01/26/19
		+	<br/>Return to '''[[County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains]]'''

	== Overview ==		== Overview ==