Summer DFW Birding RFI

[DrBirdie]

Hello All,
I'm headed to Ft. Worth Thursday evening for a meeting this weekend.
I plan to bird Village Creek Drying Beds and River Legacy Park Friday morning, and hope to hit the UTSW Med School rookery Saturday afternoon or early Saturday or Sunday morning.
I'm interested to know of any large Purple Martin roosts, any good Wood Stork locations, and any other "don't-miss" suggestions for summer birding in the DFW area.
Thanks in advance,
Byron Stone, Austin

[gail]

Hi Byron, The closest Wood storks I've seen are at Richland Chambers as you head north on 35 from Temple-Belton area.

[DrBirdie]

Hi Gail,
Thanks for the tip.
Byron Stone
PS - how early can one get into River Legacy Park on weekdays?

[gail]

Sometimes you get lucky and they are open about 7:45 but I think the official opening time is 8 a.m. You can always walk in prior to and come out after by walking thru the walk opening on the left hand side of the gate. Just park across the street at the park (hide valuables) and walk thru the brick opening.

[Charley]

Hey Gail, when did they move Richland Chambers? It used to be East of Corsicana off IH 45 didn't it?
:-)

[gail]

oooh, Charley! Thanks for correcting me. duhHH! Hopefully Byron realized my mistake right away!

[DrBirdie]

Thanks ya'll!
Duly noted.
Byron Stone

[lulubelle]

The drying beds are usually open by 07:30 & close any where from 3p to 5 ish. Depends on who is closing or they have a staff meeting. They seem close close earlier when they have the staff meetings. To walk around the gates, you actually have to go around the right side of the little brick "fence" - it can be a bit tricky if the ground is wet or if it is really overgrown. River Legacy Park gates open really early - like 5 or 6 am and close late - after 9 p.m. There have been decent numbers of Purple Martins at the beds lately, along with large numbers of Barn & Cliff Swallows. I saw 2 more Bank Swallows this morning and when I went back at 4 p, there were Purple Martins and Barns Swallows all over the place - on the wires, the ground and flying over the beds.

[gail]

what happen to the left-side entry??

[lulubelle]

It is thoroughly overgrown with greenbriar. I have often thought of taking something to trim it back, but I don't want to get into trouble. The left side is so much easier to get through - I wish we could trim it back. The right side is a pain, especially if it has rained.