Birding SLSP

YOU JUST FOUND A TOP UPPER TEXAS COAST BIRDING HOT SPOT!

SLSP BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS

-> Sheldon Lake’s 29+ spoil islands host Texas' largest inland waterbird colony. Over 2,500 heron, egret, Roseate spoonbill, Anhinga, Neotropic cormorant and ibis nests. The annual SLSP Rookery Census takes place over Memorial Day weekend as part of the Texas Colonial Waterbird Census.

-> Typically 90 species are found during the Winter Bird Census on a single winter day including Le Conte's and Grasshopper sparrow

, Fish crow, Ash-throated and Vermillion flycatchers, Solitary sandpiper and American bittern.

-> A spring day can produce 30+ neotropic migrant species.

-> Purple gallinule and Least bittern are recorded nesting in the park.

-> Seabird movement between landfills creates streams of thousands of gulls, terns and pelicans overhead.

-> Seabirds flocks roost and fish on the lake. Franklin’s and the occasional Bonaparte’s gull can be found among them.

-> Read about SLSP from folks who've birded the park: Houston OG, Birder's World forums.

SEASONAL BIRD DISTRIBUTION

DENSITY	Sp	S	F	W
Abundant	23	11	7	19
Common	45	38	40	53
Uncommon	62	14	46	40
Occasional	39	4	18	24
Rare	38	13	14	35
Birds by season	207	80	125	171

MICROCOSM OF UTC HABITATS

There are 800 acres of open water lake, hundreds of acres of cypress swamp and marsh, bottomland woods and hundreds of acres of restored coastal prairie.

CHECKLISTS & BIRD REPORTS

The SLSP Bird Checklist revised 2006. It lists 255 species recorded on the park during a five year census. Checklists are available at the park.

Bird checklists are ongoing projects that require all birders to chip-in. Please report sightings of unlisted and rare species using our "Bird Trip Report" form. Use the form for your trip report, checklist and photos are welcome too.

HANDS-ON CONSERVATION

FOSL members watch birds and watch out for them too. Join us today and get involved in hands-on bird conservation of Houston's natural heritage with our annual winter bird count and rookery census.

BIRDING WALK & TALK

Each third Saturday from September to May FOSL members lead a "Birding Walk & Talk." Join us and learn from folks with years of experience birding the park.

WHEN BIRDING SLSP

Always stay aware of your surroundings
NEVER bird from the immediate road shoulder. Find a pull-off or parking lot.
SLSP has no controlled access. Secure your vehicle and belongings.
Eastern cottonmouth and alligator can be found anywhere at anytime on the park. Watch for and avoid them.
Always be aware of your step on the fishing piers.