Brazoria Loop

More Information:

Brazosport Nature Center and Planetarium (NCAP) Nature Trail
UTC 112

This site is open for day use only.

From the intersection of TX 332 and BUS 288 go north on BUS 288 to College Blvd., then west on College Blvd. to Brazosport College. Enter the first (east) entrance, and park at the Brazosport Arts and Sciences Center (where the NCAP is housed).

The trail, which begins across from the NCAP, traverses a river bottom woodland community that is typical of the woodlands in this area. This particular woodland is now on the banks of Oyster Creek (formerly the bed of the Brazos River).

(979) 265-7661
www.bcfas.org

Latitude: 29.04558
Longitude: -95.405

Dow Woods
UTC 112A

This site is open for day use only.

One mile north of the intersection of FM 2004 and County Road 288 in Lake Jackson. From Highway 288, exit FM 2004 and turn left onto FM 2004. Turn left at County Road 288 (also known as Old Angleton Road). There is a Bucee's at this intersection. Drive for one mile, Dow Woods is on the left. 

Dow Woods consists of 338-acres of virgin hardwood riparian forest dissected into north and south sections by Bastrop Bayou. There are two short trails along the bayou and both offer great birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Bayou Loop Trail is a gravel 1 ½ mile trail along an upper reach of Bastrop Bayou. The Tveten Trail is nearly one-mile long and is paved. See basking turtles in the Bayou, or scan the forest for migrating songbirds. Stop at the observation platform to listen for wintering wood ducks or watch for white-tailed deer. Don’t veer from marked trails and bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

(979)-964-4011
www.visitbrazosport.com/attractions/dow-woods/

Latitude: 29.0763
Longitude: -95.4277

Sea Center Texas
UTC 113

This site is open for day use only.

Continue west on TX 332 to Plantation Dr. in Lake Jackson, then go south on Plantation Dr. to Sea Center Texas, a marine aquarium, fish hatchery and education center operated by TPWD in partnership with the Coastal Conservation Association and The Dow Chemical Company.

Although the focus of the center is upon the marine ecosystem, a freshwater marsh and saltwater marsh have been created and can be accessed by an elevated boardwalk. A Wildscape demonstration area is located adjacent to the boardwalk.

(979) 292-0100
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seacenter

Latitude: 29.01767
Longitude: -95.44489

Dow Centennial Bottomlands Park
UTC 114

This site is open for day use only.

Continue west on TX 332 to Oak Dr., then go south on Oak Dr. to MacLean Park and the entrance to this 240-acre park.

The nature sanctuary includes extensive bottomland forests along the Brazos River (known as the Columbia bottomlands), one of the most important migratory vectors for landbirds in the United States. Millions of migrants pass through these woodlands each spring as they complete their trans-Gulf migratory journeys.

Latitude: 29.02799
Longitude: -95.45672

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
UTC 114A

This site is open for day use only.

Take Lake Rd. north to TX 332 and then turn left/west on TX 332, following it to the GCBO entrance.

This research and education facility is one of several such observatories operated throughout the Western Hemisphere. Regionally, GCBO coordinates research on migrating and resident avifauna, and sponsors numerous events such as Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, a popular fall birding festival. This site hosts many native woodland birds, migrants in spring/fall, and is great in winter. Habitat found includes riparian woodlands lying adjacent to freshwater impoundment and Columbian bottomlands hardwood forest. Site includes boardwalk to photography blind overlooking wetland, native flora and flauna, and over 2 miles of trails. Hours are 8:30–4:30 Monday–Saturday.

(979) 480-0999
www.gcbo.org

Latitude: 29.04914
Longitude: -95.47621

Lake Jackson Wilderness Park
UTC 115

This site is open for day use only.

Continue west on TX 332 across the bayou to Lake Jackson Wilderness Park.

An unpaved road penetrates the dense thickets and allows entry into this fascinating bottomland forest. Wood Ducks are often seen feeding on duckweed in the stagnant pools. These evergreen bottomlands remain lush throughout the winter (it rarely freezes here), and each winter a number of neotropical migrants, birds that otherwise would have continued to the tropical forests of Central and South America, stay on in these insect-rich woods.

Latitude: 29.04908
Longitude: -95.47847

Brazos River County Park
UTC 116

This site is open for day use only.

Go west on TX 332 to TX 521, then continue north on TX 521 to CR 30 (approximately 5 miles north of TX 35), and go west on CR 30 to Planter's Point Subdivision. Enter Planter's Point, and follow Colony Lane to Brazos River County Park.

The ponds along Colony Lane attract numbers of Wood Ducks (these ponds are often in duckweed), and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons usually hunt for frogs and snakes along the shoreline. Enter the park, and walk the boardwalk along the river. Mississippi Kites nest around this park, so keep watching the treetops during the summer. Early mornings here are often punctuated with the staccato calls of Pileated Woodpeckers.

Latitude: 29.20062
Longitude: -95.56161

Brazos Bend State Park
UTC 117

This site is open daily, and developed camping is available at the site.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

Return to FM 521, and continue north to its merge with SH 288. Continue north on SH 288 to FM 1462. Go west on FM 1462 to TX 762, then north on TX 762 to PR 72 and Brazos Bend SP (28 miles south of Houston).

The park covers 4,897 acres, with an eastern boundary of 3.2 miles fronting on the Brazos River. Although dominated by the Brazos River floodplain, Brazos Bend is a hodge-podge of coastal prairies, swales, oxbow lakes, freshwater marshes, and dense riparian woodlands. Big Creek cuts diagonally across the park, and Elm, Pilant, and 40-Acre lakes offer extensive open-water habitat. From the parking area at Elm Lake (look for Vermilion Flycatcher in winter in the rattlebean thickets along the shore), hike to the observation platform located between Pilant and 40-Acre lakes. Purple Gallinules and Least Bitterns nest in the marshes here, and Prothonotary Warblers breed in the willows along the levee. Acadian Flycatchers breed in the forest here. Few dusks pass without a raucous chorus of Barred Owls shattering the evening's quiet.

Leaving Brazos Bend SP, continue north on TX 762 to Davis Estates Rd. (approximately 2.1 miles from PR 72). This road, much of it unpaved, is favored by local birders for its tendency to lure unusual species. Golden Eagles and Tundra Swans have occurred here in the past, and Wood Storks are often seen in the shallow ponds that border the road.

(979) 553-5101
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend

Latitude: 29.3705
Longitude: -95.64131

Seabourne Creek Park
UTC 117A

This site is open for day use only.

Return to FM 1462 and turn right, heading west toward TX 36. Turn north on TX 36 to Rosenberg. The park is located just east of TX 36 just south of the intersection with US 59.

Seabourne Creek Nature Park is a 164-acre city Park in Rosenberg with 2+ miles of hiking trails. Seven distinct areas provide habitat for native Texas flora and fauna: Butterfly Garden, Seabourne Lake, Wetlands Area, Prairie Demo Garden, Wetlands Demo Garden, Prairie Restoration Area, Woodlands / Bird Sanctuary.

Since 2009, Texas Master Naturalists Coastal Prairie Chapter volunteers have been working on Native Prairie Restoration to create an environment for people to enjoy and explore nature, and for native plants and animals to flourish.

The park is now one of the favorite birding locations in Fort Bend County with more than 200 species observed by eBird users.

(281)633-7042

http://txmn.org/coastal/signature/seabourne-creek-park

eBird Hotspot: Seabourne Creek Park (Rosenberg) https://ebird.org/hotspot/L470093/

Latitude: 29.52477
Longitude: -95.80808

Manor and Eagle Nest Lake
UTC 118

This site is open for day use only.

Head south 20 miles on TX 36, turning left/east on CR 18. Continue east on CR 18 to CR 25 and turn right/south to the lakes.

This pleasant route carries you through miles of grazing lands that often contain Sandhill Cranes in the winter. Crested Caracaras are occasionally seen in the fields along CR 25. Of the two lakes, Manor Lake is the most interesting to birders. The extensive marshes here draw an impressive diversity of waterbirds including Least Bitterns, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, and Purple and Common gallinules. Listen for the gurgling sounds of Marsh Wrens in late spring and summer. Bald Eagles nest in the area and often drift over these lakes in search of dead fish. Departing Manor Lake, check CR 27 to the east. Eastern Bluebirds are often seen in the pecan woodlands along this gravel road, and Pileated Woodpeckers are unusually common near the river.

Latitude: 29.21858
Longitude: -95.59183

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
UTC 119

This site is open for day use only.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

Continue south on CR 25 to TX 35, then go west on TX 35 to FM 2852. Travel north on FM 2852 to the site.

Chiefly managed as a historical site, this park offers limited birding opportunities. However, the park supports a healthy population of Eastern Bluebirds,and the woodlands here should be inspected in spring for migrants.

(979) 345-4656
www.visitvarnerhoggplantation.com

Latitude: 29.16164
Longitude: -95.64217

Hanson Riverside County Park
UTC 120

This site is open for day use only.

Continue west on TX 35 through West Columbia and then south on TX 35 to Hanson Riverside County Park.

Check the woodlands in spring for migrants and eastern woodland birds.

Latitude: 29.11378
Longitude: -95.67588