Midland has never been at the top of my Texas birding to do list, but
family obligations took me there this past weekend.
I was able to squeeze in visits to some eBird hotspots including the I-20
Wildlife Preserve/Jenna Welch Nature Study Center, Johnson Draw, and the
Burrowing Owl spot at the I-20 prairie dog town. The I-20 Wildlife
Preserve was quite impressive and I highly recommend a stop there if you
are ever out that way. In the industrial part of town, it seems an unlikely
spot to be teeming with wildlife, but the 90 acres or so of wetlands and
adjacent scrub did not seem at all like west Texas. Nice looks at a pair of
adult Mississippi Kites, a Belted Kingfisher, American Avocets,
Black-necked Stilts and hundreds of delightful frogs all "eeping" as family
friends and I walked by on the elevated boardwalks. It was a great spot to
take non-birders. I had to think there was a Sora there somewhere, but if
so, it was mum. Kudos to the Midland community that saved and enhanced this
"urban playa lake." See http://www.i20wildlifepreserve.org/
The Johnson Draw playa site was along a very busy road that we visited at
Friday evening rush hour. Five Snowy Plovers were a highlight. That
desolate place looks like it could be a set for a Mad Max movie. The
Burrowing Owl site was along the I-20 feeder - thankfully, traffic was
light and a Burrowing Owl cooperated. Other eBird spots looked enticing and
I look forward to visiting Midland again.
I just checked the TOS Birding in Texas webpage (
http://www.texasbirds.org/birdingLocations.php) thinking it might have had
some helpful Midland birding tips. No info yet. Now I see how that the TOS
website could really help birders who are venturing to an area for the
first time, by supplying info that could enhance the map info found on
eBird. I think we have James Giroux to thank for getting this TOS resource
up and running. Now we just need to help fill in the blanks.
Jane Tillman
Austin
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