County Listing Guide to Lubbock County

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Published with permission from Peter Keyel, revised 01/26/19
Return to County Listing Guide in the Southern High Plains
Dell's map of Lubbock County including eBird Hotspots, and routes from Peter Keyel's County Listing Guide to the Southern High Plains.
TCC's Lubbock County

Contents

Overview

Lubbock is the easiest county in the region to get to 100. It is the most heavily birded county in the region, and it has a wide range of habitats. Due to the large number of hotspots in ebird, only a subset of the hotspots will be discussed here. The route described here will hit some of the major hotspots; however it omits some of the key hotspots (eg CLAPP PARK) due to time. There are lots of ways to bird Lubbock, depending on the water levels and available time. The Lubbock CBC is usually the third Saturday in December from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Note that domestic mallards and geese are resident at most in-town playas, and often a few Cackling or Canada Geese will summer with them.

Route (from Lubbock):
Take 50th St/FM3523 east to FM835. Turn south and then turn east to enter BUFFALO SPRINGS LAKE (entrance fee required). After spending several hours birding, head back to 50th St/FM3523 and continue east to Ransom Rd. Turn south on Ransom Rd to bird RANSOM CANYON. Exit RANSOM CANYON via Hillside east to Johnston Rd. Head North on Johnston to CR7000/66th St. Take FM7000 east to FM400 and turn south. After going down into the canyon and coming back up to the top, turn left on CR7300/Gentry Ln. Bird CR7300/YELLOW HOUSE CANYON. Return to 50th St/FM3523 (can go via CR3600 north to Mimosa Ave, continue north to CR6840, south on FM400 back to FM3523) and head west to CR2900. Turn north to bird CR2800/CR2900. Typically by this point it will be starting to get late, and you will probably have time for 1 or 2 more spots. Unless there are rarities to chase elsewhere, or easy misses to pick up, LEROY ELMORE will probably hold the most additional species for your day list. From FM3523 and CR2800, travel west to Loop 289. Take South Loop 289 and exit at Quaker Ave. At the light, turn right and then pull into LEROY ELMORE.

Selected Locations

QUAKER AVE PLAYAS

Whisperwood Pond (4th and Rayleigh)
Maxey Park (Quaker and 28th; main entrance Nashville and 26th)
Dupree Park (Richmond and 56th)
Leroy Elmore (Quaker and 66th)

These four playas along Quaker usually hold some reasonably good birds. In the winter, all of these playas will hold thousands of Cackling Geese at the correct time of day, and tens to hundreds at other times of day.

Whisperwood Pond is private and posted, so bird from the road only. It is deep water, so in the winter will usually hold diving ducks. It has also had Trumpeter Swan, and usually holds lots of Cackling Geese, with other geese mixed in. North of Whisperwood Pond is the TTU Rangelands, and sometimes good raptors can be seen in that area.
Access: Road only
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside

Maxey Park is public access and holds a wide range of waterfowl. It has hosted Brant, American Golden-Plover and Brown Pelican in the past. Herons and cormorants will roost in the Bald Cypress on the SE side of the playa. At lower water, the western bank will have a mudflat, which may hold shorebirds and roosting gulls. The trees around the playa may hold passerines.
Access: This playa can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: The parking lot is accessed by traveling west on 26th St into the park. Roadside parking on 24th and 28th St.

Dupree Park is a decent location for shorebirds (depending on the water), and will sometimes hold rare gulls or terns. At lower water, the playa will shrink back, revealing large areas of mudflat. At high water, the grass south of the playa will flood, and egrets may move to that area instead of the main playa.
Access: This playa can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside

Leroy Elmore is the most reliable spot in the county for Wood Duck. Wood Ducks often persist through the summer here at low density. In the winter, gulls may roost in large numbers and the waterfowl diversity will increase. During summer, the island becomes a large rookery, mostly for Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret. However, this site will get Tricolored Heron in the fall, along with White Ibis and other rare wading birds. Typically in late August, the best strategy is to scope the island just before sunset, when all the herons and egrets are returning. This is also the best spot in the county to find a Neotropic Cormorant mixed in with the Double-crested Cormorants. Depending on the light, you can park just south of the safety memorial, or along Peoria and walk up to the shore. The junipers in the NE part of the park may hold Townsend’s Solitaire during irruption years. Birding the trees on the east side of the park can kick out migrant passerines.
Access: This playa can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: There is a parking lot off Quaker just south of the Public Safety Memorial. Roadside parking on Peoria Ave.

MEMPHIS AVE PLAYAS

Guy Park (Memphis and 90th)
Huneke Park (Nashville and 84th)
Andrews Park (Memphis and 78th)
Miller Park (Memphis Dr and 74th)
Of the Memphis Ave playas, Guy Park and Andrews Park are the two most worth visiting. However, if you have an extra 5 minutes, Miller Park and Huneke Park can sometimes hold worthwhile birds. For Guy Park, the east side is usually drier. In moderate water conditions, check that side for shorebirds and White-faced Ibis. The west pond has deep water and usually holds diving ducks along with dabblers. The trees can hold migrants. Andrews Park may be birded with a scope from Memphis Ave. This site has deep water and occasionally holds something exciting like a Western Grebe. Otherwise, most of the birds will usually be on the north shore. In the winter, there are usually a lot of American Wigeon. I usually check them carefully in the hopes I’ll pull out an Eurasian Wigeon. Both Guy Park and Andrews Park may host summering Canada Geese and usually have lots of domestic ducks and geese. Miller Park will sometimes hold egrets and good shorebirds under the right conditions. Huneke Park is usually not worthwhile, unless you need the extra ebird checklist for the month’s challenge. Maybe someday someone will find a Brant and make stopping there worthwhile.
Access: These playas can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside for all but Miller, which has a parking lot on the east end of the park, off 74th St.

MCALISTER PARK

McAlister Park is located between spur 327 and the Marsha Sharp Freeway (Hwy 62). It can be challenging to access if you approach from the wrong direction. On the westbound frontage road for 327, there is one entrance. Northbound Milwaukee (but NOT Southbound!) is the main entrance, and on the east bound frontage road for Hwy 62, there are two entrances. Alternatively, you can access part of the park from the Bob Mills Furniture store parking lot, though you will have a lot of water between you and most of the park. McAlister is one of the best shorebird spots in Lubbock, and has also hosted rarities like Surf Scoter and American White Pelican in the pond. Ducks on the pond are usually present in good numbers along with herons and egrets. Even in low water conditions, the playa will typically hold a fair amount of water. There are Burrowing Owls present reasonably close to the road along the south drive of the park, which makes photography pretty easy. The fields will hold sparrows, especially during migration.
Access: It can be challenging to access if you approach from the wrong direction. On the westbound frontage road for 327, there is one entrance. Northbound Milwaukee (but NOT Southbound!) is the main entrance, and on the east bound frontage road for Hwy 62, there are two entrances. Alternatively, you can access part of the park from the Bob Mills Furniture store parking lot, though you will have a lot of water between you and most of the park.
Cost: free
Parking: Parking lots on the north and east sides. Roadside parking (in the park) for the south side.

TECH TERRACE

Tech Terrace refers to the neighborhood of Lubbock just south of Texas Tech University. It is an older neighborhood, which means the trees are far more mature than many other places in Lubbock. The trick to birding the neighborhood is to walk the alleyways because it is easier to see the trees. Generally, the alleys run East-West, and the alleys between Gary/Elgin and 21st and 23rd St are the most fruitful. In general, look for warblers and other migrant/irruptive passerines here. Inca Doves are also possible, though they get harder to find every year. If Tech Terrace Park has flooded, you might pick up a few birds you wouldn’t otherwise, but in general the park isn’t worthwhile.
Access: alleys and sidewalks. Generally, the alleys run East-West, and the alleys between Gary/Elgin and 21st and 23rd St are the most fruitful.
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside

CLAPP PARK

Clapp Park vies with Canyon Lake 6 as the best spot in town. Its main claim to fame is a Gyrfalcon that hung out one winter. In the winter, the junipers may attract Townsend’s Solitaire and Evening Grosbeak, while the playa will hold ducks and geese. During migration, this is one of the best places to bird for warblers and other migrants. In moderate water, mudflats open up, attracting shorebirds. There are fields that will bring in sparrows, Bronzed Cowbirds and other icterids. If you are just checking the junipers for winter finches, park on 40th Ave next to the junipers and look. Otherwise, park in the Lubbock Garden & Arts Parking lot off 44th Ave/Ave X. Bird the Arboretum area first. The patches of shrubs tend to hold a lot of migrants, and the flowers will attract hummingbirds. Bird east/northeast until you exit the Arboretum area. Check the wooded area right near the dike for birds, then proceed along the dike. Northern Waterthrush is regularly seen during migration along the dike. This will also give you views of all 3 parts of the playa. Look for herons and egrets, including Yellow-Crowned Night-heron. Once you cross the dike, you can check the fields to the east, looking through all the Great-tailed Grackles for Bronzed Cowbirds in summer. Check unmowed areas for sparrows. Loop back around and bird the junipers/conifers. During migration, warblers may move between this area and the dike. Bird the dike again and then loop south. Bird the area between Safety Town and the playa, and follow the playa until you are due south of the playa (by the water outlet, which usually has herons and/or Belted Kingfisher). Proceed SW into a denser group of trees and shrubs. This location is called “Shrubhenge”, and may hold empids and warblers the rest of the park isn’t holding. Finish by returning north to the Arboretum.
Access: This small park can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Parking lot for the Garden and Arts Center is accessible from 44th St off University. There’s also parking off 46th St near the Safety City and at the Hodges Community Center on 40th St.

CANYON LAKES

The Canyon Lakes system collectively represents the best birding in Lubbock. It will take an entire day to thoroughly bird the whole system. The best areas are the Lubbock Cemetery, Canyon Lake 6 and the draw downstream of Canyon Lake 6. Most people start downstream of Canyon Lake 6 and work their way northwest.

Canyon Lake 6 (Dunbar Lake)
Canyon Lake 6 has a road/running trail running around the entirety of the lake. On warm, sunny days, it will often hold a large number of people fishing, running, etc, so morning may be better to bird the lake. The lake may hold most diving and dabbling ducks in the correct season, and is the best spot in Lubbock to try for Least Bittern in summer (wait on the dam at early morning and watch for one to fly across the lake). This is one of the more likely spots in the county to get rare gulls, terns (including Forster’s and Least Terns) and waterfowl like Red-breasted Merganser and Horned Grebe. The prairie dog town may hold Burrowing Owls and Ferruginous Hawks in due season. Although the lake can be easily birded entirely from the car, finding passerines may require some walking. There are bike trails along the eastern part of the lake. The best access is to check the draw around 33.567261, - 101.802565 for migrants. At the back of the draw, hike up the draw on the north side. The mesquite habitat may hold orioles, Western Tanager and Verdin. The other part most worth walking is the shrubbery across from the cemetery around 33.565761, -101.803659.
Access: This area can be freely walked. With a free city boating permit, it can also be birded by boat.
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside. There are a couple parking lots partway down either side of the lake. There is a small pull-off northeast of the dam.
Yellowhouse Draw Downstream of Canyon Lake 6
Park at Canyon Lake 6 just north of the dam. Cross the dam and then follow the stream. The stream itself may hold herons and egrets, including rarities like Tricolored Heron. There is a small marshy area to the south along the stream that may hold Marsh Wren, Carolina Wren, Common Yellowthroat and other marsh birds. The trees before the train bridge may hold migrants, as well as Brown Creeper. The edges of the train bridge may hold other passerines, including rarities like Black Phoebe. Bird the marshy area downstream of the train bridge (Prothonotary Warbler has been found there in migration) and continue until you reach the concrete bridge crossing the water. Cross to the north shore, stopping to check at the bridge for warblers and flycatchers. Continue south along the river to check for sparrows and other migrants. The oxbow lake is 33.557672, -101.791882, which is about a mile downstream from the parking area. This area has held breeding Yellow-breasted Chat, flycatchers and other passerines. Just SE of the oxbow, Ring-necked Pheasant can be seen/heard around dawn. Making a loop back along the fields may produce other grassland birds, including Cassin’s Sparrow, other sparrows, and meadowlarks.
Access: This area can be freely walked. Mountain bike and walking trails extend south just past the oxbow.
Cost: free
Parking: Park at Canyon Lake 6 in the small pull-off just north/east of the dam.
Lubbock Cemetery
This is the best spot in Lubbock for winter passerines. Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker are all possible during irruptive years. The cemetery has also held rarities like Vermilion Flycatcher and Phainopepla. In general, the pines along the SE corner (near the maintenance shed) may hold warblers like Pine Warbler or Northern Parula. Walking Gallardia (an EW road on the southern half of the cemetery near the maintenance shed) is usually good for winter passerines along with other birds like Cedar Waxwings. The middle area of the cemetery most often holds bluebirds and solitaires, while the arbor vitae along the edges (especially W and N edges) may hold Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, the occasional Harris’s or White-throated Sparrows and others. Northern Flicker and Ladder-backed Woodpecker may also be found throughout the cemetery. In the winter, both accipiters may be seen, along with soaring buteos. Waterfowl coming and going from Canyon Lake 6 may be observed as flyovers.
Access: This cemetery can be freely walked. Enter either from Canyon Lake 6 or the front entrance at Teak St and E 31st St.
Cost: free
Parking: There is a small parking lot by the main building, or parking alongside a cemetery road.
Mae Simmons Park
Mae Simmons Park combines a variety of habitats, giving it a lot of potential for a wide range of birds. It is also a popular fishing/frisbee golf destination, so human activity can also depress the number of expected species. Mae Simmons can be birded from Canyon Lake Drive between 19th St and MLK, Jr Blvd. Look for dabbling ducks, geese, herons/egrets and other marshy birds. Osprey may be rarely seen in season. This is one of the better spots to see Common Gallinule. Injured Cackling Geese may spend the summer at this location. To access the rest of the park, turn south on 19th St towards Compress Ave. Turn immediately east onto the gravel road and take that road around the Lone Star Amphitheater into Mae Simmons Park and a small parking lot. Be courteous of any frisbee golfers. One birding strategy is to bird the dirt path SE until you turn due East into the woods. Tucked in the woods is a small pond that may bring in migrants, including Northern Waterthrush. From the pond head north to the water, then return NW back along the river towards the parking lot. Check the cattails for Marsh Wren, Winter Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Common Gallinule and other marsh birds. Shorebirds like Greater Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper may be present along the mudflat in the middle of the park. The trees may hold a variety of passerines, like Black-crested Titmouse and Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Access: This park can be freely walked, but please be courteous of frisbee golfers. The wooded area/frisbee golf area is accessed by trails from the parking lot off 19th St. Canyon Lake Drive covers the opposite side of the water.
Cost: free
Parking: To access the main park, turn south on 19th St towards Compress Ave. Turn immediately east onto the gravel road and take that road around the Lone Star Amphitheater into Mae Simmons Park and a small parking lot. Roadside parking is also present along Canyon Lake Drive.
Mackenzie Park
Mackenzie Park can be accessed from I-27 frontage road, or by turning north on Cesar Chavez from Broadway. When coming from Cesar Chavez, park at the first parking lot and bird the two lakes for geese, waterfowl and shorebirds. Just before 4th St/Marsha Sharp Hwy overpass is a swampy area with a creek. This can be walked to search for additional sparrows. Once this area has been birded, drive under the Marsha Sharp Why (Parkway Dr/Hwy 62/82) and slowly bird the draw for passerines and marsh birds. The stream crossing just after Cesar Chavez bends west out of the park (towards Aztlan Park) sometimes holds migrants or ducks. It also floods in high water. The prairie dog town is worth checking, but it is often challenging to find a Burrowing Owl here. (Easier site in the area is Elm Ave, at the entrance to the PURINA MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL).
Access: Mackenzie Park Road (Cesar Chavez) runs the length of the park. While the golf course cannot be walked, the rest of the area can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Multiple parking lots off Mackenzie Park Road and at the prairie dog town.
Purina Mountain Bike Trail
The Purina Mountain Bike Trail can be accessed at its north end by turning off E Municipal Dr onto Elm or Globe and parking at the end of either Elm St or E Erskine St (eg 33.607088, -101.828731). There is a prairie dog town west of Elm Ave that is more reliable for Burrowing Owls than Mackenzie Park. The southern access is a pull-off from the Marsha Sharp (Hwy 82/62) (roughly 33.592333, -101.822114). From this stop, the old BMX park on the west bank of the draw can be directly birded. To cross the draw, carefully walk along Hwy 82 to the start of the trail (33.592754, -101.820026). The south end of the trail has the most access to the trees along the draw. These trees may hold Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Black-crested Titmouse, Broad-winged Hawk, Chuck-will’s-widow, nuthatches as well as other riparian birds. Traveling along the trail gives a nice mix of scrub and field. Sparrows and flycatchers are often plentiful here. This is one of the better spots to try for Vesper, Brewer’s, Clay- colored, Cassin’s, Grasshopper and other sparrows.
Access: This mountain bike/hiking trail can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: North side: Roadside parking at the end of either Elm St or E Erskine St (eg 33.607088, - 101.828731). South side: Parking in a small unpaved parking lot off of the Marsha Sharp (Hwy 82/62) (roughly 33.592333, -101.822114). From this stop, the old BMX park on the west bank of the draw can be directly birded. To cross the draw, carefully walk along Hwy 82 to the start of the trail (33.592754, - 101.820026).
Aztlan Park
Aztlan Park can be accessed from Mackenzie Park by following Cesar Chavez Dr under I-27. Alternatively, Buddy Holly north to 1st Pl. West on 1st Pl to Ave J will also bring you into the park. Generally park along Cesar Chavez, closest to the river. Bird the river north to the next canyon lake, which may hold Marsh Wren and Osprey in the winter, along with diving ducks. Return along the river, looking for passerines in the trees. The rest of the park is relatively open and may hold urban birds.
Access: This small park can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside
Erskine Marsh
Erskine Marsh is accessed by turning south on the the dirt track between Ave U and the water crossing (labeled “Comancheria Lake” in Google Maps). The track east of the water does not give as good views. Park at the end of the dirt track and bird this area on foot. There is a small pond SE of the parking that often holds teal and other waterbirds in due season. The main reason many birders stop at Erskine Marsh is to listen for rails and look for Common Gallinule. Sora, Virginia Rail and Common Gallinule are all possible here, though it may be quite challenging to visually see the birds.
Access: A few dirt trails that permit some walking.
Cost: free
Parking: Turn south on the the dirt track between Ave U and the water crossing (labeled “Comancheria Lake” in Google Maps). The track east of the water does not give as good views. Park at the end of the dirt track and bird this area on foot.
Canyon Lake 2 (Llano Estacado Lake)
Canyon Lake 2 is rarely worthwhile on its own, but is worth driving by en route to/from Buddy Holly Park. However, Common Loon and large numbers of Yellow-headed Blackbirds have been reported here, so it can hold some good birds. Follow Cesar Chavez drive along the lake. There are places to pull off and scope the lake. The dam may hold some waterfowl, and the marsh below the dam has been used as a roost for Yellow-headed Blackbirds in migration. Immediately east of Cesar Chavez Dr and Ave U is a prairie dog town that often holds Burrowing Owls.
Access: This area can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Parking lot off Cesar Chavez. Also roadside parking.
Buddy Holly Park (Canyon Lake 1)
Buddy Holly Park is accessible from University St. It is best birded in the winter and during migration, when it can hold rare waterfowl like Tundra Swan or migrating Common Tern. It also may hold diving ducks, especially on the water opposite Marshall to Rice St, as well as geese. Herons and other shallow water birds are more common in the water near the exit to Loop 289, while migrating passerines may be found throughout the trees along the park.
Access: This small park can be freely walked.
Cost: free
Parking: Multiple parking lots along Cesar Chavez Dr

CR2800/CR2900

These two county roads run through a massive prairie dog town and scrubby grassland habitat. Drive them from 50th St up to either 34th or 19th and then return via the other road. In the winter, look for prairie dog specialists like Ferruginous Hawk, plus other raptors like Golden Eagle and all 4 regularly occurring falcons. This site is often a good place to look for longspurs. It will often hold pipits, Savannah and White-crowned Sparrows as well as lots of meadowlarks. In the summer, look for Burrowing Owls, Blue Grosbeak, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Western Kingbird and other grassland birds in the weedy margins along the road.
Access: Road only
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside

BUFFALO SPRINGS LAKE

Although this site has an entrance fee, this is one of the best birding spots in Lubbock county. It is located just off the Caprock, which enhances the species density, has a variety of habitats and contains a large amount of water. After paying the entrance fee, continue along High Meadow road. Grassland birds (meadowlarks, sparrows, Blue Grosbeak) are possible along this stretch prior to descending into the canyon, and Northern Bobwhite may come to feeders at the houses on the north side of the road. Follow the road as it curves down and becomes Indian Trail until you reach the dam. Pull off to the right and scope the lake. Look for diving ducks, grebes, herons and gulls. Continue along Comanche Dr until you reach the top of the incline. On your left is a small parking lot and a “Llano Estacado Audubon Trail”. Park here and follow the trail back down into the canyon. Check for Rock Wren and thrashers as you descend the canyon. Once down, bird the trees for passerines. Cross the paved emergency route and continue to the bottom of the dam spillway. Dabbling ducks may be present, along with Belted Kingfisher. Cross the wooden bridge and follow the trail into the woods. The marshy area in the middle is good for Sora and Virginia Rail. The wood margin to the north may hold Painted Buntings and other margin birds. The woods proper will potentially hold migrant passerines, including orioles, flycatchers and warblers. This is also one of the better accessible spots in the county to find Black-crested Titmouse and Carolina Wren. Once you finish birding the wooded area return to your vehicle and get back on Comanche Drive. Bird Comanche Drive all around the remainder of the lake. Where it merges with Apache Ln, there is a small parking lot down by the water. This can hold Spotted Sandpiper and other shorebirds when mudflats are present, and give you another view of the lake. Continuing west on Comanche will bring you to the campground. The tall trees may hold woodpeckers. The water here is shallow and tends to hold dabbling ducks, including Cinnamon Teal. The reeds may have Yellow- headed Blackbirds mixed in with the Red-winged Blackbirds. Loop around the lake and pick up any urban birds you may still need for the checklist. Listen/look for Inca Doves. The marina may hold gulls. You can either cross the lake on the dam and then retrace your route to exit, or exit via a left on Pony Express Lane.
Access: Enter via High Meadow Rd after the pay station. The Llano Estacado Audubon Trail and camping area can be freely walked. Roads and sidewalks for most of the rest.
Cost: $6/person/day
Parking: Roadside. There are small parking lots for the dam, the “Llano Estacado Audubon Trail”, at Comanche Dr and Apache Ln, and camping area

RANSOM CANYON

Ransom Canyon is one of the top birding locations in Lubbock. Although it is free to enter, it is completely private. Birding is from the road, with the exception of the chapel gardens, which permit visitors. From Lubbock, take 50th/FM3523 out to Ransom Rd. Turn south and continue up to the canyon. The top rim of the canyon can be birded for urban birds if desired. To reach the chapel, continue on Ransom Rd down into the canyon and make an immediate hard left near the bottom onto Brookhollow Rd. Continue until you reach the chapel. Park at the chapel and bird the gardens and continue on the bird trail behind the chapel. When you return to your car, instead of entering your car, walk down the street until you can cross to the other side of the culvert. Bird back up the other side to your car. This region will be the best part of the canyon for migrants, and often holds Golden-fronted Woodpeckers (and occasional Red-bellied Woodpeckers), warblers, vireos, juncos, Brown Thrasher, Pyrrhuloxia, towhees among others. The reeds may hold sparrows and Marsh Wren. There is a Canyon Wren that lives near the chapel; this is the most reliable spot to find Canyon Wren in the county. When you are done birding the chapel area, continue down to E Brookhollow to Lakeshore Drive. Follow Lakeshore Drive around the lake. When you make the turn onto Foothill Drive, the house immediately in front of you often has feeders out, which may attract finches and doves. After turning onto Foothill Dr, make another right turn onto Lakeshore Drive. When crossing the spillway at the southern part of the lake, do NOT stop on the spillway. The lake can be observed from many vantage points along the road. It typically holds deeper water birds than other parts of the county, including Common Merganser, other diving ducks and Eared Grebe. In the early morning/late evening in winter, thousands of geese may be present. At other times of day, they may be seen in the fields west of the lake from S Lakeshore Dr. Herons, cormorants and gulls may roost on the island in the middle of the lake. W Lakeshore Dr and the roads nearby can hold some interesting birds if you have the time. Exit from Ransom Canyon either via Ransom Rd (to return to Lubbock) or Hillside Dr to Johnston Rd (to head to YELLOW HOUSE CANYON).
Access: Birding is from the road, with the exception of the chapel gardens, which permit visitors.
Cost: free
Parking: The chapel has a small parking lot. The rest is roadside parking.

CR7300/YELLOW HOUSE CANYON

This is the best location in the county for Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. From Lubbock take 50th/FM3523 out to FM400. Travel south on FM400 down into the canyon. At the top of the canyon, turn left onto CR7300. Prior to descending into the canyon on CR7300, check the ranch with cows on your right for Scaled Quail feeding with the blackbirds and doves. As you travel down into the canyon, check the scrubby brush for roadrunners, sparrows, thrashers, bluebirds and other passerines. The intersection of CR3700/CR3600 may hold Golden- fronted Woodpeckers, Eastern Screech-Owl and nesting Common Poorwill. Note that at flood stage, the creek overflows and the road is impassible here. Turn north on CR3600 and travel up to the trees covering the road. Look for White-breasted Nuthatch, Wild Turkey, bluebirds, blackbirds, Black-crested Titmouse, flycatchers and other passerines around here. Although it is helpful to walk, rather than drive, this part, please stay on the roadway and do not trespass. When you come out of the canyon on CR3600, stop along the drop-off and look for Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Rock wren is also possible in this habitat. Exit either by continuing on CR3600 or returning to FM400.
Access: Road only
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside

BECTON PLAYA

This is the best site in the county for longspurs. Chestnut-collared, McCown’s and Lapland Longspurs are all possible, and Horned Larks are plentiful, so take care in ID. Take Hwy 62 east to FM400 and turn north. Turn east on CR5300 and travel to CR3600. Typically longspurs are found across the road from the pond, or south of CR5300 west of CR3600. If they are west of CR3600, a scope will help. When the playa is unfrozen and wet, it may hold the usual dabblers. Raptors, including Prairie Falcon, may be also readily observable on the various poles, and geese traveling north/south may be readily observed flying overhead.
Access: Road only
Cost: free
Parking: Roadside