Lake Tawakoni

[Ben Lamb]

I've read in a Texas birdfinding guide that Audubon Dallas owns a field at Lake Tawakoni at the end of CR 1475 near Thousand Trails campground. The guide states that this is a good spot for longspurs, sedge wrens and LeConte's sparrows.

The guide is nearly 10 years old - does Audubon in fact own such a field? If so, is there anything important to know about accessing it (fences or gates, etc)?

Thanks,
Ben

[Connie Sandlin]

Actually, we do own such a place and I guess I should schedule a field trip there this spring. Thanks for the reminder. A field trip is the best way to learn the location, but if you are a Texbirds subscriber, you can find Richard Kinney's e-mail address and try to arrange something with him. He's lives in the area and visits it frequently.

We are currently in the process (some of it has already been done) of having our property re-surveyed and fenced. In the future, we will also be doing further habitat maintenance. We had a problem with a neighbor's cattle getting in there and tearing things up. I think the new fence has been installed. We will also be adding some signs.

Connie Sandlin
VP Field Trips
Audubon Dallas

[Perry]

Turn by turn directions with street names would be helpful if anyone has them. I was out there last year and never really did find the place. I had directions, but nothing specific. If I ever get back out there, I'll be taking a GPS Waypoint so I can get back.

[Connie Sandlin]

Directions:
Get to Wills Point, Texas in Van Zandt County. (From Dallas, go east on I-20, then exit for US 80). Take FM 47 north out of Wills Point. Stay on 47 for about 16 miles you will pass the spillway for the dam, crossing into Rains County along the way. Just stay on 47 until you see a sign for the Sabine River Authority HQs and turn there. The Audubon Dallas sanctuary is all the way down on the road on the right.

CAUTION: We have access to our sanctuary via an easement. If you haven't been there before or don't have somebody with you who knows exactly where the easement is, you may be in danger of trespassing on the adjoining property if the easement has not been clearly marked since the new fencing was erected recently.

I will try to find out more about the easement and post here as soon as I get the information.

[Ben Lamb]

That's exactly what I was afraid of! The map in my (old) book shows the Audubon field off of 1475, whereas the Sabine River Authority HQ is on CR 1480. It could be that the field actually extends all the way between the two. Thanks for the info Connie - please do let us know if you learn more.

[Connie Sandlin]

Still in the process of getting the answer. Apparently it's marked pretty well, but there's something about a padlock....

[Connie Sandlin]

Got it.

When you turn left (going northbound) off 47 to the Sabine River Authority, note the number of the county road (which is not 1475). That's the number for the combination.

[Connie Sandlin]

Ben (or anyone interested in Tawakoni), if you need further directions to the Audubon Dallas sanctuary property, please contact me at conniesandlin (at) hotmail.com. Please post if you go there and let us know what you find. We saw LeConte's Sparrows there last winter.

Connie

[Ben Lamb]

Thank you, Connie. We hope to get there in the next few weekends and will let you know what we find. This weekend we are trying to get down to Aransas NWR to see Whooping Cranes for the first time, but we may try Tawakoni next weekend.

[Vern]

I am familiar with the location, although I was not aware of ownership.

What are the requirements for access to the property, and how much acreage is in this parcel of land? Thanks.

[Connie Sandlin]

Welcome to the forum, Vern. Going from memory, I think the Audubon Dallas property is about 37 acres and we have just put up a new fence and signs. We're not finicky, but we would prefer that visitors join Audubon Dallas - dues help us with sanctuary projects. (You can do this on the home page of this website.) The property is signed and marked - just don't do any trespassing onto other property. Access is through a padlocked gate.

The prior posts on this thread should clue you to directions and to the combination for the padlocks. If not, please email me at conniesandlin(at)hotmail.com.

[Vern]

Connie, thanks for the reply. For a little more info....this is the gate at the dead end on the right, before coming to SRA pipe fence? If so, is the property beyond the gate Audubon property or is that the property that is an easement? That is what I am not clear on as I don't recall seeing a sign at the gate.

Also, I will get on the home page and join right up:)

[Connie Sandlin]

Vern,
That's correct.

By the way, to all interested, we will have a field trip to Lake Tawakoni, including the Audubon Dallas sanctuary, on Saturday, April 21. Richard Kinney will be the leader. A complete list of field trips for March & April will be published in the next chapter newsletter, Woods Wings Water, and on the website on the field trips page within the next week.

Happy birding,
Connie Sandlin
VP Field Trips
Audubon Dallas

[Vern]

Thanks, Connie.