Birding

Birding/Bird Watching

Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake provide tremendous opportunities for avid and new bird watchers! Our lake side trails and local businesses provide a year-round opportunity to see over 125 species that call our Highland Lakes home.

Birding Hot Spots
Lake Buchanan Bird Hot Spots including Location Map
Inks Lake State Park Bird Hot Spots including Trail Maps
Black Rock State Park (Lake Buchanan, west side)
Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park and Resort (Lake Buchanan, east side)
Cedar Point Recreation Area (Lake Buchanan, west side)
Inks Lake State Park (Inks Lake, various)
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Vanishing Texas River Cruise (Lake Buchanan, east side)

Bird Lists of the Lakes
Lake Buchanan-Buchanan Dam Bird List (LCRA)
Inks Lake Bird List (LCRA)

Checklist of Common and Specialty Local Birds - Fun for the Whole Family (PDF)
Inks Lake/Longhorn Cavern State Park Bird Checklist

Inks Lake State Park Wildlife Interactive Mobile and Interactive Checklist
TWPD Wildlife Interactive Online Checklist (Mobile/Tablet friendly)

Registration Deadline: April 1, 2026
Tournament Dates: April 15 – May 15, 2026

American Bald Eagle: Under favorable conditions, eagles can be found year-round around Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake thanks to our clear waters and abundant food sources. Eagles breed in our area and usually hatch 2-3 eggs in their nests around Thanksgiving. It takes eleven weeks for the eaglets to grow and be ready for first flight. We always can predict a hot summer if the eagles migrate north around the end of March for cooler weather. But regardless of the heat, we have been blessed with eagle sightings year around all along our Highland Lakes.

The Osprey, or more specifically the western osprey, is also known as a sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk. It is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. This large raptor reaches more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. Osprey are known for their keen eyesight and ability to spot, swoop and catch fish in a dramatic way, making them a favorite among birdwatchers. The best time to see them here around the Highland Lakes is in the Fall during their annual migration.

The Great Blue Heron are a common sight along the lakes, rivers and ponds all over Texas Hill Country. The best place to find the Great Blue Heron is hunting around the dead brush and trees at the mouth of the Colorado River where it feeds into Lake Buchanan! You can see their distinctive hunting stance, with necks stretched and beaks poised for action! The herons build their homes in trees and will often move in and "timeshare" eagles' nests that have been abandoned during the eagles' spring migration north. They are highly adaptive birds with both parents raising their chicks in this area and according to Native and local lore, repeat visits from one is considered a blessing!

The Crested Caracara is a territorial bird often mistaken for a hawk with sharp beak and claws. However, look for its distinctive blue and orange beak and vulture-like behavior on the ground and at the latest roadkill feast and you will never mistake it for a hawk again! This is a bird who likes open country but as climate change has settled in, has moved into Hill Country, particularly the Highland Lakes area and can be spotted on both Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake. Crested Caracara are in the falcon family and tend to attack other birds or bird-like objects who stray too close to their nests. They've taken down more than their fair share of drones in the area!

Painted Buntings are a distinctive and vibrant addition to our Highland Lakes area! Their nickname is the "nonpareil", French for "without equal". They show up in the Spring here in the Highland Lakes area just before breeding season in late April. Finding the three or four white-gray spotted eggs is a real treasure but leave them where they are! Nests are hidden in low, dense vegetation and woven into the surround vegetation to add strength to the nest. We promise they did not fall out of a nearby tree! Males have a distinctive song all spring long to define their territory and find a mate. Enjoy these birds all summer long into the fall. The first frost has them heading south for warmer weather.

The Indigo Bunting is a close cousin to the Painted Bunting with are definitely distinct species. Known for its vibrant blue plumage, Indigo Buntings arrive around the same time as their colorful cousins. Where Painted Buntings tend to stay close to the dense shrubs and thickets lining our Highland Lakes around surrounding river ways and creeks, the Indigo Bunting likes to call farmland, brush areas and open woodland home. Wander our longer Inks Lake trails or head to Longhorn Caverns State Park to find this glorious but smaller blue bird. And for a real treat, snag a day pass or spend a weekend at Canyon of the Eagles where you can find both! Just like their cousins, Indigo Buntings nest close to the ground in brushy edges so don't touch or move their nest, eggs or fledglings. Mom is likely nearby and ready to come back to the nest.

Bunting fun fact! Indigo buntings breed from southern Canada to Florida while painted buntings stick to the southeastern and central United States. Guess which ONE STATE they overlap in? Yep, right here in good ole Texas!

Vermillion Flycatchers are often seen perched low in open areas making them a birdwatcher's dream! Although a few will overwinter in the Highland Lakes area, most arrive in March with the spring rains and head out after the first frost. With their flat heads, barrel chests, and distinctive brown masks over bright red crowns and chests, this little bird is a delight to watch as they catch insects in the midair, often returning to their low, exposed perch to enjoy their snack! They love our riverine woodlands and can be found around both Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake!

Peek-a-boo we see you! This Great Horned Owl has a nest at Reveille Peak Ranch near Lake Buchanan. This largest and probably most well-known owl in Texas are usually seen and heard at dusk or shortly after dark. While common across our great state, they are shy and love large trees to live in, often hunting in open or shrubby grasslands and fields at night. One of the best spots to find them at dusk or night is in upper Lake Buchanan around Tow or Canyon of the Eagles - check out their night time Observatory Program - or camping around Inks Lake. Listen for their classic, deep and distinctive "Hooo....Hooo..." call.