The Davis Mountain State Park : I have been engaged in bird watching over the past several years, and during that time many members of the Audubon Society have recommended that I go and look at the beautiful birds at this or that State Park. It has been my experience that their recommendations are spot on and every visit has proven to be a fabulous birding experience. Several folks had suggested the Davis Mountain State Park and waxed eloquently about the wonderful birds to be seen there. A Lesser Goldfinch A Black Chinned Hummingbird How could there be a lot of birds in the Davis Mountains in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert? Why would the birds come to this park smack-dab in the middle of absolutely no where? I was rather skeptical and didn’t plan a visit for the longest time. That is until the spring of 2014. We were going on a visit to the McDonald Observatory to look at the big skies of Texas and look at celestial objects through fabulous huge telescopes. I decided that since we were going to the McDonald Observatory a visit to the State Park was indeed warranted. So we set aside a full day to go hiking and some bird watching at the State Park. A Black Headed Grosbeak A Ladderback Woodpecker The Davis Mountains of Texas are located in West Texas about 6 hours drive from San Antonio on I 10 west till Fort Stockton, and then due south on Hwy 17 to Fort Davis. Davis Mountains State Park is a 2,709-acre state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park is situated 5000 feet above sea level. The Limpia and Keesey Creeks traverse the park. There are many species of trees, the most numerous are the Pinon Pine, Juniper Pine and Oak Trees. Along the creeks there are Cottonwood trees. There are large areas of desert plains dotted with cacti, shrubs and grasses. The trees are plentiful close to the creeks and this is clearly an attraction to avian visitors. The park is in the migratory path for birds of the Western United States during annual migration. Many bird species stop, eat and rest up and then head out for their nesting grounds all across the western United States. There are also many bird species that nest and rear the next generation at the Davis Mountain State Park. During my visit in June 2014 migration was long over and the birds I saw in the Davis Mountain area are there from spring into the fall when they migrate south. A Blue Grosbeak A Western Kingbird I got to the park at 8 am and found several bird feeders and bird blinds and as I sat at one of the blinds a couple came by and filled all the bird feeders, set out fresh nectar for the hummingbirds and checked the water features. Apparently this couple comes to this particular state park every year and spends 4 to 5 months doing volunteer work at the park. They were delightful to visit with and we chatted about the birds and bird watchers they have seen at Davis Mountains State Park. Bird watchers are some of friendliest and most helpful people on earth. As we chatted I saw Black Chinned Hummingbirds, Titmice and Chickadees, Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches flying around. Soon a Blue Grosbeak showed up at the feeder and then his mate came along. I was spell bound by their beauty. Next there was a Black headed Grosbeak and he was cautious and then came up to the feeder. Then an Acorn Woodpecker came along to the feeder. It was like a food line to the feeder, birds came and went continuously. It was a delightful to sit at the blind and watch the action. Black Throated Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Sutton’s Orioles, Ladder Back Woodpeckers and a number of other species. I was ecstatic. It was absolutely birding heaven. And the hiking was fantastic with great views from the ridge. There are guided walks with the park rangers and they were helpful and friendly. An Acorn Woodpecker So far as lodging is concerned there are camp sites at the park and there is Indian Lodge, which is a hotel within the park premises. Staying close makes it easy to hike during the cooler times of the day and bird watch all day at the blinds from sun up till sundown. It was a fantastic visit, the birding was amazing and the park was a perfect oasis in the middle of the Chihuahuan desert. .