Adult Large white patches in broad wings Long tail black with white outer tail feathers

The thing about Chambers County Bird Watching is that you get the most variety of birds found anywhere.  In North Chambers County, we have heavily wooded areas that accommodate many song birds of all colors and sizes.  In the coastal region of Chambers County you find the water fowl numerous in quantities and species.  

Old River-Winfree is particularly fascinating source of bird watching because of the Old River.  The shore birds fly in to the Old River-Winfree area from Trinity and Galveston Bay and can be seen from the Old River bridge on a stump to the west side of the bridge.  

Old River-Winfree enjoys heavily wooded areas in combination with the Historic Old River that provides a place for water fowl to feed and breed.

This category is, of course, about the birds found in Chambers County.  We will be posting not only on our birds, but the best feeders, feeds, and general care of our eclectic species of birds.

I find most of my information on the Cornell University:

Website:  All About Birds and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

They are also on Facebook at:  Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Ornithology (from Greek: ὄρνις, ὄρνιθος, ornis, ornithos, “bird”; and λόγος, logos, “knowledge”) is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds. Most marked among these is the extent of studies undertaken by amateurs working within the parameters of strict scientific methodology.

Careers in Ornithology are found here.

These are the colleges in Texas that offer a Degree in Ornithology

The purpose of this guide is to give undergraduate college students and their academic advisors information about those graduate degree programs where they can do advanced studies in support of their interests in the biology of birds. We present information abstracted from brochures and catalogs furnished by the departments and faculty members of the institutions listed below.

TEXAS

Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA.

Description.–Stephen F. Austin State University is a state-funded university located in the “pineywoods” of eastern Texas; Nacogdoches has a population of about 30,000 and is located 165 miles north of Houston. The Department of Biology offers an M.S. degree with emphasis in ornithology. Students may receive teaching assistantships.

Facilities.–The Department of Biology works closely with biologists, including several ornithologists, at the U.S. Forest Service Research Station in Nacogdoches.

Faculty.–A faculty member currently involved in ornithological studies is:

  • Cliff Shackelford, Department of Biology: Ecology and behavior of birds.For information.–Contact Dr. Don Hay, Chair, Department of Biology, Box 13003, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, (409) 468-3601.

The Arthur Temple College of Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University

Description.–Accredited by the Society of American Foresters, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry (College) is dedicated to meeting the teaching, research, and service needs of professional managers of land and related forest resources. Its primary purpose is to provide students with the education and field experience required for success beyond the campus. A secondary purpose is to provide the knowledge and expertise required when solving problems of resource management and use. This includes research and continuing education as well as graduate education and technology transfer. College (http://www.sfasu.edu/forestry) faculty build on strong working relationships with resource managers for exemplary programs in teaching, research, and service.

Faculty.&emdash;A faculty member currently involved in ornithological studies is:

  • Warren C. Conway, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, phone: 936-468-2090, email: wconway@sfasu.eduFor information.&emdash;Director of Graduate Studies in Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University, Arthur Temple College of Forestry, Box 6109, Nacogdoches, TX 75962 Telephone: (936) 468-3301

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3131.

Description.–The Department of Biological Sciences is large enough to meet the research and instructional needs of a diversity of students, including those interested in ornithological studies. The focus is on Environmental Sciences and Ecology.

Facilities.–The Institute for Environmental Studies provides a broad spectrum of support for graduate students in ecology and environmental sciences, ranging from research fellowships to an array of 75 scientists in other departments and colleges with whom a student may interact. The natural Sciences Research laboratory (The Museum), includes a collection of 4500 bird specimens, and a cryogenic tissue collection; the International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies, Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Unit, and The Junction Center biological field station support graduate student research projects.

Faculty.–Faculty members currently involved with studies adaptable to ornithological problems are:

  • M. Kent Rylander, Ornithology and Comparative Neuroanatomy, social behavior of geese, role of birds in modified desert ecosystems.
  • Michael R. Willig, Population and Community Ecology.

For information.-Dr. Michael R. Willig, Chair, Ecology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-3131

The University of Texas – Pan American, Edinburg, TX 78539-2999, USA.

Description.–The University of Texas-Pan American is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and a variety of temperate and tropical habitats are available within a day’s drive. Several subtropical habitats are available in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, including Tamaulipan thorn forest, Rio Grande floodplain forests, grasslands, agricultural habitats, and coastal lagoons and mudflats. The Department of Biology offers an M.S. degree, in which it is possible to specialize in ornithology. Most graduate students are supported with teaching assistantships, and some graduate students receive research assistantships.

Facilities.–The Coastal Studies Laboratory at South Padre Island provides facilities for research. Vehicles and boats for field research are available.

Faculty.–A faculty member currently involved in ornithological studies is:

  • Tim Brush, Department of Biology: Habitat use and population ecology of subtropical birds, with special interest in conservation biology.

For information.–Contact: Director of Graduate Studies in Biology, Department of Biology, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX 78539 Telephone: (956) 387-3537