Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge/
Lake Texoma
Johnston & Marshall
Counties
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From the 1986 edition of A Guide to Birding in
Oklahoma published by the Tulsa Audubon Society. This account was partially reviewed and updated in 2007.
The Tishomingo National
Wildlife Refuge lies on the upper Washita arm of Lake Texoma. The
headquarters is 3 miles southeast of Tishomingo. The habitat is as
diverse as the wildlife that inhabits it. The fresh water impoundments,
creeks and river provide 5,500 acres of open water and marsh. The
remaining lands vary from seasonally-flooded basins and flats to gently
rolling native grasslands that grade into dense oak-hickory-elm
woodlands. Slightly more than 900 acres are farmed. Together the water,
marsh, and farmlands serve as the primary roosting, loafing, and feeding
areas for the refuge's wintering waterfowl which may include up to
45,000 geese (primarily Canadas) and 15,000 ducks (mostly Mallards).
Rare visitors to the waterfowl refuge have been Barnacle, Ross's, and
Brant geese.
Corn, milo, peanuts, and
winter wheat comprise the major crops on the refuge and are primary
locations for finding geese, ducks, white-tailed deer, and small mammals
which feed on available crops. During the winter the 900 acres of
cultivated lands offer green browse and hot foods for the main
attraction to the refuge, waterfowl. Along with the waterfowl come
raptors. The more common ones include Northern Harrier; Sharp-shinned
and Cooper's hawks; Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks; and American
Kestrel. Occasionally seen are Mississippi Kites, Broad-winged,
Swainson's, Rough-legged, and Ferruginous hawks and Merlin. Bald Eagles
may number as many as 90 during the late winter months. Nida Point,
Murry 23, and the headquarters boat ramp offer excellent observation
sites for this endangered species.
Big Sandy Creek empties
into the Cumberland Pool, forming a sizable sandy flat (when flood
waters are not present) which is occupied by a variety of birdlife
depending on the season. Canada, White-fronted, and Snow geese and
several species of puddle ducks are generally found roosting here during
the winter months. During summer months Great Egrets, Great and Little
Blue herons, and Snowy Egrets frequent Sandy's banks as well as other
fresh water marshes. In fall White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants,
American Coots and several varieties of gulls, terns, and sandpipers can
be observed.
Roadside canopies of
oak-hickory-elm and brushy cover left for wildlife provide food and
shelter for several species of sparrows, warblers, Northern Mockingbird,
Brown Thrasher, and Greater Roadrunner, to name a few. Nesting boxes are
frequently used by Eastern Bluebirds and in the same vicinity Painted
and Indigo buntings can be found.
The Craven Nature Trail,
located on the north road entering the refuge, winds through 1 mile of
deciduous hardwoods and marsh environment of cattails, rushes, and lotus
pads of Dick's pond. Rails, up to four species; grebes, mainly
Pied-billed; occasionally Anhingas, Wood Storks, White-faced Ibis, Black
and Turkey vultures, and several species of owl can be seen or heard at
different times of the day and season. Two hundred fifty-five species of
birds have been recorded on the refuge.
There are camping
facilities at the headquarters with water and toilets, and primitive
camping at the Management Unit and Nida Point and in the spring and
summer. Motels and restaurants are located in Tishomingo. The refuge is
open during daylight hours and the office is open Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information contact Refuge Manager,
Route 1, Box 151, Tishomingo, OK 73460.
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