Jeff Davis County Park

Jeff Davis County Park

Fort Davis, Texas 79734

Official Website
Trans-Pecos Bird Conservation

Tips for Birding

Mornings are best, as the scrub prairie to the south and west can be quite active especially with birdsong. Watered ballfields are favored by Killdeer, American Pipits, sparrow, and Chihuahaun and Western Meadowlarks. The small trees at western ball field almost always has Curve-billed Thrasher, Vermilion Flycatcher and Chipping Sparrows. In winter the fence lines to the south are great for breading and wintering sparrows, Pyrrhuloxia and Green Towhee. The hiking trail all the way to the back of the park boundary where it is bordered by Chihuahua Creek (mostly dry) to look for more brush species. Keep a lookout in winter over head for Golden Eagle, and across prairie for Northern Harrier. And in summer for Swainson's Hawk. Also in the summer, between the park and the intersection of TX-17 and TX-166 is possibly the best place in the county to find Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Birds of Interest

  • Resident: Scaled Quail, Great Horned Owl, Vermilion Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Chihuahuan Raven, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, American Goldfinch, Brown-headed Cowbird, Great-tailed Grackle. Pyrrhuloxia,
  • Winter: Killdeer, Golden Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sage Thrasher, American Robin, American Pipit, Pine Siskin, Brewer's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow,
  • Summer: Common Nighthawk, Swainson's Hawk, Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Cave Swallow, Cassin's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Bronzed Cowbird, 
  • Migration:  Olive-sided Flycatcher, Horned Lark, Violet-green Swallow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's & Myrtle) Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Painted Bunting.

About this Location

Not very busy usually, Only on special occasions or Fourth of July. This small county park is mostly open area with ball fields and grasslands. A good place for lunch. 

Notable Trails

1 mile walking trail in the back open field. This will take you to the western fence, where it is bordered by Chihuahua Creek (mostly dry) to look for more brush species.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Roadside viewing

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website, Trans-Pecos Bird Conservation, and Dell Little

Last updated November 1, 2023

Trees good for Curve-billed Thrashr, Vermilion Flycatcher, migrants
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Bathrooms always open
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Baseball Fields good for sparrows, Killdeer
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Large open space in back (west)
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Long fence row south and west.. Good for Scaled Quail. Prairie scrub species,
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Many mesquite/chollo mix scrub
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