Any birds on the pond will flush easily, so tick those first with slow and deliberate movements. Then walk around the pond picking up sparrows and other passerines. On the east side of the wetlands, Waxahachie Creek is discharged from the dam. Walk the trail along the creek, through the woods and to the dam. There is a fenced discharge area. Walk between the fence and the dam to get to the spillway. Below the spillway is a marshy area that is pretty rough to get to but is good birding if you're sure footed. The spillway is a full mile walk (one way) from the "wetlands" proper that is close to the parking area. Technically, you're not allowed on the dam, but there are no signs at all. It is ok to climb the dam for the purpose of getting on the other side of the dam to a hunting area called "Hunter's Field. Winter and Spring are best. 

About anything. Le Conte's, (Hunter's Field) Vesper, Swamp and other sparrows. Marsh and Sedge Wrens. Ducks and swallows. There can be a few shorebirds on the wetlands, but usually no marsh birds other than ducks, and the occasional stray heron or egret. Winter and Spring are best.

The Buffalo Creek Wetlands are one of the most popular birding locations in Ellis County. You will likely be the only one there. This is a large area and if you go to the dam and spillway you will need several hours for that trip. Many other locations area nearby to make a full morning of it. Best waterfowl and lake viewing is from lakefront at Hunter's field, which you can access by a turn stile gate on the southwest side of Bardwell Dam Road. A parking pullout for Hunter's Field is one mile west of the wetlands parking area on Bardwell Dam Road. The lakefront at Hunter's field provides better lake viewing than nearby hotspot Observation Overlook, but Observation Overlook is much easier to get to. Caution: getting to the lakefront at Hunter's field, requires scrambling or walking down the rocky dam extension. The rocky dam "extension" is on land, not near the water. If you are at all unsteady on your feet do not attempt to walk on these rocks. Most of the rocks are stable, but some will tilt on you. This is a good spot for Le Conte's Sparrow, and a two Rock Wrens wintered here in '21-'22. DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROCKS ON THE DAM NEAR THE WATER! Don't linger on top of the dam, but you can certainly cross over the dam to get to where you are going. Holding on to the fence at the spillway, while climbing down the rocks is the safest way to get down the rocks to the lakefront.  North winds can make for rough lake viewing at Lake Bardwell.

Unnamed trail starting from the first parking area near the bridge runs along the creek, through the woods, then skirts a field that can be great in the spring. Then the trail winds past a fenced-in discharge area below the dam. Sometimes in the spring the grass will not be mowed and very wet, but generally, hiking boots are enough to work this area. No other trails, but you can really wander around and explore areas here that are rarely visited.