Fairfield Lake State Park

This area, including the 1,460-acre state park, the 2,400-acre lake, and surrounding fields and pastures, is one of the state’s least-known birding sites. Yet, because of the constant warm water produced by Texas Utilities Big Brown Steam Electric Power Plant on the north shore, the area has considerable potential. Besides the numerous Bald Eagle tours, the park also sponsors an annual Bird House Day on the first Saturday in February to encourage visitors to participate in hands-on habitat improvements. An outreach version of this program is also available. Key birds: Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, and Pileated Woodpecker are present year-round. Anhinga, Least Tern, Red-headed Woodpecker, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, and Painted Bunting occur in summer. American White Pelican and Bald Eagle can usually be found in winter. This eTrail provides detailed information on birding strategies for this specific location, the specialty birds and other key birds you might see, directions to each birding spot, a detailed map, and helpful general information.