Seasons of Wildlife
Spring and Summer
You might see migratory birds such as orioles, flycatchers, and sparrows as well as resident species such as blue and bobwhite quail. Reptiles such as snakes and horned lizards are often spotted.
Fall and Winter
Sandhill cranes and migratory waterfowl are often seen on the refuge.
Year-round
Deer and coyotes are common on the refuge all year.
Featured Species
Raptors like golden eagles and Swainson's hawks can be seen soaring above looking for a meal like Jack rabbits and bull snakes in the grasslands of the refuge. Black-tailed prairie dogs bustle between prairie dog towns, their complex tunnels attracting badgers and rattlesnakes and providing residence to burrowing owls.
Situated within the refuge’s short-grass prairie are three main saltwater lakes: Goose, White, and Paul’s. The shallow sink-like lakes have an underground source of water with small springs emerging around the lakes. These lakes also collect rain water runoff which can fill them quickly. Combined, they provide nearly 600 acres of water for wildlife when full and are especially important to migratory birds within the Central Flyway, including pintail, green-winged teal, ruddy ducks and sandhill cranes. The cranes typically begin arriving in September with peak numbers between December and February.
On the north and west boundaries of the refuge, the caprock escarpment emerges. It is the geological boundary where High Plains transition into the vast plains of West Texas -- it stretches from the Texas Panhandle into Central Texas. Rising along the edges of the West Texas prairie, the escarpment’s low-lying, sandy hills provide excellent habitat for mule deer, fox and coyotes. These species can be seen traveling along the escarpment’s rimrock.