9. TRANS PECOS REGION
Balmorhea State Park and Balmorhea Lake
The San Solomon Springs is the largest in a series of interconnected springs in the Balmorhea area. Originally the springs emptied into a large natural cienega, or desert wetland. The construction of the pool in the 1930s destroyed the natural cienega. Today, two man-made cienegas support fish, birds and other animals. This a good stop over place. There’s not a lot of variety, but you never know what will show up. Also nearby is Lake Balmorhea. Check below the dam.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=112953
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
Lake: 30.961647-103.709324 degrees
Big Bend Ranch State Park: Presidio and Brewster Counties
Big Bend Ranch State Park is located in far west Texas in the high desert setting of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. The landscape varies from river lowlands to deep canyons, from high plateaus to steep-sided mountains. Three of the best areas to check are listed below.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-bend-ranch
Ojito Adentro Spring –The Ojito Adentro Trail is located within the Bofecillos Mountains just below Agua Adentro Mountain – 8.5 miles east of Botella Junction (un-manned park entrance) on the Main Park Road to the Sauceda Ranger Station in the park’s interior. The short 0.4-mile-long trail leads to lush springs. This is an amazing place. One of the only places in the state you can get Mayan Setwing.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4501_0152y.pdf
Creek near Ojito Adentro: 29.494177-104.102570 degrees
Grassy Banks Rio Grande access 29.282088-103.885626 degrees
Davis Mountains Preserve and Madera Canyon to Chico Tank trail
The Davis Mountains Preserve is a limited access site. Check their website for open dates. If it has been a wet year and the creeks are running (not often), good odes can be found. Madera Canyon Trail is located in the Davis Mountains Preserve, adjacent to the Lawrence E. Wood Picnic Area, and open to the public year-round from dawn until dusk. We respectfully request that hikers sign in at the trailhead kiosk prior to departing upon the trail. Chico Tank is a good stop some years.
Independence Creek Nature Conservancy Preserve: Terrell County
This is another limited access area. Check their website for open dates for entrance. This is a fantastic area for wildlife. A large spring with ponds and stream running down to the main creek. Independence Creek then runs into the Pecos River a few miles downstream. Go on an open date and spend all day searching for odes.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=63277
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/independence-creek-preserve/
Pecos River access NW of Imperial: Pecos County
This site is at FM 11 and the Pecos River west of Imperial. The river at this site is pretty salty therefore you can find species of odes that you might find common along the coast such as Marl Pennant and Seaside Dragonlet.
31.283744-102.742715 degrees
Plata Tanks: Brewster County
Because this is a sensitive ecological area, a fence has been placed around the pond. No one is allowed inside except for researchers with grants for projects. You can still walk along the fence between the property and the railroad. I have found a good variety of west Texas odes at this site.
29.866682-104.019139 degrees
Post Park (Fort Pena Colorado Park): Brewster County
This is a popular birding site 5 miles south of Marathon on Post Park Road. This is a county park with a dammed stream forming a small lake lined with large cottonwood trees. The lake over flows into a small creek for about 100 yards before leaving the property. The stream is grown over with cattails. There is a good variety of odes.
https://www.inaturalist.org/places/fort-pena-colorado-park-post-park