Lake birding habitat

Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos)

Texas · Southeast

Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 215 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

4/16/2026Stillhouse Hollow Lake--Union Grove Park1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

4/13/2026Fort Hood--Four Corners area (Limited access)1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

4/13/2026West Fort Cavazos (Bell Co.) (restricted access)1 observed

Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus

4/12/2026Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Dana Peak Park (PPW-W 036)1 observed

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

4/10/2026Belton Lake--Temple Lake Park1 observed

Sedge Wren

Cistothorus stellaris

4/10/2026Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Union Grove WMA2 observed

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

4/8/2026Fort Hood (Coryell Co.) (Restricted Access)1 observed

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

4/8/2026Fort Hood (Coryell Co.) (Restricted Access)2 observed

Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola

4/8/2026Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Union Grove WMA1 observed

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

4/8/2026Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Union Grove WMA1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Blue-winged Teal

24/14/2026

Mourning Dove

74/14/2026

Killdeer

24/14/2026

Spotted Sandpiper

24/14/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

14/14/2026

Franklin's Gull

74/14/2026

Forster's Tern

34/14/2026

Great Egret

14/14/2026

Great Blue Heron

14/14/2026

Black Vulture

204/14/2026

Turkey Vulture

304/14/2026

Osprey

24/14/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

24/14/2026

Eastern Phoebe

14/14/2026

Vermilion Flycatcher

24/14/2026

Western Kingbird

14/14/2026

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

74/14/2026

White-eyed Vireo

14/14/2026

Blue Jay

14/14/2026

American Crow

84/14/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) for birding?
The best months to visit Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos)?
Notable species at Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) include Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Bufflehead. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos)?
Birding at Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos)?
Belton Lake - Outdoor Recreation Area (Fort Cavazos) offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.