The lake level is receding slowly so it was another day of birding on the outskirts of the refuge. It was a very nice cool day. Some of the better sightings of the day were 7 Western Kingbirds, 5 Eastern Kingbirds, 32 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, 34 Eastern Bluebirds, 3 Orchard Orioles, 2 Swainson's Thrushes and 7 Greater Roadrunners. We also saw a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks near Basin Springs on the far west side of the refuge as well as a continuing Rough-winged Swallow at Sandy Point. We finished the day with 70 species. Today's photos, a young Eastern Bluebird, a Swainson's Thrush, a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a Wild Turkey. (fb)

Lake Texoma is slowly going down but still almost 15 feet higher than normal. At this point all Refuge roads and hiking trails EXCEPT Sandy Point Road from the west side remained flooded and closed. (fb)