East Texas Pineywoods is such a nice change in scenery compared with Central and west Texas. With an average annual temp of 66 and between 35 & 60 inches of rain per year it has lots of flooded, swampy areas which supports not just pines, such as Loplolly, shortleaf and longleaf pine but also some wonderful understory plants and trees such as Magnolias, Oaks, Elms, ferns, mosses, pitcher plants, Pipeworts & orchids, as well as a diverse range of animals and bird species.
The Bachman's Sparrow, Pine warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch and the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker are almost exclusively confined to the pineywoods region of Texas for breeding - all of which were seen on this trip. We had great views of the Bachman's sparrow which was singing until dark. A pair of Red-cockaded woodpeckers were chasing each other around the tops of the pines sounding just like a dogs squeaky chew toy! Other cool birds included a nesting Bald Eagle, always such an impressive bird, lots of nesting warblers such as Kentucky, Hooded, Prairie, Pine and Prothonotary, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush and Yellow-breasted Chat. Some birds were just heard such as the Chuck-wills-Widow, Bobwhite and a possible Swainson's Warbler.
No lifers were seen on this trip but I wasn't expecting any either. Just to be able to see and listen to some of the prettiest warblers that breed in this area of Texas is always worth it :)