Texas
How To Find Birds At Lake Somerville State Park

How To Find Birds At Lake Somerville State Park

Lake Somerville State Park has several different areas to explore which includes two areas for camping which is the Nails Creek Unit and the Birch Creek Unit. The Units are about 30 minutes from each other so when putting them into your GPS make sure you have the correct unit. But it also has several different more different areas to explore.

The weather was a bit bad when I went. I was actually hiding in Nails Creek Unit which is a camping area that has horse stalls for those who want to bring their horse for a lot of the hiking around the area. But I really enjoyed my time here even with the weather being so back.

Nails Creek Unit

As you enter the park on the left is the Lake Somerville Trailway. It is a 13.44 mile trail which goes all the way to the Birch Creek Unit. The weather was both unpredictable and raining for the three days that I spent in the park. So, this was a hike that I did not even try but if you have the time, it is one of those that can be done in different stages as there are several points to pick up the trail.

The picnic and swimming area in this unit is beautiful. I almost wish that all my children were young again to have a nice sunny day to enjoy. But I did love this day of overcast almost rainy to enjoy time alone near the lake.

The lakeshore is filled with all kinds of different views. Each with it own beauty.

Olive Oil and I did the Rocky Point Trail next to the beach but it was to cold for her so she got a ride in my coat. She really is not a fan of waking up before 10 am when it is cold out.

But it was a short trail so I did not mine carrying her for a bit. The view of this part of the lake was worth it.

But with the clouds coming in, I was not going to stay out for very long. Without the land in the distance, you can only just make out where the water is vs the sky. We only got back to the van just before it poured down. Our visit was one of finding things to do that where less then a mile long.

Irwin Bridge Access

On the way to the Birch Creek Unit, I found the Irwin Bridge Access area. I loved this area. Olive Oil and I took a bit of a walk through it. I need to go back because we did not go as far in as I would have liked but again, the weather was threating to pour rain down on us and it was a bit chilly.

A lot of trees were down in the paths but this was due to a storm that had been through not that long ago.

Other trees where holding on for their lives.

But I also found some mushrooms. I love how they look! But I never touch them because I don’t want to destroy them or worst for them to destroy me. Mushrooms can be some of the most deadly poison used in the olden days.

Birch Creek Unit

The Birch Creek Unit is more populated then the Nails Creek Unit but just as pretty. It seems that more people were around.

It also had a lot of these black birds in the picnic areas. I think they were waiting for the fisherman to come back and clean up their catches for the day.

Olive Oil was not impressed and refuse to come out from under my feet. I think the little rat know that they would love to invite her for lunch and she was on the menu! The one meal that she was willing to miss!

We checked out the lake for a moments and found a little hiking trail. I can’t even say which one except that we parked next to the boat ramp.

The small bird would dart in and out of the trail the whole time we were on it. It was very cool but none would stay still long enough for me to get a picture of them. Totally sucked!

After the closed in trail area, it followed the lake line for a bit. The birds started to get bigger that were flying over head.

I think they were still looking to invite Olive Oil aka Little Rat to Lunch. But it was a bit warmer now and she was all about walking by herself.

The view are great but it did not make up for the temperature dropping.

But I am starting to want to have a boat or Kayak to be able to explore more. But I think that I need to find a travel buddy first. I would go to far out and I need someone to call it. lol

But if you have a chance, this is a great place to spend a day to a week. There is just so much to do. I missed Flag Pond, Alligator Lake and it’s resident alligator, the trailway trail, and so much more. But that is what happens when you are traveling in winter! And you miss the wonderful purple flowers that bloom all around the park!