Lufkin Texas is a Tree City USA and contains choice habitat for many species of birds.  Lufkin also contains several parks which have small lakes and marsh areas that adds significantly to the birding appeal.  Listed at the bottom of the page are several excellent areas for bird watching with lists of the species you are likely to observe.  A good field checklist, Birds of the Pineywoods of Eastern Texas, is available at U.S. Forest Service in Lufkin. 

Lufkin with its numerous hotels and restaurants, is less than 30 minutes away from Lake Sam Rayburn, the largest lake wholly located within Texas.  Sam Rayburn is the home to numerous species of birds including the American White Pelican, the Common Loon, American Bald Eagle, Osprey, and numerous others.  Facilities include the new Cassels-Boykin park which has new ramps and a courtesy pier for launching boats.  Many of the birds on Rayburn can be observed from the shoreline.

Choice Lufkin Areas for Bird watching

Information derived from the "Deep East Texas Birding Guide" brochure:

Deep East Texas Development Association

Lufkin, Texas 75902

• Directions: In Lufkin, enter at Grace Dunn Richardson Park, off Loop 287 in south Lufkin, or from Kiwanis Park on Timberland Drive.
• Description:  Hiking trail 1.5 miles one way.  Riparian area supporting abundance of forest species
• Owner: City of Lufkin
• Notable species:  Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested and Scissor-tailed flycatchers, Hermit and Wood Thrushes, Swainson's Warbler, Nesting birds: White-eyed, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo's Northern Parula, Yellow-throated, Pine, Black-and-White and Hooded Warblers, Common Yellowthroat and Summer Tanager, Great area for Spring and Fall migrants, Winter Sparrows: Chipping, Lincoln's and White-Throated.
• Season: All
• Excellent urban hiking area.

Ellen Trout Zoo & Lake

• Directions:  In north Lufkin, beside Loop 287 near Angelina County Exposition Center.
• Description:  Walking trail loops around the 31-acre lake and through a mixed pine-hardwood forest.
• Owner:  City of Lufkin
• Notable species:  Great area for spring and fall migrants, winter ducks including:  Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck and Ruddy Duck.
• Season:  Winter, Spring, fall.
• Special Notes:  Area includes one of Texas' best small-city zoos.  Picnic areas, 

• Directions:  Located on northwest corner of campus of Angelina College, east of US 59 in south Lufkin.
• Description:  One mile trail meanders through a 20 acre mixed pine-hardwood forest.
• Owner:  Angelina College
• Notable Species:  Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, Nesting birds: Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, White-eyed Vireo, Yellowed-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated, Pine, and Swainson's Warblers and Sumer tanager.
• Season: All
• Special Notes: Bird checklilsts available at trail head.

Urban Wildscape Trail, Lufkin

• Directions:  From Loop 287 north, turn east on TX 103 (Atkinson Drive) and follow to the Texas Forestry Museum.

• Description:  Trail is directly behind the Museum.  Approximately 0.70 miles of trail winds through 3.5 acres of mixed pine-hardwood forest.

• Owner:  Texas Forestry Museum.

• Notable Species:  Variety of birds usually found in East Texas forests, including Brown-headed Nuthatch, American Robin, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Blue Jay, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Chimney Swift, Chipping Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, red-Bellied Woodpecker Tufted Titmouse, and Mourning Dove.

• Season:  All

• Special Notes:  Barrier-free portion of trail is .12 miles