North Texas Bioblitz: Birdwell and Clark Ranch near Henrietta (May 8-10)
UPDATE
Here's the link to observations made during the event:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2026-05-08&d2=2026-05-10&project_id=birdwell-clark-ranch&verifiable=any
And here's a link to the identification modal (showing only those that are not Research Grade, which can be changed in the filters):
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?d1=2026-05-08&d2=2026-05-10&project_id=birdwell-clark-ranch&verifiable=any
I'll give folks a couple of weeks to get observations uploaded, and a couple of more weeks to get identifications. Then I'll write up a report for the property owners.
Dedicated iNaturalist observers eager to document as many species as you can are welcome to join us at the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, a 14,200-acre property of tall grass prairie, river bottoms and brushy draws located in north central Texas in Clay County on the Little Wichita River east of Henrietta (video here). The ranch is a conservation easement with the Texas Agricultural Land Trust. TALT promotes the conservation of open space, native wildlife habitats, and natural resources of Texas’ private working lands.
UPDATE: we'll have an empty house available for us to gather--this will be our headquarters. It has a restroom, three bedrooms, kitchen, porch, etc. It's centrally located and indicated with a blue pin on the property map.
Tent and car-camping, but there is a house with bedrooms if needed (i.e. poor weather).
Ranch road conditions. The main ranch road is gravel, but washed in places. It's not muddy, but it's bumpy. For secondary (non-gravel) roads, please avoid using them unless they are obviously well-used. Don't take the path less taken.
- Property boundary map.
- Google map here.
- Street-view of ranch entrance (off US-82).
Sign-up sheet:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/CWN1W6KRHG#e0l71HHiE0qS
Tag folks that you'd like to invite.
Comments
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I've put this on my calendar.
It's on my calendar.
will attempt to attend
On my calendar and hoping timing works out to attend.
50/50 chance I may be able to attend. Will update if I can.
@acressler @acjci
I might be able to make it on one of the days! Thanks for the invitation!
I will be there!
I won't be able to make this one :(
I plan on going
I'm in.
I'm in for one or two days.
I will be there one or two days
on my calendar!
I will be there!
Please add the following people to this post: @lastime @carlcharliebrown
please add @pmiller737 to this list
I plan to attend on one of the days.
Sadly, I now have a conflict with these dates that takes priority. Have a great time exploring!
Please add @sandyleau to this post. Thanks.
I hope to be there!
Hi folks! I have a sign-up sheet here. If you're planning on attend, please sign up:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/CWN1W6KRHG#e0l71HHiE0qS
I'll be providing details of where to park, camp, etc soon and will post them here. For now, here's the property boundary:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1PzZiz-CwpSPAvVPnDdjYbrM8_5HEIJI&usp=sharing
Russell, they've had some extreme weather in this area over the past week or two. Do you know if the ranch has sustained any damage from storms?
I was watching the storm track, and it appeared to me to have bypassed the ranch.
I'll be monitoring weather as the date approaches...hopefully nothing will happen that causes the event to be canceled. But watch this space for any updates.
Just a friendly reminder to please sign up if you haven't already:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/CWN1W6KRHG#e0l71HHiE0qS
I've just posted updates (above) regarding the specific gathering place (we have an empty 3-bedroom house with kitchen and bathroom) and road conditions (bumpy and washed but not muddy).
Wont be able to make it sadly
Unfortunately, it turns out I will not be able to attend.
@sandrahorton @aditya_mardikar
My mother has been hospitalized (nothing serious at the moment), so my plans are TBD. I'm putting Chuck, Annika, Lena, and Matthew in charge in case I can't attend. The landowner's name is Deborah.
I hope everything goes well with your mother, Russell. And we will try to fill your shoes if needed. Keeping my fingers crossed it won't be needed.
@cynodon
Was really hoping, and still want to come but doesn't look like i will make it. Hopefully we can hit this location again someday.
Hoping all the best for your mom Russell.
Oh no! Hopefully everything is well with your ma.
Sign in sheet, ranch details, and rare species list have been printed and will be posted somewhere at the Sage House when you arrive. Please sign in on arrival.
I assume there is no set schedule or particular areas you want to head us too? Jeanne and I plan to get there about 8ish am (Saturday).
Nothing organized. But check in at the Sage house for more details. I wont be there, so observe lots of things for me!
Was sorry to hear about your mom. I wish her a speedy recovery! Really looking forward to it to this adventure!. Hoping to see a horned toad. 😊
Despite the stormy nights, I hope everyone had a good time at the Birdwell-Clark Ranch bioblitz!
Here's the link to observations made during the event:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2026-05-08&d2=2026-05-10&project_id=birdwell-clark-ranch&verifiable=any
And here's a link to the identification modal (showing only those that are not Research Grade, which can be changed in the filters):
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?d1=2026-05-08&d2=2026-05-10&project_id=birdwell-clark-ranch&verifiable=any
I'll give folks a couple of weeks to get observations uploaded, and a couple of more weeks to get identifications. Then I'll write up a report for the property owners.
We missed you! I'll be excited to see what all got observed there. It was a lovely spot with lovely people.
If you're interested in seeing a "notable observations" report, follow this link: https://rspfau.github.io/notable-observations-iNat/birdwell/
If identified correctly, three species are firsts for iNat globally.
Notable observations are reported for five geographic levels, and is defined by number of observations of a species. It's notable if number of observations is no more than:
2 on Birdwell-Clark property
5 in the county
10 in Texas
25 in the U.S.
50 globally
Wow! Awesome work everyone!
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