In Central Texas, the most migrant songbirds will usually be found after the passage of a front or storm system that grounds birds moving during the night. When weather is nice for several days, migrant songbirds will fly over Central Texas without stopping. However, when there are storms, migrant songbirds will stop in the area until conditions for migration improve. Your chances of finding migrant songbirds at Hornsby Bend will improve if you walk through the woods the day following a storm. Watch the river.
Many birds fly up and down the river.
They can best be seen by patiently sitting at the end of the island view trails. These overlooks are shaded during the summer, and provide a good place to rest while you watch to see what might be moving along the river. Night herons and cormorants are most often seen along the river. All three species of kingfisher have been seen along the river here at various times. The agricultural fields in the area can be seen from the roads around the ponds and along FM 973 and Platt Lane to the North.