This is a first fall Red-naped Sapsucker. Of the Yellow-bellied and Red-naped, adults have a big black chest crescent not present here yet, and clean unmuddied underparts. So it is a young bird of the year. Young Yellow-bellied do not get adult type black and white head until the first spring, staying muddy brown washed of head through the first fall and winter until spring. So far it has been an above average year for Red-naped here, I have seen a few, and do not get one every fall or winter.

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Nov. 27 ~ Was in the low 50's around midnight, about 60F at daybreak. With some mist and drizzle, which is supposed to become actual rain tonight. Saw the Texan Crescent (butterfly) on the Blue Mist again today, and the tiny Sleepy Orange as well. First bird I heard whilst tossing seed as it gets light was a White-crowned Sparrow. Saw a Lincoln's Sparrow out back, so one still here. Town run day and a look at the park. One Red-shouldered Hawk out front of park. Ringed and Belted Kingfisher were at the pond. Heard one and saw another (at same time) sapsucker, presumedly Yellow-bellied, but the one I saw was too far across river to tell. Heard Blue Jay. At least 5 Mestra (butterfly) in the woods. One Red-tailed Hawk. The rest was the regulars. Back here at the hovelita in the afternoon there were about 3 dozen Robin that came in for a drink, a few Waxwing with them. Another Red-shouldered Hawk was calling toward river here. Saw three Am. Goldfinch. The skunk (Striped) was scavenging sunflower seeds at dusk, so neat to see.

Nov. 26 ~ Happy big bird day Turkeys! Hope all had a stuffed day! A chilly start here at 37F. A small flock of Robin (20+) and Waxwing (20+) were around a bit in the Hackberry and Juniper for berries before 9 a.m., which grew over the morning to the most of each I have seen together all at once so far this fall. They all seemed to hit the birdbath to wash down (juniper or hack-) berries. Had to refill the bath, which is a manual, not an automatic. After 10 it was over 100 waxwing in the single flock that flushed and returned to the big pecan. Robins were 80+. At least a few White-crowned Sparrow still around, they seem to be sticking, which is nice. Saw the Scrub-Jay move through yard silently. Misted a bit before noon. Didn't get sunny until later afternoon, but then finally did get to about 72F or so. Did not see the White-patched Skipper today, maybe 37F was too cold for its sub-tropical blood. Did have a Texan Crescent and an Elada Checkerspot though. Both are new for the month. We took an hour walk over to river and checked the wet spot with some flowers at peak heat but they were mostly toast. One Little Yellow and a Mestra was it. Saw maybe a dozen Cardinal, and over at river an Eastern Phoebe, four Titmouse (B-c), Carolina Chickadee, Field Sparrow, one probable Lincoln's Sparrow got away.

Nov. 25 ~ About 54F for a low, light northeast flow, dry and sunny, wonderful. Heard Audubon's Oriole and Ringed Kingfisher out there early. Maybe 20 Robin mid-morn, a few Waxwing, a few Siskin, two American Goldfinch, a couple White-crowned Sparrow, a Myrtle Warbler and a Kinglet (Ruby). In the afternoon saw the White-patched Skipper, now at day 4 here. Other butterflies were an Orange Sulphur, a few So. Dogface, a Queen, a Sleepy Orange, and a few dozen Snout, single Gulf and a Variegated Frits. Still Cucumber Beetle flying. Too work busy.

Nov. 24 ~ It was about 64F at dawn, but was lower at midnight. Lots of low stratus with strong southerlies 10-20 mph. Heard a Ringed Kingfisher over at river early in morning. Heard a Flicker out there too, nice to hear, a sound of winter here. The deer are eating sunflower seeds off the patio and where we toss them. I saw one nose the feeder. We have never had this before. There are a thousand acres of browse in any direction. There was a great spring and summer flower bloom, so it looks like there is a good browse crop despite the fall failure. Saw the White-patched Skipper on the Blue Mist Eup again today, day 3. It got up to 80F in the afternoon here. Saw a few Robin and Waxwing in morn, one Hermit Thrush over in Junipers. Kathy saw an adult White-crowned Sparrow at the bath. After dark saw a Firefly larvae glowing in the grass, and the (Striped) skunk.

Nov. 23 ~ A bit of a front passed overnight, dry northerlies briefly. Low was about 52F or so, but winds had turned back to south quickly and low stratus is here. There were a couple dozen Robin and nearly as many Cedar Waxwing feeding in the Junipers just over the north fence. The Hermit Thrush that is hanging out in them is probably not thrilled to see the berry raiders. Kathy spotted a flicker at the bath, but it flew before I got there with camera. It had a gray face and a red moustache but Kathy said wings were orangish when it flew, so it was likely an intergrade. Which are regular here. Sure would love a flicker pic at the bath. Then Kathy spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler at the bath. It went in for the full monty spa treatment, allowing my best-ever shots of the orange crown as it bathed (below). In the afternoon it was about 70F when I saw the White-patched Skipper again. It was only there briefly, but I got a shot or two in focus to make up for yesterday. Not super sharp, but good enough for ID and illustration. Only had some low-res Mavica shots of them prior. Late in the afternoon saw an ad. male Sharp-shinned Hawk get a small bird but I couldn't tell what for sure, it seemed a Titmouse maybe.

Nov. 22 ~ Was a repeat of the 52F or so, clear and cool at midnight, and 60F, and misting at dawn. A flock of Pine Siskin here in the a.m. was 25 birds, the most I have seen so far this fall. Seems a bit slow out there. In the afternoon there was a White-patched Skipper on the few Blue Mist flowers left. Have I mentioned lately how the Canon autofocus on the SX40 blows. Maybe the 3rd or 4th of this LTA - less-than-annual, species this year. There was a Kestrel and an imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk in a full blown fight right over the house in the afternoon. Kestrel was screaming, they went after each other several times as they circled. The Green Jays came in for a drink in the afternoon, I had heard them over in draw earlier. Got a couple better shots at the bath. We did an hour walk to crossing and back. Figured might be some sun for pix in the afternoon. About 3:30 as we were leaving it showered, the advertised sunny afternoon did not materialize. There was one area with some birds, where there were some Hackberry with berries. A couple dozen Cardinal, a handful of Robin, couple Kinglet (Ruby), couple Myrtle Warbler, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, some Titmouse (Black-crested), and a sapsucker. Which looked like the same first-fall Red-naped I had in the yard and photo'd in corral ten days ago.

Nov. 21 ~ Low was just after midnight, about 50F, I saw KERV was 48F! By 7 a.m. it was 62 or more. The gulf flow is back with its low stratus, e.g., humidity. Pretty slow over the morning until around 10 when 3 Green Jay showed up. I got a couple pics that show a very distended gular pouch, so they are cacheing sunflower seeds. Whaddabird! After a half hour of them in and out of yard, it fairly promptly went back to mundane. So it went: dead, dead, nothing, dead, followed by a brief flurry of WOW, OMG, Cheeses!, Holy smokes!, and epic, and then I was returned to the regular programming. This is birding in a nutshell. After all day of nothing, about 4 p.m. Kathy saw them at the bath, they flew north toward the draw after drinks. I got one shot of the last one at the bath. Sure seems weird to watch three Green Jay fly out of the pecan over to the junipers on their way to the draw. I still cannot get over we are seeing them in our yard! For me, this is the stuff dreams are made of. Heard a couple Pyrrhuloxia over in the corral late in afternoon.

For the photo break this week you get what is often considered one of the most dull and unimpressive of warblers, that hides a secret. Seeing the common bird in an uncommon way is every bit as rewarding as any super-mega rarity.

and because one is not enough...
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Nov. 20 ~ Low was about 60F, some low stratus, breezy southerlies. Saw the skunk go into a burrow under the old unused well at dawn. After 10 a.m. I heard both Green Jay and Audubon's Oriole upslope behind us in the live-oaks and juniper. They went silent after a Sharpy dove and missed on the sunflower feeder. Town run, so a park check. Four Myrtle Warbler, a couple Kinglet (Ruby) and one Hutton's Vireo was it for the park. In town on Cypress St. a Green Jay flew across the street in front of me, just north of Jackson. So they are in town! Weewow! Little Creek Larry said out on 355 (Lee St.) he has had a Harris's Hawk, and a couple Pyrrhuloxia.

Nov. 19 ~ It was mid-50's at midnight, and almost 60 at dawn with some low stratus. Last step outside at midnight last night the Striped Skunk was scavenging sunflower seeds under the Mulberry by the cottage. I love seeing them. What a beautiful animal. I heard a Ringed Kingfisher over at the river first thing early. Looked like 4 White-crowned Sparrow out back. A couple Robin, a half-dozen Pine Siskin, a Myrtle Warbler, the regulars. In the afternoon a Hermit Thrush was eating the Lantana berries at the front porch. First of that I have seen. Seems a bit quiet out there. Maybe some accipters around again.

Nov. 18 ~ Wow it froze! Low was 30F here! NOAA progged KERV for 40, off by a category again! I told Kathy last night at 9 p.m. it was going to get way colder than they said. Bummer was finding a dead imm. White-crowned Sparrow out back by the fenceline. Especially since it was an orange-billed, gray-lored, Gambell's (western) type. Thought I saw an orange bill on one of the immatures the other day but it flew off quickly. This is not the way I wanted to photograph it. Then in the afternoon Kathy saw an orange-billed gray-lored adult White-crowned Sparrow at the bath. So there were probably two Gambell's here at once. On the orange-billed birds, the bill is much deeper at the base, so more of an equilateral triangle. The usual and more common here pink-billed black-lored eastern type (leucophrys) has a much longer thinner-based bill. The Gambell's seems fairly regular here (most years I see a few) in low numbers. More as you go south and westward into the brush country. Scarce in the hills.

Nov. 17 ~ Low of 38F, dry, clear and crisp, great. Kathy spotted a Striped Skunk out back right before I went to toss seed before 7 a.m. Sure would like a good pic of one. What a beautiful animal. At least a dozen Pine Siskin on the sunflower seed. Heard one of the White-crowned Sparrow giving a couple intro notes of song. Four ought to be enough for a chorus. Mid-morn a flock of 25 Cedar Waxwing were my FOS, though thought I might have heard a single a couple times in last week. A dozen Robin were with them. Not much for Hackberries here for them. Some Junipers have decent berry crops, but many around us do not, presumedly from that hail storm in May that wiped out the Pecan and Hackberry crops locally. In the afternoon an American Pipit flew low over the house calling, looking like it was going to go down on the grass airstrip maybe. Saw 3 imm. White-crowned Sparrow at once, so with the two adults, there are 5 here. It's a flocklet! We did not see any hummingbird today. Heard a Kinglet (Ruby). Kathy killed a record-late I think Scorpion tonight.

Nov. 16 ~ I saw 34F at 7 a.m., KERV hit 31 at 7:30 so it may have been colder than what I saw here. Sunny and clear, without the stiff breeze and so pretty nice. Got up to about 74F. White-crowned Sparrows still out there. The Pine Siskin flock was 11 birds in the afternoon. A few Robin around. Heard a Verdin about 3 p.m., saw two American Goldfinch. Mostly too busy at the desk. Saw a Reakirt's Blue and a Mimosa Yellow on the Blue Mist Eupatorium. Still a couple Lesser Goldfinch around, several House Finch are about as well. Saw an Anole take a Cucumber Beetle.

Nov. 15 ~ Front hit after midnight sometime. Low was about 55F, with 10-15 mph northerlies, gusting 20-30. Shoulda run out yesterday, too much work. It is rough birding when all the trees are shaking. I know I have said it before but the two things we tend to use and key in most on for avian detection are sound and motion. Lots of wind kills both. Toss in falling leaves in fall to add to the confusion, and the birds themselves hunkering down in it, and detection can become a challenge. You have to reset your filter for avian motion only, and work the lees.

We had 4 White-crowned Sparrow at once at the bath, 2 ad. and 2 imm., so it seems they are kinda sorta sticking. It is the stick piles we have around the yard since no understory for most of it. Just enough cover. Did not detect the Ruf-All Hummer again today. We walked over to and around the river from here and at least moved for a mile. There is a low spot that always has water in an overflow channel we checked. There was a patch of still-blooming Aster and Bluehearts there that had butterflies. At least 5 Mestra, an Orange Skipperling, a False Duskywing, several each Vesta and Phaon Crescent, Sleepy Orange and Little Yellow, Lyside Sulphur, Vareigated Frit, one Ceraunus Blue, numbers of Snout, a Queen. A nice little patch of action.

Then over on the river a pair of Wood Duck flushed before I saw them durnit. Watched them fly away upriver, where they went down around the corner. They have been absent, as usual when we are in drought. These surely are migrants from northward and not local birds. A great FOS date for them. In wet times when we have some locally, you can't easily tell when the wintering birds from northward arrive. We also had a sapsucker that was an immature Red-naped. It may have been the one that was in the corral Friday. A Golden-fronted Woodpecker kept displacing it, not too happy about its presence.

Late afternoon I heard Verdin out front, which I have not been seeing lately. Grabbed binocs, it was TWO Verdin! Twice as many as I have ever seen together here. One was flitting its wings at the other, as they called lots, while on either side of an old Lesser Goldfinch nest. I'd love if they made a roost nest here. A couple Caracara flew by. Just before last sun a Gray Fox worked across the yard, haven't seen one in a while. Now that it is cooler in the day, they can be active before dark.

Nov. 14 ~ Low was 68F with some fog-mist early. Did not cool off last night. Was busy with biz work in the office so no out and about. Saw those 6 big bearded Toms (Turkey) over in the corral. They walk around like it is not November. Kathy saw the Lincoln's Sparrow at the bath. I heard Kinglet (Ruby) and Myrtle Warbler. Butterflies were good in the 80F afternoon heat. First of month was an Orange Skipperling on the Blue Mist Eupatorium which still has a few flowers, and Anoles hunting them. Also saw a Fiery Skipper, a Sachem, a Mestra, great was a late Soldier, even if the smallest one I have ever seen. Saw Gulf, and Variegated Frits, Large Orange and Lyside Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, So. Dogface, Snout, and a big Swallowtail that got away which looked like a Ruby-spotted. That one sorta stings. The mccallii screech-owls were calling after dark. I did not see or hear the Ruf-All Hummer today.

this week you get a couple moths ...



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Nov. 13 ~ Happy Friday the 13th! In 2020, what could go wrong? Low about 54F, some clear in skies at first, but only for an hour or so, whence clouded up. Saw the hummer this morning, but not well enough to tell anything new about its identity. Saw a couple Jays fly from the big live-oaks behind us towards the draw. Was bad light but they looked like Green Jays, and seems like if they were Scrub-Jay one would have called when they flew. Edit update: flight was level and entirely powered, not undulating with close-winged glides, so they were Green Jays. Then had a sapsucker which flew over the house and into the Mulberry, then into corral. Where I found it mining sap wells in a Hackberry. It is another (!) first-fall (hatch-year) Red-naped Sapsucker. It is not the one I had earlier which was more advanced of pluamge. It is likely that other sap I have seen zip around a few times but not gotten a look at yet.

Town run so a park check. There was a great chorus of Red-winged Blackbird out front of the park on Cypress St. in the big XXL Mulberry tree. At park in the woods there were a couple Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Ringed Kingfisher upriver of the island, a Zone-tailed Hawk circled over the woods when I was in them, and a sapsucker got away that looked like another (!) first-fall Red-naped. An Audubon's Oriole called from the willows across the river just above spillway. I heard a Green Jay up on the island right when I got out of the car, then as I was leaving I heard a Green Jay across the river. Also heard Blue Jay as usual. Nice list of birds for a quick stop. There were at least 4 Myrtle Warbler in the trees around Rosie's taco trailer, recorded as part of my ongoing research at that site.

Nov. 12 ~ Low was about 57F, low clouds, some mist. Heard the hummer again, only. Saw 15 or so Robin, heard an Am. Goldfinch, I presume the one here several days now. Heard Siskin squeak over. Still raining leaves. A couple White-crowned Sparrow are an ad. and an immature. Saw the Texas Powdered-Skipper again, a couple Monarch went through, one Orange Sulphur, a couple Sleepy Orange, a couple Queen, probably the same Vesta Crescent and Comm. Checkered-Skipper as the last couple days. Not much left flying out there now. It got up to about 80F, but nice since dry, in the afternoon. One accipiter-induced flushing of the Chipping Sparrow flock seemed like 50 birds now. At least a half-dozen Field here, one Lincoln's and no Lark Sparrow. Time for a White-throated and a Swamp.

Nov. 11 ~ Low was about 48f! I saw KERV was in upper 40's from midnight to 7:30 a.m. Refreshing. Heard the hummer fly off early but did not see it, again. Had to run to town early, which is great, it means a couple of Rosie's egg, chorizo and cheese breakfast tacos to bring home, and a quick look at the park. Saw a Belted and heard a Ringed Kingfisher upriver. Couple Myrtle Warbler. Nearing leaving time I heard two Green Jay across the river in the Cypresses. I saw branches moving but could not spot them. Anyway at least two are still there, and great to get another date for them. Heard Blue Jays in the woods. A couple dozen Robin scattered along the way. Was too busy here to look much all day. Had a Monarch at the park, and one here. Kathy saw a White-crowned Sparrow come into bath, so at least one of them still here. Heard a Kinglet (Ruby), at least one Myrtle Warbler here too. At times it was raining leaves pretty seriously. The Hackberry and Pecan trees in particular are shedding heavy now.

Nov. 10 ~ Was clear and dry at midnight, low clouds and mist at dawn. Low about 64F. Front due in by noon whence northerlies. Heard a hummer fly away again, still have not seen it. As the front was approaching, about 11 a.m. I saw NOAA readings for Del Rio were 22 percent humidity behind the front, whilst in Uvalde it was 100 percent in fog. We cleared about noon. Finally about 3:p I saw the hummer just enough to say it is a Rufous or Allen's type of Selasphorus. Nice Selasphorus wave here lately after the last Ruby-throated left. First a Calliope Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, then a Broad-tailed Nov. 4-6, and now a Ruf-All Nov. 8-10 so far.

In the afternoon there were 6 Turkey in the corral. A Texas Powdered-Skipper was on the few Blue Mist flowers left. Saw a Vesta Crescent, a Checkered-Skipper (Common), Sleepy Orange, Variegated Fritillary, a Monarch, a Mestra, it is fading fast folks. Watched the 3 hummer feeders at last sun and saw nothing. Two imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk were in yard. One Cooper's soared over high, likely a migrant. Late 7 Sandhill Crane flew over silently southbound.

Nov. 9 ~ Low of 66F is a bit balmy for November. A few specks of mist in the low stratus, and a bit breezy. The front yard pecans are yellow now, they were green last Monday. In one week. Of course lots of wild (natural) ones are already fairly leafless. The Hackberry are really dropping leaves now, and what leaves are still on the Mulberry are at peak yellow. Some of the Cypress along the river are in full flaming rust, but not dropping needles (leaflets) yet, so look great. It looks like winter is coming with all the bare trees. We remain on the mild side for temps though, still in mid-to-upper 70's to 80F or so lately, and for this week again per forecast. Benign is fine. Heard a hummingbird and did not see it, again. A Kestrel was across road over in river habitat corridor. Otherwise it was the same gang. Contra the forecast, it stayed cloudy all day, just a few peeks of sun late in day.

Nov. 8 ~ Again was clear and 55F at midnight, and nearly foggy and 62F at dawn. The gulf flow. It actually misted a few times early. Second day without a hummer or nuthatch sighting here. The Broad-tail did 3 days, just like the Calliope a couple days before it. Enough time to pack some pounds, er, nanograms, on for the next flight leg. Which BTW, why do they call flight segments, legs? Kathy has some hay fever or something bothering an eye, so I went to park myself, dirty thankless job and all that.

Got about the best new park bird I could ask for. GREEN JAYS! With poor docushots, but a GJ pic in the park. First I heard some across the river near top of the island. I took a long distance shot of one in a pecan across river, whence it promptly took off, flew over river straight at me and landed in a Cypress right over my head. At least two more quickly followed into the northmost end of the natural area in the woods. All kinds of calling, the full monty of vocalizations as they foraged in the trees kibbutzing. I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. Standing in a spot I stood a couple thousand times, without any Green Jays except in my dreams. And there they were calling seemingly every call type including the hawk imitation call. As they moved away I counted four birds. They went north into the (private prop.) big live-oak motte adjacent north of park. I went south through woods to main park area, where there were two more Green Jay in the live-oaks there in main park area. But only two. So it seems like there were six total. I don't see how they would have split up, and two got that far that fast, without me hearing them on the way. While I was trying to get a docushot of those two, an adult Zone-tailed Hawk flew over. Can't help but wonder if it is the immature that wintered often roosting in the park last year. When I first got to the park, I watched an 5.5 foot Indigo Snake swim across the river from the island to the other side. It was amazing how fast it was in the water.

The golf course pond by the Waresville Cmty. had nothing but 20 Red-winged Blackbird and a couple Dainty Sulphur. A distant flock of Meadowlark was on the driving range area. Heard a couple Audubon's Oriole at the 360 xing. At last light I heard a hummingbird fly off a feeder here, but did not see it. Is the Broad-tailed still here or is there something else? Stay tuned, don't touch that dial!

Nov. 7 ~ Low was about 52F for a few hours after midnight, but was near 60 by sunup, the Gulf flow return of low stratus. I did not see any hummer early, nor did we detect the Nuthatch today. There was a FOS American Goldfinch at the sunflower tube, so I am beyond sure that is indeed what I heard across the road yesterday. Some Robin around for a bit, the two Scrub-Jay showed, a couple Kinglet (Ruby). Best bird though Kathy saw at the bath, a Nashville Warbler. A great late date, only a very few early Nov. sightings. Had work biz to do so didn't get out. Otherwise was just the repeat offenders in the yard. Will make sure to sneak out tomorrow.


a bonus pic...

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Nov. 6 ~ Low about 55F, some low stratus from the Gulf. Saw the hummer early, and it finally called, but not until after I could see it is absolutely a Broad-tailed, now on day 3. A kinglet (Ruby) was on the edge of birdbath a few times briefly. It looked three White-crowned Sparrow out back, so, still, for about 4 days now, as with the half-dozen Pine Siskin. Kathy heard the Nuthatch. Afternoon one (2nd winter) Audubon's Oriole came in for a quick drink. Town run so a stop at the park. Only new item was a FOS Golden-crowned Kinglet, always great to hear. Barred Owl was there and called a bit for ambiance. Little Creek Larry said he had some Gadwall there last weekend one morning. He also said he has never seen a Cactus Wren locally here, to put that rarity in perspective, and he has been here forever. Thought sure I heard an American Goldfinch across the road in the draw a few times. Thought I might have heard one yesterday too but blew it off since distant.

Nov. 5 ~ It was about 51F at midnight last night, and was 62F at sunup this morning. The south Gulf flow and low stratus is back. Saw the hummer early, before good light, but it is a Broad-tailed. Big as an Anna's, bright green, peach wash on sides, big tail extends past wings. Had another brief look in afternoon, still looks Broad-tailed in better light, and still has not called. About 6 Pine Siskin came in to sunflower seed feeder spillage. A Robin was in the pecan squawking, the Red-breasted Nuthatch was around a couple times at least. Still White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows to go with the Chipping and Field. The slow fall defoliation continues. Got up to 80F at some WU local stations, was 76 in shade on front porch. Monarch was on the Blue Mist, plus a couple Queen. Caught the Lincoln's Sparrow inside the cottage and let it out. How does one come about to repeatedly flying into a (an admittedly rustic) building with a door open? Distance from bird: in hand. Which I wish to report was distincly better than two poor looks in the bush.

Nov. 4 ~ Low was 38F, still nice and dry and sunny, but we need rain. Kathy saw the Nuthatch come in to the bath a couple times between 9 and 10. Not seeing any hummingbird though. Still at least a couple white-crowned Sparrow. At least four (big bearded toms) Turkey over in the corral. In the afternoon I was in the cottage with door open getting birdseed to toss and a Linclon's Sparrow flew in the doorway into the room, circled around me and flew back out, landing on the patio just off the step, which was when ID was made. ?A Hermit Thrush was at the bath, which is likely one hanging around, some junipers right over the fence have berries. Later Kathy spotted a hummer at the feeders a couple times late in afternoon. It must have just showed up, we were 48 hours of hummer free since the Calliope left Monday afternoon. The light was bad but it looked like a Broad-tailed. Was an imm. male. I silently begged for it to call as it flew off, but noooooo.

Nov. 3 ~ Low was 33F, sunny and dry, wonderful. Early saw the Red-breasted Nuthatch but not the Calliope Hummingbird. I think it left yesterday but as quick-of-visit as it was, it will take a couple days to be sure. There were two Scrub-Jay at the bath, we haven't seen or heard more than one in about a month. Kathy saw a couple White-crowned Sparrow come into the bath too. Couple Turkey in the corral. Nearing noon and over 70F, I saw a Julia's Skipper and a Mimosa Yellow on the Blue Mist Eup at front porch. Then an Ocola Skipper came in! A couple Queen, a Gulf Frit, Large Orange Sulphur, Dogface, Sleepy Orange, but leps are fading fast.

Nov. 2 ~ I saw 36F but 30 min. before peak low, when KERV hit 32 briefly, it probably hit 34 here. Dry and sunny, great. Saw about 35 Robin go by early. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is still here, as is the Calliope Hummingbird and 2 Pine Siskin. Two Audubon's Oriole came in to the bath. These are 2nd winter birds, which superficially look like adults, but the black head is not complete and the underparts are very worn pale year-old feathers, not the yellow of adults. Missed a shot though since cold, window was closed. These are the same two that have been visiting the bath every few weeks for the last three plus months, so watching them change is great. When I first got here 17 years ago I thought these were first winter birds, they are not, they are second winter. The standard field guide's coverage of the plumages besides adults, has been weak at best. I had to learn them myself by watching them, lots, closely, and taking photos to study, for years. But which is about the funnest thing you can do birding. Discovery.

A quick run to town before noon and a check of the park. The woods had a couple Lincoln's Sparrow, and heard at least one Sapsucker from the island, neither were detected yesterday. Even better was the first WINTER WREN I have seen in a few years. Calling to get my attention, feeding amongst big water lily leaves that are on bare mud now. Staying in the shade of course so only barely an ID docushot. Heard a Belted Kingfisher and a couple Myrtle Warbler, saw at least 5 White-crowned Sparrow at the entrance deco garden. A couple Autumnal Meadowhawk were at top end of island, after a probable FOS yesterday.

Back here there were at least 3 White-crowned and 2 Lincoln's Sparrow besides the usual Chippy and Field Sparrows. One local Red-tailed Hawk in the afternoon. A Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak came into the Blue Mist Eup., fresh and mint, as was a Funereal Duskywing that stopped by briefly. Sachem and Fiery Skipper, Little Yellow and Sleepy Orange were there too.

November 1 ~ Ten down and two to go. Low was 42F. Nice sunny morning, but nothing different for birds first few hours. Save some Robin going over, a dozen or two, one came down to the bath like it knew it was there. Heard a few Siskin. We did a couple and a half hour spinabout to see how it looks post front. Yesterday was the annual parade and dinner at the school, and Halloween, so this morning the annual town TP job was evident. There were a few Robin everywhere, we saw over 50 total. Saw a couple Flicker near the 360 xing, one was a good Red-shafted, the other we leave as Northern Flicker. Water flow at the 360 xing looks about 100 gallons per minute, tops. A rivulet.

We checked the park, the woods were dead. A flock of about 15 Common Grackle flew south on other side of river. One Ringed Kingfisher flew by at north end of island, that was it. Maybe it had been accipitered recently. I heard a pipit fly over town that sounded a Sprague's. Will let it go but it probably was. Then we checked the pond by the W'vl Cmty. On UvCo363 on way there was an orange-billed gray-lored Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow, a western type. At the pond still a few dozen Red-winged Blackbird, 3 Savannah Sparrow, one male Vermilion Flycatcher continues, a couple Mockingbird, 6 Robin, a White-crowned Sparrow, and the bird of the day. Kathy spotted it inside one of the two little Hackberry adjacent to pond, a CACTUS WREN. They are very rare here, I have had a couple poor looks in 17 years, despite being common just south of us down in the flatlands of the brush country. Got a couple docushots. There are lots of extensive patches of Prickly Pear here, that do not have any Cactus Wren. Also at the pond had a quick look at what surely was an Autumnal Meadowhawk dragonfly. Very few odes left out there after the last week of cold mornings. One, first-year (a foot-long) W. Ribbonsnake was in the pond.

Then we went down to UvCo 361 and cruised the first mile-and-a-half. Kathy saw a Vesper Sparrow, and we saw one lone Chipping Sparrow. There were a hundred Meadowlark, they looked Western to me but none ever called, they are in fresh plumage when hard to tell and I wasn't in a meadowlark mood. Best was after a couple Mockers seeing a SAGE THRASHER along the road, my first in a few years locally. Got a poor docushot. Didn't see anything in the pastures though, and no hawks or Say's Phoebe.

Then back here at the hovelita in the afternoon. After lunch Kathy had a glimpse of a what she thought sure was a Red-breasted Nuthatch at the birdbath. A couple hours later it returned and drank. FOS. We did not record one last winter, they are less than annual here. About 2:30 I saw a Great Spreadwing damselfly, I think the only one of the year, they are less than annual here for me. It kept moving and so no pho(to). Just before 4 p.m. I was near the front porch when the Calliope Hummingbird flew in and tanked up! Where is it spending all but one minute of the day? Two days in a row. About 4:30 a Zone-tailed Hawk flew low over the yard and worked upriver, only hawk of the day. A couple Pine Siskin were on the patio. Half-dozen Field Sparrow still here. Saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk later in day. At last sun about 5:30 (!) the Calliope Hummer came back.

What a selection of birds here today. The male Cardinal are bright as heck again. Fair numbers of Eastern Bluebird are around, it seems some winterers from elsewhere have added to numbers. Saw a few Golden-fronted and a couple Ladder-backed Woodpecker, lots of Black-crested Titmouse, a few Carolina Chickadee, lots of Carolina Wren, a Caracara, and Turkey were in the corral late. The goodies list today was amazing: Cactus Wren, Sage Thrasher, Calliope Hummingbird, Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ringed Kingfisher, Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow, a Common Grackle flock, and a male Vermilion Flycatcher.

~ ~ ~ October summary ~ ~ ~

It was a dry one, the .65 of an inch late in month was it. Was a little on the warmish side to go with it. Fall flower bloom was very weak due to the drought conditions. The river is at least three feet below the spillway overflow. Trees are drought stressed, we lose some every big wind now. Saw a Ringtail here this month.

Butterflies were few on the grand scale, but there were some great things seen. There was a little bit of movement from the south. A Purple-washed Skipper was probably best, on the 1st. My third here, the only 3 UvCo records. I likely saw it again subsequently a day or two later. A Coyote Cloudywing was first in 4 years, and a White-patched Skipper was one of only a few in the last five years. The Zebra Longwing from late Sept. stayed 9 days to Oct. 6, it was first in 4 years too. Anything less than annual (LTA) is always great to record. Soldier showed well, over a half-dozen stopped on our Blue Mist Eupatorium.

The Blue Mist saved our butterfly fall here. It's the Blue Mist man. When I was a kid it was the Purple Haze. Now I am all grown up, and it is the Blue Mist. It was awesome, whilst the local deco gardens and even the library butterfly garden were all but dead. We have one big Lantana, some Red Turkscap, a Frostweed, the Frogfruit finished first week of month. So not much, but there was so little blooming out there it was a major magnet. Some days had 25 species at the front porch, and it was where all the rare stuff was seen. The visual net cast is of course a big factor, I check it once or twice an hour all day, every day. I count 50 species, essentially all were seen from the front porch! Up 4 from Sept., but making August at 57 sps. the best lep month this year. A couple Texas Wasp Moth showed well, and an Obscure Sphinx (moth) was photographed.

Odes were weak. They were shot for the year early this year. The drought is killin' 'em here literally and figuratively. Much of the river is dry. It was only the most common regular species, and in general very few of them. Did get an October Thornbush Dasher at the Waresville golf course pond. The rest was very unremarkable. It was a dismal 13-14 species for the month. Last Pepsis Wasp was early in month. A Hister Beetle was nice to see, came into a night light. Firefly flamed out early, it was a poor fall flight, a few larvae seen late in month, last few adults were early in the month.

Birds were great, they always are in fall, especially in Sept. and Oct. when everything is on the move. There were two outstanding finds this month. Three GREEN JAY visited our yard for a week Oct. 19-26. First locally since the only area other record, winter of 2008-09. Then at the park, a calling CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER on the 14th is my first photo record locally, have seen a couple prior but no pix. An imm. male Red-NAPED Sapsucker tied my early date Oct. 4. A CATBIRD was in our yard Oct. 24-26, and tardy Calliope Hummingbird showed up Oct. 31. A Western type Yellow-breasted Chat, late, on Oct. 23 is noteworthy. Might be the first ever of that type I have postively seen here. I count a hundred species I saw very locally around Utopia. Others saw a few I didn't.

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~ ~ ~ October update header archive copy ~ ~ ~

October! The first good bird of the month is a butterfly. On Oct. 1 a PURPLE-WASHED Skipper was at our Blue Mist Eup for photos. Very rare this far north, with only a few county records. My FOS House Wren were two on Oct. 2. A bunch of FOS birds on Oct. 4: Black-throated Green Warbler, a record early Red-naped Sapsucker, a Kestrel, and a Marsh Wren. Oct. 5 brought my FOS Orange-crowned Warbler and a heard southbound Greater Yellowlegs. In the last week the Hilbigs had Sandhill Crane, Northern Harrier, and a female American Redstart at their fountain the 7th, out W. Sabinal Rd. A White-patched Skipper on the 8th on our Blue Mist is a rary here. The Zebra from late Sept. was last seen Oct. 6th. Lots of Monarch in the park woods. My FOS Sharp-shinned Hawk was Oct. 11. Oct. 12 we had Sandhill Cranes southbound on the northerlies. A Coyote Cloudywing (butterfly) on Oct. 13 is the first I have seen in four years. A CORDILLERAN Flycatcher at Utopia Pk. Oct. 14 is a very rare find. Oct. 16 the day after a big frontal passage brought several FOS sightings of winter type birds: Northern Flicker, Hermit Thrush, White-crowned Sparrow, and American Pipit. Oct. 17 two FOS Spotted Towhee were in our yard. Oct. 18 we saw FOS Vesper and Savannah Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark. A Ringtail (Cacomistle) on Oct. 20 was nice, as were a couple FOS Pyrrhuloxia that day. Three GREEN JAY went through our yard most days Oct. 19-26 so far! Mostly just 5 minute visits, but we'll take it. My FOS Pine Siskin were 6 in the big Pecan the 23rd, an hour later a dozen flew by. Later on the 23rd there was a FOS female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the front yard, a male Yellow-bellied Sap was in the yard the next day. My first and only Catbird of fall was Oct. 24-26 in yard. The first sub-freezing chill factors were Oct. 27, the whole day spent in the mid-30's F, with chills in upper 20's. Weewow! Oct. 29 there was a FOS Robin. Closed the month out with a one-minute-wonder Calliope Hummer on the 31st.

~ ~ ~ end October update header archive copy ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ back to the daily drivel ~ ~ ~

Oct. 31 ~ Another month blasted past. I can't believe how much longer summer months are. It was peak cold this morning from this last pool of arctic air. We did get below 32 this morning, it was 31.5 before sunup. Very paved KERV only hit 33, but was progged for 38F. Heard Pine Siskin out there early, a Myrtle Warbler. Before 10 an imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk took a male Cardinal. I got a pic through a window and screen. A bit later I was sunning on the back porch when a hummer blazed up and perched on the feeder, first one since last Monday. It was an imm. or fem. Calliope! It tanked for over a full minute, just 6' from me. It did not show again the rest of the day. Seemingly a one minute wonder. If I had not been standing there by the feeder, would it have ever happened?

Afternoon got up to about 75F here, C of C weather and just wonderful. Had a bunch of biz to do so in office working all day. Heard the Scrub-Jay, have not heard the Green Jays since last Monday, the morning before the front hit. Heard a Flicker over at the river, first one from the yard this fall, only saw one fly over the road so far. Kathy spotted a Myrtle Warbler at the bath which I got a couple shots of, a first for that, I had never caught one there. Saw the Orange-crowned Warbler early in the morning. We both an hour apart saw the Black Rock Squirrel by the tub pond, presumedly coming in for a drink.


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Oct. 30 ~ We just about kissed freezing this morning. KERV was progged for a low of 38F, but per their NOAA station it danced between 32 and 33 for a few hours this morning. I saw 34F here but wasn't watching, though I don't see any effects of a freeze. Got up to about 70F in the afternoon, sunny, wonderful. In the first couple hours of morning I saw an Audubon's Warbler and about 10 Pine Siskin fly over southbound. Thought I heard a Robin again up the hill, maybe it roosted there. Town run so a peek at the park. There were a few Myrtle and an Orange-crowned Warbler, and a Hermit Thrush up in the woods, but that was it. Pied-billed Grebe upriver of the island. A little Chipping Sparrow flock out at the entrance area. One Monarch on the blooming Maxmillian Sunflower at riversedge. The river of Monarchs missed us this year. After Rosie's tacos and a siesta there were about 5-6 Audubon's Oriole calling mostly from adjacent to the yard over in corral, but up hill behind us and across the road as well. We were surrounded with no way out.

Oct. 29 ~ The low was around midnight in the high 30's F, but by sunup it was 49F. Wind blew much of the night and will blow all day 15-25 mph with gusts to 35+. Heard a single FOS Robin out there in the morning but didn't see it. Still a few (saw 3) Lesser Goldfinch around, but not for long though. The Catbird, Green Jays, and Hummer have all been absent since the front hit Monday afternoon. I suspect the Jays are around somewhere, but the hummer and Catbird are probably in Mexico by now. Got up to about 65F or so, pretty nice late afternoon, the wind finally eased up to 10-15 mph about 4 p.m. or so. Counted four White-winged Dove, down from 40 in September before they left.

Oct. 28 ~ Low was 36F, where it has flatlined for the last 36 hours or so. With 15+ mph winds on it, chills were in upper 20's. Although we might get this cold this time of year, it is usually for a few hours one morning. Not 36 hours straight at sub-freezing chill factors. This is rather remarkable. No hummer out there again this morn, that last Ruby must have left with the front Monday afternoon. Smart bird, knew when to go. There were two Lincoln's Sparrow on the seed out back. About noon it hit 50dF, felt great! Thought I heard a White-throated Sparrow out back. A Mockingbird came into tub pond a couple times. Got up to 60F late in afternoon! So we thawed out. Heard a Kinglet (Ruby), the Chipping Sparrow flock is a couple dozen birds now, at least.

Oct. 27 ~ Winter arrived overnight, the low was 36F, KERV had chills showing at 27! Rocksprings was in fog at 32F with chills at 22 from the wind! The SAT record low for the date is 35F, so we are very near it. Sure glad I didn't sign up for a bird count there today.  ;)   Here it drizzled about a half-inch from just before midnight to 8 a.m., which is outstanding, we need it more than badly. At noon it was still about the same as daybreak, 36F and drizzle with a lighter now though breeze. The birds will have to tap on the windows today if they want me to see them. At 3 p.m. it was 35F in Junction, 36 in KERV, and on front porch here 34F! Surely going to be a record for low max temps today. It might have hit 37F. We did not see the one Ruby-throated Hummingbird that was still here in the morning yesterday. It probably left on the strong northerlies with the front yesterday afternoon. That extra free 20 mph push means it could cover double the ground for the effort. It certainly would have been glued to the feeders today. Everything here seemed to be hunkered down, including us. I did see a couple Lark Sparrow, which are new, there have not been any here for a few weeks now. During an accipiter flushing event it seemed more than 20 Chipping Sparrow here now. Otherwise it was mostly Cardinals, Titmice, Chickadees, Chipping and Field Sparrow. Did not see the Catbird or the Green Jays. At the end of the day the rain total was about .65, two-thirds of an inch. After a cold night it warms up tomorrow.

Oct. 26 ~ Low of about 70F, a bit of mist, a showerlet, the warm moist Gulf flow being sucked up right ahead of an inbound front. Got up to about 75 before noon, despite some northerly flow already arriving in fits and spurts. After 10 a.m. I saw the Catbird, it almost came into the tub pond again and would have were I not standing on back porch. At the same time I heard the Green Jays up the hill behind us in the live oaks, but nearly a hundred yards away. The Ruby-throated Hummer was out there still. So the interesting stuff is still here, now for something new to show up. It is the nature of the birder to want another, no matter how many they have, they are like kids with candy. In the afternoon Kathy saw the Catbird at the bath with some Eastern Bluebird. Later she saw it leaving the tub pond. She also saw some Turkey over the fence. I saw a Lincoln's Sparrow late at last supper. In temps as the front moved in, about noon-thirty I saw NOAA reports of 45F at Rocksprings and 81 at Uvalde, barely over 50 miles apart as the Common Raven flies. By about 7 p.m. KRVL was 42 with wind chills at 34F! Felt about the same here. Was over 80 yesterday! Fall is when you can complain about the heat and humidity, and the cold, within 24 hours.

Oct. 25 ~ Overcast and 62F for a low. Saw the Ruby-throat out there early. Today is a warmup day before the next front inbound tomorrow. Might get some precip out of this one. Saw 80F after 4 p.m. on shady front porch. Must have been an accipiter outside early, the first couple hours of light it was dead quiet. The Catbird was at the bath about 9 a.m. Around noon we took a spinabout. No migrants at the park. We went up-valley into Bandera Co., and checked a couple crossings. Sure has been a lot of vegetation clearing of the understory. We saw three separate areas where the understory had been bulldozed, as in scraped. It is like there is a war against it. Aquatic plants are water weeds and understory is brush, both generally perceived to be better if removed. They are generally not seen as the integral part of the environment and ecosystems that they are.

There was a nice flock of birds at the Foster crossing. About 15 or 20 Eastern Bluebird there were hitting the sumac fruit. A male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was in that too. A number of Field and Chipping Sparrow, a couple Lark Sparrow, a Hutton's Vireo, some Mockingbirds, and one high soaring Zone-tailed Hawk. A couple Kestrel were along the road, no Red-tails. In the spirit of the fall season I harvested some hops, in the form of some Shiner Black Lager at Vanderpool.

Oct. 24 ~ A low of 48F felt outstanding, and a bit more like fall temps should be. Northerlies blew all night into the morning, finally laid down in the afternoon. Worked on stuff here since cold and windy. Saw the Ruby-throated Hummer still here in the a.m. Bird of the day was a CATBIRD that came into the birdbath! This is the 5th fall out of the last 17 I recorded one here. So not one of three falls do I see one. It let me get the window open so I got a docushot but it was early, overcast and in the shade so very dark (high ISO). Later in the afternoon I was working on biz in office and right out window watched it go down to the aquatic garden tub pond and drink! Whaddabird! I love 'em. Kathy saw it at the bath again just before last sun. Noonish I saw a sapsucker scuffle. The one I finally got on was a male Yellow-bellied. I presume the FOS female I had out front yesterday was the other bird. Couple Kinglet (Ruby) went through, couple Turkey over in corral, heard a Belted King over at river. Late afternoon a half-dozen Turkey Vulture thermalled up and broke south, migrants. Two Caracara were with them and did the same. A single swallow sps. flew by southbound, it looked Cave. Later, an hour before sundown the Green Jays were around, some getting sunflower seeds out back and Kathy saw one at the bath.


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Oct. 23 ~ A low of 72F is not very autumnal frankly. Low stratus from the Gulf, front is supposed to be here about 2 p.m. At least the wind won't be howling yet when I check the park. At least one of the White-crowned Sparrow is still here. Saw the one Ruby-throated Hummingbird early. Heard Audubon's Oriole early, and a Green Jay about 9 a.m. Quick threw some corn out (now you know why I didn't eat all my corn last night). Hope they find it. After 10:a.m. there were a half-dozen FOS Pine Siskin up in the big Pecan. About 11:a.m. a flocklet of a dozen Pine Siskin flew by out front. Town run day. Made sure to note the Blue Jays in town, so as to have a jay trifecta today with the Texas Scrub-Jay, and Green Jay at the house.

At the park there were a few birds in the woods. Two each of Nashville, Myrtle, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat is great variety this late in season. Best was a Yellow-breasted Chat which was an adult Western type Chat with orange on breast and a long white whisker. It is a very late date for one here. Ringed and Belted Kingfisher were there, but no Green. Also thought sure I heard a Wilson's Warbler. Were a few spinkles of a seemingly wettish substance. Brought home Rosie's tacos for lunch and to get the full experience, took a siesta. In the afternoon just before 4:p.m. in the pecans out front I spotted a FOS Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (female), and the fem. Downy Woodpecker was out there again too. The Ladder-backed and Golden-fronted do not seem thrilled about other woodpeckers being here. One Fatal Metalmark on the Blue Mistflower, but which is fading fast with few butterflies now. Sure was great for most of Sept. and October. Got up to at least 82F in the afternoon before the northerlies got here about 4 p.m., whence it finally dried out and cooled off. Was 62F by 7 p.m, supposed to be going down to upper 40's!

Oct. 22 ~ Low of about 71F, humid, southerly Gulf flow and low stratus, ahead of a front inbound tomorrow. It is the warmup day ahead of the front. I saw 85F in the shade about 3 p.m. There were a few migrants through the yard early. Two Orange-crowned Warbler, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a Myrtle Warbler, also what sounded maybe an Audubon's Warbler, plus a glimpse at what looked a Nashville Warbler. There was a wee bit of migrant motion last night. Heard distant Green Jay and Audubon's Oriole in the morning, and the White-crowned Sparrows out back. After 11 a.m. three Green Jay were out back picking up sunflower seeds off the ground. Not around for long but they found food. Counted 8 male Cardinal at once at dusk out back. Saw the trifecta of Milkweed butterflies: Monarch, Queen, and Soldier. It was a nice conjunction of the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn tonight.

Oct. 21 ~ Low was 69F briefly. Low stratus from the gulf early. Humid, and got up to about 85F. One Ruby-throated Hummer continues. A Kinglet (Ruby) went through. First and last thing I had White-crowned Sparrow under a Laurel where we toss seed by the cottage. In the a.m. at dawn I heard the metallic boik boik boik and mentioned it to Kathy. At dusk there were two there, both immatures. About 11:30 Kathy whispered Green Jay! I bolted for camera, two were around the bath and stick pile adjacent. Did not see them go in, or even drink, it was just an inspection, but they came down to the rocks around it, and watched as other birds drank and bathed in it. So they know now. I think they missed it the other day. We did not see them yesterday. Only saw two for sure. They looked like first-timers at the water, in discovery. Got a couple shots in a bit better light through the magic screen, but they didn't stay long. Got to hear one gee gee gee as it flew away. A half-hour later heard them out back again but did not see them. Whaddabird! Sure hope they move in for the winter. Gotta get some corn.

Oct. 20 ~ The gulf flow is here, with a barely low of 72F. There were a couple brief showerlets the low stratus dropped. Orographic lifting as the gulf flow hits the plateau thickens it up enough to wring it out a bit. One imm. ma. Ruby-throated Hummingbird still. Saw a flock of medium passerines fly over that could well have been Robins. Heard a distant Audubon's Oriole. Kathy had 3 Mockingbird at the bath, and Turkeys in the corral. The highlight of the day though was last night just after midnight when I went to see what was dropping pecan shells on the steel roof. It was a RINGTAIL! Right off the front porch in the big Pecan. What an animal! We haven't seen one in a couple years, but they are so secretive and shy that detection is always a surprise and treat. Noonish there were a couple Pyrrhuloxia calling over in the corral. I will call these FOS, though surely that was one I driveby heard on Sunday, calling it out to Kathy. This is when they show up. They didn't tell me about seasonal Pyrrhuloxia movements. Just a big purple (found all year) blob on the range map.

Oct. 19 ~ Low clouds and gulf flow moved in late and kept the heat in, low was 72F! Getting late in the year for that still. Got up to about 86-88F, warmish and humid. No migrant motion per se but there was a good record. Just before 4 p.m. I was working on these notes, with nothing of interest to note, when a GREEN JAY popped up just outside the office window! And then another! And probably third! OMG! Yard bird! I heard a bird this morning I thought might have been a Green Jay, over in the draw. Now I am sure it was. Actually I might have heard it yesterday too. One came down out back where I could shoot through a hole in the office screen so got a docushot. One almost went down on the patio. They moved to the Mulberry over the cottage and as they moved out of it into the corral I counted three for sure, and there may have been four. Wished I had corn out, they love it. Keep an eye on deer feeders. Only takes one good bird to make your day! Surely this is drought induced movement, the brush country to our south is at least one stage worse than us per the U.S. Drought Monitor. There is nothing to eat down there, the bushes and trees are bare. Last time I was down there I nearly starved to death. At dusk a Ringed Kingfisher flew down the river chakking away. Nice to have the 'what photo will I use for the break?' question handled on Monday.

Oct. 18 ~ Stars were great at midnight last night, low clouds moved in from south overnight. Low was about 66F. One Ruby-throated Hummingbird is still around. Saw an ad. fem. Sharp-shinned Hawk which flushed everything outside. Noonish we took a couple hour spin around. Nothing at the park in the woods but one House Wren, and a couple heard Myrtle Warbler. Checked a private Frostweed patch in a Pecan bottom out Jones Cmty. Rd. and it was also dead for migrants. Further out at W. Sabinal Rd. we saw a FOS Vesper Sparrow, and a FOS flock of Meadowlark. The one that called was an Eastern. Along the road heard what surely was a Pyrrhuloxia. The library garden had one Fatal Metalmark. Then checked the pond on the golf course by the Waresville Cmty. There was another Vesper and a FOS Savannah Sparrow, about 45 Red-winged Blackbird in a flock in the cattails. One Vareigated Meadowhawk dragonfly is the first one I have seen this fall. Great was a big Robberfly, as in a Beezlebub Bee-eater type (genus Mallophora). May have been two of them there. Neat beast. Saw 88F on the cool shady front porch about 4:p.m.

Oct. 17 ~ Low was in 50's F but was one of those nights whence for example in Kerrville it was 49F at 2 a.m., and by 7 at daybreak it was 59F! The Gulf low stratus and flow got here. No migrant motion through yard. About noonish Kathy spotted the FOS Spotted Towhee, a female at the birdbath! Only got a shot through the windowscreen though. An hour later when I was tossing afternoon seed, a male popped up out back! Sure would like a decent pic for the website. Was a House Wren in the front porch flower bed, no doubt hunting the butterflies in the Blue Mist. In the afternoon before 3 p.m. there was a Downy Woodpecker in the big Pecan just off the front porch. A Ladder-back was chasing it around. Downy is scarce here, it has been a couple or few months since I have seen one. Later about 5:p at least one Audubon's Oriole moved through yard calling. One Ruby-throated Hummingbird was still around, but did not seee the Rufous. Scrub-Jay was out there. Near last light I saw the female Spotted Towhee scratching under the Laurel where I toss seed. Sure hope it sticks a bit.


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Oct. 16 ~ Northerlies blew all night, and have veered to northeasterly for today. Low was 59F and felt great. Saw two hummers early, presumedly the Ruby and Rufous of yesterday. Town run day. At the post office I heard a FOS American (Water) Pipit fly over calling. Then over at the park I heard one again, could have been the same bird. At park no Cordilleran Flycatcher. Bummer. There were 5 FOS White-crowned Sparrow at the entrance garden, 2 ad. and 3 imm. In the woods there was a FOS Hermit Thrush, a couple House Wren, a gray-headed Orange-crowned Warbler was likely the Rocky Mtn. orestera subspecies, a Ringed Kingfisher, Myrtle Warbler, a Kinglet (Ruby), and at least 4 Nashville Warbler. Heard a sweet soft chip that got away. Heard a Gnatcatcher. On the way home on 187 just north of 360 a FOS Northern Flicker flew over the road. It was orangeish of underwing. Saw four FOS species, all wintering type birds, on the day after the front. Winds calmed down in the afternoon finally. Lots of the Cypresses are turning rusty, lots of Pecans dropping leaves, the Maxmillian Sunflowers exploded into bloom and the river in a few sections is lined yellow, with lots of butterflies on them. Our Blue Mist Eupatorium bloom is fading as the lower number of butterflies here shows. High temp peaked about 76F or so, and dry, great.

Oct. 15 ~ We have a front progged to arrive today, so the low stratus from the Gulf is being sucked up in front of it. Some fog-mist and a low of about 70F. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be 15F cooler. One Ruby-throated Hummingbird remains this morning. Mid-morn a Rufous (probably, or Allen's) showed up, a new one, not the imm. male that was last here over a week ago. Probably an imm. female. So we have three feeders out, each on a different side of the house, two hummingbirds, and one knock-down drag-out hummer fight. Ridiculous! It must be sport to these Rufous Hummers. It is at least the 8th Rufous type we have had here this fall. None looked or sounded Allen's to me. Just getting one Scrub-Jay out there the last week or so. At least one stuck. Heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The front got here about 1:30 to 2:p.m. with 10-20 mph northerlies, warmed to 87F or so before it did. Still no Lark Sparrow, they are outta here. Been about six days at least, maybe a week, since they were here. Our local breeders depart. New birds from somewhere else move in, in the winter.

Oct. 14 ~ Low about 64F, the low stratus and southerly gulf flow is back. Saw one imm. male Ruby-throated Hummer at a feeder in the a.m. Heard a Kinglet. Had to run to town early so a park check. Heard a few Myrtle Warbler chips. I am certain I heard a Townsend's Warbler on the island, but got distracted with a flycatcher, and then could not find or hear it again before I had to go.

Up in the woods, near the south end of the island there was a calling CORDILLERAN Flycatcher. Older books might just show it as Western Flycatcher. It is very very rare here, I have only encountered a couple locally prior and was never able to get any documentation. Fortunately it was giving the diagnostic obviously two-syllable broken call note, so I could confirm it was not a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Tried to get a docushot, but it was too far away on the island, I was late and had to go. Got one crummy one. Reminds me though, it only takes one good bird to make your day! It is a new addition to the Utopia Park bird list. I looked at ebird to see if any area records listed there. NONE are listed for Uvalde County, or for the entire Edwards Plateau (1900-2020). Gadzooks! That's a good bird! Mark Lockwood's Birds of the Edwards Plateau says some reports from the plateau, but none ever documented.

Brought a couple of Rosie's egg, chorizo, and cheese breakfast tacos back. It is the little things, oh, and good birds. Was too busy at the desk and did not see anything in the yard, save at the flowers. On the butterfly front there was a Desert Checkered-Skipper, and a FOY Ocola Skipper for new things on the Blue Mist. A small odd hairstreak got away, a few Grays around, this was not that. A Julia's Skipper was still out there, a male Whirlabout, Southern Broken-Dash, but the Coyote Cloudywing was a no-show today, a one hour wonder. Got good shots anyway. One Ailanthus Webworm moth, been seeing a few around.

Oct. 13 ~ Low of 56F was very nice, sunny, still getting to upper 80's, almost 10F above normal. Just getting one Scrub-Jay out there. Did not see a hummingbird the first couple hours of the morning. The last couple Rubies probably took off on that north wind yesterday, as they like to do. Oops, Kathy saw one in the afternoon, but which was not here all day prior. In the morning I saw what I would call my first group of winter Chipping Sparrow. A dozen moved into the big pecan from over towards river, then out along back fence where I toss seed. We saw a couple yesterday, but this is a flock that just moved in. Wintering Chippies, that are migrants from elsewhere. Sharpy was out there too. Heard Kestrel, Kinglet, and Crane. In woodpeckers, a Golden-front was chasing the Ladder-back all around the tree with the best Pecans. So, a woodpecker, being bugged, by a woodpecker. If only Woody could see! Pass the popcorn please.

Best bird was a butterfly, the first Coyote Cloudywing I have seen in a few years, since fall of 2016. Most years we do not get one. Maybe 4 years of 16 I recorded it, a couple of those years just one or two, one year several, and one year they were everywhere in a huge invasion. A hundred if not two or more. This one was tame (or hungry) enough to allow shots on the Blue Mist Eup. Saw an Anole take a Dun Skipper. Saw a fresh winter form Questionmark, my FOY. Screech-Owl going off after dark.

Oct. 12 ~ Low was about 62F, and humidity is back. Frontal passage around noon, but with no rain and barely any temp change. Just a wind change to north. Still nearly 10F over average for the date, but 10F less than yesterday. Just ahead of the front in the a.m. a couple Myrtle Warbler went through yard. The first since the exceptional early bird Sept. 30. A Kinglet (Ruby) and a Gnatcatcher (Blue-gray) went through as well. Otherwise slowish. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is out there though. Mid-afternoon I thought I heard cranes going over. Just before dark Kathy heard a flock going south. In leps there was a Funereal Duskywing on the front porch flowers, I think it hit each type, one Julia's Skipper still out there, a Vesta Crescent, and a couple Gray Hairstreak, among the more common stuff. One of the Gray HS was so worn you could have made it into anything.

After dark the Barred Owl was going off. In case I haven't mentioned it, though unlikely, these, our, Barred Owl never add any superfluous 'and you', much less another 'and you all' at the end of the call. Who cooks for you, who cooks for you. That is it here. Never have I heard any additional 'and you alls' here. Fascinating that there can however be more than one intro 'who' note. Sometimes it can be two or rarely three of them.

Oct. 11 ~ A low of 54F was great, especially since the forecast is to break heat records today. Saw a Hutton's Vireo coming into the birdbath, but that was the only thing different all morning. Seems just a couple Ruby-throated Hummingbird left. Saw a FOS Sharp-shinned Hawk in the big Pecan in the morning. The little terrors are back. Heard a Lincoln's Sparrow. Kathy saw an Orange-crowned Warbler. A few Field Sparrow around but the Lark seem to be gone. Saw a Southern Pearl Crescent butterfly which is new, also a Mimosa Yellow was great and an LTA (less than annual) sure thing. After dark there were lots of moths at the porch light, more than I have seen all year. Took some pix, don't know what all but one of them were. A Texas Wasp Moth I recognized. Neat was a Hister Beetle that came in. A scarcely seen bug, despite them being around. I just counted and have seen 45 species of butterflies from the porch this month so far. Bet a few have slipped through undetected too. Wish we had more flowers. Late afternoon I saw 94F on the cool shady front porch. Had to be near a hun in the sun. A few local sites were 98-99F, Del Rio was over 100F. I think the high temp records for the date were tied or broken at many area stations. After breaking all time heat records in mid-July and mid-Aug., it seems we should not be doing that again, still, in mid-October.

Oct. 10 ~ Low was 58F or lower, I saw a 56 at KRVL. Good thing, we can trap enough cold air in the house to last all day through the heatup. I saw 92 on the cool shady front porch, local WU stations were in the upper 90's F! An Orange-crowned Warbler was at the bath early. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher went through the yard, this time of year here, each might well be the last of them until March. They winter in the brush country, but not here in the upper Sabinal drainage.

Mid-morn I saw the White-patched Skipper on the Blue Mist Eup. and when I got back out with camera it was gone, again. Dang thang. A Phaon Crescent was new, and hungry, it spent all day on the flowers. After the burner tomorrow there is supposed to be a front and wind-change, which hopefully will bring birds. It seems kinda slow out there right now. Except for squirrels in our Pecans. That Black Rock Squirrel goes up into the tops of the trees, puts one nut in each cheek pouch, one in the mouth, and heads off. The Screech-Owl was going off in the yard over the bath late evening. Was a hot day.


~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~

Oct. 9 ~ Low was about 62F. We are progged for a smokin' hot weekend with subsidence, records will probably fall on peak heat Sunday. I saw 88F on the cool shady front porch in the afternoon. Birds were dismal today. Nothing here, or at the park woods. About 50 Monarch in the park woods was it. Heard something good at the library garden but it moved away before I could find or ID it. The Rufous Hummer was still here this morning. Butterflies are the main action at the moment. At the library garden which barely has any flowers, but a few, there was a Fatal Metalmark. What a sad highlight. Here on the Blue Mist Eup. besides the usual which included over 2 dozen Large Orange Sulphur, 5 Queen, 2 Soldier, a Monarch, lots of Dun Skipper still, but the Southern Broken-Dash are decreasing, there was a False Duskywing, a Texas Powdered-Skipper, and maybe the same Orange Skipperling. The White-patched never came back. The water in the river is 3 FEET below normal level at the park. Send rain.

Oct. 8 ~ Low was 53F, and maybe got a dF cooler than that. Love a cool morning. Two Audubon's Oriole came in, one to the bath, which was the first summer bird in the photo break a month ago. Now it is a second fall bird. The head is entirely black now. Not all clean and neat, but in general head appears adult-like, fully black. Quite the change in a month or so. Molt is fast, it has to be. I missed getting a shot of it though, durnit. The Rufous Hummer remains, it is an immature male.

As far as migration motion goes, it is about over here for lots of stuff. As far as the migrants that are just in the U.S. to breed and spend most of the year in Mexico or further south, the insectivores, most are gone. There is just a trickle of them left now. The first wave or half of fall migration is them departing, and that train has left the station. The second half of fall migration is the birds showing up, some of which winter here. That is just barely getting underway with some of them as FOS recently. We are now in the tween time.

There was a White-patched Skipper (Chiomara) on the Blue Mist Eup. briefly. When I came back out with camera it was gone, and it did not return. I got an email from Sylvia Hilbig out West Sabinal Rd. in BanCo, she and Steve had a female American Redstart at their water feature yesterday the 7th. Always a great bird here in fall. She said there has been a White-tailed Kite out there, and has had Northern Harrier, and a flock of Sandhill Crane earlier this week. Some great stuff, and great to hear about it!

Oct. 7 ~ Bottomed out at 54F again, 3rd day now. Sunny, no rain in sight. The river is a rivulet. A Rufous Hummingbird is at the front porch feeder before sunup, so must have been here late yesterday but I missed it. First one in a couple weeks at least. A couple Ruby-crowned Kinglet were trying to go the the birdbath. I never saw either get down in it, one got on a rock adjacent a couple times. They mostly seemed to be attempting a splash-bathe as a vireo does. We did not see the Zebra Heliconian butterfly today, so it thrilled us for 9 days here. Sure great to get to watch one again after a four year absence. Did have 2 Soldier at once, an Orange Skipperling was new. Snouts dialing back thankfully.

Had to make a quick town run late in afternoon, checked park woods but no birds. There were at least 75 Monarch floating around and hanging up, which was awesome. The big peak is still a couple weeks ahead. These will likely clear out on the next notherlies. Some Cypresses are really rusty orange below the spillway where no water flow, they turned early. The Mulberries are starting to go yellow too. Saw my first Maxmillian Sunflower bloom at riversedge. Those look about to bloom well. Lots of yellowing Pecans and the Sycamores are going as well.

Oct. 6 ~ Another 54F low is great, sunny and clear is nice, but we need some rain, it is parched out there. Kathy spotted the Zebra about 11:15 during its morning visit. You can see it has worn, and is less black, getting browner than it was when it showed up 9 days ago. Still awesome to watch though. A Panoquina skipper was out there off and on a bit, I think it was the P. lucas - Purple-washed Skipper again. Could not get a good shot, but think the dings in the wings were the same wingdings. There was a Texas Wasp Moth out there briefly too, which took 50 tries over a couple hours waiting for it to return, but got a usable shot, barely. They are so ginchy I can't believe it. The three Danaus milkweed butterflies continued (Monarch, Queen, and Soldier). At least a couple dozen Large Orange Sulphur around, 1-2 Cloudless passing by, half-dozen Lyside. An Orange-crowned Warbler was hunting in the blooming Frostweed. Feeders are quiet, the Titmice and Chickadees stopping by to gather sunflowers for hiding, but they are eating somewhere else mostly now, as are most of the local seedeaters.

Oct. 5 ~ Low of 54F, sunny, awesome. Across the river some Scissor-tails are singing before sunup when still dark and just cracking light. They will be gone soon. Anyway, it's Monday, to the desk! Sounded 3 Audubon's Oriole early, only saw two. Heard a Greater Yellowlegs flying downriver about 9, probably flushed off of park mudflats at first visitor. A FOS Orange-crowned Warbler came into the tub pond and used the emergency animal egress branch to get to the water and splashed a bit. One Blue-gray Gnatcatcher went through. Did not see the Sapsucker. Seems like the Lark Sparrow are thinning. I think there is a lot of seed crop from the foot of rain in late spring (whence the tap shut off) which caused a good flower bloom, and lots of good (wild natural) seed sources are available now. In case you are using less seed now, or seeing fewer birds around, this is likely a factor, quite normal in early fall.

The Zebra showed about 11:15, and after nectaring on the Lantana (it blows off the Blue Mist Eup.) it landed on patio to imbibe water for 5 minutes. Amongst a bunch of Snout it looked quite the oddball. Must be 10 Large Orange Sulphur out there, females in every variation of color in the book, some pretty nice looking, lots of males. Kathy thought she might have had a Black Swallowtail. One Clouded Skipper. The Soldier was back, a Monarch and some Queen rounded out the milkweed butterflies. One Celia's Roadside-Skipper is getting late here. One fresh Common Checkered-Skipper, a Julia's still, a Mestra. The flowers are great fun right now. But the Lantana are fading this cycle of flowering, right at prime time. I saw the Zebra on the Blue Mist for the first time after ignroing it for 8 days.

Oct. 4 ~ Low was about 57F, some scattered clouds and partly sunny. Got up to upper 80's, so warm still. About 9 a.m. or so I had a Black-throated Green Warbler in the big pecan right off front porch. FOS, only one so far this fall. Then a FOS Sapsucker was in the pecan off north side of house. It was a first fall male Red-naped. Record early. It looked adult-like, but without the black chest crescent. One Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Nashville out there as well, Scrub-Jay and the Indigo Bunting continue.

Before noon we went for a spin about. First checked the park woods. A few warblers were a couple Nashville, a Wilson's, and likely the last Black-and-white of the fall here. One White-eyed Vireo, a Belted Kingfisher, and nearly two dozen Monarch floating around the woods. Heard an Indigo Bunnie from across the river. Then we checked a private prop. (permissioned) in BanCo out Jones Cmty Rd., where a Frostweed patch in a pecan bottom. On the way along the county line before the crossing there was a FOS Kestrel on the power line. The Frostweed patch had another Wilson's and two more Nashville Warbler, one Indigo Bunting, and a gaggle of chorusing Lesser Goldfinch, the usual Titmice and Carolina Wrens, another Kinglet (Ruby). A nice patch of Pigeonberry there, but which is mostly depleted already.

Then we checked the pond on the golf course by the Waresville Cmty. No Least Grebe. A couple Thornbush Dasher dragonfly. About 5 male Red-winged Blackbird, one male Vermilion Flycatcher is the first I have seen in weeks locally (wonder where it is from), one Linclon's Sparrow, which led to the FOS Marsh Wren when it scolded and chased the Linc out of the cattails where it had landed. A Common Yellowthroat was also in the cattails, making 5 species of warblers today, which is a good day here in fall, with none of either Yellow, Orange-crowned or Yellow-rumped Warbler.

The Zebra (butterfly) was still around the yard. Five plus Large Orange Sulphur at once, a Julia's Skipper, a Clouded Skipper, lots of Dun and Southern Broken-Dash, a Mestra, new was a Soldier in mint condition. One Monarch and a few Queen. One Large Orange Sulphur visited later that was smaller than a big Lyside. Amazing. Squirrels are going ummm, nuts, on the Pecans. We have a very poor crop again this year, and between them in the day and the coons at night, there will be nothing for the birds in winter in no time, and we can forget getting any ourselves. I'll have to find a good roadside or riveredge tree somewhere. The hail storm took ours out in late May as they were just starting to take and form. Due to that, and the drought, the Hackberry crop is pretty weak here too.

Oct. 3 ~ Low was 54F, sunny, then clouded up for a couple hours mid-morn, then cleared before noon. Heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Kathy heard an Audubon's Oriole, I saw a House Wren in the flower bed, perhaps the same as yesterday's here. One Nashville Warbler working the Pecans. The Zebra was around briefly in the late morning. Seems more Turkey Vulture yesterday and today, I suspect the first migrants are starting to pass through. Yesterday a number were up higher and proceeding directly south over the river, looking like migrants. This morning seemed like a dozen in a lift off from the ridge behind us promptly disappeared. Might be 10 Ruby-throats here this a.m., lots of fighting at the feeders. The Indigo Bunnie is still out there.


~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~

October 2 ~ Low was 51F, clear, dry, and beautiful. Got up to the low 80's, chamber of commerce weather. Early there were 3 Nashville Warbler together in the yard, which eventually came down to the bath. Heard a Hutton's Vireo out there too. About a half-dozen Ruby-throated Hummingbird still here. Town run day. As I got to the crossing just down the road a flock of sparrows flushed out of the weedy seedy stuff, at least 20 of them. The dozen that I then got in bins were all Clay-colored, I presume the whole flock was. Good numbers here. One Blue Grosbeak imm. was in with them. A female Green Kingfisher at the crossing too.

At the park in town there were 2-3 Nashville Warbler, a FOS House Wren, 2 white-eyed Vireo, 9 Blue-winged Teal, 3 Pied-billed Grebe, a couple Blue Jay, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and at least a dozen Monarch butterfly were floating around the woods. Two Belted Kingfisher were fighting over a section of river. Once they chased upriver, and shortly came haulin' donkey back down, both of them, with a Ringed King right on their rears. That is his part of the river.

Kathy spotted the Zebra before 11 this morning, and I saw it again about 2 p.m. The Purple-washed Skipper was a no-show though. Did not see it again. One Gray Hairstreak was new. One Monarch came by the yard late afternoon. The rest was the same gang as all week. Still lots of Snout but they seem to have relented a little bit. Heard Turkey at dawn, been seeing 2-3 around. A second House Wren was in the yard in the afternoon.

The behavior of interest today was an Indigo Bunting, which burst into song, the first of that I have heard in a month. Would a migrant passage bird sing? Then the bird did a full flight song. It seems to me it is likely one of the local breeders, still here on its territory.

October 1 ~ Another 42F low is again surely in record territory if not one. Only 10dF above a freeze on the date is incredible. No migrant motion again. It has been surprisng to me that after such a big strong frontal passage a couple days ago, in late September, there was so little (almost no) bird movement on it here. One Myrtle Warbler. I must be in the wrong place, for that. Oh to be on a coast where it floods with birds after a fall front like that.

About 11:45, and again at 3:p.m. the Zebra came by the Lantanas. Now day 4 for it here. So neat to see, maybe some better pix. What an awesome butterfly. Saw a Nysa Roadside-Skipper, and the False Duskywing was out there again today too. More Large Orange Sulphur, still clouds of Snout and lots of skippers. Just after 5:p.m. I spotted a Panoquina skipper on the Blue Mist. Thought it was an Ocola at first, took a few pix, it disappeared, brought them up on the computer and saw it was a Panoquina lucas - a PURPLE-WASHED Skipper! A mega-rary in UvCo! Went back out and refound it, and got better shots. I have seen it now in 3 falls including the first time in 2013 when I found the first UvCo record at the library garden. One showed up in 2016, and now this one is the third. The first 10 years here I saw none. It is a Mexican species that barely wanders north to the LRGV (lower Rio Grande Valley) some years. And note I saw a species on Oct. 1 that I did not see all month in September. Didn't even get through the first day of the new month.

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~ ~ ~ above is 2020 ~ ~ ~

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July through Sept. 2020 is now at Bird News Archive 34.
Bird News Archive XXXIV
July 1 - December 31, 2020

January through June 2020 is now at Bird News Archive 33.
Bird News Archive XXXIII
Jan. 1 - June 30, 2020




The older weekly break bird photos are now at the 2020 photos page. 2020 pix

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