~ ~ ~ and now for the news ~ ~ ~
May 20 ~ Low of 72F, but some good coverage
from the Gulf flow and low stratus it sends.
Humid but not hot in early a.m. at least. A
great FOS early was a Green Heron that flew
over the yard. Have only seen one or two
over yard, heard several more. The Lincoln's
Sparrow is still here. A Black-and-white Warbler
sang out the office window, likely an unmated
troller. The 3 baby Carolina Wren made their
first night out of the box fine, so a small
army of bug hunters were in the flower beds.
I heard what sounded a small group of Bushtit
moving across the slope behind us, probably a
family group would be my guess this time of
year, seemed 5-6 birds.
As I was leaving for a town run, on the power
line in front of house was a Cassin's
Kingbird! LTA - less than annual, so a good
bird to see. In town and at the park I saw
no migrants, just breeders. There were baby
Yellow-throated Warbler in the woods at park.
Second week now Rosie is gone, so no real deal
tacos. Water is 10-12 inches below the spillway,
so way way down. In afternoon here there was a
begging baby Blue-gray Gnatcatcher which must
have just fledged very nearby. Heard the cuckoo.
A rain cell dropped a hundredth or two on us
mid-afternoon. Skies cleared later and it got
up to 90F or so, but which is a break from
what it has been anyway. About 7 p.m. I
heard a Scott's Oriole sing real close,
right behind house, I was out front. I suspect
it had just left the back feeder. Which would
be great, awesome bird to have around to watch
and hear. What a song. Little Creek Larry
said he had lots of fledglings, the same types
as what we have been seeing, but add Lark Sparrow.
May 19 ~ Low at 70F again, some low stratus
from the Gulf a few hours early. The Carolina
Wren are feeding young in the garden nestbox
out back. I think they used it before, and
I think Bewick's used it once. The box is
on a pole out in open airspace 10' off the
ground. Nearest vegetation is about 8 feet
away, as is carport. Kathy saw three young
out of the nestbox late afternoon today.
There is some type of small biting fly here
pushing the limit of bothersome. Only a few,
but that is all it takes. Little bigger than
a moth fly (the ones in the sink), and they hurt
when they bite. Wings are dark mottled held out
at 45 deg. from body, and they are fast. Did I
mention it really gets your attention when they
drill? Pesky if you wear shorts. Was near a
hun in the sun again, day 12 of this early-to-mid
May record heatwave of 2022. We are supposed to
be getting spring rains.
Mid-day the trolling first-spring male
Golden-cheeked Warbler was in the pecans,
it sang 8' over my head. Whaddabird!
Later afternoon Kathy saw a female, and then
a first-spring male Orchard Oriole at the bath.
Five minutes later the male was singing a few
bars in the big Pecan. It had just a few
chestnut feathers on the breast below the
black bib. I presume it is that one I have
had troll through a few times in the last few
weeks. Seems he got a mate, and now is at
the nest-site prospecting stage. Please pick
me, pick me, pretty please. Look at those
leafy Pecans, it like an orchard out front.
Got water. Probably sees all the cowbirds
and doesn't want to be around here.
In the afternoon both a N. Rough-winged and
3-4 Barn Swallow hawked over the front yard
Pecans. A couple of the Barns looked like
juveniles. Later afternoon there was a
Lincoln's Sparrow in the yard, which is
getting late. A few butterflies today were
a Funereal and a Horace's Duskywing,
another male Large Orange Sulphur and 2 dozen
more Lyside Sulphur. Saw my FOY Zopherus sps.
Ironclad Beetle, on the front porch late in
afternoon. They are soooo neat looking.
May 18 ~ Low about 70F, a couple hours with
some low stratus from the Gulf early. About
8:30 the first-spring Golden-cheeked Warbler
trolled singing through the yard again. Now over
3 weeks in the area. There was a first-spring
Yellow Warbler out in the Pecans a bit noonish.
In the afternoon I heard the Scott's Oriole
sing upslope behind us in the live-oaks. Wish
it would find our feeder out back. About 5 p.m.
several WU stations were reporting 100F and
higher. I saw 95F on cool shady front porch.
Al Roker on the Today show weather this morn
said ELEVENTH straight day of widespread record
temperatures across Texas. We have been at or
above that line here certainly. Summer started
early, wayyyy earlier than it used to. Chats and
Yellow-throated Warbler hitting the birdbath daily.
Kathy saw an Ash-throated Flycatcher at it, so
you know it is hot hot hot. At least 20 Lyside
Sulphur flew by.
May 17 ~ Low of 69F, no Gulf stratus, go
directly to the sun, do not pass the shade.
About 10 a.m. I finally heard my FOS singing
Scott's Oriole. They are very scarce
on the flat valley floor. They return to
breeding territories in mid-to-late March up
in the hills and divides, as at Lost Maples, on
Seco Ridge, etc., they need that terrestrial
gradient. Like Poor-will, Rufous-crowned
Sparrow, Canyon Wren, Golden-cheeked Warbler,
and others. In the afternoon I saw my FOY
just-fledged juvenile Eastern Bluebird in
front yard. So we got one out at least so
far. Also begging baby Carolina Wren, and
Carolina Chickadee here now, besides the
House Finches. Kathy saw a Roadrunner over
in the corral. First one here in quite a
while, though heard it singing uphill earlier
in spring. In bugs, a Juvenal's Duskywing
came into water on patio. A Queen went by.
Kathy saw a blue, usually Reakirt's here
and now. I saw a male Large Orange Sulphur
blast past, my FOY. A female Common Whitetail
dragonfly came to inspect the water on the
patio, my FOY.
May 16 ~ Low about 69F, supposed to be the
peak heat day of this heat wave. Heard
the cuckoo cooing for the first time this
year in the morn. So likely going to be
nesting again, nearish enough to be daily
in the yard Pecans. Noonish Kathy spotted
a male Mourning Warbler at the birdbath.
It proceeded to go in for the full monty
bath. Then it sat on top of the stick pile
a minute or two providing the best MOWA
preen scene I've ever seen. Awesome.
Makes up for the poor ID only look on my
FOS a week ago. Saw about 95F in the shade
on front porch again today. Near record
heat out in the sun. Used to peak at 92F
in May and June here. We are again running
5dF over normal, or more. There was a
Questionmark about the porch in afternoon.
Saw a Lyside go by, a Vesta Crescent, but
slow for butterflies. Keep forgetting to
mention, it seems the Ruby-throated Hummers
have not stuck this year. Too dry, no bugs.
Often a pair or two nests here mid-late-April
to mid-late May. Not this year. When they
do breed, I would guess they are departing
northward to catch another spring breeding
cycle. I have not seen one in several days.
May 15 ~ Low of 67F was great. But no low
stratus from the Gulf to block sun early.
Today and tomorrow are supposed to be peak
heat for the week. We went to the park
earlyish, mid-morning. Just the breeders
at the 354 Pecan patch, and no migrants in
the woods. But saw the Little Blue Heron
Little Creek Larry mentioned a few days ago.
Saw him too, and I misunderstood, it was
here at the park, not his creek, where he
saw it. And his first sighting was earlier
in the week last week, maybe the 10th or so.
It is a nice white imm. just showing a wee bit
of gray in a couple spots. It was catching
some Gambusia at south end of the island.
Have not seen one in a couple or maybe few
years now. They are LTA here. Less than
annual. Not a sure thing any given year.
So always a good bird and fun to watch.
A Black Saddlebags dragonfly was my first
of the year. An ode got away that probably
was a Checkered Setwing. No damselflies.
We checked a private spot south of town
(with permission) where some water. Pewee,
Cuckoo, a begging fledgling Yellow-throated
Warbler. One Giant Swallowtail, no odes.
There is one juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in
a, or the, nest there this year. Two springs
ago it fledged 3 in May. Showing how the
reduced food supply is. It means many fewer
young are generated. Our nest only had one
young as well a mile downriver. In a decent
year two nests generate SIX young here, not two.
Which is surely far below replacement levels.
We did have a couple begging juvenile
Carolina Chickadee at a couple stops.
At least three Great Crested Flycatcher
here and at least two of the stops.
Red-eyed Vireo at park, 354 Pecans, 360 x-ing,
etc. Begging House Finch here on the patio.
About 4 p.m. I saw 95F on the cool shady
front porch, so purt near a hun in the sun.
The eclipse was nice, eh? What was neat to
me was how the Chuck-will's-widow were
calling their heads off, at least four of
them not counting anything distant. As the
moon darkened they went silent. They remained
silent until after totallity when a nice sized
slice of white was shining light again, and
they all broke back into song. Amazing. I
have had the same thing happen with a solar
eclipse in the daytime, everything shuts up
and quits singing while it was dark. Ya gotta
figure, for things nocturnal, the moon is their
sun.
May 14 ~ Maybe 69F for a low, some morning
clouds, but was a baker of a day. Heard a
Yellow Warbler and an Orchard Oriole early,
but no migrant motion in yard. I had desk
biz work to do so did't get out. Saw
a Snout come into water, only when I told
Kathy did I find out she had one yesterday.
It is soooo hard to remember everything you
see, especially the less remarkable things.
A Horace's Duskywing came in as well.
A boatload of Six-lined Racerunner around
the yard, at least ten methinks. What a
beauty of a lizard. A couple of the males
have nice metallic indigo undersides now.
Male and female Summer Tanager were at the
bath together. Lotta Chucks.
This is the Little Blue Heron that was
at the park for several days.
Kathy chisled
these pixels onto a floppy disk with the Mavica.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
May 13 ~ Another 67F low is a treat, feels
great. At the bath early Kathy saw a
first-spring male Wilson's Warbler,
and a female Yellow Warbler. We should
still get some trickles or last drips of migs
for another week if lucky. As for breeders,
you can already tell dawn chorus is dialed
back from the April peak. The Gulf low
stratus got here around sunup, so kept it
mostly overcast and in 70's F most of
the morning, and was still holding at 80F
at 3 p.m., amazing. A much appreciated
break from the afternoons in the 90's F,
which are on their way back, another heat
wave is ahead. NOAA et.al. blew the high
temps by a category though! Rare for highs
as it is regular for lows after fronts.
Yard is actually green for a primary color
now. Wow. Late afternoon the Red-winged
Blackbird went to the 50 gal. tub pond and
drank. Catails and a Red-wing, the pond is
maturing. Still waiting for Marsh Wren and
Sora. Gonna have to make a tub pond list.
This spring got Am. Redstart and Golden-cheeked
Warbler for it. Last year had Green Jay and
Audubon's Oriole.
Town run so a park check. At the 354 Pecan
patch only one Yellow Warbler. Migrants in
the woods at park were a Common Yellowthroat,
a Black-and-white Warbler, and one Yellow
Warbler. The Red-eyed Vireo continues on
territory. The mystery of the day was a
singer across the pond at the spillway in
those willows you can't see into.
I thought it was a Kentucky Warbler. No
way to get to it, and no way to tape it
for me now. Ya gotta let some go, easier
when you already have it on your park list.
Little Creek Larry said he had a Little Blue
Heron on his creek yesterday or today, I
forget which. Kathy saw a female Orchard
Oriole at the bird bath in the afternoon,
later I saw it in the front yard Pecans.
Oh man, 10:30 p.m., from desk in office
I hear a N. PARAQUE belting out, just on
other side of cottage in the corral. Close.
Loud. Went on for five minutes. Awesome!
Bird of the week, had to re-up the bird
news for it... ;) LOL
May 12 ~ A low of 67F was fantastic. What a
difference 5dF can make. Did not note any
migrant motion in yard. The bulk of our
spring passage is past, the rest is fading
fast. Still should see some flycatchers, and
a few stragglers of other sorts. Nothing in
the weather forecast to indicate any major
action in store. Heard a or the cuckoo. The
Golden-cheeked Warbler continues, it sang
around the yard a couple hours, often in
the big Pecan right off front porch. It
also visited the birdbath again. This is the
same first-spring male we have seen off and
on since April 24. In two days it will be
three weeks here trolling in the area. So
neat to be able to watch and listen to it
for extended periods of time. It does a
much better song now than when it got here.
They are incredibly fast and agile when
sallying after something, as in Redstart or
Wilson's Warbler level agile whence in
one of those tight circular sallies. BTW I
keep forgetting to mention our current drought
level is D4, as in exceptional. That is
how dry the year has been.
Late late afternoon I was sitting in my chair
on front porch. A big bright green Anole
returning from a day of bug-eating strolls
across the porch towards me. Stopping a couple
times to flash its pink throat pouch (dewlap).
At times it comes within a foot or two, and
knows it is safe. It worked over to my
sandaled feet, which had a few small flies
on them, we are in one of those breakouts
right now, lots of little flies. It dove
and picked one right off, sitting on my
toes to gulp it down. Over the next 10 minutes
it grabbed SIX off my feet! I called Kathy
out so she could watch the show. City people
ask us what we do in the country. So exciting
watching a bright lime green lizard popping
little flies off yer feet. No muss, no fuss.
May 11 ~ Low of 72F is a frog's hair better.
The Golden-cheeked Warbler continued around the
yard singing in morning, and late afternoon, and
was at the birdbath. It is that same first-spring
male that has been around, an unmated troller.
Heard a Scissor-tail over in corral. One male
Yellow Warbler was around much of day. Couple
Caracara went over. Lots of begging from a juvie
Red-tailed Hawk in that nest over at river. We
are sure glad when they feed it! Still better
than the three baby Ravens though. Have to put
the scope on nest and see if I can get a count
on the young. Only sounds like one. Last year
in the drought they only raised one. Only got
up to 90-92F so bearable compared to the last
several days. Was too busy at desk. Saw a
Malta Star Thistle sprig with bloom, will
remove that. We have done fairly well getting
rid of it and Musk Thistle here.
May 10 ~ Low of 74F is not very, and like July.
An Eastern Wood-Pewee was whistling in yard early.
A Cuckoo clucked a bit too, maybe our adjacent
breeder is back. In the morning Kathy heard the
Golden-cheeked over along north fence where it
was singing yesterday, and I heard it late about
7 p.m. We have big Junipers and Live-Oaks, but no
Lacy or Buckley Oaks, two of their key trees. A
bit before noon an American Redstart came down to
the tub pond right out office window. I thought
it had some peachy tones on breast sides, unlike
the bird yesterday which was pure yellow and a
female. I think this was a first spring male.
Any Redstart is a good start. There was a Yellow
Warbler in the Pecans. The Great Crested Flycatcher
is trolling up and down the river habitat corridor
and seems unmated as last year. Same for the
Yellow-throated Vireo here, trolling, unmated
as last year. A pair of Indigo Bunting were on
the millet tube early. This is the first year
they or the Blue Grosbeak has used the tube feeder
here. I suspect due to the lack of normal higher
protein insect fare which is not available yet
this year. Hopefully that 2" rain will change
that soon. Saw one Texas Thistle with flowers
down near the crossing.
May 9 ~ Low of 72F, some low Gulf stratus held
the sun off a few hours early in morn. Saw a
Turkey over in corral early. I heard a Hutton's
Vireo go through yard. Heard a buzzy zzeet as in
Yellow Warbler. Noonish Kathy spotted a female
Black-throated Green Warbler coming into the birdbath.
It just drank a bit. About 3 p.m. she spotted a
female American Redstart coming down to it, which
then got chased by a male Wilson's Warbler.
First female Redstart of the year, great to see.
After 4 p.m. I heard an offish warbler song in
big Junipers along north fence. Finally figured
it out, a Golden-cheeked! Came inside and told
Kathy, just a few minutes later she saw it at the
bath! It is a trolling un-mated first spring male.
Suspect it is the same one we saw here in late April.
About 7 p.m. Kathy spotted the female Redstart
coming back into the bath. It got to splash a
bit this time. So it was around 4 hours and
never chipped once. A White-eyed Vireo decided
to splash-bathe at the same time the Redstart
was in the bath. Chat and male Summer Tanager
were there over the day too, when it is hot
everything comes in to it. Saw a few spindly
Mexican Hat flowers, the first this year.
May 8 ~ Was still just over 80F at midnight, early
morn finally dropped to 71F. The thick low Gulf
cloud deck got here and kept it cooler (below 80F
is cooler from now until September) until almost
noonish. At least a few hours of relief. Saw no
migrant motion in yard whatsoever. Except the
last three Clay-colored Sparrow are gone. No mas.
First day without them in over a month. We checked
a few spots anyway. Saw some Mealy Sage in bloom,
and the yellow rose of Texas, the Prickly Pear.
The 354 Pecans had nothing but breeders. The park
woods had at least two Common Yellowthroat, and
I got a crummy but ID'able look at a FOS
Mourning Warbler in that thickest stuff at the
south end of the island. There is at least one
young of size in the Red-shouldered Hawk nest
above the screen shelters at the park. There
were 8 teal over in the lillies across the pond.
Six were Blue-winged, two drakes had dirty heads
with reddish-brown, dare I say cinnamon, feathers
admixed in at a level that made the white
crescent hard to detect. I suspect they were
intergrades, likely back-crosses, perhaps
second generation (F2) or somesuch type hybrids.
The fencelines were bare again. There should
be Scissor-tailed Flycatchers around, and am
not seeing any. I think they came in and they
left since no bugs. Have not seen a single
Western Kingbird this spring. Scary. I have
driven to town and back three days consecutively
(only in spring migration does that ever happen)
and seen zero Scissors. Where annually there have been
five pairs I know of. I saw none up Jones Cmty.
Rd. to W. Sab. Rd. yesterday as well, where there
should have been three more pairs. None. No bugs.
Not enough for nesting anyway, so they left.
We did a full scientific analysis and assay of some
Mulberries on one tree (yes the low-hanging fruit).
The results were mmmmm tasty. I thought it
would make great wine, Kathy said jam. In the
afternoon I saw 95F on the cool shady front porch.
Hondo and Uvalde were both reading 100F with a
105 heat index. The south side of SAT
(Stinson Field) had 103F and a 111 heat index!
Which must have been 115-120 at Mitchell Lake
just west of that. That was our main birding
patch (with Brackenridge Pk.) for three years
in the late 80's. For now we are just
hiding inside from the heat here, none too
thrilled about near-record heat early in the
season. In the afternoon Kathy heard a Cuckoo,
I heard an Orchard Oriole sing later. Finally about
10 p.m. I saw my FOS Firefly. Has to be my latest
FOS date for them.
May 7 ~ The low of 67F was nice. From 4-6 p.m. the
cool shady front porch was showing 97F, so it
had to be a hun in the sun. Our first scorcher
of the long hot season. NOAA is calling it early
and unseasonally early, There was no migration
motion today, at least here on the ground. Went
to town to get that dang item I forgot yesterday
at the store, so another look at the park woods.
Wasn't on purpose, but I sure don't mind.
Other than what is likely a continuing Northern
Waterthrush, there was nothing but the residents
at the park. Also checked the 354 Pecan patch
with about the same results. Did have a Yellow
Warbler, and a pair of Orchard Orioles were around
the trees where a pair usually nests. Saw in the
little Mulberry on roadside, female Painted Bunting,
Bell's Vireo, and Yellow-breasted Chat.
Cruised out Jones Cmty Rd. listening for Parula
Warblers, heard none but it was noon and hot,
need to check early. Did a mile of the well
fence-lined road north from Cemetery to W. Sabinal
Rd. as it is good for E. Kingbird, there were
none. I see a distinct green tint appearing
in the brown front yard. Saw two Common
Nighthawk fly over at dusk. They did not
seem to be grabbing many bugs. I heard my
first boom from a diving male of the year.
And I see I picked up a chigger here today.
There were still three Clay-colored Sparrow
here today, singing of course. Late in day,
probably the last Lincoln's Sparrow
took a bath. Late in day Kathy spotted a
bunch of Rain Lily had opened up. I roughly
counted, at least a hundred blooms on north
part of yard. Just add water.
Not a current photo, sorry for the repeat.
Red-eared or Pond Slider are probably the most used names
for this turtle. Texas River Cooter is the other regular
type found locally. It is less green without yellow marbling
on carapace (top half of shell) and much darker, almost
blackish, with only a little yellow on head. It is also
not as domed of carapace, so a much flatter shape, better
for speeding in the river.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
May 6 ~ A fantastic low of about 61F was a cheap
thrill. We are set for a four-day scorcher now
though. Mid-90's, hope you are ready to sweat.
At least it waited until there were some leaves
on the Pecans. Heard a Baltimore Oriole in yard
early. Town run so got our Cinco de Mayo real
deal tacos from Rosie today. First on the way
into town I stopped at the 354 Pecan patch. The
Dickcissel was gone, knew it would not stick.
There was a pair of Brown-crested Flycatcher
there, and a distant calling Great Crested at
the other end of patch. Great Crest nests there some
years. Heard a Cuckoo (Y-b), saw one Eastern
Wood-Pewee, a Yellow Warbler or two, and one
female Black-throated Green Warbler. At the
park was a Swainson's Thrush, in Mulberries
on the island. No Catbird though. There
were a couple Yellow Warbler, a Northern
Waterthrush, another female Black-throated
Green Warbler, and a couple warblers got away.
One sounded like an American Redstart. Seems
last years territorial Red-eyed Vireo is back
in the woods. Plus all the usual breeders like
Yellow-throated Warbler and Vireo, White-eyed
Vireo, etc. The Red-shouldered Hawks are
seemingly nesting again. Little Creek Larry
had a male Common Yellowthroat at his place
this morn. No Eastern Kingbird on the fencelines,
we are at the prime week for them now.
Here at the hovelita just a handful of Clay-colored
Sparrow left, and not for long. A Yellow
Warbler was in the yard all day, looked the
same male on at least day 3 now. Heard a
Gnatcat in yard. Saw 90F at 3:30 p.m.,
and it is humid. Welcome to Texas. Late
afternoon before 6 p.m. Kathy spotted a FOS
Catbird at the birdbath, which drank and
took a quick splash in it. I actually did
my Catbird call at the park Mulberries noonish,
trying to elicit response from any unseen suspects.
Hey I have had it work sometimes. Later in the
afternoon I saw a female Lazuli Bunting, my first
female Lazuli this year. There are 4-5 female
Indigo here too for good comparisons. Finally
saw a Common Nighthawk at dusk. Was out looking
for that FOS Firely, no luck yet, but got four
more mosquito bites. Just before 9 p.m. we
had a Chuck-will's-widow calling right
out the office window over the tub pond in a
Hackberry. We went out and it kept belting
it out, after a minute we got a look as it
flew off. Bunch of Coyote real close too.
I heard in town someone say they killed a
Coral Snake this week fearing for their cats.
Which of course are killing lizards and birds.
I have heard some here say they kill any
Porcupines because their dogs will get into
them.
May 5 ~ Happy Cinco de Mayo! Mexican food, beer and
shots for all! Amazing to see the ground re-arranged
from the downpour. Since it hadn't changed in
many months. Biggest rain in 5 months or so. Yard
will turn green in a few days, and need mowing in
two weeks. Maybe we will get some flowers yet
this spring. A little mist still over the morn.
I had a crummy look at a FOS American Redstart high
in the big Pecan, it shot off and out of the yard
quickly. A Least Flycatcher was around the gate
all day. Might be a half-dozen Clay-colored Sparrow
left. A Yellow Warbler spent the day in the Pecans,
maybe the same one as yesterday, the red streaks
were the same, maybe a bit over half-way in. The
Barking Frogs were going at dark. Got a couple
mosquito bites at dark, a whole day after the rain.
There have not been any this spring so far due to
the drought. One day, less than 24 hours after
adding water, and poof, or bam!, is more like it.
Skeeters. How does this work anyway? Do the
larval treeholers just estivate in winter,
ready to emerge as flying adult as soon as some
fool adds water?
May 4 ~ Low about 72F, overcast and humid, almost
some mist. Strong southerlies for the third day
or so. Early there were three male Yellow Warbler
at once in the birdbath. Looks like many fewer
Clay-colored Sparrow and did not see the White-crowned
Sparrow today. There were departures last night.
Had to run to town to get a couple tires put on
in the morn. So a look at park. Great was a FOS
singing Warbling Vireo. Also one N. Waterthrush, a
couple Yellow Warbler, a few seets and chips got away.
There were a couple just-fledged begging Carolina Wren.
Little Creek Larry said he had a male Shoveler in
with a few teal at the park this morning. At the
UvCo 354 Pecans just south of town another Yellow
Warbler. Heard a very interesting chip that got away,
the wind was making it hard. Heard one FOS Dickcissel
north of 354 in the field they used to always nest
in. Now being overgrown with Mesquite, and too dry
this year anyway for them. It was singing rather
forlornly, like where did you all go. When rains,
there is a colony in this pasture annually. Along
roads saw some blooming Prickly Poppy, and some
Englemann's Daisy around the water plant.
In town, nice to hear Blue Jay, and see Chimney
Swifts.
In the afternoon here at hovelita Kathy saw a
male Orchard Oriole right out the office window
working down to the tub pond. I later heard it
singing on north side of house. One Yellow
Warbler spent all day in the Pecans. Five
Red-winged Blackbird came in for white millet,
the golf course breeders no doubt. About 10-11
p.m. a severe thundercell went over, we finally
got actual precipitation! It was a whopping
TWO INCHES here. More than the last four
months total probably. Which means more than
all year so far. We heard a big bubble of a roar
go down the river after the cell passed. Two
inches in less than an hour, there is runoff.
River went from quiet to roaring and back to
quiet in an hour and change. Got flushed anyway.
About an hour after the rain stopped there were
two Barking Frog, barking, outside.
May 3 ~ Low maybe 71F, overcast, breezy from south,
the same. White-crowned Sparrow still here with 15
or so Clay-colored. Best was noonish in the yard
Pecans, a Philadelphia Vireo. Great looks very close.
As they often do, it struck me as more warbler-like
due to the bright yellow on breast, greener upperparts,
and it being far more active and high-energy than a
Warbling Vireo. Which is usually fairly sedate like
a Blue-headed. Later had a Least Flycatcher and a
Brown-crested Flycatcher for a while. I could hear
Ash-throated and Great Crested Flycatcher calling
whilst the BC was doing same from our big Pecan.
May 2 ~ There was some rain late last night and the
first couple hours of today, but a malfunction means I
will have to ask others how much it was. Maybe a
half-inch, but more than the last two months. Flatlined
about 70F most of the night. Some precip anyway.
Mid-morn I had a FOS Baltimore Oriole in the yard,
gave some calls and song snippets. The White-crowned
and Lincoln's Sparrow continue. Noonish a
Nashville Warbler or two, single male Yellow and
Wilson's Warbler were in yard. In later
afternoon 2 Least Flycatcher were working Pecans.
A showerlet between 2:30 and 3 p.m. dropped nearly
a half-tenth of an inch of precip. The cell was real
black though. As it moved east on the backside of
it my FOS Broad-winged, and Swainson's
Hawks moved north over river habitat coridor.
Don't see Broad-wings every spring, so always
nice. Looked for MS Kites but did not see any. The
backsides of cells are great for migrating aerial
species (as hawks, swifts, etc.) that detoured
around them. Always worth a check if you can.
At least 3 Lyside Sulphur went through yard over
the day.
May 1 ~ About 70F much of the night, maybe dropped
to 69F when a showerlet hit early first thing. Ground
and trees are wet anyway. There is a stalled cold front
just north of us since yesterday, boy I wish it would have
made it through here. Was probably good northward
somewhere where birds hit a wall of wind from the wrong
direction to proceed. Was supposed to be lifting back
north as a warm front today. Just after 3 p.m. Kathy
saw the first migrant in yard today, a Nashville Warbler.
The White-crowned and a Lincoln's Sparrow
continue, Clay-colored Sparrow number 15. There
were three male at once Lesser Goldfinch down with
a few females, first flocklet I have seen here this year.
Ten green Painted Bunting, some of which are first-spring
males. A bit of drizzle and showers began the last
hour or two of the day.
~ ~ ~ April summary ~ ~ ~
We are pushing the April record for dryness I am sure,
we had a quarter inch of precip maybe for the month.
No freezes, no spring wildflowers as usual when rains.
Several days were very near or at record heat.
The bugs were bad. But not in the usual sense, bad
because there were hardly any to see. No Firefly yet
might be the first April I have not seen one here (n~19).
One Eyed Elaterid was the best bug. Odes were pitiful
still, they are not going yet. I was able to ID only one
species of damselfly all month, on the 30th (!), and only
two species of dragonfly the whole month, for a whopping
three total ode species. There have been Aprils that were
great with odes. Butterflies were also poor, at 24 species
one of the worst Aprils here. For the number of individuals
seen it was likely the worst in a decade since the peak of
the last exceptional drought. The only highlight was a
Little Wood Satyr around the house a couple days. Maybe
one or two Monarch was it, no spring wave of mention here.
A few Elfin early in month, no Falcate Orangetip. Almost
no flowers, barely a few.
Birds are always great in April, as like March there
are waves of them passing by northbound, besides
all the returning (migratory insectivore) breeding species.
Mostly songbirds, like warblers, orioles, vireos, tanagers,
flycatchers, the stuff of great bird sounds. Dawn chorus
goes next-level in April with all the returns. Best birds
were a record early Swainson's Thrush at
UP on the 8th. Veery and Gray-cheeked Thrush
both there on the 22nd. A 3-day Brewer's
Sparrow was in our yard Spizella flock April 20-22.
A male Chestnut-sided Warbler was in yard Apr. 24.
Three male Lazuli Bunting were in our yard over the month.
I think almost everyone saw Painted Bunting this spring,
the arrival wave was tremendous, we had 16 ad.
male at once in yard. An Ovenbird at UP on the 23rd
was the first in a while. A male Bullock's Oriole
on a hummer feeder April 10-11 was the first of that
here for us, and a record early date for me here.
l count 111 species very locally this month, no Lost
Maples trip. All from around our place to town. Little
Creek Larry saw at least a half-dozen things I did not.
Surely there were 120-125 sps. around over the month.
Pretty big jump from the 78 in March, and double the
diversity of the weak winter months in Jan. and February.
Now if we would just get some rain and flowers.
~ ~ ~ end April summary ~ ~ ~
April 30 ~ And there goes another one! The low
was 70F, and here we go with that again. Some
mist and drizzle, ground wettish. Early in morn
the Couch's Kingbirds were in the big Pecan!
Mid-late morn they were over in the corral. Noonish
they were down nearish the crossing. Looking for
a place to nest. A pair of Orchard Oriole and a pair
of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher both went through yard
seemingly nest site prospecting. Early a Least
Flycatcher was working the Pecans. A couple Nashville
and a Yellow Warbler were it for warblers in yard first
half of day. Noonish we went down to the crossing
to check the Pecan patch. Slow. Maybe 4 Nashville,
one or two Yellow, and one Tennessee Warbler. No
other migrants save a Lincoln's Sparrow down
along the river. Territorial singing White-eyed, Red-eyed
and Yellow-throated Vireo, Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated
Warbler, Indigo and Painted Bunting, Chat, the regulars.
Kathy spotted the first damselfly I have been able to
ID to species this year, a Kiowa Dancer. Nice to see,
but still no dragons though.
In the afternoon around the yard finally late in day I
saw the White-crowned Sparrow on day 3 here now.
About 10 Clay-colored Sparrow still here. Way too
many Brown-headed Cowbird, heard the Bronzed.
Heard the Couch's Kingbirds out front later in
day. Would love having a pair of them around nearish.
Four ad. male Indigo and 7 ad. male Painted Bunting,
so the wave is subsiding and probaby trimming down
to territorial birds. Lots of greenie Painted, some female
Indigo. For warblers there were a couple Nashville, a
Yellow, and Kathy spotted a male Wilson's at
the bath. I saw the female Yellow-throated there. Did
some yard-garden work, pretty sticky working out there.
Not a current photo, sorry for the repeat.
This is a Catbird at our birdbath 2 falls ago. The one at bath today
looked the same. ;) In early May watch Mulberries for them,
and thrushes, grosbeaks and orioles.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Apr. 29 ~ Low about 68F, overcast, some mist,
a showerlet to wet the ground. Stayed coolish
all day, 80F at 3 p.m. is nice. Not much for bird
movement. Fewer Clay-colored Sparrow, ten at
most, they are departing on the southerlies. The
White-crowned Sparrow of yesterday is here, as
is the bright neon yellow male American Goldfinch.
Later afternoon saw a female Black-and-white
Warbler working the Pecans. Town run, so a peek
at the park. In town I heard Blue Jay which I have
not been, so good. Also saw some Cave Swallow
gathering mud, also good, and my FOS this year.
At the park was one Northern Waterthrush and two
Common Yellowthroat, heard one or two Nashville
and a Yellow. Slowish. Best was four Blue-winged
Teal, three drakes and a hen hiding in the lillies.
But the poor hen teal could not rest like the drakes.
Due to that dumped domestic Frankenduck. The
domestic hybrid barnyard bastard bird would not stop
harassing the female Teal. She was constantly having
to fly to get away from it, it was relentless. So the wild
migratory bird that needs a pond to rest in can't, because
of an introduced non-native hybrid Frankenduck. That
someone just had to have it at the park so they could say
'look at the wildlife, I love nature' whilst
pointing at the hybrid domestic barnyard Frankenfowl.
After 6 p.m. when I was bringing the birdseed in from
trucklet, I thought I heard a weird Fox Squirrel chuck notes
up in the big Pecan. Figured it must be anemic or have
Covid. But when I heard that rusty gate opening braying
I knew before my eyes found them, Yellow-headed Blackbird!
Four males were in the top of the tree, occasionally
braying, what a call. I threw some more seed out quickly,
the cowbirds came down, and one male Yellow-headed
proceeded to slum it with them on the patio. That head is
cadmium yellow. Then after 7 p.m. I heard a Couch's
Kingbird out front, grabbed bins, went out gate and down
road. Right there on the powerline were a pair of them!
Calling! I have one nesting record here locally, many
years ago, right after we got here. Do not get them every
spring. They were singing, it was a pair. I went back to
front porch and at least one of them landed and called from
atop the big Pecan! The big Pecan rocked this late afternoon
to early evening. At twilight I finally heard a Common
Nighthawk, Kathy heard our FOS yesterday. Great to
hear again, hope they stick to nest this year.
Oops forgot, had a FOS Eyed Elaterid (the giant click beetle
with big false eyes on thorax) on the big Pecan. Actually was
sure I saw one in flight 5-6 days ago or so, but couldn't
find it when I jumped up and ran after it. This one landed and
that awesome camo will only get it so far with those big giant
fake eyes.
Apr. 28 ~ Low about 66F, overcast and humid, the
usual. There were a few spritzes in the morning.
Just enough to spot up the dust on the leaves.
An ad. White-crowned Sparrow was a surprise
after not seeing any for the last 3 days. I suspect
it is a new passage transient. Another surprise
was a neon yellow ad. male American Goldfinch
on the sunflower feeder. We have not seen one
in a week or more. One Lincoln's Sparrow
still here, 12 Clay-colored, 6 Chipping and Lark,
about 4 Field. Shortly before noon a small group
of warblers worked the Pecan flowers. I got at
least 7 Nashville, 3 Yellow, and 1 Wilson's
Warbler out of the group. Thought I heard a Black-throated
Green across the road. A very typical spring flock
here. Though I was really looking for something in
atypical. Since that goes so well with me. Bird of
the day was a Savannah Sparrow that bathed!
Surely my latest record? Have not seen one in weeks.
After dark, an hour after I mentioned their tardiness this
year, Kathy heard the FOS Common Nighthawk.
Apr. 27 ~ Low about 62F, overcast and humid, but
calm. Yard was all the same in a.m., nothing went
through. Had to run to town so a quick park check.
A handful of Nashville and 2 Common Yellowthroat,
but no time, and to work those trees properly you need
time, especially when against a white sky. Definitely
less Clay-colored Sparrow today, some left last night.
Still a dozen plus male Painted and 7-8 male Indigo
Bunting, saw the male Lazuli of yesterday again. More
females of both Indigo and Painted. Had Painted, Indigo,
and Lazuli males in one field of view, but with a male
Blue Grosbeak instead of that elusive fourth bunting species.
Heard a Least Flycatcher out along the fenceline and road.
Oops, forgot a FOS... two, what seemed a pair, of
Brown-crested Flycatcher were in yard 15 minutes in the
afternoon. Calling most of the time. Nothing else
through yard in afternoon.
Apr. 26 ~ The front passed and cool air got here, the
low was 55F! That is great! Overcast and dampish,
but we missed the rain many parts of central Texas
got yesterday. Lots of places got an inch, or two. I
am being generous at a tenth of an inch here. I got a
22 count on Clay-colored Sparrow this morn and 30
in the early evening. Also one Lincoln's, 6 Chipping,
4 Field, 6 Lark Sparrow. No White-crowned again today,
they flew the coop. In the afternoon a 12-13 count on
ad. ma. Painted Bunting, and 8 for ad. ma Indigo. We
had our third this spring male Lazuli Bunting in the
afternoon, always a treat. Where is that Varied?
There are at least 30 buntings in the yard. There were
a few Nashville Warbler, and in the afternoon I had a
singing first-spring male Golden-cheeked Warbler, again.
Maybe the one that was here a couple days ago trolling
the area? We peaked at about 70F from 3-6 p.m., what
a treat that was, I could stand that all year. Heard a
Yellow Warbler zzeet. After dark about 10 p.m. I heard
a Barn Owl fly over NE bound.
Apr. 25 ~ Stayed about 70F all night. The cooler air
dropped it to 68F about 7 a.m., then lower by 8. A tenth
of an inch maybe of precip as of noon, most missing
us so far. No migrants through yard in a.m. Kathy thought
sure she heard a Golden-cheeked Warbler sing. I saw
my FOS first-spring male of Painted Bunting. Of the
salmon underparted flavor, quite the beauty really.
Just after noon a group of 4 Nashville and 1 Yellow
Warbler were in the Pecans out front. Heard a Least
Flycatcher out by the gate. A few spritzes but the precip
missed us again, the Utopia rain kryptonite held.
Late about 7 p.m. counting buntings and sparrows as
they have a last feeding frenzy. No White-crowned
Sparrow today, finally they are gone. One Lincoln's
Sparrow left. Still 18 or so Clay-colored, 10 Chipping
and some breeder Lark and Field Sparrow. In buntings,
16 ad. male Painted at once is a new high mark. At
least two salmon underparted first-spring males, a
half-dozen greenies looked females. For Indigo, 8 ad.
male at once, a few females. There is one first spring
male Indigo around too. A few Blue Grosbeak, a female
bathed, we virtually never see.them at the bath. A male
Indigo bathed too. They never did that when I had a
working camera.
Apr. 24 ~ Low about 68F, SSE winds blew all night,
overcast and humid. Big passage day here. About 9:45
Kathy spotted a warbler out the kitchen window in the
pecans over birdbath. It turned out to be a male
Chestnut-sided Warbler! Whaddabird! The day is
made right out of the gate. She spotted a second bird
while we were trying to refind the first, which was a
female Black-throated Green Warbler. Out front by the
gate I heard a FOS Least Flycatcher, maybe two. Had
a four count on greenies, female Painted Bunting.
We went down to crossing to check the bloomin'
Pecan patch. A few warblers were in it, maybe 5
Nashville, a Wilson's, a couple Yellow, singing
Black-n-white and Golden-cheeked, and a FOS
Tennessee Warbler. Then we went to the park in town
to check it. Little Creek Larry said he had a Spotted
Sandpiper this morn on spillway. Which water is not
going over presently. No O-bird, a Northern Waterthrush
was still there, white type as all the early ones are. A male
Common Yellowthroat was up high in the live-oak canopy,
my FOS female C. Yellowthroat was down low where it
belonged. Several Nashville Warbler, a couple each
Wilson's and Yellow, one Black-throated Green
singing, and another (!) singing Golden-cheeked Warbler,
this out on the island.
Most interesting was finally detecting a Yellow-rumped Warbler
this month, a singing male. The only one I have seen this
spring since the wintering birds left. It was an intergrade.
Throat was admixed yelllow and white. From some
angles it looked yellow, from others, white. It had wingbars,
like a Myrtle, call was flattish like Myrtle too. No supra-loral
white spot or post-occular white supercilliumlet of a Myrtle,
but broken eye-crescents of an Audubon's. It was a
tweener all the way. Another item of interest was a single
Pine Siskin we heard. Maybe the lone bird we had a month
ago at the house? There is one wandering around it seems.
We also had Great Crested Flycatcher and Eastern
Wood-Pewee, a Blue-headed Vireo, and an ad. ma. Painted
Bunting in the Mulberrys. The usual breeders were singing
like Yellow-throated Warbler and Vireo, Summer Tanager,
White-eyed Vireo, etc. At least two probably three Least
Flycatcher were in the woods. Another was down by
the crossing on way home, so at least 5, maybe 7 Least Flycs.
on this FOS day for them. A couple Gnatcatchers were heard.
About 2 p.m. Kathy had a Tennessee Warbler in the Pecan
over the birdbath, two in a day here is excellent. Then a couple
Nashville Warbler. Later before 4 p.m. she spotted a male
Golden-cheeked Warbler which came down to the bath. It
was a first spring male. I suspect all three today along the
river habitat corridor were just arriving first spring males
There was also an ad. male Black-and-white in the tree then.
Any day you get 10 or more species of warblers locally is a
outstanding day. We had 11 with the breeding Yellow-throated,
not counting the Orange-crowned I was sure I heard. Surely
there were more out there, just amongst the seets and chips
that got away. Late in day I got an 11 count on adult male
Painted Bunting at once. Also two White-crowned Sparrow still
here, both Gambell's, one ad. and one first-spring.
At dusk saw a few of my FOS Brazillian Freetail (formerly called
Mexican Freetail) Bats over the yard. Still no Firefly.
Apr. 23 ~ Low about 67F, stayed breezy from SSE all
night but at least slacked off to 10-15 mph. We had a
couple or few Nashville in the yard in the morning.
Most amazing was White-crowned Sparrow, late in
day I finally mustered three. There were 11-12 yesterday.
Most then left last night! Some few had been here all
winter, most a few weeks. Most of the Clay-colored
Sparrow left as well. Their numbers crashed as
well overnight. Maybe a dozen left. Incredible.
They took that free ride on the south wind outta Dodge.
Later morn a Black-throated Green Warbler sang out back.
Went to Utopia Park to look for thrushes. Saw none.
One Northern Waterthrush and the male Common
Yellowthroat were likely the birds from yesterday. An
OVENBIRD was on the island! I got an ID look and
then spent a half-hour trying to re-see it and did not.
Still birds in the live-oak blooms but they are past peak now.
I had a flock of warblers go through them northbound
fast and furious, more than 25, but I barely saw half.
Light was horrible against bright white sky. I saw at
least a dozen Nashville, a Yellow, a Wilson's,
a Black-throated Green, and a Black-and-white Warbler.
Plus one Blue-headed Vireo singing, a Great Crested
Flycatcher, and Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows
in the blooms. The treetop warblers went through
quickly, you had 15 minutes maybe and that was it.
10-15 got away un-ID'd.
After 7 p.m. I was working on Bunting counts. There
were 15 ad. male Painted and 7 ad. male Indigo at
once. Two female Painted and one female Indigo.
Twenty-five buntings. Five male Painted in one binoc
field-of-view. I have to go rest my color receptors now.
One of the Painted Buntings Kathy noticed was off color
on the back. It was mostly yellow and red with the only
proper lime green being narrowly around the edge of
the usual back patch. Otherwise the rest was pretty
bright yellow with a tint of lime, but half was red showing.
And oh yeah, Little Creek Larry said he had a FOS
Common Nighthawk on Thursday (the 21st).
Not a current photo, sorry for the repeat.
A male Painted Bunting. You should be seeing some now. There has been
a great wave of them moving through. We had 16 adult males at once (!) in
the past week, likely more were around yard we missed in the moment count.
They love white millet, and-or a birdbath, but keep it clean if you do that.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Apr. 22 ~ Happy Earth Day! Low about 68F, overcast,
humid, very breezy gulf flow all night. Was 15 mph gusting
to 25 or so from S and SSE, KERV had gusts over 30! I saw
the Brewer's Sparrow again this morning, so day 3 for
it, and apparently my ID the other day was correct. It is still
a Brewer's. Otherwise just a few Nashville through
yard in a.m., and lots of buntings. In afternoon counted five
male Indigo at once, a yard record methinks. Also 6 Painted
at once, and likely more out there. A couple male Blue
Grosbeak. Kathy saw the FOS greenie - a female Painted,
here at the casita while I was in town.
Park had some birds hiding from wind in the woods.
TWO great thrushes at once is unheard of here. First
I saw a Gray-cheeked Thrush out on the island. Then
I heard a VEERY singing! But could not see it One of
the most beautiful and distinctive songs in the bird world.
I can't believe I heard one sing here. Presently
birding 'blind and naked' with no way to document.
Two FOS warblers were a male Common Yellowthroat,
and then Northern Waterthrush, of which there were
seemingly two. A few Nashville Warbler, single
Wilson's and Yellow Warbler. A few chips,
seets, and zeets got away. Heard my FOS Eastern
Wood-Pewee. The strong SSE winds in late April
and early May make for hard birding conditions but
also for good birds. The breeder pair of Common
Grackle continue out on island. Zone-tailed Hawk was
over Rosie's taco trailer, but actually I needed the
tacos more.
Apr. 21 ~ Low of 68F and very humid. Stayed coolish
all day, 80F at 3 p.m. is pleasant despite the humidity.
A few Nashville Warbler went through yard over the
morning. Before noon a couple FOS Orchard Oriole
were in the male Mulberry over the cottage, ten minutes
later Kathy spots a male bathing in the bath! Whaddabird!
About 1 p.m. a male Black-throated Green sang and
foraged in a Pecan. Gnatcatcher singing out there too.
Three male Indigo Bunting together at once, and more
than a handful of Painted. There are kilos of Clay-colored
Sparrow, but was too busy at desk to work them. The
hummingbirds were fewer this last week than the one
before. Must have been a passage wave going through.
Late in day saw my FOS female Blue Grosbeak, my
FOS male was on the 12th, nine days ago. Again, a
very typical stagger, males arriving on territories a week
to two before females, to prepare for battle. With Painted
Bunting and Blue Grosbeak it is often a day or two the
males are back before they even quiet sing (under the
breath). And a few to several days before they really
even start singing full songs at volume. It is still very
reserved at first and takes a while, and females arriving,
for them to really get wound up.
Apr. 20 ~ Low about 65F, and maybe spritzed a bit
more, nothing consequential, but overcast and wettish
out there. The huge gaggles of Clay-colored Sparrow
and Painted Bunting continue. On the millet tube whilst
tallying up male Painted Buntings, a male Lazuli Bunting
landed! Second one here this spring. Whaddabird!
It was around an hour or two at least. A couple
Nashville Warbler went through, heard a Gnatcatcher.
Kathy heard a Great Crested Flycatcher. In the
afternoon she saw the FOS Yellow Warbler, a male
at the bird bath. I got an eleven count on White-crowned
Sparrow! May well have been twelve.
In the late afternoon I saw a House Wren at the bird
bath! It took a full monty motorboat excursion across
it. Do not have a pic of one on the website. Late p.m.
after 7 the ground was crawling with Clay-colored
Sparrow again. This time I pulled a BREWER'S
out of the herd! Finely streaked brown crown and nape,
and brown streaked rump, plain face compared to
the Clays bold pattern and Chippies eye-line. GREAT
bird, far less than annual for me here. It may well have
been 35 Clay-colored, and a pretty obvious difference
between adults and first spring birds, the latter being much
duller of head pattern still, the adults looking very bright and
contrasty, crisp and sharp. Some Field and a dozen Chippy
were mixed in the herd. Four species makes Spizellatopia.
After dark I heard some Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
fly over, just few.
Apr. 19 ~ What they called a reinforcing shot of cold
air came in behind the northeasterlies of yesterday.
The low was about 58F! KERV had 54 and 55F
readings. We may well have been colder than what
I saw. At 11:30 a.m. it was still only 62F! Amazing.
Did some garden work, translocating super-magic
gro-fast from the corral to planting places, getting beds
ready. Have to do the flower beds around house with
it too.
A couple Nashville Warbler were around. The first
Indigo Bunting in the yard this spring was one I
heard singing right out back, which is likely the male
that was territorial here last year doing that after eating.
A little while later there were 2 males and a female
on the millet out back. Add two male Painted Bunting
and two male Blue Grosbeak, and it is looking much
better out there now. A Great Crested Flycatcher went
through trolling, hope it gets a mate this year. Kathy
saw either a Golden-cheeked or Black-throated Green
Warbler at the bath, but just for a bare-eyed second and
did not get upperpart color. But it had a full black throat
and sides. It was dark overcast so light was not good.
Heard a Gnatcatcher out there late in day.
Mid-afternoon there were spritzes of precip. We'll keep
an eye on it in case it passes leaf-washer status and
perhaps becomes a full blown dust buster for a day.
As of dark it looks about a tenth of an inch of the wet stuff.
I do not think it hit 70F today, which is astounding.
Neat was about 5 p.m. counting the Clay-colored Sparrows
off the corner of the patio where I toss seed by the broken
pile of branches from the big dying Hackberry. Must have
counted six times, each time getting higher, finally got
a THIRTY count! No Brewer's but a suspect got away.
All at once on the ground eating white millet some dingbat
puts out there. This is why the yard sounds like a machine shop
of elves. Got another ten count on the White-crowned Sparrow,
which is also amazing this late, and for being almost all
Gambell's. What one good brushpile with seed can
catch going by. There are several Lincoln's Sparrow
continuing as well. The Chipping, Field, and Lark will feed
in fairly open areas where seed, but these others all require
good cover they can dive into immediately adjacent.
About 7 p.m. I had EIGHT male Painted Bunting at once, FIVE
were ON the millet seed tube at once! If only the California
Bird Record Committee could have seen it! They disparage
any male at a feeder as if it indicates prior captivity. That is
how dumb their bird record commitee is. They don't
know this is what Painted Buntings do. This is the level at
which they are attracted to feeders, just shy of hummingbirds
and House Finch. No self-respecting Painted Bunting sees
a feeder with white millet and goes away. Unfortunately there
were 35 Brown-headed Cowbird.
Apr. 18 ~ An awesome low of 63F or so felt great.
Heard a Barn Owl last night just after midnight. A
Couple Chucks were going too. Heard a Black-n-white
Warbler sing through yard early. Ad. male Blue Grosbeak
back on the white millet tube, this is great. Saw an ad.
female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Thought I have
been seeing them the last couple days. I cannot believe
how brown the yard and pastures are for the date. No
rain this winter or early spring. Water is barely trickling
over the spillway in two narrow spots. At least somehow
the trees are leafing out, but lots are still just getting going.
There is a Mockingbird singing out front for a few days
now. I wish one would get a mate, we get these trollers
every spring, but none ever stick to nest. He is up there
in the big Pecan now doing Couch's Kingbird,
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Long-billed Thrasher, Cactus
Wren, House Sparrow, Green Jay, Golden-fronted
and Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and more. It is
almost like I went somewhere. Don't laugh, our
yard Kiskadee was one that came in to a Mocker doing
its imitation so keep your eyes peeled.
Apr. 17 ~ Got down into the 60's F anyway, but
barely. Dawn chorus is going great guns now. It is a
wonderful symphony. Heard a couple Nashville Warbler
go through yard early. One came to bath as well as a
FOS Wilson's Warbler. A surprise was a male
Blue Grosbeak on the white millet seed tube. I have never
seen a Blue Grosbeak on it. We went to the park for a
quick migrant check and walk before the Easter crowds
took over. Initially in woods only heard the breeders, and three
Nashville Warbler. Then on way out as we were almost out
of the woods, at south end of island (where the bathing frenzy
was Friday) there was a termite hatch going, and birds. There
were probably 5 Nashville Warbler, at least one male Wilson's
Warbler, heard an Orange-crowned Warbler, female
Summer Tanager, male Indigo Bunting, female Blue
Grosbeak, White-eyed Vireo, all seemingly going after
the termites. We heard the Marsh Wren, so it is still here,
now on day 3. It was in the water lillies. Heard a Great
Crested Flycatcher. It was a beehive of activity and a
great show.
Then as we were slowing rolling out of park, there is that
patch of live-oaks right at entrance, which is roaring
in bloom now. At the first tree (last if entering) I heard a
warbler song, turned engine off rolling into shade and
jumped out with bins. I said to Kathy Golden-cheek or
Black-throated Green. It was quiet singing and took some
time to find, but finally we got good looks. A first-year
male Golden-cheeked Warbler! That explains the bit
off songs. GREAT bird in the park as a spring migrant.
My first, first-year (nearing a year old) Golden-cheek this year.
All prior males this year were adults, as were the couple
females I have seen. The age and sex arrival stagger is textbook.
Adult males a few weeks ago, ad. females a week or more
ago, now first-spring males, and in a week or so first-spring
females. Textbook. There were a few Nashville Warbler
and a Yellow-throated Warbler in the blooms too. A number of
sparrows under them included Lark, Chipping, White-crowned,
Lincoln's, and at least five Clay-colored Sparrow.
Then I heard our FOS Blue-headed Vireo singing, which
we found for good looks. Live-oaks in bloom are great
bird magnets. Sometimes that patch is real good in April
when those go off. It is hard to bird due to all the ball moss
and how dense the canopy is, but that is also why there
are birds in it.
We heard a Bell's Vireo out front of the park and
two more rolling around town, plus yesterday I had the one
back at the Post Office at NE corner of lot there, the usual
one is out front singing here and a few along the road.
Drive any road with Hackberries with window down,
you will hear them now. It was over 90F in the afternoon.
About 5 p.m. a big thunderstorm cell moved south to
our east a couple or few miles. Some lucky folk got
some rain. We had a few spits here, but the outflow
hit us and took 10F off the top, which was fantastic.
Apr. 16 ~ Low about 69F, and balmy. A couple Nashville
Warbler went through yard in a.m., and saw a male Painted
Bunting on the white millet. Heard my FOS Red-eyed
Vireo singing in the morning . Driving along 360 I heard
FOUR of them counting this one. When I drove it twice
yesterday I heard none. When they hit, they hit. The rest
seemed the same, but the heat. Was about 90 on the
cool shady front porch, hotter readings at many local
WU stations. A thunderstorm cell was up-valley near
Lost Maples and might have hit Little or Seco Creek a bit.
Supposed to be a front inbound tomorrow, we are in
the hot humid pre-frontal steam-bake..Keep forgetting
to mention I have been seeing Silver Puff, the native
Dandelion thingie, for a week now, I think the first
were about April 7 or 8. Heard Bell's Vireo and
Yellow-breasted Chat out in front of the park in the brushy
entrance garden.
This is not a current photo
This is an Underwing (Catocala sps.) moth of some flavor.
Apologies if this is up and you have seen it before.
There are a bunch of types, I think a half-dozen or so,
at least, here. The hindwing on several types is bright red,
orange, or pink, but the most common one is brown.
They are all flavors of incredible camo above. In flight
the hindwing is stunning if a colored type, and the wingspan
is 2.5" so it is a good sized moth.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Apr. 15 ~ It's that day again. Not any motion
in yard in the morning besides what has been here.
About 30 Brewer's Blackbird at corral on east
side of the river on 360 is getting late for the number.
Town run day so check of the park. I heard a couple
Nashville Warbler but could not get on them. Could
not find anything in woods, until almost back out of them
when a couple birds caught my eye across the water
on island. Nashville Warblers, which began a bathing
frenzy for 10-15 minutes. They were followed by more
Nashville Warblers, at least 10 came down out of the
trees. A male Indigo Bunting was my FOS. Two
Orange-crowned Warbler are migrants. A FOS male
Black-throated Green Warbler dropped down and
bathed. Females of Yellow-throated Warbler and
Summer Tanager did too, both likely local nesters.
A FOS Great Crested Flycatcher whistled from the
canopy. A couple White-eyed Vireo were there,
it was bonkers with birds. Then I spotted a
Marsh Wren (formerly Long-billed Marsh Wren)!
Maybe my 4th park record or so. Very rare there.
I thought I heard a Redstart but could not spot it.
It was the best I have seen it there in ages. Over
town there were my FOS Chimney Swift, Little
Creek Larry said his were back a week or more.
Thought sure I heard a Yellow Warbler but don't
want a FOS on one zeet. Almost forgot. As I was
leaving for town, a FOS House Wren flushed out of
the little Junipers at driveway, over into stick pile.
I let some grow along edges wherever the waxwings
put them, and trimmed them into a short deco hedge
so there is SOMETHING in the way of understory out
there. Lincoln's Sparrow a lot lately now, but
Bewick's and Carolina Wrens are in it all the time.
The White-crowns use it too.
April 14 ~ Wonderful cool air with the northerly flow,
about 50F for a low. No migrants in the morning,
as expected after a northerly blow. Sometimes you
might get some going through in afternoon on the ground.
Still have 10 each White-crowned and Clay-colored
Sparrow, at least 5-6 Lincoln's, and some
breeder Lark, Field, and Chipping Sparrow.
A tardy Sharp-shinned Hawk dove on things here
today, looked an imm. male to me. Laura Levy
sent a report of Tropical and Northern Parula at
Lost Maples, so if you go there, keep your eyes
and ears out for them. Thanks Laura for the tip!
Check ebird for Lost Maples reports.
April 13 ~ A very humid low of about 71F is not
welcome already. A front is inbound to pass today,
dry of course, the torture continues. Just after midnight
about 5 minutes into the day, I heard calling my FOS
Chuck-will's-widow. About noon Kathy spotted
the FOS Painted Bunting, a male at the bath. An hour
later she saw TWO males together there! A real bright
male American Goldfinch was here. We had a
major malfunction with our main computer unit today.
On a backup now but without access to lots of files.
Of course everything was not backed up.
April 12 ~ Kathy spotted a FOS male Blue Grosbeak
out back on the seed in the morning. What a blue!
I had at least 6 male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
About 3 p.m. I saw another female Golden-cheeked
Warbler, this one took a last drink and left the bird bath.
April 11 ~ The male Bullock's Oriole was on
the feeder much of the day. Whaddabird! A few
Ruby-throated Hummer here now. A female
Golden-cheeked Warbler came down to the tub
pond but stopped a foot short. Kathy had a FOS
Nashville Warbler at the birdbath. A Black-and-white
Warbler sang through the yard. In afternoon a
Bell's Vireo sang over in the Mesquites,
later yet, a Chat was making noise across from
the gate. Maybe our breeder is back.
April 10 ~ We had a couple FOS in morning. First
Kathy spotted a male Bullock's Oriole at the
front porch hummer feeder. First male Bullock's
we have had on a feeder. Then down toward the
crossing we had a FOS Yellow-breasted Chat. We
went up onto the 1445' knoll, and most of the
same things: singing Golden-cheeked, Black-and-white,
and Yellow-throated Warblers, Long-billed Thrasher.
Still no Olive Sparrow or Black-capped Vireo. A.Turkey
strolled down the road late in afternoon.
April 9 ~ Had to go to Bandera for bird seed again.
Saw a Zone-tailed Hawk at Little Creek on the way.
Larry said he had an Osprey there earlier in morning.
He also said he heard Poor-will this week, his FOY.
After the Bandera run back here in the afternoon I
saw my FOS Ruby-throated Hummingbird. On the
tardy side for them.
... sorry, no photo this week...
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Apr. 8 ~ Amazing lows this morning, briefly
hit about 36F here. KERV had a quick 32F!
It may have been colder here than what I
saw, was not watching the dip. Nearing
record territory for the date though. There
were about 10 Brewer's Blackbird in the
big Pecan along with a few Red-winged, and
Brown-headed Cowbird early in the morn. The
Brewer's will be gone very soon. When I
cleaned the bath I could tell a female Summer
Tanager had been there since yesterday by
the feather she left. Mid-morn a FOS
Bell's Vireo sang its way across the
yard. Great to hear that again. Town run.
Outstanding was my earliest ever by two
weeks FOS Swainson's Thrush at the park.
My prior early date was Apr. 23. Average
arrival date about a week after that. So
FIFTEEN days earlier than the prior earliest,
three weeks earlier than average arrival date.
Amazing. No other new migrants in the park
woods, but on river at very top end of woods,
were two Green-winged Teal. Still a gaggle of
White-crowned, Clay-colored, and Lincoln's
Sparrow in the yard. I see the first few
Texas Persimmon flowers coming out. Take a
few hits of that when ya see them, and then tell
me there is no such thing as aroma therapy.
;)
I cannot believe how parched it is out there.
In town I heard of more folks whose wells are going
dry the water table is dropping so much. I
saw a county water tanker truck at the crossing
pumping water out of the river into the truck
tank. That is how you know water is way low.
Kathy had an Eastern Phoebe outside late in day.
It is the first sighting in a month.
Apr. 7 ~ A great low at about 48F or so. One
local WU station showed 47F, KERV had a 49F.
I could stand this all year. Heard a Scissor-tail
over in the corral, only the second one this
year. They have been slow to get here, how do
they know it is a late spring? Those last couple
fronts making it way down into Mexico? We have
not made any effort (or had time really) to get
to Lost Maples yet, largely because spring is about
two weeks behind here. Much is not here yet
so no hurry. Just missed some early FOS dates
for some things. Can't get all of them
all of the time. Not if you are a workin'
stiff anyway. I saw 74F on the front porch
in afternoon, dry, wonderful. Still a few
Red-winged Blackbird around, did have one Am.
Goldfinch. Twice I thought I heard a distant
Scott's Oriole sing. Late, got a six-at-once
count on Clay-colored Sparrow off the corner
of patio by brushpile where I throw seed.
Heard them singing, er, grinding, all day
around yard, there might be 8-10 around.
Chipping have mostly vacated. There are
only a dozen and change left, tops.
Apr. 6 ~ Front arrived overnight, dry, but
cool with northerlies, low about 60F is great.
Was 15-20 mph gusting to 30 and higher, Hondo
had a 41 mph gust. That will put everything
down wherever it hit them. Afternoon highs
were upper 70's F, a bit below average.
No one complained. Did not see any migrants
in yard. Canyon Towhee remains unseen now
for third day, surely it left. As yesterday,
again had three species of Spizella sparrows in
one binocular field of view. Chipping, Field,
and Clay-colored on the white millet. Methinks
four sps. of Spiz is not likely doable in one
binoc field-of-view. Three sps. of Spiz is all
most will ever see in one field-of-view. Wind
finally laid down at the end of the day.
Very few uneaten sunflower seeds under the
feeder, the Am. Goldfinch are all but gone.
Couple Cooper's Hawk diving on stuff all day.
Apr. 5 ~ It got to about 65F or so the first
couple hours after midnight, but then warmed
to 69F until dawn. Gonna be a hot one today.
Saw a Cooper's Hawk grab something early.
Kathy started it off great with a FOS Lazuli
Bunting male on the seed out back. What a
blue that is! Nothing else like it in America.
Only place to see that is on a male Lazuli in
the sun. Mid-morn I heard and glimpsed a couple
warblers chipping and chasing at each other up
in the live-oaks behind us. I think they were
Golden-cheeks from the glimpses I got. The
live-oaks are yellow with flowers now so have
to keep an eye on them for birds. Whatever
is blooming is where you want to be. About
3 p.m. I saw 92F on the cool shady front porch.
So add a couple or few for being in the sun.
KERV was 94F, Hondo 95F. SAT record for the
date is 93F, so we are right on the cusp of it.
Less than 20 percent humidity is the bright side.
Heard some waxwings. Nice not to see all the
goldfinches taking turns tossing good seeds
on the ground, except that one bright male.
No Canyon Towhee again today, methinks it has
left. Was here since late last summer. Off
to the breeding grounds, wherever the heck
that is.
Apr. 4 ~ Maybe 65 or 66F for a low, here we go
with that again. This is a land of extremes.
The 60's are bearable though, at least it
is not a hot sticky start. There were some Purple
Martin that came down low over yard buzzing the
chalet and calling. First ones I have seen
look at it this year. Come on martins! The
overcast kept it cooler, which was nice, low
chances of rain later and overnight. A couple
singing warblers went through the big live-oaks
uphill behind us. About 1:30 a Black-and-white
was singing there, and at 2:45 a Golden-cheeked
Warbler was singing. Not real close, bare-eyed
views of it foraging, but good for not going
anywhere on a work break. Kathy had a Turkey
over along the north fenceline, and it wasn't
me. She also had the first female Summer Tanager
with the male. I got a count of 10 minimum at
once, and it seemed 11 or 12, White-crowned
Sparrow. We keep snagging more of them as they
pass through. They hear that chorusing. Did
not detect the Canyon Towhee today. Was an Am.
Goldfinch departure as there were hundreds less
uneaten sunflower seeds on the sacks under that
feeder.
We seem to have lost our Eastern Phoebe that
always nest under the eaves. None around.
Been a couple weeks plus Kathy has been asking
whaddup. I think maybe an accipter? Could be
old age too. The eight prior springs, nesting
was underway now and they were noisy in the yard.
The silence of the Phoebes is a sad thing. It
seemed to us they were resident, other than the
worst couple single digit and teens days whence
they might disappear I presume over to the river
for a few days. Generally they stayed the winter
and in fall vigorously chased away any yankee
phoebe that showed up, they were very territorial
year round. And now nothing. Wowsers. I saw
my FOY of the nearly 2" big fat Scoliid
wasp with the red bands on abdomen, which are
quite the looker, but I wouldn't grab one.
Apr. 3 ~ Stars were nice at midnight, overcast
at dawn, low about 60F. A Summer Tanager is
singing this morning, first in the yard this
year, after the FOS at park two days ago. Also
singing I hear the two Yellow-throateds, vireo,
and warbler. Those are all likely our local
yard vicinity breeders. The singing Clay-colored
Sparrow are strictly transients. This is fine.
Got a NINE count on White-crowned Sparrows,
and there was probably one or two more there.
Had 5 ad. and 4 imm. at once though. Most are
Western gray-lored orange-billed Gambell's.
Which is quite odd compared to the last 18 years.
Great was after breakfast I was sitting on the
back porch about 10:20 a.m. when a FOS Solitary
Sandpiper flew right over the house calling.
I could not stress enough how important it is
to learn bird calls folks. This bird or the
Golden-Plovers at night several days ago, would
never have been identified if I did not know the
calls. Knowing them, it is instant recognition,
and you do not have to even see the bird to know
absolutely positively beyond any shadow of doubt
what the bird was. It's a dream. It is the
difference between 'whazzat?' and data.
Surely there are at least a dozen species on the
yard list that are heard only nocturnal migrant
flyovers (likely half are shorebirds). You couldn't
have seen them if you wanted to, but there they
were yelling what they are at you as they pass
overhead in the dark.
We took an hour and a half spin around the
conservation easement adjacent to us (actually
technically we are part of it). At the
crossing a FOY Giant Swallowtail and a FOY
Six-lined Racerunner was it. Over at the south
(1445') knoll there was a singing
Golden-cheeked Warbler we got a glimpse of.
Singing exuberantly was a Long-billed Thrasher
which nests there annually. No Black-capped
Vireo or Olive Sparrow yet, both of which usually
nest on the densely brushed south side of knoll
like the thrasher. A few Hutton's Vireo were
singing, several White-eyed too, heard a
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, saw Ash-throated Flycatcher,
heard a couple singing Black-and-white Warbler and
one Yellow-throated Warbler. Also Black-crested
Titmouse and Bewick's Wren. Barely a few
Mountain Laurel flowers, most look like they are
passing on blooming this drought spring. Had a
quick look at a Pronghorn Clubtail dragonfly.
I see a few up on the knoll early every spring.
Then mostly do not see them the rest of the year.
April 2 ~ Low about 60F, already. About 9 a.m.
I had my FOS Nashville Warbler here in yard.
About noon I had a second one singing at the park.
Heard the Summer Tanager singing at park again,
I suspect a local nesting returnee. Lots of
Yellow-throated Warbler, half-dozen at least,
and new were two apparent females. There were
two FOS Common Grackle at park as well. These
are likely the pair that nests on the island every
year. Heard one in town too, there were none
yesterday. A surprise was a male Kestrel on
360 east of the river, I have not seen one in
those pastures for a month when the only local
winterer I knew of seemed to have departed. Then
this likely is a bird that wintered much further
south and is on passage heading back north.
Still a few Brewer's Blackbird at corrals.
The Canyon Towhee is still here at the hovelita.
About 3 p.m. local WU stations were reading
from 88 to 94F! It was 87F in the shade on
the front porch, so surely 90 or more in the
sun. Heard a Turkey gobbling after dark.
This is not a current photo
This is a Solitary Sandpiper a couple springs ago.
At the small south pondlet on S. Little Creek Rd.
Just one, alone, solitary, as they usually are.
One flew over the house calling April 3 this week.
Only life bird I got from horseback (1973, Big Pine, CA).
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
April 1 ~ April!?!?!? OMG! Low was about 50F.
Morning was calm but was blowing out of the south
strong again before noon. Nothing different in
yard this morn. The bird of the day was a butterfly.
In the morning a LITTLE WOOD SATYR came in seemingly
to my pipe tobacco smoke. Flitting, or more accurately
flopping, all around me for a minute. I have just one
yard record I think, late April 2014. April is the
month to get them. Saw the Black Rock Squirrel
35' up in a Hackberry getting fresh flower
sprouts. Then it came down to ground and ate a few
fresh sprouting leaves of Greenbriar Vine. A chaser
I guess.
Town run. Still a couple dozen Brewer's Blackbird
at the corrals east of river on 360. Glad I have
bird seed, they don't in town. But Rosie was
there with tacos, which actually I prefer myself.
Found out at the store it was 'thunder in the
hills' last weekend at Bandera. Sure glad I
didn't miss that. Bad name for something when
you are in a D2 drought dyin' to hear thunder
in the hills and smell rain. All I got was motorcycles.
This weekend is some bicycle event here in the hills,
with 1800 cyclists in the area. These damned Chambers
of Commerce are doin' all they can to disturb
the peace.
At the park there was a singing male Summer Tanager,
my FOS. Saw two teneral damselflies, which were not
ID'able, but my first Zygops of the year. At
least 5 Yellow-throated Warbler along the river was
nice. One Springtime Darner dragonfly. Heard one
Orange-crowned Warbler. Little Creek Larry said he
had also Orange-crowns this week. Better, this
morning he had about 10 Black-throated Sparrow
at his place. Which have been exceedingly scarce
recently. I have not seen one in a year, maybe two.
Interesting too since still flocked up. Usually by
mid-April at latest, often earlier, they are paired
and not in winter flocks any more. Larry also said
his pair of Hooded Oriole are back this week. Saw
about 82F at peak heat in afternoon.
~ ~ ~ March summary ~ ~ ~
Well it was a dry one. We are at D2 per the USGS
drought monitor. I presume that means 'in real
bad shape, send rain' or somesuch. There was no
significant rain. A tenth of an inch of mist and
showerlets maybe. Almost no early wildflowers
are blooming. Very cold early in month followed by
some record cold mid-month with a couple mornings at
19F kicked spring back a couple weeks. By late in
month the first bit of leafage breaking stems on trees.
Slow to get going with spring this year. Agarita and
Redbud both barely going, weak showings so far.
Odes were easy to keep track of. Two species of
dragons and none of damsels. Dot-winged Baskettail
(low numbers) and a Springtime Darner (one on 27th)
were it. The butterflies were mostly the same but
a few new emerging things. Henry's Elfin were
few once the Redbud and Agarita put out some flowers.
The rest was the expected cast of regulars. Save
one immaculate mint-fresh WINTER form Questionmark.
Which popped after 3 mornings around 20F mid-month.
The summer forms are already showing, whilst winter
forms generally are at least worn and frayed, if
not torn and shredded by now. I count 23 species
of butterfly for the month, at the very low end of
the spread. Expected for the cold and drought.
Birds continued slow overall, spring is running a bit
behind. It was great for what March really is, the
first returns of some migratory breeding species.
Generally, bug eaters. Insectivores. Martins and swallows,
flycatchers, warblers and vireos, etc. The earliest
returnees of many species show in March, so it is
great fun seeing all your old friends, and recording
those return dates annually. Twenty years goes by
and you have some real data. The most anomolous sighting
of the month was a lone PINE SISKIN that was a
one-minute wonder here at our place on the 24th.
There were none around this winter, so quite odd to
have one. The other great and even rarer detection
was only a hearing. A very large movement of AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER calling overhead northbound at 12:30 a.m.
on the 30th was likely the most detected at once in the
county ever. By the end of the month Black-chinned
Hummingbird were reaching swarm levels after starting
it at zero. I count 78 species I saw for the month
locally, and several others were reported. A great
bump in diversity from those 50 and 53 species months
in Jan. and February.
~ ~ ~ end March summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ March update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
March ~ The FOS Sandhill Crane went over
northbound on the 1st. They have been regular
the first 10 days of the month, mostly mid-day.
A great FOS on the 2nd was a singing Roadrunner.
On the 3rd the FOS Vermilion Flycatcher was back
at our place. March 5 just after midnight my
FOS Barn Owl called as it flew high over northbound.
In the morning the 5th our first returnee
Black-chinned Hummingbird showed up. By
afternoon it was displaying to a female.
Strong cold fronts on 7th, another on 11th,
are not speeding the arrival of spring. On the
9th a FOS White-eyed Vireo announced itself back.
There was a local report of a Rough-winged Swallow
on the 9th. I had a FOS Lincoln's Sparrow on
the 10th. My FOS Ash-throated Flycatcher was the
14th. The 15th was my FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
and my FOS Lark Sparrow. On the 16th was my FOS
Barn Swallow. The 17th the FOS Yellow-throated
Warbler was at birdbath, probably the local breeder.
Also the 17th was the first pair of Lesser
Goldfinch this spring since the anomolous early
Feb. winter sighting. On the 18th there was
a local report of Purple Martins back. Our
first Henry's Elfin (butterfly) was on the
19th. Spring on the 20th brought FOS Yellow-throated
Vireo and Black-and-white Warbler. I heard a
FOS Scissor-tailed Flycatcher early on the 22nd.
The only PINE SISKIN all winter, and since spring of
2021, was one lone bird on March 24(!). Also the
24th I saw my FOS Monarch butterfly. The 25th a
Yellow-throated Vireo was putting finishing
touches on a nest at Utopia Park. Kathy spotted
our FOS Golden-cheeked Warbler on the 27th, at
the birdbath. Saw my FOS Clay-colored Sparrow
late on the 28th, two on the 29th, there were 3
on the 30th. On the 29th finally I heard Purple
Martin overhead, my FOS. On the 30th, about 30
minutes into it just after midnight, a large mass
of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER flew over calling,
bearing due north.
~ ~ ~ end March update header copy ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ back to the regularly scheduled drivel ~ ~ ~
March 31 ~ Aaaand there goes another one. Seemed
kinda quick for a long month, eh? Low about 40F,
dry, sunny, very nice. The Pecans are showing the
first green breaking stem. The male Mulberry has
flowers coming out. Saw one FOY Tube-tongue flower.
A Henry's Elfin (butterfly) came in to water.
Can't believe how the Racoons remodeled a
bit of fence so they could use the tub pond.
Hopefully I fixed it, dang things. There is an
unfenced birdbath on ground in the open 100' away.
I saw that old historical foreign aircraft again today.
What a bird it is. Wish I knew what kind. Looked
around web a bit, could not find anything so far.
March 30 ~ Low about 60F. Big change today, instead
of 20+ mph southerlies, it will be 20+ northerlies.
We got a spit and spritzlet of precip as the front
passed. Wind blew all day, 15-20 gusting to 30 mph.
Got up to 80F or so, but nice and dry. Kathy spotted
a Duskywing butterfly which looked a Horace's,
as it did not have the two spots on underwing of
a Juvenals. Brown fringed, so not Funereal or
Mournful.
I think the day peaked last night just after
midnight, about 30 minutes into it. A Texas sized, ergo
bodacious, mass of American Golden-Plover passed
overhead calling, bearing Polaris. I heard several
to many dozens. It took a full minute for the waves
to pass over. It was likely hundreds of birds or more.
I heard more in a minute than I have seen in the county
in 19.5 years. It was astounding. The sky was full of
those beautiful pure clear high tinkly silver-bell whistles,
like ringing chimes. Though actually they were on a front,
or in a river, less than 200 yards wide. What a passage.
If only I could have seen it to get a number. It was off
the charts. The only times I have heard that many,
there were many hundreds of birds involved.
Hackberries have flowers, Persimmons are leafing
out, saw Mesquite leaflets starting. The great
greening is beginning. The Black Rock Squirrel is
up eating Hackberry flowers as every year during the
three days they are open. First fresh greens in
months, it does this with religous zeal every year.
Doesn't touch Pecan or male Mulberry flowers,
too much pollen I presume. Nor is it interested in
the Texas Persimmon flowers, too wonderfully pungent.
Never saw it eat a Laurel flower and they are sweeter
than sweet peas, and with nectar. No interest.
... must have Hackberry flowers ...
Which are to flowers, what that fruit is to berries.
A sad excuse. They have no smell. I had to take
macro photos to see what was there. There is some
Gnat I see around them. And Gnatcatchers.
March 29 ~ Low of about 63F is getting balmy fast.
Last night late I heard the Vermilion Flycatcher
singing up high in the night. That is how you
can tell the female is back. He does not do that
until she gets here. Power went out for about
four hours last night. If you humm or whistle the
theme song melody to Green Acres it really helps here.
Was glad to not see many Am. Goldfinch here today.
After noon saw a couple rare birds, an F-7 Tigercat
and an A-20 Havoc, circling around a few miles
south of town. Very rare birds. A P-51 was out
later. Wind was blowing pretty good from south
much of day, Hondo and Junction had 30 mph gusts,
it was 15-20 mph sustained gusting higher here.
Corpus Christi had a gust at 48 mph! A front is
inbound tonight, hoping we get some rain from it.
Late afternoon finally I heard Purple Martin up
high overhead, my FOS, at last. Later after 6 p.m.
there were two Clay-colored Sparrow together at
the seed just off corner of patio. Saw a Field
Sparrow bathe today at the bath. Canyon Towhee
still here.
The Texas Persimmon in flower bed at front of
house has broken stem with first leaves. The
Wooly Ironweed has new stalks coming up, as
does the Frostweed. Watered some trees and the
flower beds. Lots of American Germander and
the Blue Mistflower Eupatorium are coming up.
Two of the native Plums the Schaeffers gave us
are with new leaves, so making it. I have to
go mining some gro-fast over in the corral.
That snow shovel works great for, uh, other,
er, shat, too, and here certainly is more useful
as such. Just can't ever find any volunteers
to do it.
March 28 ~ Low was in the mid-50's F, got up
to mid-80's later in day, very breezy much
of day. Yellow-throated Vireo singing out there
daily again is nice. Late in day tried to get a
sparrow count coming in to last seed. There are
at least 8 White-crowned Sparrow, it may be ten!
Most are western Gambell's type! Amazing.
There are at least 8 Lincoln's Sparrow too.
Sparrowpalooza. Finally one FOS Clay-colored
Sparrow last half-hour of sun. Some Field, Lark,
and Chipping, so 6 sps. of sparrows.
Got a dozen count on the Am. Goldfinch. Wish they
would go though. They are tossing hundreds of
sunflower seeds on ground daily, for being a few
hundredths of a gram too light. The chickadees,
cardinals, titmice, house finches, lesser goldfinch,
etc. are all fine with all of the seeds. Some of
these goldfinch are tossing out 20 to eat one.
It appears piggish wastefulness. You could be
the prettiest bird in the world, and I would hate
you for wasting good food. I checked the seeds,
there is nothing wrong with them, as all the other
birds concluded that never toss any aside. We had
to put down bags under the feeder area to salvage
the good seed being wasted, nearing a pound per
day. I would remove the feeder were it not for
the residents that depend on it. No other birds
are being wastefull with any food.
March 27 ~ Low about 55F or so, clear and dry,
quite nice. Nice to have bird seed here and not
have to go expedition for some. Just remembered,
yesterday the 26th, was our first day here at
this place, nine years ago. A singing male
Golden-cheeked Warbler went through the yard that
morning, so I figured it was OK here. I wrote
that at 9:30 a.m. or so, an hour later Kathy says
'look at the bath!' There is a male
Golden-cheeked Warbler which proceeded to waddle
in and take a bath! Outstanding FOS view. It
flew up into Pecan and preened for a minute when
soaked. Pure awesomeness. Were a couple waxwings
out there early, Roadrunner is singing uphill.
Heard a Hermit Thrush, a passage bird since none
have been here in a month or more.
We took a spin over into the live-oak-juniper
habitat behind us. Heard a singing Black-and-white
Warbler, and glimpsed flying off after hearing it
sing a couple minutes, a Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Three Hutton's Vireo singing, an Ash-throated
Flycatcher, heard a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a few
Lark Sparrow, male Vermilion Flycatcher, some
Titmouse and Bewick's Wren. No Black-capped
Vireo heard yet, and still pretty brown and winter.
A few Mountain Laurel flowers were open for business,
and smelling. Great was a FOS Springtime Darner
dragonfly, and a FOS Goatweed Leafwing butterfly.
A couple small Paralena flowers were open, as was
one small Dutchman's Breeches, a couple
Agarita had more open flowers than last week.
Saw two Monarch go by over the day, rest of the
butterflies were the usual same ones being seen.
We saw an old foreign historical aircraft of some
sort I have no idea what it was. Open cockpit,
round nose, high wing, with twin engines mounted
on the wing in a pusher configuration! French or
British insignia and markings. I get them
confused. Apologies for not knowing how to tell
those apart. Which is how to anger both sides
at one fell swoop. Wish I could have gotten a
picture of it. Big rounded tail.
Mar. 26 ~ Low about 42F or so, KERV had a 38F.
Breezy most of day. About 5 p.m. local WU stations
were showing 89-91F! I saw 87F in the shade on
the front porch. So had to be 90 in the sun.
A chunk of my day was spent driving to Bandera
for bird seed. Our feed store is out here and
they said two weeks, at least. So 35 miles each
way for bird seed. What lately has been a month
of driving. On a windy road that takes at least
45 minutes each way. Went via Little Creek and
at the pond below where road turns left at it,
there were 8 Green-winged Teal, 3 Am. Wigeon, and
25 or so Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. All of which
Larry has mentioned recently. They feed grain
at the game ranch on other side downriver there,
so it is the Whistling-Duck magnet spot here.
At Bandera there was some biker thing going on
so it seemed like Sturgis S.D. when I got there.
The place was a hominid zoo on full dress Harleys.
But they do have some supplies so I picked up a
few things harder to get or more expensive in Utopia
to make the gas burn worth it. If you need cookies
or jelly, now is a good time to hit me up, have
all kinds. Got at least a couple weeks of seed too.
The feed store there (on 16 past (west of) the
signal from hell downtown - which is the closest
thing to being in L.A. around) seemed to have
the best variety of supply. It still looks like
winter the whole way there, everything remains
sticks. Sure a lot of dead trees along 470. Had
not been out it in years to see the drought damage.
Barely any water in the crossings, none in motion.
Saw no birds on way or return. Stopped at the high
spot at the little passlet on 470 where there usually
are Golden-cheeks but it was hot and afternoon,
all I heard was a Rufous-crowned Sparrow. A
blooming Redbud had two Funereal Duskywing, one
Henry's Elfin, and bees. In Bandera I saw
a Great-tailed Grackle in its natural habitat,
a parking lot, so I quickly hooked a u-turn and
headed back to the country before I caught any traits.
These are not current photos
This is a real virtual artificial simulated reality of
our FOS Golden-cheeked Warbler that bathed and preened
on the 27th. These are (unposted prior) photos of another
male that did the same thing a couple years ago.
A male Golden-cheeked Warbler puttin' some water up.
Soaked and preening in the Pecan over the bath.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
March 25 ~ In the mid-30's F again for a low.
Chilly, but going up 50dF today! At 4 p.m. local WU
station were reporting 85-89F! KERV was 87. Wow!
Town run and park check. On 360 west of the river
at corral about 35 Brewer's Blackbird continue,
a tenth of the winter flock still here. No Scissor-tails
along road on way and back. At the park it still
looks winter, just a few willows with the first
leaves breaking out. Heard a Belted Kingfisher.
An Orange-crowned Warbler is a migrant, as was a
Kinglet (Ruby) and a Gnatcatcher. Yellow-throated
Warbler singing on territory in woods. Best though
was my earliest ever date for a nearly completed
being finished up nest of Yellow-throated Vireo.
It is in a big live-oak. One singing Hutton's
Vireo in the woods. Red-shouldered Hawk pair noisy
enough to indicate another nesting attempt at park
is in works. No damselflies yet, one Dot-winged
Baskettail was it for dragons. One Monarch was in
the woods. Very unusual was a mint fresh winter form
Questionmark. They should be done and over now, summer
forms are already emerging. Any winter form left flying
now is typically very worn and frayed at this point.
I can't help but wonder if the near-freezing
cold the last three mornings got one to pop out of
cycle. Will it mate with summer forms? Then what
do you get? Little Creek Larry said one night this
week he heard some White-fronted Geese northbound
overhead, otherwise 'it still looks like winter'.
The first returning Barn Swallow at the P.O. was today.
Mar. 24 ~ Another near-freeze, maybe 34F again
very briefly. Incredible was a single PINE SISKIN
here 8:30 or so. First and only one I have seen
since spring of 2021 when the last wintering ones
left. This fall and winter there were none.
Usually that means there were good food crops up
north or in the mountains out west, and they did
not need to go looking for food. Just like the
waxwings or Robins, many species in winter are
irruptive, or not, pending food sources. About
3 p.m. local WU stations reading 75-78F, and
TEN PERCENT humidity. Bone dry for here. Winds
blowing 15-20 gusting to 30 mph from north. A bit
breezy. One male Am. Goldfinch is mostly yellow
now, pretty fancy. Sharp-shinned Hawk still
terrorizing things out there. White-crowned
and Lincoln's Sparrow herd continues.
About 4:15 p.m. my FOS Monarch butterfly drifted
by heading NNE. A big female, worn, but in fair
condition, for having made it to and through winter
in Mexico and back to the states. Also saw one
Dot-winged Baskettail dragonfly. Thought I had
an Elfin go by as well. Also thought I had a
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at the bath but it was
bare-eyed, and gone before I got back with bins.
Mar. 23 ~ A chilly morn just over freezing,
maybe 34 or so. KERV had a quick 29F! Dusty,
that tenth of an inch holds it down for about
a day. Was calm in morning, but was 5-15 mph
northerlies most of day from later morn, and
clouded up in afternoon. Maybe 66F or so.
Did not detect any different new migrants,
northerlies generally shut that down in spring.
The flock of White-crowns is still 7 at least,
with 5 orange-billed gray-lored Gambell's,
three are adults. Two pink-billed black-lored
adult leucophrys. Over a handfull of Lincoln's
still, a Lark was singing by the cottage, still
at least 50 Chipping Sparrow, and a few Field.
Caracara and Zone-tailed Hawk went over, besides
the usual Turkey and Black Vultures. Later
in day I saw my FOS FEMALE Vermilion Flycatcher
here, had not seen a female yet this year.
If you are up before dawn, a nice planetary
conjuction is in the SE sky. The bright object
is Venus. The slightly yellowish one below and
to left this week, below dead center to slightly
right of that next week is Saturn. Below to right
and reddish is Mars, next week about even with
Venus to right. All pretty close together.
Mar. 22 ~ Wind blowing again 15-20 mph at dawn,
from north, gusting higher, low about 52F, sunny.
Heard a FOS Scissor-tailed Flycatcher which was
over at edge of airstrip. Behind the shelter of
corral trees no doubt. Five months since the
fall-staging ones left. But which are not likely
our local breeders which seem to depart at least
a month or more before the fall staging thing
happens. So which are likely sourced elsewhere.
Great to hear one again! I see a couple Hackberry
have broken stem with their barely flowers just
showing their first green. Around 3 p.m. I saw
66F at local WU stations, and still blowing.
Gusts at Hondo to 35 mph, at Del Rio to 40 mph!
We were more like 15-20 gusting 25 mph. Still a
herd of White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrow
hitting the seed from the big brush pile. Canyon
Towhee still here.
Mar. 21 ~ A low is moving in and over, a bit of
drizzle and streamer showerlets, please let it rain.
Low was 60-62F locally. Maybe a tenth of an inch
by 9 a.m., maybe. A front is on the way later.
We hit 80F in the afternoon, I saw 85F at Hondo!
Didn't see any different birds out there.
Heard a Lark Sparrow singing a bit, and a wee
bit of some quiet song from a Lincoln's
Sparrow, which I heard here in a prior spring
maybe once. Canyon Towhee is still here.
Red Harvester ants back out in force with the
warmth. That big pile of dead Hackberry branches
saves the sparrows, the first-winter male Sharp-shinned
Hawk was sitting on it looking intently down into it.
Was calm for a while early evening, but we missed
the rain, or it missed us. The .09 or so was it.
We got dry-slotted. Kathy saw a wet Yellow-throated
Vireo at the birdbath, a very rare sighting here.
They very nearly never use the birdbath. I only
have a pic of a juvie doing that, once.
Mar. 20 ~ Happy equinox! Welcome spring! We
are happy to see you again! Started at about 37F
for a low this morning. Sunny, calm early,
but wind is on the way. Started before noon.
About 10:30 a.m. heard my FOS Yellow-throated
Vireo singing. About 11: we went down to the
crossing for a look, heard a singing
Yellow-throated Warbler on the way but nothing
else there at crossing. Still looks winter.
Slow-rolled around the knoll and some of the
conservation easement behind us through the
live-oak-juniper-grassland habitat. Did not hear
any Golden-cheeked Warbler but did have a FOS
singing Black-and-white Warbler. Three Hutton's
Vireo were singing as well. But little else.
Some Bewick's Wren and Titmouse, saw one
Ash-throat, a Cardinal or two, a Caracara. Back
here after noon there was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
in yard. Lots of Spanish Oak up there, maybe one
barely starting to break stem barely, many will
probably blow this week. Not one early wildflower.
That is how dry it is. Parched. Good thing we
went out earlyish, it was too windy all afternoon,
gusting 25-30 mph. Saw a couple very small reduced
Anemone flowers (white) in yard, in an area that
gets watered. Might have hit about 76F in the
afternoon in the winds.
Mar. 19 ~ Last day of winter, tomorrow is spring!
We just about froze, maybe 33 or 34F for a low.
KERV had a 32F. We were still at 34 at 8:30 a.m.,
so it was right on the cusp here. Average date of
last freeze here is March 20, the first day of
spring. We wish and hope, and dance, for a couple
months of mildish weather before the burn returns.
Current long-range predicts continued dry cycle in
spring as La Nina finally begins to fade. Second
winter in a row. We need rain in the worst way.
It is parched out there. A pro cowboy I talked to today
said it is as bad as they have ever seen it here.
I saw local WU stations reading 75-77F in the afternoon.
At last hour or so of light looked at the sparrows
a bit. Now SEVEN White-crowned Sparrow here, a
yard high count. It is the big branch piles from
the big dying Hackberry which I have left perfectly
messily, creating the habitat that is now snagging
passersby Zons. Bad enough we had to lose a climax
Hackberry, at least we can get some sparrow habitat
out of it. When the power compnay had to take out
some major branches over the wires, they could
not believe I said, no mulcher, just make a big
pile on my side of the fence, TYVM. They looked at
me like it was the first time they ever heard that.
So I then asked them if while they up there with
the bucket, if they could put a martin house up on
the power pole for me. Apparently they never heard
that either. Anyway, FIVE are western Gambell's
type White-crowns. That is why that chorus was
seeming to keep filling in more and more. Obviously
they are on the move now. Then there were SIX
Lincoln's Sparrow at once. So they too are piling
in and through now. Sparrow migration is underway.
The Canyon Towhee was out there too.
Late afternoon we took a mile walk uphill behind us
into the live-oak-Juniper habitat. Thought I heard
a Golden-cheeked Warbler but could not find it and
since a non-A-type song letting it go, no FOS point.
But had to be one. Otherwise just a Chippy, a couple
Bewick's Wren, a few Black-crested Titmouse,
and a Cooper's Hawk. Not even a Hutton's
Vireo. It is parched. Many Agarita are leafless,
a few had flowers but not thickly, more had buds,
but they are generally in bad shape. We did see
at least two Henry's Elfin, our FOY. A few
Dainty Sulphur, but no Dutchman's Breeches or other
early wildflowers. The Spanish (Buckley) Oaks are
not yet even breaking stem! This is behind schedule.
When they unfurl new leaves with their pink fuzzy,
Golden-cheeks magically appear in them. Like the
Hackberries I can see bumps on the stem where they
are about to bust out. But not yet. Had a FOS
White-lined Sphinx today, which reminds me I saw
a sphinx several days ago, but it was not White-lined,
being faster, smaller and darker, like maybe an
Erinnyis obscura.
This is not a current photo,
Soldier Fly of the genus Odontomyia on blooming Antelope Horn.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 18 ~ Low was about 47F, the front arrived
overnight, winds at 10-15 mph gusting 20 and
more from the north. A bit blustery. Sunny
and dry anyway. Town run day. No birds at
the park, though might have heard a Yellow-throated
Warbler chip a few times. Nothing else. Little
Creek Larry said he had some Purple Martin this
morning on the wire over the creek, and N.
Rough-winged Swallow around the banks. Aerial
insectivores! He said he has Ash-throats back
as well. Still looks like winter here, all brown
sticks save the Junipers as the live-oaks are yellowing
and dropping leaves. I did see the Redbuds at the
library are in bloom now though. That is a big
sign of spring being around the corner. Best
thing in town was Rosie was back finally, so TACOS!
Real deal Durango tacos, OMG food of the gods. I
can't believe we eat these here. No wonder
they call it Utopia. One of Rosie's sons
has a t-shirt that says 'I am only here for
the tacos'. Saw local WU station temps of
73-75F in the afternoon. Dry, wind dialed back
a little later afternoon too. Heard Screech-Owl
over at the draw.
Mar. 17 ~ A low of 54F, clouds early but cleared.
Back up to 80F in the afternoon, third day straight.
Yard is still brown overall, some greens sprouting,
but brown. I see some Mexican Hat sprouting and
the Blue Mist Eupatorium at front porch is too.
A pair of Lesser Goldfinch were on the patio.
These are the first I have seen this spring.
Normally they arrive around Feb. 22, none did
this year. Three weeks late. There was that
few-day winter sighting in earliest Feb. of a
first year male. It was never seen again. Saw
the Canyon Towhee still out there eating seed.
In the morning I thought sure I was hearing the
sweet chip of a Yellow-throated Warbler. Mentioned
it to Kathy sure. Then after noon, again in the
big Pecan I heard it, but neither time could I spot
it. Then mid-afternoon Kathy saw it at the bath, FOS!
Surely the one that visits the yard and bath daily
all breeding season. I knew that was what I was
hearing. I saw one local WU station reading 88F!
It wasn't that hot here, probably have thermometer
in a hot spot like our patio is. A front is on
the way and this the final big warmup before it
arrives tonight.
Mar. 16 ~ It was about 33F this morning, KERV
had 32F. NOAA had KERV progged for 41, and WU
had us for warmer than that. I wondered why
they were not seeing any cold after the frontal
passage and those strong northerlies all day
yesterday. It blows my mind how consistently
they are off by a category, very often wayyy too
high on the lows after fronts here. There were
two dozen Red-winged Blackbird out there braying
first thing. What a great racket. The rest was
the same gang. Am. Goldfinches are tossing more
seed on the ground than eating. Pigs. With the
recent increase in costs, this is not good.
It was about 80F at 3 p.m., pretty springy. Very
low humidity is nice too. Still looks like winter
though. It is all brown sticks except the junipers
and live-oaks. Lots of the live-oaks are underway
somewhere in the annual cycle of going yellow,
dropping leaves, soon will be flowering, and then
finally leaf replacement. Over a month or so.
They have tomorrow progged for upper 80's!
According to the astronomical data at WU, today
is exactly 12 hours of daylength, with sunrise
and sunset both at 7:48.
Late afternoon I heard and saw briefly my FOS
Barn Swallow! Finally. Two chasing males low
over the yard and road for a few seconds. At
least they called to get my attention. In
butterflies, there was one FOY, a Funereal
Duskywing which shot by fairly quickly.
Also saw the male Black Swallowtail still out
there, as is the Vesta Crescent, now about six
weeks flying here, couple leftover Sleepy Orange,
an old Dogface, an American Lady, and a Common
Checkered-Skipper. New was a pale morph female
Orange Sulphur in mint condition. Eight species.
Mar. 15 ~ Low at about 50F is fine with me.
Sunny, a springy week will hopefully bring
some of that forth. There was a dry frontal
passage, so winds will again be too much, but
from north today instead of south. Such a big
change. It was gusting 20-25 mph. Around 80F
again in the afternoon. Wow! Spring is coming.
Mid-morn I heard then got to watch for a minute
my FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. You won't
believe this but it was gnat-catching. Neat bird.
In now 19 springs here all my FOS dates for them
are between March 11 and 20, a neat and rather
narrow 10 day window. Which the 15th-16th is
the middle of. Whereas Barn Swallow arrivals
fluctuate over a three week plus window (last
week of Feb. to 3rd week of March). I am
hearing quiet singing from American Goldfinch
increasing intensity, they will be leaving
soon.
Late morning I heard then saw my FOS Lark
Sparrow. I thought I heard one a week ago,
but didn't see it, and did not count it
as a FOS. That was the 9th. Some few winter
in the vicinity, but we get none from fall to
spring around the house and mile or so adjacent
environs where they are a common breeders.
I suspect the few that winter locally are from
somewhere else and have nothing to do with the local
breeders which totally vacate the area in winter.
Sparrows in yard today were Lark, Field, Chipping,
Lincoln's and White-crowned.
Mar. 14 ~ Low about 50F and overcast. A bit
of a chill but at least not freezing after
those last two record breaking mornings in
the teens. Mid-morn heard my FOS Ash-throated
Flycatcher calling a few times. Smack dab
dead-center in the middle of average arrival
dates. Third time on the 14th. Had a 16
count on Red-winged Blackbird. One female
is new, been all males. In afternoon heard
two White-eyed Vireo calling at once outside.
Got up to 78F on the cool shady front porch
at 4 p.m., had to be 80F in the sun. Wonderful
after that 19F the last two mornings. Have
to get busy with garden and yard stuff quickly.
I heard a few muffled boiks of Canyon Towhee
song, which means it will be going soon. Saw
it out there a couple times today. Too bad
we lost one of them over the winter again.
Mar. 13 ~ I saw 19F as the sun broke horizon.
KERV had a 21, SAT record this date is 27F.
So record cold second morning in a row, in
mid-March. I knew that mild December would
bite us on the other end of winter. Wind blew
hard from south all day 15-20 mph, gusting 25
and higher. Got up to about 64F, but the
breeze stayed chilly. Too windy. Did not
see anything different out there today.
Same gang o' seed theives. The six
White-crowned Sparrow continue as does the
Lincoln's. Bluebirds are nice and noisy.
Great sounds. Ten Am. Goldfinch still. A
couple toss more sunflower seeds on the
ground than they eat, looking for a fatter
seed. Worse than a Titmouse or Chickadee.
Messy wasteful eaters here.
Mar. 12 ~ Record low temps this morning.
The record for SAT this date is 23F, it
was 17F in KERV. I saw it dropping below
20F here before the final dip, surely it
hit 19 and maybe 18F. The first Black-chinned
Hummer showed up at the feeders about 6:45,
sunup was at 6:55. Whence after seed toss
I was back under electric blanket with a
hot coffee. Was slow to warm up out there.
Saw 55-58F at local WU stations about 3 p.m.
Birds were voracious at the seed all day.
In afternoon I saw the Lincoln's Sparrow
leave the tub pond where it just bathed.
Birds use a 2" branch that goes down into
the water (per OSHA tub pond emergency animalian
egress requirements) and hold on to it do
their thing. I see some Lily leaves sprouting,
and a some new Cattail leaves are as well.
During my lizard-in-sun imitation later in
afternoon, I got a SIX count on White-crowned
Sparrow. A yard record. FOUR are gray-lored
orange-billed western Gambell's types
(2 ea. ad. and imm.), and two are pink-billed
black-lored (ad.) eastern leucophrys. Neat.
Love me some Zons!
This is not a current photo,
This is an Anemone. They should be sprouting soon in your
yard. But most are white. Some are purple, and rarely
I see one of these pink ones.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 11 ~ It was about 60F at midnight.
At dawn in the 30's with chills in
the 20's, and strong northerlies.
We got a couple tenths of an inch of rain
first thing on the main arrival and passage.
Much of which seemed to fall directly on
me when I was doing the dawn seed toss.
Which I wish you could see, the panache
and flourish is most impressive I assure
you. It alleged to get up to about 45F
but with the cold northerlies at 25 mph
gusting to 35, it felt freezing out there
all day. Even the sun coming out did not
help. I mostly just saw the stuff coming
into the seed and it was all the same.
One round of tossing I flushed an imm. male
Sharp-shinned Hawk right over where I toss.
Tomorrow morn set for low 20's F, at
or very near record cold for the date.
Sure glad I did the town run yesterday
in that 70F, and didn't have to go
out in this.
Mar. 10 ~ Low about 32F. The warmup day
before the cold front tomorrow. Sun is sure
up early, before 7 a.m. now! Did the town
run today since tomorrow is not going to
be a good day to be out there. It is also
the start of spring break here so wanted to
hit the store before the college critters did.
Still a few Brewer's Blackbird at corrals.
Little Creek Larry said he had a couple
Cave Swallow at his place this week, and
a N. Rough-winged Swallow at the park
yesterday (9th). He said his pair of Vermilion
Flycatcher are back. He also saw a
Monarch today, which is the FOS report.
Nothing in the woods except 3 Questionmark
butterfly. Two FOS mint-fresh summer form,
one old worn winter form. So the answer to
the question as to whether or not you can see
both forms of Questionmark at the same time
is, without question. Also heard and saw a
couple Blanchard's Cricket-Frog, also
the FOS for them. When I got back from town
I heard, and then late afternoon saw over by
the seed, my FOS Lincoln's Sparrow.
More cranes way high up northbound. Late
afternoon heard a White-eyed Vireo. Got up
to about 72F today, not as warm as they said.
Male Black Swallowtail floating around yard.
Mar. 9 ~ Low was about 34F or so, chilly.
About 9 a.m. heard my FOS White-eyed Vireo!
Another bug eater is back! Had to run to
town early, a quick spin through park saw
about 15 Ring-necked Duck, and on spillway,
one Frankenduck, an Egyptian Goose, and a
Great Blue Heron, which is now acquiring
some nice breeding plumage and bill color.
The non-natives outnumbered the natives.
A Caracara flew over town. Looked the
same gang here at the hovelita. saw five
White-crowned Sparrow again, quite nice.
In the afternoon local WU stations were
showing 65-68F. Agarita getting a few
flowers on fenceline out back. Saw those
four C-130 Herkybirds heading back to Laughlin
AFB after noon, not as close, low, and fast
as when they went over the other day. The
first Queen (butterfly) I have seen this
year flew by, but it was an old worn one,
not a fresh new one.
Mar. 8 ~ Overcast and 42F or so for a low.
Just a very light breeze fortunately. It
got up to about 64F in later afternoon, and
quite nice. A dozen Red-winged Blackbird
out there mid-morn, I love that braying.
I keep forgetting to mention, today is the
third day straight now, of seeing a Turkey
Vulture soaring over low. Surely one of our
nearby breeders that is a daily fixture now
until September or October. In the later
afternoon I got a FIVE count on White-crowned
Sparrow as the moved from the big stick
piles in front yard down fenceline toward
road where live brush (a few big XL Agarita).
Two adults, two imm.s, and one was unknown.
Twice today I heard call notes of birds
heading over northbound that I never saw.
The first one in the morning surely was
a Sprague's Pipit, probably coming
up off the grass airstrip. The other one
in afternoon sounded like a Barn Swallow.
A couple got away today.
Mar. 7 ~ Just before midnight last night it
was about 68F, the front hit shortly after,
and it was about 42F by dawn. We got about
a quarter-inch of precip so that was nice.
Bit of a leaf-washin' dust-buster, and
a sip for all the green tyring to sprout.
Winds are north at 15 mph gusting to 25, so
chills are in 30's. A far cry from that
80 or so yesterday afternoon. They are talking
another front, with a freeze, for next weekend.
Good the swallows aren't back yet. The
two White-crowned Sparrow adults are still
here, only saw one of the immatures. Some
Anemone leaves breaking the ground.
Mar. 6 ~ About 65F for a low, is getting too
balmy too quickly. Some mist mid-morn.
Saw two adult White-crowned Sparrow, which
I presume are the continuing birds, one
eastern and one western type. Great to see
male Vermilion Fycatcher in the yard again.
Amazing to see male and female hummingbirds
after about 5 months without them! And six
months since most Black-chinned departed.
The rest was all the same gang still. A
few Chipping Sparrow starting to trill a bit.
Kathy saw a Black Swallowtail late in day.
Afternoon blew 15 mph gusting to 25 so we
did stuff here since too windy. We had
about 78F but one local WU station had 80F.
The warmup in front of the front, inbound
tonight.
Mar. 5 ~ We might have hit 61F for a low.
Later afternoon I saw local WU readings of
76-77F. Mostly cloudy all day. The first
FOS of the day was just after midnight when
a calling Barn Owl flew over northbound high
up. A spring migrant. Then a real big but
little FOS was HUMMINGBIRDS! As in plural!
First mid-morn a male showed up, and a few hours
later it was displaying to a female! Both
sexes arrived the same day! That has never
happened for me in 19 springs now here.
Males are always a few days to a week or more
ahead of females. The rest of the feathers
out there all looked the same. Had too much
biz work and was stuck at desk most of day.
Then put on a new (neg) battery terminal.
The one on there was replaced with battery 3 years
ago, completely disolved away the cheap pot
metal alloy where the bolt holds it tight to
stud. And I wire brush the fluff off routinely.
It was just lose. I had to McGyver a scrounged
nut, bolt and washers to clamp it tight enough
to go to town yesterday. I bought two terminals
so I have a spare on hand next time. Living
semi-remotely in the country is like living on
a sailboat. If you have two, you have one.
If you have one, you have none.
And now for something completely different.
This is a satellite pic of the yard and vicinity
to give a better idea of the immediate environs
for much of what is being reported here. This is
the observation station. Pic in winter however so
fairly leafless and devoid of vegetation compared
to lush spring and summer. Only the Live-oaks
and Junipers have foliage. As you can see the
traffic gets pretty backed up. The other day I saw
8 pigs, 6 deer, a coyote, and two rabbits had to
wait for a dillo to cross the road.
The left-pointing triangle at center is the two acre
hog-fenced plot we live on. The bare dirt treed
area to south of house (toward bottom) is the corral,
then the tip of the grass airstrip is bottom center.
Yes, you can fly in. Left of house the greenery is
huge ancient Live-Oaks on a slope with Mountain Laurel
and Agarita, the hill country. North half of north
fenceline is Junipers and Mesquite. Across from the
gate are big climax Mesquites (brush country), those
are Junipers towards river from them. The yard has
7 big Pecan trees, more smaller, and lots of what is
leafless in corral is Pecans (deciduous woodland).
There are many dozens of Hackberry trees throughout.
River is Cypress lined, nearest one just over 100 yards
from gate. So it is a remarkable confluence of habitats
in one place. This is what a 230 species yard list
yard looks like in winter. Would love a summer shot.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 4 ~ Low of about 62F! Overcast. A
Myrtle Warbler went north through yard in
morn, which may well have been a migrant.
Park pond had 4 Ring-necked Duck. I had a
bad battery terminal had to jerry-rig so
didn't stop to walk woods. Got a new
terminal to install. Little Creek Larry
said he also still has not seen a hummingbird,
Barn Swallow, or Purple Martin yet. His
Vermilion Flycatcher is not back yet either.
About 3 p.m. I saw local WU station readings
at 77-79F, despite remaining mostly overcast.
Heard the Vermilion Flyc. displaying up
high over the corral at last light.
Mar. 3 ~ We might have hit 52F overnight,
but was about 55 by dawn. Overcast. Sun
poking out mid-morn. Great was hearing
and then seeing way way up high until it
dove back down to the ground, a displaying
male Vermilion Flycatcher! Talk about a
spot of light. And all that exuberance.
I mentioned to Kathy yesterday it was time.
Later it was in the front yard, it surely
is our breeder back. Wonder where he goes
for six months? About 1 p.m. I finally
heard some distant cranes northbound. About
3 p.m. I saw local WU stations reading 73-75F!
So nice to not be cold.
Mar. 2 ~ I saw it hit 32 at KERV, but I am
not sure we did, maybe 34F here. By 3 p.m.
local WU readings were 72-74F! Weewow!
Birds were the same gang still. One Kinglet
(Ruby). Come on migration. I see lots of
little green matter breaking ground barely now.
In butterflies, saw the Am. Lady, Red Admiral,
a Pipevine, the worn female Dogface that has
been around, and a Sleepy Orange. Kathy heard
more Cranes distantly. The big FOS for me was a
singing Roadrunner! Have not seen one in months.
Hardly saw any last year after early summer.
Singing from the same area as always where
nesting is presumed. Just upslope behind us
in the live-oaks. Where the heck do they
migrate, er, walk to? The brush country?
Mexico? Hondo? Oh to have a pinger on one.
Had a flock of four C-130 Herkybirds fly over
the house not 500' overhead, and each
not 30 seconds apart.
March 1 ~ About 28F for a low, a chilly start
of the month. Got up to about 72F in the
afternoon, felt great to thaw. I was out
there doing my lizard impression in the sun.
Kathy had the big FOS of the day, cranes!
She heard a flock go over northbound noonish.
The rest was the same as it ever was the
last three months. Waiting for migration
and Golden-cheeks in a week or so. Should
be Martin and Barn Swallow any day now,
and a Black-chinned Hummer too. Saw a
worn Variegated Fritillary, a Red Admiral,
and an Orange Sulphur for butterflies.
~ ~ ~ Feburary summary ~ ~ ~
Cold and dry like January. There was one
rain event, we got 1.5", some others
got one inch. At least something though.
It was a very cold Feb., though not record
and power system breaking as last Feb., there
were lots of freezes and freezing days, it
was below normal of temps. The temperature
pattern recently is below normal winters and
hotter that normal summers. It is almost as
if the climate is changing.
Odes were absent as expected. Some Februarys
you get some early ones, but not a cold one
like this was. Butterflies were few too,
but a few were new fresh emergences. Just
the common expected stuff of course, mostly
leftovers still alive from last season, and
looking worse for the wear and tear now. I
count 14 species for the month. If just of
average warmth, it will comparitively explode
in March.
Birds continue to be dismal. Weakest winter
we have seen here. Nary a Flicker or Junco,
no Siskin this year, maybe one Sapsucker,
hardly any Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler,
and so on, it borders on bizarre nearing eerie.
Hardly a Kestrel or Shrike, even the Chipping
Sparrow flock never got near as big as usual.
Half to two-thirds at best. Best bird was
the female EASTERN TOWHEE Little Creek Larry
has over by his place this month. There
was a Lesser Goldfinch here a few days early
in month, only one of winter we saw, and an
Am. Pipit on the 7th was the only one of them.
Three Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow
is a good number of them to be in one spot
here (our yard). The first long-distance
migrant to return was Turkey Vulture (12)
on the 20th. I count about 53 species seen
this month, and Little Creek Larry saw about
7-8 sps. I did not, over on his creek.
~ ~ ~ end Feb. summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Feb. update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
February ~ Starting the month with a major
hard freeze and ice event Feb. 3-4. On the
3rd there was a Lesser Goldfinch here, first
one in a couple months or more. A couple
orange-billed gray-lored western type Gambell's
White-crowned Sparrow showed up Feb.7+
after the extended freeze event. Some of
the early-nesting residents are starting to
sing a bit now, like N. Cardinal, Bewick's
and Carolina Wren, E. Bluebird, Black-crested
Titmouse, and Carolina Chickadee. Some few
dozen N. Pintail were on Little Creek at the
pond during the big cold early in month. Better
was a female EASTERN TOWHEE on Little Creek.
The back half of February means only two or
three weeks to Golden-cheeked Warblers! There
were 33 Ring-necked Duck on the park pond
on the 18th, and still there the 25th. A big
FOS was on the 20th, Turkey Vulture, a dozen
of them! A big fat FOS on the 21st was a
Bumblebee. Ended month with more hard freezes,
will be a late spring.
~ ~ ~ end Feb. update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ above is 2022 ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ a couple of my favorite rock in the yard ~ ~ ~
American Redstart (male) at the birdbath May 3. Whaddabird!
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male) at the birdbath May 6.
~ ~ ~
Jan.-Feb. 2022 news now at Bird News Archive 37.
Bird News Archive XXXVII
Jan. 1 - June 30, 2022 (Jan.-Feb. so far)
~ ~ ~
July - December 2021 news now at Bird News Archive 36.
Bird News Archive XXXVI
July 1 - Dec. 31, 2021
~ ~ ~
Jan. through June 2021 news now at Bird News Archive 35.
Bird News Archive XXXV
Jan. 1 - June 30, 2021
~ ~ ~
The older weekly break bird photos are now at the 2021 photos page.
2021 pix
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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