~ ~ ~ and now for the news ~ ~ ~
*** Lost Maples and Garner are open for day use and camping, reservations advised.
*** Utopia Park is open, $10 entry per person.
April 16 ~ Mist and drizzle overnight, low about 62F,
soupy. Might have totalled .2 for precip by the
afternoon. At least it is something. We got up to
about 77F or so in afternoon ahead of the inbound
front. The record high and low for SAT this date
is 100F and 37F. You could freeze or boil. Town run
day. Still no Scissor-tails along the road, including
at a few trees that always have them. Nice to hear
some Chimney Swift over town again. My FOS Great-tailed
Grackle was across from the gas station and P.O. at
the usual spot. The park had some migrants. I heard
a FOS Northern Waterthrush, and a Black-throated Green
Warbler. The male Northern Parula continues singing
around the dance floor area and should be considered
on territory now at the 10 day point. There were a
couple Orange-crowned, a Wilson's, 6 Nashville,
and one singing Yellow Warbler. Plus the nesting
Yellow-throated made seven species of warblers.
Great was a Hermit Thrush that was much larger than the
ones we have that winter here. I see one or two of
these seemingly every spring in April long after ours
leave. Of course our winterers have been gone over a
month now. One Great Crested Flycatcher went through
the park. A pair of Vermilion Flyc. are nesting in
the Mesquite between the ball diamond and rodeo ring.
About a dozen Vesper and half as many each Lark and
Clay-colored Sparrow were in the rodeo ring and ball
diamond, more of all were in a pasture along 360 too.
Another half-dozen Clay-colored were in the park live-oaks.
The Red-eyed Vireo singing by the 360 crossing is likely the
one that has been territorial there the last couple
summers. An Indigo Bunting was singing on 360 just this
side of that nested there the last few years as well.
At the water company spot by park there was lots of
blooming Missouri Primrose and Prairie Fleabane
looking most excellent. Heard at least four Bell's
Vireo whilst driving around town. The northerlies
and cool air got here around 7 p.m., took 10 dF off
the top. A cool blustery weekend in store now.
April 15 ~ Low overcast and a balmy 70F or so for
a low! It is way too soon for that. At least it
only got a dF or two warmer at peak heat. Dawn
chorus is really rippin' now. By quarter to
7 it is an outstanding mild roar. The addition in
the last week of Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Summer
Tanager really put some sizzle and spice in it. In
the first couple hours this morn a FOS Yellow Warbler
sang through the yard, a Wilson's Warbler sang
out back, a couple Nashville went through, the
Yellow-throated Warbler breeder singing around too.
Before 11 a.m. a Golden-cheeked Warbler sang, which
appeared to be just leaving the bath, dang it. So
movement and probably a real good day to hit patches
of trees with flowers. I am stuck at the desk on
Thursdays, hoping to catch something going through
the yard. Five species of warbler in the yard in the
morning is great any time here. Bell's Vireo is
singing across road from gate in the big Mesquites.
Heard the Great Crested Flycatcher again over in the
corral. The day was then pretty quiet for birds,
save the 30 some Siskin. Scrub-Jay out back again,
ad. Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow still here.
Some mist in late afternoon.
April 14 ~ Low was maybe 65F or so, overcast and
balmy. The birds for the day started just after
midnight last night though. The (I presume same)
Long-eared Owl was calling again over in the corral
from 0010 to 0015 hours. Moving around it a bit.
I had not heard it in two weeks. Seems more likely
the same bird rather than another considering their
scarcity here. Then at the end of that my FOS
Yellow-billed Cuckoo called. I thought I heard
one a few hours earlier (on 13th) but only caught
a wisp of it. This was the full monty call. Often
as not my FOS cuckoo is a nocturnal vocal detection.
There was a FOS Blue Grosbeak singing across the
road where they nest. Thought I had one on Monday
(2 days ago) but was a distant silohuette and buzz.
There were at least 30 Pine Siskin which sure sounds
neat when they are all buzzing at once. Only a few Am.
Goldfinch left though. Heard a waxwing. Late in
afternoon I saw two male Indigo Bunting at once
out back where seed tossed. Seemed like some
migrant passage Turkey Vulture going over intent
on making ground northbound. Saw one getting late
Sharp-shinned Hawk, one Cooper's was the local
resident. At last light a Chuck-w-w called close
from the draw, probably that breeder is back.
After dark a FOS spring mosquito was buzzing my ear.
Still no Firefly yet. No Long-eared Owl at last
check at late-thirty.
April 13 ~ A cold front is arriving, dropped temps
to about 62 right around dawn, a little bit of mist
and a very light shower. ANY moisture now is welcome,
it is very dusty out there. A few Nashville Warbler
went through yard, a couple warbler sps. as well.
Great was a FOS Orchard Oriole, a male that spent a
couple minutes singing from the big pecan right off
the front porch. Awesomeness. There must have been
35 or so Pine Siskin. One is a green (often called
yellow) morph with more yellow in wings and tail,
and greenish back and rump. In the afternoon a FOS
male Black-throated Green Warbler was in the big pecan
right off porch a few minutes. Last seen over the
draw going north at 3:30 p.m. or so. Kathy saw a
female Summer Tanager at the bath, and a Chat. The
Scrub-Jay was out back. At last sliver of light we
heard a distant Chuck-will's-widow calling.
April 12 ~ Low about 63F, overcast and humid, last
hot day before a cooler week with precip chances
every day. I saw 86 on the cool shady front porch
about 3 p.m., a bit warm. In the morning Kathy
saw a Golden-cheeked Warbler in the pecan over the
bath, but was gone when I got out there, so it was
likely done and leaving already when she saw it.
A couple Nashville Warbler went through yard.
Thought I heard a Red-eyed Vireo, a Summer Tanager
was singing, as is a Clay-colored Sparrow still.
The ad. orange-billed White-crowned Sparrow is
still here too. Thought I heard the heavy buzz
of a Blue Grosbeak, saw a silhouette of something
that could have passed for one distantly, need
more for a FOS date but was probably it. Saw a
Pepsis Wasp go by.
April 11 ~ Low was briefly around 44F, maybe colder,
KERV had 41. Afternoon was about 86F or so, was 83 on
our cool shady front porch. Not much for movement
apparent in yard in morning. One worn Monarch that
was not yesterday's. Martins were soaring
overhead low for a couple minutes, calling too.
Went to the park for a look. At least two Chat were
singing along the river habitat corridor here on 360.
At the park, great was finally getting a decent look
at that pesky shy female Parula warbler. It is a good
Northern. So, there is a pair of Northern Parula at
the park, now for 5 days at least. Sure be great if
they stuck and nested. There were a few Nashville
but nothing else for migrants. At the NW corner of
town in the Hackberry rows we heard about three
Bell's Vireo, saw a male Common Grackle, and
one first spring Gambell's White-crowned
Sparrow (orange bill, gray lores). The lateral crown
stripes had molted to black, the dorsal two were still
brown. A pattern I have seen before in first springs.
We went over to the 1450 (south) knoll maybe a mile
from our place. One male Golden-cheeked Warbler was
trolling around it. At least four Orange-crowned Warbler
indicates passage. A FOS Black-capped Vireo was trolling
the usual territory area with song. Had a couple decent
but distant views. We heard an Olive Sparrow sing at
the usual territory area for them. Heard a Hutton's
Vireo, saw Lark Sparrow, Vermilion and Ash-throated
Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, several Turkey Vulture.
But was getting hot by time we were there (1-2 p.m.) so
a bit quiet. Flowers were about the same as last week
but the Mimosa were mostly cooked, more Paralena was
going, and lots of Slender-stem Bitterweed which in
one spot could be called a carpet, over an acre of
solid yellow a foot off the ground.
Later afternoon here I saw a pile of plucked dove
breast feathers. Presume a Cooper's got one
while we were gone. A pairacara shot over low
ejecting a third from the area, the pair nests
very nearby. At last seed feeding there was a Vesper
Sparrow, which is surely a new passage migrant as I
haven't seen the last one that stopped a few days
in over a week. There were 4 Lincoln's at once
at the birdbath brushpile at dusk, maybe 8-10 still
around yard. Still Clay-colored singing, as is at
least one White-crowned. Toss in Field, Chipping,
and Lark to round out sparrows. Eight species of
them today with the Olive, 7 sps. in the yard.
Shoulda gone for Rufous-crowned and Black-throated.
There are 10 species of sparrow in the vicinity now.
At first dark a distant Chuck-will's-widow
gave a few half-hearted calls, and so then a FOS date.
April 10 ~ Front got here before dawn with some
stiff northerlies, but a dry passage as predicted.
Low was about 56F. To windy for birding for me.
Not like I am not a couple years behind on stuff
here. Around noon I heard my FOS Yellow-breasted
Chat across the road right where they breed every
year, so I presume the returning bird back on territory.
At least a handfull of male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
now, probably a couple. Heard some Scissor-tails
across the road in the afternoon. Still very few
around. Wind finally laid down late in afternoon.
I saw 80F on the cool shady front porch, about
15F cooler than yesterday (for which NOAA said was
just below record highs for most areas in central
Texas). One very worn Monarch went by.
Golden-cheeked Warbler
This one was a couple weeks ago, a couple were in the yard this week.
Bad light, overcast, in shade, but you get the idea, spiffy bird, eh.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
April 9 ~ Overcast, low about 65F, it was still 75F
at midnight last night! Peak heat is today. Hottest
day of year so far. Dry front coming in overnight
tonight, so cooler tomorrow. We need water. About
3 p.m. I saw 92F on the cool shady front porch. Local
WU stations reading 95-100F. Del Rio was 103 with
light rain, winds 29 mph gusting to 38! Sounds great!
Batesville about 50 miles south of us was 105 today.
Heard a warbler seet through yard but missed the bird.
One of the Eastern Phoebe attacked one of the
Carolina Wren when it got too close to the nest area.
Martins over the box again.
Town run so check of the park. The male Northern
Parula was still singing in area near and north
of dance floor mostly, in the blooming live-oaks.
The female was nowhere to be found. Lending credence
to my belief it was a Tropical. An early FOS was
a singing Red-eyed Vireo, very nice. At least a half-dozen
Nashville Warbler were zipping around the live-oaks.
Saw my FOS female Summer Tanager. Some Texas Onion
in bloom, but deer at the flower heads off the big
one that was open last week.
Little Creek Larry said a woman in town that has a
lot of Red-winged Blackbirds asked him what the black
birds with them were with the yellow heads, she had
two of them. Larry said he heard a Parula type warbler
song at his place but never could see the bird, as
often the case here. He also just got Indigo Bunting
in like we did.
April 8 ~ OK, it was a cold front after all. It got
down into the mid-40's in the wee hours for a bit,
but was back near 52F by dawn. Mid-morn the southwest
winds (at least they are dry) picked up and we are
in for the hottest days so far, today and tomorrow.
I saw 88F on the cool shady front porch, was low 90's F
in the sun. Del Rio hit 101 with 7 percent humidity!
Our humidty was in teens here, so very dry too. It is
said will be hotter tomorrow, then cooling slightly.
There were two disputing male and a female Yellow-throated
Warbler in the big pecan early. First female I have
seen this year. After 10 I presume the same two pair
of Purple Martin buzzed the martin house for a couple minutes,
great to see them back checking it out. Send friends.
Saw the ad. orange-billed White-crowned Sparrow. Still
8 or so Lincoln's Sparrow around yard, a couple
Field, a couple dozen Chipping, two singing Clay-colored,
and a few Lark Sparrow. Heard a Summer Tanager singing
its way up the river habitat corridor, first one from
the yard for me here this spring, but it kept going,
a transient.
Great was after 7 p.m. I looked out on the patio
and there was a FOS male Indigo Bunting eating seed!
Now that is some color! Wonder if it is our returning
breeder of last two years? Or just a passerby? Near
last sun the four martin were soaring high overhead
calling. Neat to see them. Saw a FOS bat at dusk,
but not sure what type. Might have been the Red that
winter, rather than a returning migrant Braz. Free-tail,
it looked a little biggish. A FOS June Bug was at a
couple of the window screens late. Before 11 p.m. heard
a Barn Owl call four times as it passed over.
April 7 ~ Overcast and 64F for a low, the gulf flow
thing. Early here I saw all four White-crowned Sparrow
at the bath at once! The two adults and two immatures,
3 Gambell's and 1 ad. leucophrys. All still here.
Gnatcatcher singing in the same trees as the last few
days almost has to be last years' nesting attempter.
A dry front came through after noon, blustery northwest
winds and dry air. They are calling it a cold front
but it is 85F out there in the afternoon.
Had to run to town quick early so a look at the park.
A FOS Bell's Vireo was singing at the entrance.
A FOS Summer Tanager was singing in the live-oaks.
A better FOS was TWO Parula warblers. The singing
male was a Northern, the female was not seen well
enough to absolutely positively ID, but it looked like
a Tropical Parula to me. I was pressed for time and
they were being their treetop selves and very hard to
see. The blooming live-oaks are where the action is now.
There were also a couple Kinglet (Ruby), a couple
Orange-crowned Warbler, a few Nashville, one Myrtle
Warbler, and singing Yellow-throated too of course.
Also singing Yellow-throated Vireo. Late at the midnight
at last sound check here I heard three Great Horned and
two Barred Owl, plus one E. Screech-Owl.
April 6 ~ Low about 63F, overcast, but clearing
by late morning. Temps heading up, the first
heat spell of the year is this week. By 3 p.m. I
saw 84-89F readings at local WU stations. Birds
were the same stuff, no real migrant movement.
Put the last (3rd) coat of varnish on the knothole
nestbox front, so in a couple days will be able to
drill the mounting holes. Gotta pick up an extra
long bit for pilot holes into the inside of the knot.
Still have some more chisling, grinding, gnashing, and
some things best left undescribed, to get the hollow
in the knot as deep as I can. Main concern is coon
or Ringtail reaching in, so besides my coonscluder ™
deflector on inside of entrance hole, making it
deep enough that nest can be placed out of reach
would also help. A Gnatcatcher kinda seems to be
hanging around, perhaps one that attempted nesting
last year, until being wiped out by the hail storm.
Lots of female Hummingbirds, all looking Black-chinned,
at least a couple male Ruby-throated, dozens of male
Black-chinned. The ad. Gambell's White-crowned
Sparrow still singing, expect departure any day now.
April 5 ~ Low was about 59F, low overcast but no
precip. Heard a couple Gnatcatcher and a Kinglet
go through, saw a small group of at least 3 Nashville
Warbler and a couple un-ID'd probables go by.
Heard a couple martin low overhead, saw the male
at treetop level so they came back by to see Chez
Martin Chalet again. At least it didn't scare
them away. Sure is neat hearing that Gambell's
White-crowned Sparrow singing over in a stick pile.
What a blast from the past, was the common one I
first learned as a winterer in socal. Still two
Clay-colored Sparrow in with the Chipping. Saw two
ad. male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at once. Heard a
Red-tailed Hawk screaming, saw the big ad. fem.
Cooper's that is the local breeder. Still
one Ash-throat coming around, but not seeming
paired yet. There are a half-dozen available
boxes around the yard.
April 4 ~ Looks like the precip from the disturbance
passing over is all east of us. Very humid, but
no rain, low about 56F, might have creeped back up
to 60 about noon. I got a 60 count on the Chipping
Sparrow, and 2 Clay-colored. A Scrub-Jay was on the
patio, not a usual thing. Amazing was hearing some
quiet-singing, that under-the-breath singing many
songbirds do early in their singing cycle when they
are just getting warmed up for the season. It was
gibberish, somewhat House Wrenish, scanned the guilty
stick pile it was a Lincoln's Sparrow! I do
not think I have ever heard one sing, even quiet-sing,
down here before. Very neat.
The highlight of the morning was just before noon
when a pair of Purple Martin buzzed the martin house
a half-dozen times, calling a lot, for two minutes.
It is one thing for me to think it looks like it
ought to work, it's a whole 'nother animal
for a male martin to be buzzing it with a female
soaring overhead. About 15-20 minutes later they
came back with another pair! So four know about
it now. I'll be out back praying to the martin
Gods... There is a female bluebird going in and
out of the gate box they have used before, but they
often waffle between it and the other one down the
fenceline early in the season.
About 1:30 I saw my FOS adult male Ruby-throated
Hummingbird. The record early imm. male that was
the actual FOS has been gone a few days now, but
was here about 10 days. We went over to the south
1450' knoll for an hour walk later afternoon.
No Black-capped Vireo were heard but about 6 Hutton's
were. We saw 3 Golden-cheeked Warbler, 2 males and
my FOS female. Kathy saw a FOS male Wilson's
Warbler, which is our earliest ever in 18 springs.
A FOS Swainson's Hawk flew over. The couple
small groups of feeding birds we found were largely
in blooming live-oaks. Heard a couple singing
Black-and-white Warbler, saw at least a couple
Nashville, and an Orange-crowned. Five species
of warblers is good here. Also two Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
two Gnatcatcher, Ash-throated and a male Vermilion
Flycatcher, heard an Olive Sparrow call (not song)
right where they nest sometimes, heard a Hermit Thrush,
and probably a Spotted Towhee. A few flowers in
bloom, but overall it still looks more like winter
from that standpoint, lots is just barely getting
going. Saw the first Dakota Verbena open, a little
Blackfoot Daisy, Dutchman's Breeches, Slender-stem
Bitterweed, the one thing blooming well was the
Pink Mimosa, it was roaring. The Mesquite and Texas
Persimmon are putting out some leafage now and a
couple Persimmon had flowers. Sniff one if you see
it, same for Mountain Laurel. Heavenly scents.
April 3 ~ Low about 55F, cloudy, some drizzle and
occasional light showers, cool and wet. Might have
gotten up to 65F, maybe. Worked on stuff inside.
Saw the orange-billed adult White-crowned, which has
really cleaned up nicely over the last month or so of
molt and no longer looks way darker than usual. Still
50 Chippy, two Clay-colored were on the patio with them.
Field Sparrow seems to have thinned out though. A few
still here, but nowhere near the dozen it was. Mid-day
a Ruby-crowned Kinglet went through, later afternoon
a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher went over singing on its
way, notifying all of how glad it is to be back no
doubt.
Another bad pic, I figure you are used to them by now.
This male Northern Parula (warbler) was singing at Utopia Park.
April 7, interacting with an un-ID'd female parula sps.
A beautiful little warbler, bluish above with a lime green back,
yellow throat and breast crossed by chestut and black below throat,
white broken eye-crescents, a zippy buzz of a song, whaddabird.
It jumped when I snapped, so that is all we got.
a bonus pic...
This is the martin chalet, Chez Martin'.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
April 2 ~ Low of 50F and overcast, it might have hit
70F briefly but the wind was blowing strongly enough
that it never felt like it. Great to hear some dawn
chorus though. Cardinals are really going well. Heard
a Gnatcatcher out there first thing. Otherwise yard
was the same stuff, with fewer Am. Goldfinches. Town
run day so a park check. A couple or few Common Grackle
in the willows on the island was all I heard up in the
woods. One Great Blue Heron in nice breeding plumage
was below the spillway. Little Creek Larry said last
weekend he saw a couple Great-tailed Grackle in a big
Red-winged Blackbird flock on the east side of town.
He said he might have had a male Summer Tanager yesterday
but it got away in treetops. Judy Schaeffer said she
had Hooded Oriole a few times, but seemingly not their
regular daily feeder addict.
I saw my FOS female Vermilion Flycatcher on 360 on the way
home, and then a Turkey in the road a couple hundred yards
from the gate. Pretty to too breezy all day, 15 mph
gusting to 25, southeasterly. Park looks to be crowding
up, for Easter weekend I suppose. At dusk I heard my FOS
Chimney Swift zip overhead. The hummers blew out today
on the strong southeasterlies. There were wayyyyyy fewer
this afternoon than the last week or two. The feeders
were not packed at last call, and did not need refilling
all day. So they had been stacking up over the last
couple dry fronts with northerlies, and poof! They
are gone on their way. If they fly 20 mph they were
going to be making 40! In 2.5 hours they can make a
hundred miles! Which is faster than me if there are
any birds along the road.
April 1 ~ Wow, a quarter of the year is over already.
The low was about 38F or so, nice and brisk, with a
little northerly breeze on it. The first FOS of the
month was at about 10 minutes after midnight last night,
when a Barn Owl called a couple times as it flew NW.
I get none all winter every winter, despite large
rodent populations here. At the same time there were
two Mockingbird singing, the first nocturnal song I
have heard from them this year. At 7 a.m. there were
two Scrub-Jay out back as I arrived with seed. Another
FOS was about 9 a.m., a Hooded Oriole, always great
to see, what a bunch of color. Both ad. White-crowned
Sparrow still here, still hear a Clay-colored grinding,
I mean singing. Two worn Monarch went by. Later in
the afternoon a FOY Red Satyr flopped around the yard
a bit, always a treat to see.
~ ~ ~ March summary ~ ~ ~
After that February March seemed pretty tame and
benign, no one complained. It was on the dry side
of average for precip, about 1.35". But all
the snow melt has percolated and filled the river
back up so it is flowing over spillway at park again.
The big greening finally gets underway but due to the
extreme cold much seems a bit retarded of schedule
this spring.
Butterflies were weak, seemingly a bit delayed from
the super cold event in February. Monarchs did show
in fair numbers and fairly on time per usual. A few
Elfin were seen (Henry's here), love that hindwing shape.
Several Eastern Tiger Swallowtail at Lost Maples
were nice. Not much for nectar out there, just some
Redbuds going for the most part. The normal Agarita
and Laurel bloom did not happen yet, usually a big
draw for butterflies in earliest spring. I count about
22 sps. for March, just missing my worst ever 20 sps.
in 2010. The March average is 30 sps., and I have had
up to 40 and 50 sps. in the month. Not to worry, was
the cold and so a natural normal delay of emergence.
The cold kept the odes in the water as larvae still.
Unlike many a March I did not see any damselflies.
Was too cold in Feb., they wisely delayed emergence.
There were lots of Dot-winged Baskettail flying by
the last third of the month, which is typically the
first new thing out. A couple bigger odes at Lost Maples
got away but looked like Springtime Darner, and one
Green Darner was seen at Utopia Park at end of month.
A whopping three species. April is really the first
month with any real activity here, and it is often
May before it really gets going.
Birds were fair, great if you like seeing all your
old friends show back up. The big rary of the month
was a LONG-EARED OWL calling on the 20th, 24th, 26th
and 30th. Was just after midnight the first two dates,
and very close by, extended calling, as great a 'hear'
as you could ask for. The Anna's Hummingbird
that was here from Feb. 5, was last seen the morn of
March 1. Mostly March is getting FOS dates for all
the passage migrants or returning breeders. The record
early Ruby-throated Hummingbird on the 19th was odd
for being an immature male. I missed the geese
(White-fronted) this spring though. Often they all
go over at night whence if you aren't out there
at the right 5 minutes, they go undetected. Most
springs you get them a few nights at least. I count
90 sps. seen myself, and I know others saw a few others.
Surely there were over a hundred species around.
The winter doldrums are over and birds are singing.
~ ~ ~ end of March summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ back to the daily drivel ~ ~ ~
Mar. 31 ~ The front finally got here just after
daybreak, was calm at dawn, northerlies blowing with
dropping temps by 8 a.m. Temps dropped to upper
50's and slowly climbed back to lower 60's
over the day, but didn't stop blowing until
late afternoon. Saw both ad. White-crowned Sparrow
still here, not seeing the two immatures though.
Nothing new or different today, but was stuck at
the desk for the most part. That grass sure grows
fast though. Maybe a dozen or so American Goldfinch
left, at least that many Pine Siskin still here.
Dozen Lincoln's Sparrow, heard Clay-colored
singing. Saw two male Vermilion trying to decide
who gets the corral. Still have not seen a female
but did see a first spring male besides these
two adults. Kathy saw a Turkey right over the north
fence. Saw a Ribbonsnake go under the front porch.
Mar. 30 ~ Maybe 58F for a low, on and off drizzle
most of the morning. Great was finally my FOS
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Five males calling
and fussin' around in the Mesquites right
across from the gate. Great to see them again!
My what a fancy bird. Whaddabird! I love 'em.
I got a count of 50 Chipping Sparrow in the drizzle.
Gets wet and they all show up. Couple Gnatcatcher
went by. Glimpsed a Zone-tailed Hawk. Saw an
imm. fem. Sharpy depart empty-fisted after a dive
and a miss. Late in day there were two adult
White-crowned Sparrow at once on the patio. A
pink-billed black-lored bird that showed up
yesterday, and the orange-billed gray-lored bird
that has been here 4 months or so now. East
meets west. Heard a few hoots out of the
Long-eared Owl at about 12:10 a.m., just after
midnight last night. It has been here 10 days
now!
Mar. 29 ~ A nice brisk 40F or so for a low. I saw
KERV had brief 38 and 39 between some 40 readings,
we may have but I was not watching. Lovely out
though. Dry is sure nice. Kathy got a count of
35 Chipping Sparrow. Only a handful are breeders
here. Most of the adults that had fully rusty
crowns already departed in the last week to two.
These remaining are almost all first spring birds.
Lots fewer Goldfinch and Siskin, they are thinning
out, and the Lincoln's Sparrow wave is subsiding
as well. But the Black-chinned Hummingbirds are
picking up fast. Saw two male Vermilion Flycatcher
jockeying about, a corral area is a prime territory.
Barn and Rough-winged Swallow were about, a
Zone-tailed Hawk passed over quickly. Yellow-throated
Warbler about the yard is surely the local breeder.
As are the Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireo
singing daily again.
Mar. 28 ~ Front came in overnight. Was northerly
but still warm, 70F, at midnight. Then 60F by
5 a.m. and in 50's at 8. An hour or two as
it hit wind was 20 mph sustained gusting to 30.
No rain as of 10 a.m., doubt we will see any.
One Gnatcatcher out there first thing early.
Too windy. Good thing I spray-painted yesterday.
The lawn gator looks great in swamp green. Blew
all day, worked on stuff here. Saw a couple
Monarch go by. Generally it was a wind-suppresed
quiet today, and the same yard gang. A few more
skimpy Laurel flowers open. More Tube-tongue,
Anemone, and Yellow Wood-Sorrel opening. Must
say the martin house sure takes the wind great,
barely moving. Now if a martin would just agree
with my assessment of how spiffy it is...
A Zone-tailed Hawk dove on stuff in the afternoon,
was that same first spring bird I saw a week or
so ago. A couple N. Rough-winged Swallow dove on
and scolded it, and gave alarm calls.
Winds finally laid down late in afternoon, was a
blower of a day. Amongst things, worked on a knothole
bird house. Wait until you see this. Taking a big
long ago broken branch stub (still on tree), hollowing
it out (old weathered pecan is hard as steel) and
cutting a front to fit into the opening. So the box
itself will be the foot of stump at base of the broken
off branch. It is going to be very cool. For something
small like Wren, Chickadee or Titmouse, and right off
the front porch. About 10:15 p.m. the LONG-EARED OWL
was calling over in the corral. Got Kathy out in time
to hear one hoot. It was really moving around though.
For the first time I hooted back, it did not call again
the next 10 minutes. We won't be trying that again.
I will be the first to admit whilst my Western
Screech-Owl and Flammulated Owl imitations are
deadly, I never spent enough time talking to
Long-ears to become a whisperer with them. Note
to self: need more work.
Mar. 27 ~ Overcast, misty and 62F for a low.
Mid-day southwest flow cleared and dried it out,
it got up to about 84F in the afternoon. Wow.
There is a front inbound arriving before midnight
tonight and tomorrow will be a blowout. Gonna
be a dry passage though, we just get the wind.
Here on the patio in the morning the usual gang
of Goldfinch, Siskin, and Chipping Sparrow were
here. Great was FIVE Clay-colored Sparrow at once
on the patio amongst the melee. The imm. male
Ruby-throat continues, as do the White-crowned
Sparrows (3) and a gaggle of Lincoln's.
Heard a northbound group of Crane but could not
spot them, they were high. Caracara came by low.
An Ash-throated Flycatcher went to three of the
nest boxes, so I suspect one that has been here
before, and probably the male. Only one back
here so far. Some more Laurel flowers open but
instead of the big racemes with a dozen or two
flowers on it, they have 2, or 4 flowers, dinky
pitiful things. At least the metallic turquoise
bees will get a little bit of something. Maybe
that inch of rain we just got will inspire the
flowers yet a bit. An unblemished immaculate
mint-fresh Monarch late in month defies explanation.
A FOY orange skipper got away that was likely a
Fiery. Saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk grab something,
presumably a Chipping Sparrow. Keep forgetting
to mention the Turkey are gobbling at dawn the
last couple or few days.
These are Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ducklings.
July 16, 2019 at Uvalde Nat. Fish Hatchery.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 26 ~ Sunny, dry, and 42F is wonderful.
Heard a Gnatcatcher at first sun that must have
slept here. Yellow-throated Warbler and Vireo
both singing uphill behind us in the live-oaks.
Town run, no Scissor-tails along fence or power
lines yet. A dozen Barn Swallow at north end of town,
finally, especially at the bank. Where there was
also my first pair of Cave Swallow back. Bob
at the post office said the Barn Swallow pair
that nests on their dock out back got back
three days ago, Tuesday. Little Creek Larry
said this morning he saw his male Hooded Oriole
back. He also saw some groups of Gnatcatchers
going through. At the park there was a male
Common Grackle, surely the one that breeds on
the island every year. Larry said he had one
Pied-billed Grebe there still. He also said
the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks number 40 now
at Little Creek. There was one FOY, a freshly
emerged Green Darner dragonfly flying at the park.
Back here at the hovelita I saw a Grasshopper
Sparrow on the fence line under the Mulberry by
the cottage. Only the
second that would qualify as being in the yard.
Botanic FOY today were a few puny Mountain Laurel
flowers, and a Tube-tongue was open. Got up to
80F in the afternoon. The imm. male Ruby-throat
continues, often guarding the side-porch feeder.
Now on day 8 since his arrival. Got here early
and stuck, still have not seen an adult male.
We are doing a quart per day of fluid now and
Little Creek Larry said the same at his three
feeders. So we each probably have over a hundred
birds.
Mar. 25 ~ The front passed overnight, it rained
briefly but well, we got about .65 or five-eigths,
so now have an outstanding inch for the last couple
days. Great timing for flowers. Low was about 49F,
northerlies but not a hard blow this time. It was
pretty windy all night and no owls were calling on
any of my hourly checks outside up to midnight last
night. It was still southerly then, but does not
appear any migrants got knocked down by the turn
to northerlies. The yard was all the same stuff.
Nothing new or different. No movement. The Texas
Persimmon have leaves breaking stem now. Gonna
be real green real soon. Saw a couple Monarch,
an Orange Sulphur, a Vesta Crescent. One FOY
Yellow Wood-Sorrel flower. Did see the adult and
both immature White-crowned Sparrow at last seed.
Mar. 24 ~ Overcast and fog-mist at dawn. It was
briefly in mid-40's F about 3 a.m., but low
50's by dawn. Likely a highlight of the day
was actually just after midnight last night, on
my last listenabout. Besides two Great Horned,
the LONG-EARED OWL was calling again. This time
from right over in the corral where a patch of big
thick junipers. Will check them today. It was not
200' away. But where pigs, and I didn't feel
like putting gun on to go look for it. Have seen
and heard lots of them, but would sure like a docu-shot
of one here, in a XL way. Probably mentioned this
before, but... I have pics of one at Bentsen St.
Pk. on the Rio Grande by Mission from the later 80's.
My pix there are Long-eared, and not Stygian, as a
Long-eared reported there once turned out to be.
Yes I did recheck my slides and ID when I heard,
almost hoping I had blown my ID. ;) No
such luck. Update: of the two prior heard records
from this yard, one was Apr. 9, the other in October.
White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo singing much
of day might be our returning breeders. Mid-morn
went over into corral and checked the patch of big
thick Junipers, no owl there. Looks lots like
patches of Tamarisk I have had them in. Plenty of
rodents here for it. At the near corner of the
grass airstrip at least one, maybe two FOS Grasshopper
Sparrow were on fenceline (at different times and
places but I did not keep track of bird 1). A Vesper
Sparrow was searching the hay, which maybe was the
one I had in afternoon in the yard. Heard a couple
bars of White-crowned Sparrow song from a yard stickpile.
Chipping, Lark, Field, lots of Lincoln's and a
Clay-colored rounded out sparrows here. One male Am.
Goldfinch is getting especially attractive now.
Had a quick town run in afternoon, did not even check
park. Nice to see town empty after the spring break
crowds this past week plus. No Scissor-tails yet along
the roads. I saw one big Cypress that has broken stems
with greenery. Our big native Pecan has also broken
stem with green stuff. At last sun a loose train of
six Blue-gray Gnatcatcher went through the yard,
there were 3 at once in one Hackberry. Great to see
and hear them psssssssing around again!
Mar. 23 ~ Front passed just after midnight last
night. A narrow band of rain with it, we got a
bit of precip for 20 minutes or so, about .35 of an
inch. No big post-frontal blow though is nice for a
change. Just light northerlies. Was 40F for a low
and got up to 80F in the afternoon! Our average date
for last freeze is about the spring equinox. Was not
an average winter, so I would not be surprised to see
more freezes. Average means lots of years it still
freezes later than the equinox, but that is the median.
Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireo singing out there
early. One Clay-colored Sparrow grinding out song,
and in with the Chipping and Field on patio. Lots of
Monarch going by today, we saw at least 10 or 12.
That is a big day for them in spring, it must have been
major movement day hereabouts. Saw both ad. and imm.
White-crowned Sparrow, both with orange bills and so
surely the winterers that have been here, and just
evaded me most of last week. Still 15+ Lincoln's,
and only a couple Lark Sparrow. The Eastern Phoebe
looks like it acquired a new mate and they are using
the old nest. The Carolina Wren still seems single
and is not singing much, maybe it is the female?
Mar. 22 ~ Low about 56F, overcast and drizzle-mist.
Heard a Clay-colored Sparrow singing, a sound of
spring here, for a month of it anyway. The cool wet
brought all the Chipping Sparrow out of the woodwork,
there were 75 at once, more than twice as many as I saw
the last several nice days. Still lots of Lincoln's,
and a couple Lark Sparrow. At least 30 Am. Goldfinch
still here, 25 or so Pine Siskin, over a dozen House
Finch of which the males are wearing to their reddest
now and looking good. The imm. male Ruby-throat is
still here and guarding a feeder. More Anemone and
Straggler Daisy flowers opening. White-eyed Vireo
calling over in the draw. A Ringed Kingfisher flew
upriver over the Cypresses just before dusk. Front
supposed to pass overnight tonight.
Mar. 21 ~ Was in low 40's F in earliest a.m.
but upper 40's by dawn. Sunny, but a bit
breezy from south now. At least a couple dozen Pine
Siskin here still, and maybe about 30 Am. Goldfinch,
some of which are giving snippets of song. When
they give snippets of song, their departure won't
be long. Saw ad. and imm. White-crowned Sparrow in
the yard, the ad. was the darker orange-billed bird,
the imm. I missed a positive on. Saw a fresh FOY
Northern Cloudywing butterfly in yard as it warmed.
Late afternoon we went over to the south (1450')
knoll to collect a few large rocks. We heard a
Golden-cheeked and a Black-and-white Warbler sing.
Heard 3 Hutton's Vireo, no Black-capped Vireo yet.
Heard an Ash-throated Flycatcher. It is just barely
spring. A few Lark Sparrow, a male Vermilion Flycatcher,
Mockingbird, and a few Robin, was the rest besides a
few heard residents like Titmouse, Bewick's Wren,
and Chickadee. Only flowers were a couple FOY: two
Dutchman's Breeches and one Slender-stem Bitterweed.
Got the martin house put in place, now all there is left
to do is sit, drink, and watch. Kathy heard a Great
Horned Owl right at dark, but all I got on my hourly
checks outside was silence.
Mar. 20 ~ And so we have equinox. Happy spring.
Official spring begins today, astronomical spring,
let it rip. It started on a high note, well actually
a low, single note, lots of them in sequence, spaced
out well measured, at 12:05 a.m. last night. Whence
at my last listenabout, besides the usual Great Horned (3)
and Barred (1) Owl calling, a LONG-EARED OWL was calling
from right across the road. For well over five minutes
it went on. I was too tired to put a gun on (pigs)
and go look for it. Have to check but March might be
when I heard one once before. Have heard a few
here over a couple decades, never saw one yet but
have not chased after them either.
Saw the first spring imm. male Ruby-throated Hummer
still here this morning, got pics. I have seen them
with more ruby feathers in fall than this one has now.
So retarded of molt whilst advanced of migration timing.
Hear White-eyed Vireo singing. Great was a couple very
scarce lately BUSHTIT moving down the Juniper row on other
side of the north fence, and toward the draw. In the
afternoon got up to about 72F, dry, wonderful. Ran to
town for a couple o-rings I needed. On way along river
habitat corridor a Yellow-throated Vireo was singing,
and on return a Yellow-throated Warbler was singing at
the crossing. No Scissor-tails yet, any day now. Did
have a couple Barn Swallow in town finally. Park was
a bit spring break busy so I skipped it.
Back here in the afternoon I saw the Vesper Sparrow
again, and Kathy saw 2 White-crowned Sparrow at the
bath. So maybe I just missed them the last week?
Heard another (I think) Yellow-throated Vireo over in
corral. At various times a couple White-eyed Vireo
were calling nearby. Sounding springy. Vermilion Flyc.
was up in the big Pecan singing. A few Red-winged Blackbird
were down on the seed. A number of groups of Sandhill
Crane went over, over the course of the day. One flock
was 85, another bigger flock (by vocalizations) I could not
pickup to count. Surely a couple hundred went over.
Makes over 500 in two days. Kathy thought she heard
Green Jay over in the corral.
Did the silicone and o-ring thing on the martin house
and dug the hole to the drop anchor in. Tomorrow when
silicone dry I will see about dropping it in and finding
some big rocks to lean up all around the base to finish
installation. Saw my FOY Crow Poison flowers while out
in yard. At last seed I saw Kathy's two White-crowned
Sparrow on the patio, the adult had an orange bill, and
was darkish, like the one that has been here. So I think
it is the same bird continuing. The imm. I did not get
a positive on. There were also two Vesper Sparrow on the
patio (!), a couple Lark Sparrow (two back now!), a dozen
each of Field and Lincoln's, and two dozen Chipping
Sparrow. I sure love seeing Vesper in the yard since I
never thought of them as that sort of thing. Dead silence
outside at 9, 10, 11, and midnight. No wind, moon higher
and bigger, no owls calling. Was a large owl racket at
midnight last night.
This is a female Golden-fronted Woodpecker.
Male Golden-fronted Woodpecker has red patch on crown,
and more extensive brighter nape patch, often infused
with orange or red feathers.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 19 ~ A brisk morning at 36F felt great. Early
my FOS Yellow-throated Warbler was 8' away on a
little pecan by the back porch. A bit later I heard
a FOS Yellow-throated Vireo. We played hooky today
and noonish went up to Lost Maples to meet a great friend
we hadn't seen in years, Dr. Barney Schlinger
and his wife Lori from California. It is soooo good
to see old friends. We had a great walk up Can Creek
to the pond, despite it being afternoon. Before they
got there Kathy and I had 300 plus Sandhill Crane
northbound over the HQ building. Impressive flock
size here. Couple Inca Dove calling there at HQ as
usual. At the trailhead parking feeding station there
was at least one male Scott's Oriole, and we saw
one White-tipped Dove while hearing another (and up
the trail we had a third calling). At the seed was
one Clay-colored Sparrow was amongst a dozen Chipping
and as many Lincoln's, and a couple Rufous-crowned
Sparrow, plus a FOS Ash-throated Flycatcher.
On the trail up to pond we had a FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(just 1), a Yellow-throated Vireo was at pond, Kathy spotted
a FOS N. Rough-winged Swallow, and Barney spotted
an early FOS Nashville Warbler (my earliest ever) and
a male No. Harrier over the pond. We saw the bird hosts
Les and Jane, Les said others just reported a couple
Townsend's Solitaire at the pond this morning I think.
We had good looks at a couple Golden-cheeked Warbler, and
heard a couple others. Whaddabird! Have I told you how
awesome these things are lately? Every time I see them,
I can't believe it. It's a magic warbler.
Heard several Black-and-white and Yellow-throated Warbler
singing, saw a couple Orange-crowned and a Myrtle Warbler,
but no Louisiana Waterthrush yet. Had a few White-eyed
Vireo, a couple Ruby-crowned Kinglet, heard a couple
Canyon Wren. It is just barely spring up there. The Redbud
trees were blooming, as were the Maples, but nothing else.
Buckley (Spanish) Oaks were barely breaking stem, and
many live-oaks are in full leaf-drop mode presently.
We saw over a dozen, maybe near 20 Dot-winged Baskettail
dragonfly, and a couple bigger dragons got away, one
looked like a Springtime Darner. We also saw several
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, quite a few Pipevines, but no
Spicebush yet. A couple Olive-Juniper Hairstreak, one
Elfin, a Checkered-Skipper, and a FOS Juvenal's Duskywing.
Was on the chilly side so no herptiles. No Mountain Laurel
or Agarita in bloom yet. Hopefully they will still go off
and it is just that cold that set everything back a couple
or few weeks.
Some sad news was that several months ago Bill Bailey
whom was a long long term ranger at the park passed away.
He goes back decades at Lost Maples and was a great great
ranger. Best one the park ever had. He loved the park
and it showed. Coming from the Roy Heideman school of
what a State Natural Area was originally intended to be,
he really had a fantastic understanding regarding the
natural history values of the park, not to mention he
knew how everything worked. It is a great loss for the
park, and its users. He is not easily replaced. R.I.P.
Bill. We're gonna miss you buddy.
Late in day, after 7 p.m. I saw a hummer I thought sure
was a Ruby-throated, but it was an imm. male. So went
for binocs, luckily it hung around defending a 3rd feeder
we just put out. I confirmed its short straight bill and
very dark forehead and lores, super white throat, the tail
was longer and more deeply forked than a Black-chinned,
and finally after I decided the primary shape was good for
a Ruby, only then, it turned just right and I saw the few
dark gorget feathers just coming in were red! Pretty sure
this is my earliest ever date for one here, and twice as
good as it appears for it being an imm. and not an adult.
Mar. 18 ~ A nice crisp dry 42F for a low after the
frontal passage. Sunny, still some cool breeze
(cold air advection) ongoing. Finally heard a FOS
White-eyed Vireo go by out back this morning. They
held back on their return this year compared to a mild
winter when they can show in February. Later in the
afternoon I heard a second distant one. Saw the
Lark Sparrow out back, just one here so far. Should
have Gnatcatcher and Black-n-white Warbler pretty soon.
Three Red-winged Blackbird males came in for some
white millet at last sun.
Saw an Anemone flower today, then Kathy said she saw a couple
a day or two ago. Mulberry flowers have popped out of
our male tree. Also saw some Straggler Daisy flowers.
Just about got the martin house done. One last ditty to
silicone, house is on pole and standing on patio for the
moment. After some silicone dabs, then it is placing it
out in the yard. For which I have to dig a shallow scrape
a couple or few inches deep for it to settle in to, and
get a few big XL rocks to lean up all around the anchor.
Should be up maybe Sunday, finally.
Mar. 17 ~ It was upper 60's from about midnight
to 4 a.m. or so when the front got here. Promptly
dropped almost 20 dF, but we only got a spit of rain,
a few hundredths. The wind was ferocious at passage,
and is a blower of a day with red flag warnings. Dry
and sunny anyway. The yard is green with grass, getting
too tall too fast. I hardly recongize it after 4 months
of mostly brown. But the ground sure looks great, save
the 'you will soon have to be mowing me' aspect.
Mid-morn I saw a White-tipped Dove flying away from
patio area. Hope it was down at the seed, as opposed
to it flushing before it learned what a great spot this is.
Also had a first-spring Zone-tailed Hawk come by low
and close enough to flush the seedeaters.
Had an armfull of last years' stems I cut, Lantana,
Frostweed, Wooly Ironweed, etc., took it over to a stick
pile and tossed on top. As I did counted 8 Lincoln's
Sparrow that flew out of one of the two stick piles in
front yard! Went to back porch and two more flew into
the just vacated pile from a smaller pile by the patio.
So the SE quadrant of the yard has ten at once, minimum,
which then does not count any in back or on north side
where bath and more stick piles. Bet there are over 20
in the yard. Amazing. Always loved 'em anyway.
Lots of great fine details in their overall somewhat
somber presentation. Seems like almost every time I
look at the birdbath there is one at it, for a couple
weeks now. Having a great passage of them here this year.
In the afternoon I finally saw my FOY new fresh dragonfly,
a Dot-winged Baskettail, as is usual. We typically get a
couple leftover Variegated or Autumn Meadowhawk in earliest
January, and then as soon as they perish there is nothing
until the first of these pop out usually. Not unusual for
them to be out in late Feb., but this year was too cold.
Male Vermilion was out on the fenceline in afternoon,
still have not seen a female. The winds finally relaxed
a bit around dark, there were lots of gusts over 30 mph,
and lots of sustained at 20 plus much of the day.
Mar. 16 ~ Was in the upper 50's F around midnight
but about 64F by dawn. A little mist. Still a bunch
of Lincoln's Sparrow here, well over a dozen.
Had to run to town quickly as they got some B grade bird
seed and I was down to a couple days tops left. Also
needed more ant poison as the Red Harvester or Leaf-cutter
ants whichever they are, are walking off with what little
seed I spread. They are a nightmare here if you spread
white millet. Just a quick drive through at the park,
there were 9 Green-winged Teal (5 drake, 4 hen) and one
Ring-necked Duck still here. The teal are likely transient
passage migrants. The water going over spillway is now
making it all the way to 1050, a couple hundred yards, for
the first time since last July or so. Great to see a stream
there again.
In the afternoon I saw my FOY Lark Sparrow IN the yard,
which is likely a local breeder back. Also saw my FOY
fresh Red Admiral in the afternoon. Our neighbor Hattie
Barham brought back some birdseed for us from a 'big city'
visit when she was picking hers up. Word is Wal-Mart is out,
Tractor Supply was the ticket. So we can breathe a sigh of
relief on the seed front for the time being. About 10:30 p.m.
I heard a Screech-Owl finally, and a Blanchard's
Cricket-Frog calling from over at the river. Have not
yet heard a Chorus Frog this spring.
Mar. 15 ~ Low of 36F was nice and crisp. Sunny and
dry, beautiful. Some birdsong. But dang, what is it
with the time? The clocks were set around midnight,
the middle of the night, and high noon, for good reasons.
Scientific reasons. The photoperiod. It worked for
hundreds of years. Whatever happened to don't fix
it if it ain't broke, and leave well enough alone?
There was a Vesper Sparrow behind office on the seed.
Which is neat because we know this is a transient
passage migrant that just found the place. Due to the
flock of sparrows going in and out. After not seeing
one for almost two weeks it seems, a Sharp-shinned Hawk
broke up the party removing a Chipping Sparrow I think
it was. A couple female Black-chinned Hummingbird are
here now, probably a dozen males. A Caracara landed
in the big Hackberry briefly, until it saw me. The
male Vermilion singing a bit, waiting for that female.
One of the small stunted Pecans a few feet tall in a
flower bed had leaflets break stem, way early for a Pecan.
Lots of sprouts in the Blue Mist Eupatorium patch, the
Wooly Ironweed and Frostweed have sent up new stems,
American Germander is coming up nicely, and a couple
Tropical Sage are showing their first leaves. It is
starting...
Mar. 14 ~ Front came through last night, but we got
zip for precip. Low about 50, winds 15-20 mph gusting
to 25. Will continue to work on things here whilst
waiting for spring and birds to show up. Saw my FOS
female Black-chinned Hummingbird get chased from the
feeder. Still lots of Lincoln's and Field Sparrow,
maybe 50 Chipping, and not seeing the White-crowned,
I think they left. They spent 3-4 months here. Maybe
35 Am. Goldfinch, a dozen Siskin, a few Waxwing briefly,
an Orange-crowned Warbler down on the millet seed is
likely the one that wintered doing same on cold days.
Winds finally laid down in the afternoon late. First
calm in nearly a week.
Now working on the pole assembly for the martin house.
Thought I would have it up by now, guess again. Think
I got it and final attachment of box to top of pole will
be next. Have to wait until the cement inside the PVC
pipe dries in a few days. Did put the box on once to
make sure all fit properly, but removed it to connect
pole to anchor. About 6 p.m. I saw the humidity at
KERV was reading 7 percent! That is nearing bone dry.
Great Horned and Barred Owl hooting it up after dark.
Wonder why I am not hearing the Screech? I have to
go back and check notes for start of singing dates
here for them. Seems like they ought to be going too.
Mar. 13 ~ Same thang. Low 60's F for a low,
misted a bit early, humid, overcast and blew like heck
all day from south, ahead of next inbound front. Was too
busy on projects to see much. A couple Pipevine Swallowtail
went by. Saw my first Hackberry flowers of the year out.
Flowers first, leaves follow. About five days now of
southerly winds at 10-20 mph gusting 20-30 mph. A few
brief periods on the calmer end, but brief. Birds are
thinning out with the reduced rations. The Chipping
Sparrow in particular are seeming to bail. Front supposed
to pass tonight with a band of rain and a turn of wind to
north with dry air.
Eastern Meadowlark
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 12 ~ More of same. Overcast, gulf flow, humid
low 60's for a low, wind has not stopped blowing
well out of the south in about 4 days. Blew all day
again. Had a migrant Ruby-crowned Kinglet through the
yard in the morning. Still a gaggle of Lincoln's
Sparrow, but less Chipping and Field, and maybe the
White-crowned have departed. There are probably at
least a half-dozen Black-chinned Hummers here now.
Was town run fun. Have a couple folks there going
to nearby bigger city national chain type places that
will hopefully have some birdseed they will pickup. At
the park did not see the Pied-billed Grebe, only a few
Ring-necked Duck left, maybe 4. One Kinglet in the
woods. Heard a Green Kingfisher. Little Creek Larry
said he had a small group of 8-9 Black-bellied
Whistling-Duck at Little Creek a couple days ago.
Those are FOY new returnees.
There was a small spot at the park they messed up IMHO
(and the previous park managers opinion), destroying some
understory over-dozing last year. The had dozer dude back
and finished the patch off. It had Red Turkscap, False
Dayflower, and other wildflowers, a few Hackberry trees with
vines, Virginia Creeper, it was a great little spot of habitat.
It is all dozed and scraped. I had seen a couple dozen
Mourning Warbler, Ovenbird, Wood and Gray-cheeked Thrush,
Kentucky Warbler, amongst a few hundred small birds in this
little patch of habitat, won't have to worry about that
happening again. I have never seen so many people so obsessed
with dozing understory, and so little understanding or appreciation
of what habitat is, or what habitat values are, as I have
here. When you live life as a bulldozer, everything needs
scraping, and chainsaw man thinks more trees need cutting.
They call it improvements. It was a beautiful patch of
streamside (river-edge) habitat (you are not supposed to
touch) full of life, now it is a bare scrape of ugly,
devoid of any life. It was just a thousand square feet
or so, but they are chiseling away at the little tiny
bit of natural streamside riveredge habitat left, which
is not a good sign. My guess is to add another screen
shelter, e.g., for money.
Late in day at last seed call I went around looking
out windows with bins counting Lincoln's Sparrow.
Holy Melospiza sparrowman, there were 18 at once! I bet
there were more and I did not see them all. It is the
biggest concentration of them I have seen in modern memory.
Though once as a kid I saw a big fallout of them, was in
March too, 1970 maybe. A place called Agua Calientes in the
Borrego Desert in socal. One morning after a rain there were
many many dozens, probably over a hundred of them a short
strip of a desert wash, as well as a dozen Sora (the rail!).
In a bone dry (but lush) desert wash, running around under
the Mesquites.
Mar. 11 ~ Low of about 62F, breezy gulf flow and low
clouds. The usual. Having to dial back on the seed
to make what we have last a few days. Now we have
an actual XL existential crisis. You can tell the
birds are thinning out already, just from a couple
days of a slight reduction in amount spread. Saw
another worn pale Monarch, a Pipevine Swallowtai,
an Orange Sulphur, and the Elfin. Was too busy at
the desk, did not see anything different in birds.
Mar. 10 ~ Low was about 60F, still heavy with the gulf
flow and humidity, overcast. Supposed to be another
blower gusting up to 30 mph again today. At dawn when
tossing seed I heard the male Vermilion Flycatcher sing
again over in the corral, this time several times. It
has not been in the yard yet best I can tell. On 360
just east of the river I saw my FOS Barn Swallow, two
of them. The ripples from the big freeze of Feb. 2021
just keep landing like hot new hits. Now there is a feed
supply problem. This includes horse and cow feed, and
mixed bird seed! Six weeks maybe they say!?!?!?! I
don't have a week of mixed (mostly holy white millet)
on hand. OMG! Gets cold for a week and everything goes
to prairie pastries.
Out the back west end of 360 there was no Agarita in
bloom yet. I see other Mountain Laurels that have
dropped leaves (which I have never seen them do here)
and no buds or blooms in sight. Sorta looks like the
single digits cost us a laurel bloom this year. A couple
Redbuds in town have some flowers, don't see any wild
ones going yet. In the afternoon Kathy thought she saw a
Pepsis Wasp (Tarantula Hawk). I thought I saw a Monarch go
by and an hour later a very worn pale one did, which looked
much paler than the one I thought I saw earlier, but got a
FOY date anyway. Also saw presumably the same Elfin
again over by the wet spot. Saw the little orange and
black job that has been buzzing by a few days now, it
is a Vesta Crescent. A second Eastern Phoebe just showed
up, one has been here a few days, singing a little. Like
maybe one of the pair survived and is back. It has gone
up to the nest. Late in day I finally saw the male
Vermilion Flycatcher in the Pecans out front. Great to
see that red again. Wish the wind would stop blowing so
hard.
Mar. 9 ~ Low in mid-50's F, overcast and humid.
Waiting for spring. Besides the ground where green
in many places now, everything else still looks like
winter. Brown sticks everywhere still for all the
Cypress, Mesquite, Hackberry, Pecan, and Persimmon,
and all of last years wildflower stems. At dawn I
heard just one measure of song from my FOS Vermilion
Flycatcher over in the corral. Did not see or hear
it again all day. Saw a couple each Black and Turkey
Vulture soaring around. Other birds seemed the same
in the yard, lots of sparrows and Am. Goldfinch,
fair numbers of Siskin, a few Waxwing. Heard the
Scrub-Jay. Kathy had 2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
at once. A Henry's Elfin came in to a muddy
wet spot I made whilst doing other things.
Mostly working on the bracket on the bottom of the
martin house to attach it to the pole. I think the box
refurbish itself is about done and its ready to go.
Need a couple bigger hose clamps for attaching bracketts
to the pole it will sit on (going to town tomorrow).
Then to get that !^@%*&%! cement anchor with pipe stub
out of the 5 gal. bucket I poured it in. Of course it
does not want to leave. I have done many 30 pounders
(a half-sack of cement) and they popped out fairly easily.
Wish I had a walk in freezer to put this in for a few
hours. Maybe I should have vegetable-oiled, or
hefty-bagged the bucket? If I have to leave the
bucket until next winter I will - LOL. Had to collect
a handfull of 40 lb. rocks to lean all around it anyway,
but then also to hide the dang bucket. Next is goggles,
gloves and muriatic acid. Come on down, having blast.
Mar. 8 ~ Overcast, low in mid-40's F, springy.
Might have hit 70F in the afternoon, stayed pretty
breezy out of SE, with its attendant gulf moisture
and clouds. Saw the Clay-colored Sparrow. I would
say at least a dozen Lincoln's Sparrow around the
yard now. Kathy counted five at once in a brush pile,
whilst there were three at the bath at the same time.
That was just on north side of house. Still about
60 American Goldfinch, a couple males getting color.
Just a few waxwing, and what has to be that same one
Robin up top of the big Pecan first thing early.
Kathy had the Scrub-Jay at the bath. Another bird
we have not seen since the big freeze is Hermit Thrush.
We had one at least coming to the bath daily. Neither
of us have seen any in a couple weeks at least, since
the snow. We presume hopefully that it left. Adult
White-crowned was at the bath again, was great to
have an adult stick around the yard all winter.
Only because of the half dozen big brush-stick piles we
make from the constantly shedding Pecan tree branches.
The Lincoln's love them too of course.
Mar. 7 ~ We ran about 38-68F for a temp spread,
mostly sunny, dry, very nice but too breezy in the
morning. Working on things here, have just a bit
of time to get too many things done before birds
start getting very distracting in the very near
future. The Clay-colored Sparrow is still here,
nice for it to have stuck, we are at a week now.
Best FOY (first of year) was the first snake, a
Western Ribbonsnake, about 20" long, a real
beauty they are. The rest was the same gang.
Nice to hear some birdsong even if in fits and
spurts still. The Field Sparrow are going fairly
well. Wish the White-crowned Sparrows would sing.
A Red-tail is calling as it circles over the
nest tree area, have not gone to look to see if
mate in tree or whaddup. Did have a Turkey Vulture
today. I would guess with that Polar system making
it well into Mexico a couple weeks ago that lots of
stuff held up on the rush for northbound progress.
Late afternoon a flock of a dozen Brown-headed
Cowbird dropped down on patio. Spring migrants.
Mar. 6 ~ We ran 50 to 64F or so for a temp spread, but
with breezy chilly northerlies. A Lesser Goldfinch
is singing quietly now, first of that I have heard.
Kathy saw the Savannah and I saw the Clay-colored
Sparrow, so both continue at the milletfest, as do
10 Lincoln's, 3 Gambell's White-crowned,
a dozen Field, and a hundred plus Chipping. Some
Robin and Waxwing. Only seeing one each of Carolina
Wren and Eastern Phoebe, both of which troll around
and are not pinned down here. Worked on things here
including more on the martin house, last (3rd) coat
of urethane on now. Went over to golf course pond
and there was absolutely nothing there. Or going
to and fro. Too windy I guess. Great Horned Owl
pair is duetting all around us, and the Barred Owl
is calling over at the river. Screech not going
right now yet, should be any day.
This is a female Red-winged Blackbird. I suppose you
could say they look sparrowish, but they are twice as
large, and no sparrow is this streaky of underparts. They
are obviously named after the male plumage. That is also
one blurry facing viewer in lower left corner.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 5 ~ Dropped to low 50's F briefly just
before sunup whence it promptly fogged up real good.
But which blew out quickly as a front arrived
with northerlies. Blew 10-15 mph gusting 20-30
most of the day. Looked the same birds around yard.
Saw the Savannah Sparrow still visiting the patio.
Loads of Lincoln's. Town run day. Went the
back way out the west end of 360 to see if Agarita
was blooming yet, a big negative on that. Many
live-oaks are in full drop mode and yellow. Biggest
thing in town was water going over spillway at the
park for the first time in over six months! We
are up to normal bankfull. All that snowmelt
percolating up-drainage finally pushed us over.
The island is an island again. Wow! Lot of new
leaves coming up from the Water Lillies already.
Mine in the tub pond has some too.
Still 10 or so Ring-necked Duck on the pond, one
male American Wigeon was new. The two Pied-billed
Grebe continue. One Myrtle Warbler and one Kinglet
(Ruby) in the woods was it there. Did have a Turkey
Vulture over town, but saw no Blacks coming or going.
One Agarita in the garden at park entrance had a
few flowers open, but not a natural native situation.
The same for a couple Redbud trees at the Library,
a few flowers open, but a groomed (watered) non-natural
tree. Shirley at the store said a week or two ago she
had an Audubon's Oriole at their place between
Vanderpool and Lost Maples. She also said someone
on the Utopia Facebook Community page posted they
had a hummingbird this week. Then about 2 p.m. a FOS
(for me) male Black-chinned Hummingbird showed up at
our feeder. No Barn Swallow in town yet.
A few Purple Martin were calling high over the park.
Think I got the rest of the parts (screws and clamps
for mounting) for the martin house. Second coat of
urethane on it today, so now after it dries, mount
it to the pole. Still have not popped the 70 lb.
cement anchor with pipe stub out of the 5 gal. bucket.
Been 5 days so the cement should be set, but maybe
tomorrow will take it out. Later afternoon I saw
72F on the cool shady front porch. Down in the
flatlands Castroville and Del Rio had 80F!
Mar. 4 ~ It was mid-40's F at midnight but
50F by dawn. Almost foggy. The American Goldfinch
number I would put at 60 now. They are plowing
through some sunflower seed. Pine Siskin were at
least 30. The Savannah and the Clay-colored Sparrows
were on the patio eating white millet. It has to be
10 Lincoln's Sparrow now around the yard. Every
time I looked at the birdbath today there were one
or more there. Three at once was great. Still a
few Red-wings coming in for millet, 3-4 each males
and females. A passing conga line of 7 Black Vulture
is the most I have seen in almost two weeks. Heard
the Red-tailed Hawk over the nest tree area. Imm.
fem. Sharpy flushed everything a time or two. The
3 White-crowned Sparrow continue. A flock of 18
Sandhill Crane was northbound at noon. Saw the little
orange and black either Vesta Crescent or Elada
Checkerspot again today. Leaning Elada based on
flight pattern. Lottsa green sprouty sprouts
sprouting. Our best Laurel continues dropping
leaves and does not look good. I wonder if
something underground got the roots? Saw my FOS
spider in the garden, but no ID idea past that.
Mar. 3 ~ Was right about freezing this morning, but
I saw 72 on the cool front porch in the afternoon,
might have been 75F in the sun. It was great, dry.
But had to work at desk all day. Still checking the
feeder but no hummer. The Clay-colored Sparrow
continued. Kathy saw the Savannah Sparrow at the
bath again. There were 8 Lincoln's Sparrow,
and a dozen Field Sparrow, a couple White-crowned.
20 Siskin, 50 Am. Goldfinch, some Robin and Waxwing,
one Caracara, one Eastern Phoebe and one Carolina Wren,
no vultures. Noonish a flock of 30 Sandhill Crane
flew over northbound on strong tailwinds. The ground
is sure getting green fast. Saw a pale morph female
Orange Sulphur butterfly. One other butterfly got
away, it was either a Vesta Crescent or an Elada
Checkerspot, which apparently had somewhere else
to be. Sylvia Hilbig reported her FOS Vermilion
Flycatcher today, a male, presumably their local
breeder there arriving back on territory.
Mar. 2 ~ Low about 35F or so, sunny and dry. Nice.
The big news was that neither Kathy nor I saw or
heard the Anna's Hummingbird today. She must
have left yesterday afternoon, was here in the morn
yesterday. So Feb. 5 to March 1 were her stay dates.
Three and a half weeks. Amazing. She is heading
west, with tales of snow, sub-zero chills, and single
digit cold. And a dummy with a snow shovel in south
Texas, that would come out and change the feeder every
hour for days on end no matter how cold. It was
great to have her here. What a first winter she had!
Bon voyage!
The Clay-colored Sparrow continued, as did a gaggle
of Lincoln's Sparrow (at least 6). Late afternoon
I was in the cottage working on the martin house and
the Clay-colored hopped on the patio right outside the
door about 6' away! In the morning Kathy
spotted a Savannah Sparrow at the birdbath. Might
be a first there. Clearly a passage transient here
in the yard. Sparrows are on the move. With the
White-crowned, Field and Chippy, it made for six
species of sparrow in the yard today. Not bad.
Saw a first year male Lesser Goldfinch at the bath,
it is a new arrival. A couple butterflies came out
in the 63F heat, one a fresh male So. Dogface. Way
better was the first Henry's Elfin of the year!
A real harbinger of spring so always great to see.
March 1 ~ Well even if this month comes in like a
lion, it will be more tranquil than last month.
Was just a baby lion this morning. A front came
through yesterday late afternoon and evening, but
the rain, wind, and colder air came in overnight.
Low was 45F, 15-20 mph northerlies gusting 25, and
we got about a third of an inch of precip. Was one
good downpour of a cell pre-dawn. Today marks the
beginning of meteorological spring, which is March
through May. Of course astronomical spring starts
March 20 on the equinox.
Kathy saw the hummer. I heard the Scrub-Jay. At
least 50 Am. Goldfinch, but found one dead, first
of that I have seen. It was not long after an
accipiter flushing event, whence everything explodes
outta here, it may have struck something. Great
was in the late afternoon going through the
Chippies as if I haven't yet seen them all,
after months of doing this, and BAM! A Clay-colored
Sparrow! I have never seen one in winter up here
on the plateau, only down in the brush country.
My early dates are typically March 21 or 22, so
this is three weeks earlier than the earliest,
or it wintered locally undetected until now.
Got a fuzzy through-the-window pic, looked like
a first spring bird. I would bet on it being an
extremely (record) early migrant. There were a
couple nights of strong southerlies. During snow
week I thoroughly scrutinized the Spizella here
since their numbers exploded and they were often
confined to small snow-shovel cleared strips.
It was not present, nor was a Tree or Brewer's.
~ ~ ~ February summary ~ ~ ~
What a month it was. Record cold, and most snow
since 1985, probably 10" of snow in two
events a few days apart. Sub-zero chill factors
and single digit temps. Power outages, DSL outages,
gas and food supply disruptions, we got it all.
I would estimate about 2.25" of precip for
the month converting the snow to rain, roughly.
Which is great for normally dryer February.
Butterflies were all but absent most of the month,
as expected when cold and wet. Might have been
5 species total, and just a few more individuals.
No odes, many years we get the first fresh new
emergences in later Feb., this year it was too
cold. Were some Anole and E. Fence Lizard out
on warm days. The non-avian highlight of the
month was the Spotted Skunk in the shed again.
Birds were good despite being cooped up most of
the month. Three new yard birds in a month at
this point is between amazing and incredible.
First was the Anna's Hummingbird which was
here Feb. 5 through March 1. Then a Prairie Falcon
which was IN the big pecan on the 13th was past
outstanding and near mind-blowing. Finally during
the snow on the 18th a male Yellow-headed Blackbird
on patio is my first local winter record. In the
snow. A couple Lincoln's Sparrow at the end of
month give a new early date for spring arrivals. The
wintering Vermilion Flycatcher was seen at the park
dam in the freeze, and prior at the golf course pond
by the Waresville Cmty. The flock of Pintail
continued on Little Creek, and fair numbers of
Ring-necked Duck showed up. At least two Green
Jay continued, being heard near the park early in
month, and seen in our yard late in month so they
made it through the snow and single digits! It
was few things in quantity, but extremely high in
quality. Looks 80 sps. for me this month, which
is mostly from the yard, a few at the park, and
one look at Little Creek. Of course another
dozen and more were around if you were trying
to cover it.
~ ~ ~ end of Feb. summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ archive copy of Feb. update header ~ ~
February! Only a month to Golden-cheeks!
Saw a WHITE-THROATED Sparrow Feb. 2, which I
had heard earlier, they are scarce here. On
Feb. 5 there was a FOS migrant hummingbird (female)
at a feeder but it is un-ID'd, so far. There
were at least a couple calling GREEN JAY up and across
river from the park the 5th. There is a report of
CINNAMON Teal on Little Creek, the Pintail continue
there too. A Verdin was noted on Feb. 5, another
on the 7th was a second one. Update: the hummingbird
is an ANNA'S, which is a rary here, and still
present on the 26th. A FOS spring returning Turkey
Vulture showed Feb. 9, two were together on the 10th.
A major severe cold event began Feb. 11 and will
last most of a week. Amazing was a PRAIRIE FALCON
in our big Pecan on the 13th. Overnight on the
14-15th we got about 4" of SNOW (!) and record-breaking
cold (5F!) in the morning. Southbound Sandhill Cranes were noted
Feb. 15. On Feb. 18 we got 4" or more snow, and
a male Yellow-headed Blackbird! Looking around
after the big freeze of Feb. 2021, a 10 day event,
there seems to be a great dearth of Carolina Wren,
Black Vulture, and Eastern Phoebe. Two or three
GREEN JAY were in our yard Feb. 23. Right on historical
returnee time was a male Lesser Goldfinch on Feb. 25.
A FOS Lincoln's Sparrow was in yard Feb. 26,
there were two on the 28th. Also heard FOS northbound
Sandhill Crane the 26th. A FOS Purple Martin called
northbound high up on Feb. 28.
~ ~ end archive copy of Feb. update header ~ ~
~ ~ ~ back to the daily drivel ~ ~ ~
Feb. 28 ~ Was about 65F all night, drizzle,
mist-fog, you know the thing. Might have
hit 72F peak heat, but barely any sun. Got about
.10 of precip to add to the total. I would say
the last few days have totalled a half-inch.
Which is great. One of the best Mountain Laurels
we have is shedding green leaves like I have never
seen. It looked like they froze, and now are falling.
Hope it is OK. Saw Anna the hummer and Scrub the Jay,
Robin and Waxwing, Siskin, lots of Am. Goldfinch,
White-crowned Sparrow, and now there are two
Linclon's Sparrow in yard. Spring migrants!
Passage transients. Even better in late afternoon
was a FOS Purple Martin calling high overhead moving
north upvalley. While I was working on rehabilitating
an old martin house...
Running late on it, but been too cold to do it.
It has never been up here, is 35 years old, wood,
small four-holer, needs new varnish, screws, silicone,
sanding, added a new bottom for strength in the wind,
some perches, all of sorts of little things. Marble
floors and granite counter tops. Worked on it hours
yesterday and today, hoping it might be ready in a
week or so. It was up for one year in 1986, over
near SAT, neighbor said I was trying to steal his
martins. I am not kidding, it was suggested I was
a martin rustler. They never went to the house.
Might not here either, but I never was the type to
give up easily. Poured the 70 lb. concrete anchor
and set the vertical pipe stub in it, besides work
on the box itself. That snow and freeze set me back
a week on some of this spring stuff. Supposed to be
in the garden too. Heard the Barred Owl late.
Feb. 27 ~ Low was about 58, more drizzle and
mist, even light shower briefly, and another
.15-.20 of precip. Great for the green sprouty
things on the ground. Overcast and in the
60's most of the day, but hit 70F in
the afternoon when the sun sorta poked out
for a few moments. Anna the hummer and Scrub
the Jay were both here. Saw two Black Vulture
and 1 Turkey Vulture. The rest was the same
gang. neither Carolina Wrens or Eastern Phoebe
was around supporting the idea they are not the
local residents that briefly left and came back.
Saw an Orange Sulphur butterfly in the heat of
the day.
Best bird was a skunk. I was in the shed out
back looking for wood screws. It is 8' x 12',
steel, plywood floor with a couple holes in that
which might be 2" and change. I try to keep
them blocked mostly to no avail. I heard something
behind me that sounded larger than the usual Cotton
Rat (Sigmodon) or White-footed Mouse. Turned around
and a three feet away looking at me, surprised as
I, was a Spotted Skunk! After seeing Striped somewhat
regularly, these seem like they would fit in your hand.
What a stunningly beautiful animal! Of course I
was doing some calculus about how far the door was,
what part of a second would be needed to jump throuh
it, and how jumpy and what kind of spray hair-trigger
do these Spotties have? How much tomato juice and apple
cider vinegar do we have on hand? I slowly backed
away toward the door, as if it were a Mountain Lion,
like John Belushi in the movie Continental Divide.
It was yes sir Mr. Skunk take anything you want, to me.
I don't care how small it is, I know they have
a different kind of stink, unique to only them among
our 4 skunks, and I did not want that much of a life
experience, right then anyway, I was busy. Ran for
camera. Got back and heard it still moving around all
the boxes which are stacked and line all the walls
and shelves. It is a mess o'boxes. It was
in a near corner with a bunch of junk and out runs
a Cotton Rat. That is what it is hunting in there!
He is welcome as can be! When he came out of the
pile I got a pic or two before he disappeared, on
the trail of Sigmodon. It is not the first time I
found it in there, and have never smelled a thing.
I sometimes smell the Striped Skunk that lives
under the cottage, after it had to spray something.
I can't believe the little hole this Spotted is
getting through, or how awesome it is to be three
feet from it in daylight.
This has to be my best looking dependent, a Spotted Skunk.
It was in shed hunting a Cotton Rat (Sigmodon) I saw sneak
away as it closed in. It lives here somewhere, we never
smell it, only ever smell the Striped Skunk, and that rarely.
Look at those long claws. That is how it grabs prey
and climbs trees. I suspect it is what we hear climbing
around boxes on a shelf unit in the carport, hunting vermin.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 26 ~ Drizzled all night and flatlined at
60F. By dawn it was about .2 of precip. Stayed
the same all day but without the drizzle or mist.
Town run, they had food and I got a little gas.
As if that wasn't enough, Rosie was there
so some tacos made the return trip with me.
Some Killdeer were in the pasture just east of
the river on 360. On county line road (UvCo 356)
there was a flock of about 35 Eastern Meadowlark,
and one Audubon's Warbler in the Hackberry row.
At the park there were 9 Ring-necked Duck, and a
Pied-billed Grebe on the pond. In the woods
the large dark soaring objects had just lifted
off, there were now 3 Turkey Vulture and the one
Zone-tailed Hawk just over treetops circling to
gain altitude. The Zoney DOVE at one of the
TV's which had to take evasive maneuvers
to avoid being struck! I do not recall ever
seeing such an interaction. No small stuff in
the woods, and NO Black Vulture. Incredible.
After thinking I might have heard one yesterday
afternoon, this afternoon late I heard then saw,
my FOS Lincoln's Sparrow. A passage spring
migrant! Yesterday's FOS Lesser Goldfinch is
a returning breeder, not a passage transient.
Saw Mocker and Anna the hummer, Kathy had a
Scrub-Jay. Heard only FOS northbound Sandhill
Crane today.
Feb. 25 ~ Flatlined at 60 all night, overcast
and humid. Springish, but no warmup today.
Sure nice to not be fighting the cold, with water,
electricity and the intertubes. Benign is fine.
Soared up to about 64F in the overcast afternoon.
Heard one Carolina Wren trolling about briefly
in the morn, and then late afternoon a second
bird was around. They did not seem to be acting
like the house pair. It all seems like it is new
to them. Later heard the Scrub-Jay, saw Anna the
hummer, a few Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbird
still coming in, a couple Brown-headed Cowbird.
Maybe a hundred Chipping Sparrow, still 50
American Goldfinch, 8 or more Field Sparrow.
Saw the Orange-crowned Warbler at the birdbath,
and maybe my first ever ad.ma. Red-winged Blackbird
at it.
New was an adult male Lesser Goldfinch. This is
exactly on time for the first spring returnees
historically. Last week of February was usually
when the first ones return. Rarely earlier, but
the biggest cluster of arrival dates is last week
of Feb. We don't know that the few that winter
at thistle socks locally are the local breeders,
they may well be from elsewhere. Even IF they are
local birds, then still about 99.999 percent of our
breeders depart for the winter. Great to see them
back. I just love it when a data dot or duck falls
right in the row perfectly.
Feb. 24 ~ We flatlined at 60F all night. Overcast,
the gulf flow is back. Today is the big warmup
before the next frontal passage (dry) this afternoon.
It got to 84F, at least, in the afternoon! Anna
the hummer was out there before 7 a.m., and later.
A few Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbird around.
Mid-morn a Scrub-Jay was quietly gathering a gullet
of sunflower seeds along the back fence where I toss.
Later Kathy spotted it at the birdbath. Finally
heard single Eastern Phoebe and Carolina Wren!
I doubt they are the ones that were resident here.
Both are trolling around the yard acting like they
have never been here before, not long-term residents
that know the place. Neither stuck too long. Saw
the male Eastern Bluebird on the gate nestbox,
presume a female was around or inside it. They are
scouting boxes already. So are Titmouse and Chickadee.
Saw two Black Vulture finally, but the skies are for
the most part, essentially vulture free here now.
What are we going to do with all the roadkill?
Todd's Roadkill Cafe in Leakey closed a long
time ago. Best guess is that name was scientifically
formulated after much focus-group research which
determined it to be what would most effectively keep
the tourists away, and attract the locals, in one word.
Feb. 23 ~ Low maybe 35F or so briefly, chilly but
no freeze. The Anna's Hummer was out there
before 7 a.m. on the feeder. About 10:30-11: at
least two (and maybe three) Green Jay were in the
yard! One went to the sunflower feeder and got seeds!
One was making a very loud cat meow call, much like
the hawk alarm mimic call, but clearly different.
One came back later for more sunflower seeds.
Great to see at least a couple made it through the
big freeze. Pretty tough for a semi-tropical species.
Bet they never saw anything like that snow and cold
before. There were a couple days with sub-zero chill
factors and single digit temps, and a few days with
snow covered ground. Consider that it was possible
if one were in the right place to have gotten photos
of Green Jay in the snow. In the afternoon the
Scrub-Jay came by briefly. Nearest Blue Jay I know
of are in town and at park.
Feb. 22 ~ Low was about 34F or so, chilly but no
freeze. Which is a big win, and none are on the
ten-day forecast. Spring will spring now. It got
up to 70F or so in the peak afternoon heat. Still
no Vultures, Phoebe, or Carolina Wren. They were
all lost in the event. Normally I can hear a
few other pairs of Carolina Wren countersinging
with our yard birds. Dead silence out there now,
and I do mean dead. It is eerie. Holy longhorn.
The Anna's Hummer is still here though. I
ran to town late afternoon to pickup at the post
office since a truck finally got here. The gas
station is selling emergency rations of gas only
still. Store still does not have milk or creamer.
Went to the park to see how many Black Vultures
were on the roost tree. NONE! At 5 p.m. this
is unprecedented. They are gone folks. We lost
'em. There should be a hundred plus there.
ZERO! One Turkey Vulture flew out of a Cypress,
which is likely a new arrival in the last couple
days as none wintered. Our just-arrived pair at the
house is MIA. The Zone-tailed Hawk flew in looking
to roost just before 5 p.m. so it made it. There
was one Kinglet (Ruby), two Myrtle Warbler, and
NOT ONE Phoebe. Should have been a handful.
There was a good Mayfly hatch going, and NO Phoebe!
I think a lot of them were lost. I did hear two
Carolina Wren though which was nice since ours at
the house are gone. A dozen Ring-necked Duck were
on the pond. It is a different birdscape out there
since the big freeze. Kathy mentioned here at
the casita there are a lot less Cardinal out there
than a week ago. After dark heard the Barred Owl
for the first time in a while, over along the
river.
Feb. 21 ~ Low was in the mid-40's F after
midnight, but a couple hours before dawn it went
up to 50F, about 30dF warmer than yesterday morn.
Sure feels great to not be freezing. Have to peel
the layers off the windows. The Red-wings are
not around, just a few Brown-headed Cowbird.
Still 50+ American Goldfinch though. Chippies
have dialed back to half the freeze peak numbers.
About a hundred each Robin and Waxwing in the
morning and again in the afternoon, had to refill
the bath a couple times. I saw the Anna's
Hummingbird a couple times in the morning. It
got up to 72F in the afternoon! First warm day,
and warmest in 12 days at least. No Turkey Vulture,
hardly a Black Vulture (1?), I am thinking they both
took a major hit in this. Also we did not see or
hear our Carolina Wren pair here today. Which is
impossible. I saw them Friday for sure, but not
sure about yesterday, and certainly not today.
It appears we have lost them. Looking for the
phoebe pair too, did not hear them either today.
Did hear an Eastern Bluebird. I saw two reports
in Texas of 6 and 7 dead male Eastern Bluebird
all together in two seperate boxes. Too many
days without food or being able to forage, in
too much cold.
Feb 20 ~ Another hard freeze at 18F this morning,
and all was covered in thick frost. I ran to town
in that at 8 a.m., since a supply truck got here at
dawn with bread, eggs, produce, and other stuff, but
still no milk. Hopefully they will get another
delivery later in the upcoming week. Scanned the
park pond, about 20 Ring-necked Duck on it was it.
Little Creek Larry said he forgot to mention this
week for a couple days during the worst cold a male
Vermilion Flycatcher was on the dam as Phoebe (Eastern)
often is. I suspect it is the same male that was
wintering at the pond on the golf course (a mile
south), and had to move and work the river in the
big freeze.
On the way home on 360 by the former Utopia on the
River, there were a dozen Lark Sparrow. The only
ones I have seen all winter. They could be returning
spring migrants. Larry just recently mentioned he
had a few. The Anna's Hummingbird made another
night in the teens. We sweat it out every morning
until we see it. There have been lots of stories
on the intertubes of people across Texas that lost
their wintering hummingbirds during this freeze event.
Was nice to not have to be swapping out feeders in the
snow or cold. Only a couple dozen Red-wings, half
the peak number when the Yellow-headed was here,
and no sign of it. It is with the other couple dozen.
About 10 Brown-headed Cowbird. All 3 orange-billed
gray-lored western type (probably Gambell's)
White-crowned Sparrow continue. Great to hear
Red-winged Blackbird singing out there much of the
day. Sounds like spring!
I may have forgotten to mention (for obvious reasons)
in the peak cold there was a Eurasian Collared-Dove
out back on the seed briefly, on a couple days.
Thanks for the condolences. Did have a Caracara today,
but did not see the two Turkey Vulture that showed up
the day before the major freeze, ice and snow event
began. They had about 9 days they could not get up,
out, and fly. Can they live that long without food
when they are having to burn way more than the usual
amount of energy trying to stay thermal? I doubt it,
and expect they succumbed. It was 58F here in the
afternoon with southerlies, they should have been up
and out looking for roadkill, and hanging out overhead
later in the afternoon, like they were the day before
the big freeze hit. Way fewer Black Vulture out there
too now, only saw one small group along road between
here and town, only a couple over house all day.
So we made 10 days of this major cold and deep-freeze
event. It appears we are headed back to more seasonal
temps for the rest of the month. That was brutal.
None can say it was a mild winter here this year. No
one under 35 had ever seen snow or cold here like we
had this week. Little Creek Larry said since 1985 for
the snow. Which he estimated at 10" for the event.
He is pretty good about that sort of thing. As he said
it was melting all the time as it was snowing. His
gauge had 1.25" of water in it after it all melted.
So it surely could have been 10" of snow. This
was a remarkable historic event. The likes of which
hopefully we won't see again for some time, or ever.
Green Jay head crop. We had at least two in the yard
again this week, meaning they were in the snow last week!
We have not seen the Yellow-headed Blackbird again
since in the snow last Thursday Feb. 18.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb 19 ~ A chilly 14F for a low. It was a cold
morning, but finally it warmed up in the afternoon
to about 50F! Most of the snow melted. Did not
see the Red-wing flock, only a few, and no Yellow-headed.
Saw the Anna's Hummingbird and Downy Woodpecker,
the rest looked the same. But I saw both imm.
White-crowned Sparrows well finally, and like the
adult here, they are orange-billed and gray-lored.
They too are probably Gambell's (western) type
like the adult.
The internet remains down here if on DSL, they hope
to have it back up 11 p.m. tonight! Went to town
and got lots of horror stories but very few supplies.
No mail truck has arrived this week, the gas station
was just a station all week, they were getting some
gas today. The store is out of most staples like milk,
bread, eggs, butter, fresh vegetables, and so on. All
this because it got cold in Texas. I heard some say
not to bother trying at the nearest HEB stores, they
too are out of most of the basics as well.
Looked at the park but I didn't walk the woods at
the park as it was muddy with melting snow, but there
were 62 Ring-necked Duck on the pond, most I have
ever seen at once there. Open water must have frozen
somewhere up north. Little Creek Larry said there
were more than 60 Ring-necks out there yesterday. He
also said the creek froze, and all the ducks there left
for a couple days but mostly seem to be back. Hummer
was tanking up late.
Feb. 18 ~ In the low 20's F, about 24, and shortly
after dawn it started snowing again. By afternoon it
looked like 3 inches but was probably more like four
as it was melting quite a bit the first couple hours.
Flatlined at 25F all day. Birds are thick on the seed.
Astounding was my first winter record of a Yellow-headed
Blackbird here, in with now 45 Red-winged Blackbird!
They are accidental on the plateau in the winter. It
was a beautiful male, and got shots, which I froze for.
New for the yard list too! Got a count of 12 male
Cardinal at once, 27 Mourning and 25 White-winged Dove.
It is over 200 Chipping Sparrow here now, maybe 225.
Anna's Hummer still here, we are swapping out the
feeder every 90 minutes or so. Saw both the ad. and
an imm. White-crowned Sparrow. The dark ad. is an
orange-billed gray-lored type, probably a (western)
Gambell's, not our default standard pink-billed
black-lored (eastern) leucophrys. The Brewer's
Blackbird flock was 45 and at least half of them came
down to the patio edge for seed late in day, which they
never do. Red-wings have no aversion to the patio,
the Brewer's, never come down to it. Three species
of blackbird in a day here is good. If only I could have
seen the Rusty. They are really jumpy and hard to
work.
The power was on all day though was off some overnight
last night. Pipes didn't re-freeze, so we have heat
and hot water. The DSL is down, the phone company is not
answering, they are in Rocksprings. Welcome to Texastan.
The energy state. We did not break freezing after
briefly doing so in a big way yesterday. We are now
at 7 days of the last 8, at or below freezing, which
constitutes a major deep freeze a way down south here
below 30N. Nearing 6 p.m. the snow has tapered off
and I think it is about 4" for today. There are
horizontal branches that were clear yesterday afternoon
now with at least 3" on them. Yesterday when I saw
Calvin he said he had 4" not far from here from the
first event. I would say then probably 7-8" for two
events, Monday and Thursday, at minimum. Lots melted each
time as it began because the ground was warm. It is likely
the most snow here since 1985, over 35 years. Now though,
we can not tell what is supposed to happen next weatherwise
without the DSL. Was to be very cold tomorrow morning again.
Feb. 17 ~ Stayed right around freezing all night, there
were a couple 2 FOOT icicles! Almost all the snow melted
in the afternoon when it warmed up to about 50F briefly!
Finally some heat, outside the house at least! The water
lines thawed finally. So there is hot tap water again, when
power. Power was off and on all day here in the banana
Republic of Texastan. The afternoon it was mostly on,
but the constant improper shutdowns on the computer are
not a good thing. Can barely work, answer emails, or do
business. It is past ridiculous. Didn't see anything
different in birds, all the same stuff, but more Chippies,
and more Red-wings have collected. Downy Woodpecker and
Anna's Hummingbird still here. Heard the Scrub-Jay
out back a bit, thought I heard it yesterday too but was
just once. Myrtle Warbler still eating seed. Another
winter weather event inbound for tomorrow. More power
outages in evening. There was a blown pipe (making a nice
fountain behind the cottage) that feeds some troughs over
in the corral so I had to call to get ranch maintenence
to come out and fix it. They had more to do after fixing
this one...
Feb. 16 ~ Day 6 of the big freeze. It was a smokin' 14F
at 7 a.m., but was in single digits during the overnight.
KERV had a 5F at 2:30 a.m., we were likely near that.
Up to 22F here at 10 a.m., pipes (wellhouse?) still
frozen, at least we have stored emergency water and snow
for more, plus power and heat. Lots of Texas is in a big
hurt this morning with none of the above. At noon I saw
27F on the front porch, and some bodacious icicles. Heard
the pair of Eastern Bluebird out by their usual box.
Hummer here of course, nothing moving in this. Saw the
dark ad. White-crowned Sparrow and the Orange-crowned
Warbler. White-winged Dove are getting the purple mauve
on their necks now.
Spent the afternoon and night with rolling blackouts.
Lovely. Begging the question as to why the Texas electricty
distribution management org has the word *reliability*
in their name. I don't think it means what they
think it means. This same thing happened in the 1989
polar air event, AND on the 2011 (DFW) Super Bowl day. This
is the third time, recently. Feds and others both prior
times told the state they needed to winterize the power plants.
Nothing happened but millions in exec pay and lobbying
for their monopolies, and deregulation. Texas in order to
be unregulated required them disconnecting from the federal
Western Grid, so they could not get power from it now when
we needed it. An oh yeah, this is the energy state, where
when it gets real cold no one has any power or heat, and
it is the windmills fault. Offline was 16 GW of renewable
and 30 GW of thermal (nuke, coal, gas). About 75 of 675
power plants in the state were offline. During the polar
freeze. Makes sense. About 10 percent of plants, roughly
the amount of power the state was short. Despite having
something called the electricity reliability council.
Some are saying when the brownouts started Monday it was
within minutes of a major meltdown that would have taken
out the grid for months. Now there is some reliability.
Feb. 15 ~ Day 5 of the big freeze of Feb. 2021. We woke
up to at least 3.5" (maybe 4) of SNOW (!) and a
sizzling 5F! Blinking clocks and frozen pipes, which is
probably out at the wellhouse. A drip was going, was being
the key word. At least we have heat and electricity! It
went out quickly a few times overnight. There has been
nothing like this in 18 years we have been here.
There was an Arctic cold event in 1989 but it was after
we left San Antonio and Texas that year. Then there was
a big snow in 1985 (SAT had a foot, 18" in Utopia).
The SAT record low for today was 16F, they had 9F this
morning, KERV was 5F like us here. Was a good bit of
melt in the heat of the day in the upper 20's F.
Amazingly, I got to use my SNOW SHOVEL! It is from
New Jersey, a 1982 vintage, it was made in America before
the crapification and is real deal steel. I should be
shoveling in town today for extra dough. LOL
Probably the only one in the whole valley. Most of
them have never seen such an implement, and they have
almost every implement known to man here. Had to clear
areas to toss seed on the patio, made a path to the back
and cleared spots out there for seed, a path to the cottage,
the stone step walkways, and out to the driveway. The job
sure is easier with the right tool. We can get around
the house, to cottage, and seeding, without tracking snow
in now.
Hummer was out there at dawn when I was being a shoveler.
The hummer feeder lasted about 90 minutes before the
fluid was icing up. Doing the swap with one inside
the house, all day. In the afternoon I saw 28F on
the cool shady front porch, was probably 30F on the
sunny south side. The wind was still over 10 mph so
it didn't feel very warm. KERV was 22 and
Hondo 30F. The Downy Woodpecker was going to ground
getting sunflower seeds just like the Ladder-back and
Golden-front have been. They also learn by watching.
It was packed with birds on the seed all day here, and
I shoveled lots of that too. About 3:30 we lost the sun
and the melting slowed way down. Got a 200 count on
the Chipping Sparrow late afternoon! At least 30 for
the Red-winged Blackbird count. Saw the Orange-crowned
Warbler grabbing some white millet. I have never seen
so much snow and cold without a junco to be found. Two
species of warbler are here, but no junco, in the snow.
Saw both ad. and imm., female Cooper's Hawk make
passes at the seedeaters.
I took a bunch of pics, just to have evidence to look
at next July and August. I took a few generic shots
to show all the birds in the cleared areas where seeded.
Kathy was outside on the front porch about 5 p.m.
and heard cranes, I got out there quickly enough to
tell they were going south. Wonder where they left
from this morning? Hummer was out there camped on
feeder at 6 p.m. for last fill-up. Late p.m. saw
the dark ad. White-crowned Sparrow.
Feb 14 ~ Day 4 of the big freeze of Feb. 2021. About 25F
for a low, and some patches of ice on the ground from
the mist which is freezing and then building up. The
Hummer is on the feeder, which we brought in overnight.
Did I say the low was 25F? Turns out it was the high.
By afternoon it was 22 and dropping. Never did warm up.
With the wind on it feels the teens. The birds were
all the same gang. The historical cold event peaks the
next two mornings in single digits and tonight we are
supposed to get snow. It is brutal out there and getting
worse before it gets better. Been shoveling seed all day.
Three days had been the limit for freeze events for the
last 18 years we have been here. This one is now looking
like it will be 7 days where only once for a few hours
was it over freezing (Friday the 12th). Had to quick
thaw hummer feeders at 5 p.m. when it was 18F, they
were slushy. At that time Winds were N 15- gusting to
25 mph, chills were in the single digits. Counted
10 male Cardinal at once, and got a 150 count on the
Chipping Sparrow. Now with the cold they all show up.
The Red-wings were around in the afternoon, heard a
few Robin and Waxwing. Saw the Myrtle Warbler grabbing
some white millet seed. Worked on cold-proofing some
things better, expecially in the cottage where marine
aquaria. Guess I got all my good birds for the weekend
yesterday. Now I am just trying to keep a hummer alive,
and pipes from bursting. At 8 p.m. I saw 14F on the
front porch, and wind chills then had to be about zero.
There was some frozen rain and sleet, which should turn
to snow shortly. Junction and Rock Springs are sub-zero
chill factors aleady this evening. By 10 p.m. there was
1.5" of snow on the ground and it was coming down
moderately, local WU stations were reading 9-11F, wind
was 10-15 gusting 20-25 mph..
Feb. 13 ~ Low was 25F, some mist, we won't see 32F today.
Saw the hummer a few times in the morning. Best was
before 10 a.m. when I went to put a second shovel of
seed out. The birds had all just flushed so I figured
a good chance. When I got out back tossing I heard a
Titmouse alarm call, looked up and saw a PRAIRIE FALCON
jumping out of the top of the big Pecan! That is what
flushed the doves and all a couple minutes earlier!
It lazily flew north low over the draw, and was likely
going back down shortly. First one in the yard, and
whaddabird for my Pecan tree list! Gotta say if I
hadn't seen a couple hundred of them I would not
have instantly recognized it. No substitute for
experience with the animal.
Less than an hour later I walked out of the cottage
and a Loggerhead Shrike was on a (original juniper)
clothesline pole (that the wire the birdfeeders hang
on is connected to). Right at the corner of the patio!
Looking for a Chippy. First Shrike on the patio. Only
had one IN the yard once before, have heard a few over
toward the airstrip. It flew and landed in the lowest
branches of the big Pecan. BAM! On my Pecan tree list.
Two new ones in an hour! With almost 3000 days straight
of watching this tree. Ten thousand hours looking
in this tree, and now, leafless, I see two species in
an hour that I have never seen in it. Amazing how fast
one can go from "well I have been looking for ten
thousand hours and never saw one of those here",
to "oh yeah, sure, got it". It never did
break freezing, was misting on and off, and getting
colder and breezier.
This is the yard Feb. 15. Update: after melting the
17th, another round of same hit on the 18th. Each
event was about 5", biggest snow here since 1985.
This is the male Yellow-headed Blackbird in the snow on Feb. 18.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 12 ~ Low about 30F, briefly misted, feels like
winter. A little more precip overnight, probably safe
to say .75 (of an inch) for the event. The Red-winged
Blackbird flock was down on the seed, 27 I counted, about
12 were male. Little Creek Larry said he got an inch
of rain from the event. Also said there was a nice
flock of Ring-necked Duck on Little Creek yesterday.
He also heard there was a half inch of ice up on top
of the plateau, just above Lost Maples yesterday.
There was a pair of Ring-necked Duck on the pond at
the park, and the one Pied-billed Grebe, which actually
called, something I do not hear often here. I did not
walk the woods though. Rosie was closed, presumably
the bad weather, so no tacos today. Hope I survive.
By 1 p.m. it was over freezing, maybe 35F or so, and
misting lightly. Just after 4 p.m. finally I saw the
Anna's Hummingbird today. Some Chipping Sparrow
are getting very rusty of crown.
Feb. 11 ~ Low just over freezing, about 34F, with
some mist and drizzle, winter rears its cold head
again. We are in for nearly a week of very cold temps,
for here, they say peak will be the coldest in at least
several years here. Mon. and Tues. lows are forecast
to be single digits! Arctic air. Four or five days
straight of highs in the 30's F or lower. Three
is the most I have seen in the last 18 years here, a
few times. Looks like I will be shoveling bird seed
for the next week, and hunkering down inside near the
heaters. The drizzle was nearing a half-inch by about
1 p.m., and we were flat-lining at 33F, so, at least it
is not ice. Just north of us up on top of the plateau
above Lost Maples it is ice all over. From way west
of Junction to KERV and Austin. The wind is off and
on breezy, so feels below freezing out there in the
wet. Was a bit of thunder occasionally as well.
More weather for your money. I would love a nice
thundersnow. At dark it was about 15mm of precip
total over the day.
The blackbird flock was in the big Pecan first
thing, a bunch of Red-wings singing, right out in
the breeze in a cold rain. Thrilled. Lots of
birds on the seed. Kathy said at least a hundred
Chipping Sparrow. Remember, it is easier to trust
the count of another than to count them ones self.
It was about 40 some Siskin and 50 Am. Goldfinch,
20 each House Finch, and Cardinal. About 8 each of
Field Sparrow and Black-crested Titmouse, and 4
Carolina Chickadee, a few each Bewick's and
Carolina Wren, lots of White-winged and Mourning Dove.
Saw the icterids down on the patio and under Mulberry
in the afternoon. So did some counting myself.
There were 11 Brown-headed Cowbird (3 male, 8 female),
and 25 Red-winged Blackbird (12 male and 13 female).
Highest count of either sps. all winter for me here.
February is when we see their numbers go up and
I suspect it is spring arrivals. Kathy saw the
hummer on the back feeder, which is a bit more
sheltered than the one on the front porch.
Feb. 10 ~ Flatlined in upper 50's F all night,
and day. A cold front is just pushing in under the
warm moist air aloft, and so winter is back. It was
all springy yesterday afternoon. The blackbird flock
(125+ Brewer's, some Red-wings) was over in the
corral but I had too much work to do to work them.
Nice to hear some Red-wings singing though. Saw the
hummer in the morning, hope it is packing the pounds
on for this next cold spell. Next Mon. and Tues.
morns they are talking major cold with a couple lows
in the 20's F prior to those Not good hummer
weather. Caracara and Raven made passes. Heard
the Ring King over at the river. In the later
afternoon there were TWO Turkey Vulture together,
working the area low like the local breeders. Very
cool to see them back. Kathy spotted a very dark adult
White-crowned Sparrow at the last seed eating feeding
frenzy. Maybe it is dirty, the white stripes were
not clean, the whole bird looked dirty. The pair of
Eastern Phoebe were singing together in the treetops today.
Feb. 9 ~ Another fog-mist morning, balmy at 60F or
so. We have a major blast of winter with some very
serious cold heading down in a few days. Will enjoy
the mild gray in the meanwhile. Must have been some
accipiters lurking in the shadows, much of the day
the birds were not out there. Kathy saw the hummer
late in the day, about 5 p.m., finally, otherwise
would have missed it today. At least it is getting
to put some calories on before the big freeze hits.
They are talking one of those 48 hr. spells without
breaking freezing this coming Sunday to Tuesday,
with lows in the teens. Got up to about 76F here
in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be about 20F cooler.
What looked the female Red-tailed Hawk was soaring
over the nest tree area in the afternoon. Great was
a FOS Turkey Vulture in the afternoon working low
over the corral. Surely one of our local returning
breeders. Most common arrival date the first 10-12
years I was here was Valentine's Day, but they
have been returning earlier, as spring, the last
few to several years. Methinks these will soon
regret it this year.
Feb. 8 ~ Overcast, almost fog, low about 50F. Early
saw the hummer perched in top of the Mulberry, as if
on station, which is great to see. It has been
flying way away across road so maybe it will become
photogenic in good light yet. I am sure it is an
ANNA'S Hummingbird. Which is a great bird here,
far less than annual here, and the first one here at
this place (8 years and ten thousand hummers here).
We had at least 3 at Seco Ridge in 8 years. Judy
Schaeffer in town had a couple one of those same
invasion years, including one that stuck the winter.
This fall and winter was a big year for them in the
east half of Texas, maybe the fires out west pushed
more thisaway. But most showed up a month or two ago.
Showing up in early Feb. is not the usual program with
them. I can't even guess which way it is going.
But for now it is not going anywhere in this inclement
mess...
There was a flock of 125 blackbirds in the corral,
most were Brewer's but 10 Red-winged in with
them were about half each male and female. Did not
spot the Rusty before they bolted. They are ginchy
too. I heard a Hutton's Vireo singing over along
the north fence in the Junipers. Which are really
spewing pollen now. Some male trees are orange.
Kathy saw the Downy Woodpecker by the sunflower feeder,
it must be watching the Ladder-back and Golden-fronts.
Late about 6 p.m. I saw the hummer on the back
(office) feeder for the first time. Which is great.
Saw what looked a pair of Raven (Common) ejecting
another pair of Raven from the area.
Feb. 7 ~ Low was 30F, maybe it got a dF colder,
I wasn't hanging around watching it. After
lots of looking, about 10:30 the hummer was at the
feeder briefly. Got another bad light shot, but
had only camera so no study, until I get pix off
it. A bunch of waxwings hit the birdbath, making
off with a half-gallon of water in short order.
We went for a spinabout for a couple hours noonish.
First we slow-rolled over to Little Creek and
scoped the pond with the ducks. The light is
bad mid-day and the wind was blowing over 20 mph.
We did not see the Cinnamon Teal but you can not
surely see everything due to vegetation. We did see
the 40+ Pintail continuing, a dozen Green-winged
Teal, probably 40 Gadwall and around 30 Am. Wigeon,
one Ring-necked Duck, and a Great Egret. Nothing
along the roads, save on 355 in the jog section
we had a look at a Verdin. Checked the pond on the
golf course by the Waresville Cmty. and saw nothing.
In the pasture on 360 just east of the river the
ground has just gone green and there were 9 Killdeer
and about 40 American (Water) Pipit, neither of
which have been around. Make it green and they
will come. Warmed up to about 70F, but too dang
windy until nearing sundown. The hummer showed
briefly about 5 p.m. but I did not get a binoc
look or another photo either one. The front
porch feeder is in the best high-vis place to
snag a passing bird, but it is horrible for
viewing light most of the time. If there were
a plug out there I would have an LED spot on it,
with a switch I could throw from inside as needed.
Feb. 6 ~ Was about 44 around 3 a.m., but 48F by
dawn. With fog and mist, heavy overcast ahead
of the front due in later this morning. The
hummingbird came in one time that I saw in the
morning, when it was still gray and overcast,
in very low light. But I got a few shots. Pretty
sure it is an ANNA'S. I can see gray in
the underparts I could not see yesterday (whence
also in bad light), and a fair bit of green on
the sides. It has just a few dark gorget feathers
in lower center throat, so probably a first-spring
female. I heard it call a couple thin sharp hard
chips again, which as I said to Kathy when it did
that yesterday, is Anna's call. The front
cleared the clouds out before noon and every hour
all day I spent 10 minutes watching the feeder
camera in hand, and as of 5 p.m. had not seen it
again all day, when there would have been great light.
At least we know it tanked up good last night and
this morning, and we got some pixels to argue about.
This is the Anna's Hummingbird, present Feb. 5-12 so far.
Update: she made it through the freeze and snow, and low temps
of 5F and 10F! Last seen the morning of March 1.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 5 ~ We ran about 48-68F for a temp spread
today. Sunny and nice. The yard was the same
seedeaters. More birdsong every day now.
Town run fer shtuff. Best was hearing a couple
Green Jay across the river from the park, just
above the top end of the island in that live-oak
motte on other side. So they are still around.
Just probably hanging on some corn feeders up
thataway. Heard Belted Kingfisher up the river.
Little Creek Larry said there were a couple
CINNAMON Teal over at Little Creek in the duck
flock, and the Pintail are still there. Rosie
was there so real deal tacos for lunch here at
the hovelita.
After lunch a female hummingbird showed up at
the front porch. After it departed I checked
and both feeders had gone syrupy, hope it got
something. Refreshed both again. Been doing it
all winter for nothing. Then one finally shows
up when it's shot. Dang it. It was not a
Selasphorus, there was no rufous or rusty. It
generally looked like a female Black-chinned for
the most part, but had a small group of dark
gorget feathers in center of lower throat. The
underparts were fairly white without buffy sides,
and not gray whatsoever. I heard a couple thin
chips which were hard and sharp. Since none of
that adds up, it will remain a hummingbird sps.,
which is about as big a bummer as one hummer could
be. Whilst I was standing around hoping for it
to return I heard the Verdin go off over in the
Mesquites across the road. Saw one Orange Sulphur
and a couple Snout for butterflies. Heard the
Ringed Kingfisher over at the river.
About 5:45 p.m. the hummer came back. It gassed up
good this time with fresh fluid. On the other
side of the feeder of course. It remains un-ID'd
but importantly, I am unable to rule out a
Costa's on it yet. It seems not Anna's, and
is not a Selasphorus. The hard sharp thin chip does not
sound like the soft Black-chinned or Ruby-throated.
Since it is here this late in day, I presume
I will get chances to see and study it tomorrow.
I had a very early spring female Costa's up on
Seco Ridge, March 4-5, 2006, which called alot but
wasn't there 24 hours, and I did not get a tape
of it. So, no score! After dark I was slow-rolling
on the back west end of 360 and saw a Gray Fox on the
road. They can be remarkably fast.
Feb. 4 ~ It was about 59F all night. Balmy,
south Gulf flow ahead of the next front, which
is set to arrive this afternoon. Thick overcast
bodering on fog early. Warming up above average
ahead of the cold air on its way down from Canada.
We saw the male Ladder-backed Woodpecker on the
birdbath, which is a very very rare sight. Probably
because he is eating all those sunflower seeds.
The northerlies arrived around 3 p.m., whence
I saw 82F on the cool shady front porch! The
sunny south side of the house had to be a few dF
warmer, likely 85F. Most of the local WU stations were
reading 82-85F. The record for the date at SAT
is 85, so our record would typically be a couple dF
cooler than that. Which means we are right about
or at a record high for the date. Remarkable.
Saw several Snouth fly by. Kathy saw a Dogface.
Feb. 3 ~ Low was in upper 30's F, sunny
and no wind, great out. I can't believe
how fast how green the ground is turning with
sprouts in some areas. Various grasses, and
other green sprouty things are breaking ground.
Go green. Got up to about 75F in the afternoon.
Weewow! Had a glimpse of some Zons flushing
from under the sprawling laurel out back. Looked
like two White-crowns and a White-throated. Weird
how some laurels grow sprawling like a bush, and
others grow vertical like a tree, totally different
growth forms.
The rest was all the same
gang. Too busy at the desk. Heard the ack ack
ack ack ack fire of a Ringed Kingfisher from over
at the river. Heard the Eastern Phoebe singing
for the first time this year. So it joins the
sputtering chorus of residents that are delving
into song as we pass the mid-winter point. Days
are nearing 1.5 minutes longer, daily, now.
Feb. 2 ~ Another near-freeze, about 34F for a
low. At least the wind laid down. Got up to
upper 60's, so about average for the date.
A Robin and waxwing flock that went over looked
like a hundred of each. Some Robin were dropping
to land in the top of the big pecan and getting
to within 10' of an adult Sharp-shinned
Hawk before they made the ID and changed course.
It was really fidgeting as several did this, but
knew it was a waste of energy trying to get one out
in the open airspace. They would break off the
landing maneuver at what seemed like way too late
to me. I was surprised they got that close before
seeing and-or recognizing it. I know it sits up
there trying to look like a White-winged Dove,
but eight or ten did this, separately, as the
Robin stream went over. It was all the Sharpy
could take, changing position a couple times,
it wanted to go after one badly.
Kathy saw a big black butterfly today, which was
surely a swallowtail of some flavor. Actually Black
Swallowtail is more likely, often it can be seen in
earlier Feb. when on a warm day the first emergences
will pop. But she didn't see it well enough
to say whether Black or Pipevine. First swallowtail
of the year though. Maybe we will see it again in
the next day or two.
February 1 ~ Low about 33F, sunny and nice out.
Figures its a work day in the office, weekend
was mostly blown-out. Same gang o' birds.
Until after noon when I saw a Rufous-crowned
Sparrow at the birdbath. Have not seen one
here in a couple or few months, so that was
nice. Then in the afternoon I caught a look
at a White-throated Sparrow when it stopped on
a branch after it flushed out from under the
laurel out back where I toss seed. Right where
I heard it a few days ago. It is a white striped
adult. Now if I could just get a pic, but it is
ginchy as can be. BTW, ever notice how close ginchy
is to gunshy? A good flock of Robin and waxwing
went over late afternoon, about 75 of each,
heading west towards a roost site.
~ ~ ~ January summary ~ ~ ~
This one will be short and easy. We had about
1.3 inches of rain for the month. Which is below
average but made a big difference as reflected
in how the river has come up to only a foot below
going over spillway at park. Food crops are poor
and gone, there is an amazing dearth of birds out
there overall. Pastures, hedgerows, treelines,
patches of woodlets, riverside, are all fairly
devoid of birds, as bad as I have ever seen it
here in 18 years now. There were 6 species of
butterflies this month, and perhaps a dozen
individuals total of which half were Snout. The
Eufala Skipper was best for Jan. Three Variegated
Meadowhawk were the only dragonfly, on one day
early in month. Heard Leopard and Barking Frog
on a warm day later in month.
Birds were very weak though. We have not seen the
Green Jays this year, or since mid-December. Best
bird locally was the Hilbig's Western Bluebird.
Second best was a flock of 9 Mountain Bluebird I saw
briefly on UvCo360. An ad. fem. Rusty Blackbird sometimes
in the corral adjacent to us is on her 8th winter here.
One Lark Bunting on UvCo354 was good. A female Downy
Woodpecker has been around a bit. A male Vermilion
Flycatcher is again wintering at the pond on the golf
course by the Waresville Cmty. I saw about 68 sps.
locally this month, with hardly any looking outside
yard or park checks. I know of several more that
others saw.
~ ~ ~ end Jan. summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ January update header copy ~ ~
January 2021 ~ A Lark Bunting on the 3rd was the
first noteworthy bird of the year, scarce here,
so always a treat. Sylvia Hilbig reports a WESTERN
Bluebird at their place in mid-Jan. (priv. prop.),
a few miles NW of town in BanCo.! A GREAT sighting!
They also had a Merlin there. A flock of 9 MOUNTAIN
Bluebird was briefly on UvCo 360 on Jan. 29. A
Rusty Blackbird is irregular south of town, a female
in her 8th winter hereabouts.
~ ~ end January update header copy ~ ~
~ ~ ~ back to the dairly drivel ~ ~ ~
Jan. 31 ~ It is appearing as though we may yet make
it through the first month of the new year. Was
in uppermost 30's F for a bit overnight but
over 40 at dawn. Clear and sunny but a second
front is moving in so wind picking up by 9 a.m.,
northerly cool air and a high 10F cooler than
yesterday. Too windy until late afternoon so
worked on stuff here. Birds were the same gang.
Robin flock might have been a hundred though.
There are some juniper berries, and mostly up in town
some Ligustrum and Chinaberry. But the birds are
sure not like when there are great food crops of
Pecans, Hackberries, Junipers, or seed crops from
a good fall bloom.
Jan. 30 ~ A balmy 59F for a low, overcast, nearing
fog, some mist at one point in the morning. Southerly
Gulf flow being sucked up in front of the next front.
Noonish the front cleared it out and it was northerly
breezy a few hours. It warmed up in the afternoon, at
4 p.m. the local WU station readings ran 75-79F! Amazing.
The birds here looked all the same gang. After lunch
we took a short quick spinabout checking the pastures
along 360, no bluebirds. Nothing on the airstrip
either. Went on top of the 1450 knoll as it has a
big flat bareish top, nothing. Had to look around a
little. There were very few birds out. The most
action is in our yard. Even the river-edge is quiet.
No bugs save the winter Mayfly hatches on warm days.
The Texas Scrub-Jay, texana, is our subspecies, of what
is now called Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, of which it
is not. The far west Texas (and westward) Scrub-Jay are
Woodhouse's, these Edwards Plateau birds are their
own flavor. Ridgeway I think originally described this
subspecies, in other words, before Oberholser, it was
that obviously different.
This is in the shade under overcast. One day it should
have full species status. But since west Texas has
different (Woodhouse's) scrub-jays, Texas Scrub-Jay
would not be a good name for it. Edwards Plateau
Scrub-Jay would be suitably accurate and unwieldy methinks.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 29 ~ Low was around freezing about 4-5 a.m., but
was 38-40F by dawn. Cool and overcast, a slight breeze,
chilly. The yard birds were the same. Town run, was
real quiet there, maybe the stock show in Uvalde?
At the park there was a beautiful drake Ring-necked
Duck on the pond. A few Myrtle Warbler and the male
Audubon's continue, a Kinglet (Ruby) and a Hermit
Thrush. Nice to hear Titmouse and Bewick's Wren
singing in town. Rosie was not there today so missed
our weekly taco fix. On the way home on 360 just west of
Utopia on the River, a flock of 9 MOUNTAIN Bluebird flew
right over me low. I jumped out and got fair binoc
views (at least a couple were ad. males), as they flew
over the pasture along road toward river, gaining
altitude and disappearing. Have not seen one locally
in a bunch of years. Saw them a few times the first
few years here, and maybe once since. Only takes one
good bird to make your week.
Jan. 28 ~ We were right on the freeze line this morning.
KERV had a couple 29F readings, we might have been 31F
briefly. Warmed up to about 60F. Was the same birds,
nice to see about 50 Robin in a flock. Golden-fronted
and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers eating sunflower seeds.
Another 36 count on White-winged Dove, couple dozen
Cardinal, 50 American Goldfinch is great, 100 Chipping
Sparrow. Too busy at the desk with work. Hearing some
Chickadee song is great.
Jan. 27 ~ Low about 40F and the wind blew all night.
Around midnight last night there were some 30 mph gusts,
it was 15-20 mph sustained overnight and much of day.
Sure is a crowd of birds out there first thing early
after I toss seed and put feeders out and up. Weird
that I have not seen that Chipping Sparrow with the
white feathers on left wing again. Seems like it is
likely one of the ones the accipiters have taken.
For standing out. Let that be a lesson to you.
Maybe hit 60F in the afternoon, whence wind laid down
finally. Which means it will get cold.
Jan. 26 ~ Low was about 35F, about a category lower than
progged. Great to hear Cardinal giving a decent burst
of song. It warmed up quickly, by noon it was 70F and
I was seeing butterflies. A Eufala Skipper has to be
my first Jan. record (n~18). A Lyside Sulphur flew over,
and a Snout came into water Kathy sprayed. There is
nothing out there for them to eat, but for puddling.
Then a Lady of some sort dashed off un-ID'd, most
(all?) wintering Lady here are American. Painted generally
continues through in fall and does not stick for the
winter. Birds were the same gang, as expected in January.
Another dry front is inbound, winds started late in
the evening.
Jan. 25 ~ It was in the 60's until about 6 a.m.
when the front started arriving, dropping to almost
50F by dawn. Looked as though there were a showerlet
briefly as it went by, the ground was wet. Then
clear and sunny, but the wind blew most of the day
until late afternoon. At 15-20mph, gusting to 25.
It warmed up to the low 70's in the afternoon.
KERV was 72, and Hondo had a 77F! We were in between.
Pretty amazing for the date. Nice and dry too.
Kathy spotted the first Southern Dogface of the year,
a mint fresh just-emerged male that the paint had not
yet dried on. Just a little heat and pop goes the
butterfly. Saw two imm. White-crowned Sparrow here.
Had a quick town run late in afternoon and so a look
at the park. Saw one Pied-billed Grebe. Better was
hearing a (Rio Grande) Leopard Frog, and a Barking Frog.
First amphibs, and of those calls this year, and way way
early for them. Almost surely my earliest dates ever
for both of them. Usually (Blanchard's) Cricket-Frog
is the first early amphib on a warm day in Feb., if
not our 'spring peeper' the (Strecker's)
Chorus Frog. There was a fair bit of Mayfly emergence
going on. A couple Myrtle Warbler, an Eastern Phoebe,
and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet were right on it. A female
Ladder-backed Woodpecker was drumming on a dead Cypress
knot making an interesting sound. Is it singing back
to its mate, or trolling for one?
Jan. 24 ~ Foggy and 60F in the morning. Didn't
cool down a bit. Had some drizzle and mist off and
on over the day, stayed soppy and in the 60'sF.
Plenty of work to do on things inside. That is the
great part of trying to have a half-dozen projects
going all the time. Chipping Sparrows were over a
hundred, and nothing in with them save the Field
Sparrows. Of which I finally heard one sing today,
Kathy did several days ago. Heard some Cardinal and
Carolina Wren song too. Saw Titmouse checking out
nest holes. Time to do any annual nest box work or
maintenance is now. The non-migratory residents get
going very early. All I did was toss seed a few times
via seemingly well worn paths, and yet I was still
able to acquire my first chigger of the year.
Jan. 23 ~ A gray day in the 50's, foggy in the
morning, overcast with occasional mist over the day.
Heard a Golden-crowned Kinglet uphill in the live-oaks
behind us. Counted 30 House Finch at once in top
of the big Pecan, they are building in numbers now too.
Great was a Savannah Sparrow on the patio in with the
Chippies. It is a rare bird on the patio, have only
seen a couple prior. The rest seemed about the same.
Another 36 count on White-winged Dove. Sharpy was
diving on the seedeaters in the afternoon. Warmed to
about 60F and stayed there into the evening. Had too
much biz work to do here to lookabout.
This is an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk. These bird eaters
take lots of birds all winter, sparrows, Cardinal, and even
dove. Especially the smaller males appear barely bigger than
a Robin. A handy book gives 10 inches for Robin, 11 for Sharpy.
Don't let their size fool you, they make up for it with attitude.
I watched one march on foot into thick brush after a rabbit (!)
once, which had to be over twice its weight.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 22 ~ Was clear late last night at midnight,
some clouds this morning but clearing out. Stayed
around 50 all night again. Nice not to be cold.
It was at least 36 White-winged Dove on the ground
this morning. Warmed up to a toasty 77F here in
the afternoon, local WU stations were reading 75-78F.
And dry. Very nice. The birds were all the same
gang here. Checked park in town, nothing new or
different there either, except the water has really
come up. I'd say a little over a foot below
the spillway, it was nearing three feet below. So
major headway with some water in the hole. Saw the
male Audubon's Warbler at north end of the island.
Jan. 21 ~ Clouds, mist, fog, maybe was some light
drizzle overnight, stayed about 50F and soupy all
night. Lifted to just overcast for the afternoon,
and hit the low 60's F. Still dozens of Pine
Siskin and Am. Goldfinch going through pounds of
sunflower seed. The White-winged Dove might be
32 now, it was at least 30. There are things about
their movements we do not understand. We were
down to about 4 or so a month-plus ago at peak absence.
They have been building steadily the last couple
or few weeks, the current number much higher than
what was wintering locally (incl. town) in December.
Saw the Downy Woodpecker female from the office
desk, over in the Mulberry over the cottage. The
Robin was squawkin' and about 45 Waxwing were
around a bit. A pair of Eur. Collared-Dove was on
the patio, which I would rather not see. In the
afternoon warmth as it dried out the pair of
Golden-fronted Woodpecker were preening extensively
a couple feet apart in the top of the big Pecan.
He has been chasing her around a bit lately.
Jan. 20 ~ A chilly wet one, low 40's F, drizzle,
light showers, mist. Looks like about .75 or so
total since yesterday. There were a couple tenths
yesterday, so a half-inch or so overnight and in
the morning. Will wait for it to end to get a total.
After dark, I would say about .85 or .9, event so far.
Saw a, the, Orange-crowned Warbler under a Laurel
eating millet. I presume it is the same one that
has done that the last four winters here. Nothing out
there to eat in the cold drizzly. The rest was the
same gang, but wet. It might have warmed up to 50F
over the day, and I think is to stay about that
overnight, in continued soppy. The cold frontish
thing moved over southward in the morning, and has
retreated as a warm front this evening. Don't
like the weather, hang around a bit. Just as well
to have work at the desk.
Jan. 19 ~ Overcast, mist, drizzle, and about 60F
at dawn, with a warm moist Gulf flow. It was just
over 50 before midnight. A Ringed Kingfisher flew up
the river calling early in morning. Before noon the
winds had turned to north and cold air was dropping
temps back to mid-50's F. A front is said to
be inbound, and 24 hours or more of rain chances.
We might have had a tenth of an inch over the day,
and another tenth after dark. Will just wait for
the event to end to get a total. Didn't see
anything different today, was the same gang o'
seed-eaters. Too busy with work.
Jan. 18 ~ Another one of those backwards nights for
temps. At midnight it was clear, stars were great,
about 35F, at dawn it was fog and 50F. Keeps the
dust down anyway. Sunny afternoon warmed to about
70F! Last of the sun in the forecast for a few days.
I go out on the back porch and lizard up the last bit.
The birds were the same gang. I was too busy to work
on finding that White-throated Sparrow I heard yesterday.
I figure if it sticks, I will get a look. A couple
accipiter flushing events over the day, when five
hundred bird wings explode into action. Kathy heard
Field Sparrow sing today, first of that this year.
House Finch was giving long bouts of extended song
today, great to hear.
Jan. 17 ~ I saw 30F when tossing seed before sunup,
KERV got colder, we probably did too. Thought sure
I heard a White-throated Sparrow out back twice, saw
a Zon fly uphill into cover. Saw an imm. White-crowned
too, but this call was absolutely not that, was the
harsh hissy strained seeeet note. Otherwise was the
same gang. Heard Chickadee song, our Carolina do four
notes, see you see me. Great Horned Owls calling more.
We worked on things here. Got up to upper 60's F,
maybe 68F or so in the afternoon, pretty nice out.
Supposed to have some rain this week, and warmer temps.
Jan. 16 ~ Another hard freeze, I saw 25F at 7 a.m., so
it likely got a dF or two colder. KERV had a couple 23F
readings. It warmed up well in the afternoon though,
hitting 67F or so. The 250+ assorted seedeaters were
mighty busy the first half of the day. It was the same
gang, did not see anything different. Some Black Vulture
in pair bond flight is always nice to see though. They can
show suprising precision in delicate manuevers. Never
saw Bewick's Wren eat so much seed, it is eating
the White Millet. Must be nothing else out there to eat.
The Black Rock Squirrel was gathering sunflower seeds.
The live-oaks are getting yellower, about to drop their
leaves in the annual replacement. The Junipers are just
starting to put out pollen. I see some green sprouts
just breaking ground, which must be what the deer are
eating now. That one Tropical Sage has another flower
open, a little 2-3" specimen growing out of stone
steps at front porch, only open flower around.
Green Heron, juvenile. This is the young the pair that
nests on the island at Utopia Park produced this past
summer (photo on Sept. 9, 2020). They usually do not
arrive here until late April, sometimes early May,
with young not seen until later August or early September.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 15 ~ Another freeze, but barely, maybe 31F or so,
though I did see KERV hit 28F. It is noteworthy methinks
that we have only had two mornings so far this year that
was above freezing, one of those barely so. That is a
cold start to the year. Many winters we do not have a
15 day stretch of almost all freezing mornings. A bit
breezy in the a.m. but calmed down nicely and got into
the lowest 60's here, though most of the area looked
like upper 50's. Nice with no wind, in the sun.
Birds were the same here. I saw a poster in town about
some Groundhog Day thing. I wonder what they use here,
Armadillos?
Stopped at park and saw a new male Audubon's Warbler,
which clearly was not the female I saw last week. Two
new Audubon's warblers in the last two Fridays there.
Nothing else though. In town I saw two flickers, ON a
Purple Martin box. Both were females, one Red-shafted,
one Yellow-shafted. Both had all appropriate marks to be
considered good pure birds. Other than that it was just
3 fajita chicken tacos at Rosie's, the culinary
highlight of the week. Kathy pointed out that I wouldn't
appreciate them so much if it wasn't for her cooking.
;) Tomorrow will be one minute longer
than today, the first time we added a full minute in a
day this year, about 26 days from the solstice. We will
add over a half-hour, nearing 40 minutes I think, to
daylight length over the next month. And the birds
will be singing in no time.
Jan. 14 ~ Got down to at least 28F an hour before the
usual peak, KERV had a 26. It was cold. Looked like
an imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk got a Chippy in flight.
The way it quickly broke-off, turned, and skulked back
to the shadows up the hill hoping the others would not
notice what it just did, is what they do when they
grab one. There were four Robin together briefly, then
later afternoon a group of over a dozen flew over with
25 waxwing. Saw one White-crowned Sparrow still here.
Otherwise the rest seemed the same gang. A front blew
in before noon, for a few hours it blew hard, 15-20 mph
gusting to 30 and 35 mph occasionally. The hot sunny
back porch was showing upper 60's F in the afternoon.
Got a count of 28 White-winged Dove today in a flush.
Amazing how they have increased the last month.
Jan. 13 ~ A frosty 22F for a low this morning. That
was before usual peak, and I saw KERV had a 21F.
Birdbath was frozen solid, as was jug over it, luckily
only half full, so hot water fixed that. The first
few pounds of seed sure disappeared quickly. So did
the second and third few pounds. There sure are a
lot of dependents out there. Twenty four White-winged
Dove now, 12-15 Mourning, not seeing or hearing the
Ground-Dove for a couple months. Ninety Chipping and
8 Field Sparrow, 40+ each Pine Siskin and American
Goldfinch, couple dozen Cardinal, a dozen House Finch,
a dozen chickadee and titmice combined. Over 250 seed
eaters. Kathy heard a Chickadee singing the high thin
whistle 'see you see me'. They have not done
so in about 5 months or so.
Jan. 12 ~ A chilly 24F low, might have been colder.
I was not about to hang around out there and watch
the thermometer. KERV had some 23's and briefly
a 22F reading. In that, at first crack of light
when I was tossing seed, several Turkey were gobbling
less than a hundred yards away right across the road.
There is an area just south of the treeline along the
draw we follow to the river, that is a big open wildflower
meadowish thing, which is where they were calling from.
Sure would like a good pic of one in full display.
Whaddabird! Was the same gang here otherwise. In
the afternoon we broke 50, hit 54F briefly before a
cloud shield blew it, a great warmup at this point.
Jan. 11 ~ About 34F for a low, cloudy and overcast.
We are nearing 36 hours straight in mid-30's dF.
It has been a cold January so far. The female
Golden-fronted Woodpecker was picking sunflower seeds
up off the patio, which says there is not a lot of
food out there. White-winged Dove count hit 22,
arrivals are occurring. Counted 11 male Cardinal at
once, surely as many females out there. Pine Siskin
numbered over 40, likely 45 plus, a high count so far
this winter. Chipping Sparrow looked about 90, finally
a real flock, Field Sparrow were 8. Got up to a smokin'
hot 45F in the afternoon. Cleared after dark, and
it is going to get cold.
Jan. 10 ~ It was a cold wet gray one. The temp was
38F first thing, that was the high. Most of the day
was about 36F. Off and on drizzle, showers and mist,
but only about .4 of precip here. Stayed in where
warm and dry. Nearest snow flurries were 40 miles
north or so. Got a high count of Chipping Sparrow
for the winter so far though, 90 at once. One with
some snow white primaries and one white tertial on left
side is absolutely new. Seemed 3 dozen Pine Siskin,
maybe 40 Am. Goldfinch now. About 15 each of
Mourning and White-winged Dove. A couple accipiter
flush events. Some waxwings, the one loyal Robin,
about 20 Cardinal, a half-dozen each House Finch and
Field Sparrow.
Jan. 9 ~ Another chilly one about 25F this morn.
Seems like there ought to be Juncos at these temps.
Sun lasted a couple hours and it clouded up. At
11 it was a chilly 44F, maybe hit 48 at peak heat.
Gonna be an inside day tomorrow. There were lots
of Goldfinch (35+) and Siskin (30+), a nice group
of waxwing (30+), the one Robin, and the male Myrtle
Warbler, half dozen Field Sparrow, the same gang.
Worked at the desk where warmer. Had to run to
town late afternoon so slow-rolled around a bit.
Not much out there though. A couple Eastern Phoebe,
a few Eastern Bluebird. Completed my annual wintering
Starling count, got all both of them, again. Was some
drizzle shortly after 7 p.m., supposed to deteriorate
overnight and tomorrow.
How about our two small woodpeckers this week?
Besides the much larger Golden-fronted, these are the two
little woodpeckers here. From behind, Ladder-backed
appears lined, Downy appears spotted.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, male. Note back is evenly zebra-
barred throughought upperparts and wings. The female crown
is black without red. These are the most common woodpecker
here and are widespread residents. They are what enlarges the
holes of every birdbox they find, often roosting in them in winter.
Note the black facial stripe makes a U on its side, doubling
back from eye, and returning to bill without connecting to the
black nape stripe, and is completely encircled with white.
Downy Woodpecker, female. Note big white stripe up
back that otherwise appears mostly black. The spots
are on the wings. Males have a small red patch at top
rear of crown. These are very scarce here, but semi-regular.
Only one known breeding record, April 2020. Might see one
any month though, generally right along river habitat corridor.
Note black facial (eye) stripe a thicker line narrowing rearward,
but straight, connecting to nape stripe, breaking the white.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 8 ~ It was a chilly one at about 25F for a low.
Sunny with little to no breeze so nice in afternoon
whence warmed to lowest 60's F. It was about
30 or more Cedar Waxwing hitting the bath to wash
down juniper berries. Town run day, so a check of
the park. Was a bit of a mayfly hatch going so some
flycatching along the main pond edge. A couple
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 7 Myrtle Warbler, and new was
one female Audubon's Warbler. At least 5 Eastern
Phoebe too. The live-oaks in the main park area had
a decent flocklet of Titmouse and Chickadee but nothing
else. The woods were dead, most exciting was a Green
Bottle Fly. It was my first one of the year. I keep
forgetting to mention, lots of the live-oaks are
turning yellow already. We noticed it first a couple
weeks ago on some, but now a good number are going yellow.
It is early for so many to be so yellow already, and surely
drought related. I also see some male Junipers turning
rusty of tips, just about to unleash the pollen Kraken.
Shirley at the store showed me some awesome pix of the
rest area above Lost Maples covered in 4-5 inches
of snow. WEEWOW!
Jan. 7 ~ The wind stopped and it cooled to about 34F
for a low. Sunny, and slowly warmed to about 65F for
a high. Wonderful afternoon. Was too busy at the desk
as usual. There was a good Robin flock, for this year,
of nearing 3 dozen birds that came into the birdbath
late afternoon. Nearly two dozen waxwing were there
too, they were hitting the Junipers just over the north
fence, and need water to wash them down. The one male
Myrtle Warbler came in to the bath as well. The couple
dozen Siskin and three dozen American Goldfinch were
here until the afternoon. The Great Horned Owls are
seriously duetting now, which is really a sign of the
start of their breeding cycle. They start the process
in January. I am seeing Black Vulture pairs flying
around too. They are getting underway as well.
Jan. 6 ~ Finally the first morning without a freeze
this year. It was about 50F at midnight, and was 60F in
drizzle-fog-mist at dawn. A front is coming in, so the
warm moist air being sucked up from the south and Gulf,
hits the escarpment for some orographic magic and it
might have squeezed a tenth of an inch out of it over
the first 3 hours of light. A dust-buster for a day
or two. Was clearing by 11, getting breezy by noon,
and a full post-frontal blow by 1 p.m. As it got east
near I-35 where more humid it kicked up a good squall
line. Heard my first Carolina Wren song this year,
giving a few series of 'we-yo we-yo we-yo we-yo'.
Kathy said she might have heard some the other day.
The one Robin continues up in the big Pecan every morning.
All the other Robins came and left, it stayed. I am
a sure as can be that it is the one that did this all
winter last year too. Such loyalty is hard to find.
Saw the female Downy Woodpecker, and saw the sapsucker
fly out of the Mulberry by the cottage into the corral.
Saw a bigger butterfly zipping about briefly that was
either a winter Questionmark or a Red Admiral, but it
disappeared quickly.
Jan. 5 ~ Low was 31F, sunny for a couple hours but after
10 a.m. was overcast and chilly. At least 25 Pine Siskin
flushed at once. Sun came back out after 1 p.m., whence
I heard Titmouse give the trilled lulululu song a few times,
which I have not heard in many months, maybe six. Then a
White-winged Dove belted a few bars of song, also the
first of that in months. Saw a Sleepy Orange butterfly,
species number 4, bfly individual number 5 for the year.
Jan. 4 ~ Still waiting for a morning above freezing this
year. Was 28F here. In the afternoon more than one local
WU station was reporting 78F! FIFTY dF diurnals! Amazing.
Saw that ginchy adult sapsucker sneaking around again,
but could not get bins on it. The female Downy was out
there too. Ladder-backed and Golden-fronted, check. So,
fairly certain there will not be a Flicker today. In the
afternoon heat I saw my first butterflies of the year.
One Snout, one Little Yellow, and a yellow morph Lyside
Sulphur which looked like a fresh emergence, whereas the
other two were worn leftovers. The heat can get them to pop.
Today was the peak heat day of the week. Sure felt great.
I totally get lizards, or at least my lizard-brain does.
Later a second Snout came by. A couple accipiter flush
events in the afternoon whence all the seedeaters explode
in full alarm. Over a dozen each of Mourning and
White-winged Dove, fifteen waxwing and the single Robin.
Jan. 3 ~ It was a cold one at 24F this morning. Birdbath
was frozen solid. Frost was thick on everything. Great
Horned Owl was calling at dawn, unfazed, likely thrilled.
Kathy got a high count of 60 Chipping Sparrow, so more,
but still just half or less of our usual winter flock size.
About 9 a.m. besides the always present Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
the female Downy was out there, and an adult Sapsucker
which went through the yard stopping in a pecan, but too
briefly for me to ID it. Yellow-bellied until proven
otherwise here, but just sapsucker sps. when you don't
see the key characters to ID it to that level. Of course
we had Golden-fronted later, but could not buy a Flicker
all day. An intergrade would have been fine. It was
15 White-winged Dove this morn, they are increasing now.
The male Cardinal sure are getting bright red now.
We went for a slow-roll around noonish. We went onto a
private prop. road and ranch and it mostly had no birds
like all the other roads locally this winter. One sub-adult
Caracara, one Kestrel, a couple Blackbuck, and around
some big trucks and heavy equipment, a Canyon Towhee.
The one or ones we have had love our big truck out back
(a 5 ton Ford with an 18' box, lift gate, Big Red,
she's a beauty), but this was more bigger trucks.
This was probably ours, we lost it to the place with
more bigger trucks. We used to see one at the Bandera
County yard around the big trucks at the 187 x 470
intersection. County yards is a place to look for them,
around the big trucks. They look like big rocks to them.
But not to a Canyon Wren.
Then at Utopia Park there were lots of Black Vulture
but little else. The water did come up a few inches
from the rain on Dec. 31. Then we rolled out UvCo354
which often has birds along the roadsides. They were
mostly devoid there too. The drought-induced lack of
fall bloom and loss of subsequent seed crop is apparently
critical to wintering sparrows and such here. We found
one small group by a big brush pile. There were five
Vesper and a Savannah Sparrow, one (a second one!)
Canyon Towhee, and one Lark Bunting, all together around
one brush pile. A veritible jackpot! Heard a Pyrrhuloxia
or two, saw a few Western Meadowlark. The Lark Bunting
is the first I have seen this fall or winter locally,
they are always scarce here, so always a treat. There
was a small pale male sub-ad. fuertesi Red-tailed Hawk
at the 187 x 354 junction. A few Eastern Bluebird, a
few Eastern Phoebe along the roads, but can't find
a Say's Phoebe this winter. The fields are bare of
bugs. Lastly we checked the golf course pond by the
Waresville Cmty. The wintering male Vermilion Flycatcher
continues, and just 3 male Red-winged Blackbird were there.
There were 3 male Variegated Meadowhawk dragonflies, which
must have anti-freeze. These are last years leftovers
that show up every late fall (Nov.) to early winter,
often mate and ovipositing here, until they expire.
Talked to a local that said on New Years Eve when it
snowed it was sticking from about B & R road northward,
so starting up-valley a few miles north of town. He said
lots of locals went up to the rest area north of Lost Maples
a mile or so, up the grade and on top of the plateau (ca.
2100-2200' alt.) where there was FIVE INCHES of snow
on the ground! In the afternoon here it warmed up to 70F
for a couple hours which felt great. Opened up and got
rid of the cold air in the house and cottage. Saw the
Black Rock Squirrel, with jowels full of sunflower seeds.
Some Anole and a female Eastern Fence (Prairie) Lizard
were out soaking sun.
Jan. 2 ~ A bit chilly at 26F for a low, with a frozen
birdbath. But the winds finally calmed down, sunny, and
warmed up to a wonderful 62F in the afternoon. About 9 a.m.
the Rusty Blackbird flew over calling and dropped into
the far end of the corral again. Was 30 plus waxwing,
and the one each Robin and Myrtle Warbler, but were two
White-crowned Sparrow, an ad. and an imm., at least 35
Am. Goldfinch and 25 Pine Siskin, a dozen White-winged
Dove is an increase. A Cardinal was giving the first
vestiges of song. The tew notes in series but not yet
clearly, not full blast, but not quiet singing either.
It went on for several minutes. We are gaining 30 seconds
of photo-period per day now. Lots of the non-migratory
residents will start singing this month.
A few American Robin at the birdbath.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
January 1, 2021 ~ Happy New Year! Cheers for a better one!
Merry Vagrants and Happy New Birds! Wishing everyone a
healthy happy peaceful year ahead! It started cold here,
31F. The low system had moved north by midnight last night.
Now we have the post-frontal blow on the backside, heavy on
the cold-air advection. Chills this morning are in the
20's F. Around 11 a.m. it broke 40F, but winds are
at 10-15 mph gusting to 20, so it still feels a freeze.
After 11 the female Downy Woodpecker was in the yard again,
always a treat to see here. I wonder if it is the one that
nested last April in the 354 pecan patch? A mile and change
from here. Or one of the young? Heard some Sandhill Crane
going over southbound later in afternoon. Right at dusk
the Striped Skunk was under the Mulberry scavenging sunflower
seeds. At 15' away, it could not care less about
your presence. I measured the tub water today, it was
44F! Holy cow that is cold. In Oct. I wrapped the entire
tub sides in a layer of bubble wrap, and at night cover the
surface with it, plus a tarp wrapped around and over the
whole thing. The Gambusia are fine, the inch long Barking
Frog tadpoles come up to surface to warm when sun hits it.
The spindly Ceratophyllum is still doing well despite the
cold water. Cattails are brown and bent over, still waiting
for Marsh Wren. The Lost Maples Facebook page has pics of
the place with an inch or two of snow on everything.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Here is a long detailed annual 2020 summary...
Well that was a weird year. There was not the usual out
and about birding due to the virus. There were Lost Maples
closures, there was a hail carpet-bombing in spring, and
the drought got real bad. Summer ran 5-7 dF or more above
normal average temps as it has been the last several years.
We had some rain in the spring but the tap went dry early
in summer. We went from D1 to D3 (extreme) drought in the
last half of the year. Many long-time locals say they have
never seen it this bad. Much of the river north of town
is dry above ground.
Insects in particular seemed depressed from the drought.
Which affects lots of bird nesting. Many seemed to only
have two broods instead of three, with two young fledging
instead of three or four. Everything is connected. There
was almost no fall flower bloom, and then a subsequent lack
of all that seed crop. Fruit crops were very poor, there
was very little of the Pecan, Hackberry, Juniper, or Texas
Persimmon crop in most areas, some areas a near wipeout due
to the devastating 1" hail carpet-bombing in May.
Butterflies were weak overall but a few good things were
seen. I saw 88 species over the year locally, which is typical
of drought condition periods. Thirty species were skippers.
I saw 20 sps. of skippers just in August. Doesn't that
sound exciting? The misses always stand out most to me though.
No Viceroy, Mourning Cloak, or Great Purple Hairstreak. Still
many years without a Carolina Satyr, Common Wood-Nymph, or
Silvery Checkerspot, all absent since the last epic drought
we never recovered from before this one started. There was
a wave of small stuff in July and August, Skippers, Blues, and
Hairstreaks, but it faded and a fall flight from southward did
not materialize. The Monarchs also missed us this year, never
did I see a hundred in a day. Only a few days had double digits.
Only saw a very few Arizona Sister and Red-spotted Purple.
Only saw two White-striped Longtail, and no other of the
long-tailed Skippers, again. The better butterflies were...
a Clytie Ministreak was likely best, my first documented
here (ph.) though had seen a couple here. A Zebra Longwing
spent over a week around our place (ph.). Three or four
White-patched Skipper (ph.) is my best total for a year,
a Coyote Cloudywing (ph.) was the first in several years,
most years you will not see one here. Outstanding and
second best was my third Purple-washed Skipper photographed
here, all three UvCo records, this one at the front porch.
There were two Ocola Skipper this year. An Ornythion
Swallowtail July 3 is about my 5th sighting here, only
have pix of one a long time ago. In Nov. a big black
swallowtail with color on the hindwing got away that surely
was a Ruby-spotted Swallowtail. That one hurt the most,
still stings and will for a while. I'd be dyin' if
I did not have a prior local photo of one. A couple Laviana
White-Skipper were good, they are less than annual. A few
Texas Wasp Moth were seen, no White-tipped Black, one
Obscure Sphinx, one Imperial Moth.
Odes were worse than butterflies. The drought really puts
the hurt on them. Besides half the habitat being absent
from there being no above ground water in much of the river,
the remaining fish are concentrated at levels that it is a
miracle any dragon or damselfly larvae can get out of the
water to successfully emerge. The numbers of the local
populations were very depressed, you had to scrape for
a Widow Skimmer and Prince Baskettail at Utopia Park.
Repeat on all sorts of stuff. Did not see an Amberwing
here this year. Best was three male Comet Darner on a
pond on the golf course. Two at once at one point.
This is about the third year I have recorded it locally.
They showed up after a hurricane went north into Louisiana,
again, like at least one of the prior occurrences. There
were a few Twelve-spotted Skimmer and Band-winged Dragonlet
this year, a couple Four-spotted Skimmer went over one day
in a migrant herd of dragons southbound in fall. Saw one
Great Spreadwing, one River-cruiser sps. (prob. Bronze),
a Cyrano Darner at Lost Maples, and a Pin-tailed Pondhawk
(ph.) there might be a Bandera Co. first. The small
Orange-striped Threadtail population at Utopia Pk. is
down in numbers, but still going. Some Flame and
Commanche Skimmer at Lost Maples but no Neon. I saw
49 species locally this year, lowest in last 3 years
at least for sure, but probably more.
Birds were great, for the reduced level of birding,
and seeing so few species. I count 203 species I
saw locally this year, which is actually great if
you ask me. That is an USRD (upper Sabinal River
drainage) total. I saw more down on a couple trips
down into the brush country. But only a couple Lost
Maples trips. Canyon Wren is probably the only bird
added there. Everything else is within 4 miles of
Utopia. Here is a recap of the highlights.
Last winter the female Rusty Blackbird that was on
maybe its 7th winter here was last seen Feb. 15.
It is back again in December 2020. A hybrid Sabsucker
that was partly Red-breasted was here Feb. 21.
A pure one would draw a huge crowd. In spring best
bird was a calling nocturnal migrant Black-bellied
Plover Apr. 20. Great was a Common Pauraque March
1-10 around our place. The first known nesting
along Sabinal River of Downy Woodpecker was also a
great find. It was a good thrush spring as besides
Swainson's it is easy not to see any others.
A Gray-cheeked Thrush in our birdbath on May 11 was
awesome, but better was a nice calling rusty Veery
May 9 in a Mulberry just south of town.
In summer a Least Grebe June 27 - Aug. 30 on the
golf course pond by the Waresville Cemetery was
a first local record so a great bit of excitement.
A female Anhinga at the park was my second local
record so very good. Begging juvenile Audubon's
Oriole were in our yard. It was a good hummingbird
fall, perhaps the fires out west pushed more our
way. We had at our feeders at least three each
minimum Calliope and Broad-tailed Hummingbird,
and about 10 different Rufous go through here.
Warblers were weak as usual in fall, one female
MacGillivrays Sept. 4 was maybe my third fall
sighting locally. Great was my latest ever
Golden-cheek Aug. 31, an adult male as was my
prior latest (Aug. 25). Outstanding was a calling
Cordilleran Flycatcher Oct. 14 at the park, also
about my third one here locally, but got a pic.
br />
A major highlight of the year was a group of at
least four Green Jay seen along the river habitat
corridor from 4 mile bridge to Utopia Park, from Oct. 19
to at least mid-Dec. so far. Including in our
yard a bunch of times. But never for long. This
is only their second incursion up onto the Edwards
Plateau, so significant. Also outstanding was a
Cactus Wren Nov. 1 at the golf course pond by
Wareseville providing my first local documentation.
Less than annual so of note was a Western Tanager,
and less than annual in fall were 2 separate Lazuli
Bunting, both males.
It always seems a slow slog when you are doing it,
and especially so this year livin' la vida
quarantina. We again drove less than a thousand
miles all year, all driving. If I just counted a
THREE mile circle centered in Utopia it was 200
species of birds. When you add it all up, there
were lots of great birds and some good butterflies
and odes too. My BOB total - bird, ode, and butterfly
species - for the year was 340. Last year was 331 and
two years ago 350. About average for being in a drought
regimen lately. Two local site lists (the most
important lists) hit milestones, with one of the
best birds of the year this year. The Green Jay
were number 230 on our yard list (2 acres - 8 years),
and number 270 on the Utopia Park (15 acres - 17.5 years)
list.
~ ~ ~ end of 2020 annual summary ~ ~ ~
OMG not another summary !!
~ ~ ~ December summary ~ ~ ~
We went out with a bang, a cold wet one, with 1.75+"
of rain on the 31st, and some local snowflakes! Lost Maples
had snow that stuck! With the prior .25 made for just a
hair over 2" of precip for the month, which is great
for a drought December. In odes all I saw was Variegated
and Autumn Meadowhawk, as usual, and just a very few of each.
Butterflies were pretty shot too with the cold wiping them
out in Nov. for the most part. A dozen species is at the low
end of my (n~18) Dec. totals, second worst ever, but an
improvement over last years worst ever December. It was
the expected hardy dozen. Did I mention how bad the drought
is? D3 per U.S. Drought Monitor. Did see Striped Skunk,
Ringtail, and a Gray Fox in a Juniper getting berries.
Birds were good though, you can always count on them.
The four Green Jay were in the yard 5 days in a row
mid-month. A Rusty Blackbird is likely a returnee
back for about its 8th winter. A flock of about
40 Pintail is more than anyone has ever seen here
locally at once. One nice obviously wild Mallard is
a rare find here. A ad. Harris's Hawk was seen.
A Zone-tailed Hawk often at the park is likely a
returnee that wintered as an imm. last year. A
female Downy Woodpecker was in our yard a few times.
A few Golden-crowned Kinglet are around. Only saw
one Green Kingfisher one time all month, but Ringed
are around. A couple Audubon's Orioles. Finally
on the 30th I got a FOS Pine Warbler. It was about
88 species for me locally (which is more than the miles
I drove), and I know others saw a few others. Things
I missed this fall or arriving for winter so far include
Swamp or White-throated Sparrow, any Junco again,
Sprague's Pipit, and Say's Phoebe, off the
top of my head.
~ ~ ~ end December summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
This is the Cactus Wren that was at the pond on the golf
course by the Waresville Cmty. Nov. 1. Bad light, I know,
but my first local Cactus Wren photo. Rare bird here.
Here is one of the 3 Green Jay that visited our
yard on Oct. 19, 21, 22, and 23 so far. Whaddabird!
Winter '08-09 some small flocks invaded north
into the plateau getting up to Leakey and Bandera, at
least. That was the winter Syd and Jackie Chaney had
a few coming in to their corn feeder a mile south of town.
One pic just isn't enough. Don't worry, if I get
them in the sun, you will get to see more ...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ above is 2020 ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~
July through Oct. 2020 is now at Bird News Archive 34.
Bird News Archive XXXIV
July 1 - December 31, 2020
January through June 2020 is now at Bird News Archive 33.
Bird News Archive XXXIII
Jan. 1 - June 30, 2020
Black-capped Vireo. Note gray nape, not completely black.
This is another third year male, still without fully black head.
Second year male head is mostly gray like females, but have a
few black flecks and small patches of a few black feathers
here and there when return the first time. Definitive
(fully mature) adults have fully black heads with no gray.
The older weekly break bird photos are now at the 2020 photos page.
2020 pix
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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