BIRD & NATURE NEWS 2022
Notes without location cited are in or from yard which is a couple
miles south of town at edge of the river habitat corridor.
If it doesn't say where it was, it was in or from the yard.
Often a few daily yard notes is all the drivel you get.
Ready, steady, go!
January through June 2022
Read from bottom up to view in chronological order.
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ the old news ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ March summary ~ ~ ~
Well it was a dry one. We are at D2 per the USGS
drought monitor. I presume that means 'in real
bad shape, send rain' or somesuch. There was no
significant rain. A tenth of an inch of mist and
showerlets maybe. Almost no early wildflowers
are blooming. Very cold early in month followed by
some record cold mid-month with a couple mornings at
19F kicked spring back a couple weeks. By late in
month the first bit of leafage breaking stems on trees.
Slow to get going with spring this year. Agarita and
Redbud both barely going, weak showings so far.
Odes were easy to keep track of. Two species of
dragons and none of damsels. Dot-winged Baskettail
(low numbers) and a Springtime Darner (one on 27th)
were it. The butterflies were mostly the same but
a few new emerging things. Henry's Elfin were
few once the Redbud and Agarita put out some flowers.
The rest was the expected cast of regulars. Save
one immaculate mint-fresh WINTER form Questionmark.
Which popped after 3 mornings around 20F mid-month.
The summer forms are already showing, whilst winter
forms generally are at least worn and frayed, if
not torn and shredded by now. I count 23 species
of butterfly for the month, at the very low end of
the spread. Expected for the cold and drought.
Birds continued slow overall, spring is running a bit
behind. It was great for what March really is, the
first returns of some migratory breeding species.
Generally, bug eaters. Insectivores. Martins and swallows,
flycatchers, warblers and vireos, etc. The earliest
returnees of many species show in March, so it is
great fun seeing all your old friends, and recording
those return dates annually. Twenty years goes by
and you have some real data. The most anomolous sighting
of the month was a lone PINE SISKIN that was a
one-minute wonder here at our place on the 24th.
There were none around this winter, so quite odd to
have one. The other great and even rarer detection
was only a hearing. A very large movement of AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER calling overhead northbound at 12:30 a.m.
on the 30th was likely the most detected at once in the
county ever. By the end of the month Black-chinned
Hummingbird were reaching swarm levels after starting
it at zero. I count 78 species I saw for the month
locally, and several others were reported. A great
bump in diversity from those 50 and 53 species months
in Jan. and February.
~ ~ ~ end March summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ March update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
March ~ The FOS Sandhill Crane went over
northbound on the 1st. They have been regular
the first 10 days of the month, mostly mid-day.
A great FOS on the 2nd was a singing Roadrunner.
On the 3rd the FOS Vermilion Flycatcher was back
at our place. March 5 just after midnight my
FOS Barn Owl called as it flew high over northbound.
In the morning the 5th our first returnee
Black-chinned Hummingbird showed up. By
afternoon it was displaying to a female.
Strong cold fronts on 7th, another on 11th,
are not speeding the arrival of spring. On the
9th a FOS White-eyed Vireo announced itself back.
There was a local report of a Rough-winged Swallow
on the 9th. I had a FOS Lincoln's Sparrow on
the 10th. My FOS Ash-throated Flycatcher was the
14th. The 15th was my FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
and my FOS Lark Sparrow. On the 16th was my FOS
Barn Swallow. The 17th the FOS Yellow-throated
Warbler was at birdbath, probably the local breeder.
Also the 17th was the first pair of Lesser
Goldfinch this spring since the anomolous early
Feb. winter sighting. On the 18th there was
a local report of Purple Martins back. Our
first Henry's Elfin (butterfly) was on the
19th. Spring on the 20th brought FOS Yellow-throated
Vireo and Black-and-white Warbler. I heard a
FOS Scissor-tailed Flycatcher early on the 22nd.
The only PINE SISKIN all winter, and since spring of
2021, was one lone bird on March 24(!). Also the
24th I saw my FOS Monarch butterfly. The 25th a
Yellow-throated Vireo was putting finishing
touches on a nest at Utopia Park. Kathy spotted
our FOS Golden-cheeked Warbler on the 27th, at
the birdbath. Saw my FOS Clay-colored Sparrow
late on the 28th, two on the 29th, there were 3
on the 30th. On the 29th finally I heard Purple
Martin overhead, my FOS. On the 30th, about 30
minutes into it just after midnight, a large mass
of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER flew over calling,
bearing due north.
~ ~ ~ end March update header copy ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ back to the regularly scheduled drivel ~ ~ ~
March 31 ~ Aaaand there goes another one. Seemed
kinda quick for a long month, eh? Low about 40F,
dry, sunny, very nice. The Pecans are showing the
first green breaking stem. The male Mulberry has
flowers coming out. Saw one FOY Tube-tongue flower.
A Henry's Elfin (butterfly) came in to water.
Can't believe how the Racoons remodeled a
bit of fence so they could use the tub pond.
Hopefully I fixed it, dang things. There is an
unfenced birdbath on ground in the open 100' away.
I saw that old historical foreign aircraft again today.
What a bird it is. Wish I knew what kind. Looked
around web a bit, could not find anything so far.
March 30 ~ Low about 60F. Big change today, instead
of 20+ mph southerlies, it will be 20+ northerlies.
We got a spit and spritzlet of precip as the front
passed. Wind blew all day, 15-20 gusting to 30 mph.
Got up to 80F or so, but nice and dry. Kathy spotted
a Duskywing butterfly which looked a Horace's,
as it did not have the two spots on underwing of
a Juvenals. Brown fringed, so not Funereal or
Mournful.
I think the day peaked last night just after
midnight, about 30 minutes into it. A Texas sized, ergo
bodacious, mass of American Golden-Plover passed
overhead calling, bearing Polaris. I heard several
to many dozens. It took a full minute for the waves
to pass over. It was likely hundreds of birds or more.
I heard more in a minute than I have seen in the county
in 19.5 years. It was astounding. The sky was full of
those beautiful pure clear high tinkly silver-bell whistles,
like ringing chimes. Though actually they were on a front,
or in a river, less than 200 yards wide. What a passage.
If only I could have seen it to get a number. It was off
the charts. The only times I have heard that many,
there were many hundreds of birds involved.
Hackberries have flowers, Persimmons are leafing
out, saw Mesquite leaflets starting. The great
greening is beginning. The Black Rock Squirrel is
up eating Hackberry flowers as every year during the
three days they are open. First fresh greens in
months, it does this with religous zeal every year.
Doesn't touch Pecan or male Mulberry flowers,
too much pollen I presume. Nor is it interested in
the Texas Persimmon flowers, too wonderfully pungent.
Never saw it eat a Laurel flower and they are sweeter
than sweet peas, and with nectar. No interest.
... must have Hackberry flowers ...
Which are to flowers, what that fruit is to berries.
A sad excuse. They have no smell. I had to take
macro photos to see what was there. There is some
Gnat I see around them. And Gnatcatchers.
March 29 ~ Low of about 63F is getting balmy fast.
Last night late I heard the Vermilion Flycatcher
singing up high in the night. That is how you
can tell the female is back. He does not do that
until she gets here. Power went out for about
four hours last night. If you humm or whistle the
theme song melody to Green Acres it really helps here.
Was glad to not see many Am. Goldfinch here today.
After noon saw a couple rare birds, an F-7 Tigercat
and an A-20 Havoc, circling around a few miles
south of town. Very rare birds. A P-51 was out
later. Wind was blowing pretty good from south
much of day, Hondo and Junction had 30 mph gusts,
it was 15-20 mph sustained gusting higher here.
Corpus Christi had a gust at 48 mph! A front is
inbound tonight, hoping we get some rain from it.
Late afternoon finally I heard Purple Martin up
high overhead, my FOS, at last. Later after 6 p.m.
there were two Clay-colored Sparrow together at
the seed just off corner of patio. Saw a Field
Sparrow bathe today at the bath. Canyon Towhee
still here.
The Texas Persimmon in flower bed at front of
house has broken stem with first leaves. The
Wooly Ironweed has new stalks coming up, as
does the Frostweed. Watered some trees and the
flower beds. Lots of American Germander and
the Blue Mistflower Eupatorium are coming up.
Two of the native Plums the Schaeffers gave us
are with new leaves, so making it. I have to
go mining some gro-fast over in the corral.
That snow shovel works great for, uh, other,
er, shat, too, and here certainly is more useful
as such. Just can't ever find any volunteers
to do it.
March 28 ~ Low was in the mid-50's F, got up
to mid-80's later in day, very breezy much
of day. Yellow-throated Vireo singing out there
daily again is nice. Late in day tried to get a
sparrow count coming in to last seed. There are
at least 8 White-crowned Sparrow, it may be ten!
Most are western Gambell's type! Amazing.
There are at least 8 Lincoln's Sparrow too.
Sparrowpalooza. Finally one FOS Clay-colored
Sparrow last half-hour of sun. Some Field, Lark,
and Chipping, so 6 sps. of sparrows.
Got a dozen count on the Am. Goldfinch. Wish they
would go though. They are tossing hundreds of
sunflower seeds on ground daily, for being a few
hundredths of a gram too light. The chickadees,
cardinals, titmice, house finches, lesser goldfinch,
etc. are all fine with all of the seeds. Some of
these goldfinch are tossing out 20 to eat one.
It appears piggish wastefulness. You could be
the prettiest bird in the world, and I would hate
you for wasting good food. I checked the seeds,
there is nothing wrong with them, as all the other
birds concluded that never toss any aside. We had
to put down bags under the feeder area to salvage
the good seed being wasted, nearing a pound per
day. I would remove the feeder were it not for
the residents that depend on it. No other birds
are being wastefull with any food.
March 27 ~ Low about 55F or so, clear and dry,
quite nice. Nice to have bird seed here and not
have to go expedition for some. Just remembered,
yesterday the 26th, was our first day here at
this place, nine years ago. A singing male
Golden-cheeked Warbler went through the yard that
morning, so I figured it was OK here. I wrote
that at 9:30 a.m. or so, an hour later Kathy says
'look at the bath!' There is a male
Golden-cheeked Warbler which proceeded to waddle
in and take a bath! Outstanding FOS view. It
flew up into Pecan and preened for a minute when
soaked. Pure awesomeness. Were a couple waxwings
out there early, Roadrunner is singing uphill.
Heard a Hermit Thrush, a passage bird since none
have been here in a month or more.
We took a spin over into the live-oak-juniper
habitat behind us. Heard a singing Black-and-white
Warbler, and glimpsed flying off after hearing it
sing a couple minutes, a Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Three Hutton's Vireo singing, an Ash-throated
Flycatcher, heard a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a few
Lark Sparrow, male Vermilion Flycatcher, some
Titmouse and Bewick's Wren. No Black-capped
Vireo heard yet, and still pretty brown and winter.
A few Mountain Laurel flowers were open for business,
and smelling. Great was a FOS Springtime Darner
dragonfly, and a FOS Goatweed Leafwing butterfly.
A couple small Paralena flowers were open, as was
one small Dutchman's Breeches, a couple
Agarita had more open flowers than last week.
Saw two Monarch go by over the day, rest of the
butterflies were the usual same ones being seen.
We saw an old foreign historical aircraft of some
sort I have no idea what it was. Open cockpit,
round nose, high wing, with twin engines mounted
on the wing in a pusher configuration! French or
British insignia and markings. I get them
confused. Apologies for not knowing how to tell
those apart. Which is how to anger both sides
at one fell swoop. Wish I could have gotten a
picture of it. Big rounded tail.
Mar. 26 ~ Low about 42F or so, KERV had a 38F.
Breezy most of day. About 5 p.m. local WU stations
were showing 89-91F! I saw 87F in the shade on
the front porch. So had to be 90 in the sun.
A chunk of my day was spent driving to Bandera
for bird seed. Our feed store is out here and
they said two weeks, at least. So 35 miles each
way for bird seed. What lately has been a month
of driving. On a windy road that takes at least
45 minutes each way. Went via Little Creek and
at the pond below where road turns left at it,
there were 8 Green-winged Teal, 3 Am. Wigeon, and
25 or so Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. All of which
Larry has mentioned recently. They feed grain
at the game ranch on other side downriver there,
so it is the Whistling-Duck magnet spot here.
At Bandera there was some biker thing going on
so it seemed like Sturgis S.D. when I got there.
The place was a hominid zoo on full dress Harleys.
But they do have some supplies so I picked up a
few things harder to get or more expensive in Utopia
to make the gas burn worth it. If you need cookies
or jelly, now is a good time to hit me up, have
all kinds. Got at least a couple weeks of seed too.
The feed store there (on 16 past (west of) the
signal from hell downtown - which is the closest
thing to being in L.A. around) seemed to have
the best variety of supply. It still looks like
winter the whole way there, everything remains
sticks. Sure a lot of dead trees along 470. Had
not been out it in years to see the drought damage.
Barely any water in the crossings, none in motion.
Saw no birds on way or return. Stopped at the high
spot at the little passlet on 470 where there usually
are Golden-cheeks but it was hot and afternoon,
all I heard was a Rufous-crowned Sparrow. A
blooming Redbud had two Funereal Duskywing, one
Henry's Elfin, and bees. In Bandera I saw
a Great-tailed Grackle in its natural habitat,
a parking lot, so I quickly hooked a u-turn and
headed back to the country before I caught any traits.
These are not current photos ...
This is a real virtual artificial simulated reality of
our FOS Golden-cheeked Warbler that bathed and preened
on the 27th. These are (unposted prior) photos of another
male that did the same thing a couple of years ago.
A male Golden-cheeked Warbler puttin' some water up.
Soaked and preening in the Pecan over the bath.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
March 25 ~ In the mid-30's F again for a low.
Chilly, but going up 50dF today! At 4 p.m. local WU
station were reporting 85-89F! KERV was 87. Wow!
Town run and park check. On 360 west of the river
at corral about 35 Brewer's Blackbird continue,
a tenth of the winter flock still here. No Scissor-tails
along road on way and back. At the park it still
looks winter, just a few willows with the first
leaves breaking out. Heard a Belted Kingfisher.
An Orange-crowned Warbler is a migrant, as was a
Kinglet (Ruby) and a Gnatcatcher. Yellow-throated
Warbler singing on territory in woods. Best though
was my earliest ever date for a nearly completed
being finished up nest of Yellow-throated Vireo.
It is in a big live-oak. One singing Hutton's
Vireo in the woods. Red-shouldered Hawk pair noisy
enough to indicate another nesting attempt at park
is in works. No damselflies yet, one Dot-winged
Baskettail was it for dragons. One Monarch was in
the woods. Very unusual was a mint fresh winter form
Questionmark. They should be done and over now, summer
forms are already emerging. Any winter form left flying
now is typically very worn and frayed at this point.
I can't help but wonder if the near-freezing
cold the last three mornings got one to pop out of
cycle. Will it mate with summer forms? Then what
do you get? Little Creek Larry said one night this
week he heard some White-fronted Geese northbound
overhead, otherwise 'it still looks like winter'.
The first returning Barn Swallow at the P.O. was today.
Mar. 24 ~ Another near-freeze, maybe 34F again
very briefly. Incredible was a single PINE SISKIN
here 8:30 or so. First and only one I have seen
since spring of 2021 when the last wintering ones
left. This fall and winter there were none.
Usually that means there were good food crops up
north or in the mountains out west, and they did
not need to go looking for food. Just like the
waxwings or Robins, many species in winter are
irruptive, or not, pending food sources. About
3 p.m. local WU stations reading 75-78F, and
TEN PERCENT humidity. Bone dry for here. Winds
blowing 15-20 gusting to 30 mph from north. A bit
breezy. One male Am. Goldfinch is mostly yellow
now, pretty fancy. Sharp-shinned Hawk still
terrorizing things out there. White-crowned
and Lincoln's Sparrow herd continues.
About 4:15 p.m. my FOS Monarch butterfly drifted
by heading NNE. A big female, worn, but in fair
condition, for having made it to and through winter
in Mexico and back to the states. Also saw one
Dot-winged Baskettail dragonfly. Thought I had
an Elfin go by as well. Also thought I had a
Rufous-crowned Sparrow at the bath but it was
bare-eyed, and gone before I got back with bins.
Mar. 23 ~ A chilly morn just over freezing,
maybe 34 or so. KERV had a quick 29F! Dusty,
that tenth of an inch holds it down for about
a day. Was calm in morning, but was 5-15 mph
northerlies most of day from later morn, and
clouded up in afternoon. Maybe 66F or so.
Did not detect any different new migrants,
northerlies generally shut that down in spring.
The flock of White-crowns is still 7 at least,
with 5 orange-billed gray-lored Gambell's,
three are adults. Two pink-billed black-lored
adult leucophrys. Over a handfull of Lincoln's
still, a Lark was singing by the cottage, still
at least 50 Chipping Sparrow, and a few Field.
Caracara and Zone-tailed Hawk went over, besides
the usual Turkey and Black Vultures. Later
in day I saw my FOS FEMALE Vermilion Flycatcher
here, had not seen a female yet this year.
If you are up before dawn, a nice planetary
conjuction is in the SE sky. The bright object
is Venus. The slightly yellowish one below and
to left this week, below dead center to slightly
right of that next week is Saturn. Below to right
and reddish is Mars, next week about even with
Venus to right. All pretty close together.
Mar. 22 ~ Wind blowing again 15-20 mph at dawn,
from north, gusting higher, low about 52F, sunny.
Heard a FOS Scissor-tailed Flycatcher which was
over at edge of airstrip. Behind the shelter of
corral trees no doubt. Five months since the
fall-staging ones left. But which are not likely
our local breeders which seem to depart at least
a month or more before the fall staging thing
happens. So which are likely sourced elsewhere.
Great to hear one again! I see a couple Hackberry
have broken stem with their barely flowers just
showing their first green. Around 3 p.m. I saw
66F at local WU stations, and still blowing.
Gusts at Hondo to 35 mph, at Del Rio to 40 mph!
We were more like 15-20 gusting 25 mph. Still a
herd of White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrow
hitting the seed from the big brush pile. Canyon
Towhee still here.
Mar. 21 ~ A low is moving in and over, a bit of
drizzle and streamer showerlets, please let it rain.
Low was 60-62F locally. Maybe a tenth of an inch
by 9 a.m., maybe. A front is on the way later.
We hit 80F in the afternoon, I saw 85F at Hondo!
Didn't see any different birds out there.
Heard a Lark Sparrow singing a bit, and a wee
bit of some quiet song from a Lincoln's
Sparrow, which I heard here in a prior spring
maybe once. Canyon Towhee is still here.
Red Harvester ants back out in force with the
warmth. That big pile of dead Hackberry branches
saves the sparrows, the first-winter male Sharp-shinned
Hawk was sitting on it looking intently down into it.
Was calm for a while early evening, but we missed
the rain, or it missed us. The .09 or so was it.
We got dry-slotted. Kathy saw a wet Yellow-throated
Vireo at the birdbath, a very rare sighting here.
They very nearly never use the birdbath. I only
have a pic of a juvie doing that, once.
Mar. 20 ~ Happy equinox! Welcome spring! We
are happy to see you again! Started at about 37F
for a low this morning. Sunny, calm early,
but wind is on the way. Started before noon.
About 10:30 a.m. heard my FOS Yellow-throated
Vireo singing. About 11: we went down to the
crossing for a look, heard a singing
Yellow-throated Warbler on the way but nothing
else there at crossing. Still looks winter.
Slow-rolled around the knoll and some of the
conservation easement behind us through the
live-oak-juniper-grassland habitat. Did not hear
any Golden-cheeked Warbler but did have a FOS
singing Black-and-white Warbler. Three Hutton's
Vireo were singing as well. But little else.
Some Bewick's Wren and Titmouse, saw one
Ash-throat, a Cardinal or two, a Caracara. Back
here after noon there was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
in yard. Lots of Spanish Oak up there, maybe one
barely starting to break stem barely, many will
probably blow this week. Not one early wildflower.
That is how dry it is. Parched. Good thing we
went out earlyish, it was too windy all afternoon,
gusting 25-30 mph. Saw a couple very small reduced
Anemone flowers (white) in yard, in an area that
gets watered. Might have hit about 76F in the
afternoon in the winds.
Mar. 19 ~ Last day of winter, tomorrow is spring!
We just about froze, maybe 33 or 34F for a low.
KERV had a 32F. We were still at 34 at 8:30 a.m.,
so it was right on the cusp here. Average date of
last freeze here is March 20, the first day of
spring. We wish and hope, and dance, for a couple
months of mildish weather before the burn returns.
Current long-range predicts continued dry cycle in
spring as La Nina finally begins to fade. Second
winter in a row. We need rain in the worst way.
It is parched out there. A pro cowboy I talked to today
said it is as bad as they have ever seen it here.
I saw local WU stations reading 75-77F in the afternoon.
At last hour or so of light looked at the sparrows
a bit. Now SEVEN White-crowned Sparrow here, a
yard high count. It is the big branch piles from
the big dying Hackberry which I have left perfectly
messily, creating the habitat that is now snagging
passersby Zons. Bad enough we had to lose a climax
Hackberry, at least we can get some sparrow habitat
out of it. When the power compnay had to take out
some major branches over the wires, they could
not believe I said, no mulcher, just make a big
pile on my side of the fence, TYVM. They looked at
me like it was the first time they ever heard that.
So I then asked them if while they up there with
the bucket, if they could put a martin house up on
the power pole for me. Apparently they never heard
that either. Anyway, FIVE are western Gambell's
type White-crowns. That is why that chorus was
seeming to keep filling in more and more. Obviously
they are on the move now. Then there were SIX
Lincoln's Sparrow at once. So they too are piling
in and through now. Sparrow migration is underway.
The Canyon Towhee was out there too.
Late afternoon we took a mile walk uphill behind us
into the live-oak-Juniper habitat. Thought I heard
a Golden-cheeked Warbler but could not find it and
since a non-A-type song letting it go, no FOS point.
But had to be one. Otherwise just a Chippy, a couple
Bewick's Wren, a few Black-crested Titmouse,
and a Cooper's Hawk. Not even a Hutton's
Vireo. It is parched. Many Agarita are leafless,
a few had flowers but not thickly, more had buds,
but they are generally in bad shape. We did see
at least two Henry's Elfin, our FOY. A few
Dainty Sulphur, but no Dutchman's Breeches or other
early wildflowers. The Spanish (Buckley) Oaks are
not yet even breaking stem! This is behind schedule.
When they unfurl new leaves with their pink fuzzy,
Golden-cheeks magically appear in them. Like the
Hackberries I can see bumps on the stem where they
are about to bust out. But not yet. Had a FOS
White-lined Sphinx today, which reminds me I saw
a sphinx several days ago, but it was not White-lined,
being faster, smaller and darker, like maybe an
Erinnyis obscura.
This is not a current photo,
Soldier Fly of the genus Odontomyia on blooming Antelope Horn.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 18 ~ Low was about 47F, the front arrived
overnight, winds at 10-15 mph gusting 20 and
more from the north. A bit blustery. Sunny
and dry anyway. Town run day. No birds at
the park, though might have heard a Yellow-throated
Warbler chip a few times. Nothing else. Little
Creek Larry said he had some Purple Martin this
morning on the wire over the creek, and N.
Rough-winged Swallow around the banks. Aerial
insectivores! He said he has Ash-throats back
as well. Still looks like winter here, all brown
sticks save the Junipers as the live-oaks are yellowing
and dropping leaves. I did see the Redbuds at the
library are in bloom now though. That is a big
sign of spring being around the corner. Best
thing in town was Rosie was back finally, so TACOS!
Real deal Durango tacos, OMG food of the gods. I
can't believe we eat these here. No wonder
they call it Utopia. One of Rosie's sons
has a t-shirt that says 'I am only here for
the tacos'. Saw local WU station temps of
73-75F in the afternoon. Dry, wind dialed back
a little later afternoon too. Heard Screech-Owl
over at the draw.
Mar. 17 ~ A low of 54F, clouds early but cleared.
Back up to 80F in the afternoon, third day straight.
Yard is still brown overall, some greens sprouting,
but brown. I see some Mexican Hat sprouting and
the Blue Mist Eupatorium at front porch is too.
A pair of Lesser Goldfinch were on the patio.
These are the first I have seen this spring.
Normally they arrive around Feb. 22, none did
this year. Three weeks late. There was that
few-day winter sighting in earliest Feb. of a
first year male. It was never seen again. Saw
the Canyon Towhee still out there eating seed.
In the morning I thought sure I was hearing the
sweet chip of a Yellow-throated Warbler. Mentioned
it to Kathy sure. Then after noon, again in the
big Pecan I heard it, but neither time could I spot
it. Then mid-afternoon Kathy saw it at the bath, FOS!
Surely the one that visits the yard and bath daily
all breeding season. I knew that was what I was
hearing. I saw one local WU station reading 88F!
It wasn't that hot here, probably have thermometer
in a hot spot like our patio is. A front is on
the way and this the final big warmup before it
arrives tonight.
Mar. 16 ~ It was about 33F this morning, KERV
had 32F. NOAA had KERV progged for 41, and WU
had us for warmer than that. I wondered why
they were not seeing any cold after the frontal
passage and those strong northerlies all day
yesterday. It blows my mind how consistently
they are off by a category, very often wayyy too
high on the lows after fronts here. There were
two dozen Red-winged Blackbird out there braying
first thing. What a great racket. The rest was
the same gang. Am. Goldfinches are tossing more
seed on the ground than eating. Pigs. With the
recent increase in costs, this is not good.
It was about 80F at 3 p.m., pretty springy. Very
low humidity is nice too. Still looks like winter
though. It is all brown sticks except the junipers
and live-oaks. Lots of the live-oaks are underway
somewhere in the annual cycle of going yellow,
dropping leaves, soon will be flowering, and then
finally leaf replacement. Over a month or so.
They have tomorrow progged for upper 80's!
According to the astronomical data at WU, today
is exactly 12 hours of daylength, with sunrise
and sunset both at 7:48.
Late afternoon I heard and saw briefly my FOS
Barn Swallow! Finally. Two chasing males low
over the yard and road for a few seconds. At
least they called to get my attention. In
butterflies, there was one FOY, a Funereal
Duskywing which shot by fairly quickly.
Also saw the male Black Swallowtail still out
there, as is the Vesta Crescent, now about six
weeks flying here, couple leftover Sleepy Orange,
an old Dogface, an American Lady, and a Common
Checkered-Skipper. New was a pale morph female
Orange Sulphur in mint condition. Eight species.
Mar. 15 ~ Low at about 50F is fine with me.
Sunny, a springy week will hopefully bring
some of that forth. There was a dry frontal
passage, so winds will again be too much, but
from north today instead of south. Such a big
change. It was gusting 20-25 mph. Around 80F
again in the afternoon. Wow! Spring is coming.
Mid-morn I heard then got to watch for a minute
my FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. You won't
believe this but it was gnat-catching. Neat bird.
In now 19 springs here all my FOS dates for them
are between March 11 and 20, a neat and rather
narrow 10 day window. Which the 15th-16th is
the middle of. Whereas Barn Swallow arrivals
fluctuate over a three week plus window (last
week of Feb. to 3rd week of March). I am
hearing quiet singing from American Goldfinch
increasing intensity, they will be leaving
soon.
Late morning I heard then saw my FOS Lark
Sparrow. I thought I heard one a week ago,
but didn't see it, and did not count it
as a FOS. That was the 9th. Some few winter
in the vicinity, but we get none from fall to
spring around the house and mile or so adjacent
environs where they are a common breeders.
I suspect the few that winter locally are from
somewhere else and have nothing to do with the local
breeders which totally vacate the area in winter.
Sparrows in yard today were Lark, Field, Chipping,
Lincoln's and White-crowned.
Mar. 14 ~ Low about 50F and overcast. A bit
of a chill but at least not freezing after
those last two record breaking mornings in
the teens. Mid-morn heard my FOS Ash-throated
Flycatcher calling a few times. Smack dab
dead-center in the middle of average arrival
dates. Third time on the 14th. Had a 16
count on Red-winged Blackbird. One female
is new, been all males. In afternoon heard
two White-eyed Vireo calling at once outside.
Got up to 78F on the cool shady front porch
at 4 p.m., had to be 80F in the sun. Wonderful
after that 19F the last two mornings. Have
to get busy with garden and yard stuff quickly.
I heard a few muffled boiks of Canyon Towhee
song, which means it will be going soon. Saw
it out there a couple times today. Too bad
we lost one of them over the winter again.
Mar. 13 ~ I saw 19F as the sun broke horizon.
KERV had a 21, SAT record this date is 27F.
So record cold second morning in a row, in
mid-March. I knew that mild December would
bite us on the other end of winter. Wind blew
hard from south all day 15-20 mph, gusting 25
and higher. Got up to about 64F, but the
breeze stayed chilly. Too windy. Did not
see anything different out there today.
Same gang o' seed theives. The six
White-crowned Sparrow continue as does the
Lincoln's. Bluebirds are nice and noisy.
Great sounds. Ten Am. Goldfinch still. A
couple toss more sunflower seeds on the
ground than they eat, looking for a fatter
seed. Worse than a Titmouse or Chickadee.
Messy wasteful eaters here.
Mar. 12 ~ Record low temps this morning.
The record for SAT this date is 23F, it
was 17F in KERV. I saw it dropping below
20F here before the final dip, surely it
hit 19 and maybe 18F. The first Black-chinned
Hummer showed up at the feeders about 6:45,
sunup was at 6:55. Whence after seed toss
I was back under electric blanket with a
hot coffee. Was slow to warm up out there.
Saw 55-58F at local WU stations about 3 p.m.
Birds were voracious at the seed all day.
In afternoon I saw the Lincoln's Sparrow
leave the tub pond where it just bathed.
Birds use a 2" branch that goes down into
the water (per OSHA tub pond emergency animalian
egress requirements) and hold on to it do
their thing. I see some Lily leaves sprouting,
and a some new Cattail leaves are as well.
During my lizard-in-sun imitation later in
afternoon, I got a SIX count on White-crowned
Sparrow. A yard record. FOUR are gray-lored
orange-billed western Gambell's types
(2 ea. ad. and imm.), and two are pink-billed
black-lored (ad.) eastern leucophrys. Neat.
Love me some Zons!
This is not a current photo,
This is an Anemone. They should be sprouting soon in your
yard. But most are white. Some are purple, and rarely
I see one of these pink ones.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 11 ~ It was about 60F at midnight.
At dawn in the 30's with chills in
the 20's, and strong northerlies.
We got a couple tenths of an inch of rain
first thing on the main arrival and passage.
Much of which seemed to fall directly on
me when I was doing the dawn seed toss.
Which I wish you could see, the panache
and flourish is most impressive I assure
you. It alleged to get up to about 45F
but with the cold northerlies at 25 mph
gusting to 35, it felt freezing out there
all day. Even the sun coming out did not
help. I mostly just saw the stuff coming
into the seed and it was all the same.
One round of tossing I flushed an imm. male
Sharp-shinned Hawk right over where I toss.
Tomorrow morn set for low 20's F, at
or very near record cold for the date.
Sure glad I did the town run yesterday
in that 70F, and didn't have to go
out in this.
Mar. 10 ~ Low about 32F. The warmup day
before the cold front tomorrow. Sun is sure
up early, before 7 a.m. now! Did the town
run today since tomorrow is not going to
be a good day to be out there. It is also
the start of spring break here so wanted to
hit the store before the college critters did.
Still a few Brewer's Blackbird at corrals.
Little Creek Larry said he had a couple
Cave Swallow at his place this week, and
a N. Rough-winged Swallow at the park
yesterday (9th). He said his pair of Vermilion
Flycatcher are back. He also saw a
Monarch today, which is the FOS report.
Nothing in the woods except 3 Questionmark
butterfly. Two FOS mint-fresh summer form,
one old worn winter form. So the answer to
the question as to whether or not you can see
both forms of Questionmark at the same time
is, without question. Also heard and saw a
couple Blanchard's Cricket-Frog, also
the FOS for them. When I got back from town
I heard, and then late afternoon saw over by
the seed, my FOS Lincoln's Sparrow.
More cranes way high up northbound. Late
afternoon heard a White-eyed Vireo. Got up
to about 72F today, not as warm as they said.
Male Black Swallowtail floating around yard.
Mar. 9 ~ Low was about 34F or so, chilly.
About 9 a.m. heard my FOS White-eyed Vireo!
Another bug eater is back! Had to run to
town early, a quick spin through park saw
about 15 Ring-necked Duck, and on spillway,
one Frankenduck, an Egyptian Goose, and a
Great Blue Heron, which is now acquiring
some nice breeding plumage and bill color.
The non-natives outnumbered the natives.
A Caracara flew over town. Looked the
same gang here at the hovelita. saw five
White-crowned Sparrow again, quite nice.
In the afternoon local WU stations were
showing 65-68F. Agarita getting a few
flowers on fenceline out back. Saw those
four C-130 Herkybirds heading back to Laughlin
AFB after noon, not as close, low, and fast
as when they went over the other day. The
first Queen (butterfly) I have seen this
year flew by, but it was an old worn one,
not a fresh new one.
Mar. 8 ~ Overcast and 42F or so for a low.
Just a very light breeze fortunately. It
got up to about 64F in later afternoon, and
quite nice. A dozen Red-winged Blackbird
out there mid-morn, I love that braying.
I keep forgetting to mention, today is the
third day straight now, of seeing a Turkey
Vulture soaring over low. Surely one of our
nearby breeders that is a daily fixture now
until September or October. In the later
afternoon I got a FIVE count on White-crowned
Sparrow as the moved from the big stick
piles in front yard down fenceline toward
road where live brush (a few big XL Agarita).
Two adults, two imm.s, and one was unknown.
Twice today I heard call notes of birds
heading over northbound that I never saw.
The first one in the morning surely was
a Sprague's Pipit, probably coming
up off the grass airstrip. The other one
in afternoon sounded like a Barn Swallow.
A couple got away today.
Mar. 7 ~ Just before midnight last night it
was about 68F, the front hit shortly after,
and it was about 42F by dawn. We got about
a quarter-inch of precip so that was nice.
Bit of a leaf-washin' dust-buster, and
a sip for all the green tyring to sprout.
Winds are north at 15 mph gusting to 25, so
chills are in 30's. A far cry from that
80 or so yesterday afternoon. They are talking
another front, with a freeze, for next weekend.
Good the swallows aren't back yet. The
two White-crowned Sparrow adults are still
here, only saw one of the immatures. Some
Anemone leaves breaking the ground.
Mar. 6 ~ About 65F for a low, is getting too
balmy too quickly. Some mist mid-morn.
Saw two adult White-crowned Sparrow, which
I presume are the continuing birds, one
eastern and one western type. Great to see
male Vermilion Fycatcher in the yard again.
Amazing to see male and female hummingbirds
after about 5 months without them! And six
months since most Black-chinned departed.
The rest was all the same gang still. A
few Chipping Sparrow starting to trill a bit.
Kathy saw a Black Swallowtail late in day.
Afternoon blew 15 mph gusting to 25 so we
did stuff here since too windy. We had
about 78F but one local WU station had 80F.
The warmup in front of the front, inbound
tonight.
Mar. 5 ~ We might have hit 61F for a low.
Later afternoon I saw local WU readings of
76-77F. Mostly cloudy all day. The first
FOS of the day was just after midnight when
a calling Barn Owl flew over northbound high
up. A spring migrant. Then a real big but
little FOS was HUMMINGBIRDS! As in plural!
First mid-morn a male showed up, and a few hours
later it was displaying to a female! Both
sexes arrived the same day! That has never
happened for me in 19 springs now here.
Males are always a few days to a week or more
ahead of females. The rest of the feathers
out there all looked the same. Had too much
biz work and was stuck at desk most of day.
Then put on a new (neg) battery terminal.
The one on there was replaced with battery 3 years
ago, completely disolved away the cheap pot
metal alloy where the bolt holds it tight to
stud. And I wire brush the fluff off routinely.
It was just lose. I had to McGyver a scrounged
nut, bolt and washers to clamp it tight enough
to go to town yesterday. I bought two terminals
so I have a spare on hand next time. Living
semi-remotely in the country is like living on
a sailboat. If you have two, you have one.
If you have one, you have none.
And now for something completely different.
This is a satellite pic of the yard and vicinity
to give a better idea of the immediate environs
for much of what is being reported here. This is
the observation station. Pic in winter however so
fairly leafless and devoid of vegetation compared
to lush spring and summer. Only the Live-oaks
and Junipers have foliage. As you can see the
traffic gets pretty backed up. The other day I saw
8 pigs, 6 deer, a coyote, and two rabbits had to
wait for a dillo to cross the road.
The left-pointing triangle at center is the two acre
hog-fenced plot we live on. The bare dirt treed
area to south of house (toward bottom) is the corral,
then the tip of the grass airstrip is bottom center.
Yes, you can fly in. Left of house the greenery is
huge ancient Live-Oaks on a slope with Mountain Laurel
and Agarita, the hill country. North half of north
fenceline is Junipers and Mesquite. Across from the
gate are big climax Mesquites (brush country), those
are Junipers towards river from them. The yard has
7 big Pecan trees, more smaller, and lots of what is
leafless in corral is Pecans (deciduous woodland).
There are many dozens of Hackberry trees throughout.
River is Cypress lined, nearest one just over 100 yards
from gate. So it is a remarkable confluence of habitats
in one place. This is what a 230 species yard list
yard looks like in winter. Would love a summer shot.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Mar. 4 ~ Low of about 62F! Overcast. A
Myrtle Warbler went north through yard in
morn, which may well have been a migrant.
Park pond had 4 Ring-necked Duck. I had a
bad battery terminal had to jerry-rig so
didn't stop to walk woods. Got a new
terminal to install. Little Creek Larry
said he also still has not seen a hummingbird,
Barn Swallow, or Purple Martin yet. His
Vermilion Flycatcher is not back yet either.
About 3 p.m. I saw local WU station readings
at 77-79F, despite remaining mostly overcast.
Heard the Vermilion Flyc. displaying up
high over the corral at last light.
Mar. 3 ~ We might have hit 52F overnight,
but was about 55 by dawn. Overcast. Sun
poking out mid-morn. Great was hearing
and then seeing way way up high until it
dove back down to the ground, a displaying
male Vermilion Flycatcher! Talk about a
spot of light. And all that exuberance.
I mentioned to Kathy yesterday it was time.
Later it was in the front yard, it surely
is our breeder back. Wonder where he goes
for six months? About 1 p.m. I finally
heard some distant cranes northbound. About
3 p.m. I saw local WU stations reading 73-75F!
So nice to not be cold.
Mar. 2 ~ I saw it hit 32 at KERV, but I am
not sure we did, maybe 34F here. By 3 p.m.
local WU readings were 72-74F! Weewow!
Birds were the same gang still. One Kinglet
(Ruby). Come on migration. I see lots of
little green matter breaking ground barely now.
In butterflies, saw the Am. Lady, Red Admiral,
a Pipevine, the worn female Dogface that has
been around, and a Sleepy Orange. Kathy heard
more Cranes distantly. The big FOS for me was a
singing Roadrunner! Have not seen one in months.
Hardly saw any last year after early summer.
Singing from the same area as always where
nesting is presumed. Just upslope behind us
in the live-oaks. Where the heck do they
migrate, er, walk to? The brush country?
Mexico? Hondo? Oh to have a pinger on one.
Had a flock of four C-130 Herkybirds fly over
the house not 500' overhead, and each
not 30 seconds apart.
March 1 ~ About 28F for a low, a chilly start
of the month. Got up to about 72F in the
afternoon, felt great to thaw. I was out
there doing my lizard impression in the sun.
Kathy had the big FOS of the day, cranes!
She heard a flock go over northbound noonish.
The rest was the same as it ever was the
last three months. Waiting for migration
and Golden-cheeks in a week or so. Should
be Martin and Barn Swallow any day now,
and a Black-chinned Hummer too. Saw a
worn Variegated Fritillary, a Red Admiral,
and an Orange Sulphur for butterflies.
~ ~ ~ Feburary summary ~ ~ ~
Cold and dry like January. There was one
rain event, we got 1.5", some others
got one inch. At least something though.
It was a very cold Feb., though not record
and power system breaking as last Feb., there
were lots of freezes and freezing days, it
was below normal of temps. The temperature
pattern recently is below normal winters and
hotter that normal summers. It is almost as
if the climate is changing.
Odes were absent as expected. Some Februarys
you get some early ones, but not a cold one
like this was. Butterflies were few too,
but a few were new fresh emergences. Just
the common expected stuff of course, mostly
leftovers still alive from last season, and
looking worse for the wear and tear now. I
count 14 species for the month. If just of
average warmth, it will comparitively explode
in March.
Birds continue to be dismal. Weakest winter
we have seen here. Nary a Flicker or Junco,
no Siskin this year, maybe one Sapsucker,
hardly any Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler,
and so on, it borders on bizarre nearing eerie.
Hardly a Kestrel or Shrike, even the Chipping
Sparrow flock never got near as big as usual.
Half to two-thirds at best. Best bird was
the female EASTERN TOWHEE Little Creek Larry
has over by his place this month. There
was a Lesser Goldfinch here a few days early
in month, only one of winter we saw, and an
Am. Pipit on the 7th was the only one of them.
Three Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow
is a good number of them to be in one spot
here (our yard). The first long-distance
migrant to return was Turkey Vulture (12)
on the 20th. I count about 53 species seen
this month, and Little Creek Larry saw about
7-8 sps. I did not, over on his creek.
~ ~ ~ end Feb. summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Feb. update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
February ~ Starting the month with a major
hard freeze and ice event Feb. 3-4. On the
3rd there was a Lesser Goldfinch here, first
one in a couple months or more. A couple
orange-billed gray-lored western type Gambell's
White-crowned Sparrow showed up Feb.7+
after the extended freeze event. Some of
the early-nesting residents are starting to
sing a bit now, like N. Cardinal, Bewick's
and Carolina Wren, E. Bluebird, Black-crested
Titmouse, and Carolina Chickadee. Some few
dozen N. Pintail were on Little Creek at the
pond during the big cold early in month. Better
was a female EASTERN TOWHEE on Little Creek.
The back half of February means only two or
three weeks to Golden-cheeked Warblers! There
were 33 Ring-necked Duck on the park pond
on the 18th, and still there the 25th. A big
FOS was on the 20th, Turkey Vulture, a dozen
of them! A big fat FOS on the 21st was a
Bumblebee. Ended month with more hard freezes,
will be a late spring.
~ ~ ~ end Feb. update header archive copy ~ ~ ~
Feb. 28 ~ Wow that was fast. A mighty chilly
last morn of the month at 22 dF. Man it
was a cold one. Also our 6th straight a.m.
freezing, which is a long cold spell here.
Three straight is usually it, four only
occasionally, five is pretty rare. But
warming up today and for the week, so some
spring should start to show. I see at
3 p.m. 64F on the cool shady front porch,
and local WU station readings at 67-71F!
Probably 70 on the sunny south side of house.
We are adding 1 min. 45 sec. to daylength
daily now!
Saw an adult White-crowned Sparrow with
gray lores and an orange bill. Gambell's
number three here this winter, the other
two that were here are immatures. The
adult that has been around is a pink-billed
black-lored leucophrys. Some of the local
residents are really getting the singing
going. Titmouse, Cardinal, and Carolina
Wren in particular, and Eastern Bluebird
early out by the box as well. Helps you
get through the cold. Kathy saw a Pipevine
Swallowtail coming into puddle. I saw a
Dogface and that wearing Vesta Crescent.
Best thing all day was when I heard that
sound of a bullet which is air going
through feathers. It fell from above.
By time I wheeled around there were
birds scattering in every direction but
I saw nothing. Walked back and a Sharpy
flushed, empty fisted. It came from up
above the house and pecan treetops. It
was a nearing vertical stoop. It was
fast as lightning to make that bullet
sound. A Sharp-shinned Hawk. Due to their
typical surprise attack M.O. this is not
something you typically hear out of an
accipiter.
Feb. 27 ~ Oh my the sky is blue and there
is a large bright object in it low to east.
Maybe 33F for a low, KERV had a 31F, but
didn't seem to freeze here. About
3 p.m. I saw local WU stations at 63-66F!
Finally! What a treat! Twenty dF over
anything in the prior four days. By the
end of Feb. I have had it with the cold,
as if you could not tell. I can only take
it if the birding is fantastic. Then it
hardly bothers me at all. Here we mostly
just get the cold without the good coldweather
birds. Quite the short end of the Short-tailed
Shearwater. I have not seen a single Flicker or
Junco all winter, yet froze my fern. It should
be against the law. It was all the same gang
here in yard. One male Red-winged Blackbird
was on the sunflower feeder for a while in
the afternoon. Saw what looked that same
Vesta Crescent butterfly that has been
around all month, getting a bit more worn.
Feb. 26 ~ Maybe 34F for a low, misting
most of morning, pretty chilly out there.
About 3 p.m. maybe 42F, the average LOW
temp for this date is 48F at SAT, and we
can't even get there for now the
fourth day of this cold event. Most of
which was spent in the 30's F, with
mist, again. Lots of extra seed, they were
sucking it all down fast as you would
shovel it. Got a hundred count on the
Chipping Sparrow again. They all show up
when it is real cold. Couple Field Sparrow
still here. Twenty White-winged Dove were
on the seed at one point too. Heard a
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, but did not
spend much time out there looking today
besides seed tossing for some reason.
This is not a current photo, but a big bonus break.
While we are talking tinkering ...
I will be putting a separate page up for this.
Meanwhile, here is my blindowscreen™.
I replaced a standard window screen with this
so I could photo birds at the bath from inside
the house without shooting through screen.
It is screen above and below the solid part below center,
which has the window in it to poke the lens out. The little
box is a rain, sun glare, and hide-lens-movement shade.
With house window open, we can access the shootin' hole.
This is why so many bird bath photos litter the pages.
You might recognize the big rock at 11 o'clock to the
bath, it has the biggest list of all the rocks. Always have
good cover next to any bath, note big stick pile for safety.
This is what the view looks like from the inside.
Have better pics, will replace this with one someday.
The white at left edge is the slat that opens window up.
It slides on two tracks (one visible at bottom of frame).
The tracks and slat are cut at matching 45 deg. angles
to keep slat tight against hole so no bugs can get in.
No spigot on that side of house so we have to slum it
with a milk jug for a drip. The birds don't care.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 25 ~ About 33F for a low again, still
overcast and damp, so cold. Only getting to
low or mid-40's F today and tomorrow still.
Day 3 of 4. Town run. Got the same 33 count
on Ring-necked Duck as I did last week on the
park pond. The Hermit Thrush was in the woods,
it ate two Greenbriar Vine berries. Heard a
Belted Kingfisher. A couple Turkey Vulture
were in the big mostly dead roost tree in the
river by the island. Little Creek Larry said
the Eastern Towhee was still over there, and
a couple Gadwall. Maybe Sunday when it warms
up we will take a spin over thataway. Town was
loaded with cops, apparently someone cuffed,
ran! This would be a bad place to run into a
house, perhaps not survivable in a fair percentage.
Haven't seen anything like this since we left
L.A. Saw a fresh roadkill deer at which there
were 2 Black Vulture and one Red-tailed Hawk.
The BV seemed to be steering as far clear
as they could of the Red-tail. Which was
interesting because of the way they dominate
Turkey Vulture at a carcass. Talons matter.
Feb. 24 ~ About 33F for a low, with mist on
it, pretty chilly. The wind stopped though, so
not as bad as yesterday was. Staying cold
until Sunday though. Another four-day major
chill event as this winter allegedly nears
exit, staving spring off another week. More
extra seed, and Kathy made bird bread. Was
the same gang of seed-suckers out there.
Love hearing those Red-winged Blackbirds.
Did not see the Cowbird flock, am in no way
complaining. Saw a few waxwings going to
the Junipers. Got up to a smokin' 44F
in the afternoon under thick overcast. So
at least not frozen. Just NE at KERV they
did not break 35F all day, so we lucked out
with some warm western influence.
Feb. 23 ~ High temp for today was the first
minute at midnight, in the low 50's.
The front arrived. Was 40F and falling with
15-20 mph northerlies advecting colder air by
7 a.m. It was below freezing with chills in
the 20's by 10 a.m., and heavy mist.
Winter. Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow
singing early, oblivious to it all. Five
Common Raven flew over in a tight group first
thing. Around noon KERV NOAA reading was 27F
with a wind chill of 13F, felt that here too.
Yesterday afternoon we were in upper 80's F!
A big ugly flock of Brown-headed Cowbird showed
up, about 45 of them. A dozen or so Red-winged
Blackbird, probably more will arrive as it gets
colder. An extra seed and grits day. Never broke
freezing all day. But holding in upper 20's F
and not going down so at least there is that.
Feb. 22 ~ Low of about 60F and foggy.
Today is the last hot day prior to front
arrival tonight. The next four days
showing no 60F for high temps. About
4 p.m. I saw 86F on the cool shady front
porch, and local WU stations were showing
84-88F! Toasty. Saw a couple So. Dogface,
an Orange Sulphur, the Red Admiral. Great
was two FOY Pipevine Swallowtail, fresh
emergences. I probably saw one 10 days ago
at Utopia Park, but it got away. These both
seemed to be on first flight. Couple days
hit 80F and pop goes the butterfly. Just
seeing one Canyon Towhee, must have lost
one of them.
Feb. 21 ~ A muggy low of 60, ground damp,
heavy overcast, another couple warmup days
ahead of the next front. The temps are a
rolly-coaster here. Afternoon got up to
low 80's F, local WU stations showing
83 to 85F, KERV at NOAA had 83F. Toasty.
The record for this date at SAT is 100F!
Which must be the earliest ever date for
triple digits hereabouts. An imm. male
Sharp-shinned Hawk dove on everything,
man they are so fast. It made three
different attempts on three different
targets as the Chippy flock flushed, and
had acquired its fourth target when it left
my view. Heard a Kestrel across road in river
habitat corridor. A couple Acridid grasshoppers
displaying, the pale yellow-lime winged
common ones, like last week. Bugs! Then
about 3 p.m. I saw my FOY Bumblebee! Been
around four months since the last one.
Feb. 20 ~ About 35F for a low, chilly but
no freeze. Slow to warm, barely any sun,
but got up to 65F later in afternoon.
After spraying some water, maybe 20 seconds
tops, a fresh male Fiery Skipper came in.
First one this year, and clearly a new bug
that just popped out. In the later afternoon
I was working outside and a flock of a
dozen FOY Turkey Vulture drifted over low
following river north. These are surely
our returning breeders. Typical return
dates are in 3rd week of February, so
right on time. It is the first returning
breeder that is migratory and does not
winter here. Listened for Martins out there
but did not hear any yet. Any day now for
them to return as well. The rest was the
same gang. Got the knothole nestbox™ in,
still have to do a couple things to it,
but almost done.
Feb. 19 ~ About 27F for a low was a chilly
start. Saw about 67F at peak heat in the
afternoon which was nice. The Savannah
Sparrow is still here visiting edge of
patio for white millet. Great was seeing
it go to the tub pond for a drink, and to
get on our (50 gal.) tub pond list now.
Goes great with Green Jay, Catbird, Painted
Bunting and Audubon's Oriole. The
White-crowned Sparrow are still here too.
A few Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbird
around. Biggest new thing was a couple
now open yellow Agarita flowers! Elfin
will be flying in short order. Olive
Juniper Hairstreak shows about as early.
The 80F temps progged for Mon.-Tues. will
likely pop some of both.
This is not a current photo, but a big bonus break.
I will be putting a separate page up for this.
This is the knothole nestbox™ I made, before it
was sanded, burnt and varnished, when being fitted.
The broken stub is a foot deep, which I had to chisel,
grind, cut, saw, stab, bust knuckles, etc., to
make a good nestbox sized cavity in. Probably not
coon-safe to use one any shorter. The interior of
an old stub like this is roughly the same strength
as zircon encrusted titanium over the best tempered
steel.
This is the coonscluder™ I made for it. This
could be used on any nest box. It deflects the coons
grab wasting half the arm reach, leaving too little
to reach the nest. Also using a thicker piece for front
helps waste some reach, forcing a straighter approach angle,
and directing that reach straight into the deflector.
Leave enough space for the bird to get around it easily.
This seems to be only coonscluder™ in the world.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 18 ~ The wind finally stopped late
last night, low was 28F this morning.
Same gang around the yard. Town run
fer stuff. Park check being the most
important part, and what was that other
minor thing? Oh yeah, groceries. There
were 33 Ring-necked Duck in a flock on
the park pond. Great to see since this
winter has not had much for ducks.
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawk were
prospecting noisily. A few Eastern
Bluebird were singing a lot too.
A surprise was the FOY Orange-crowned
Warbler. Only one I have encountered
all winter. Put out a rare bird alert.
About 3 p.m. I saw 64F here and at a
couple local WU stations, whilst KERV
was showing 58F. Later I saw a 67F at
a local station. Saw a Variegated
Fritillary, an old worn one.
Feb. 17 ~ Another balmy low at 58F, just
ahead of the front arrival after dawn.
That will be tomorrow's high temp.
By 9 a.m. winds were blowing 15-20 mph
and gusting higher. Saw all three of the
White-crowned Sparrow this a.m., the two
imm.s and the adult. The Savannah Sparrow
was also in the brush pile still. Peak
heat was about 1 p.m. and 68F, after which
it started dropping. About 2:30 I saw a
small falcon shoot over close and low
over patio, a Merlin. Then about 15 seconds
later a Kestrel was screaming and shot over
northward right in its tracks. Clearly much
longer of tail and thinner of wing, totally
different shape and structure. But a Kestrel
chasing a Merlin? Must know it is more
agile. At least 20 Am. Goldfinch flushed
at one accipiter flushing event. At 11 p.m.
I saw KERV was 34F with 20 mph gusting higher
winds and 23F for a chill factor.
Feb. 16 ~ Low of 60F is pretty balmy, breezy
out of south, and overcast. The pre-frontal
warm-up and blow until the wind turns tomorrow.
Saw local WU stations reading 74-77F (!) at 3-4
p.m., wow. Probably that same Vesta Crescent was
out there that has been around a couple weeks.
The male Red-tailed Hawk of the pair stooped
on a displaying Red-shouldered Hawk that was
calling. This is why the Red-shouldered do not
nest as close as the Red-tails do. A big no no
in what they consider their territory apparently.
Saw two of the White-crowned Sparrow and one of
the Canyon Towhee. Nervous about just seeing one
towhee for a few days as we saw a couple new
feral cats recently, besides the accipiters.
A year or two ago we lost one of the pair that
was here wintering to an accipiter. Saw a male
Black Swallowtail that was likely the one a couple
weeks ago. There were a couple Acridids, that
is short-horned grasshopper, displaying. These
the common ones with pale yellow-lime wings.
Feb. 15 ~ About 42F at dawn was much better, nice
to not be freezing. Carolina Wren is sure getting
going early in morns now. Saw one Canyon Towhee.
At least a couple dozen Red-winged Blackbird
hit the patio for white millet. The White-crowns
are still here. The local breeding pair of
Red-tailed Hawk are flying around tightly,
nesting season is getting underway for them.
Couple accipiter flushings over the day, never
saw which caused it. In butterflies a fresh
male So. Dogface was likely a new emergence,
the Gulf Fritillary looked old and a leftover,
as did the Sleepy Orange. Saw the Red Admiral
and new was a fresh Common Checkered-Skipper.
Feb. 14 ~ We had another 20F at dawn, a category
colder than progged. Amazing how they cannot get
a handle on the cold temps here very well.
Consistently off the same way. Saw two White-crowns
and the Savannah Sparrow, a couple Field sang a wee
bit, maybe 75 or so Chipping Sparrow. Nothing
different. Cooper's Hawk flushed it all a
couple times at least. Had about 68F in the
afternoon heat, felt great. Saw the Red Admiral.
Feb. 13 ~ I knew it was going to get colder than
they said (27F) after that wind stopped. We had
20F before the final dip this a.m., and saw KERV
had a 19F. It was cold. There were maybe three
dozen Red-winged Blackbird braying up in the big
Pecan early when still freezing. At least a couple
dozen American Goldfinch. Saw one ad. and one
of the imm. White-crowned Sparrow. Great was seeing
what is surely the same Savannah Sparrow, still
here, now a week. I was cutting stuff in the
yard and threw stuff on a stick pile and it flew
out and to another pile. Yard work to do now
before it sprouts again. Have to go road apple
mining in the corral. Heard my first White-winged
Dove song for the year in the peak afternoon heat.
Sounded like it hadn't done it for a long
time and was a bit rusty. Did a few attempts
and gave up. Couldn't remember it methinks.
Feb. 12 ~ Front arriving just before dawn. Was
mid-50's much of night, maybe dipped to 48F
and stayed between that and 52 all day. Blew
all day With 15-20 mph northerlies, gusting to
30 mph. Had a Zone-tailed Hawk fly right over
low early, looked like it was headed to land
in the big Pecan when I walked out and it flared
off. Later had the pair of Red-tailed Hawk,
our local breeders over at the river. Did a
dump run today and on way on 360 other side of
river saw a male Kestrel in a pasture. At the
park there were 5 Ring-necked Duck, half of
Larry's flock yesterday. Slow-rolled the
west mile plus of 360 off 359 in the juniper-live-oak
grassland. Did not see or hear anything avian,
or in fact animalia.
This is not a current photo.
Sorry about the fuzzy photo. It was across the pond at
the park a couple years ago. There were 33 of these
at the park today, half were males like this, females
are brown. This is a Ring-necked Duck. Named after
the part that is hardest to see. The ring is at the
base of neck and requires good light to see. Ring-billed
Duck would have been better. In good light the head
is iridescent purple. The white side is blown out
due to over-exposure, actually they just have a white
veritical bar at front of that white area, which is
otherwise pale gray in reality.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 11 ~ A toasty 48F or so for a low was great.
Nice not to be cold. Will be tomorrow with a
frontal passage, northerlies, and cold air advection.
Today is the pre-frontal warmup day. Canyon
Towhee out there early. The rest was the
same gang. Little Creek Larry said during
the big freeze a week ago about 50 N. Pintail
were on the pond at Little Creek just below
his place. Better, he saw a female EASTERN
TOWHEE, which is a rare bird here. It is
easy to go 5 years without seeing one locally.
Spotted is our default towhee with rufous on
the sides, they are low density winter residents,
though somewhat scarce this year. Eastern is
a great find. Before they were split into two
species some years ago the species was called
Rufous-sided Towhee. The park had the one
Hermit Thrush on the island in the woods,
one Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and heard both
Belted and Green Kingfisher, both on other
side of island so did not see them. Little
Creek Larry had about ten Ring-necked Duck
here early in the morning. A dark black
with blue iridescence swallowtail shot by
me at the park that looked a Pipevine, but
was too fast to claim it for a FOY.
Feb. 10 ~ Froze again contra predictions,
but just barely, maybe 30F. Afternoon warmed
to about 72F though, what a delight. There
was a Red Admiral out flying in the warmth.
Birds were the same gang of winter residents.
With a few added Red-winged Blackbird braying
for ambience. Nice to hear. Heard the first
hesitant intro bits of Field Sparrow song,
first of that this year. Tuning up. Saw the
Black Rock Squirrel out there. Neat beast.
At last sun on the patio a Myrtle Warbler
went down to the smashed pecans and appeared
to get a few bits. Looked the same male
that we have seen every couple or few days
since December.
Feb. 9 ~ So much for yesterday's comment
about it being the last freeze for a week.
NOAA had KERV progged for 34F and they and
us had 25F! Amazing how far off they are how
often. It was a hard freeze for 8 hrs., and
they had it for NO freeze. The three
White-crowned Sparrow still here but did
not see the Savannah. The rest was the
same. Golden-fronted Woodpecker starting
to call more, it has been very quiet.
Afternoon warmed up to a fantastic 70F.
Best beast of the day was at midnight,
a Striped Skunk was scrounging the broken
pecans Kathy crushed on patio. The nuts
were not good enough for human use, over
a year ago. We save them for cold spells
in winter. Very cool beautiful animal.
Was a close Coyote barking from just across
the road towards the river late as well.
Feb. 8 ~ Supposed to be the last freeze for
a week. Was 25F this morning. An adult
White-crowned Sparrow has joined the two
immature orange-billed pale-lored western
Gambell's types here. The new ad. is
the usual standard default type here, the
eastern pink-billed black-lored leucophrys
type. It could be the one that was around
in November and December. Three constitutes
a flocklet, legally speaking, according to the
Bird Law of Zonitrichia. Look it up. Sure
love hearing those Gambell's sing their
minor keyed and noted song. The Eastern
Bluebird are really yukkin' it up a
lot now too. Great to hear, what a voice.
Red-winged Blackbird too is going off. They
do not nest within earshot so very nice to
hear. Outstanding hearing some birdsong after
that long dry spell of fall and winter.
Also great to see that thermometer pass
the 60dF mark shortly after noon.
Feb. 7 ~ Was 32F overnight, but a dF or two
warmer at sunup. Breezy from south but air
is cold still. Maybe got up to 58F or so.
A week of sun and average temps on tap sounds
great after last week's big freeze. The
Gambell's White-crowned Sparrow are
singing a bit. I love hearing that song of my
youth and west coast years. Saw the Savannah
Sparrow again. Great was an American Pipit
that called as it flew over early in morning.
Only one I have seen all winter. Day before
yesterday Kathy had a Chipping Sparrow with a
bunch of white feathers on the head, partially
albinistic, which is called leucistic when not
pure white. Interesting is that I have been fine-sifting
the Chippies for something else, anything else,
and had not seen it prior. As of two days later,
it had not been seen again! It might look like
the same flock of Chippies all the time, but it
is not. And so I keep looking at them. At dusk
Kathy spotted the pair of Gray Fox working the
fenceline between us and the corral not 20'
from the patio. I just caught them going away.
Very neat beasts.
Feb. 6 ~ Our thermometer read 18F this morn.
None of the local stations I saw were that cold,
but we are in a cold hole. We often run colder
than many other nearby spots. Nice to hear
the Eastern Bluebirds singing a lot in the
morning out front. Surely our nesting pair.
Neat to hear Red-winged Blackbirds as well.
The two imm. Gambell's White-crowned
Sparrow continue, now joined by a Savannah
Sparrow! Which are pretty scarce in the yard.
Clearly also something that obviously has not
been here and is a new arrival. About 2:30
it was 58F or so outside, probably hit 60F
a bit later, wonderful. At last sun I went
over to river and looked around briefly.
Saw one Great Horned Owl with a prey item
that looked probably a big Cotton Rat (Sigmodon).
Some Cardinal were the only other thing I saw.
Almost forgot, Kathy flushed what looked a
Kestrel off one of the clothesline poles
at edge of patio. She saw the rufous tail.
Hunting Chippies in the cold no doubt.
Pretty good to get one down in the yard.
Sometimes you walk outside and flush things
before you see them. I did it last year
in the snow with a Prairie Falcon sitting
up in the big Pecan. I did it on Seco Ridge
with a Green (now Mexican) Violetear! A lot
of times I peek a few seconds before I open
the door to go outside. But often you are
in a hurry doing chores and don't look.
Feb. 5 ~ Peak cold morn at 16F or lower. OMG.
Record low for SAT for the date is 21, so we
were at or about it here in the teens. That
was cold. Afternoon got up to about 50F and
felt great. We probably did about 60 hours
straight with only five or so over freezing
yesterday afternoon. Very cold for here. We
are gaining 1.5 minutes of daylight per day
now. Feb. 2 was the half-way point between
the winter solstice and spring equinox. By
the end of the month days will be about an
hour longer than when it started. Saw
something new and different in the yard, so,
a big change. Two immature White-crowned Sparrow
with bright orange bills and pale lores, which
are the western Gambell's type. Not the
usual default here pink-billed dark-lored eastern
leucophrys that is our primary type. We get
small numbers of gambelli semi-regularly. One
of these is missing a tail, probably lost in
the ice event the other day.
This is not a current photo.
This is an Eastern Phoebe, one of our nesting pair.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Feb. 4 ~ The thermometer is encased in ice so
I could not see the temp. I think around 20F,
with winds 15-20 mph gusting higher, some chills
were likely in single digits at times, but mostly
lower double digits. Not quite as cold as they
forecast, not complaining. Think I will jump
in the refrigerator to warm up. Second day of
double seed rations. Did not see anything
different in birds. The icicles did melt in
the afternoon. It got up to about 40F so we
got a few hours above freezing. A much needed
break, going way down low again tomorrow morn.
But at least it won't be a 60 hours straight
hard freeze. Wind blew all day so never felt
as warm as it was unless sheltered and in sun.
Feb. 3 ~ Some rain overnight, turning to ice
and what I think was actually graupel by dawn
when about 26F. It did not look like, nor was
the texture, of any snow, sleet, frozen rain,
ice pellets, or ice I have ever seen. Chills
in low to mid-teens with the northerlies.
By 8-9 a.m. the ground was white looking like
a light snow. But it was not snow. It looked
maybe over an inch of rain had fallen into a
bowl but can't get a measure into it now
that it is frozen. So we got some much needed
precip before it turned over to ice. What was
falling was changing over the day. The white
graupel in the a.m. got half to three-quarters
of an inch thick in spots. Other times and places
sleet got a tenth to quarter inch thick.
A Laurel, some juniper branches, and other
things, are bent way over with ice weight.
In the afternoon I see 6-7" icicles
hanging off the eaves in spots, and about 29F
for a high temp. Chills in teens.
Lots of extra seed rations the next few days.
It got soooo cold that the Brewer's Blackbirds
came down onto the patio! They never do that
here. Kathy had thrown out some old cereal,
and grits, which is a best use of on the latter.
Way too many Brown-headed Cowbird, seemed
like nearing a hundred. There were more
Brewer's though, a few Starling, and a
few dozen Red-winged Blackbird. Seed vacuums.
Saw nothing but 80 plus Chipping and a couple
Field for sparrows. Kathy had the Canyon Towhee
pair. Bird of the day was a first spring male
Lesser Goldfinch. Presuming first spring male
of our Black-backed type, rather than a vagrant
western green-backed bird. Which I don't
know how one would tell. I presume it is the
one we each heard in the last week. Historical
spring return dates here are around Washington's
birthday. Lately running a week or sometimes
more, earlier. All early returning birds are
fully black backed adult males. This is not,
and at weeks early, then worth a ponder.
Feb. 2 ~ Low about 50F with mist. Front gets
here late this afternoon, long duration freeze
event on tap starting tonight. Hope the power
grid holds this February. Warmed to about 64F
right before the cold air started arriving.
Had one Robin out there in the afternoon.
The Robin this winter. I wonder if or when the
birds can tell how bad the next front is going to
be? Did lots of covering and insulating things
to get ready. Extra stuff on the windows here
and in the cottage, etc. Covered the tub pond,
put outside things away lest they get iced up.
Here we go again.
February 1 ~ A balmy 52F low, some mist. We
have a mega-cold event on the way in a couple
days. Hoping the power stays on this year.
Ran to town today whilst sunny and warm out,
to get things before the big freeze event in
a couple days. Nothing at the park. One
Myrtle Warbler in town. Little Creek Larry
has a Great Egret over on his creek a couple
or few weeks now. Best thing was Rosie was back,
so real deal tacos! Not the gringo fare we
produce here. In the afternoon I saw local
WU station readings at 72-75F. That was great.
Five sps. of likely the same individual
butterflies got on the Feb. list: single
Vesta Crescent, Gulf & Variegated Fritillary,
the American Lady, and a couple Sleepy Orange.
~ ~ ~ January summary ~ ~ ~
It was cold and dry. Seemingly near half of
the mornings were freezing, several in the
20's, a couple or few in the teens. I
would say colder than we have been running
in recent Januarys. Looks a mere tenth of an
inch of rain plus some traces, almost nothing,
for precip over the month. Food crops are nil.
I did have Autumnal Meadowhawk just after
the new year, so one ode for the month.
Butterflies were surprisingly good for all
the freezing we did. Nothing rare but a
fair number of last years leftovers made it
into, and some through, January. A few were
obviously mint fresh mis-timed emergences
due to a few consecutive warm days between
fronts. A few of those were: a female Black
Swallowtail, a Texan Crescent, a Vesta
Crescent, and a Common Checkered-Skipper.
It was 18 species for the month, a high for
January total. Third highest total is 18,
and this is the third time for that. Only
twice was it better and over twenty, at 23,
and 26 species.
Birds were dismal. Can hardly find any out
there. There is nearly nothing in the pastures,
along the roads, in hedgerows, in town except
where feeders, and even riverside woodlots
and live-oak mottes are essentially empty. Was it
the big freeze last year? That and the drought?
In any case there is not a lot to look at out
there. I saw one Pine Warbler, heard a
Red-breasted Nuthatch, and saw a Zone-tailed Hawk.
That was about it. A quintessential southeastern
species, a quitessential southwestern species,
and a quintessential coniferous species. None
of which we are. A couple Robin, a handful of
Waxwing, one Hermit Thrush, one White-crowned
Sparrow. Pitiful out there. The usual wintering
Kestrels and Shrikes did not stick around,
there is nothing in the pastures. Hoping for
spring to bring some change in the avian
situation here. I saw about 50 species
for the month, and I know Little Creek Larry
had about 5 I did not see.
~ ~ ~ end January summary ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ archive copy update header ~ ~ ~
Happy New Year! January. Well finally on the
7th a bird to report: one Pine Warbler in town.
We froze 6 mornings straight from Jan. 2-7.
So a chilly bit of a run, kinda like winter.
The annual summary for 2021 has been added below
the first weeks photo break now. A Harris's
Hawk lazily soared low over our place Jan. 13th.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch was calling just
across and upriver of the park on Jan. 14.
The Cedar (Juniper) pollen season is now open.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was perched in willows across
the pond at the park Jan. 18. We have been
getting lots of freezing lows this year, be
prepared for cold. There are not many birds
around though, presumedly the drought and
lack of wild food crops.
~ ~ ~ end archive copy update header ~ ~ ~
Jan. 31 ~ An overcast balmy low of about 52F is
great. Nice after that 21F yesterday morning.
Of course which means we are at the couple days
of warmup in front of the next cold front in a
few days. A little bit of mist and sprinkles
overnight, ground is wet. Warmed up to the
middle 60's F briefly in the afternoon.
Kathy saw a Mockingbird take a bath. The rest
all looked the same. A little bit of song sounds
from Eastern Bluebird, No. Cardinal, Black-crested
Titmouse, Carolina Wren, and Carolina Chickadee.
Titmouse are getting testy with each other.
Likely a long-time yard resident thinking it
is nearing time the others find other places
to live. Have been 6 here all winter.
Jan. 30 ~ Another hard freeze at 21F for a
low here. NOAA had KERV progged for 35 and
it was 23F. Over a category off! Not freezing
was the prediction, was freezing before midnight!
I undid hoses and covered spigots late when I
saw they were going to be wayyyy off, again.
Before midnight last night I heard one-hoot a
couple times over at river. Birds remain the
same here. That dang House Sparrow is hanging
around. Not for long. Heard a few Waxwings.
Didn't see the blackbirds but for a few
Red-wings that came in. Couple accipiter
flushings over the day. Warmed up into the
low 60's F and felt great. Saw the
Buckeye butterfly again, a fresh appearing
American Lady, the very worn Cloudless Sulphur,
and a worn Sleepy Orange. After a 21F morning.
Have a warmish night in store, a nice change.
Jan. 29 ~ My that was a chilly morn. I saw
22F before the final dip, KERV had a 21F.
Some few Cedar Waxwing were out there early.
A few Red-winged Blackbird were also in and
out over the day. Chipping Sparrow have been
about 75 or so. Less than a dozen Am.
Goldfinch is fine since sunflower seed went
up. A dozen House Finch was the most in
months, some making minor song noises (not of
key but perhaps a few notes were). A few days
ago Kathy thought she might have heard a Lesser
Goldfinch. Today I thought I did. She heard
a whistle, I heard the three or four flight
notes, g g g. Neither of us has seen one yet.
It is early for them, mid to late Feb. is
when the breeders here start showing up. Did
finally have a Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler
for the year, in the yard 10 minutes. What
a treat.
It was a smokin' 64F or so in the afternoon.
The Vesta Crescent came into the water I
sprayed. About 3 p.m. a FOY Black Swallowtail
came in! A female, fresh, and a small one.
I see the first red starts of the buds that
will become flower buds on the Agarita, just
breaking stem. Be nice to have a good bloom,
no good berry crop for the last two years at
least. Need rains throughout spring but not
too hard. Miss the jelly. First blooms are
in early to mid-Feb., and is where the first
butterflies are (along with the first Redbud
trees to bloom). We are probably less than
two weeks from Agarita flowers and Elfins!
This is not a current photo.
This was Feb. 15, 2021, last year. No snow, not quite as cold
in the event this week, and the power grid held. We had ice
and probably graupel this time, and some single digit chills,
mornings in 20's dF with howling winds on it, and not
breaking freezing all day.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 28 ~ There was a front arriving last
night. We had maybe a tenth of an inch of
precip, holds the dust down. Low was about
37F and in morning northerlies are arriving
for another blower of a day. As of the
afternoon we did not get it that bad this
time and it is laying down a bit. Good freeze
for the a.m. tomorrow. Some Covid is going
around town, a few got it. Hope we don't
get a blowup. Still no Rosie so no taco love.
Saw a Hermit Thrush on the island in the
woods at the park. First one I have seen
this year, which is ridiculous. It was a
dull somber brown, and very exciting. Just
seeing something flick its wings was great.
Larry said a few ducks were on Little Creek.
I cruised the brushy hedgerows at north end
of town and out county-line road down to river.
One Mockingbird was it. Cruised around town
a little, could not find a flock of birds.
I saw the upper 50's F in the afternoon,
which felt downright hot at this point. Great
to be back in a T-shirt, for three hours.
Jan. 27 ~ Some warmish air came in and the
low was about 47F here, per 4 local WU stations
and our reading, whilst for KERV NOAA was
showing 37F! Ten dF difference! Usually
it is just a couple, maybe a few, if. Birds
are the same, what few there are. Fewest
birds in winter in now our 19th winter here.
I hope it is just a bad blip of a signal
we are getting due to the drought. But it
is frankly a bit scary to look around and
not see birds like usual.
Jan. 26 ~ It was about 36F for a low, and
overcast, humid, little breeze, chilly. Same
gang. A little after midnight last night I
heard one-hoot. Today, fewer goldfinch,
hopefully they found a rich person with
thistle seed to feed them. One of the
Field Sparrow came into the tub pond for a
drink. Birdbath remains unused except
for things like coons, dillo or deer that
drain it overnight. KERV had a high of 50F,
we might have been a couple dF higher.
Jan. 25 ~ Sunny and about 35F in the morn.
We get a slight warmup today in front of
another chill. Less goldfinches, which is
fine. Heard some song and saw a pair of
Eastern Bluebird out around the box the
pair uses every year way out at far corner
of yard by road. I suspect it was the pair,
and this was the first box inspection of
the season. Time to make sure all your
bird houses have been cleaned if the type.
Lots of the residents get started with
pairing and nest site selection in February.
I think it hit about 65F at peak heat, so
opened up and aired out. Felt great in the
sun. Oops forgot, a SNOUT butterfly was
my first of year today, it came into water
I sprayed. Also saw that Vesta Crescent again.
Jan. 24 ~ A sprinkle and trace around midnight
last night, but nothing yet in the a.m., looks
like we were in a dry slot again as the low
moved over and to the east. Was some light
rain to north and south. Low was about 45F
so took the chill off things. A few brief
bouts of sun and warmed to 62F or so in the
afternoon TYVM. Couple dozen Red-wings came
by, the Brewer's stayed over in the corral.
Heard a dang House Sparrow starting to make
song type noises. Only a couple have even
attempted to use a box here in 8 years, but
longevity is not a thing with them here.
Saw the female Golden-fronted Woodpecker in
the big dying Hackberry poking around the
bark where peeling.
Jan. 23 ~ A low of 44F was a treat. Only
going up to low 50's, but not freezing
anyway. I saw 53F at 3 p.m., so a bit on
chilly side. There were 40 Red-winged Blackbird
at once on the patio this morn. Poof, there
goes the white millet. The first 10-15 years
we were here I did not see 40 Red-wings in
winter locally over the entire period. This
is only half of the flock wintering here this
year. Looked about the same 40 American Goldfinch.
Canyon Towhee pair still here in carport and under
the big box truck daily. Heard one-hoot after
dark, and the Great Horned pair.
Jan. 22 ~ About 19F for a low is just a couple
above all time record. Crispy out there.
Kathy flipped a big thick round disk of ice
out of the birdbath which remained intact
for a few hours. Got up to about 50F for
a quick peak heat in afternoon. A brutally
cold day mostly. Lots of extra seed rations.
The blackbirds visited, still no Rusty, and
I can't believe this year a few Starling
keep showing up with them. It had been so
nice and mostly Starling free here in winter
until very recently. Last few years it
started with a few in town, and now, here
some are, there goes the neighborhood. Also
Brown-headed Cowbird and Red-winged Blackbird
have both increased tremendously here in winter
in the same last few years. Heard one-hoot
at last hint of light in sky, and at midnight.
This is not a current photo.
This is an adult Common Ground-Dove. They have become scarce here lately.
The black spots on the wing iridesce neon purple with sun at just right angle.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 21 ~ Was just below freezing, maybe
28F, and not as cold as they forecast.
Glad to have gotten some supplies a few
days ago, in a short-sleeve shirt, as now
I don't have to go to town today.
I would go just for tacos but Rosie is not
back yet. Birds were the same, hungry.
They went through some seed. Saw nothing
but registered guests. I think the American
Goldfinch number 40 now. That sun was great
in the afternoon though. About 3 p.m. it
was hitting 50dF and felt like heaven. The
coldest post-frontal morning is tomorrow.
This has been one of the colder Januarys
in recent times. Heard one-hoot upriver
after dark, Great Horned pair calling too.
Jan. 20 ~ Was about 40F at midnight and 30F
at dawn, with 20 mph northerlies gusting to
30 mph. Wind chills in 20's at best.
At noon KERV was 30F with a 18F wind chill.
Felt about that here. Birds are pillaging
the seed. Extra rations all day. Over
100 Chipping Sparrow. At least 35 Am.
Goldfinch plowing through sunflower seed
like the price didn't just go up 50%..
It was freezing all day, wind finally got
below 10 mph about 8 p.m. Some freezing
sleet or rain scattered, very light, a bit
went over us, a trace. Late at last chance
for seed two Field Sparrow were on the
millet tube, which I have never seen before.
I was within 8' and they did not flush.
That is how cold it is.
Jan. 19 ~ Ran about 50-80F for a temp spread
today. The big warmup ahead of the front.
A few butterflies in the heat. New was a
FOY Vesta Crescent, which was fresh and tricked
by 3 consecutive warm days into emerging.
Don't know what it will do tomorrow.
The rest looked like worn leftovers from
last year: a female So. Dogface, a Gulf Frit,
a Sleepy Orange or two, an Am. Lady, and
a Little Yellow. The birds were the same
gang. The blackbirds were around, a couple
hundred plus Brewer's and 50 or so
Red-winged, and some Brown-headed Cowbird.
The chip note of Field Sparrow sure has a
lot of variation. Sometimes it sounds like
an Orange-crowned Warbler, thin, dry, and
sharp, and other times much fuller and more
musical but softish, more like a Pine or
Yellow-throated Warbler. Opened everything
up to get as warm as we can, won't see
much above freezing tomorrow. At last crack
of light about 15 Cardinal quickly paraded
to the tub pond for a drink.
Jan. 18 ~ It was about 40F at midnight,
near 50F at dawn. I saw 72F in the late
afternoon sun! Nice to warm up and air out.
We have a couple-or-few day shut-in coming
soon. Went to town today so as to not be
going out Friday. Thursday looks the coldest
day, and with chances of wintry precip, but
will be unpleasant through Saturday. Now
won't have to be out in it whatsoever.
Checked park and across the pond perched
in a bare willow on other side was an
adult Zone-tailed Hawk. Only one I have
seen all winter. Is it the one that spent
the last two winters roosting at park most
days? Which was an imm. two years ago.
The last couple years it arrived in November,
and there has not been one there or
anywhere around that I have seen so far
this winter. So very nice to see. One
Kinglet in the woods, couple each Titmouse,
Chickadee, and Cardinal. So weird to not have
any Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler wintering
there. One Red-shouldered Hawk was loud.
Saw one Dainty Sulphur there, another at
the house. No water going over spillway.
No Rosie so no tacos. Life is rough.
Jan. 17 ~ Another hard freeze with 23F for
a low. Will warm a few days but a cold
cold front arrives later in week. Got up
to about 70F for some more near-50dF diurnals.
We are getting a lot of frozen mornings this
January. And no rain. Birds were the same
gang. Four Red-winged Blackbird came down
to the seed. A Starling, some Brown-headed
Cowbird in with the Brewer's Blackbirds
up in the big Pecan. Great to hear the
Red-tailed Hawk piercing the quiet with its
whistles. Heard a Carolina Chickadee whistled
a good round of loud four-note song: see you
see me. After dark heard one-hoot upriver.
Jan. 16 ~ I saw 18F on the front porch this
morn! Shiver me timbers and freeze me ferns!
Birdbath frozen solid. One flushing I think
it was 35 American Goldfinch. This is no time
for more of them, right when seed prices go up.
And probably why. It was the same gang out
there otherwise. With the lack of a Pecan
crop we do not have the usual near-daily
foraging of Golden-fronted Woodpecker in the
yard. Saw likely the same 6 Eastern Bluebird
go through yard and corral. Some of the adult
Chipping Sparrow are getting nice and rufous
of crown now. Heard one-hoot right after
dark but not later. The Great Horned pair was
also out there.
Jan. 15 ~ Front blew in about midnight last
night and blew all day. And a good blower it
was, 15-25 mph gusting 30-40 mph! Low was
only 44F or so but felt a lot colder. A little
ridgelet with big junipers to our north provides
a wee bit of wind-shelter so we don't get the
full force of these events directly on the house.
But we can hear the trees getting it, wowsers.
After noon I got a 30 count on American Goldfinch!
Probably other folks passed on the suflower seed
when they saw the new ridiculous price. Wind
stops tonight so a freeze in the morn tomorrow.
Lotta dust blowin' by out there. Clouds
come up out of the corral where pulverized by
hooves. Good thing wind is out of north and
corral is to the south.
This is not a current photo.
Black-crested Titmouse, adult
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 14 ~ A chilly 28F for a low! NOAA had
KERV for 39 and WU had us for 41, both off by
a category. In the afternoon I saw 76-77F temps
at local WU stations. More 50dF diurnals.
Start the day in thermals and end it in sandals.
The SAT and AUS record highs for today are 79F,
so we are just below that. Town run day.
Rosie was gone so no tacos. Little Creek
Larry said there are a few ducks back
on the pond downstream from him at his
creek. He has one White-crowned Sparrow. At
the park the only thing was a heard bird, a
Red-breasted Nuthatch. It was across the
river and at the far north upstream end
above island calling loudly. There were at
least 6 Autumnal Meadowhawk dragonflies,
and one So. Dogface butterfly. Here at the
hovelita a couple Sleepy Orange and one or
two Gulf Fritillary. A Red Admiral was at
a puddle behind the store. I may have seen
a Pipevine Swallowtail, it looked big and
dark but blasted by too fast. Sunflower seed
has skyrocketed in price. Here anyway, nearing
a 50 percent increase! Certainly that much
in less than a year since the big freeze
last Feb. when they ran out and it came back,
way higher. The Cedar (Juniper) pollen season
is now open, the male trees are getting pretty
orange or rusty, and dusty, with pollen. If
you have cedar fever as they call it, a rough
couple months are ahead.
Jan. 13 ~ Despite being progged not to freeze,
we did. Probably hit 29F or so. Nice layer of
ice on the birdbath so it was cold for a while.
A chilly seed toss at dawn. Bird of the day,
recall it only takes one, was nearing 11 a.m.
I was at the back porch observation station.
Which is a chair that until afternoon has
your body up to head in the sun, with head
in shade, to have no-glare visibility. The
very pinnacle of success.
I saw a hawk soaring and ran in for bins. It was
low as if it were coming up out of the far end
of the corral a few hundred yards away. It
was an adult Harris's Hawk! It very slowly
circled and soared lazily gaining altitude in
no hurry, and was nicking the corner of the yard
in its circles eventually. Full adult, primaries
browned, paled, and very worn. Kathy had time
to get her bins and watch it too. Finally it
broke off and headed over towards the river and
golf course. Nice hawk. Beautiful. Never get
tired of seeing them. That 70F at noon felt
pretty good too. Local WU stations were reporting
76-78F at peak heat. Humidity was 16%! The
record high at SAT this date is 79F, so we were
very close to it. We were also within a dF or two
of 50dF diurnals again! Amazing. The warm up
before the next front which arrives about midnight
tomorrow evening. One more nice day Friday, then
another dry cold northerly blowout at 20mph on
Saturday. One Variegated Fritillary butterfly.
Jan. 12 ~ About 36F and overcast early. Chilly.
Got a 15 count on the American Goldfinch, they
found a few more friends since yesterday. A male
Cardinal was boik boik boik boikin', no
whistles yet, but we are getting close, soon.
Saw a toasty 65F in the afternoon. Those
goldfinch can really eat some sunflower seeds.
I go out once an hour and have a look and listen.
Sometimes the drop in level of sunflower feeder
is amazing now, since more than just a few
Am. Goldfinch showed up. The rest was the
same gang. Still a couple Field Sparrow in
with the Chippies. Is it is the local breeding
pair and they are resident? Oh for bands, so
we could know. Heard one-hoot.
Jan. 11 ~ A lovely spread today at about
38-48F, a bit breezy, overcast, some drizzle
in morning so very humid, and fairly chilly.
Glad to be busy inside. Finally noticed it,
the male Cardinal are wearing to bright again.
After a few months of duller plumage you get
used to it. But now they are really getting
(wearing to) bright again, obviously so. Timed
to meet singing and territorial mate selection
season perfectly. Got a 12 count on American
Goldfinch today, highest so far this winter, again.
They found a couple more friends. Nary a Pine
Siskin. We hear the Red-tailed Hawk calling,
which means the pair is back around the nest
over at the river. I will go look when it
warms in a couple days. Some years the nest
is scopeable from the front yard. But they move.
Jan. 10 ~ Maybe about 38F at dawn, overcast,
still blowing out of north. KERV had 28F for
a chill factor at 9 a.m., chilly out there.
Mostly about 10 mph but gusting 15-20, enough
to find the chinks in yer armor. The local WU
statons were 56-60F in afternoon, but still
breezy until late. Maybe a freeze or near one
tomorrow a.m. after the wind stops. A small
group of 6 Eastern Bluebird was around a bit,
which was nice since we have not had the usual
winter flock visiting the yard every few days
or more this year.
One great obvious indicators of how dead it is
out there for birds is the birdbath. We have
lived now over 18 years around Utopia in 3 places,
almost 9 years here at this one. The birdbaths
have always been very busy and active, and great
attractants. Generally there is a near-constant
parade of birds at them. You have to keep
checking them or you are missing stuff. Not any
more. Our bird bath has been dead since about
October. Since the insectivorus neotropical
migrants departed. The whole second half of fall,
and so far this winter, it has been dead. Hardly
anything coming in to it. It is not like they
are all going to the tub pond, as that is right
out the office window and they are not visiting
save the usual few Cardinal.
Jan. 9 ~ No freeze, some fog, about 45F, yet
another dry cold front is inbound, this morn,
so a northerly blower of a day. And more work
on things inside. Blackbirds were around a bit
in the morn. Not seeing the ad. fem. Rusty
that was here with them the last 8 winters. I
am afraid she expired. There were too many
Starling in the flock, 10 or so, the most I
have seen at once from the yard. One sat up
in the big Pecan doing an dang House Sparrow.
A Starling in my yard doing a House Sparrow!
Totally against the rules here. What did I do
to deserve this? I am as far as I could get
from introduced birds for a reason. It was not
an accident. I am listening to a perfect House
Sparrow, watching it eminate from a Starling.
Leaving me unsure how this year is going to go.
Otherwise is was the same gang here today, but
with wind. Gray Fox was out there again after dark,
scavenging uneaten sunflower seeds, slummin'
with the 'coons.
Jan. 8 ~ No freeze. Was about 42F at midnight,
drizzling, and 48F at dawn, still drizzling.
Drippy to afternoon, when cleared a bit and
probably hit 60F briefly. Maybe got a tenth
of an inch of precip, a dust buster for a
couple days. Got a ten count on American
Goldfinch, most so far this winter. The
blackbirds were back, about 300 Brewer's,
and maybe a couple dozen Red-winged. The
Red-wings were down on the patio briefly.
They take the white millet and leave the
red hard stuff. Like everything else without
a gizzard. Too wet out there, worked on
things here. Heard one-hoot after dark
downriver a bit. At midnight the Gray Fox
was scavenging sunflower seeds at the edge
of the patio. Which means there is not much
for food out there. There was not the usual
Pecan or Hackberry crops this fall.
This is not a current photo.
This is an Ash-throated Flycatcher. Not sure we have a
pic of one up on the site, so here ya go. Trying to fill in
some holes and gaps. Of the three Myiarchus flycatchers
that nest here, this is the common one. The tail is mostly
rufous like that bit (primary edges) in the wing.
~ ~ ~ last prior update below ~ ~ ~
Jan. 7 ~ Sixth straight freezing morning, which
is a long run here, three in a row is usually it.
It was 29F here at dawn. I saw at KERV it was
25F in middle of night and had warmed to 29F
at 7-8 a.m. It likely had done the same here.
Overcast, bit of breeze, chilly. Winter. It
got up to about 48F but never felt it. Might
get rain overnight or early a.m. tomorrow. Back
to the Friday town run program. I heard there
is a bit of Covid around, one of the churches
and school seem to be hot spots. Where lots
of folk gather indoors to share air. A bunch
in Uvalde some said.
On the way to town there was a large number
of black birds at the corrals on the east side
of the river on 360. It was about 500 Brewer's
Blackbird, 75 Red-winged Blackbird, about 150
Brown-headed Cowbird, and 50 Starling. This is
the most Starling or Cowbird I have ever had
at once here in winter (n~18). When I got back
from town there were 300 Brewer's in our
big Pecan tree. Later afternoon after tacos
and siesta (for a full immersive cultural experience)
I had one Robin in the big Pecan. The Robin.
Nothing in the park woods again and still.
Never saw the Woodcock again. Little Creek
Larry said a few ducks have come back to his
creek, a couple looked like Pintail, mostly Gads.
I have to get over there with the scope and
check the pond. Sometimes they are close to
road, but often not, and the good pond is a
quarter mile from the road. The bird of the
year so far was my first warbler of the year.
And my first Pine Warbler of the winter, finally.
To see the bird, order some tacos from Rosie, and
while waiting walk around the treed property
behind adjacent Big Ern's B-B-Q, and be sure
to check the permanent wet spotlet from the ice
vending machine drain. There were a couple
Titmouse, a couple Chickadee, a Kinglet (Ruby),
and the Pine Warbler. Made my day.
Jan. 6 ~ Another freeze, 5th morn in a row. I
saw 32 at 7 a.m. before the final dip. Some WU
stations and KERV had 30 or 31F, we probably did
too. Almost like a winter. I see the state
climatologist at A & M said the avg. temps
made this the warmest December in over 130 years in
Texas. By 5-9dF. As our last several summers been.
The temperature is rising. A dry front passed
in the morning, winds blew hard for a bit, but
low humidity and not cold, yet. Will be another
hard freeze in the morn though.
Carolina Wren is kicking the singing up a notch
in the mornings now. Actual territorial sessions
of loud song. The Bewick's are singing more
to, but not with the vim and vigor of the Caros
yet. Cardinal too are making the first inklings
of some song noises. In butterflies I saw that
Buckeye again, 3rd morn in a row. Also saw an
Orange Sulphur butterfly. Species number 11 for
the new year. Amazing and a testament to how mild
it has been overall.
Jan. 5 ~ Looked like another 29F low this morn.
NOAA had KERV for 37, and WU had us for 39F!
I saw 35 at midnight so knew it was going to be
way off then. Four days straight with a freeze,
two of them long and hard ones. The Lantana
and Eupatorium are purpling up real good.
Weird the Frostweed did not blowout stems with
ribbon ice on the 16F morn. It was the first one
really cold enough to do that, and it did not
happen. There must not be enough moisture
content in the stems and ground. It got up to 78-80F
locally today! For some 50 dF diurnals.
There were some butterflies out. It must have
been the same Buckeye that flew by yesterday.
Different and new for the year were a Variegated
Fritillary and a female So. Dogface. Now at
ten species. Not much for bird action though.
Saw some feathers indicating there is one less
White-winged Dove out there, and a fat happy
accipiter.
Jan. 4 ~ A barely freeze, on my sleepy glance
during daily dawn seed toss it looked below 30F.
That 64F in the afternoon sure felt great! Saw a
couple good butterflies, a Buckeye, and a Texan
Crescent. Nothing out there to eat or mate with
now. The Texan Crescent was clearly mint-fresh.
Also a couple old Sleepy Orange, the Dainty
Sulphur, and a Gulf Frit are all leftovers.
Birds were the same gang. A few blackbirds
in corral late were Red-winged. Kathy saw
a Sharp-shinned Hawk, I saw a Cooper's.
We both immediately invoked the two bird theory.
Sure a lot less Cardinal around than last year.
Less than half as many.
Jan. 3 ~ Well this is some chilly Arctic air.
I saw 16F on the front porch. KERV had a 18F.
We are in the lower bottom half of the valleylet
here, where the cold air sinks to and pools. It
is very near record cold for the date. Within
a dF or two. Got up to about 55F in the later
afternoon, felt great. Fairly dead out there
for birds. Saw a Golden-fronted Woodpecker
still hanging upside-down picking some Pecans
off. Seemed 5 Am. Goldfinch and a few House
Finch coming in. Both Cooper's and
Sharp-shinned Hawks making far too regular
visits. They are lightning fast when making
an attack.
Jan. 2 ~ OMG again! I saw 25F at 7 a.m. before
the final dip, KERV pulled a 22F. The winds
were 15-25 mph from midnight gusting 25-35 mph!
The chill factor at dawn was in the single digits!
It was over 80F yesterday afternoon! It will never
cease to amaze me how in winter I have to have
sandals and thermal long johns, handy. If you
need anything, you can find me inside. Some
extra pounds of seed rations today. Wind finally got
below 15 mph about 3 p.m., it might have hit
48F for a moment, but didn't feel like it. No
wind tonight means very cold tomorrow morning.
Saw two Robin, at least one of which took ripe
Pepper Vine berries. Saw 5 or 6 Am. Goldfinch,
a few House Finch. One Red-winged Blackbird came
down to the seed under the Mulberry slummin'
with the Chippies.
January 1 ~ OMG! At midnight as the new year
began it was 70F! Incredible. A cold front is
inbound this evening with a freeze tomorrow morning.
So the big pre-frontal warmup is today. I saw 81F
on the shady front porch, local WU stations were
showing 80-84F which is very near record heat.
Front started arriving in evening, winds out of
north by 8 p.m. and at midnight it was freezing
with lower chill factors.
Cooper's Hawk showing well, so nothing else
is. Six butterfly sps. out: a Dainty Sulphur,
a Little Yellow, 2 Sleepy orange, a Gulf Fritillary,
a Queen, and a mint fresh Comm. Checkered-Skipper.
Nice jump start right out of the gate on the new
butterfly year list. Last year I only had 5 sps.
in each Jan., and February. Six of 18 prior
Januarys I only saw 4 to 6 species of butterflies
here. But it is a dataset whence if you had a
big number, that means you have a big problem.
An Anole was hunting the Basil flowers on the
table on front porch. When they make a flying
jump after a butterfly on a flower they can be
faster than your eye can clearly follow. They
can jump-dive-fly 6-8" or more in a very small
fraction of a second. Maybe a tenth of a second.
Anyway, I caught it. Showed it to Kathy so she
could ID the guilty party. Asked 'em if it
was the one that ate my NCR Teleus Longtail. It
wouldn't answer. I know a guilty lizard
when I see one. It was released on its own
recognizance, with a stern warning, and is
now on probation. I was going to dig out my
old biology textbook and show it the picture
of the lizard being dissected.... if you
eat one more New County Record...
This is not a current photo.
These are blackbirds. The two on left with bright eyes are adult male
Brewer's. The front right bird is a female Brewer's. Note how the males
can appear black or iridesce oily green and purple, pending light angle.
The other three in center are winter Red-winged Blackbird. The one facing
us is an adult male, the one facing right maybe second winter male,
and the one facing away probably first winter male. The black
scapulars often hide the red shoulders, save a small bit.
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ above is 2022 ~ ~ ~
Back to Top
Go, look, see, take notes and pictures, boldly nature nerd where
no one has before. Few things rival the thrill of discovery.
Besides having fun and learning, you will probably see some things
people won't believe without photos. ;)
~ ~ ~
Read UP from bottom to go in chronological sequence.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~