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© www.utopianature.com 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved |
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The Birds of Utopia - The List |
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Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Roadrunner, Vermilion Flycatcher (male), Painted Bunting (male), Green Kingfisher (male) |
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Actually it should be birds of the Sabinal River Valley (SRV), but that just doesn't have the ring Utopia does. The list covers the area from the north end of the valley at Lost Maples, the Sabinal River's headwaters, in a true canyon, south through the broad, flat valley the river meanders down, to Clayton Grade about 8 miles south of Utopia. The Upper Sabinal River Drainage would be an accurate name for the bio-geographic area covered by this list. Utopia is about midway from the north end to the south end of the valley, which lies at the very edge of the Balcones Escarpment. These valleys are also known as "canyonlands," and are intermediate between brushlands off the plateau, and the "top" of the plateau. The canyons have faunal characteristics of both as well as each having some of their own unique flavors. In fact, each canyon is unique, the Sabinal being the broadest, flattest, and most brush-country like, as well as least canyonlike, until you get to Vanderpool. All of the land in the (Sabinal) valley is private, though many (Uvalde or Bandera) county dirt roads transect many areas allowing at least some visual access, besides Hwy. 187 that traverses the valley north to south. Besides an idea of seasonality and abundance, several codes or abbreviations are behind the bird's name to indicate if it breeds (N), and, where it has been seen locally. The (former) yard list is now indicated with the "TC" designation (see below), and the Utopia Park birds are found easily as there is a "UP" code behind the species seen there. If a species is so far unrecorded around Utopia, but it is on the Lost Maples list, it is included here, as having occurred in the upper Sabinal drainage, or Utopia area. However, not all species found at Lost Maples are called out. Knowing which *different* species have been seen "just up the road a piece" helps complete the picture of what occurs here. Since especially that Lost Maples has had thousands of hours of birder coverage, primarily during a three month period or window from mid-March to June. Most of the 20 or so species listed from there, only, so far, are accidentals or very rare migrants, that either came or went via Utopia, and were in the upper Sabinal drainage. Be sure to pick up the great TPWD park bird list for Lost Maples SNA by Roy Heideman, May 2002. At that time it listed about 213 species. |
To complicate things the valley is cut in half politically.
The northern half with the canyon and Lost Maples are in
Bandera County (as is "TC" and the SLC ponds). The southern
flat open half of the valley (e.g., Utopia and Utopia Park)
are in Uvalde County. So, I have to keep two county lists,
and to have a proper local area list, a "Sabinal River Valley" list!
As of August 2011 we have 340 species listed so far, considered
known from the Sabinal River Valley bio-geographic area.
A remarkable total for a small inland lakeless habitat. There
are 4 introduced non-native species preceeded by an "I".
There are a number of unverified hypothetical reports not included
(mostly my own). It is truly amazing that about 350 species occur
in the SRV !! Which is about a mile wide on average and 20 miles long.
A third of the birds known in North America roughly, right here, and
a quarter or so of the countries avifauna at Utopia Park alone (225+)!
About the list....
Order of lists is a real problem as the official order of birds
is constantly changing as those that deal with such have nothing
to do. For a long time most guides and lists were very similar
in order, now offical order resembles none of them as it is changed
so often, since most guides published, and recently they shuffled
the deck bigtime again (July/Aug 2011).
The birds are listed fairly close to Taxonomic Order of the 7th AOU,
which is the order used in most (except the most recently updated) lists or
books, to help ease finding a given species. They are also mostly grouped
into family groups, but some small families have been joined though.
A group on the list is not neccessarily a related family group.
Most are, but not all.
If you've seen a bird species locally that is not on the list,
please let me know so we can add it, if approved by the
Utopia Rare Bird Records Committee. Rarities need documentation.
That means a picture, video, tape recording, pencil sketch, or
best, a written description of field marks seen while watching the bird.
But a crummy digital picture is often enough to prove identity.
Believe me, I take lots of them. Write notes while observing.
Free Rarity Advice:
There is nothing better to have in the field than pen and paper.
Those little pocket spiral bound notebooks are great for a quick
written description. As I fossilize I only wish I had taken
more notes, and not depended on my camera so much to do that.
Though camera got a hundred or two records through for me, yes. :)
It is hard for anyone to say no to a photo showing definitive
characters. Some can and will regardless, but most in that
position are sane, moral and ethical. Notes written at the time
or shortly thereafter are as useful, often better, and tell many
things the picture won't. Always carry camera and a little
pocket notebook. That's what I do to play it safe.
:)
Photos of many of the species are among the bird photo pages.
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THE LIST
The list consists of the species name, followed by an indication
of its local abundance and seasonality, followed by initials
denoting local sites of occurrence and nesting status (N = nests).
Current update as of October 14, 2012: 345 is the total known
upper Sabinal drainage (Utopia and vicinity) list. The
Utopia Park list alone, maybe 5 acres, is now at 239 per one of
my excel files. Which realistically means at least 250 species
have been at the park in the last decade, if not 260, which is
greater diversity than Lost Maples SNA.
Newest addition: Jan. 2013 I found out Morris Killough photo'd a
Roseate Spoonbill at the north end of town (!) some years ago.
So 346 known from the area now. Add another, May 4, 2013 I saw a
Black Tern flying up valley (over yard!), #347, three more to go
to a nice big fat even milestone of 350. Also May 1, 2013 the 10
White-faced Ibis at the park makes about 240 for Utopia Park now!
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THE BIRDS OF UTOPIA Including the upper Sabinal River drainage vicinity |
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21 species of waterfowl Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - occasional spring to fall; TC;UP;U;LC;SR;BCP;N Fulvous Whistling-Duck - flock of 4 flew over SR July 7 '08 Greater White-fronted Goose - occasional spring or fall migrant; TC;U;SR Snow Goose - accidental - one flock over SR in Nov. Ross's Goose - accidental in winter; SR Cackling Goose - accidental in spring (1 w/White-fronts);SR Wood Duck - irregular when water present, any season; TC;UP;LC;N Gadwall - occasional migrant or winter; TC;U;LC;SR;BCP American Wigeon - occasional to rare migrant or winter; LC;SR;BCP Mallard - occasional to rare in winter; U;SR;BCP Blue-winged Teal - uncommon to occasional migrant; TC;UP;LC;U;BCP Cinnamon Teal - accidental Dec. 10, 05, Sept. 12, 09 (ph.); UP Northern Shoveler - uncommon to occasional migrant; UP;LC;SR;BCP Northern Pintail - rare in winter; SR;BCP Green-winged Teal - occasional to rare migrant or winter; LC;BCP Redhead - very rare in winter; UP;U;BCP Ring-necked Duck - occasional to rare migrant or winterer; UP;TC;LC;BCP Greater Scaup - accidental, one on Dec. 31, 2011 in BanCo Lesser Scaup - very rare in winter; UP;SR;BCP Bufflehead - accidental fall migrant; UP Hooded Merganser - accidental fall migrant; LC Ruddy Duck - accidental spring migrant; UP Wild Turkey - common resident, often hard to find, but easy to see; TC;U;N Northern Bobwhite - uncommon resident (natives or releasees?); TC;LC;N * Quail sps. - one sighting of a pair of probable Montezuma Quail at SR Pied-billed Grebe - occasional in winter, migrant; x in summer; UP;LC American White Pelican - rare spring migrant; U;LM Neotropic Cormorant - accidental fall migrant; U Double-crested Cormorant - rare fall migrant; UP Anhinga - accidental May 2011 at UP 12 species of long-legged waders Great Blue Heron - low numbers year round; TC;UP;LC;BCP;N? Great Egret - rare spring, late summer, fall migrant; UP Snowy Egret - rare spring or fall migrant; LC;UP Little Blue Heron - occasional in spring and fall; LC;UP (ph.) Tricolored Heron - very rare fall vagrant; UP (ph.) Cattle Egret - occasional migrant, mostly fall; TC;UP;LC Green Heron - few nest along river; UP;N Black-crowned Night-Heron - very rare spring migrant: U Yellow-crowned Night-heron - very rare late summer visitor; UP;U White-faced Ibis - very rare spring or fall migrant; LC;SR Roseate Spoonbill - accidental, M.Killough photo, prob. late summer Wood Stork - accidental July 11 '08 at SR (ph.) Black Vulture - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Turkey Vulture - common spring to fall; very rare in winter; TC;UP;U;N 26 species of diurnal raptors (plus Harlan's Hawk) There is a hawks page in the birdphotos section with pictures of most of the local raptors, or birds of prey. Osprey - occasional migrant, once 1 wintered on trout; TC;U;LM Swallow-tailed Kite - accidental July 30, 2009; SR White-tailed Kite - accidental spring & summer down south valley Mississippi Kite - occasional migrant; TC;U; SR Bald Eagle - very rare in winter; LM Northern Harrier - occasional fall to spring; TC;UP Sharp-shinned Hawk - uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP Cooper's Hawk - rare & local in summer, uncommon fall to spring;TC;UP;N Northern Goshawk - accidental in winter; TC;SR Gray Hawk - accidental Aug. 14, 2011 at UP; sight report near V'pool too Common Black-Hawk - accidental in summer; LM;SR Harris's Hawk - rare transient; TC;UP;SR Red-shouldered Hawk - uncommon resident; TC;UP;LC;N Broad-winged Hawk - rare in spring, very rare in fall; TC;LM;U;SR Short-tailed Hawk - very very rare spring early summer;UP;TC;SR;LM Swainson's Hawk - uncommon migrant; TC;UP Zone-tailed Hawk - uncommon spring to fall, rare in winter; TC;UP;U;LM;N Red-tailed Hawk - uncommon resident (fuertesi), other types in winter; TC;UP;U;N a) Harlan's Hawk - accidental in winter; U; ph. Ferruginous Hawk - accidental in winter & spring; SR;LM; BanCo - M.Killough photo; Golden Eagle - very rare in winter; TC;LM Crested Caracara - uncommon resident; TC;U;LC;N American Kestrel - common to uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP;U;LC; Merlin - rare mostly in winter; TC;UP;LM Aplomado Falcon - accidental thrice in fall; SR Sept.'06 after Lane fallout; Aug 8, '12; Peregrine Falcon - rare migrant; TC;U Prairie Falcon - accidental in spring and fall; SR, U Virginia Rail - accidental - nocturnal migrant calling 7 Oct 2011 at SR; Sora - accidental spring 2011 at UP and fall 2011 golf course Purple Gallinule - accidental at Foxfire/LM ca. 1990, UP May 2011; ph. American Coot - occasional migrant, spring or fall; UP;LC Sandhill Crane - uncommon migrant late fall or early spring; TC;UP;U 19 species of shorebirds, like pulling teeth, only 4 regular American Golden-Plover - accidental spring as calling noct. migrant; SR Killdeer - uncommon spring to fall; rare in winter; U;UP;LC;N Black-necked Stilt - accidental Aug. 14, 2011, 6 at UP (ph.) Greater Yellowlegs - occasional mostly spring migrant; LC Lesser Yellowlegs - occasional mostly spring migrant; LC Solitary Sandpiper - occasional spring or fall migrant; LC;U;BCP Willet (Western) - accidental flock of 32 on Hwy 187 Apr.25, '08 in Bandera Co. Spotted Sandpiper - occasional migrant; UP;LC;BCP Upland Sandpiper - uncommon fall migrant, heard after dark & at dawn; TC;LM;U Long-billed Curlew - accidental spring (calling nocturnal migrant) & fall;SR Marbled Godwit - accidental - calling nocturnal migrant Aug. 2009; SR Semipalmated Sandpiper - accidental, July 30, 2011 at UP Western Sandpiper - accidental - flock of 8-9 at UP July 30, 2011 Least Sandpiper - accidental, one at UP July 30, 2011 Baird's Sandpiper - occasional spring migrant; LC Pectoral Sandpiper - occasional spring migrant; U;LC Wilson's (Common) Snipe - uncommon migrant; rare in winter UP;LC;BCP probably regular at small private tanks with no access. golf course ponds get them, the wet spot on W.Sabinal Rd. American Woodcock - accidental 27 Dec.'05 at UP; March '06; Dec. 9-15, '12 UP (ph.) Wilson's Phalarope - accidental in fall; U; SR Jaeger sps. - accidental fall migrant: U (SR) (Long-tail or Parasitic) Laughing Gull - accidental Apr.20,'06 over SR eastbound on MCS outflow boundry Franklin's Gull - rare spring migrant; U(SR);LM Ring-billed Gull - accidental, one imm. Oct. 14, 2012 southbound over SR Black Tern - accidental, one May 4, 2013 south of town flying up-valley 8 species of pigeons and doves I - Rock (Feral) Pigeon - uncommon resident; TC;UP;U;N I - Eurasian Collared-Dove - uncommon resident; TC;UP;U;N White-winged Dove - common spring to fall, uncommon in winter; TC;UP;U;N Mourning Dove - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Inca Dove - uncommon resident; TC;UP;U;LM;N Common Ground-Dove - uncommon resident; TC;U;N Ruddy Ground-Dove - accidental; TC, one sighting 2004 White-tipped Dove - very rare, 3 so far, spring, summer, and winter; SR (ph.) Hypothetical: I had 2 big all dark (non-Rock Dove) pigeon at TC; am now convinced they were Red-billed Pigeon, also saw a Red-billed Pigeon 3 miles below Clayton Grade once (Dec.). Another Red-billed Pigeon was in Leakey spring of 2012. There is an Oct. '02 record from W. of Kerrville as well. 4 cuckoos Black-billed Cuckoo - accidental spring and fall; SR;ca.TC;LM (not on LM list) Yellow-billed Cuckoo - uncommon spring and summer; TC;UP;LM Greater Roadrunner - uncommon resident; TC;UP;U;N Groove-billed Ani - X at LM, X July 1 2012 BanCo at north end of Utopia 5 owls Barn Owl - uncommon to occasional mostly fall to spring, some may be resident; TC;U; SR Eastern Screech-Owl - (mccallii 'Tex-Mex' S-O) uncommon resident; TC;U;N Great Horned Owl - uncommon resident; TC;N Barred Owl - very local uncommon to occasional resident; TC;UP;N Long-eared Owl - accidental; TC; SR 6 species of goatsuckers (nightjars if you prefer) a strong showing Lesser Nighthawk - uncommon spring to fall; TC;U:N Common Nighthawk - common spring to fall; TC;UP;U;N Common Paraque - one called July 2010 at SR Common Poorwill - common spring to fall, rare in winter; TC;U;N Chuck-wills-widow - common early April to late July; TC;U;N Whip-poor-will - accidental at LM once in spring per park list White-collared Swift - accidental in May at SR Chimney Swift - common spring to fall; TC;UP;U;N 13 species of hummingbirds is outstanding diversity, virtually all rarities are found at feeders, chances of a rary away from that situation are very small. The Lost Maples HQ feeders have been very productive over the years. See the hummer photo page for more detailed info on ID or local status. Green Violetear - accidental in summer; LM; SR;heard at TC Broad-billed Hummingbird - accidental: LM April 09 (ph.), 'nother March '11 White-eared Hummingbird - accidental July 07 SR; (ph.) Blue-throated Hummingbird - accidental; LM Lucifer Hummingbird - accidental fall at TC; LM July 10, 2011; SR June 28- July 2, 2011; ph. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - uncommon spring, common fall; some few nest; TC;UP;U;N Black-chinned Hummingbird - common March to August; TC;UP;U;N Anna's Hummingbird - accidental in late fall '05 two at SR - ph.; Dec. '11 four locally Costa's Hummingbird - accidental, calling female March 4-5, 2006 at SR Calliope Hummingbird - rare but regular in fall; TC;U;SR;ph.; X in spring at LM Broad-tailed Hummingbird - occasional in fall; has wintered, also VR in June; TC;U;SR;ph. Rufous Hummingbird - occasional in fall, rare in spring or winter; TC;U;SR; ph. Allen's Hummingbird - very rare; few ad.ma.; one Mar. 2005, one Oct-Dec. 2011 at SR; *hybrid Ruby-throated x Black-chinned - photos on hummer page Ringed Kingfisher - rare; any season possible; SR;UP Belted Kingfisher - uncommon fall to spring; UP;LC;BCP Green Kingfisher - uncommon semi-quasi-resident; UP;LC;LM;N 9 species of woodpeckers, 2 nest Lewis's Woodpecker - accidental in winter; U Red-headed Woodpecker - accidental winter to spring (at Roy Heideman's) Acorn Woodpecker - accidental Feb 2010 at Roy Heideman's place. Golden-fronted Woodpecker - uncommon resident; TC;UP;U;N Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP;LM Red-naped Sapsucker - rare but annual, fall to early spring; UP;LM; ph. Ladder-backed Woodpecker - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Downy Woodpecker - rare, in winter, spring and fall; UR; UP Northern Flicker - uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP a) "Red-shafted" occasional - TC;UP b) "Yellow-shafted" uncommon - TC;UP (many hybrids: underwing color not sufficient for ID) 25 species of flycatcher, 11 nest Olive-sided Flycatcher - occasional spring and fall migrant; TC;UP;SR Western Wood-Pewee - accidental in spring; LM;UP Eastern Wood-Pewee - common spring to late summer; TC;UP;LM;N Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - rare in spring, very rare in fall; TC;UP;UR Acadian Flycatcher - the nesting Empi late April to August, local;UR;UP;LM;N Alder Flyc. - rare in spring, accidental in fall; TC;UP Willow Flycatcher - uncommon in spring, occasional in fall ; TC;UP;LM Least Flycatcher - uncommon in spring, occasional in fall; TC;UP;LM Hammond's Flycatcher - accidental in winter ('05-6 BanCo.; '10-11 at UP) (ph.-audio) Gray Flycatcher - accidental in fall; TC BanCo Dusky Flycatcher - accidental in fall; U, UP Western (Cordilleran) Flycatcher - Sept. '11 at butterfly garden Black Phoebe - uncommon near-resident;can be scarce Oct-Nov; UP;LM Eastern Phoebe - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Say's Phoebe - uncommon to rare fall to winter; LM;U;UP;BCP Vermilion Flycatcher - uncommon spring to fall, rare in winter; TC;UP;LC;N Ash-throated Flycatcher - common early March to early August; TC;UP;LM;N Great Crested Flycatcher - uncommon spring to late summer; TC;UP;UR;N Brown-crested Flycatcher - rare and local late spring to early summer; UP;N Couch's Kingbird - rare any season, has nested and wintered; UP; SR; LM Cassin's Kingbird - accidental at LM May 07; ph. Western Kingbird - uncommon to common spring to fall; TC;UP;U;N Eastern Kingbird - uncommon spring migrant; TC;UP;LM;U; SR Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - common spring to fall; TC;UP;U;N Great Kiskadee - 2 undocumented sight reports likely good valid records;U Loggerhead Shrike - uncommon fall to spring; TC;U 12 species of vireos, 6 of which nest White-eyed Vireo - common spring to fall; very few in winter; TC;UP;U;N Bell's Vireo - uncommon spring to fall; TC;UP;U;N Black-capped Vireo - local, uncommon (hard to see), spring to summer; LM;N Gray Vireo - accidental June; SR Yellow-throated Vireo - uncommon spring to summer; TC;UP;LM;N Plumbeous Vireo - accidental - one reported near town fall '06 (Helbigs - BanCo) Cassin's Vireo - accidental, one fall and one spring record, at UP Blue-headed Vireo - uncommon spring or fall; very rare in winter; TC;UP Hutton's Vireo - rare resident; UP;TC;U;LM(not on list though);SR Warbling Vireo - occasional spring migrant; TC;UP;LM (Not on LM list) Philadelphia Vireo - rare but regular in spring; UP;U;LM Red-eyed Vireo - uncommon spring to late summer; TC;UP;LM;N Nearby, I heard a Yellow-green singing in Sabinal one July 5 Corvids Blue Jay - occasional local resident; UP;U;N;SR Green Jay - accidental, four Dec. 08 - Jan. 09 (ph.); U Western Scrub-Jay - (texana) common resident; TC;U;LM;N Chihuahuan Raven - were some, now gone, in valley flatlands; TC;UP;U;N Common Raven - increasing resident in canyons/near cliffs; TC;UP;LM;N Nine (!) swallows and martins is over the legal limit Purple Martin - common early spring to late summer; TC;UP;U;N Gray-breasted Martin - accidental; (SR 7/21/05); Sept'06 (after Lane); 10/15/07 calling Tree Swallow - very rare fall migrant; UP No. Rough-winged Swallow - uncommon spring to late summer; TC;UP;LC;N Bank Swallow - rare mostly spring migrant; UP Cliff Swallow - common spring to late summer; TC;UP;N Cave Swallow - locally common spring to late summer; TC;UP;N Barn Swallow - common spring to late summer; TC;UP;U;N Violet-green Swallow - accidental April 22, 2012 UP Chick, tits, bush, and nuts Carolina Chickadee - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Black-crested Titmouse - very common resident; TC;UP;U;N Verdin - rare in winter; U; X on Sep. 1 2012 BanCo north of town. Bushtit - uncommon resident; TC;LM;N **Black-eared phase (or form) very rare Red-breasted Nuthatch - rare in winter; U;LM; LTA White-breasted Nuthatch - accidental; LM (and Concan) Brown Creeper - rare migrant Nov.-Feb.; UP;LM Ten Wrens is legal limit, excellent showing methinks Cactus Wren - very rare and very local; LM;N Rock Wren - very rare, very local; LM; nests at Garner Canyon Wren - common in canyons/cliffs; LM;N Carolina Wren - common resident; TC;UP;U;LM;N Bewick's Wren - common resident; TC;LM;U;N House Wren - uncommon migrant, rare in winter; TC;UP Winter Wren - (Eastern) rare in winter; UP;LM Pacific Wren - one calling at UP 2 weeks in Nov., pre-split but reported Sedge Wren - accidental on May 14, 2008 & 2011, at UP(!) Marsh Wren - rare in spring or fall ; LM;SR;UP Golden-crowned Kinglet - uncommon fall to spring; TC;LM Ruby-crowned Kinglet - common fall to spring; TC;UP;U Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - common spring to fall; TC;UP;U 11 Thrushes Eastern Bluebird - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Western Bluebird - very rare to accidental in winter; SR Mountain Bluebird - very rare in winter; SR;U;LM Townsend's Solitaire - very rare in winter at LM; Oct. 8, 2012 at SR Veery - accidental in spring; UP 2011, SR 2009 Gray-cheeked Thrush - rare in spring; UP Swainson's Thrush - uncommon spring migrant; TC;UP;LM, X in fall Hermit Thrush - common fall to spring; TC;UP;LM Clay-colored Thrush - accidental 5/11/08, Feb. 2013; UP American Robin - usually common fall to spring; rare in summer;N?;TC;UP; Varied Thrush - accidental winter (heard) at SR; + a flyover Nov. 2012 **near miss** ~ Wood Thrush at Big Springs (Real Co.) **near miss** ~ Rufous-backed Robin at Ft. Inge, Uvalde Mimids: 6 species Gray Catbird - uncommon spring and rare fall migrant; TC;UP;LM Northern Mockingbird - common spring to fall, uncommon in winter; TC;UP;N Sage Thrasher - rare late fall and winter; U; SR Brown Thrasher - very rare to accidental in winter; UP Long-billed Thrasher - uncommon to occasional resident; TC;LM;N? Curve-billed Thrasher - rare visitor; UP;U; nests nearby in brush I - European Starling - uncommon spring to fall; UP;U;N American Pipit - occasional migrant; UP;TC;SLC;BCP Sprague's Pipit - very rare fall migrant; TC; SR Bohemian Waxwing - accidental in winter; TC (four, Dec. 04) BanCo Cedar Waxwing - common to uncommon winter to spring; TC;UP WARBLERS: 41 species known locally, 5 species nest The bird photos index page has a warbler page with pix of several local types, and lots of local info on them. Blue-winged Warbler - accidental in spring once at LM Golden-winged Warbler - accidental in spring once at LM Tennessee Warbler - occasional in spring, accidental in fall; UP;U Orange-crowned Warbler - uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP Nashville Warbler - common spring and uncommon fall migant; TC;UP Northern Parula - rare in spring; X in summer; UP Tropical Parula - very rare spring, summer, and winter; UP;LM;UR; Yellow Warbler - common spring and uncommon fall migrant; TC;UP Chestnut-sided Warbler - rare spring migrant; U;LM; VR in fall (twice) Magnolia Warbler - rare but regular spring migrant; X in fall; UP; LM Black-throated Blue Warbler - accidental May 17, 2011 at UP, singing male! Yellow-rumped Warbler - common fall to spring; TC;UP a) "Myrtle" - usually the default common one; TC;UP b) "Audubon's" - uncommon migrant, usually 5%, up to 10% of winterers; TC;UP Black-throated Gray Warbler - very rare fall and spring; TC;UP Golden-cheeked Warbler - common but local March to late July-early Aug.; SR;TC;LM;U;N Black-throated Green Warbler - uncommon spring and rare fall migrant; TC;UP Townsend's Warbler - accidental in fall: once at LM, TWO at UP fall 2012 * Hermit x Townsends hybrid, x in fall at Garner S.P. Blackburnian Warbler - rare spring migrant; TC;UP;U;LM Yellow-throated Warbler - uncommon spring to summer, very rare fall; TC;UP;N Pine Warbler - rare but regular in late fall, some winter; TC;UP;SR Palm Warbler - accidental early spring; UP Bay-breasted Warbler - accidental spring: two May 2, 2011 UP, one May 1, '11 UR; Blackpoll - accidental in spring once at LM Cerulean Warbler - accidental in spring once at LM Black-and-white Warbler - common spring to late summer; TC;UP;LM;N American Redstart - rare spring migrant; very rare in fall; TC;UP Prothonotary Warbler - x in spring; UP; UR; LM Worm-eating Warbler - x in spring; LM; UP; UR; 5 spring 2011, X Sept. 28 2012 at UP Ovenbird - very rare in spring; UP;LM, X in fall Northern Waterthrush - uncommon in spring, rare in fall; UP; Louisiana Waterthrush - local at headwater creeks at LM late March-Aug.;some to Sept; N Kentucky Warbler - rare in spring, x in fall (Aug.); TC;LM;UP ph. Connecticut Warbler - accidental at UP, twice, on May 19 Mourning Warbler - rare in spring and fall; UP;LM;U;UR;SR MacGillivray's Warbler - rare but regular in spring; UP;LM; X in fall Oporornis sps. - TC Common Yellowthroat - occasional migrant; TC;UP Hooded Warbler - 3 spring 2011 at UP; 1 at LM summer 2011; X in fall TC; Wilson's Warbler - occasional to uncommon migrant; TC;UP;LM Canada Warbler - twice in May in spring; X in fall; UP;LM Painted Redstart - accidental at LM once in March Rufous-capped Warbler - very rare - any season possible; TC;LM; Yellow-breasted Chat - uncommon spring and summer locally; TC;UP;U;N (5 warbler species are single accidental spring vagrant records from LM) Hepatic Tanager - accidental 6/86 LM ph. (not on list); X in fall SR; U; Summer Tanager - common April to Sept; TC;UP;N Scarlet Tanager - accidental April 09 & April 12, '13 near UR; fall UR; Western Tanager - very rare spring and fall; SR;U;LM;UP 26 species in the big picture sparrows group, 5-6 nest Olive Sparrow - resident locally in south valley mesquite; x at UP; LM;N Spotted Towhee - uncommon fall to spring; TC;SR;LM;U Canyon Towhee - very local enigmatic uncommon resident; TC;SR;U;N Cassin's Sparrow - rare and local spring to summer; UP;LM;SR; x in fall Rufous-crowned Sparrow - common (but hard to see) slope resident; SR;LM;N Chipping Sparrow - common fall to spring, few locally in summer; TC;UP;N Clay-colored Sparrow - can be common, usually uncommon migrant; TC;UP Brewer's Sparrow - very rare to accidental in spring and fall; UP;SR Field Sparrow - uncommon resident; TC;LM;N Vesper Sparrow - common fall to spring; TC;U;UP Lark Sparrow - common spring to fall, fewer in winter; TC;Y;U;N;UP Black-throated Sparrow - very rare around Utopia; U; LM; Lark Bunting - occasional migrant, rare in winter; U;LM;SR Savannah Sparrow - common fall to spring; TC;UP;U Grasshopper Sparrow - rarely seen mostly in spring; TC;U;UP Baird's Sparrow - G.Lasley photo Vanderpool, accidental spring; U Fox Sparrow - rare in winter; SR Song Sparrow - occasional to rare fall to spring; TC;UP;LC Lincoln's Sparrow - common migrant, uncommon in winter, TC;UP Swamp Sparrow - rare in fall or winter; UP;UR White-throated Sparrow - occasional to rare in winter; TC;UP Harris's Sparrow - accidental in winter; U White-crowned Sparrow - uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP Dark-eyed Junco - uncommon locally fall to spring;SR;TC;U a)"Slate-colored" - uncommon in winter, most at seed stations: SR;TC;U the default type found here, most are Slate-col, brown fem./imm. regular. b)"Oregon" - rare but regular; TC; SR c)"Pink-sided" - rare but regular;SR; U d)"Gray-headed" x "Pink-sided" hybrid - accidental; (ph.) SR Smith's Longspur - accidental; U (SR-ph.9/06/05); flock (8) Jan. 23, 2012 SR Chestnut-collared Longspur - accidental in fall: calling flyovers; U;LM;SR 10 species of Cardinals, Buntings, and Grosbeaks, etc.. Northern Cardinal - common resident; TC;UP;U;N Pyrrhuloxia - occasional to uncommon fall to winter; U;N Rose-breasted Grosbeak - rare mostly spring migrant; TC;U;UP(ph.) Black-headed Grosbeak - rare mostly spring migrant; TC;LM;SR, X in fall Blue Grosbeak - uncommon spring to fall; TC;UP;N Lazuli Bunting - irregular uncommon to rare spring migrant; x in fall; TC;U;LM Indigo Bunting - uncommon spring to fall; TC;UP;N Varied Bunting - rare spring and summer, x in fall;UP;LM;SR Painted Bunting - common late April to August; TC;UP;N Dickcissel - common (if rain) to rare spring to fall; TC;UP;LM;N 16 species of Icterids, 6 of orioles alone, 5 of which breed There is an Oriole page in the birdphotos section with lots of info about and pictures of the orioles found locally. Red-winged Blackbird - uncommon fall & spring, rare in winter; TC;UP;N Eastern Meadowlark - becoming scarce fall to spring; rare in summer;N?;U;UP Western Meadowlark - common fall to spring; U:UP Meadowlark sps. - TC;SR (fly-overs) Yellow-headed Blackbird - rare but regular in spring, rarer in fall; U;SR;UP Rusty Blackbird - very rare but somewhat regular in winter; UP; SR Brewer's Blackbird - common to uncommon fall to spring; TC;UP; Common Grackle - uncommon spring & fall; a few breed locally; rare in winter TC;UP;N Great-tailed Grackle - pair or two around town spring to fall; TC;UP;N Bronzed Cowbird - uncommon spring to summer; rare in fall; TC;UP;N Brown-headed Cowbird - over-abundant spring to fall; TC;UP;SR;N Orchard Oriole - uncommon migrant, some nest (decreasing); UP;TC;U;N Hooded Oriole - local, uncommon spring to fall; TC;U;SR;N;UP Audubon's Oriole - hard to see resident in valley; SR;TC;LM;UP;UR;N Baltimore Oriole - uncommon migrant spring or fall; TC;UP;LM Bullock's Oriole - occasional migrant, scarce nester; TC;UP;N Scott's Oriole - uncommon March to Sept., last early Oct.; SR; UP;TC;U;LM;N Finches - 8 species Purple Finch - now very rare in winter, formerly regular; TC;LM Cassin's Finch - accidental Nov. 07 (ph.); SR House Finch - common resident; TC;UP;N Red Crossbill - accidental once at LM, presume in winter White-winged Crossbill - accidental Jan. 13 2012; SR - one female (likely same bird photo'd Nov. '11 Rio Hondo on 470 in BanCo) Pine Siskin - uncommon fall and winter; TC;UP;LM; x in Aug/Sept once Lesser (Black-backed) Goldfinch - was common spring to fall, rare in winter; TC;UP;N Since we got here in '03, this species has become a resident (new wintering species) *as of about 2008, due to thistle socks with nyger seed being put out by folks. American Goldfinch - uncommon to common mid-late Nov to April; TC;UP Near miss: Evening Grosbeak Dec. 11, 04 Camp Wood (ph.) I - House Sparrow - common in town or around barns; TC;UP;N; |
If you see something in the area that is rare or even
not on the list, please please let us know! :):)
A link to our e-mail is below.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Following are older progress notes.
As of Aug. 14 2011 the Utopia and vicinity total list is 340+
species, and my Utopia Park list is 226 (which exceeds TPWD's
LM list total).
As of Aug. 2009 the Utopia and vicinity list was 323.
I saw about 245 species of birds in the Sabinal River Valley,
in the 19 months from Nov. 03 to May 05. 98% of it within
5 miles of Utopia. (Update: 11/05 now 255 in SRV in two years)
Adding the 25 Lost Maples accidentals I haven't seen in the
SRV yet, that equals a total list of over 280 species from the SRV.
Significantly more than the 215 or so on the Lost Maples list,
which has had "tons" of coverage by comparison, over the last 25 years.
A couple "tanks" (farm or flood ponds) with water make the biggest
difference in the lists - waterbirds. Ducks, herons and egrets,
sandpipers, etc. (especially at the "South Little Creek ponds"
(historic buffalo wallows - WHEN they have water), are better represented
in the valley, than in the canyons at Lost Maples SNA, of course.
The TC list (our first yard here) finished at 170 or so
from within about an acre or so of 22, for 16 months.
I left the original notes below, but added updates to show growth.
WAS: The UP list (Utopia Pk.) is at about 155 for 18 months.
Then: The UP list (Utopia Pk.) is at about 185 for 44 months.
Dec. 2008 update: Long-billed Thrasher was #200 at UP for me!
WAS: The SR (current yard) list is 150+ for the first Year.
Then: The SR (current yard) list is 203+ for 27 months from one spot.
UPDATE Sept. 09 a nocturnal calling migrant Marbled Godwit was #300
for the Sabinal River Valley (Utopia and vicinity) for me personally.
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