May 3 ~ Northerlies at 20-25 MPH surely knocked migrants down,
and small numbers were evident at a couple stops. At SR there
was finally a FOS local Orchard Oriole, a male that sang too.
A few more were scattered around town. At UP there were two
local FOS's: Tennessee Warbler and female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Also there were 2 Common Yellowthroat and 2 male Wilson's Warbler.
At Utopia on the River there was a singing male Black-throated
Green Warbler, 2 male MacGillivray's Warblers (FOS), and a couple
Nashvilles. Also there were a dozen Painted Buntings, with some
Indigos, and one male Lazuli. A Hooded Oriole might be new there
for me, and out front were our FOS (3) Eastern Kingbirds, plus
another down the road a bit. A couple were sitting right next
to Western Kingbirds. A freshly fledged Eastern Bluebird was nice.
There were some Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows there, and
one I got a brief study of that appeared in every way down to its
brown rump, to be a BREWER'S Sparrow.
May 2 ~ Blue-headed Vireo singing outside at SR this a.m..
I really don't appreciate the Mockingbird doing Green Jay imitations.
Uvalde run so checked Fish Hatchery for shorebirds of which
there were a few. 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper,
2 Baird's Sandpiper, 1 Black-necked Stilt, 2 Killdeer, and
15 Wilson's Phalaropes. Also there were 3 Plegadis Ibis there
2 looked like White-faced, but one may have been a Glossy.
They flushed before I could get close enough to photo them.
There were still 3 Blue-winged Teal there, and a number of
Clay-colored Sparrows, 2 Savannah Sparrow, 1 Grasshopper Sparrow,
and 5 American (Water) Pipit seem late, maybe not for arctic nesters.
Also there were a few Orchard Orioles, Bell's Vireo, C. Ground-Dove,
Black Phoebes, Dickcissel, Couch's Kingbirds, lots of Black-bellied
Whistling-Ducks of course, and Common Moorhen is back finally.
At least 6 Chipping Sparrows still at SR this evening.
May 1 ~ The bird of the day was at Utopia on the River,
an Ovenbird! It flushed out of the big frostweed patch.
Couple Nashvilles, a singing Blue-headed Vireo, were it for
migrants. Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos are in, but
the Acadian Flycatchers and Yellow-billed Cuckoo are not.
At UP was a male Wilson's Warbler, and a couple C.Yellowthroat.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ special note ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Before we finish April.... one of the neat things at Nature
Quest was getting to meet some of the locals. One, Judy Schaefer
gave me a convincing verbal description of a Great Kiskadee in her
yard in town (Utopia) in mid-April. It is to my knowledge the first
local report. It is not on the Lost Maples list. She has seen them
before. They have been resident at Uvalde for 5 years at least now,
and there have been singles at Abeline and Waco and Houston for years,
so somewhat overdue actually, but a great find.
There are a few things one should do immediately when one sees something
that might be unusual or rare. First, take a picture or get someone to.
Second, write a description of the bird WHILE you are looking at it.
That will often end up meaning as much as a photo. Third, tell others.
Getting others to see a bird is called corroboration, and good birds
need it. Two handwritten descriptions made while watching a bird
can be more useful than a photo. Get other eyes on the bird. It is
usually easier to get someone else to see or hear something, than it is
to get a picture of it. Now is the time to muster those skills you
learned in kindergarden, and play show and tell with others.
Finally, use a desk calendar or weekly planner book at the very least,
to make daily notes of numbers and things in your yard. Then you have
actual useable data, instead of memory, which will be foggy sooner than
you think !! Trust me on that.... now what were we doing???????
Without numbers and dates, you have no data. :) Even better,
start an excell file just for your yard, or favorite local patch.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ end special note ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
April 30 ~ Anthony Sharp reports a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at
their place on 1050 about 10 miles west of town by Blankett Creek.
Our Black-headed Grosbeak is still about singing. 10 Chippys still
here at SR.
April 29 ~ A male Black-headed Grosbeak was on our sunflower tube
at SR which later sang. A male Hooded Oriole flew up-ridge early.
At UP was finally the FOS Spotted Sandpiper, and The FOS Dickcissel
were fly-overs at SR early, then one was singing in their field just
south of town at 354. Back at UP there were 9 Blue-winged Teal there,
and one Mourning Cloak butterfly, the second so far this spring.
April 28 ~ Record lows in the low low 40's this morning felt great!
Last of this for 6 months! A White-striped Longtail (butterfly) was
nectaring out front. At UP there was a FOS Green Heron, a Yellow-
breasted Chat and 3 Common Yellowthroat. Audubon's Oriole came into
the sugar water.
April 27 ~ Tony Gallucci and I led a Nature Quest bird walk at
Big Springs, 9 miles north of Leakey at the Frio headwaters.
There was a frontal passage early in the a.m.. There were
fly-by Little Blue Heron, Franklin's Gull, and Chihuahuan
Raven (with a Common but in heavy molt). Golden-cheeked Warbler
was seen closely and 2 young were found dead thrown out of a
nest by the wind. A neat aquatic nymph was a Snakefly (Raphididae)
larvae I found at the spring. Some rare plants like Black Sedge,
Texas Mockorange, and blooming Chatterbox Orchid were seen too.
At House Pasture in Concan there were 3 White-crowned Sparrows,
all large orange-billed ones, as seems norm in late April here.
April 26 ~ Mike Overton and I led a Nature Quest walk at the
Waters' Ranch just south of town along the Sabinal, and even
got the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Waters company on top of it.
We had a few interesting birds, topped by a pure singing male
Tropical Parula seen well, and another probable, heard only.
Also a FOS female Northern Parula was present, and two FOS
Yellow-breasted Chats. There were a pair of Canyon Towhee
there too. A Least Flycatcher was a good bird as well.
Derek Muschalek reported a male Tropical Parula with a
female Northern Parula at Garner St.Pk., on April 22. You
have to scrutinize every Parula warbler for signs of hybridization
in this area where both are equally rare, and hybrids are known.
Derek also had at Garner numbers of Hutton's Vireos.
Interesting in the SR yard besides a Crimson Patch was one fresh
mint-condition Mourning Cloak butterfly. Perhaps we'll see an
echo of last years flight this spring.
April 25 ~ Guided another Nature Quest Lost Maples walk today.
Best bird(s) were on the way in the heavy drizzle-mist over a
bare field just north of the Stagecoach Inn, in Bandera Co..
A flock of 32 WILLETS were circling the muddy field, seen by all
participants. Surely Western Willets, and my first in the Sabinal
Valley! You never know what you might see if you just go look!
At Lost Maples in the drizzle we had of course a hard time
with the birds being as active and vociferous as usual. We barely
got Golden-cheeked Warbler looks (and not all of us), but a nice
male Black-headed Grosbeak was good, and one male Lazuli Bunting
continued at the overflow parking trailhead (new) feeding station.
We spun through Utopia Pk. just to show the site for future
birding reference, and at the entrance a FOS Grasshopper Sparrow
popped into the water co. fence for viewing pleasure. An Osprey
was at Jones 1050 pond. The two month+ present imm. Common Yellowthroats
at UP are gone finally, but an adult male Common Yellowthroat on a
normal passage arrival date was at Utopia Park.
April 24 ~ A Nature Quest walk I led at Lost Maples was nice,
with the highlight being watching a Golden-cheeked Warbler
working on a nest that we watched leisurely. We also had a short
look at a SHORT-TAILED HAWK (adult light morph) that is probably the
individual that flew over SR on April 8, and I suspect a long-time
returning individual. FOS Acadian Flycatchers were back.
At UP was a FOS (usually only get one per spring if lucky)
Northern Waterthrush up on the island. Also there was a FOS
local Great Crested Flycatcher there. My FOS local female
Blue Grosbeak was outside today here at SR.
April 23 ~ At Cook's Slough in Uvalde, on a walk I was leading for
Nature Quest, we saw a Ringed Kingfisher, lots of Dickcissel and
Orchard Orioles (neither up here on the hill yet), and heard one each
Brown-crested and Great Crested Flycatchers. At the Fish Hatchery
was a male Cinnamon Teal still, a Black-necked Stilt, and a
couple Avocets flew across the road at Fish Slough on the way there.
April 22 ~ No moon and the Poor-wills were calling at dusk again.
The FOS for the day was Common Nighthawk at SR. Nice to hear
their BEER call notes, and the booming!
April 21 ~ Surprisingly 2 Audubon's Orioles flew right over the
hovel on SR today, landing in a Bailey Oak for viewing. At midnight
the Poor-wills were calling. They have been silent almost a week,
which may be normal around the full moon.
April 20 ~ A Cattle Egret was minding the cows in Vanderpool.
At Lost Maples were 3 FOS's: Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee
and Bullock's Oriole, which was an immature male. Lots of
Golden-cheeked Warblers and a number of Louisiana Waterthrush
are in and on territory. At least 20 Nashville Warbler were there.
Also a calling Couch's Kingbird was there, apparently a new park record.
The last FOS today was a Western Kingbird at the north end of town.
April 19 ~ An Osprey flew north over SR in the a.m..
Lots of Black-capped Vireos are in up at Kerr WMA,
with as Tony Gallucci says Bobcat Pasture being a great
place to see them well. Early in the season (NOW) is better
when the Scrub Live-Oak is blooming and has dropped its leaves.
April 18 ~ At UP was a FOS Wilson's Warbler, a FOS Least Flycatcher,
a FOS Brown-crested Flycatcher, and spectacularly a calling
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. That was the first one of them I have
identified here, in this the fifth spring of listening for them.
A couple dozen Clay-colored Sparrow were feasting in the live-oak
blooms, and amongst 12 Myrtle and 3 Audubon's Warblers was a
hybrid "Myrtubon's" Warbler. One of the Little Blue Herons
continued at UP, and 15 Nashville and 2 Orange-crowned Warblers
plus the 2 Common Yellowthroats continue, rounding out warblers.
At SR was a FOS male Blue Grosbeak, and the same or another of a
large grayer migrant type of Hermit Thrush bathed at dusk again.
April 17 ~ Too much work and too little play, but a FOS
adult male Painted Bunting made for a nice day!
We have probably 300 or more hummingbirds at our feeders.
Mostly Black-chins, but good numbers of Ruby-throats too.
April 16 ~ About 20 Chiping Sparrow continue here at SR.
Next week is spring Nature Quest, at Concan, and I will be leading a
few morning walks, in case you have absolutely no life and nothing to do.
:) Wed. I lead a Cook's Slough walk. Thurs. and Fri. will be
Lost Maples walks. Contact them (google Concan TX Nature Quest or
find the link on our links page) if you are interested in all sorts
of subject specific study walks or hikes: butterflies, dragonflies,
plants, geology, birds, etc..
April 15 ~ A jackpot of Egrets was at UP this windy morning.
One Great Egret, three Snowy Egrets, and 2 one year-old (AHY)
white phase Little Blue Heron! I got digiscopes of the latter two
species. A couple male Common Grackles are back at the island,
probably to nest again. A larger migrant type of Hermit Thrush
came in and bathed at dark. Locals been gone a while anyway.
April 14 ~ My FOS local White-striped Longtail (butterfly) flew around
the yard today. My local FOS Bell's Vireo was in the mesquite patch near
the storage spaces. There was a Cattle Egret below the dam at UP, and
amazingly, a MARSH WREN in the lillypads across the dam.
Also FOS Prince Baskettail dragonfly there today.
April 13 ~ Along the Sabinal river from UP to Jones Cmty Rd. (JCR) were
a couple dozen each of Nashville Warblers and Clay-colored Sparrows
feeding in the live-oak blossoms. At UP there were a couple Blue-
headed Vireo, 6 Myrtle and 1 Audubon's Warbler, 2 Common yellowthroat
still continue, plus the regular Blue Jay, Black Phoebe, Green King.
A couple Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and at UP a Yellow-throated Vireo that
alternated between its song, and that of a perfect Red-eyed Vireo.
A Kestrel was on JCR. Of dragonflies at UP there were Orange Bluet,
Blue-ringed Dancer, and Black-shouldered Spinyleg. A Solitary Sandpiper
was at the fenced tank near the storage spaces.
April 12 ~ A couple FOS butterflies were a Crimson Patch at the
Lion's Auction (at firehouse) downtown, and Dusky-blue Groundstreaks
at UP. A Zone-tailed Hawk flew over the Lion's auction too.
April 11 ~ At Neal's Lodge in Concan there was an exhausted FOS
Brown-crested Flycatcher, and my FOS Bell's Vireo. At the Hatchery
in Uvalde there was Couch's Kingbird, and on 187 on the way back
FOS Western Kingbird in the brush country (none up on the hill yet).
Lots of Scissor-taileds moving through. Still some Kestrels and
Shrikes around. Only a couple Meadowlarks. Concan also had a
White-striped Longtail and Coyote Cloudywing for FOS butterflies.
April 10 ~ 30 Chippy left. Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk still here
hunting them daily. Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird for sure.
Poor-wills calling late at 11 p.m.. Little drizzle
April 9 ~ 40 Chippy at SR, plus the 2 Pine Siskin, and 2 Clay-colored
Sparrow in with the Chippies. A few Swainson's Hawks and migrant
Turkey Vultures passed over. The local TV's are nesting already.
Kathy had a Chuck-wills-widow calling again. Little drizzle.
April 8 ~ A few more FOS's today as makes this time of year so fun.
Getting to see old friends again, every day some new ones. One of
my not so favorites was a male Great-tailed Grackle below the dam
at UP. Also at UP in the live-oaks was a Black-throated Green Warbler.
Best was about 6:20 p.m. an adult light morph SHORT-TAILED HAWK
flew right over our hovel on SR. Not even a yard bird, but a great
look of a great bird. It is the 3rd spring of 5 I have detected one.
It should be looked for at Lost Maples now where they have been
known to summer. 45 Chipping Sparrows are still here at the seed,
as well as 2 Pine Siskin.
April 7 ~ A surprisingly early spring migrant (for here) was a
Broad-winged Hawk over SR with a few Turkey Vultures and Swainson's
Hawks. Another bird looked like a Golden Eagle, but I had to let it go.
I probably had a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird today (my first).
Kathy got the FOS Chuck-wills-Widow this evening at SR.
April 6 ~ Two more FOS's today were Chimney Swift, same date
as last year's returns, and 6 Cattle Egret by the fenced tank west
of the storage spaces. One of the two Yellowthroats at UP
is that same imm. male from mid-March. Saw FOS Pondhawk and
Checkered Setwing dragonflies at the park. Also there was
a FOS black form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. A regular
yellow one was up on SR. A Hutton's Vireo is singing from the knoll
near the west end of the ridge. Chihuahuan Raven at SR in a.m.
Was a warm day with a toasty 88+ deg.F up on the ridge. At UP
spectacular views of the Yellow-throated Warblers can be had
now before everything leafs out, especially as they feed low in
the flowering Live-Oaks. Nice to hear Summer Tanagers singing.
there again too. A FOS Northern Cloudywing was on SR.
April 5 ~ Some FOS's today were Blue-headed and Yellow-throated
Vireos at UP, the latter was all along the river with 6 heard
over a mile or so of habitat. At SR in the p.m. an Indigo Bunting
was another FOS. A few migrants were at UP including a few
Nashville Warblers, more of which were along Jones Cmty. Rd. (JCR).
Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also everywhere, and singing with
the typical enthusiasm. TWO Common Yellowthroats were at UP.
There was a single adult White-crowned Sparrow that was not the
regular expected nominate eastern leucophrys type. It had a
large orange bill, and a gray supra-loral area, and was browner above.
Lots of Clay-colored Sparrows in with Chippies in the blooms
of the Live-Oaks all along the river. Fields north on JCR
had Vesper and Savanah Sparrows and a couple Swainson's Hawks.
Chihuahuan Raven was at the county line bridge crossing
(they are at SR daily or nearly so). This was the first day
of the year with over a dozen big pale (northbound migrants
from Mexican wintering grounds) Monarchs. Nearly 20 total.
A number of Queens were moving too, 1st multiple number day too.
No Pied-billed Grebes at UP. FOS Bronzed Cowbirds on SR (5).
Kathy spotted the FOS Carolina Satyrs at UP. For the first day
this spring big numbers of the 1050 bridge Cliff Swallow colony
were back, perhaps 60-75 birds.
April 4 ~ 6 Pine Siskin continue here at SR. The amazing sighting
of the spring probably was late in the p.m. where one of the
brush piles meets open and we throw seed and there is usually
sparrows. I saw something fly in I could not pigeon hole.
I got smaller as I backed away slowly and when around the corner
RAN for binocs and wife inside. Using an office window we saw
it come back out in the open: a MARSH WREN !! A beautiful
MARSH WREN at 1500' on a rocky juniper covered slope !!
It has been obvious the noise of the coral system water pumping
attracts birds, and at least there is a bath with a drip
when they get close enough to see there is not a bubbling spring
here as it sounds. Guess I should look for Sora next.
It is the first Marsh Wren I have seen in the Sabinal Valley.
April 3 ~ The FOS Nashville Warbler here was in the blooming
Live-Oak out back. Whatever is blooming is where the birds are.
This morning it was 5 Scissor-tails in a flock going over north
in the fog mist low. Still 6 Pine Siskin. At dusk Poor-will,
and after dark Eastern Screech-Owl and Barn Owl. The FOS
butterfly for the day was a Two-tailed Swallowtail that
came to a hummer feeder but got scared off when it saw me.
That is not the first animal to bolt at the sight of me.
For dragonflies There were FOS Leaftails at UP, as well
as what surely was a Stream Crusier. Lots of Double-striped
Bluets were also seen. Observations were incidental as I
was attempting to obtain an Icthyid sample voucher, which was
successful. An 8.75" Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus,
of the orange-edged unpaired fins male type, stunning in beauty as
delicious kings table fare. Also spotted below the dam at UP
due to above project requiring long period at one spot, I spied
deep in the vegetation after a half hour, a single lone COOT!
April 2 ~ Another Scissor-tail flyover early. Today there
were 6 Pine Siskin at the sunflowers, some singing a little.
A few Ruby-throated Hummers (males) are around, and lots of
Black-chins (100). Outside at SR there was Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American
and Lesser Goldfinch, 75 Chipping and 6 Clay-colored Sparrow.
At UP there were 2 Cliff Swallow (FOS) but the 1050 bridge flock
is not back yet.
April 1 ~ No foolin'! April !?! Another male Scissor-tail
flew over going N. early in the a.m.. NO Kestrel is the
amazing difference outside today. Green Kingfisher and
Black Phoebe at UP, and the Osprey continues, and no doubt
caught more trout than everyone put together.
March 31 ~ Fog mist drizzle again. A male Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher flew over low in it early, going north. There were
4 Clay-colored Sparrows and 2 Pine Siskin continue.
The FOS male Summer Tanager flew by SR in the afternoon.
Two butterfly FOS's were Southern Skipperling and Dun Skipper.
Barn Owl late. Poor-will just after dark. Late in the p.m.
the wintering adult male Kestrel circled and dove on its
perch of the last 5 months calling its head off for 5 minutes,
and then flew off to the north. I haven't seen it since,
and am reasonably sure this was a departure display.
The other behavior of the day was a Scrub-Jay dancing
around its mate with food in its beak, circling it as it
bobbed and stretched in a most exagerated of manner as to
nearly make you laugh. Out the window while we were working,
it went on for two minutes. Try just watching birds some time.
March 30 ~ More fog mist drizzle which keeps the native
vegetation and habitat in great shape, but doesn't count
as precipitation as far as alleged drought goes which only
measures rainfall in relation to mans activities. It does
not measure biological or physical useable moisture presence.
With our friends Sam and Nancy Golden from Fredericksburg,
at UP we saw a pair of Green Kingfisher, Lincoln's Sparrows
and a group of 30 Swainson's Hawks lifted off from nearby.
Someone camping at UP caught a nearly 2' 20 lb. FLATHEAD Catfish!
I got photos to document this double-ugly species presence here.
At SR were 3 or 4 Clay-colored Sparrow in with 135 Chipping,
a Caracara, 10 Swainson's Hawks, and continuing wintering
Orange-crowned Warbler. Probably migrants were Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, and a Hermit Thrush, since the locals haven't been
around for a week or more. Barn Owls after dark.
March 29 ~ 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers was the most for a day
so for this spring at SR, and they have just been one or two
every other day or so the last 10 days. Lincoln's Sparrows
still at the seed, and 2 Siskins on the sunflower tube.
The Black-tailed Jackrabbit was out front briefly this a.m..
What a beast compared to the dinky Eastern Cottontails.
At UP there were Green Kingfisher, 2 Pied-billed Grebe still,
and 2 ducks flew over that looked like Ring-necks.
Wintering Kestrel still here at SR. Fog mist drizzle in a.m.
March 28 ~ Wintering Ornge-crowned Warbler continues on
the peanuts. 3 Siskins still here too. Clay-colored
still with Chippies, but no sign of the Brewer's.
FOS Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the north end of town.
Common Grackles around town. Best sighting of the day
was out the office window, a Black-tailed Jackrabbit at 15'.
March 27 ~ Stunning was a BREWER'S SPARROW right out
the office window which I got binocs on for a minute,
at 12' distance. Good yard bird. Only my second or
so for Utopia or Sabinal Valley. One Clay-colored in
the p.m. with 125 Chippies made for a 3 species of Spizella
day. The wintering ad.male Kestrel continues.
March 26 ~ FOS ad. male Ruby-throated Hummingbird was
the earliest in 5 years. NO Juncos. About 1/2 way down
SR was a flock of 100+ Brown-headed Cowbird and 2 dozen
Common Grackles. Barn Owl after dark.
March 25 ~ Henric's Elfin out front at SR.
March 24 ~ Two Pied-billed Grebe continue at UP, but
unusual was a Ring-necked Duck there, probably an imm. male.
2 non-ad.male Junco still at SR.
March 23 ~ Front hit again, low 54 and high 60, 25 MPH,
about .5" rain. FOS local Yellow-throated Warbler at UP.
A dozen Red-winged Blackbirds flew over SR in the a.m..
The imm. male Common Yellowthroat continues at the
island at the north end of UP. Green Kingfishers at UP.
Chipping sparrow flock here at the hovel now 150 birds.
(ca. 2.5" for mo. + fog/mist which is unmeasured precip.)
March 22 ~ Interesting getting off the hill for a day, and
seeing down in the brushlands 7 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers,
waiting for it to get warm enough to come up here still.
Yellow-throated Warbler and Vireo were singing at Concan,
around Neal's Lodges. There is still a flock of Green Jays
being seen there, perhaps a dozen, but we didn't get lucky.
We did see Field, Clay-colored, Chipping, White-crowned,
Lark, and Black-throated Sparrows, plus Verdin, at the feeding
area behind Neal's Store. Always a great stop ! Bell's
Vireos were not back yet. A Powdered Skipper (Systasea)
was near Cabin 61.
At Ft. Inge there were a few pairs of Green Jays. Maybe they
will nest this year !?! It is late for them, having only been
regular as winterers here for 4 years now. There were also
a pair of Great Kiskadee fishing. No Couch's Kingbird yet.
March 21 ~ Another Monarch at SR, and a nice male Vermilion
Flycatcher on the power line. Today's FOS was Clay-colored
Sparrow at SR late in the p.m..
March 20 ~ IT IS SPRING !! FOS Texan Crescent (butterfly) at SR.
5 Siskin and 3 Junco is winter winding down. Some have left.
March 19 ~ 2nd Monarch, at UP. No Scissor-tails in town yet.
Still 7 Pine Siskin and 3 American Goldfinch, and some Cedar Waxwings.
March 18 ~ fogmistdrizzle in a.m. and wind in p.m. Low of 64 (!) in
a.m. peaked at 70 at noon, then dropped all afternoon with frontal
passage and maybe a quarter inch of rain giving a March total of
about 2" here. By midnight it was 40-50 MPH post frontal gusts !!
7 Pine Siskin still at the sunflower tube. Two adult male
Slate-colored Juncos continue, 1 pearl gray, 1 nearly black.
March 17 ~ There were two blue FOS's today, a Reakirt's Blue butterfly
was my first blue of the year here, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was the
first one of them I've seen this year. An adult female Black-and-White
Warbler was in the yard today. some winterers continue like the peanut
loving Orange-crowned Warbler, some Juncos, but I think the 4-5 yard
Hermit Thrush have largely departed. 12 Cranes flew over mid-day.
March 16 ~ The adult male Scott's Oriole gave a few bursts of
normal regular song this morning between sugar water raids.
The adult White-crowned sparrow is still here at the SR seed pile,
now present 2 weeks, a first here at the hovel. There are some
more across from the dump in the Texas Holly etc., along the fence.
Around town the sound of singing Red-winged Blackbirds echoed
for the first time this spring, with a few dozen scattered around.
Also loosley associated with them were about a dozen Common Grackle
(spring migrants) and a dozen Starling (returning breeders).
We went up to 1050 pass again to check and see if Golden-cheeked
Warblers were back here yet, and we did hear a couple singing.
We also heard a Black-and-White Warbler singing at the crest,
an Ash-throated Flycatcher, and its a good spot for Bushtit.
At UP there was the continuing Common Yellowthroat, a nice
female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a Brown Creeper, Black Phoebe,
Blue Jay, Green & Belted Kingfishers, and Purple Martins.
In the butterfly department there was a FOS Pearl Crescent at SR.
There was a Merlin zipping around just south of town, and I
do mean zipping, it was doing 60 MPH+ easily. Absolutely
amazing was just before 7 p.m. at SR when I spotted a couple
unusual looking raptors soaring over the knoll, coming right at me.
Grabbed binocs and wife (in that order), and watched a pair of
PRAIRIE FALCONS slowly drift overhead. Incredibly the or another
MERLIN shot by beneath them while they were straight overhead!
Prairie Falcon is new for my Sabinal Valley area list (and
Uvalde Co. for that matter), the first I've seen in 4 1/2 years here.
March 15 ~ I refound the Common Yellowthroat at UP today. It was
an immature (SY) male, but I couldn't detect anything unusual about it.
It was gray margined of mask, and restricted of yellow on breast.
Also odd there was a migrant Golden-crowned Kinglet, of which there
haven't been any around lately, and Robins were singing.
A fair number (2-300) of Waxwings are working the Ligustrum around town.
Vermilion Flycatcher males are more numerous now too. One may see
a few easily, while driving around now. More Barn Swallows back too.
A number of Baskettails (Epitheca sps.) (cf.Dot-winged) are flying at UP.
March 14 ~ Late in the afternoon an adult male SCOTT'S ORIOLE
was outside here at SR. It gave just a quiet 4-note butdidedo once.
In the morning I had the FOS Ash-throated Flycatcher this year.
Also today was the FOS Arizona Sister butterfly. A SY (second year)
male Audubon's Warbler briefly stopped in a live oak out back
while I was looking in it. There were strong westerly winds
with desert heat all day, it was a scorching 91 deg. F here !
Hottest since last September I think. And still winterers like
Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, and Slate-colored Junco continue.
March 13 ~ Astounding was a FOS Common Yellowthroat I heard a UP,
(which I saw two days later the 15th). My migration dates for
them here are in April. There was also a FOS Black-and-White
Warbler there, and a single group of 6 Blue Jays, plus the
regular Black Phoebe and Green Kingfisher and 2 Pied-billed Grebes.
At SR late in the afternoon I thought sure I heard the "eng eng"
of a Scott's Oriole. At 6 p.m. was the FOS Red Satyr (butterfly)
for the year.
March 12 ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet still outside, Chihuahuan Ravens,
but new was an Inca Dove singing. A couple FOS butterflies were
seen in the afternoon, a MONARCH that seemed large and pale, and
on the move. There was also a FOS Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
There's a real sign of spring, a big black and yellow butterfly!
A worn beatup winter form Question Mark was sunning late today.
Still Green Jays being reported from Neal's Lodges area of Concan.
March 11 ~ The regulars at the hovel on SR: Chihuahuan Raven,
Caracara, the adult White-crowned Sparrow, the Lincoln's,
the pair of Common Ground-Dove, and now I would say about
6 male and at least 3 female Black-chinned Hummingbirds present.
A FOS flock of Red-winged Blackbirds flew over northbound at dusk.
A couple Poor-wills called after dark.
Rhandy Helton from Junction reported from Lost Maples SNA
3 Golden-cheeked Warblers but "mostly still winter birds".
Others had reported the warblers back March 9 or so.
Rhandy also reported a Least Flycatcher up Can Creek,
far too early for a migrant, surely a winterer, at which time
any Empidonax on the Edwards Plateau is virtually unheard of,
and should be thoroughly documented, as something unusual is
a distinct possibility, and identification is difficult at best.
I'd give a dollar to see this bird.
March 10 ~ The big news today was our first good rain in months.
A nice slow soaker of about 1.2 inches, just what flowers need.
In town was the FOS STARLING, 4 of 'em. Funny to have them
be a non-resident species, and nearly get excited seeing them
return. A juvenile White-crowned Sparrow was in town, a migrant.
The adult continues at our SR seed pile. The pair of Ground-Doves
contnues around the yard. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were at SR and UP.
Lincoln's Sparrow still at SR, as is a wintering Mocker. After
dark Barn Owl was again heard going over northbound.
March 9 ~ We again checked the 1050 pass for Golden-cheeked Warblers
and again found none. Again Hutton's Vireo was singing there, as
was a White-eyed, Bushtit, Scrub-Jay, and over the pass a Common Raven
again soared and called. There were 27 Green-winged Teal at the
Bear Creek Pond before the pass. SR Chippy flock is 300.
March 8 ~ Wind stopped last night, and surprise surprise, it froze.
Watch what you wish for. It was 21 in Junction, 23 in Kerrville,
and probably about 25 or so hereabouts Utopia. The first FEMALE
Black-chinned Hummingbird I've seen this year showed up today.
There was a Pine Siskin that sang its rising zzzzzzeeeeshhh song.
6 American Goldfinch were at the sunflower tubes.
March 7 ~ Wind still blowing, blew all day till sundown 20-30 MPH.
The White-crowned Sparrow is still here, 5 days now. There are a
few male Black-chinned Hummingbirds around now. A dozen Turkey Vultures
make it not look like winter, since they are absent then.
March 6 ~ Frontal passage at sunup brought a little tiny bit of
drizzle, and a lot of wind, 25-35 MPH all day, and all night.
March 5 ~ A pair of Green Kingfisher were at UP. The main thing
was 4 FOS butterflies today at SR: Queen, Bordered Patch, Lyside
Sulphur, and Little Yellow. White-crowned Sparrow still here.
At least one more male Black-chinned Hummingbird has shown up.
March 4 ~ The FOS of the day was Northern Rough-winged Swallow at UP.
Also there were Barn Swallow and Purple Martin making it seem more
like winter is ending soon. There was also singing White-eyed Vireo,
a Pied-billed Grebe still there, and Blue Jay and Black Phoebe.
March 3 ~ One of the Scrub-Jays is lucky to be alive after just
being missed by an adult female Cooper's Hawk. Clearly a migrant
since it hasn't been here was an adult White-crowned Sparrow.
Chipping Sparrow Flock is about 275. Couple Fields.
March 2 ~ Forktail damselflies (Ischnura) were emerging at UP, and a
couple Baskettail (Epitheca) dragonflies were flying there too.
Vouchered a couple trout for my scientific reasearch into their flavor.
Kathy counted 30 Cardinals at once out back before dark. The flock
will break up soon and some males are already getting testy shall we say.
March 1 ~ The big FOS for the day was a male Black-chinned Hummingbird!
Up at the 1050 pass about 5 miles west of town, there was a singing
Hutton's Vireo in good breeding habitat, and a Common Raven flying
high overhead, calling. From foothills to the valley floor, the Ravens
are Chihuahuan, and up on the divides where there are cliff faces,
they are Common. Ecological seperation it is called. The Bear Creek
Pond had a Great Blue Heron and a couple Killdeer. After dark
there was another FOS, two different what seemed to be northbound
Barn Owls passed over calling, a couple hours apart.
Feb. 29 ~ Well a big bonus day today, a chance to get things for
February that only comes every four years. The FOS birds today were
Barn Swallows (a pair in town), Vermilion Flycatchers (a couple around),
and after dark on SR, Poor-will calling. I'm not sure they leave,
but they do shut up all winter. They may hibernate here, as
excellent habitat for such is abundant locally (rock crevices).
Down in Uvalde there is a world of difference with numbers of
damselflies, and dragonflies out, quite unlike up here on the hill.
There were also migrant sandpipers at the fish hatchery: Solitary,
Spotted, and Least Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs and Wilson's Snipe.
Also there were lots of Red Saddlebags flying, and a female Widow Skimmer.
A Cactus Wren is singing from a Washington Palm in the parking lot at Oasis,
just east of the entrance, and will probably nest there. Violet and
Blue-ringed Dancers were at the City Park. The City Park on Hwy. 90
has been much improved by the removal of the feral pet ducks and geese.
The water is cleaner and native birds are coming back, as well as the
fish (which eat mosquito larvae), and aquatic plants, besides the
shore not being eaten to dirt mud. Much nicer !!
Feb 27 ~ After the wind stopped last night, it got cold of course.
A toasty 23 deg.F this morning, and of course the Audubon's Orioles
spent hours at the peanuts and sugar water today. They even sparred
with open bills at each other on the peanuts once. Wintering birds
still in the yard included a Lincoln's Sparrow, a Mockingbird,
at least 4 Juncos still, 3+ Hermit Thrush, and a few American Goldfinch
and Pine Siskin are still hitting the sunflower tubes.
Feb. 26 ~ The FOS Lesser Goldfinch spring arrivals were at the sunflower
tubes today. A flock of 25 Brown-headed Cowbirds were an FOS at SR.
Blew all day today 25-35 MPH. Counted 15 male Cardinals at once out back.
Feb. 25 ~ An amazing high of about 92 deg.F today made it feel a lot
like spring is coming. The main FOS of the day was a dragonfly at SR,
an Epitheca sps. Baskettail (probably Dot-winged). At noon a flock of
90 Sandhill Crane flew N. up valley. A couple Snouts were about.
The Hutton's Vireo that has been wintering is singing heavilly.
A front passed after dark with 25 MPH gusting to 35 !!
Feb. 24 ~ A FOS female Goatweed Leafwing showed up, and the male was
around too. Both Duskywings again, and a Red Admiral.
We've been spraying water every couple hours to wet some caliche,
grass, cut stumps, etc., and the smell really brings in the
butterflies when there are no flowers and imbibing minerals is critical.
The Desert Checkered-Skipper is still about the yard.
Feb. 23 ~ The male Leafwing and the Duskywings were around again today.
The FOS was an American Lady. A couple flocks of Sandhill Crane
passed over going north about mid-morning, totalling 175 birds.
Another teneral damselfly at UP was a Bluet (Enallagma) of some sort.
Feb. 22 ~ More FOS butterflies popping in the continued warm spell.
Today's FOS's were: Goatweed Leafwing, Horace's and Funereal Duskywings,
and amazingly, a Desert Checkered-Skipper, surely from last years invasion.
Most of yesterdays stuff was seen again too. Weewow, lots of leps !
Caracara and Chihuahuan Raven again about outside at SR.
AT UP was a teneral (just emerged) Double-striped Bluet (E. basidens).
Feb. 21 ~ So we are 2 out of 3 months through official calendar winter.
And it was 80 deg. F again today. I consider the first day of spring
the first day there is a massive insect emergence. Today was that day
locally, this year. Feb. 1-20 I saw about 20 total butterflies, of
12 species. Feb. 21 I saw about 20 butterflies, of 11 species, many of
which were fresh emergences (FOS). Spring sprang. Also other first
of season insects were a humongous XXL Bumble Bee, and a Dragonfly
that looked like a Marl Pennant, and a Cerambycid (Long-horned Beetle).
The Butterfly show today was the story though. A Black Swallowtail,
and the FOS Giant Swallowtail were nice. A few Cloudless Sulphurs, and
a couple Sleepy Orange, The 3 Variegated Frits were still here, and
2 fresh Gulf Frits were out. The FOS Gray Hairstreak and FOS Buckeye
showed. There was also a couple Dogface. The highlight however I
missed, but Kathy photographed, a Rounded Metalmark (Calephelis perditalis).
Surely the earliest record here. Purple Martin again overhead.
Feb. 20 ~ The FOS fresh Pipevine Swallowtail flew by today. I'd seen a
beat worn leftover winterer a while back. This a new season emergence.
Hutton's Vireo still singing lots. A blue sky hole in the solid low clouds
passed over and in it, in a few minutes was a Caracara, Cooper's Hawk,
Northern Harrier, and a Zone-tailed Hawk. The FOS Sphinx moth was
out front but I couldn't ID it in flight. Unfortunately for viewing
pleasure, the eclipse was mostly obscured by clouds.
Feb. 19 ~ Spring is coming: the FOS Purple Martin was over SR today.
Maybe some had some earlier, but it was my first this year.
The Hutton's Vireo is singing lots, and the Eastern Phoebe
did its first flight song of the year. Otherwise just regulars:
American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Chihuahuan Raven, and the Sharpy.
Feb. 18 ~ Twice heard a quick White-eyed Vireo call at UP, a bit early.
There was a pair of Green Kingfisher there, and no Odes still. The
Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfishers of the past few weeks continue
as does the Pine Warbler. Kathy saw the Sharpy get an adult male Cardinal
here at the hovel today. White-fronted Geese flying north after dark.
Feb. 17 ~ A couple Audubon's Orioles raided the peanuts and hummer feeder.
Same 3 Variegated Fritillary and Sleepy Orange at SR yard. Kathy had
TWO Turkey Vultures today, presumedly a second bird has showed up, ON TIME!
A half mile of the Sabinal above UP had no Odes (dragon or damselflies).
Still waiting for the first emergences of them this season.
Feb 16 ~ A cool day with chills in the mid-30's (deg.F) and a 1/2" of rain.
At SR was a couple Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch and 15 Waxwing.
Feb. 15 ~ Chippy flock in SR yard is about 250 birds now. The immature
Sharp-shinned Hawk is daily as well. The Lark Sparrow flock is still
midway on SR. The TV is still waiting for others to show up.
The biggest flock of Waxwings this winter so far, about 500 was in town.
First emergence of the big yellow mayfly today at UP. Bat at UP.
Feb. 14 ~ FOS singing from Rufous-crowned Sparrow. 2 pairs of Chihuahuan
Raven, appeared to be one pair chasing off another pair.
Feb. 13 ~ 2 Snouts were about. Plus 3 Varieg. Frit, and Sleepy Orange still.
Feb. 12 ~ BFLY: the FOS Snout was about.
Feb. 11 ~ A flock of 15+ Lark Sparrow on SR was clearly spring migrants,
since no such thing has been present all winter. I counted 22 House Finch
at once here at the SR sunflower trough.
Feb. 10 ~ About 300 White-fronted Goose were going north in the morning.
The early bird Turkey Vulture is still around town. Down at La Jita
there was a FOS Black Swallowtail. Steve and Sylvia Hilbig on W.Sabinal Rd.
reported from there place today the FOS local Zone-tailed Hawk this "spring",
a Long-billed Thrasher, and a Brown Creeper.
Feb. 9 ~ Saw yesterday's Elfin again in the yard. A number of Dogfaces were
about and one FOS Checkered White was at UP. The Pine Warbler continues
above the park too. Was an amazing 80 deg.F today.
Feb. 8 ~ BFLYS: A Henric's Elfin was around today, the FOS.
Feb. 7 ~ Bflys: the FOS Olive Juniper Hairstreak was out back today (ph.).
Feb. 6 ~ Butterfly news: The FOS Skipper, a Fiery was in the front yard (SR).
Feb. 5 ~ Some butterflies were: 3 Variegated Fritillary and a Sleepy Orange
One flower popped up, the first of the year, a yellow composite, I think they
call Cowpen Daisy. The Turkey Vulture that came back over 2 weeks early was
still around. In town at someone's thistle sock feeder was a male and 2 female
Lesser Goldfinch. Almost 3 weeks earlier than normal local returns, and probably
overwintering birds, due to an un-natural food source not present before.
They do normally winter north of us in Kerr Co. for instance, but ONLY where
the artificial food source of a thistle sock is present. Was very warm until
a front blew through in the afternoon with gusts to 35 and 45 MPH.
Feb. 3 ~ At SR in the yard were some more fresh-hatched butterflies
including a Question mark, a Red Admiral, and a female So. Dogface.
Another female Dogface was at UP. Amazing at UP was a BAT flying around
in the heat of the afternoon, perhaps its tree hole got too hot.
It was feeding on Mayflies. First one I've seen here in winter.
Also a damselfly was at the pond at UP. A Bluet (Enallagma speices)
flew by me while I was in the raft. The first time I've seen a Bluet
here in February. Unbelievable was the 80 deg.F high temps today!
Feb. 2 ~ Osprey, Green and Belted Kingfisher, Great
Blue Heron, all outfishing me at UP. Here at SR the
Audubon's ad. female and immature came by and ate peanuts,
drank sugar water, and bathed. The two males were here a
couple days ago. Amazing at UP was a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly,
the first I've seen in months, another likely mishatch due to heat.
Kathy had four calling Chihuahuan Ravens here at SR.
They too are singing nearly daily now, like many resident species.
KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR GREEN JAYS !! PLEASE LET ME KNOW
IF YOU HAVE ANY AROUND UTOPIA. THEY HAVE INVADED NORTHWARD
THIS YEAR, WITH REPORTS OF FLOCKS OR SMALL GROUPS FROM
BANDERA, LEAKEY, CONCAN, NEAR GARNER, AND SO ON.
There almost have to be some along the Sabinal up here too!
I'd love to hear about any local sightings!
To summarize the butterflies for January there were
7 individuals of 6 species, the lowest in 5 Januarys,
to be expected for the coldest one in same 5 years.
To summarize the dragonflies, in the yard there was a (the?)
Variegated Meadowhawk on Jan. 7. That was it!
Jan. 31 ~ A front passed with gusts to 45 mph !! Chihuahuan
Raven singing again. Amazing was another butterfly for the
month: a Variegated Fritillary in the yard.
Jan. 30 ~ At SR were 50 White-winged Dove and 10 Eurasian
Collared-Dove. Collared's are resident, the White-wings
are increasing from spring arrivals. The Lincoln's Sparrow
wintering around the yard is still about. Most surprising
was a large fresh Cloudless Sulphur, likely another mishatch.
Jan. 28 ~ Hutton's Vireo giving long bouts of singing at SR.
Jan. 27 ~ Probably fooled by the heat was a flock fo 200
White-fronted Goose flying north over SR early in the a.m..
They'll wonder what they were thinking in a couple days.
Green and Belted Kingfishers continue at UP as does the
Great Blue Heron. Most unusual there was a Turkey Vulture
which is quite rare here in winter. Perhaps my second one.
Chihuahuan Raven, Hutton's Vireo and Pine Siskin, at SR.
Jan. 26 ~ Scrub-Jay carrying sticks to last years nest area.
At UP was a Green Kingfisher, and even more amazing was upriver
a bit, getting BIT BY MOSQUITOES !! Gadzooks in January !!
The Yellow-shafted Flicker is still roosting in the cypress in
the river, and the hybrid Red-winged Flicker is still about too.
Amazing in the 75 degree heat was seeing 3 butterflies. The
wintering American Lady came out, as did a Sleepy Orange.
A probable mis-hatch due to heat was a small fresh Gulf Fritillary.
Jan. 25 ~ On Hwy 16 north of Medina at a pond along the road is
a beautiful pair of Whooper Swans someone bought. Most of their
natural range is in Siberia. There is also still a pair of Mute
Swans at the Love Creek pond on 337 10 miles east of Vanderpool.
These are not countable birds, since they are domestic.
Jan. 24 ~ Just the regulars: Field Sparrow, Hutton's Vireo,
few American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin, Chihuahuan Raven.
Jan. 23 ~ After dark I heard a small group of ducks fly over SR in
the fog; not teal or Athya and probably Gadwall based on wing beats.
Jan. 22 ~ Here at SR Hutton's Vireo and Spotted Towhee. Lots of
spring singing has begun by residents: Titmouse, Chickadee,
Cardinal and Bewick's Wren, plus Chihuahuan Raven.
At the hackberries along Cypress St. just outside UP
there were 125 Cedar Waxwing and 30 Eastern Bluebird.
Jan. 21 ~ Counted 20 Cardinal on the ground at once out back,
10 are adult males. White-winged Doves increasing, now 25 here at SR.
Jan. 20 ~ Chihuahuan Raven buzzing a Black Vulture over SR was
turning upside-down right under the vulture as it shot past at
high speed, a half-dozen times ! Lows were in the teens !!
Jan. 19 ~ At UP there was a Canyon Wren again in the giant Cypress
at the north end up by the island. A Pine Warbler was in the same
tree at the same time. Tough combo to get in one tree at same time!
2 Pied-billed Grebes still, but one is below the dam for a week now,
must have been asleep and drifted over the spillway.
Jan. 18 ~ Two sparrow species that are around 11 months a year, but were
AWOL the couple weeks around the count were both in the yard today ! Ouch !
Seemingly the same single Lark and Rufous-crowned Sparrows were around
seemingly just like always, except for showing around the count week.
Common Ground-Dove still around, as are a half-dozen Junco (Slate-colored).
Jan. 17 ~ Woke up to 18 deg. F chill factors for saying that yesterday.
Audubon's Orioles at the peanuts. 150+ Chipping Sparrows and 1 Field.
6-12 each Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.
Jan. 16 ~ Broke a sweat working in a toasty 62 deg. F in the afternoon!
Had an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker out front let me get it in the
scope for a few pictures. House Finch singing.
Jan 14 ~ I must say there was a significant increase in song the last week.
I heard a few of the year-round resident species sing their first bits of
real songs since the stoppage last fall: Cardinal, Titmouse, Bewick's Wren,
Chickadee all sang their true songs, not just calls or other vocalizations.
Despite the temperatures, they must be thrilled the days are getting longer.
A Great Blue Heron was at UP, first in weeks here.
Jan 13 ~ A very beat and worn American Lady (butterfly) was about. It must be
the one that had been around before the cold, but its been two weeks or so!
Jan. 11 ~ Roadrunner has begun bill clacking.... been many months.
Ground-Dove still around, and 2 Audubon's Orioles raided the peanuts
and sugar water. A Cooper's Hawk missed the Mourning Doves.
Jan. 9 ~ We again saw that pilferer, the Osprey, flying north out of
town with ANOTHER Rainbow Trout in his talons. How am I supposed to
catch any with this? I can't compete with an Osprey! :)
For something completely different we went up to the historical
Eagle Roost along the Guadalupe River. It is on 1340 between
Hwys. 39 and 41. I hear you go late in the afternoon, and sit and
wait for them to come in and roost. We saw one adult on the way
sitting on a rock in the river at a crossing on 39. The roost area
is big trees along a cliff-face at the Boneyard Crossing, I think
about 14 miles west from 39 in Hunt, on 1340. There is a brown roadrunner
observation area sign at the east end of the bridge, just off the road.
Park and wait, watching the skies and scan the cliff face.
None came in while we were there but a pair was sitting in a tree
when we got there and stayed the whole time. A telescope is best
for close views of perched birds preening etc.. Nice sunset too.
I don't know the best time of year but Jan./Feb. should be it, and
I'm sure it varies year to year how many are present.
Jan. 7 ~ In the yard at SR was a Variegated Meadowhawk dragonfly,
fairly beat up, and progably one that has been here, that made it
though some pretty cold stuff! Also a Sleepy Orange was about.
The bath was jumpin' with 2 each Orange-crowned Warblers and
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, plus the Hutton's Vireo!
Jan. 6 ~ You always go look around the day after a count to see the
silly things that wouldn't come out on the count day for you, since
you still get three days after, for count week. The first thing
we missed yesterday that we saw today, was 2 Killdeer at the pond on SR,
at the top far end of where 357A loops to 357. Then down at the
field by the park were Meadowlarks all over the place, Westerns.
And over on 355 I saw and heard a Verdin, for 3 species not seen
yesterday. Also saw Lark Sparrows just outside the circle, so they
don't count. One Dogface was seen, the third butterfly of the year.
Jan. 5 ~ Today we did our annual Winter Bird Count. We use the same
format as the well known Christmas Bird Counts of the Audubon Society.
15 mile diameter circle, 24 hours, consistent (similar) coverage each
year so results are comparable. So as long as we use just ourselves,
the results of our yearly winter-day spot-count, are comparable. IF we got
20 people to also survey, the numbers would not be comparable to the
years just 2 people did it. Anyway, our circle covers the north end
of the Sabinal Valley, from the town of Utopia to Lost Maples SNA.
We'll soon put up the totals on the bird count page. Some of the highlights
were an Osprey with a Rainbow Trout in its talons, plucked from the pond
at the park. A male Pyrrhuloxia was on Lee St.. A male Red-naped
Sapsucker was at UP, and was one of SIX sapsuckers seen today.
At the county line bridge (356) there was a small flock of landbirds
that had a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a Pine Warbler Kathy spotted in it.
The highlight though was an adult GOLDEN EAGLE soaring along 187, about
a mile south of the entrance to Lost Maples. What a beauty !!
Did I mention that another reason for forcing yourself to go out and
have a look around, even if under the guise that you have to count and record
every bird, will always turn up some very interesting and exciting observations?
I kept going out trying to hear owls after dark (you have till midnight)
but got nothing for sure. Chickadees were whistling their song today.
We ended up with about 67 species for the day, average, and missed a dozen
that are known to be present and regularly seen (like Turkey, etc.).
Jan. 4 ~ At SR from porch was the usual: Caracara, Chihuahuan Raven,
and a Northern Harrier for spice. Tomorrow is the 5th annual count day,
so this and the last two days are the 3 count week days prior to the count
that you get, just in case we miss something on the day itself (easy to do).
Jan. 3 ~ Two male Audubon's Orioles came by to raid the food spread,
making at least FOUR around, since the other "pair" is an adult female
and an immature (AHY - after hatch year - as of two days ago). The
male of the local SR pair of Red-shouldered Hawks put on an astounding
display flight for over 5 minutes over the female, right overhead here.
It left no doubt how they can catch all the various types of prey
they take, from frogs to birds. Also in the evening I saw two of
the Quandrantid meteors, but couldn't stay up to see the main shower.
Very very bright blue white not too fast with nice long silver train (trail).
Excellent.
Jan. 2 ~ Probably the coldest morning of the year, or in a year, so far,
it was 18 deg.F in town (Utopia), and at Kerrville, and some of the valleys
around recorded 11 deg.F such as at Junction and near Comfort !! We
were probably 20 up here on SR always a bit warmer than the valley floor.
Three Caracara were at SR, as was a Sleepy Orange, the second butterfly
of the year. I actually considered doing our annual New Years Bird Count
earlier than the planned Jan. 5, so as to be able to count the surely deceased
Broad-tailed Hummingbird for count week (3 days before and after count day).
His last day was Dec. 31, so we'd have to do the count by Jan. 3. Too busy.
JANUARY 1 ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR !! Happy new birds! If you keep "year" lists,
of species seen in the year, it's all new today. Last years lists can be
tallied up and compared to previous years' lists, with the interest being
in both what is different each year, as well as what is the same. I often
keep such lists for "butterflies or dragonflies around Utopia," or "birds
in the Sabinal River Valley" (Lost Maples to Clayton Grade), or birds in
Uvalde County for instance. They can become quite informative over the years.
Since it was cold and windy which makes finding land birds both more
difficult and uncomfortable we worked around the house watching the yard.
I saw 23 species with most of the regulars like Audubon's Oriole,
Ground-Dove, Chihuahuan Raven, Field Sparrow, 4 Slate-colored Junco,
150+ Chipping Sparrow and the 2 Orange-crowned Warblers addicted to peanut
butter and peanuts. BUT, the TRAGEDY of the day was the non-appearance
of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Something happened. It has been here
daily since Sept. 27, and is a returning winterer which stayed till April
last year. The bird is dead. Screech-Owl? Cat? It flew off every
evening just as last year, to the east, gaining altitude, so going for a
good distance, to wherever it spent the rest of its time and roosted.
It's gone. It was freezing this morning and would have been here at sunup.
I monitored the feeder all day, since I wasn't seeing it. It never showed.
This is much much worse than being stood up. Our friend has expired.
The lone butterfly of the day was the American Lady that has been around,
and I was surprised to not see the Red Admiral that had been here. It too
must have expired last night, if not gone into hibernation. Let you know if
I see it again.
THAT'S ALL FOR 2007 FOLKS !!
Dec. 31 ~ A freezing sunup for the last day of the year turned into an
amazing 75 deg. F by 2 p.m.. A front hit about 4:15, and by 9 p.m. it
was 45 deg. F and falling fast with 20 MPH winds on it. Talk about
going out in a blaze of glory! :) There was Merlin and Sharp-
shinned Hawk at SR, as well as 2 Audubon's Orioles, which again hit the
feeders and then bathed. Green Kingfisher and Black Phoebe at UP.
The adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was around quite a bit, as usual
lately.
Dec. 30 ~ We went over to Garner S.P. to look for winter landbird flocks.
We could not find one really. An Orange-crowned, two Kinglets, a
Bewick's Wren, and a Hermit Thrush with a couple Titmice and a Chickadee
was the only "flock" we found. Oddly quiet as in winter usually
even in the afternoon "heat" you can find a bluebird flock (with the
hangers-on cohorts) and a few Titmouse/cohorts flocks but nothing.
We spent a couple hours looking all over the place there. Nada.
Not a single Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen or heard. Amazing.
The only dependable place in Uvalde County for Common Raven is the
cliff face at the very south end of the park, and adjacent environs.
There may be a few other cliff faces that hold them, but they are
few and far between. By Concan, its Chihuahuan as nesting residents.
Lots of Mockingbirds along the road right-of-ways. At Bear Creek Pond
just east of the 1050 pass there were 27 Green-winged Teal and 5 Gadwall.
At the pond a couple miles west of the 1050 pass were 13 Ring-necked Ducks.
Dec. 29 ~ Another 25 deg F or so a.m. here. It's REALLY winter this year!
Had to run to Uvalde for a couple things so checked some ag fields
SE of Knippa. About 400 Sandhill Crane were taped calling overhead.
Lots of sparrows and such in the fencelines with hedgerows, mixed
with Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias. One area had 400-500 LARK BUNTING,
a couple hundred Vesper and a hundred Savannah Sparrow, plus a bunch
of White-crowneds in the brush. At least 10 Say's Phoebes were seen
along various roads. A couple Harris's Hawks, Verdin, and one probable
HARLAN'S Hawk. Good numbers of Common Ground-Dove and Caracara. Lots of
W. Meadowlarks and Shrikes, but no Mountain Plovers or Longspurs were found.
A quick look at Ft. Inge in Uvalde produced a couple Green Kingfisher,
and a large darner that looked like a Turquoise-tipped Darner to me.
A number of Damselflies were out along the lower Leona River there,
including a Rubyspot and Powdered and Violet Dancers. Birds were sleeping.
Dec. 28 ~ Hutton's Vireo, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 Ruby-crowned
Kinglet in the "daily flock" but the Vireo is sometimes AWOL.
The Orange-crowneds love the peanut feeder. Pair of Chihuahuan Raven.
Dec. 27 ~ A flock of 28 Cedar Waxwings flew over SR in the a.m..
The adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird continues as does a Mocker,
which we've never had winter in the "yard", so is nice. It is very
tame compared to the summering Mockingbirds here. A pair (adult female
and immature) of Audubon's Orioles came by as sometimes happens
on the coldest days. They raided the Sunflower tube, the peanut feeder,
and the sugar water at the hummer feeder. Mr. Broad-tail was none
too amused about that. I went out to the shed out front (the Orioles
were in back) and since I was hidden the Orioles flew down to the bath
not 15' away. Both jumped in and had a splashfest, facing each other,
seemingly trying to get the other wetter. With bills closed, they
mock pecked at each other as they did this, with an occasional
"aarnk" at each other. This went on for about two minutes.
Intimate behaviorial observations such as this are the ultimate
"birding experience". Touting lists pales by comparison.
Dec. 23 ~ A chilly 24 deg. F this a.m. at Utopia (21 in Kerrville) !!
At least the wind quit, so we went out in the 55 deg. afternoon heat
to see what birds might be out. It is always interesting to see
"what changed" after these fall and winter fronts pass.
Here at SR there were 13 Cedar Waxwings, 9 Pine Siskin, a few
American Goldfinch, and a nice male Yellow-shafted Flicker
sunning on a close Bailey Oak snag at sunup. It was 10 degrees colder
at UP at 2 p.m. than it was up here on SR. Still 2 Pied-billed Grebe
there. A couple Myrtle and Orange-crowned Warblers but no Pine yet.
Around town were 4 more Cedar Waxwing, and a few more Pine Siskins and
American Goldfinch. Decided to see what was at Utopia on the River
and hit a flock there with the regular residents plus Chipping Sparrow,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Myrtle, Audubon's (HY female), and Orange-crowned
Warblers, TWO (at least) Brown Creepers, and a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER that
was a HY (hatch year - or immature) bird, and may be the same one that
was at UP a couple weeks ago. A Say's Phoebe was on their fence out front,
and at the river crossing was a Killdeer. Another Say's Phoebe was
along 354. There was a big seedeater flock (sparrows and such)
a mile out 354 where the road is between two nicely hedgerowed fencelines.
There were at least 150 Vesper Sparrow, 25 Savannah, 10 White-crowned,
5 Lincloln's, and an amazing TWO DOZEN PYRRHULOXIA, plus 10 Cardinals.
TWO MERLINS fought over whose group of birds it is to hunt!! Another
Pyrrhuloxia was on Lee St. right in town before the first jog east of Main.
Dec. 22 ~ Frontal passage at dawn came with 25-35 MPH winds
with gusts to 45 (!), and it blew till midnight by which time
it was freezing of course.
Dec. 21 ~ A flock of geese flew over SR early in the morning.
About 37 White-fronted Goose, but, ONE was a "white-cheeked"
Goose (Canada or Cackling) that to me appeared to be a CACKLING.
It was smaller than the White-fronts, with a very fast wingbeat,
dark breast, and head and bill seemed small (they were low).
A Lincoln's Sparrow is at the seed now that it is cold.
The adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird is about as well.
Dec. 20 ~ Butterflies outside were a fresh Gulf Fritillary, a Mestra,
a Snout, Red Admiral, Sleepy Orange, and an Arizona Sister.
Three Common Ground-Dove were at the seed today.
Dec. 19 ~ The Slate-colored Junco flock at our seed spread is now 7 birds.
Three Hermit Thrush at least are around out front. One each Green and
Belted Kingfisher were at UP.
Dec. 18 ~ Warmed up to 75 in Uvalde where we stopped at Cook's Slough
for a quick walk. There was a male Canvasback there, and an Eared Grebe,
and a good compliment of a couple hundred winter waterfowl (ducks).
Also there was Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia,
Marsh Wren and Common Yellowthroat. Amazing was all the dragonfly and
butterfly activity considering how it has all but died up here on the hill.
There were Cloudless Sulphurs, a Mestra, Dogface, Little Yellow,
and an amazing TWO DOZEN Western Pygmy-Blue for butterflies.
Amongst many dragons were some Green Darners, 18 Variegated Meadowhawks,
and lots of damsels including an ovipositing pair of Desert Firetail.
One Merlin was 5 miles N. of Sabinal, and an apparent HARLAN'S HAWK
was just west of Sunny Cline Farms turnoff on Hwy. 90.
Dec. 17 ~ 11 Pine Siskin, 12 House Finch, and 6 American Goldfinch at
the sunflower tubes, besides the Titmice and Chickadees.
Dec. 16 ~ A chilly 27 or so up on SR, was probably about 23 or 24 deg. F
down in the valley/in town. By noon and 50 deg. F I saw Buckeye and
Red Admiral (butterflies) out flying and at 2 p.m. and 54 deg. F, an
Arizona sister. A few American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin were at the
sunflower tubes this cold a.m.. Mr. Broad-tailed Hummer was tending
the sugar water closely too. At UP there were 2 Black Phoebe, Easterns
were scattered around, and a Say's Phoebe was on West Sabinal Rd. for
a 3 Phoebe day. W. Sabinal also had 2 male Lesser Goldfinch, rare here
in winter, lots of Western Meadowlarks, an Audubon's Warbler, some
Common Ground-Doves, and there and on Jones Cmty Rd., there were lots of
Savanah and Vesper Sparrows. Just north of town on 187 there was a pair
of Chihuahuan Raven, and a male Northern Harrier. At UP there were a
few dragonflies that made the freeze: 4 Autumnal Meadowhawks, and one
male Variegated Meadowhawk (ph.), but no damselflies were seen.
Couldn't find a "winter passerine flock", just a few stray Titmice.
Dec. 15 ~ Major frontal passage just after sunup, with winds at 20-30 MPH
and gusts to 40. A bunch of Black Vultures and 4 Chihuahuan Ravens
seemed to be loving it though at SR. Pair of Common Ground-Dove
continues sneaking around outskirts of seed tossed about.
Dec. 14 ~ The 2 Pied-billed Grebes continue at UP present over a month now.
A few American Goldfinch were there as was an ad.female Yellow-shafted Flicker.
Heard the north end of a southbound Crane flock at dusk.
Dec. 13 ~ Audubon's Oriole whistling a bit outside in a.m..
Dec. 12 ~ The adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird hangs out a lot
as long as its cold out. An immature Sharp-shinned Hawk keeps diving
on the Chipping Sparrow flock.
Dec. 11 ~ Caught a weird small yellow (butterfly) with tails at the P.O..
Also vouchered a few trout at the park. Heard a Winter Wren on the island
at the north end of the park. Back up to 79 deg. F at 5 p.m., and then
61 deg.F and rain and thunder by 8:15 p.m..
Dec. 9 ~ A few butterflies were out: Red Admiral, Buckeye, Snout,
and Variegated Fritallary in the 78 deg. F heat at 5:30 p.m..
Then the front hit and it was 47 by 9 p.m..
Dec. 8 ~ Odd was a single female Red-winged Blackbird flyover at SR.
There were two Hermit Thrushes bathing at the drip at dusk.
Dec. 7 ~ I could count all the butterflies left at the Library
garden on my fingers. But there was a Tailed Orange that sat
for pictures. It's close to over for the year folks.
A male Green Darner dragonfly was at the 1050 bridge.
It was an amazing 79 deg. F for a high temp today!
A tardy Monarch was heading West or WSW. Been a few stragglers.
Dec. 6 ~ At SR Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Hutton's Vireo,
Myrtle and Orange-crowned Warblers. 1 AZ Sister.
Chihuahuan Raven still daily, at least one or two.
Dec. 5 ~ Neatest was at dusk when a flock of 52 Sandhill Crane
flew over low calling. One was making some high whistles
like begging young (or a Caspian Tern). Probably begging
them to stop flying for the day! Sun was down already.
The Cardinal flock at the seed pile has 10 adult males.
Dec. 4 ~ A beautiful female Orange-barred Sulphur flew right
around me outside, with mostly orange hind wings, a beauty.
A pair of Variegated Meadowhawk (dragonflies) are still
hooking up outside, especially if I spray water around.
The Broad-tailed Hummer is still sucking sugar water.
American Goldfinch still sneakin' around. There are now
FOUR (4) Kestrels all roosting together on the power pole
and adjacent wires. Sometimes they meet there for a while
before moving to a Spanish (Bailey) Oak to roost in it together.
Pair of Common Ground-Doves still about the seed pile.
Dec. 2 ~ Highlight was a HY (immature) RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER
studied closely at UP, sort of hanging with a passerine flock.
This is the 3rd consecutive year to have the species there.
This is about as far southeast as it occurs regularly at a
given site (seen 6 here). Must have missed it the first year.
There were a few types of damselflies in the heat of the day,
including Neotropical Bluet, and Violet, Blue-ringed, Blue-fronted
and Dusky Dancers. Also 6 Autumnal Meadowhawk dragonflies were there.
A single Pine Siskin flew over calling "geeee!".
December 1 ~ DECEMBER !?!?!?! A Merlin was roosting at UP
late in the afternoon. 4 American Goldfinch were in a Sycamore.
Nov. 30 ~ In Uvalde at the Nat.Fish Hatchery was a Least Grebe,
and a Ringed Kingfisher flew over Hwy 90 at the city park downtown.
One Scissor-tail was at the very east end of Uvalde.
Nov. 29 ~ As always in Nov., a Great Spreadwing damselfly was
out front after watering a bit.
Nov. 28 ~ There were 5 Slate-colored Junco at the seed pile
today, and 4 Pine Siskin on the sunflower tube. Also heard
an American Goldfinch. A Pyrrhuloxia was outside as well.
The adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird continues.
Nov. 27 ~ I was outside when I heard a familiar call I'd heard
a thousand times, but not in these parts. I looked up and saw
a small finch plummeting out of the sky towards me. It sort
of circled the yard and landed on the power line out back.
I ran inside and grabbed wife, telescope and digital camera
and luckily got photographs of a female CASSIN'S FINCH. There
are only about two prior documented records from the Edw.Plateau.
It seemed to fly down towards the sunflower tubes with the
House Finches, but we never saw it again, besides five minutes
in the scope on the wire. It called a bit more while it was
sitting on the wire.
Nov. 26 ~ Froze down in town, but not up here on Seco Ridge.
A dragonfly was out at 11 a.m. at about 56-57 deg. F., and a
Red Admiral (butterfly) was out at 1:30 p.m., at 60 deg. F..
Nov. 25 ~ Big 1 degree warmup, so today we had a spread of 37-44,
of course with more drizzle so it's 100% humidity. :) One of the
Spotted Towhees that sounds like a cat was outside (montanus or arcticus?).
Nov. 24 ~ Now still only 43 for high, but with the lovely addition
of constant drizzle. :) Good day to bird from the house,
throw out extra seed, and watch the feeders.
Nov. 23 ~ A Vesper Sparrow was feeding in with the Chippys
right out the window in the yard.... any port in a storm.
Common Ground-Dove pair still around. High 45, low 35 !!
Nov. 22 ~ Woke up to about 37 deg. F with the wind blowing 20+MPH.
No bugs in the cold, and there were two Kestrels and a Merlin outside
diving on the Chipping Sparrow flock, which is about 100 birds now.
Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks also dove on them during the day.
The cold drove the ad.male Broad-tailed Hummingbird back to the feeder.
Two Slate-colored Junco are in the Chippy flock. 2 Lesser Goldfinch
were at the sunflowers. High temp was 46, with wind on it!
Nov. 21 ~ Near record heat of about 87 deg.F at 3:30 p.m. preceded the
arrival of a major front when the winds turned 5 minutes later and
started cooling down. By 5 p.m. it was 64 and blowing 20-30 MPH.
In the heat before it hit, there was a good bit of butterfly
activity. At SR there were both Zilpa and White-striped Longtails.
At the Library garden was a STATIRA Sulphur! It circled me several
times closely so I got good looks, but it didn't stop for pictures.
There was also another Powdered Skipper there.
Nov. 20 ~ The butterfly of the year for me was a RUBY-SPOTTED SWALLOWTAIL
at Johnny's magic Lantana on Sycamore St.. It is the first ever
found in Uvalde Co.. Luckily I got a few photos. There were an amazing
three (3) Laviana White Skipper at the Library garden, and an Orange-barred
Sulphur, male, plus a Monarch.
Nov. 19 ~ In the yard at SR was a Wandering Glider (dragonfly),
another RED RIM (butterfly), and a Pine Siskin flew over.
Nov. 18 ~ At the Corneilius crossing we saw TWO Zebra Longwing
(Heliconian - butterfly) flying along the river. Cypress Hollow had
the winter passerine flock. There was Hermit Thrush, White-crowned
and a FOS White-THROATED Sparrow, a FOS Brown Creeper, two FOS
Song Sparrows, 6 Myrtle and 1 Audubon's types of Yellow-rumped Warblers,
White-eyed Vireo and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Pine Siskin, plus
the resident Chickadees and Titmice. Nicely birdy. On W.Sabinal Rd.
there was a small group of 5 Common Ground-Dove. Things are
really winding down at the Library Garden, with perhaps less than
20 butterfly species there now. A Crimson Patch and yet another Sickle-winged
Skipper were nice. Both Rubyspots were at the 360 crossing still,
and there were at least a dozen Autumnal (Yellow-legged) Meadowhawk
dragonflies at just a couple stops, including a pair in wheel, a pair
ovipositing, which was a first for me, and lots of males.
A real surprise was a snake out back here at SR!
Nov. 17 ~ An immature White-crowned Sparrow joined the adult,
which is nominate Eastern type with black lores and pink bill.
A flock of a dozen Eastern Bluebird went over going west in the a.m..
A Monarch thermaled westward late in the p.m..
Nov. 16 ~ An adult White-crowned Sparrow showed up at the seed.
At least two Juncos (Slate-colored) are in the "Chippy" flock.
A Field Sparrow has been with it too, but no Clay-colored.
Twas a chilly upper 30's maybe 40 on the ridges this morning,
the coolest since sometime in spring, probably April.
Chihuahuan Ravens daily last week, or three.
Nov. 15 ~ It does appear the pair of Kestrels here at SR
are returnees, in for another winter. A real treat late
in the afternoon was a PEREGRINE Falcon overhead!
I thought sure I heard the male Broad-tailed Hummingbird!?!
Nov. 14 ~ A flock of 50 Sandhill Cranes passed over SR at 5 p.m.,
a half hour ahead of the front and northerlies. Earlier a
White-tipped Black (moth) flew across the yard. I had a quick
look at what appeared to be a Yellow Angled-Sulphur in the yard.
Winds at 15-20 with gusts to 30 or so. More Taurid meteors.
Nov. 13 ~ Heard Barn owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, and Poor-will.
Saw about 8 Taurids (meteors) and heard 4 passerine migrants
that sounded like sparrows. Long-tailed Skipper out front.
Nov. 12 ~ Monarch and Queen passed through yard, not as nice
as the male Orange-barred Sulphur that did so though !!
At the library garden were 3 Longtailed Skippers, and
2 Dorante's Longtails, the latter new for the garden list !!
The Anoles there (the "chameleons" of the pet store) have
reaked havoc with the butterflies the last couple weeks,
just hanging out on the blooming flowers eating everything
that lands. You'd have to stand there and get a photo of
anything rare quick, because it will be eaten in no time.
There was a 20", 2.5 pound Channel Cat at UP. He's here now.
:)
Nov. 10 ~ A different Julia Longwing (Heliconian - butterfly) was
at the Library Garden, without a tear in the wing, but it didn't
cooperate for photos.
Nov. 9 ~ Another RED RIM (butterfly) flew through the yard today !!
A male Cinnamon Teal coming out of eclipse was at Cook's Slough
in Uvalde, besides a lot of wintering ducks like Lesser Scaup,
Shoveller, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, a Redhead, and Coots.
Signs of winter on the way. The ducks are returning ! There was
a Harris's Hawk over Hwy. 90 west of Knippa.
Nov. 7 ~ A pair of Common Ground-Dove has showed up at the seed.
Nov. 6 ~ Audubon's Oriole, hitting the hummer feeder on the cooler
mornings. Taped the Hutton's Vireo singing. I can assure you these
recent hill country colonizers (since 1990) are not the west coast
populations from CA or the western mountain ones in AZ. These sound
very different from either of those types. A Field Sparrow klepto-
parasitized a HY (hatch year - or juvenile, by now nearly first winter)
Chipping Sparrow. Grabbing a stem with seeds on it out of its beak,
15' out the window while I was watching it in my binocs ! Very cool
behavior to see. It's called birdwatching for a reason. :):)
Nov. 5 ~ Kathy heard a Barn Owl while star watching. Chihuahuan
Ravens are daily and I keep forgetting to mention it. Pair, singles.
Nov. 4 ~ The Julia was still at the Lantana patch in a front yard
in town, in someone's yard who I am thankful for ! I was the nerd
staring into the Lantanas outside your fence ! Sorry and thanks !!
It was eclipsed by the TWO-BARRED FLASHER at the Library Garden,
the first we've seen locally in four years here. Bain Walker had
one a couple springs ago at Lost Maples, and they get seen rarely
over at Concan, and I saw one in Uvalde last spring, but this one
was nectaring, and posed for pictures !! See below. There was
a Green Kingfisher at UP. The are now 75 Chipping Sparrows now at
the seed pile here at SR, as well as continuing Hutton's Vireo,
and the Audubon's Oriole whistled a bit.
Two-barred Flasher (Astraptes fulgerator) at Library Garden, Utopia.
The blue all glows like the lit up part on the right, in the sun.
Nov. 3 ~ One each Monarch and Queen flew by the yard going westish.
A RINGED Kingfisher was at UP, the first since last winter. Also
there was an FOS WINTER Wren, eastern type by call and colors.
TWO Zebra Longwing butterflies flew upriver (north) in a half hour.
At a front yard patch of Lantana in town was our first JULIA
Longwing (butterfly) nectaring, which obliged for photos.
Two species of longwings here at once in early Nov. is amazing!
Up Jones Cemetary Rd at the 2nd cattle guard there was a flock
of "winter passerines" (landbirds). A dozen Eastern Bluebirds,
Vesper and Savanah Sparrows, a dozen Myrtle and 3 Audubon's type
Yellow-rumped Warblers, and I thought I heard a Pine Warbler. There
were also 4 PINE SISKIN there. Most was coming into the bath at
the house there. Another flock down above the 1st cattle guard
had a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, in Bandera Co. of course. Also
Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and White-eyed Vireo.
On County Line Rd. there was a FOS SAY'S PHOEBE. At the
1050 bridge there was a Black Phoebe, so with a few Easterns,
all 3 Phoebes were seen today.
Nov. 2 ~ There was a pair of Variegated Meadowhawk (dragonflies) in
tandem (hooked up) out front, and the Great Spreadwing (damnselfly)
continues. Hutton's Vireo still daily too, and a Great Blue Heron
flew over SR.
November 1 ~ NOVEMBER !?!?! Here's a quick review of the fall
FOS dates in the last week plus of October, once a cold front
hits... it's pretty interesting to watch the birds return.
Oct. 30 ~ Bald Eagle
Oct. 29 ~ Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Oct. 28 ~ American (Water) Pipit, Pied-billed Grebe,
Oct. 27 ~ White-crowned Sparrow,
Oct. 26 ~ Pine Siskin, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Oct. 25 ~ Black-throated Gray Warbler,
Oct. 24 ~ Slate-colored Junco
Oct. 23 ~ Hermit Thrush,
Oct. 31 ~ The most unpredictable local resident, a Canyon Towhee
was near the dump. Exceedingly rare since the freezes of last
winter, a Green Kingfisher was at UP in the afternoon. The
last day in November when I saw 5, now seems more amazing,
since I haven't seen five since then. Chihuahuan Raven daily.
Oct. 30 ~ Today a great yard bird soared over SR, an immature
BALD EAGLE ! About a one year old, which slowly drifted
northeast toward the valley floor. A Pyrrhuloxia was at SR too.
October is THE month they seem to be all over, moving around.
The Hutton's Vireo is still around the yard.
Oct. 29 ~ Today's FOS was Golden-crowned Kinglet in the yard (SR).
An Audubon's Oriole was singing a bit. Got cool, and they're back
visiting a hummer feeder I suppose. Thought I heard the male
Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Chipping Sparrow flock up to 50 now.
Oct. 28 ~ The FOS Pipit was over the Library Garden, where TWO
hummingbirds continue. One bent-bill Ruby-throat, and I think
the other (chased off) was the Selasphorus from the other day.
There were also a couple White-tipped Black Moths there.
A half dozen White-crowned Sparrows were along W.Sabinal Rd.'s
nice hedgerows. Heard Chihuahuan Raven there and at SR today. You
can tell it is Autumn when the Autumnal Meadowhawks (dragonflies)
return. The FOS were 3 males today at UP. A Pied-billed Grebe
was also a FOS there today. Great Spreadwing (damselfly) at SR.
Oct. 27 ~ The FOS of the day in the yard at SR was an immature
White-crowned Sparrow. Hutton's Vireo continues calling lots.
Oct. 26 ~ MY FOS local Pine Siskin flew over calling "GEEE",
this a.m. at SR. A Uvalde run netted ZERO Scissor-tailed
Flycatchers on the wires, but tons of Western Meadowlarks
are back in for the winter. Another FOS was a beautiful
male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Clayton Grade that came
into pishing well.
Oct. 25 ~ At SR a Myrtle type Warbler, the adult male
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, and at dusk
I heard half a dozen chips from a Black-throated Gray Warbler,
but couldn't see it in the dark. They have a flat slow
chip unlike any other warbler. (For the doubters, note
there have been times when my Black-throated Gray counts
lead the nation on CBC's). Heavy Screech-Owl calling.
Oct. 24 ~ Finally saw the adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird,
at the feeders, but there are some crickets with nearly an
identical frequency making detection more difficult.
The FOS for the day (ya gotta love it when it first gets
cold and all the "old friends" are showing up for the winter,
with a new one each day almost) was a Junco (Slate-colored).
A Myrtle type Warbler was around, and 2 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
that have been on SR since the 15th were still there. The
Great Spreadwing (damselfly) was still in the yard, and an
Hackberry Emperor was too. Poor-will-UP's still shouting.
Oct. 23 ~ 4th day without seeing a hummer at the house. Wow !
Still think I am hearing the Broad-tail though. The new fall
arrival for the day was the FOS Hermit Thrush bathing at dusk.
Have to wonder if it is one of the ones that did it all winter
last year. 5 Chihuahuan Ravens at SR. At the Library Garden was
a stunning male Great Purple Hairstreak, which allowed for photos.
About the 6th Sickle-winged Skipper there this fall and the
curve-billed Ruby-throated Hummingbird (since Oct. 18) remains.
At SR, saw an American Rubyspot and a Great Spreadwing
damselflies), plus still Coyote Cloudywing fly-bys. And wow,
the lows were upper 30's on valley floor, about 40 on ridges.
Oct. 22 ~ Front passed about 3 a.m. or so. Maybe a quarter inch
of rain, but 20-40 knot winds, temps dropping to 40's, with a
high of 60. The first major cold front of fall has arrived.
A few Monarchs and 1 Queen passed late. A or the female
Audubon's Warbler continues around the hovel. 3 Chihuahuan
Ravens today, and after dark two Poor-wills dueled loudly, close
by with their "Poor-will-UP" calls.
Oct. 21 ~ I heard only and did not see a Red-breasted Nuthatch
today at SR. No hummers seen at house for over 48 hours now,
though I thought I heard the Broad-tailed a couple times.
A deformed billed Ruby-throated Hummer continues at the
Library Garden, since at least Oct. 18. Also there was an
Arizona Sister and a Zebra Longwing (Heliconian) (butterflies).
Two Chihuahuan Raven and Hutton's Vireo at SR.
It was a toasty 88 degrees for a high today, and way too humid.
Oct. 20 ~ Of interest at SR was a late immature or female Bunting
that I only saw well in short flight, but it had two white wingbars,
so was a Lazuli (unless a probably less-likely hybrid). At the
Library Garden was the continuing probable Rufous Hummingbird,
a Sicklewinged Skipper, and an amazingly late date for two
freshly fledged (JUST out of the nest) Mourning Doves (ph.).
Eastern (Mexican) Screech-Owl calling lots in the draw at SR.
Oct. 19 ~ The highlight at the hovel on SR was a Long-billed Thrasher,
right out the window, nearly straight down at times. One Ruby-
throated Hummingbird was still present in the a.m., and a female
Audubon's type Warbler moved around. Of interest was at the
Library Garden, a Selasphorus Humming bird, which looked like Rufous,
that is the first *non* feeder (WILD) one I have seen here.
Oct. 18 ~ Only one Ruby-throat seemed to be around the house
now, and two were still at the Library garden. The FOS Vesper
Sparrow was on the tele pole early a.m.. Crimson Patch in the
yard and two at the library garden was a nice showing of this
stunning butterfly. A dozen Monarchs were seen early in the a.m.
but none all day until early evening, when maybe a hundred
passed over southbound. They are a bit tardy this year.
An Audubon's type Yellow-rumped Warbler lifted off at dusk.
The butterfly garden at the library is really hitting stride
finally this year. While the truck was at the shop for an hour,
I walked through and saw at least 39 species of butterflies there.
Best were Zebra, Mexican Yellow, Sickle-winged Skipper, Western
Pygmy-Blue. There were 75 Sleepy Orange, 60 Clouded Skipper,
20 Cloudless Sulphur, to give you an idea of the numbers.
Also a White-tipped Black and a Ctenuca (moths) were there.
I went to UP to try again for that rare Slough Amberwing.
There it was. I climbed out on a cypress root, with my
net handle in a 3/4" piece of PVC to give me a couple more
feet of reach, and after several attempts, caught the beast.
OH BOY in the hand photos to prove it !! I got it out of the
net, got my camera on it and took a shot, and it escaped
my grip. I check the picutre, and the auto focus chose the
ground instead of the insect in between my fingers !! Still,
I think you can see enough marks to prove it. But methinks
he'll be a bit nervous when he sees me and my net next time.
Interestingly there was a female amberwing with it that was
ovipositing on a floating branch that it was guarding so I
think the female was a Slough as well, but it disappeared
before I could get a shot.
Oct. 17 ~ When does this 90 degrees stuff stop? When it freezes?
Another migrant group of Turkey Vultures passed over SR, about
50 birds, with an un-ID smaller raptor with them, which I thought
was probably a Peregrine Falcon. The (?) Crimson Patch flew by
or through the yard twice today.
Oct. 16 ~ Today there were a couple FOS birds: Spotted Towhee,
and Myrtle Warbler both passed through the SR yard, as did
a Crimson Patch (butterfly). The 2 Ruby-throats continue to
fight over the 8 feeders spread out over 3000 sq. feet !
Broad-tail and Allen's continue as well. The Chipping Sparrow
flock is now 25 birds. A southbound kettle of migrant
Turkey vultures passed over (about 30 birds). One Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher was in the yard.
Oct. 15 ~ Back at UP since the rare dragonfly wouldn't come
close enough for my net, I photographed it through the telescope
hopefully showing the key marks (red veins on the wings)
proving the first Uvalde Co. record. A Tailed Orange (butterfly)
was at the library garden (ph.), and an amazing total of
a hundred Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were on the wires about
mid-Seco Ridge. They flock up in fall and winter. Most were
males with full big tails. Also had a FOS Yellow-shafted Flicker,
a pure male at SR in the afternoon. However all of this was pale
in comparison to what happened at 1:30 p.m.. I was outside under
a juniper when I heard Martin type call notes. Of course
Martins have been gone over a month, but it stood out more
than that for the fact that it did not sound anything like a
Purple Martin. I didn't have binocs on unfortunately, but
got a good look at the bird while it soared overhead. It was
in size, shape and structure a miniature Martin. Vocally it
was clearly not a Purple. The calls were muffled, flat,
trilled rolls, quite unlike anything I've ever heard from a
Purple. I have no doubt whatsoever that it was another
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN. Without audio tape of the call I don't
know how you would get one passed by the rare bird experts.
It would likely be suggested it was a runt, but that wouldn't
affect vocalizations, which is what you need to prove this,
unless you find one perched for photographs (not likely).
I went to our local swallow magnet, UP, and drove around for
a couple hours and couldn't come with anything. I did hear my
FOS Barn Owl late in the evening.
Oct. 14 ~ Still Hutton's Vireo here, and the 3 hummingbird
species. A Sickle-winged Skipper was new for the yard on the
Eupatorum. Also new for the yard was a fly-by Zebra Longwing.
At the library garden was a Longtailed Skipper, and at the Sr.Ctr.
Lantana were 2 White-striped Longtails. Kathy found the
Amberwing dragonfly I found 3 weeks ago at UP, and we got some
poor pictures, but the beast is absolutely a SLOUGH Amberwing,
which will be the second hill country record and first Uvalde Co.
record ever, if I could catch or photograph it showing the marks.
Oct. 13 ~ The 3 hummingbird species continue, but only a
couple Ruby-throats remain, but still fighting over 8 feeders!
Oct. 12 ~ Amazingly a pair of Lesser Goldfinch brought ANOTHER
batch of just fledged begging young in today. Late brood.
A Zebra Longwing (Heliconian) butterfly was in front of
Montana Rocasa, and another was at the library garden. Also
there was Coyote Cloudywing, White-striped Longtail, a hundred
Clouded Skipper, a Celia's Roadside-skipper, and at the dam
at the park was a Viceroy and a Prince Baskettail (dragonfly).
Oct. 11 ~ At the same time together all bathing at once
was Orange-crowned Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and the
Hutton's Vireo which splash bathes like other vireos, but
floats for a moment flapping instead of just an instant
splash dive and out. The Chipping Sparrow flock is up to
a dozen now. The Allen's, Broad-tailed, and 3-4 Ruby-throats
continue. Losts of good butterflies around like the
Crimson Patch on our Eupatorum, an Eastern Tailed Blue,
Coyote Cloudywing fly-bys still, 3 Monarch at the Library
garden, where a Ruby-throated Hummingbird also continues.
A male Great Spreadwing was in the SR yard. A Merlin flying
southward in the afternoon appeared to take a dragonfly.
Oct. 10 ~ The big news today is that the immature male
Selasphorus hummingbird present since Oct. 2 did some
display flights. It is absolutely positively an ALLEN's
Hummingbird since it did 3 dives all of which started in
the same exact place. Rufous display dive moves the starting
point of the dive each time instead of returning to the
same exact point to start the dive. Had 5 Swainson's Hawks
going south but diving on dragonflies for food as they went.
Also a late group of 11 Barn Swallows went over southbound.
Some good yard butterflies were another RED RIM, and a
Laviana White-Skipper, plus a Texan Crescent came into the
blooming Eupatorum (white type). In the a.m. there were
only 4 Ruby-throats and p.m. only 2 were left. The adult
male Broad-tailed Hummer continues. A Monarch was at the
Library garden, as were a couple Whirlabouts (skippers).
Oct. 9 ~ A couple Yellow-rumped Warblers called as they flew
over southbound, were Audubon's type. Late-ish were 2 Dickcissels
that flew over southbound early a.m.. A new butterfly for the
yard was a Zilpa Longtail that flew right by and around me.
About 8 Ruby-throats in the morning was 2 by late afternoon.
They are diurnal migrants and often tank up and split early
in the day.
Oct. 8 ~ Still (!) Blue-gray Gnatcatchers passing through.
At dusk pair of Caracara landed in a snag 150 meters from our
porch but seeing me made 'em too nervous to roost. There
was a flock of at least 30 Swainson's Hawks with ten Turkey
Vultures flying south late in the day. Also at 6:30 p.m.
the FOS Sandhill Cranes (14) were seen going south down the
valley. The imm. male Selasphorus, adult male Broad-tailed,
and 2 doz (a.m.) to 1 doz. (p.m.) Ruby-throats continue.
Oct. 7 ~ Yesterday's passerines (little land birds) and
hummingbirds were still around. We met an "old-timer"
(expert) TX lepidopterist Terry Doyle for some butterfly
hunting locally. A few birds were seen of interest at
Cypress Hollow: a Yellow-breasted Chat, a Wilson's Warbler,
and Kathy spotted a Black Witch (6+" moth) we flushed.
Terry found a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar there too.
We had a Belted Kingfisher at the 360 crossing, and
a least a hundred Mestra (butterfly).
Oct. 6 ~ Amazingly the adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird
is still present, as is the imm. male Selasphorus, and a
dozen Ruby-throats. Around the hovel was Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Hutton's Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Saw four Monarchs flying due south over the day.
Oct. 5 ~ Heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Hutton's Vireo was
singing here at SR. In the a.m. there were 2-3 dozen
Ruby-throats, and in the p.m., maybe a dozen. They are
leaving folks!. We made a Uvalde run, and counted about
75 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers down 187 and on 90, and a
few Shrikes are back.
Oct. 4 ~ The imm. male Selasphorus continues. About 3 dozen
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also continue. A couple Monarchs
flew by southbound. A White-tipped Black (moth) was in the
front yard.
Oct. 3 ~ In the a.m. a Greater Yellowlegs flew over
SR calling. A couple of possibly returning wintering
raptors were roosting at SR this evening. A pair of
Kestrels, and a Merlin. Will have to see if they stick,
or were passing through. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was about
today. By this evening it was clear it got something,
with its full crop. Still Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and
White-eyed vireo here at SR. A female Orange-barred
Sulphur (big beautiful butterfly) briefly stopped on some
flowers out back. The Rufous/Allen's is still here, as
are about 50 Ruby-throats, including 2 adult males still.
The Chippy flock doubled to 6 birds. Looks innocent enough.
They got 300 buddies on the way behind them. Last three
days there have been a few Coyote Cloudywings passing each day.
Oct. 2 ~ Astounding was a falcon I spotted as it came in from
the north not to high up at SR. I couldn't figure it out for
the longest time, what seemed an eternity to me, since there are
only 4 choices normally, and I know them inside out. Finally
as it got right overhead I saw it was an APLOMADO FALCON !!
That explains that ridiculously long dark tail, and sickle-shaped
wings. I ran inside and grabbed the binocs, and bolted out
the front door to see it circled, so I got it in my bins,
and watched it stoop, and take a Black Saddlebags dragonfly
right out of the air, and then soar in circles southward
while eating it. We must consider that the remnants of
Hurricane Lorenzo just made landfall in Mexico Friday
(Vera Cruz) and a huge band of its moisture flew off as it
fell apart and hit south and coastal TX Sat. and Sunday,
raining into the hill country directly from Lorenzo moisture,
which was strong enough to cause waterspouts in Corpus Christi.
Whether or not it was a real wild bird, or one from the hacked
population from coastal S. TX is anybody's guess. It was
an Aplomado Falcon. It was downhill after that for the day.
But, there was a Selasphorus Hummingbird (Rufous/Allen's)
amongst some 50 Ruby-throats which have built up again
a bit. The last days of the last wave. A different
Whirlabout (skipper) was at the Sabinal Canyon Museum lantanas
today. Unfortunate was the hit (roadkill) Hog-nosed skunk
on Main St. today. Canyon Towhee sang again this evening.
Oct. 1 ~ October !?!?! I went to bed with over 91 species of
butterflies on my monthly butterfly list, and woke up with zero! :)
As for the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, there has been a little
bump in them the last few days, with at least three dozen birds
present at 8 or 9 feeders, all each guarded by one jerk (immature
males - surprised?), so we have to cluster 4-5 feeders together to
break down territoriality. One adult male was seen still today.
They are packing on their last fat layer to burn for the flight to
Mexico and beyond. Anything that stays until the cold front next
Sunday or Monday, will leave on the northerlies right behind it.
The most unpredictable bird here, Canyon Towhee, sang a bit at dusk.
A note about the September news:
Apologies for all the butterflies mentioned (below), particularly
in September, but as fall bird migration is what I would term
relatively as "exceedingly weak" here, (from having birded falls
on east, west, and TX Gulf coasts), one must get excited about
whatever life forms present themselves to us. Here, the
butteflies peak from August to October. But generally opposite the
situation with birds, they are north(-ish)bound wanderers from Mexico
that create all the excitement with rarities. Each year
different species move north, and no two years will be the same.
That is why it is valueable to record numbers and species
from the same place over an extended period of time. It is
in many ways, the most basic, and rewarding, of field research.
I ended up seeing 92 species of butterflies around Utopia
just in the month of September. On a tank of gas. Plus a couple
un-ID'd skippers. Over at Concan during fall Nature Quest,
Derek Muschalek found about 6 or 7 species I didn't see here
locally, so expanding the area slightly, there were surely
a hundred species of butterflies from Concan to Utopia,
in September, alone. Pretty darn good diversity methinks.
Probably the current butterfly boom is a response to the 4' of rain
and resulting increase in vegetation, flowers, bloom time, etc..
Anyway, now for the September news...
Sept. 30 ~ At the SR yard a Nashville Warbler was in the liveoak
out back this a.m.. Still daily Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, still
White-eyed Vireo. Along 356 in Bandera Co. we photographed
a Dorante's Longtail (Skipper) which will be a 1st Bandera Co.
record, though I've seen many, just never able to prove it.
Ah, that darn science. Have to be able to prove everything.
But that is how it works, and it is for the best. That way
loose cannon reports don't become part of the official record.
Most exciting was a MOURNING Warbler that flushed out of the
Sabinal Canyon Museum lantana patch as we pulled up to check it
for butterflies. We got good looks at it as it worked down
the fence line. Late in the afternoon back at SR I saw a
FOS PEREGRINE Falcon from the front porch, in a hurry as usual.
Probably 2 dozen Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the feeders here.
Finally, at 6:30 p.m., as my butterfly month was coming to a
close, my best ever month for diversity here, I saw something
flopping around from the window. It bounced over to a
juniper and landed... a Common Wood-Nymph !! First one I've
seen all year. It let me get pix on top of that while it sat
and sunned for 10 minutes! What a beauty! I presume y'all
are noticing the Kestrels are back on the wires?
Wow, two individual warblers today, must be fall migration!?!? :)
Sept. 29 ~ Hutton's Vireo calling lots in the yard. At UP there
were 6 of those big Underwing moths with brown hindwings.
A Red-spotted Purple was puddling there. Along 356 from the
crossing into Bandera Co., there were some good butterflies:
Tropical Checkered-Skippers, Common Sootywing lots of Tawny Emperors,
50 Mestra, but the clouds kept things down a bit. At the SCM
lantanas the Long-tailed Skipper was back, and obliged for pictures.
(Look on the butterflies "main page"). One Whirlabout was
amongst many Fiery and other regular Skippers. No migrant birds.
Heard the wing trill of the Broad-tailed Hummer again today.
More Coyote Cloudywings scattered, most seemingly moving on.
Sept. 28 ~ Adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird still here sluggin'
it out with a dozen plus imm. male Ruby-throats for the sugar buzz.
Many hundreds, and surely thousands of Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
dragonflies were passing southward over SR today, all day.
Amongst them were 2 Kestrels migrating south, probably living on
them, a Swainson's Hawk, and one Cooper's Hawk. The White-eyed
Vireo is still around at SR. About 4 p.m. I found a Long-tailed
Skipper at the Sabinal Canyon Museum lantanas.
Sept. 27 ~ A couple Desert Checkered-Skippers in the driveway were
neat. More Coyote Cloudywings and Leafwing flying by. Highlight
of the day was an adult male BROAD-TAILED Hummingbird with full
wing whistle. It was chased off by one of the few dang immature
male Ruby-throats left. Hopefully it will return. Have to wonder
if the immature male that wintered last year will return (as an adult)
this year....if so it would be any time now.... There is this one
jerk of an imm. male Ruby-throat that is guarding 4 feeders spread out
over a couple thousand square feet!! Chasing off rarer birds !
A few Poor-wills are still calling nightly. I also heard the
che-dit again this morning, back by the oriole feeder, in the same
place as yesterday morning. Of course it is not likely a Kinglet
would be in the same place near a hummer feeder two mornings in a row.
I went after the sound, and never could find a Kinglet, which is
excellent evidence the source was indeed a Broad-billed Hummingbird.
It is the THIRD one I've heard around Utopia, but never yet been
able to see one!
Sept. 26 ~ Twice I heard a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH outside this a.m.!
I didn't go chasing after it, but there is nothing that yank yank yanks
like them. I also heard a "chi-dit" which is either a Ruby-crowned
Kinglet or a Broad-billed Hummingbird. Couldn't find anything though.
The couple Scott's Orioles are still around, and there are now three
Chipping Sparrows here, 1% of the winter flock. A warbler flew off
that sounded like Orange-crowned, and the female Painted Bunting continues.
More Coyotoe Cloudywings, a Black Swallowtail, a Southern Broken-Dash
were some of the butterflies in the yard, but all was overshadowed
by a GRAY MINISTREAK on the ground briefly, but not long enough for pix.
Shortly after sundown when the moon came up I was scoping at it and
saw a number of migrant birds fly across it, besides the many bats
and large insects. One was a heron or egret, there was a kingbird,
another looked like a moorhen, and another probably a cuckoo. Best
maybe was what was probaly a large gull, like a Herring, or a big
Jaeger maybe. You only get a few flaps in silhouette, but you'd be
amazed what you can see. The first couple hours after moonrise are
best, so you are looking across lots of low altitude sky.
Sept. 25 ~ Wow, more hawk migration! I thought that hawk yesterday was it.
Then this morning an Osprey flew south over SR. And, I saw my first
Sharp-shinned Hawk of the fall too, but it was diving on doves in the trees.
The bird of the day landed in the liveoak right out back while I was
sitting on the porch staring at it wondering why there wasn't a good
bird in it: female WESTERN TANAGER ! First for me in Uvalde Co., or
the Sabinal River Valley area. Called a few times too. Very cool.
It's like seeing an old friend, since I grew up with them.
A couple Blue-gray Gnatcatchers passed through the yard. A Chihuahuan
Raven was near the dump. At the house was a White-striped Longtail,
a Coyote Cloudywing, and 2 Coyotoe Cloudywings were found dead in
the window at Canyon Services. They are abundant now locally. I'm
seeing a few or more every day.
Sept. 24 ~ At SR there were still Blue-gray Gnatcatchers passing through,
a White-eyed Vireo, and for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 1 adult male,
and about 6 immature males. A Common Ground-Dove was calling around.
Sept. 23 ~ A female Painted Bunting is in the yard here at SR.
We stopped at the park and saw a dozen Orange-striped Threadtails.
Along 356 again working the frostweed patches for butterflies
in Bandera County, first we saw an Orange-barred Sulphur, and then
a YELLOW ANGLED-SULPHUR came in close (8') and circled for a moment.
That would be a new county record if I had been able to photo or net it!
I've seen 4 in Bandera Co., but they are so fast you don't get a chance.
Then at Cypress Hollow I found a male BLUE-EYED SAILOR (Dynamine dyonis)
and got photos, for a first Bandera County record, and one of few for
the hill country, for this rarity from Mexico. That's about as exciting
as it gets butterfly hunting. The dorsal surface is metallic neon
gold-dreen, and lights up like a hummingbird when light hits it at
just the right angle. Like many stunning butterflies, they sit with
their wings closed ! Also there at the wet spots next to the bridge
were dozens of butterflies, including a Tropical Leafwing, which I
forgot to photo while explaining differences from Goatweed. I had
forgotten documentation was still needed for Bandera County !
Over the day we saw at least 25 Goatweed Leafwings, the most ever
in a day, by factors, but only this one positive Tropical.
Up at the Cornielius crossing we had a number
of butterflies puddling (drinking minerals at wet seeps). Amongst
one group of 7 Little Yellows was one MIMOSA Yellow. Just south of
there, we saw a group of 30 late Chimney Swifts, seemingly smashing
into tree limbs, almost like trying to land on them. I could not
detect any feeding type motion or behavior. Never seen anything like it.
Our annual fall hawk migration occurred at 7 p.m. or so, when an
immature Broad-winged Hawk landed on the hill at SR. That was fall hawk
migration here folks. Hope you enjoyed it. :) Corpus Christi gets nearly
a million hawks in fall and we're almost lucky to get any.
Blue-eyed Sailor (Dynamine dyonis) at Cypress Hollow, Bandera Co..
Sept. 22 ~ We saw THREE Red Rims around Utopia today ! One on SR
at the end of the first loop, then another flew across Main St. (!)
and finally I saw one IN MY BINOCS on 356 IN BANDERA COUNTY, a half
mile north of the bridge. I ran after it with net, but it got away.
It is the first time one has been seen in Bandera Co.. See the
picture of one below (on Sept. 13) from Uvalde. The Red Rim invasion continues!
There was black form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail there too.
Right at the bridge we saw an Anole grab a dragonfly as it perched !
Then on SR was my first cooperative GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK of the
couple per year I see, that let me get great shots of
this stunning fancy beauty, finally, finally. Took seeing ten of 'em to get
a single chance for a picture. If you could only see their dorsal surface.
One of America's most beautiful butterflies. At the SR yard today there were
Hutton's and White-eyed Vireo, 2 Scott's Oriole (probably the young
from the local family - the imm. male sang). White-striped and
Dorante's Longtails were in the yard too. There are only two
adult male and about 6 imm. male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds left.
Great Purple Hairstreak (Atildes halesus) at Seco Ridge
Sept. 21 ~ The highlight today was a JULIA Heliconian (butterfly)
in the Frostweed at Utopia on the River. Finally, the first one
I've seen in nearly 4 years here. Didn't get a chance with net
or camera at it though. Then at the Co.Rd. 360 Xing at the river
there was a WHITE-M Hairstreak on some Frostweed. There was a
Yellow-billed Cuckoo that flew over Main St. in town.
At UP was a male SLOUGH AMBERWING dragonfly, that was too far to
photo or net, but I saw it well in my binocs for 10 minutes.
Then out over the pond was a large "Mosaic Darner", that
looked to me to be closest to Turquoise-tipped Darner.
A Coyote Cloudywing flew across the yard late in the p.m.,
and a Nysa Roadside-Skipper was at the Eupatorum.
A couple more Blue-gray Gnatcatcher passed through the yard.
While there were a couple dozen Ruby-throats at the feeders
in the morning, the last few hours of light was a shock,
with only a few birds present. WOW !! I haven't seen this few
hummers here in an evening since last early March. WOW !!
Sept. 19 ~ A Chihuahuan Raven was at SR, and another was on
W.Sabinal Rd.. A Baltimore Oriole was at Cypress Hollow, where
there was also a ZILPA Longtail (butterfly) (poor photo). The
yard had a Mexican Yellow and better a Silver-spotted Skipper.
Seemed like only about 25 Ruby-throats today. They'll soon
be gone till next April.
Sept. 18 ~ A Long-tailed Skipper flew across the yard. Firefly
are still about in numbers... another Blue-gray Gnatcat and a White-eyed
Vireo were migrants passing through. The juvenile Rufous-crowned
Sparrow is now getting a rufous crown, but is still completely
streaked below, but getting less so above with first basic coming in.
At least 3 Poor-will were calling this evening.
Maybe 50 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds still here at SR.
Sept. 17 ~ Twice I saw a CALLIOPE Hummingbird (imm. or female)
at the feeders today. Probably 50-75 Ruby-throats here.
Still migrant Summer Tanager and Blue-gray Gnatcats in the yard.
An American Rubyspot (damselfly) also crossed the yard at SR.
From Sept 14-16 ~ Nature Quest notes ~
Some other things found on Nature Quest on other walks included
some great butterlfies by Derek Muschalek, mostly around
Concan or at Garner St. Pk.. The Frostweed is really roaring
now so keep eyes on it especially. He turned up over a few days
of concerted knowledgeable effort: JULIA and ZEBRA Heliconians,
MALACHITE, 5 RED RIM (at Rancho Estrella), Two-barred Flasher,
Zilpa Longtail, Mimosa Yellow, Common Wood Nymph, and a number
of other goodies amongst about 65 species in 3 days.
Up at Big Spring Ranch Tony Gallucci had still singing
Louisiana Waterthrush Sept. 15!
Sept. 16 ~ Another Nature Quest walk, this at the Uvalde National
Fish Hatchery. We got decent looks at the Paddlefish there.
Also had 3 Baird's Sandpipers, a Black-necked Stilt, and a few
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. But most amazing was 2 BLUE JAY
in the mesquite (!) which I got an obscured but ID'able
digiscope of one of the birds. First hatchery record. Lots
of Dickcissels, an imm. Painted Bunting, a Nashville Warbler.
Then a quick drive through Ft. Inge yielded another 4 RED RIM
butterflies, Curve-billed Thrasher, Long-billed Thrasher, Verdin,
Cactus Wren, Couch's Kingbird, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Sept. 15 ~ A walk at Cook's Slough with Nature Questers saw plenty
of nature. 5 RED RIM butterfly were a standout, as was a Merlin
that dove on Cave Swallows. A Tree Swallow, a nice migrant Oriole
flock, and the large Common Grackle flock (a hundred birds) were
also seen. One Little Blue Heron, a Lark Bunting, and FOUR
Groove-billed Ani were seen by all. As I was leaving House Pasture
I briefly saw a GOLD-SPOTTED AGUNA at their ornamental zinnias!
(See below for a picture of the Red Rim).
Sept. 14 ~ An afternoon stop at Cook's Slough to help Ken Cave
with Nature Quest, I netted (literally) a STRAW-COLORED SYLPH
(dragonfly) which was photographed in the hand. A rarity very
scarce in the U.S., and I saw a number of others there. We
also saw a Groove-billed Ani and a large flock of Common Grackle.
A stop at the Sabinal cutoff pond a mile N. of Hwy. 90 yielded
3 Least and 2 Barid's Sandpipers, 2 Wilson's Snipe, and Blue-wing Teal.
Straw-colored Sylph (Macrothemis inacuta) at Cook's Slough
Thanks to Tony Gallucci for help with identification.
Sept 13. ~ Amazing was a RED RIM (Biblis hyperia) butte |