Birding Week

 

American Avocet
Qwexcxewq, CC BY 4.0 <via Wikimedia Commons

A friend, Debra Halter,  gave a very interesting presentation on bird migration to the Rolling Plains Chapter Texas Master Naturalist chapter this week. It was focused on tools scientists have used to learn more about bird migration and tools birders can use to track migration.  A timely topic. 

This was a good week for birds. It is migration season, and although I didn't see as many birds as expected, there were still some good migrants. And the weather was almost perfect. It was so nice not to have 100-degree plus weather.

On Monday, I was at Lake Wichita Park with some other Texas Master Naturalists and Craig Hensley, who is currently working with the National Wildlife Federation, on a monarch butterfly project. While he was putting tiny transmitters on the butterflies, I did see a few birds: double crested cormorant, great blue heron, snowy egret, white-faced ibis, belted kingfisher,  mallard duck, white pelican, Eurasian collared dove, northern yellow warbler, orange-crowned warbler, and great-tailed grackle.

On Wednesday, we started a new bird walk at Lucy Park through the Wichita County Health Department. There was a small group for this first walk, which is fine. We didn't see many birds: white-winged dove, American robin, great-tailed grackle, northern cardinal, yellow-billed cuckoo, eastern bluebird, red-bellied woodpecker, northern flicker, and great-tailed grackle. We watched a little warbler/vireo type bird, but couldn't get a good enough look to identify it. We'll continue to do these walks on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 AM in Lucy Park (unless there is ice on the roads in the winter--Penny doesn't do icy roads).

On Friday, we were doing environmental water testing at the Lake Wichita boat ramp, and there were a few birds. A large group of American Avocets was turning as a group feeding. In addition to these beautiful birds, I saw/heard red-bellied woodpecker, white-winged dove, house finch, northern cardinal, and great-tailed grackle.

Nashville warbler
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

On Saturday, which coincidentally was World Migratory Bird Day (second Saturday of May and October), I was at Lake Arrowhead State Park for the monthly bird outing. We had a good morning and the weather was beautiful. Bright sunshine, cool temperatures, and no wind. The best part of the morning was a Nashville warbler, a lifer for me! In addition to this exciting (to me) bird, we had several other species: great egret, snowy egret, great blue heron, greater yellowlegs, least sandpiper, killdeer, white-winged dove, double-crested cormorant, white pelican, kestrel, turkey vulture, ladder-backer woodpecker, northern flicker, northern cardinal, blue jay, eastern bluebird, house finch, Bewick's wren, Carolina wren, eastern phoebe, orange-crowned warbler, northern yellow warbler, scissor-tailed flycatcher, brown-headed cowbird, and great-tailed grackle. Debra said a barn swallow flew over our heads, but I missed it, so it isn't on my list.

This is a great time of year for birding! Get outside and see some birds.

Good birding!

It's About That Time! Project Feederwatch

Errol Taskin/Project Feederwatch

 One of the activities I enjoy every year is Project Feederwatch. I see on the website that I have been participating for 28 years. Whew!

This citizen science projects provides important information on changes in bird populations over time. The Feederwatch website provides a summary of various studies and articles which used the information Feederwatchers have provided. However, the best part of Project Feederwatch is that you have another excuse to spend time watching birds.

The next Feederwatch season starts on November 1 and runs through April. There is an $18 fee to participate (Cornell Lab of Ornithology members are $15). However, you get a lot of enjoyment from that $18. 

This is an excellent activity for shut-ins and children. You can watch the birds from your windows. There is a minimum 15-minute timeframe to participate, which is great for kids, but you can observe for as long as you like. This is also a good activity for schools and scouts. If you have a group of children and would like to take part, but the fee is a barrier, email me at txbirds@gmail.com, and I'll see what I can do to support you on this.

Good Birding!

A New Local Opportunity to Go Birdwatching!

Willcook3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Exciting news! The Wichita County Health Department is sponsoring a bird walk to encourage better health. Not only does birdwatching get people outside and moving, it helps reduce stress. For those who have a hard time getting to Lake Arrowhead State Park for the monthly outing there, this will be more convenient.

Our inaugural walk will be at Lucy Park on Wednesday, October 7, at 8:30 AM. We'll meet up at the Sunset Drive entrance to the park. This will be a leisurely walk--after all, we're there to see the birds--and will last about an hour. There is no charge to participate. I expect it will be a small group. We plan to continue these walks every month on the third Wed. Hope to see you there!

Good Birding!