Yes, I do realize I have made more posts today than I have for the past two weeks. My life is like that. I need to learn how to write them in a big purge and schedule when they show up, but I haven't yet.
There are some upcoming events for those interested in birds I thought I would pass on.
February 14 - 17: Great Backyard Bird Count. I have already written a separate post about that, so I won't repeat everything here--you can read the post. It looks like the weather is going to be decent (of course, that could easily change.)
February 18: Movie Night with the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club. 7:00 PM. The club will have its regular meeting in the home of two of its members to watch "The Big Year." Guests are welcome, but email me at txbirds@gmail.com for information on the location. Popcorn will be served.
March 8: Raptor ID class at Hackberry Flat. 9:30 AM. There will be a group leaving from Wichita Falls around 8 AM. For more information contact Terry at dgm59@aol.com.
March 8: Bird walk at Lake Arrowhead State Park (and the reason I won't be going to Hackberry--boo!) 8:00 AM. Meet at the Firewood shed in the first camping area to the left after you enter the park.
Try to check out some of the bird-related activities in our area.
Good birding!
Showing posts with label Hackberry Flats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hackberry Flats. Show all posts
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hackberry Trip
Our group of Texas Master Naturalists had a good day at Hackberry Flat yesterday. I am terrible at shorebirds--just haven't had enough practice--so I know I missed a lot of birds on ID. I need good views and lots of time to come up with identifications.
The buzz when we got there was a red-necked phalarope. No luck finding that bird, but we did see hundreds, if not thousands of Wilson's phalaropes.
The highlight of my day was 2 peregrine falcons in the field as we were preparing to leave. We had earlier seen a falcon-like bird pursuing flocks of shorebirds but hadn't been able to get a good look at the bird to make an ID due to the distance. We were vacillating between merlin and peregrine falcon and finally had to let it go when the bird flew out of sight. Perhaps it was one of the same birds on the ground later.
In addition to the many shorebirds we weren't able to identify, I had the following: dickcissel, killdeer, lark sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, eastern meadowlark, great-tailed grackle, mourning dove, black-necked stilt, American avocet, red-winged blackbird, comomn grackle, semi-palmated sandpiper, common nighthawk, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, gadwall, mallard, great egret, red-tailed hawk, whimbrel, white-faced ibis, and snowy egret.
Terry McKee identified a Baird's sandpiper, but I didn't see it. Going to and from Hackberry we saw numerous cattle egret, although not much else.
So it was a very good day--I'd like to get out there more often to become better at shorebird ID.
Good birding!
The buzz when we got there was a red-necked phalarope. No luck finding that bird, but we did see hundreds, if not thousands of Wilson's phalaropes.
The highlight of my day was 2 peregrine falcons in the field as we were preparing to leave. We had earlier seen a falcon-like bird pursuing flocks of shorebirds but hadn't been able to get a good look at the bird to make an ID due to the distance. We were vacillating between merlin and peregrine falcon and finally had to let it go when the bird flew out of sight. Perhaps it was one of the same birds on the ground later.
In addition to the many shorebirds we weren't able to identify, I had the following: dickcissel, killdeer, lark sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, eastern meadowlark, great-tailed grackle, mourning dove, black-necked stilt, American avocet, red-winged blackbird, comomn grackle, semi-palmated sandpiper, common nighthawk, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, gadwall, mallard, great egret, red-tailed hawk, whimbrel, white-faced ibis, and snowy egret.
Terry McKee identified a Baird's sandpiper, but I didn't see it. Going to and from Hackberry we saw numerous cattle egret, although not much else.
So it was a very good day--I'd like to get out there more often to become better at shorebird ID.
Good birding!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hackberry Field Trip
The Texas Master Naturalists are going on a field trip to Hackberry Flats tomorrow, Saturday, May 8. Members are meeting at 8:00 AM at Atwoods at the intersection of Hwy 287 and Loop 11 to carpool. Usually we bird for a few hours and then find a place to eat before heading home. This is a good time of year for shorebirds. I will post sightings this weekend.
Good birding!
Good birding!
Monday, April 19, 2010
OK Ornithological Society Spring Meeting
The OK Ornithological Society will be having its spring meeting at Hackberry Flats April 30 - May 2. It's too bad I will be out of town (Lubbock that weekend.) I am not a member of the OOS, but the meeting is so close, I would definitely go if I was going to be in town.
The price is right ($30 for non-members) and it's a good chance to improve birding skills with more experienced birders and get to know some good birding spots.
For more information and to register, go to the OOS website.
Good birding!
The price is right ($30 for non-members) and it's a good chance to improve birding skills with more experienced birders and get to know some good birding spots.
For more information and to register, go to the OOS website.
Good birding!
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