Purple Martin Scouts South

I noticed on the TEXBIRDS listserv the last couple of days postings of the first purple martin scouts in Austin. It seems crazy, when it has been so cold, but we generally start seeing martin in mid-February, so start watching if you are putting up a martin house.

If you are interested in learning more about purple martins, check out The Purple Martin Conservation Association.

Good birding!

Issuing Life Preservers

We're getting a little rain today. It has been raining steadily all day. The first picture is at the side of my house. I just took a shot straight down at my feet coming back from refilling the feeders to show what the birds are having to contend with in their search for food on the ground. I am getting ready to issue little life preservers.

The second picture is our front yard.

Large numbers of birds have cleaned out my feeders today. I am not having more types of birds, but the regular ones are arriving in droves. We have a winter storm warning for ice tonight, with a projected accumulation of 1/4 - 1/2 inch--as much as 3/4 inch on the north side of the Red River. The temperature has already dropped to 32 degrees, so the weather forecasters may be correct. Given the frenzy at the feeders, I daresay the birds are expecting bad weather.

I'm planning to make a big pot of soup tonight.

Good birding!

Local Bird Checklist

I got an email from Bob at Wild Bird Rescue that an Eagle Scout was looking for a list of all of the birds in the local area. I mailed the young man a copy of "The Birds of North Central Texas," published by the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of an electronic copy, but the club does have copies available at their meetings and occasionally at bird-related presentations at River Bend Nature Center. Every member of the local organization gets a copy of the checklist when they join along with a monthly newsletter of local sitings and reports of bird-related trips and educational opportunities--a deal at $5 per year dues.

The checklist is an excellent resource; I use it frequently.

Good birding!

Busy Morning at the Feeders

We had a thunderstorm last evening with some short-lived, but heavy rain. I decided to go to Lucy Park this morning for my walk. It was cloudy and in the 40's; and there was a little sprinkle of rain, but not enough to keep me home. It wasn't a great birding morning; but neither was it terrible. The birds I saw/heard this morning included: tufted titmouse, blue jay, cardinal, mockingbird, slate-colored junco, yellow-rumped warbler, red-bellied woodpecker, northern flicker, Canada goose, mallard, starling, white-winged dove, cedar waxwing and rock pigeon.

I went by Wild Bird Rescue and noted a flock of about 30 coots on the cove. Since I have been home, the feeders have been active with cardinal, junco, house sparrow, house finch, white-winged dove, goldfinch, spotted towhee and Harris' sparrow.

Like I said, not a bad morning overall. But even a bad morning would be better than a morning doing almost anything else.

Good birding!

Great Backyard Bird Count Coming Up

The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 12 - 15. This is a great opportunity to get out, see birds, and add to our knowledge of bird populations.

I usually go to a different city park each day and upload the results. Terry McKee gave a presentation at the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club this week about the GBBC and asked everyone to try to go several places in the county during this 4-day period, so I will try to hit some additional places this year.

If you have never done a count and would like to meet some other birders to learn the ropes, consider coming out behind Wild Bird Rescue (4611 Lake Shore Drive) on February 14 for a little while beginning at 7:30 AM. We'll have a group of people out there for a couple of hours anyway. You can spend as little or as much time as you wish. This is the same place as the Big Sit in October. Bring chairs and your binoculars and dress warmly! There is usually a breeze coming off Lake Wichita, so it feels colder than the thermometer says.

Good birding!

Bluebird Trail

For several years, members of the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club have maintained blue bird trails at Lake Arrowhead State Park and the State Hospital grounds. Greg Mucciollo has borne the brunt of the work for the past couple of years. Recently, he reported birds that fledged from the boxes at Lake Arrowhead:

Although three nests failed to fledge due to high temperatures, the following birds did fledge from the boxes provided:

Eastern Bluebirds: 34
Bewick's Wren: 23
Ash-throated Flycatcher: 15
Carolina Chickadee: 4
Tufted Titmouse: 4
Screech Owl: 4
Burrowing Owl (outside of the park): 4

Even if you are not in a good place for bluebirds, you can help other cavity nesters by hanging a bluebird box. You can find out more at the Texas Bluebird Society website.

Good birding!

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes

Many thanks to Elizabeth Hawley for allowing me to share her photos of a large flock of sandhill cranes she saw at a farm along Petersen Rd earlier this month. To get a good look, just click on the photo to enlarge.

What a treasure thesse elegant birds are!

Good birding!