Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Funky Nest Contest

OK, so this isn't exactly a "funky" nest, but it's a nest.





Ever seen a bird build its nest in an odd place? Here's your chance to share your photo or video and perhaps win a prize. The deadline for entries is June 1. The rules are on their website.



This contest is part of the Lab's year around Celebrate Urban Birds citizen science program.



Good birding!

TOS Spring Meeting

The spring meeting of the Texas Ornithological Society (TOS) will be in Junction, TX, May 5 - 7. Once again, this meeting happens to be on a weekend I already have commitments. One of these days, I am once again going to make a TOS meeting. It has been a long time. However, if you can make it, this is an opportunity to meet a lot of nice people and see a lot of good birds. Dr. Kent Rylander, author of The Behavior of Texas Birds will be the keynote speaker on Saturday night. A variety of field trips provide the opportunity to see some rare birds and species unique to the area. For more information on the meeting and field trips, see the TOS website. The earlier you register, the more likely you will be able to get on the field trips you want. Good birding!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Foggy Morning


Sunday morning I went birding at Lake Wichita Park. The fog made for a damp morning, which was a pleasant change of pace. The morning was also much cooler than our recent weather--in the mid 40's and overcast.


I took the photo to the left to show the fog. However, if you didn't know the lake, you probably wouldn't think there was much. The lake is not that big, so the opposite shoreline is usually much more distinct.


What is obvious from the photo is the low lake level. If we don't get some good rains soon, it will be a miserable summer for people, plants and wildlife.


Perhaps because of the weather, the birding was adequate at best, although I did see my first scissor-tailed flycatchers of the year (yes, Bob, I realize you saw your first a week earlier...) and two eared grebes on the barrow pit. Other than that, it was a pretty lackluster morning for birds. The fog made up for the lack of birds though.


In Lake Wichita Park I saw: great blue heron, ring-billed gull, mallard, American coot, eaared grebe, pied-billed grebe, white pelican, double-crested cormorant, bufflehead, northern shoveler, ring-necked duck, pintail, ruddy duck, killdeer, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, white-winged dover, cardinal, red-winged blackbird, spotted towhee, robin, northern mockingbird, scissor-tailed flycatcher, yellow-rumped warbler (both myrtle and Audubon's), song sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, great-tailed grackle, European starling, dark-eyed junco, blue jay, and house sparrow.


I then took a quick pass at the spillway on the other side of the lake and added Wilson's snipe, blue-winged teal, greater yellowlegs, gadwall and barn swallow to my list for the morning.


So overall a decent morning.


Good birding!


Friday, March 25, 2011

Interesting Short Video on Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act

A short video on the impact of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act on our birds.

Good birding!

Time to Get Your Hummingbird Feeders Ready



Tiny patient at Wild Bird Rescue (left)


Hummingbirds are moving back into Texas. The reports on TEXBIRDS have been getting closer by the day. This morning I saw a post of a black-chinned in Weatherford, so they should be arriving here within days. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are usually a couple of weeks behind.

Although plantings of native flowering plants is the best option for attracting these tiny birds, many of us also like to attract them to areas we can watch them with feeders. If that's the case for you, it's time to get your hummingbird feeders ready to go. Make sure they are clean. Plain soap and water works. I used to get really frustrated trying to make sure all the little crevices and tiny holes were clean until I happened upon this little trick--use Efferdent tablets. They are very helpful in cleaning tiny areas. You can also use vinegar and baking soda mix (just like unplugging your drains.)

Don't buy commercial nectar. It is expensive and has red dye. The red in the feeders is enough to attract the birds. They could care less what the nectar looks like--you don't see red nectar in flowers, do you? To make your own nectar much more cheaply, mix 1 c water and 1/4 c granulated sugar. You can stir until the sugar is dissolved--I usually boil the water, stir in the sugar and then let it cool. The sugar dissolves more quickly and thoroughly in hot water. If you make more nectar than your feeder holds, you can put the sugar water in a covered container and store it in the refrigerator for a few days.

You should dump any nectar in your feeder every few days. You will need to do it more often when it is hot than when the temperatures are moderate. Always clean out your feeders if you see any cloudiness.

When you place your feeders, hang them close to cover (trees and shrubs) but not under an overhang. Hummingbirds generally shoot up when startled by predators and prefer to see open sky above the feeders.

So get out your feeders and get ready to enjoy these beautiful and interesting birds.

Good birding!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Support Wild Bird Rescue This Saturday

Remember that you can support Wild Bird Rescue this Saturday at their first-ever volksmarch fundraiser. Volksmarching is a wonderful way for families and friends to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise in a non-competitive environment.

In addition to the volksmarch, Wild Bird Rescue will have a festival with beer and brats, live music and children's activities. The festival and volksmarch will be all day, between 8 AM and 6 PM. $5 for entry to the festival and $5 to participate in the volksmarch. Volksmarch participants will receive a patch.

The route runs through Lake Wichita Park and along the dam, so there is an opportunity for birdwatching for those who enjoy the activity.

Baby bird season is upon us--help raise money for this worthwhile organization while doing good things for yourself.

Hope to see you there.

Good birding!

Nice On-line ID Guide for Warblers

I enjoyed these photos and some of the ID tips from this online warbler ID posting, so I thought I would share. Thanks David McDonald for some beautiful photos.

Good birding!