Christmas Day @ the Bird Blind

This may be my last post for 2009 with a December Blue Moon fast approaching. The birds were very active at the bird blind today. With 27 degrees to start the day it is no wonder. I saw 22 species at the blind including two warblers, Orange-crowned & Yellow-rumped; 7 species of sparrows including the Rufous-crowned, White-throated & White-crowned, and the Junco; several Spotted Towhees and a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet who was sporting his ruby spot atop his head - a rare glimpse indeed. Merry Christmas to all my feathered and not so feathered friends.

December @ the Blind

My first venture to the park in quite a while. White-crowned, White-throated, & Lincoln's Sparrows were evident at the bird blind along with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, several Spotted Towhees, a Western Scrub Jay, and Bewick's Wren to name a few.
Eastern Pheobe were singing down by the river.

Though there was no rain at the park today the ground was saturated, creeks flowing and trails muddy in spots. Not a lot of people traffic which made it all the more gorgeous to be out enjoying Nature.

Sunday Birding @ the Bird Blind

I ventured out to Pedernales Falls State Park in the late morning to view what migrants may be stopping in on the bird blind. There was only one out of the ordinary warbler who stopped in for a drink, the Nashville Warbler, plus a single female American Goldfinch was helping herself to the sunflower seeds. Other than that the usual Northern Cardinal by the dozens. No sparrows were evident yet here.

On my walk to Hackenberg Creek & the Pedernales River I spotted and heard an Eastern Pheobe plus an American Kestrel fly by. Bird life was kind of slow by noon on this fine Fall day in Texas Hill Country.

Along the hike into Hackenberg Creek I came across this industrious Dung Beetle preparing a ball to roll to a safe location. The scat that was dropped was placed on a freshly cut juniper sprig. I thought it odd, especially when I found two such sprigs with droppings on each about 100 meters apart. I suspect skunk and wonder if anyone might know what mammal might exhibit this behavior.

Hint of Fall at the Park

At 7:15 AM this morning temperatures were cool enough at the bird blind to warrant a long sleeved shirt. There were a number of migrants who made a show only in the mesquite trees. This included a Yellow Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and a group of Baltimore Orioles. Of these orioles there was one male, one female and two other, either females or juveniles.

A Greater Roadrunner was sited along the main road near the Falls parking lot.

Today was a mountain biking day for me. I crossed the Pedernales River to bike the less traveled trail in the park. As one can see water levels are quite low in the river at Trammel Crossing. I was the only person exploring the far side of the river trails. There was no wind or wildlife to cause rustling sounds anywhere except an occasional Western Scrub Jay.

August 1 Mountain Biking & Bird Blind

Saturday morning I ventured out to the park for a mountain bike ride and to visit the bird blind. It was an unusual morning for the middle of the summer in Texas. There were overcast skies and a strong breeze cooling the body from 80 degree temperatures.
Along Wolf Mountain Trail there were a few birds chipping including the Northern Cardinal, Carolina & Bewick's wrens, and the Rufous-crowned Sparrow. There was not much other wildlife activity that I could detect.
At the bird blind a male Orchard Oriole made a brief appearance but never got its prized bath - something volunteers had observed earlier in the week. Otherwise, just the usual fair of year-round residents. As one photographer commented, most of the birds looked scruffy which either marks juvenile fledglings or birds that have lost feathers due to a mite problem.

Final 2009 Breeding Bird Survey

Temperatures were a bit cooler this morning, 73 degrees, making it a perfect night to have camped out at the park. I arrived at 6:30 AM with plenty of bird song filling the air. At Twin Falls I was greeted by the rattle of a Green Kingfisher that caught a 3 inch fish but did not consume it. Instead it flew downstream to perhaps feed young for a second brood of the year.
Of note was an Eastern Wood Pewee who sang once down at Hackenberg Creek. I watched it for 20 minutes to verify it was not a Pheobe. I believe this fellow is already migrating south. Last weekend I heard one sing out at Webberville County Park.
The sunrise photo is at the main park entrance. There a handful of vultures roost through the night. The flower photo is Western Ironweed blooming along the Pedernales River.

Summer Heat Bird Survey

The heat of summer really penetrated the park today with no wind and 78 degrees under clear skies at 6 AM. There are still Painted and Indigo Buntings singing as well as a few Acadian Flycatchers, Northern Cardinals, White-eyed Vireos and a single Yellow-throated Vireo. A couple Louisiana Waterthrushes are still vocalizing with fledglings along their stream territories. The hundred degree heat that has blanketed central Texas for the past two weeks is evident by low water levels in the Pedernales River and drooping herbaceous plants on terraces above the river.
For the first time I saw and heard a Purple Martin fly over the park. Of note are the countless cicadas which have grown in numbers over the past week drowning out any distant bird vocalizations. At the bird blind this week volunteers have seen multiple times a Black and White Warbler, an Ash-throated Flycatcher and Golden-cheeked Warblers besides the regular visitors.
I have provided a photo here of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo nest taken by Phil McDonald, Lead Ranger, around June 8th near the bird blind. This year Yellow-billed Cuckoo's appear to be greater in numbers throughout the park.
The Fourth of July will mark my last survey of the season. I have no nests to follow so it will be a fitting finale to end the year on the 4th.

Summer Solstice New Moon Bird Survey

It was an exciting day to be up before dawn surveying birds on the Summer Solstice with a near New Moon. Chuck-will's Widow and Common Nighthawks were calling. A sliver moon shined near the horizon as I entered the park at 6 AM with clear skies and a temperature of 78 degrees. At my survey stations I saw Carolina Chickadee and Northern Cardinal fledglings, a newly fledged Ladder-backed Woodpecker squawking alongside its mother, and two fledged Acadian Flycatchers. At Hackenberg Creek I had a fawn bolt up the ravine toward me and pause only 15 feet away after realizing I was not its Mom. I heard Bobwhite Quail along East Park Boundary and the Park Manager reported a family near the headquarters this past week.
No other wildlife were observed except feral pigs across from Tobacco Creek. These pigs frequent all the tributaries along the Pedernales River within state park boundaries and rototill up the soil at the mouth of every creek. I have some concern this activity can impact the nesting success of Louisiana Waterthrush bank nests.

A Red-Eyed Vireo Day at the Park

I started the morning at Trammel Crossing, down from the Nature Trail, along the Pedernales River. Arriving at 6:15 to my first station brought the first ever Chuck-wills Widow and Common Nighthawk heard and sited on my surveys. It is hard to get up and over to the park before the true sunrise when one lives in NW Austin, but I managed it today.
Red-eyed Vireos were the most abundant songsters in the park. Having more than one individual singing per station makes it difficult to hear the other species. Also going strong are the Blue Grosbeaks, Painted and Indigo Buntings. I saw the first fledgling Summer Tanager's today. A very large surprise at Tobacco Creek was a hen Wild Turkey with young. The hen ran large circles away from her young squawking the entire time. Acadian Flycatchers are still on territory as are some Louisiana Waterthrushes.
I saw one Red-eyed Vireo carrying Juniper bark to an undisclosed nest in progress. The only highlight at the bird blind was an Ash-throated Flycatcher chasing a rival around. Many House Finch fledglings have made the ground feeding areas their daytime home.

Full June Moon & Summer Breeding Birds

The June Full Moon accompanied me on my drive to the park this morning but the clouds hid it near the western horizon as the moon was going down. Here is an early sunrise photo from the headquarters where Bewick's Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows sang in the early morning light.
Today was the first day in over two months I did not hear Golden-cheeked Warblers at any of my survey stations. This means many fledged families abound. Yellow-billed Cuckoos have really made a showing this year. I practically hear them everywhere I go in the park. Blue Grosbeaks appear to be last to setup territories. Males were sited at Trammel Crossing and Tobacco Creek. There are two Acadian Flycatcher pairs at Tobacco Creek. I was able to "pish" in this singing male - photo. The female came in for a look too. I looked long and hard for a nest but being on a slope it is hard to cover all the lower canopy of the trees.

Bird Nest Box Checks Today

Today was nest box check day. I had the help of Lynn Kuenstler, park peace officer at Pedernales Falls State Park. We saw no bird nesting activity in any of the nest boxes. Only two boxes had the pipe organ mud dabber insects in them and surprisingly there were no wasp nests in any of the boxes this year. A question in my mind concerns the wooden predator guards I have on all ten nest boxes. Perhaps the birds do not like a double thick entrance hole to climb through. Next year I may remove the predator guards.

The only highlights today were a Great-crested Flycatcher singing at Tobacco Creek, a male and female Golden-cheeked Warbler at the bird blind and looks at a family of Carolina Wrens with the parents in alarm mode due to my presence. I also tried to digiscope the Acadian Flycatcher on her nest but there were too many leaves obstructing my view. The female was feeding at least one small nestling when we first arrived. This nest has been reused from last year.

Summer Birds In the Park

Songs of the Golden-cheeked Warbler have died down drastically signaling fledged young for this threatened species in the park. Yellow-throated Vireos and Acadian Flycatchers are still nesting. One female Acadian sits on her nest at Tobacco Creek Seep, and two other males continue to sing at Tobacco Creek and Twin Falls Creek. A pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes have fledged young at Tobacco Creek. This is the area where I first discovered their nest but heavy rains washed it out and they built elsewhere. There are also other singing species of the more usual varieties being heard here at the park.
Hot summer days are here along with the start of June. Out at East Park Boundary I believe I saw a Black Pheobe this morning. It did not bob its tail nor look like the typical Eastern Pheobe. It really reminded me of a Junco in its markings. It had an all black head that was dark below the throat with a white belly. It was feeding on insects from the bald cypress along the Pedernales River. The Birds of Texas Hill Country says: "permanent residents occur as far east as Real and western Bandera Counties".

Summer Birding @ the Park

Six fifteen AM park temperature was 70 degrees. By afternoon it reached 88. No wind made it much easier to hear the birds. First stop on my survey was Twin Falls where the Eastern Pheobe female was tending at least one barely feathered nestling while the male sang high up above the canyon (photo). An adult Louisiana Waterthrush was tending one fledgling along Twin Falls Creek. A new arrival at this site is the Acadian Flycatcher which can be heard from the Nature Trail. I also have Acadian Flycatchers at East Park Boundary and Tobacco Creek Seep. At the seep, my suspicions were correct, the pair decided to take last year's nest. I checked the second nest from last year but this one is not being used.

Also at Tobacco Creek and East Park Boundary I found fledgling Green Kingfishers. Because these two locations are only half a mile apart this is probably the same family. An interesting behavior I observed here was a fledgling Green Kingfisher chasing an Acadian Flycatcher in a food begging behavior.

Some year round resident birds appear to be on territory for a second nesting. Black-crested Titmice and Carolina Chickadees were singing incessantly after a few weeks of silence.

The Northern Cardinal pair that built a second nest last week has been predated. There was no sign at the Black-chinned Hummingbird nest. Last week was the first I saw the female feeding young. With a 21 day nestling phase I am unsure whether the nest was predated. This is hard to determine with nest height at 50 plus feet. The female White-eyed Vireo was feeding young at its nest today.

There was nothing exciting happening at the bird blind at all. Golden-cheeked Warbler males continue to sing on territory but not give away their mate's nest. A Great-crested Flycatcher pair remain on territory for three weeks in a row out at East Park Boundary.

I found this deceased snake along the Group Campground road. Several bus loads of children were being escorted around the park from one of the local schools. They brought Einstein to the field.

Pipe Line Trail & Nest Searches

This morning started out cool but just the type of weather I would expect in Mt. Shasta a week from now. It made the backpacking bearable. I am ready for the ascent which will start Memorial Day.
Directly after my hike I headed to the bird blind where I saw a Western Kingbird and a Yellow Warbler in addition to an Ash-throated Flycatcher who appears to have a territory around the blind. It is chasing off some of the birds that come down to feed. Later in the day I returned to the blind to learn volunteers saw an Orchard Oriole. We all got a good look at a first year male Blue Grosbeak.
Around noon I hiked the nature trail to examine the Northern Cardinal nest. It was abandoned, apparently predated. While following a Golden-cheeked Warbler I discovered the Cardinal's new nest 150 feet away. It is in a gnarly juniper branch where lots of dead needles have accumulated. Two eggs are present.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird female was not on her nest when I arrived. Experience tells me to wait at least ten minutes as the female may be on a food run. Such was the case but instead of her going directly to the nest she perched in a dead snag 12 feet off the ground and watched me. Her crop was bulging out from her chest. Once I made the move to get up and leave, she flew up to the nest and began regurgitating food to the nestlings.
I visited the Golden-cheeked Warbler territories along Hackenberg Creek twice today. Once in the late morning when temperatures were still chilly. At that time all three males were on territory but only sang feebly. I returned again around 1:45 when the sun started peaking out and all was alive. I followed male #1 all around the Live Oak and three Spanish Oaks. He was singing, feeding, chipping, more feeding, then silence as he slipped away to the nest. I believe this pair finally has young in the nest, but I have yet to discover the nest location. These woods are so dense it is hard to catch all movement of birds high up in the canopy where a male Golden-cheeked Warbler likes to sing.

Summer Bird Survey in the Park

Today felt like the first day of summer, hot and humid. I found the first fledgling Louisiana Waterthrush being fed by the adult male along Twin Falls Creek. This fledgling was not flying which makes me believe it crawled from its bank nest onto some overhanging vines. Acadian Flycatchers were heard at all sites today except one. Though some may move on, they appear more abundant this year as do the Yellow-billed Cuckoos. This is the first year a pair of Great-crested Flycatchers have hung around for three weeks in a row between East Park Boundary and Tobacco Creek.
One Northern Cardinal nest was predated on last week. The nest was in a low hung grapevine only three feet off the ground. The Eastern Pheobe female was sitting tight on her nest in the rock wall overhanging Twin Falls. I did see an Acadian Flycatcher checking out last year's nest in a pecan tree at Tobacco Creek Seep, and I was buzzed by a female Black-chinned Hummingbird at Trammel Crossing. Such behavior suggested to me I was close to her nest.

A few migrants are still coming through central Texas. I saw a Mourning Warbler at Trammel Crossing, and a Yellow Warbler at the bird blind. My botanist friend Tom, saw a Magnolia Warbler at the blind earlier in the morning. Around 1 PM we saw a group of Orchard Orioles, one adult male, three females and one first year male come to the water baths. First year male pictured here. Photo by Thomas Watson.
While looking for Golden-cheeked Warbler nests this afternoon I did 'pish' in one male along the road to Hackenberg Creek. If only I had a decent camera!

Pipeline Hike & Breeding Bird Nest Searches

I began today hiking the Pipeline Trail all the way to the end where underground gas and oil cross the above ground power grid (photo). It was gorgeous hiking at this early hour. I had some good looks at the Ash-throated Flycatcher, plus I heard one unidentified migrating warbler. It sang once but the song was not one I was familiar with.
Next stop was the Bird Blind where I just missed a Blackburnian Warbler, however, I did see a Yellow Warbler who was working the mesquite tree above the water baths.

Hackenberg Creek was my final stop in the park today. I walked the two Golden-cheeked Warbler territories. The one territory I have been following closely, the male sang for me the entire 1-1/2 hours I watched him. I followed him around to the usual tall oak trees and listened intently for any peeping nestlings, but none were heard. To the right is another sunrise photo looking out from the main entrance headquarters.

Finally, I ended up at the Pedernales River where I saw two Green Kingfishers, one squawking and chasing the other through the clearing and into the woods. I believe this was a fledgling begging for food in hot pursuit of it's parent.

The female Northern Cardinal was sitting tight on her nest as was the White-eyed Vireo. All is well for breeding birds at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Full Moon Dawn Chorus

Overcast skies hid the May Full Moon from my early morning bike ride to Tobacco Creek. Before sun up Chuck-wills-Widows and Common Nighthawks were calling.

At Tobacco Creek a bird symphony was already underway when I arrived at 6:40 AM. This is the first week I heard the familiar 'Pizza' call of the Acadian Flycatcher. A pair of Great-crested Flycatcher's appear to be also setting up territory, and another new arrival this week is the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, who I heard at two locations.

I found a new nest today, White-eyed Vireo near Hackenberg Creek. Both Northern Cardinal nests have females present, one with three eggs visible at Hackenberg Creek. The female Black-chinned Hummingbird is chasing away any birds landing within 20 feet of her nest including a Black-crested Titmouse and a male Summer Tanager. The Eastern Pheobe female is sitting tight on her nest in the rock face overhanging Twin Falls.

The bird blind turned up some interesting migrants right after lunch - Yellow Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler, in addition to a single Cedar Waxwing. A new bird species for me in the park was a Great Egret flying toward the falls. I am including pictures of two flowers blooming today. The lavender flower is Skeleton-plant, Lygodesmia texacana. The greenish sphere flower is Antelope Horns, Asclepias asperula.

Nest Searches Continue

Clouds broke this morning just in time to catch the rays of the sun before rising high in the sky over Pedernales Falls State Park. A beautiful dawn unfolded after a bit of rain overnight.
Golden-cheeked Warblers continue to defy my efforts of finding their nests on neighboring territories. Males will sing from prominent oak and cedar elm trees that tower over the surrounding junipers. One male I have been following will mix his song with contact calls along with preening his colorful plumage. But there are no sightings or sounds from the females or nestlings as of yet.
This weekend I found two Northern Cardinal nests. One was under construction and the other a female incubating eggs. I also saw a male and female Summer Tanager perched near each other. The female had nest material in her bill.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird female was sitting nicely on her nest enjoying the breeze on this perfect late spring day in the Hill Country. More mushrooms have popped up out of the soil. A white Puffball, which is edible, was found along the Hackenberg Creek road under a grove of live oak trees. Like most mushrooms this has a symbiotic relationship with the tree roots it comes in contact with in the soil.
First thing in the morning at the bird blind an unusual visitor was perched 10 feet above the ground over the bird bath. A Green Heron must have been looking for a frog meal. No fish here!!

Singing Migrants & Warbler Medley

Overcast skies may have kept a few more migrants grounded overnight at the park. There were a handful singing for me making identification easy. A Great-crested Flycatcher has been hanging around for two weeks down by Tobacco Creek and East Park Boundary and a Gray Catbird made its meow notes at East Park Boundary. Several Least Flycatchers sang their characteristic "che-bek, che-bek", and the Warbling Vireo belted out its long warbling song, both species at Tobacco Creek.

Early in the morning near Twin Falls I was greeted by a striking male Canada Warbler with its black necklace on a yellow throat. At both Twin Falls and Tobacco Creek two male Wilson's Warblers with all yellow underparts and a small black cap were quietly gleaning insects from the large canopied trees.

At my final survey sight for the day, Hackenberg Creek, a female Northern Cardinal was detected building a nest right along the trail down to the river. Two Yellow-throated Vireos were also noted singing on territory on today's survey as were three Louisiana Waterthrushes.

The Pedernales River water levels are up today and the water very turbid looking as well as noisy in areas where the water drops over a series of rapids. Two inches of rain fell in the last week allowing for the grasses and forbs along the river to bolt. Soon I will be walking through a sea of tall, dew-covered vegetation to arrive at my survey sites.

Sunday Afternoon Birding & Pipeline Hike

I arrived at the park today at 1:30 to walk some Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat. Two males were singing on adjoining territories. I weaved my way through the dense juniper understory of dead branches in search of an active nest but never found one. One male sang for a half hour as I walked his territory. In between his song he would make what I believe to be a contact call, ticket - ticket - ticket. At first I thought the female was close by responding to him. Perhaps it is getting close to egg hatching time and the male is changing his vocalization behavior toward his mate.

The bird blind has been bringing some surprising migrants lately. Just before I arrived, park manager Bill McDaniel, saw a male Scarlet Tanager. At 3:30 in the afternoon I saw a male Lazuli Bunting and a female Dickcissel at the blind. I also just missed a Black-headed Grosbeak that has been frequenting a feeder at one of the volunteer's campsites.

There have been plenty of snake encounters and observations lately at the park. Fortunately, I have not seen any up close but I am being more cautious on my forays climbing around rocks. One park employee stepped out of his truck and was immediately struck in the boot by a Copperhead Snake. A picture of the Copperhead is shown here. Volunteers have seen Rattlesnakes at the bird blind waiting for an unsuspecting bird at the water baths.

I finished the evening out hiking the pipeline trail with a 35 pound backpack on for what turned out to be a refreshing hike with gusty winds sufficiently cooling me on my training exercise.

Breeding Birds and Blooming Cacti

Overcast skies and moderate winds started today's bird survey. Not as many birds were detected but still a good assortment of species. I am including two nest photos taken along the Nature Trail. I setup a spotting scope and took photos through it using my Sony Cybershot. This is known as Digiscoping.

One photo is a female Black-chinned Hummingbird sitting on her tiny lichen nest 50 feet up in a Cedar Elm tree. The other photo is a female Eastern Phoebe building a new nest in the rock wall only 10 feet from last week's nest. In the last couple days it appears the previous nest, with nestlings, was predated upon. My only guess for predator would be a snake but the vertical nature of this wall makes it hard to believe.

This year I have 5 pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes nesting along the river at my survey sites. Nashville Warblers are still common and singing. At Tobacco Creek I had 2 male Black-throated Green Warbers, one singing its characteristic song - 'See See, See Suzie'.

A Crested Caracara flew over Wolf Mountain Trail near the parking lot. Not a species I am used to seeing at the park. Though the bird blind has already seen an Ash-throated Flycatcher over a week ago, today was the first time I saw one. The first Lark Sparrow was also noted along the edge of the main falls road. I almost forgot to mention a Great-crested Flycatcher was fun to see along the river and hear its 'Wheep, wheep, wheep' call.

It was well worth the search for a flowering Lacey Cactus. I had to wait until the afternoon when the sun was shining to find several cacti blooming along one of the paved roads. I had discovered several cacti earlier in the morning that were about to bloom along East Park Boundary but they apparently needed the sun to open to the heavens. This year the Prickly Pear Cactus is also blooming at the same time. I believe two weeks in a row of decent rains have prompted this showy display.

River Water Rises & Bird Nesting Activity

Last week's rains dropped almost 2 inches on Pedernales Falls State Park. Precipitation upstream brought greater flow rates to Pedernales Falls. Lots of folks were out today to observe and enjoy mother nature. To the right is one of many Rain Lilies which are abundant right now in the Hill Country, and below a mushroom popped up under a Cedar Elm tree which it has a symbiotic relationship with.

I arrived at Wolf Mountain Trail parking lot at 6:30 AM under clear skies and no wind. I could hear the roar of the falls over a mile away. I heard a Chuck-wills-widow just as I undertook my bike ride. My first bird survey began at East Park Boundary where Wild Turkey's were gobbling. By 8 AM I was at Tobacco Creek where I found Carolina Chickadees feeding young in a natural cavity, the same cavity they used last year. I also checked in on the Louisiana Waterthrush nest. Both adults were in the vicinity but I was unable to detect whether this bank cavity was still being used. The rains appeared to have washed down some mud possibly obstructing the entrance.
Nashville Warblers were common throughout the park today and singing. I also saw one Common Yellowthroat male.
My quest is still on to find a Golden-cheeked Warbler nest, of which there are many territories to choose from. During my search I discovered a Black-chinned Hummingbird nest high up in a Cedar Elm tree located in a ravine near the campgrounds. An Eastern Pheobe pair made their nest known to me today at Twin Falls. The nest is in a natural cavity located on a vertical rock face adjacent to the smaller pool. Both adults were feeding young in the nest and using nest box #1 as a perch.
The first Blue Grosbeak showed up at the Bird Blind today along with many Indigo and Painted Buntings. A field photography class, sponsored by the American Birding Association, were coming and going all day at the blind. One professional believed a first year male bunting to be a hybrid Lazuli/Indigo.
Spring migration is not over yet. I believe we have a few more weeks of exciting observations of transients and new avian breeders at the park this season.

Pipe Line Hike & Afternoon Nest Searches

The Golden-cheeked Warbler territory I have been checking on has yet to turn up a nest. I am finding all kinds of Juniper bark nests, most too large for this species.
I really planned on doing my bird survey this morning but the weather radar showed a few small rain cells passing over Blanco County so I passed today. As it turned out Pedernales Falls State Park did not receive any rain today.
Before embarking on my weekly backpack hike along the pipeline trail I stopped in the bird blind to refuel and watch the activity. There definitely was a fallout of birds from yesterday's storms. Most notably were a handful of male Indigo Buntings, plus one male Painted Bunting.
At 5 PM I embarked on my weekly backpack hike along the Pipeline trail. Just over a month to go before my Mt. Shasta ascent so hiking the pipeline is imperative. I flushed up a first of the year Common Nighthawk near the highest ridge along the trail.
Sunday morning I will return for what promises to be a great bird survey day during the peak of spring bird migration.

Nest Building Time For a Variety of Species

There was an abundance of bird nesting behavior to observe today. Nesting has begun for many of the early migrants as well as year-round residents. Sitting and observing birds at given locations really allows one to notice a change in the bird's behavior. One of my objectives at each survey point is to discover active nests. Being by myself allows for this activity. Often discovering a nest involves seeing bird movement, only for a split second, out of the corner of one's eye.

This happened to me at Tobacco Creek with the Louisiana Waterthrush. I noted the location in the bank I saw the bird going to during my survey. Afterward I approached a little closer and was able to observe both adults carrying nest material into the hole. Getting a little closer, 35 feet away, proved futile as the birds detected me and left the scene. I have enclosed a photo of the dirt bank. The nest hole is at the base of the thickest long vertical root pictured.

Other bird nesting behavior I observed were by a Western Scrub Jay and two Black-chinned Hummingbirds, who were collecting spider webs.

I detected no new bird species arrivals at my stations, however, at the bird blind there were a few. Friday a Bullock's and Orchard Oriole were seen along with an Indigo Bunting and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. A single male White-throated Sparrow is still present and even sang as I approached the blind.

Sunday I will return to the park in search of a Golden-cheeked Warbler nest.

I returned on Sunday and can add to the list of nest builders the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Summer Tanagers & Northern Parula

Today was a perfectly gorgeous day to be out at Pedernales Falls State Park. I was greeted by some great looks of a Northern Parula Warbler at Hackenberg Creek. Louisiana Waterthrushes were keeping me company at three survey locations. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was flying upstream with a meal in its beak. The first Broad-winged Hawk came by and perched for a while at Tobacco Creek.
At station 5 the Carolina Chickadee is nesting in the same natural cavity as last year 20 feet up in a dead Pecan tree. Nest box 5 is only 15 feet away and unused. Along the rocky outcrops hiking up from the river I saw this Cedar Sage flowering.
The Summer Tanagers were the highlighted new arrivals for today. Their beautiful crimson red feathers and song were a great treat to see and hear. This wooded photo below shows typical Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat. A mix of Cedar Elm, Escarpment Live Oak and Juniper are found in this ravine.
Pipe Vine Swallowtail butterflies continue to frequent the flowering Yellow & Red Buckeyes along the river. I can also hear the Black-chinned Hummingbirds buzzing this way and that in association with the buckeyes.

Freezing Temperatures Quiet Bird Activity

This morning I ventured out on the Wolf Mountain Trail by mountain bike soon after sunrise. Lucky for me I had long underwear on! Temperatures dipped down to 32 degrees overnight in the hill country. There were not a lot of songsters today and no new migrants at my survey stations.
What I did encounter were two pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes and another two males on territory at four of five stations. Plus I saw some interesting waterthrush behavior, possibly nest site selection behavior.
This was the first week in several I had time to stop by the bird blind. No new arrivals here except a Clay-colored Sparrow photographed by bird blind volunteers on Saturday. A single Orange-crowned Warbler is still hanging around as well as several Lincoln's Sparrows.
By the afternoon multiple Golden-cheeked Warblers were singing along the Nature Trail under sunny skies and 75 degrees.
The photo above shows the new location for nest box 6 on an island in the Pedernales River. One can barely pick out the nest box on the right side of a cypress tree 5 feet up.
For the past two days I have been seeing both Loggerhead Shrikes and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on my return trip home from the park along Fitzhugh Road, Hwy 12 and Hamilton Pool roads.

Yellow-throated Vireo & Louisiana Waterthrush

Clear skies began the morning at 55 degrees but temperatures reached 78 degrees by the afternoon with mild winds.
Spring arrival records are right on from last year for the Louisiana Waterthrush at three survey points, and two Yellow-throated Vireos this weekend. A single Nashville Warbler was sited with gray head, white eye ring, yellow throat and underside, and bobbing tail habit. More White-eyed Vireos are showing up as well.
Cavity nesters are in full swing as evidenced by a pair of Carolina Chickadees and Black-crested Titmice nesting in one utility pole south of the overlook structure near the headquarters. The chickadees are in the top most cavity and 6 feet below the titmice are residing.
Trees are leafing out including the Box Elder along the river, Spanish oaks and Cedar Elm. This year the buckeye flowers are attracting the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly over any other species insect of avian.

Three Inches of Rain and a Few New Arrivals

Over the last week the park received three inches of rain. As a result the river has been brought up to respectable levels, thus all the fish eating birds have been more active and visible.

Today's survey started out wet and cold, with not many birds singing. I did see Green Kingfishers both at East Park Boundary and Twin Falls, and Belted Kingfishers. An Osprey made an appearance at Tobacco Creek.

Black & White Warblers are back as are Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Of note were two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers tapping away creating horizontal sap wells in the tree bark. This species will return to collect insects that have been attracted to the sweet sap. Golden-cheeked Warblers are setting up territories at Hackenberg Creek, East Park Boundary, the Twin Falls creek area, and Tobacco Creek.

The cool, wet weather today did not attract any hummingbirds to the flowering buckeye along the river. I suspect temporary territories will be defended over the coming week as the flowers draw moisture to produce sweet nectar. Two male Black-chinned Hummingbirds were sited at park feeders. At the bird blind White-throated Sparrows are still hanging around as are a few Lincoln's Sparrows, and a new arrival, a Chipping Sparrow.

Today was a busy day in the park with many backpackers preparing for entry into the Primitive Campgrounds 2 miles distant. Spring break is definitely evident at the park. My day there finished out with the clouds breaking up and the sun warming the landscape. I know the birds were rejoicing.

Golden-cheeked Warblers Are Back

This is the first Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) of the year at Pedernales Falls State Park. I wanted to check-in on all the year-round resident birds to catch a few early breeders like the woodpeckers, and look for early arrivals of some migrants.

Overcast skies made for comfortable travels via mountain bike and hiking up and down the rocky slopes adjacent to the Pedernales River. Temperatures reached 80 degrees while I was in the park.

The highlight of the day is seeing the return of Golden-cheeked Warblers, 15 males singing along Wolf Mountain Trail as well as at most of my survey points.

I heard a Greater Roadrunner across the river from Tobacco Creek. Its call is similar to a cooing dove. American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins are hanging out in loose flocks eating the newly emerging buds of the trees along the river. The Ladder-backed Woodpeckers are on territory and in pairs.

At Hackenberg Creek there was a beautiful pair of Blue-winged Teal preening on a rock in the river.
One final note of the day, the Buckeye are beginning to bloom. Soon the hummingbirds will follow. Due to the drought the buckeye may not have as many flowers as last year. They look stressed as well as other trees including the Ash Juniper.