Friday, July 3, 2009

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.