September Migrants

I decided to catch a few migrating birds at the blinds today. Arriving at 8 AM I watched for almost 2 hours about a dozen Cardinals or more. I did see three warbler species: Nashville, Wilson's and Yellow Warblers. The latter were several individuals, male, female and first year birds, seen repeatedly.
One female Summer Tanager and one first year bird. Two plus Ladder-backed woodpeckers but no sparrows of any kind were sited. I had all year-round wren species: Carolina, Bewick's and Canyon Wrens. The latter I heard down stream from Jones Springs where I finished out the morning mountain biking the Wolf Mountain Trail.
Also had a male Ruby-throated and several Black-chinned Hummingbirds at the bird blinds.

2010 Nest Box Checks Today

Hot and steamy morning at the park. Only a few birds were singing like the Summer Tanager and Painted Buntings. Lynn Kuentsler, the park peace officer, helped me get back to two of my remote sites along the Pedernales River.

As noted earlier in the season nest box 4 was the only box occupied this year by a Black-crested Titmouse. This is the first box to be used in the park since the study began in 2008. All the nest box wood is well seasoned and may prove more attractive to birds in coming years. Several of the boxes along the river were submersed during flash floods which deposited 3-4" of silt in the bottom.

Water levels are up 1 foot in the river right now after recent rains. All the vegetation in the park is lush and green. Quite a change from last year. Lynn reported the Lacey Cactus bloomed profusely this past week.

We ran across this Texas centipede which is about 5 inches long. Not something one would like to pick up by any means.

Hot Day with Plenty of Bird Songs

Though the breeding season is almost over I had many birds singing today. Whether they are late nesters or second nesting they sure are enjoying this hot summer day. Temperatures began at 74 degrees under clear, calm skies and a partial lunar eclipse between 5:30 and 6 AM (picture).
Today I saw family groups of the White-eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager and the Eastern Phoebe. Still hearing Black & White Warblers, Northern Parulas, Louisiana Waterthrushes as well as buntings and Blue Grosbeaks. I saw Purple Martins for the second time this year flying over the park.
Water levels in the Pedernales River are at their normal lows. This is my last official survey of the season. I must return to open up all the boxes to see what may have hung out in them besides birds this year. One out of ten boxes was used by the Black-crested Titmouse.

The third photo shows the mouth of Hackenberg Creek where I have nest box seven and eight one on each side.

Summer Solstice Outing

Having not surveyed last weekend I certainly made up for it this morning. I had many surprises, not all avian. The morning started out calm, humid and slightly overcast at 73 degrees. With no wind I should have heard a pin drop but my first walk-in along Hackenberg Creek there was a deafening buzz of insects. I am not sure if they were cicadas. They may have been another species of insect. Does anyone have a clue?
The Red-eyed Vireo was the most incessant songster of the day. Not a single Golden-cheeked Warbler was seen or heard. The breeding season looks to be over for them. I still have a Least Flycatcher singing on territory at Tobacco Creek. He definitely is not a Western Flycatcher. His song is the distinctive "Che-bek". This bird has a white eye ring and two dull wing bars. When the bird sings it flicks its tail and wings. I am very familiar with this species as I had them on breeding bird surveys in Upper Michigan.
At Tobacco Creek Seep I finally had the opportunity to photograph the Louisiana Waterthrush nest after the young fledged. This pair of waterthrushes chose to build their nest right in the middle of the seep on a slope that was dangerous for both four and two footed creatures to approach. The first photo above is an area shot, the second the nest.
Flybys today were a Crested Caracara, two Green Herons and a Great Egret. The Yellow-billed Cuckoos continue to be abundant this year.

I happened upon a huge Walking Stick by nest box #4 at Trammel Crossing. This fellow was over 4" long. Lucky I had gloves on when I handled it as I noticed nice sized claws at each leg joint. I also believe I found my first ever Indian arrowhead laying at the base of a sapling where the tree growth raised it out of the ground. The Summer Solstice certainly was filled with a variety of surprises for me!

Breeding Birds Mob Screech Owl

Today I had a picture perfect view of all the current bird life residing at station #4 - Trammel Crossing. Earlier in April I heard a Eastern Screech Owl whistling along Twin Falls Creek. Today that owl caused quite a ruckus among resident birds. I walked upon a mixed flock of birds mobbing the owl. Two Black & White Warblers, White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Carolina Wrens and Chickadees, Northern Cardinal and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The owl eyed me for a few minutes then decided to split the scene escaping the flock of scolding birds.
Birds were singing at all my stations, including a late Least Flycatcher at Tobacco Creek. This bird was heard and seen at this location two weeks ago. It will not find a mate in this part of the country as its nesting range comprises deciduous forests around the Great Lakes and Midwest.
I was surprised to find two Green Kingfishers flying by at the Tobacco Creek confluence to the the Pedernales River, first sitings of the year. At the Tobacco Creek Seep an adult Louisiana Waterthrush was still bringing food to its nest nineteen days after I first discovered the nest. It carried away fecal sacs from the nest.
The day was too hot and muggy for me to spend any time at the bird blind today. When I do finally have time to visit the blind it is the worst time of day 12 noon. The best time to visit the blinds are right after sunup.

Fledglings on a Hot Summer Day

Calm clear skies greeted me today at the park along with the May Full Moon. The sun intensified throughout the morning. With no winds I could hear and ID most singing birds all morning. Quite a few fledglings were moving around in family units. These included Carolina Chickadees, Black-crested Titmice, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Golden-cheeked Warblers and Northern Cardinals.
Still no kingfisher sightings anywhere along the Pedernales River.
Nothing new and exciting at the bird blinds. Summer is certainly settling in to the Texas Hill Country.

May 22 Pedernales Breeding Birds

Overcast survey days really make the effort enjoyable this time of year as temperatures start reaching the 90's. Plus today there was a steady breeze.

The Louisiana Waterthrush continues to feed young in the nest at Tobacco Creek Seep. Only one Acadian Flycatcher has taken up residence at my stations this year located at East Park Boundary. Waterthrush numbers are down also. This is the first year I do not have any Green Kingfishers nesting along the river. Perhaps a result of flood waters bringing great turbidity and cloudiness to the water. Yellow-billed Cuckoos are doing well. It is no wonder with the great number of caterpillars and newly pupating butterflies everywhere!

The Eastern Phoebe pair at Twin Falls is using the same cliff nest as last year. I believe the female is in the egg-laying phase now.

I managed a snapshot of my favorite Hill Country cactus, the Lacey, plus I stopped by the bird blinds at 7:15 AM between my surveys for a special treat: a first year male American Redstart. This male had a dark gray head with patches of black and where normally the markings are red they were still yellow.

One other fun observation today was a Red-shouldered Hawk flying over the Pedernales River carrying a snake.

May 16 Breeding Birds @ the Park

This morning was a nice calm day to survey breeding birds at the park. I was greeted by Chuck-wills Widows and Common Nighthawks as dawn broke under overcast skies and 65 degree temperatures.

Today's highlights were finding two bird nests. The first was an Ash-throated Flycatcher nest in a utility pole. Both adults were feeding the nestlings. Out at Tobacco Creek Seep I found a very attentive Louisiana Waterthrush with food in its mouth near its nest. I had to watch this bird for what seemed like eternity before it went to the nest along a bank covered in small ferns.

Not much new at the bird blinds but I did get a close-up view of a male Black & White Warbler and Painted Buntings.

Prickly Pear Cacti have been blooming for the past week. Here is one large plant with multiple blooms showing off today. With all the rains this spring there are plenty of grasses and forbs for caterpillars to feed on. Newly metamorphosed butterflies are easy to get great photos of as they wait for their wings to dry before flying.

May Birding at Pedernales

I arrived at the park before sunup and biked a fast pace to East Park Boundary. Along the way I saw and heard Chuck-wills Widow and Common Nighthawks. At station #10 I found two Black-chinned Hummingbird nestlings still in the nest but ready to fledge. One was beating its wings so quickly I could not see them move.

Acadian Flycatchers have settled into their usual territories - four males in all. Both Yellow-throated Vireos and Yellow-billed Cuckoos just returned. I found two Least Flycatchers singing along the river on this overcast, cool day - much like their northwoods breeding territory.

At the bird blinds highlights were a male Baltimore Oriole, a first year Western Tanager, and a Lazuli Bunting, all seen by the park hosts before my arrival. The last of the winter sparrows finally left this week for their more northerly breeding territories.

Cacti are about to flower at the park. Here is Indian Blanket in bloom which can be seen all along the roadsides in the Hill Country right now.

More Migrants & Young in the Nest

Today there were a couple of stations where the birds sang incessantly. This occurred early in the morning before winds picked up. Heavy overcast skies and bouts of sprinkles kept me from traversing my bike route until later in the morning.
I took advantage of this time to stop in the bird blinds where I saw a Yellow Warbler and Swamp Sparrow. After surveys were completed I visited the blind again and picked up a Gray Catbird. Blind hosts also reported Orchard and Baltimore Orioles today plus a first of year Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
The first Acadian Flycatcher arrived at one of my stations. The Black-chinned Hummingbird nest has two half grown nestlings being tended to by the female. These nestlings' bills are about 3/4" long. There were also multiple Swainson's Thrushes singing along the river this morning. This is the first time they have been so vocal during spring migration. This year there is only one Canyon Wren on territory at my stations. Numbers have gone down of this species over the past two years. Listen to its song by clicking on the name above which directs you to Cornell Lab of Ornithology's web page. Then select Sound. It is a musical descending cascade of liquid notes.

Breeding Birds & Migrants Today

This morning was a reasonable spring birding day along the Pedernales River. Several new arrivals and a few migrants revealed themselves. Welcome back Painted & Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and a Great-crested Flycatcher. Passing through were singing Nashville Warbler's and a Swainson's Thrush.
I had an Eastern Screech Owl trilling along Twin Falls Creek at 11:30 AM. The female Black-chinned Hummingbird is now incubating eggs in her nest only 20 feet above the Pedernales River.
At the bird blind today I missed all three species of buntings including the Lazuli. But behind the blinds in the open fields I did see a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Rains came through Friday night making it a very wet morning to be hiking through tall grasses and weeds along the Pedernales River. But the sun and wind allowed the vegetation to dry some, all but my shoes and feet. :p)

Birding Slow at the Park

A wet, cool, overcast day at the park kept many birds from showing at my survey stations or the bird blind. Summer Tanagers are now common along the river.
I found a Black-chinned Hummingbird nest at East Park Boundary. It is 20' above the river attached to a straight dead limb of a bald cypress tree. I noted the female last week collecting spider webs from the trees in this area. Today I saw the female again flitting around the cypress trees gathering invisible spider webs. She immediately zipped back to the nest remaining stationary long enough for me to suspect a nest at 150 feet away. Upon closer inspection I was pleasantly surprised. With overcast skies and temperatures around 58 F. this female was off the nest too long to have already laid eggs. I believe she is just finishing the nest, it taking perhaps a week or a few days longer to build.
I waited at nest box #4 to confirm the species nesting in this box. It turned out to be a Black-crested Titmouse, not a Carolina Chickadee. The adult was either feeding young or the other adult inside. Northern Parula continue to sing at various sights along the river.
At the bird blind a single White-throated Sparrow along with several Lincoln's Sparrows still are hanging around. Bird blind hosts say there have not been a great influx of migrating birds at the blinds for the past week. They anticipate new species arriving any day now, especially the buntings and blue grosbeaks.
This past week's rains have caused the Pedernales River to raise to the highest levels I have seen in the two plus years I have been surveying here. Waters were muddy and flowing quite fast. No chance of fording the river anywhere along the park's length. No kingfishers to be found this week. I bet they are having a hard time finding fish in the mirky waters.

Sliver Moon & 1st Bird Survey of Season

I was greeted at park headquarters with a Rufous-crowned Sparrow eating moths attracted to a building light just after sun-up. An Ash-throated Flycatcher also joined in this early morning feast.

First bird survey of the season began at Twin Falls. Along this route I discovered Carolina Chickadees are nesting in nest box #4. This is my first avian nest box occupant since the survey began 2 years ago.

New comers on territory included Summer Tanagers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Black & White Warblers and a Red-eyed Vireo. One migrant seen and heard singing throughout the park was the Nashville Warbler. I also had a singing Northern Parula. The new bird blind is finally finished. One will be quite surprised at how nice it is, tops in my book compared to any other blinds I have experienced here in Texas.

Award Winning Birding Today

Today was quite the birding day at Pedernales Falls State Park. For the first few hours after sunrise no winds made for some great sitings back behind the bird blinds in the horse pastures. A male Vermilion Flycatcher set the morning on fire as he darted for insects from a perch in the morning sunlight. Add to this a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and five Meadowlarks feeding in the field. Also of note was a male American Kestrel hanging around the new nest box placed along the utility line along the edge of this field.

Golden-cheeked Warblers are back and happily singing along most trails, most notably the Nature Trail. Black & White Warblers and White-eyed Vireos are also setting up territories. I detected the song of a Swainson's Thrush at sunrise along the Hackenberg Creek Trail.

Spring migration has begun and though some new birds can be seen around the bird blinds it really takes walking different trails throughout the park to catch them all.

I am including a picture of what I believe to be a Morel mushroom. I actually found several along a rocky trail leading down to the river. Regular rains in the Hill Country not only has made this a good year for wildflowers but mushrooms as well.

Todays Birds & Freezing Wind Chills

The wind chills kept me from walking far from my vehicle and shut up the birds as well. I missed my target bird today, the Golden-cheeked Warbler. But I can say it was seen by park personnel on the Nature Trail this week. One other new bird sited in the past week was a Black & White Warbler.
I must post Pedernales Falls State Park is now on Facebook. Volunteer bird hosts said they have also been asked to put all bird sitings on Ebirds. This is quite a task to ask of volunteers. I hope they can post rarities on Facebook as well.
I am happy to report there is still a pair of Eastern Bluebirds hanging around the horse coral behind the blinds. There are two new nest boxes awaiting their approval. The second bird blind now has glass windows. It is a very nice addition but on a cold, windy day, the old blind is a better place to hang out.

Spring Arrivals Not Yet

I traversed a few Golden-cheeked Warbler territories today at the park but no Golden-cheeks to be found yet. Perhaps the cold February weather really has curtailed insect activity for which these warblers depend on. But how do the warblers know what the weather is like in Texas if they are wintering in Panama?

The new park bird blind is almost complete. Just waiting for the windows to come in. The enclosure has a few benches in place. Now the park will be ready for bird spring migration.

I did see a pair of Eastern Bluebirds feeding in the horse fields behind the blinds. There are several new bird houses up along the utility poles which I surmise this pair are eyeing. A Crested Caracara was sited today near the headquarters. One has been seen in the area for the past two months. Not a common siting in the park says the park manager.

Nest Boxes Are Ready & Birding News @ the Park

Over the past few weeks I have been out to check all ten nest boxes up along the Pedernales River. They are in good shape and ready for the upcoming breeding bird season. The only noticeable change around the boxes are some are not accessible by foot due to high water levels in the river.

It being the last day of February I was listening hard for the first arrivals of Golden-cheeked Warblers but today's winds really hampered that effort and no Golden-cheeks were seen or heard.

At the bird blinds I added the Clay-colored Sparrow to this year's list in addition to a few lingering White-throated, many Chipping and several Field Sparrows in addition to a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos. Also sited were several Pine Siskins in addition to the usual resident birds. Photographs included here are a quick shot of a male Eastern Bluebird seen near the bird blinds where park rangers installed new nest boxes. Also, a photo of the first tree to set out leaves is the Buckeye shown here with buds opening.

Early Spring Birding at the Park

It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day at the park after a somewhat chilly start. All it took was a brisk hike along the Nature Trail to warm up spirit and mind. Folks at the bird blind saw a few Pine Siskins this morning.
I discovered a female American Kestrel soaking up the morning sun on the utility line by a newly erected Kestrel box mounted on the pole by the horse fields behind the bird blinds. Many of our winter visitors still remain at the feeders such as the White-throated Sparrow, plus all the year round residents. Nothing unusual to report today.
I was able to check four more nest boxes making sure they are intact for this year's breeding season. Water levels are still up in the Pedernales River ensuring plenty of insects for breeding birds this year. I think it will be a good year for the breeders at the park.

Cool Sunny Day

On the drive out to the park today I saw plenty of water in low areas. The Hill Country received its share of rain last week. Trails were on the wet side. The Falls continues it roar - heard even from the blind area. A sunrise photo taken from the headquarters with fog lining the Pedernales River valley.

Bird blind activity was brisk first thing in the morning as Orange-crowned Warblers came into the suet logs while volunteers were filling them. There is one Oregon Junco sporting a dark gray hood amongst several Dark-eyed Juncos, a Field Sparrow, a group of Chipping Sparrows, and several White-throated and Lincoln's Sparrows. One male Ruby-crowned Kinglet continues to visit the suet with his red crown evident. While at the blind a flock of 20 American Robins and 12 Cedar Waxwings came in. Spotted Towee's are prevalent as are the Western Scrub Jay, a Bewick's Wren, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Mockingbird, Black-crested Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Lesser & American Goldfinches and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.

An American Kestrel continues to hangout in the park. Hopefully this individual will find a new kestrel nestbox, erected behind the bird blinds, a great place to stay and breed.

Bright Sun Shiny Day

I visited the bird blind(s) at the park this morning. The new blind, currently under construction, is an open air bring your own chair affair at this time. But the water feature is very well planned out. Lots of brush cover behind makes the new blind very birdy and a great new attraction for bird watchers to the park.

Nothing more than the ordinary winter birds showed up at the blinds including two warblers: Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped. Sparrows included the Lincoln, Field, Dark-eyed Junco and White-throated. A flock of Cedar Waxwings came in to socialize up in the trees. Several Ruby-crowned Kinglets were enjoying the suet logs. I did hear an Eastern Bluebird calling from the horse pastures farther back off the road.

Later in the morning I hiked up from Pedernales Falls to an old tower which has a nest platform on top. I am assisting park personnel with placement of sticks on the platform in hopes of attracting an Osprey, Bald Eagle, or Great-horned Owl nesting pair.

Water levels are good this time of year in the Pedernales River keeping all the wildlife happy. I recently discovered one of my nest boxes from my bird study, which is 7' above water levels, had incurred flash flood damage, as the top of the box was missing and mud lined the bottom inside of the box. Soon it will be time to check the other boxes for water damage before the new breeding season is here.

1st New Year Sunrise

The morning chill in the air brought in the birds to the bird blind. Ten species of sparrows including the elusive Fox Sparrow for a five minute show time at 7:35 AM. A Song Sparrow made its presence down by the Pedernales River. Spotted Towhees are common at the blind as are White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows. A single Dark-eyed Junco hung around at the crack of dawn for about a half hour. Several Orange-crowned Warblers have been frequenting the suet for the last month.
Along my hike down to the Pedernales River I saw a flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. There is one male who continues to visit the suet feeders at the blind who sports the ruby crown without any provocation. Though I did not checkout the Falls I could hear their roar from the bird blind. It appears the ground is still saturated from recent rains and river levels are good for this time of year.