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.