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.