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.

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.