Vireo Quiz
And here’s a small challenge for you B3 grads (or anyone else): ID this bird and tell us why. What is the diagnostic field mark?
Trans Pecos Birds
A few trans-Pecos birds.
Vermillion(s)
Here’s a couple of pix I thought a little unusual. 2 male Vermillions on territory but amicably sitting close together — Maybe family? And 11 Blue Grosbeaks in a flock (not all pictured) – maybe migrating? I’ve never seen more than 2 together that I recall.
Ant Hatch Davis Mountains
Allan and I were privileged to watch a second hatch (this time of large flying ants) at LE Woods Picnic Area in the Davis Mountains last week. The flycatchers, acorn woodpeckers and white breasted nuthatch were making flycatching sorties out into space. The jays were picking them up off the ground. Most birds had multiple…
High Island Termite Hatch
Our group in High Island really enjoyed this hatch of termites in Smith Oaks!! Brought in many passerines. I guess we spent 30 minutes watching.
Marfa Breeding Bird Survey
Got the Breeding Bird Survey near Marfa done for 2023 yesterday with my buddy Allan. It was a good year!! Many of the species that were down during drought seemed to have come back!!
Harlequin Quail (Montezuma Quail)
I was delighted to add this heard only bird to the yard list at our Davis Mountains Resort (DMR) place. Also heard them most of the morning at LE Woods picnic area and saw one briefly. (This iPhone video is from a later sighting in the DMR). Current name is Montezuma Quail, but I learned…
Lark Sparrow
So I watched this Lark Sparrow at L.E. Wood Picnic area in Davis Mnts for about 20 minutes. I couldn’t tell what he/she was up to until I checked the pix on PC. Gathering hairs!!!! For nesting I presume. What eyesight these critters have!!!
Shorebird Scorecard 2023
Here’s my Shorebird Scorecard for the last 5 weeks. 21 species at Hornsby and 34 of 38 regularly occurring species overall. Did pretty well at Hornsby: over 8 visits during April and May this year, I averaged 11.9 species/visit. Best birds were Upland Sandpipers on every visit, Hudsonian Godwits on 2 visits and 5 Ruddy…
Hornsby Field Trip Empids Class
Here’s an Empid (and friends) we had on field trip today. Maybe someone else can post the other flycatcher (which I neglected to get pix of).