[texbirds] Eaton Hill (and nearby) Birds 4.9.2013

  • From: "Eaton Hill Nature Center" <eatonhill@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "texbirds" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2013 14:03:25 -0500

Hello Birders,
Still seeing plenty of House Finches (one pair has nestlings in an old Barn 
Swallow nest beneath our eaves...their neighboring Barn Swallows in a nest 
eight feet away seem mildly confused), Pine Siskin and occasionally Cedar 
Waxwing around the main facility of Eaton Hill Nature Center.  Plenty of 
White-winged and Mourning Dove and a very jumpy Bewick’s Wren around the 
building as well.  Barn Swallows also appear to be nesting (or at least 
checking out existing nests).  Late last week two American Goldfinches were 
still frequenting feeders, but I have not seen them this week.  Black-chinned 
Hummingbirds are very active with as many as seven humming around one feeder at 
the same time.  Their antics are quite amusing to watch.  Western Scrub-Jays 
have found feeders approximately 75-100 yards from the main facility and are 
loudly calling from the oak stands there.  So far I have only heard two and 
seen one at this nearby location.  Yesterday a male Bullock’s Oriole visited 
and fruit has been placed outside in hopes of drawing him back.  Scissor-tailed 
Flycatchers are becoming more and more common by the day as are Vermilion 
Flycatchers.  Ash-throated Flycatchers have been reported on the property by 
nearly every birder who has visited recently.  
Over the course of the past week I have seen two Canyon Towhees and four 
White-crowned Sparrows just south of nearby Eldorado – the White-crowned 
Sparrows were waiting impatiently next to a quail feeder, fluttering down to 
the ground to steal seeds as the quail plucked them from the feeder.  Bobwhite 
Quail are becoming increasingly vocal.  Additionally, there is a Great Horned 
Owl apparently living quite contently amid the oaks of the courthouse lawn in 
Eldorado.  This owl exhibits a very noticeable brood patch as well as evidence 
of some sort of past trauma as it has only one foot.  

-Rita Mae Frey
Eaton Hill Nature Center
Sonora, Texas



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