[texbirds] Roadrunners, drought, and ?
- From: "LMarkoff" <canyoneaglej@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'texbirds'" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:29:02 -0500
Hi Texbirds,
Before 2011, Roadrunners were here regularly. They especially liked to hunt
on the rock wall that runs alongside our house on the west side. It is a
few feet from the house so allows for close-up observation. On one occasion
I was lucky enough to see a parent feed its youngster as they stood on the
wall, a wow moment!
By mid-summer of 2011, I realized I wasn't seeing any Roadrunners. I didn't
see any for the rest of 2011, nor did I see any in 2012. I assumed
their disappearance was due to drought, although the on-going development in
this area might also be a factor.
Yesterday, much to my delight, a Roadrunner trotted past my window, holding
something in its bill that I couldn't identify from that angle of view.
We haven't gotten a ton of rain here, but compared to 2011, it has been
better. Perhaps we've gotten enough rain to allow the prey supply to
recover somewhat and so the Roadrunners can find food again?
Are any of you seeing a difference in your local Roadrunner population in
recent years? And if so, do you have any thoughts as to the causes?
Just wondering, thanks,
Lori Markoff
Austin, near Brodie and Slaughter Lanes
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