[texbirds] Tuesday morning birding, Hagerman NWR

  • From: Jack Chiles <chilesjack@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: Texbirds <Texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:09:12 -0500

When we started the day it was calm, the temperature was in the mid fifties and 
the sun was shining, all the makings for a marvelous birding day. And a 
marvelous day it was.  Early on we spent a lot of time at the bottom of the 
hill at Goode which continues to be a productive location.  There were hundreds 
of swallows flying back and forth over the Smartweed.  They were too distant to 
identify as to specie.  Forster's Terns were flying back and forth over the 
lake.
At times we would see flocks of ducks arising from the Smartweed and almost 
immediately settling back down.  A group of 8 American Avocets flew in and 
landed nearby close to a group of Greater Yellowlegs.  Then we spotted an 
Osprey on the far side of the lake but too far for good looks. Then we 
continued on to Dead Woman Pond where there was a lot of action.  Upon arrival 
a second year Bald Eagle flew up from near the water and landed in a tree in 
the back.  We then saw an Osprey sitting not far from the eagle.  The Osprey 
then flew in front of us giving a great view, later returning to another perch. 
 There was also a Cooper's Hawk and a Northern Flicker sitting in the trees 
while Red-headed Woodpeckers flew back and forth being their usual noisy 
selves. On Wildlife drive we had spectacular views of a Merlin up close. We 
also saw the first Northern Harrier of the season. We finished the day with 53 
species. They were sowing wheat today so hopefully it will rain so the seeds 
will sprout and be flourishing when the geese arrive near the first of November.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/email?subID=S19917796
Jack Chiles, Texas Master Naturalist and volunteer Hagerman NWR.Edit your 
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