Below is a message from our friend, Skip McClellan, in Conroe, TX. If you
have been watching the news lately you have seen reports of the terrible
flooding in TX.
One part of Skip's message I found fascinating is about the bounty placed on
Red-headed Woodpeckers in that part of TX by the local telephone and power
companies back in the 50's and early 60's because of the nest holes they
made in the power poles.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
-----Original Message-----
From: Skip McClellan [mailto:gsmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 1:12 PM
To: rogermayhorn@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Emailing: Red Headed 5.31.15, Red Headed Nest 5.31.15
Roger: Hope this email finds you OK. Noticed you have a new address. Had a
great weekend birding since the Monsoon Rains have finally let up. It
rained every day here for the past 23 days, with the exception of yesterday.
Did a little birding late yesterday. I was pleased to locate a Red Headed
Woodpecker nesting area. I was like a kid with a new toy. I have been
checking this area for a couple of days now. Yesterday I finally spotted
one on a tall dead pine tree at a nest hole. He was quite a ways up the tree
even for my 300mm. Low and Behold, he flew down from the tall tree to a
small tree not 50 feet from me. Even though it was heavily shaded, I was
able to get a decent shot. I have attached a couple of pictures for you.
The Red Headed Woodpeckers are almost extinct here due to the bounty of 50
Cents per bird sponsored by the local telephone and power company back in
the 50's and early 60's. Every kid with a BB Gun became a bounty hunter.
It has been many years since I have seen one in these parts. I was thrilled
to see one again. Must have been my day yesterday, I also saw a Blue Heron
nest complete with Mother and young. I found it by chance, high up in a
pine tree by sound, due to the clacking sound the little Heron was making
when hungry. It sounded like the metal tracks of a Bulldozer moving in the
distance. Also saw a Loggerhead Shrike catching grasshoppers, but did not
have my camera. This is another bird we do not see here much. The rains
here in Texas did lot of damage. We have been in severe drought for the
past 5 years and now have more water than we need. Thank goodness we live
high and dry. I always tell people when the waters get in our house, Noah's
Ark will be passing by out front. Reading the reports from the bird club, I
see you guys are having some good outings with plenty of sightings.
Good Birding
Skip McClellan
Conroe, Texas
Attachment:
Red Headed 5.31.15.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
Red Headed Nest 5.31.15.jpg
Description: JPEG image
