[bsg] Peason quad highlights, Sabine Par. 06-24-13

From: Terry Davis <trdavis22@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds <LABIRD-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "bsg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <bsg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Hubert Hervey <hawkeyehub1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:47:02 -0700 (PDT)
Hi all, Hubert Hervey and I atlased for 6 hrs and 25 minutes surveying the 
Eastern portions of the quad including portions of La 118, Jason Rd, rds to S 
OF 118, Marr Rd, Bridges Rd and Herrington Rd. The quad is now red.


WARNING- BIRDERS TAKE NOTE- We were approached when nearly finishing the area S 
of 118 and were informed that we needed a permit to be there. The individual 
also said that maneuvers and practices with live rounds were currently 
underway. We quickly (and gladly) exited the area immediately after speaking 
with him. Evidently, the wires got crossed somewhere, as all gates were open 
upon our arrival. In our defense, we did not drive past a single "No 
Trespassing" or "No Admittance" sign when driving in. We obtained pictures of 
the open gate and adjacent signs through which we'd previously entered- which 
were still open just the same when we left. According to the individual, any 
persons entering the premises must sign in and clear themselves with Army 
personnel beforehand. NOW we know- and we'll certainly make sure to do that 
should we attempt to visit the area again.



The area S of Peason was most interesting in terms of habitat and some of the 
high counts of the few spp we found there. Much of this southern portion of the 
quad is gently rolling to fairly hilly with much dry, sandy soil, clay and 
gullies with scattered outcrops of what appeared to be a soft, crumbly whitish 
limestone. The area was mostly younger pines along the ridge with an understory 
of intermittently sparse to dense clumping-type grasses and a few weeds- very 
prairie-like- this grading into older growth pines with a slightly thicker 
deciduous understory away from the ridge on both sides. On a side note- we 
encountered three separate groups of wild horses totaling 70 individuals, many 
of which reportedly share a mixed ancestry of animals remaining from World War 
II days. There were few scattered copses of black willow and narrow strips of 
small deciduous trees and herbs along the low areas. Other portions of the quad 
were mostly pine as well, with
 varying amounts of deciduous growth, then scattered dense riparian areas with 
more deciduous component than pine. Although there were very few scattered 
ponds or visible water, we did fairly well for the few such areas that we did 
find. We totaled 67 spp for the quad today. Here's some highlights-

NORTHERN BOBWHITE- 12- Throughout quad but especially numerous in Army area S 
of 118. We had 4 sets of 2 calling birds, then singles. Best count I can 
remember since childhood. Is it possible that some of these are released birds?

Wild Turkey- 8- group on N-e dead end of Jason. Doesn't look like Jason 
dead-ends on map- but just try driving past 1.3. miles.

Wood Duck- 1 male at pond near Herrington and 118
Great Blue Heron- 1- same pond.
Great Egret- 1, 3 separate ponds

Killdeer, 5- as 2,2,1 at scattered farmsteads
Mourning Dove- 86  Single group of 60 individuals just N of Jason and 118. 
Scattered singles to three throughout quad. Excellent nos for pineywoods.
AMERICAN KESTREL- 5 !! The Dillon-esque trend continues. counted along the road 
and ridge for 1.5 miles S of 118 as 1 f, 1 f, then single group of 1 m and 2f. 
Also day totals 4 RSHA, 2 RTHA, 1 MIKI and good nos of both vultures, 
especially Black.
Great Crested Flycatcher- 10- Seems to be a good season for these in a few 
places elsewhere, too. Counted in singles and family groups throughout quad as 
2,1,1,1,3,2.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER- 23- in a piney-woods quad!!? Except a few of those 
first individuals quickly counted along 118, most seen thereafter appeared to 
be adult males and females. It was strange finding the first three groups of 
3,2,2,1 fairly closely-spaced along 118 at farms on either side of Jason Rd. 
Although I figured this a bit far South to be expected, I wasn't entirely sure 
these weren't family groups that had merely found the area to their liking. 
Then we hit the ridge S of Peason, where we totaled 15 birds in groups of 1-7 
within a two mile area along the ridge. All of these birds appeared to be worn 
adult male and female. Moreover, all were perched low or flying low near the 
ground along the ridge. This is among the earliest of post-breeding gatherings 
that I can remember- and they're already in a piney-woods area that's probably 
well to the south of any areas that hold good numbers of breeding 
birds.........!?

Loggerhead Shrike- 3. Probably my best count ever for this type of habitat!
Gray Catbird- 2. Singing birds at separate and tiny copses of willows at low 
spots along the southern ridge.
4 SPARROW DAY, including-


E Towhee- 8
Bachman's Sparrow- 2. Singers in a long-leaf area near blacktop confluence with 
rd to ridge area- just W of 118. 
Chipping Sparrow- 2,1,1

LARK SPARROW- 7- These also found along the S road and ridge in groups of 2, 1 
and..... 4


For a very interesting day, indeed!


Terry
[bsg] Peason quad highlights, Sabine Par. 06-24-13

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