Left out- miss of Prothonotary Warbler was also noteworthy. Some cavities
may be flooded, although I suspect brooding silence as the most likely
reason........
Good luck to y'all out there tomorrow!
On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 8:07 PM, Terry Davis <terkchip@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi folks,
It was very slow in terms of definite migrants. Red River is overflowing
it's banks. The bike trail along Arthur Ray Teague Parkway is nearly
submerged at a few locations, then a look across at Stoner while driving
south and a good portion of the parking lot looks flooded. The chocolate
trail is entirely inaccessible. Here's a few notes from today. I birded the
boat launch area, then building/ overlook and north orchard but did not
check back of unit. Groups of 3 of assorted spp often seemed to be the rule
today. Here's a few notes-
Bald Eagle- 1 ad- probable female- certainly a local bird this late in the
game- observed sitting in lone baldcypress on Caroline on two separate
occasions this morning, then soaring to northwest late in survey around
1050. Common Moorhen calling from the flooded area toward the back always
nice to hear, along with at least 3 vocalizing Pied-billed Grebe. Anhinga
up slightly with 3, then very slow for other heronids with several expected
spp, then 3 Green Heron. No ducks except 4 Wood Duck
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Three birds calling near launch, then 1 other.
Arrived too late for owls, also missed Chimney Swift.
Eastern Wood-Pewee remain slightly higher than usual with 9 birds,
although numbers in orchard can remain fairly high almost until early
summer, then show a really good increase before usual arrival time-frame
for fall migrants. Great Crested Fly still in good numbers with 7. Late
pulse of Eastern Kingbird with three birds in one cohesive group, then 2
sep 1's
Red-eyed Vireo with two singing migrants in north orchard, then 1 silent
local White-eyed. Of course, always looking and listening for that
needle-in-a-haystack such as Yellow-green. The time seems right for that to
happen.....
Swallows low with Purple Martin and Cliff only present today. Lingering
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher along the Lake Bluff/ Green trail was neat. They
probably breed in small numbers here in low/ agricultural-type habitat
along the river, then definitely in large numbers in upland areas to both
north and south that are near or immediately adjacent river.
There were no Catharus thrushes, although an increase in American Robin-
many of which observed commuting to and from the large mulberry at the boat
launch.
A lone singing Gray Catbird could be either migrant or local breeder. The
habitat where found- dense, continuous vine-shrouded riparian strip
adjacent Caroline along green trail adjacent open grassy/weedy field seems
good for breeders. Northern Mockingbird detection up with 12 birds- 4 birds
in a single tight group.
Cedar Waxwing- 62 birds, including separate groups of 35 and 12 at launch
mulberry, then 5 near overlook.
Tennessee Warbler- Partial/ sub-song from lone male in north orchard. Five
yellow Warblers were in area surveyed, then 4 American Redstart. Lone
Canada Warbler found in dense rough-leaf dogwood just south of where second
male recorded during previous survey heard singing again today. Wind a bit
too much again but attempted recordings. Two singing Common Yellowthroat
rounded out the warblers. No lingering sparrows today.
Five Summer Tanager with 1 at launch, then 4 scattered across n orchard
could be either/or. Indigo Bunting numbers still somewhat high with 19
birds, including at least 12 singing males. Several females seen. Painted
in decent numbers, possibly including a latish pulse with 6 birds- this
including single fairly tight-knit group of three males, which included 2
adults and a second-year entirely green male with not a bit of blue in
crown. The young male also seemed to be the more effective aggressor during
a few skirmishes between the three. It returned to belt out loud song from
a favored perch more often after brief chases, where one of the two ad
males had also been observed sitting and singing prior to that. Otherwise,
everything in bird land seemed about usual. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles
somewhat low today, with 6 and 1.
A 4'+ Texas Rat (dark/ intergrade with black- nice red between blotches-
although this type/ pairing not recognized now?) gave a couple of visitors
a scare right before I left. They found it crawling toward the parking lot
from the big mulch pile adjacent levee near the building. Not surprisingly,
they were nearly having fits trying to keep their dog away from it. It was
fairly warm, yet the individual seemed very docile. As I carefully picked
it up to place it farther away, it never tightened up suddenly nor musked.
Moreover, it tried to climb high toward my head and shoulders soon after I
picked it up. It crawled slowly toward a thicket after placing it back near
the mulch pile. It was certainly a fine day to be out there!
Good birding, yall!! (:
Terry
