A magnificent bird walk outing led by Manuel DeLeon at Tahoka Lake Pasture took
place today. While we were prepared for a low bird count due to drought, we
were delighted to record 56 species of birds. Manuel graciously arranged the
outing with Clyde May @ Tahoka Lake Pasture. It was a glorious bird walk
lasting a good number of hours.The following participants were present:
June Azua, Jim Crites, Joe Cochran, Jordan Cochran, Whitney Cochran, Manual
DeLeon, Olivia Goodrie, Kathy Heppert, Joe Heppert, Kippie Hopper, Greg Joiner,
Barry Keith, Glenda Kelly, Phillip Kite, Rob Lee, Cienna Lyon, Dana McKay,
Steve McKay, Matt Olsen, Gloria Paraskeva, Clarice Robertson, Floyd Robertson,
Matt Ryan, Pam Ryan, Charlotte Sanders, Brad Shine, Matt Smith, Gary
Strickland, Lena Zappia (29 Participants).
56 species of birds:
Sora - 3
Mallard - 3
Green-winged Teal - 2
Common Poorwill - 2
Wilson's Snipe - 3
Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1
Turkey Vulture - 2
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Great Horned Owl - 2
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Northern Flicker - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 7
Barn Swallow - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Marsh Wren - 2
Bewick's Wren - 1
House Wren - 1
Curve-billed Thrasher - 8
Sage Thrasher - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
Hermit Thrush - 2
Pine Siskin - 6
Lark Sparrow - 4
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
White-crowned Sparrow - 2
Lark Sparrow - 4
Vesper Sparrow - 3
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 4
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
White-crowned Sparrow - 3
Spotted Towhee - 5
Yellow-headed Blackbird - 1
Western Meadowlark - 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark - 5
Red-winged Blackbird - 23 (NOTE: no Brown-headed Cowbirds among them)
Brewer's Blackbird - 4
Common Grackle - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1
Townsend's Solitaire - 1
Blue-winged Teal - 2
Northern Bobwhite - 10
Greater Roadrunner - 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker - 2
Pyrrhuloxia - 1
Ash throated Flycatcher - 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 7
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Northern Harrier - 1
Merlin - 1
American Crow - 1
Great Horned Owl - 2
Note: The bird list was compiled from notes taken on-site as well as eBird
reports from Brad Shine, Cienna Lyon and Joe Cochran. Look for pictures in the
upcoming Scissortail newsletter.
Thank you to all in attendance and most especially to Manuel. Also, big thanks
to Lena for compiling the bird list.
For those who noticed I had to scoot out before the bird walk ended, I am happy
to report I was in charge of a trash collection event at Leroy Elmore Park from
10am - 1pm which yielded 70 bags (33 gal size) of trash collected from along
the shore and in the water. We were able to remove all the reachable plastic
bags (up to 6’ out) in the water. The total estimated weight of trash collected
was in excess of 2,800#. We made a positive impact for both the birds and our
community today. The event was attended by 26 volunteers. I apologize to Manuel
and all present for my inability to stay for the entire bird walk. Regrettably,
the conflict was unavoidable. Thank you for your understanding.
The next bird walk will be announced soon. Please continue participating. It’s
so exciting!
Glenda Kelly
President - Llano Estacado Audubon Society
432.349.8288
