[texbirds] Amazing November to remember for Texas Birds
- From: "Collins, Fred (Commissioner Pct. 3)" <Fred_Collins@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "1 Texbirds (texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2014 16:55:19 +0000
2014 will likely go down as a record year for new birds added to the state list
of Texas. Since 2009 only five new birds were added in those five years
ignoring taxonomic splits.
However, in 2014 we added Bar-tailed Godwit and then came November: Common
Crane, Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and Pacific Wren. The
year also produced second records for White-cheeked Pintail, Collared Plover
and Slaty-backed Gull. November also produced the 7th record for American
Dipper. And of course this was an eruption year like none previous for Brown
Booby in Texas.
Granted, these birds have not been accepted by the Texas Bird Record Committee
but extraordinary sighting by any measure. All have been well documented with
good photographs but questions will still be debated as to origin and recorded
calls.
With 30 days left and the "Patagonia Picnic Table" effect working in the
Panhandle, Guadalupe Mountains, and the Valley who knows what may turn up as
winter deepens. As an example of that effect, the Pacific Wren reported in
McKittrick Canyon led to a second visitor who found American Dipper. A third
birder in search of these two birds had a possible Black-Capped Chickadee. The
chickadee would also be a second record and the first record in 130 years!
Certainly there is movement of birds from the Rocky Mountains. There is also
movement from the Northeast because of early and excessive snows. E-Bird maps
indicate a strong movement of Tree Sparrow in the NE and I wonder if that was
the origin of Ron Weeks' bird at Sabine Woods.
But too I wonder if all the new birds are simply a reflection of the growing
ranks and increased sophistication of birders within the state. Perhaps the bar
has been raised and perhaps the best is yet to come. Either way, this winter
should be some of the best birding ever in Texas.
Fred Collins, Director
Kleb Woods Nature Center
20303 Draper Road,Tomball TX 77377
281-357-5324
Harris County Precinct 3
Steve Radack Commissioner
www.pct3.hctx.net<http://www.pct3.hctx.net/>
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