The lakes already are marked unfortunately. They are listed under Shipp /
Stagners Lake since there are two separate lakes there. It has been birded
for 50 years at least. Lots of good stuff...PUGA, COTEs etc etc...Used to
get WOSTs big time...Once had c340 there.....It is hard not to visit the
lakes w/o doing the loop unless all you have time for is an increasingly
dangerous stop on 71.
On Mon, Mar 8, 2021 at 11:48 AM Justin Bosler <justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Thanks for the report, Philip! For those of you that use eBird, I am
waiting on the Smithville Loop to be established as a hotspot (I just
suggested it for a 2nd or 3rd time this morning). There have been so many
western rarities reported in that immediate vicinity this winter, from
Ferruginous Hawk and Prairie Falcon to Lark Bunting and Green-tailed Towhee
and likely others that I'm unaware of, that it merits the special
designation.
Justin Bosler
Austin, Texas
On Mon, Mar 8, 2021 at 10:40 AM Philip Rostron <
philiprostron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Finally caught up with the Green-tailed Towhee which has apparently
wintered on Loop Rd in Smithville although it had not been reported on
ebird since November until yesterday. Exact same spot as before (29.998106,
-97.093076). Initially it was skulking in the thicket on the north side of
the road but eventually came out to feed on the south side.
Also 8 Lark Buntings in the big patch of prickly pear right where Loop Rd
crosses over Hwy 71 into Smithville. Same spot as previously reported and
a location where I have seen them in previous winters.
Phil (Smithville).
