Texbirders:
This is a copy and paste of 2 posts to facebook Texbirds. Photos and maps can
be seen there.
On Monday I birded on Matagorda Island from about 10:30am - 3pm. Had the trails
all to myself. The route I took that day was not my usual one but I wanted to
check a marsh for NELSON'S SPARROWS that had them in the past. It can be muddy
on high to regular tides but on Monday the extremely low tide made it possible
to traverse the old roadbed mostly dry footed. I only found 1-2 Nelson's and
believe that the encroachment of black mangrove has something to do with the
low numbers. The beautiful day was made even more special by a flock of 4
GROOVE-BILLED ANIS, an unexpected find at this time of year and especially
after such a hard freeze earlier. A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was a good find in
Calhoun Co. on a barrier island. Cute LECONTE'S SPARROWS are always a favorite
of mine and actually set up long enough to snap a photo. The attached Google
Earth jpg shows the route for that day. Route and report from Tuesday's trip to
follow â¦
On Tuesday I birded on Matagorda Island from about 10am - 2:30pm. I wanted to
check one of my favorite spots for winter residents and scope out the
"birdability" for spring migration. The location is called the "North Salt
Cedars", a group of salt cedars and increasingly numerous toothache trees,
baccharis bushes, etc. that surround a couple of old bomb craters and cover
some sand dunes. They are the only group of trees growing on sand dunes on the
island and are therefore visible for arriving spring migrants from a long way.
I have had High Island-like birding in that area more than once - thus my love
for this spot. It is a bit difficult to reach and requires a boat from either
of the access spots: 4.5 miles per foot or bike from the old airbase along the
North Rd. or a much shorter but cross country treck from Sunday Beach to the
top of the dune where the North Rd. ends (see map).
Birding was good despite the less than ideal time of day. Some additional
tracks cut through the vegetation by TPWD personnel to aid with access for
hunting helped to reduce the need for bushwhacking (see map). A very pale
KRIDER'S and very dark HARLAN'S spanned the spectrum of Red-tailed Hawk colors.
Several PALM WARBLERS (photo) were all the bright yellow Eastern birds. A BROWN
THRASHER was uncommon for the island, 4 NORTHERN FLICKERS in loose association
were a surprise but not as heart stopping as the big covey of N. Bobwhites that
exploded from nearly underfoot. Best bird of the day required a bit of patience
and tracking and was challenging to photograph .. an EMPIDONAX flycatcher with
bright olive-green upper and quite yellow underparts. I have my thoughts about
the ID but would like to hear from other experienced birders what your take on
it is. Check out the photos. Do not attempt bushwhacking in this area without
good snake guards.
Petra Hockey
Port OâConnor, Calhoun Co.
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