[texbirds] Brazos Bend State Park - Winter Bird Blizzard

From: William Godley <fribbish@xxxxxxx>
To: Texbirds <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2012 14:02:39 -0600






Birding Enthusiasts, If you have enjoyed the evening roosting of Purple Martins 
or Chimney Swifts in the past, we offered our first of the season "Observation 
Tower Bird Blizzard" at 4:45 p.m. last evening.  The results were stunning.  
The Red-winged Blackbirds and other species friends historically use the 
Southern Wild Rice as their refuge of safety.  In the early days of park, Bob 
Honig and others reported "Tower Roost" numbers in the millions at the annual 
CBC.  Nature's event is all best viewed from the tower itself at 40 acre lake 
and it lasts less than an hour.  About the time the "blizzard" seems to peak, 
it gets even better.  They "party like rock stars" til dusk.
 
You don't need any BBSP volunteers to enjoy the sight.  You will see loads of 
several blackbird species as well as hawks, roosting waders, waterfowl and 
others.  Last night even the park's first ever Eurasian Collared-Dove made an 
appearance.  Here are a few pointers in choosing your timing:
Pick any day from now until early February.  Sooner the better.  (Exception - 
The Park is closed until Thursday noon this week)Pick a day with without rain, 
fog or signicifcant wind if possible - clear evenings with gorgeous sunsets are 
a bonus.Arrive at the Park Entrance 4 and 4:15Park at 40 Acre Lake Parking 
AreaDressed properly, walk clockwise from the parking area to the Observation 
Tower.Bring binoculars for everyone and one scope if available.Arrive at the 
tower no later than 4:45 if possible.  A bit earlier in late January or early 
February.Go to the top of the tower if able.  If not witness the show from the 
area below the tower.Count each and every bird and see whic of your gruop gives 
up first.  We ranged between a hundred thousand and a million birds last night. 
 
These hikes include park volunteers on Saturdays Dec. 22, Jan. 5 and Jan 19.  
See the brazosbend.org website.  No reservations are necessary.

And if you really enjoy the sight, try it in reverse!  Arrive at the park at 5 
a.m. and walk to the tower in the dark.  Watch out for photographers who are 
addicted to this and the "Blackbird Liftoff" which takes only about 15 minutes. 
 By sunrise itself, they are long gone.  
 
Enjoy it folks.
 
Bill Godley
BBSP Volunteer
Needville, TX
 



                                          
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[texbirds] Brazos Bend State Park - Winter Bird Blizzard

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