[texbirds] Golden-cheeked Warbler Interaction at Pedernales Falls State Park

  • From: Shelia Hargis <shelia.hargis@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: Texbirds <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:42:15 -0500

Laurie Foss and I teach the Travis Audubon Introduction to Birds and
Birding class. We split our class of 24 students into two field trip
groups, one group that goes out on Saturdays and one that goes out on
Sundays.  This weekend's field trip was to Pedernales Falls State Park. One
of our target birds for this time of year at Pedernales is, of course, the
Golden-cheeked Warbler. We start the morning off by walking about a mile
along the Wolf Mountain Trail.
Yesterday's group heard several Golden-cheeks and finally got a very good
look at two males and one female, all in a group in an oak tree along the
canyon. The birds seemed to be focused on eating and didn't pay too much
attention to us.

For today's group, we were worried about the windy conditions, but we had
to try. We went to the same area where we saw the birds yesterday, heard a
male singing, and saw him fly across the field in the general direction of
the oak tree. After a while, some of the group got a fleeting glance at the
bird in the tree. Some of us also got a quick look at a male
Black-and-white Warbler. We finally left and walked further down the trail
to a side trail that leads to the edge of the canyon. We heard one bird
across the canyon singing and then all of a sudden, we had three
Golden-cheeks right in front of us, two males and one female. The birds
came within ten feet of us and were nearly at eye level some of the time!
At one point, the males flew at each other and then ascended together
within about three or four inches of each other. At another time, they
descended together in the same manner. At no time did they actually contact
each other but it seemed like they were about to. Then another male showed
up. The female didn't seem to pay any of them much attention. She just kept
eating. The birds stayed in the area around us for approximately ten
minutes and everyone got great looks. It was the most amazing interaction
Laurie and I have witnessed with Golden-cheeked Warblers. Needless to say,
we were thrilled as were our students!

We always breathe a sigh of relief after we're able to get our students on
the Golden-cheeks. The rest of the day is a piece of cake.  ( :

Shelia Hargis
Austin


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