[texbirds] Houston birds 12/1

From: Scott Atkinson <scottratkinson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012 20:31:47 -0800


Texbirds: First at Russ Pittman Park, the single CALLIOPE and BROAD-BILLED 
HUMMINGBIRDS were accomodating in the southern end of the park as advertised.  
About 35 SNOW GEESE flew by overhead here, seemed abit out of place, and at one 
point I heard a WINTER WREN in the thickets near the southeast corner.  I then 
stopped at Arthur Storey Park to look for exotics.  I had 2 ORANGE BISHOP and 
11 NUTMEG MANNAKINS at the westend in the thickets near the lakeshore.   At 
Bear Creek Park, I was unable to locate the GREATER PEWEE at first, and after 
three plus hours was about to head out, but ran into Jim Hinson and Greg, who 
located the bird after 4 pm in the trees near Restroom 9.   There are many 
flock birds here, the more notable including  juv. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 
several GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and two PINE 
SISKINS.  Thanks, Jim and Greg! I followed them to the AM. WOODCOCK stake-out 
off Eldridge in w. Houston, where we met Drew also.  Sure enough, there were at 
least 6 flybys, and I felt that I had seen a 7th, which others did not see as 
well, prior to and apart fromthe main flight.   The area was alive with other 
birds as well, including an astounding ten COM. NIGHTHAWKS.  When I saw the 
first bird far off, I called out swallow.  But Jim caught sight of it and 
corrected me, as we all then began seeing additional birds.  I was unaware that 
COM. NIGHTHAWK could persist in Texas into December.  The grasses and scrub 
here were surprisingly productive (given fading light) for LE CONTE'S and other 
sparrows, among others.  What great good fortune to beback in Texas birding! 
Scott AtkinsonLake Stevens, WAmail to:  scottratkinson@xxxxxxxxxxx              
                          
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[texbirds] Houston birds 12/1

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