[texbirds] Katy Prairie today, flocks of white-tailed hawks
- From: Joseph Kennedy <josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: 4 Texbirds Maillist <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:26:58 -0600
Spent the morning on the katy prairie before dawn on Porter Road to see if
the short-eared owls were back. Not much there and the parade of gravel
trucks was going well before sunrise. Little other birds either with the
harrier and meadowlark roosts not present.
A few Harris's sparrows and white-crowned sparrows were east on
Longenbaugh. Very little else in the park, or going way west into Waller
County. Not much there either except for some western meadowlarks on
Pennick north of the Creek and around the corner to the east where it ends.
The highlight of the day were 30-35 white-tailed hawks feeding over a
mowing operation in the big field at the southwest corner of Blinka and
Baethe. 10 or so crested caracara and a few turkey vultures joined in.
Several sandhill cranes kept coming back but the mower kept them from
landing.
Lots of mice and rats taken and lots of chasing and screaming. I had 24
flying hawks in one binocular view and 10 flying birds in one photograph.
More on the ground and some left in chases or with large prey. But the 30
plus were in sight at one time in the air. Much of the field over the hill
could not be seen. Lots of opportunity to learn the calls of the
white-tails and caracaras as they chased, fought and soared.
Very much downhill after that and almost no birds seen on the rest of the
trip. But the hawks sure made it a day.
--
Joseph C. Kennedy
on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
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- » [texbirds] Katy Prairie today, flocks of white-tailed hawks - Joseph Kennedy
