I had my earliest record of Lazuli Bunting today at South Llano River State
Park in Junction. The birds, a male and female were at the Juniper Blind and
gorging themselves on sunflower seeds. The birds were also seen first yesterday
by other observers. I also had Painted Bunting and Indigo Bunting and guess I
should have gone looking for Varied Bunting on Easter Pageant Hill. Like the
Lazuli Bunting I usually get them much later in April but mostly in May. There
was lots of bird activity today but very few warblers. The Zone-tailed Hawk,
Crested Caracara and Grasshopper Sparrows were nice and about 10 calling
Black-capped Vireo's--none of which I pursued for a visual. Â
At the very muddy Wastewater Ponds lots of shorebirds including about 50
Baird's Sandpipers and a very early White-rumped Sandpiper. This bird was with
the Baird's and the same size, long wings past tail and much grayer back. I had
my binoc's on him when they flushed and the bird had a pure white rump. Other
shorebirds included: Long-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper,
Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper,
American Golden Plover and 15 Wilson's Phalarope.Â
Rhandy J. Helton
Junction, Tx.
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