[texbirds] Northern Harrier and other birds at Aransas NWR and 75th anniversary events with David Sibley
- From: <David_True@xxxxxxx>
- To: <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 11:35:33 -0500
8/11/2012
Birding at Aransas NWR on August 9, 10, and 11 has shown an increase in
the diversity of migrating birds. Fall migration is definitely starting
to happen! Most of my birding has been near the visitor center, the
fishing pier area, the tower, and at the Cavasso Creek section on HWY 35.
Some of bird highlights include:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - several small flocks everyday throughout
refuge
Fulvous Whistling-Duck - About 15 birds in flock by tower on 9th
Blue-winged Teal - Large flock of about 20 birds in basic plumage over the
tower on 9th
Wood Stork - increasing numbers but seen mostly in flight scattered around
the refuge each day
Magnificent Frigatebird - one juvenile flyby only 15 feet over my head on
the tower on 11th!
Least Bittern - observed at Cavasso Creek and the tower each day in small
numbers
most of the heron species are well represented now throughout
coastal areas
Northern Harrier - immature (juvenile?) at tower on 9th and at Cavasso
Creek on 9th-surprising early migrant
Red-tailed Hawk - one adult near visitor center each day
Clapper Rail - "family" in mudflats near tower each day
Semipalmated Plover - several basic plumage birds at Cavasso Creek on 9th
Black-necked Stilt - many at Cavasso Creek everyday
Spotted Sandpiper - one in alternate plumage at fishing pier area on 9th
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs - regular at Cavasso Creek everyday
peeps - mostly Least and but a few Semipalmated/Western in poor view at
Cavasso Creek everyday
Stilt Sandpiper - several at Cavasso Creek area on 9th
Dowitcher sp. - mostly Long-billed but perhaps a few Short-billed as well
at Cavasso Creek everyday
Sandwich Terns - in impressive numbers over coastal waterways everyday
Black Tern - one alternate bird at Cavasso Creek on 9th
Black Skimmer - several birds near tower everyday
Common Nighthawk - good movement each evening all over
Chimney Swift - one migrant mixed with swallows at visitor center on 9th
Buff-bellied and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds - becoming common particularly
near the visitor center each day
Belted Kingfisher - one birds hanging near fishing pier and occasionally
flying over the visitor center and tower each day
Loggerhead Shrikes - starting to become more prevalent along auto loop
swallow migration - Cliff and Barn in good numbers each day. Purple
Martins (about 15) observed on 10th over tower. Cave Swallows are common
at Cavasso Creek
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - starting to pop up near visitor center each day
Yellow Warbler - first migrant seen at visitor center on the morning of
the 11th
Seaside Sparrow - several at Cavasso Creek area each day
Orchard Oriole - migrating through each day
In addition, around the refuge on some of the farm roads have been good
numbers of Upland Sandpiper and the occasional Swainson's Hawk.
Aransas NWR will be celebrating our 75th anniversary on Saturday, October
20, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Our featured speaker will be famous
birder and artist David Sibley who will be speaking at about 1:00 pm. We
will have many other exhibits, speakers, and activities for the public
including Lucas Miller "the Singing Zoologist", the Texas Zoo, raptor
shows, Austin Mobile Planetarium, Bat Conservation International,
International Crane Foundation, and many other cool things. This is a
free event and all are welcomed to come. Come celebrate one of the great
refuges on the planet and the joy of saving the whooping cranes with us!
David True
Park Ranger (Visitor Services)
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Circle
Austwell, TX 77950
361-286-3559 ext 232
david_true@xxxxxxx
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