I am not even sure how to begin...
Yesterday(05/05), Mike Egar and I spent the better part of the day Birding
Packery Channel and Port Aransas. We started this breathtaking day at Packery
Channel. Mike's wife Phyllis Hibdon, joined us later at Paradise Pond.
I arrived at Packery around 7:30am - Mike had been there already, for the
better part of an hour. In all honesty, Mike appeared to be in a daze - and I
soon realized why. Dozens and dozens of Orioles(both Orchard and Baltimore),
were streaming North, directly overhead. Some would stop in the trees - but
most would not. Mike exclaimed 'that this had been going on since his arrival'.
I was tempted to try and count these moving beauties, but some events are
beyond numbers.
Besides - there was too much else to look at, as Warblers, Vireos, and others
were dropping into the trees.
Our day was full of Bay-breasted Warblers, American Redstarts, Magnolia
Warblers, Black-and-White Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers,
Wilson's Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Ovenbirds, Northern
Waterthrushes, and more.
There were a few species of Warblers that we saw only one of: Golden-winged,
Blue-winged, Yellow -rumped, and Blackburnian.
We tallied 20 Warbler species for the day.
Vireos were off the charts as well: Blue-headed, Warbling, Philadelphia, and
Red-eyed were all seen in good numbers. Joining these was a Bell's Vireo that
we found near the Audubon Outdoor Club's Refuge at Packery Channel.
A decent Sparrow day too, with Lincoln's, Clay-colored, Chipping, and Lark
observed.
Assorted highlight Birds for the day included:Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks,
Summer Tanagers, Willow Flycatchers(seen and heard), Least Flycatcher, Eastern
and Western Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwing, Least Bittern, Snowy and Semipalmated
Plovers, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Common Gallinule.
In total, 116 species of Birds for the day(I added Loggerhead Shrike at
Packery, Mike).
Another observation I feel compelled to mention: a male Blue-winged Teal was
preening on a log in Paradise Pond. With the Sun hitting this Duck's wing
patches, the shades of blue displayed were astounding.
Also, I want to mention that Paradise Pond is in awesome shape. Certainly it
will continue to get better as the new plantings grow, but it is being used by
an amazing diversity of Wildlife as we speak. From migrant Passerines, to
Sandpipers, to Waterfowl, to Waders, to Red-eared Sliders, to Dragonflies, to
Butterflies. Yes, I believe Paradise Pond is doing just fine - proof is in the
pudding.
Last but not least: I am fortunate enough to experience a wide array of South
Texas habitats, on an almost daily basis; so when I observe a new Snake
species, I get pretty amped. Yesterday at the Birding Center in Port Aransas,
I had a close-up look at one of my "fantasy-list" reptiles: a Speckled King
Snake! It was spectacular...
Cinco de Mayo, seemed more like Christmas...
Don't let responsibilities interfere with Birding,
Dane J. Ferrell
Corpus Christi, TX
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