Migration of course is slowing down, bur still some cool stuff happening.
Yesterday (05/04) at Polywog Ponds, I had 5 species of Warblers, including a
female Golden-winged, and a male Magnolia. Also observed: Groove-billed Ani,
Western Kingbird, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male).
Today at Polywog, I had Chestnut-sided and Black-and-white Warblers,
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, and Green Kingfisher.
Then, to celebrate both Libby's birthday (05/01), and the magic of Spring; we
visited two distinctly different but equally beautiful spots, in a quest for
fresh air, exercise, and of course Nature, with a focus naturally, on Birds.
We started out on 05/01, heading to Packery Channel, then to Port Aransas;
making stops at the Willows, Paradise Pond, and the Leonabelle Turnbull
Birding Center.
Paradise Pond and the Birding Center are both recovering beautifully - a huge
thanks to the amazing folks that work at these spots for all of their efforts
as they help to bring these vital places to health - Y'all are awesome!
As Libby and I were eating lunch at the Birding Center, we had an extended look
at a Great Plains Rat Snake. This excellent Reptile dropped from a tree right
in front of us, basked in the Sun for several minutes , and then disappeared
back into it's tree.
Bird highlights for this day included Prothonotary and Magnolia Warblers,
Eastern Kingbird, Sora, and Purple Gallinule. But in all honesty, the male and
female Aplomado Falcons we saw along Hwy. 361, were the Birds of the Day for me.
Part two of our adventure was a trip to a new spot for us both - the 15,000+
acre, Chaparral Wildlife Management Area. Located 25 minutes or so SW of
Cotulla, Texas - this lovely spot is home to a wide variety of both flora and
fauna.
We spent two half days at Chaparral, and had an absolute blast!
One of our first Birds was a male Lark Bunting that was very near to full
breeding plumage - what a way to start!
We had seven Sparrow species, including Black-throated, White-crowned,
Clay-colored, and many singing Cassin's.
Orioles were represented by four species: Bullock's, Hooded, Audubon's, and
Orchard.
Other highlights included Great Horned Owl, a migrating Broad-winged Hawk,
Cactus Wren, Say's Phoebe, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Blue Grosbeak, Verdin,
Vermilion Flycatcher, and more Painted Buntings than we could count.
And oh yeah, a six foot Texas Indigo Snake (nice spot Libby!), was pretty cool
as well.
Seen on our journey to Chapparal was a migrating Mississippi Kite, and also a
few Chihuahuan Ravens.
So much more, but enough words for now...
Get outdoors - but keep social distancing!
Dane Ferrell
Corpus Christi, TX
