.....
That's some good July birding Justin. Per the Sandhill and as a ploy to
provide some Texas ornithological history, the pratensis subspecies
formerly breed along the coast as a year round resident up to around 1915
and was reported as far south as Matagorda Co. I think they still have
small populations in either La. or Fl. where they are threatened ...There
have been summer coastal records since then (I had one in Calhoun Co once.)
though these animals may well have been injured and unable to make the trip
north.
On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 8:59 AM, Justin Bosler <justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hello all,
It must be Christmas in July!
Much to my surprise, I discovered an adult Sandhill Crane at the large
playa on CR 20 between CR Y and X just east of Tahoka (Lynn Co.) on Monday,
24 July. This is likely the first July record for Texas and perhaps first
documented summer season record. I also had Chipping and Black-throated
Sparrows in the area and my first Northern Rough-winged and Tree Swallows
of the "fall."
Equally as unseasonal as the crane is a female Common Merganser at
Higinbotham Park in Lubbock (Lubbock Co.). First reported on 21 July, I
followed up on the report last night and located it along the lake
shoreline. I'm unaware of it being reported earlier in the summer or spring
but I suspect it's been there for some time. It appears to be incapable of
flight due to active flight feather molt or other flight feather issue due
to parasites or malnutrition.
Good birding,
Justin Bosler
currently in Midland, TX
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