[texbirds] Smith Point Hawk Watch today, south wind, still dark broad-wings, few birds but variety, lark sparrow as usual

From: Joseph Kennedy <josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx>
To: 4 Texbirds Maillist <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 19:13:13 -0500

Started out early for Smith Point and greatly enjoyed the moonrise and show
all the way there. New moon in the old moons arms. A little fog at spots
but it never got more than a cars height above the ground. But found no
horned owls on the way but lots of frogs and toads rejoicing.
Not much out at Robbins Park waiting for the sun to come up. A few savannah
sparrows were around but there are lots of Nelson's sparrows as their
favorite grass ripens. A female vermilion flycatcher was on Ouisa Street
but was greatly harassed by an eastern phoebe. Probably the same bird came
by the tower later and gradually headed east through the motte.

Good mix of hawks including a record breaking osprey and at least a couple
of dark phase broad-winged hawks. The east wind kept the birds way out and
then way up and when it swung south, all birds vanished. But the forecast
is for great north winds tomorrow. Good numbers of hawks are accumulating
on 1985 so larger hawks are in the area to come by the tower tomorrow. And
there should be great numbers of small birds too. Perhaps.

There were a couple of large meadowlark flocks out at the park today but
all heard were eastern. Only 2 scissor-tailed flycatchers at the peak of
their migration and the peak of tail length posing. The oyster season
should start tomorrow so there will be more opportunity for scavenging near
the park as long as lots of hawks do not go over when there are fresh
shells dumped. In any event, there were lots of oyster boats out on the bay
during the morning.

Not much was seen in the woods but the mosquito population was refreshed in
some areas and should really be improved by next weekend.

There were white pelicans going by during most of the day in small to
medium sized flocks. And there were flocks of franklin's gulls in a great
hurry mostly heading west into the bay with over 500 birds seen. The very
strong west winds across the upper Midwest may have moved lots of these
birds far enough east to make a great show on the UTC.

And a common loon flew by. Note that arriving loons are still in breeding
plumage so can provide a great show if any come close. No odd seabirds. A
single anhinga was up there in one vulture/hawk kettle. No storks. One huge
white ibis flock was circling over the 62/65 intersection on my way home. A
great day at the tower was ended by a lark sparrow at the corner of Ouisa
and Hawkins Camp.

-- 
Joseph C. Kennedy
on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx


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[texbirds] Smith Point Hawk Watch today, south wind, still dark broad-wings, few birds but variety, lark sparrow as usual

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