Headed down to Smith Point yesterday to get all of the great hawks coming
in on the north wind and wrapping around the hurricane but the hawks did
not read my forecast or went elsewhere. There were some hawks but most
arrived and then did not pass on. Some broad-wings and turkey vultures did
venture a ways out over the bay but quickly came back.
But it was a scissor-tailed flycatcher day. I got down to metropolitan
smith point right at sunrise and had 300 or so scissor-tails leaving their
roost near the oyster plant. Another 200 plus were out Hawkins camp road.
Most of the two groups at least started out back north whether to move or
feed. Some of the early birds did go out past robbins park and leave.
Lots went back and forth over the tower during the day in small and large
groups. They were passing but stopped at the waters edge. Did have a single
olive-sided flycatcher up on a favored twig. I never found any other
kingbirds despite lots of looking.
The water was still partly over the paved end of Hawkins camp and all over
the dirt part early but was mostly gone later in the pm. Lots of dead fish
in the parking lot may have provided eagle food later in the morning.
Two bald eagles passed by. One stopped and ate a lot judging by his crop.
Hawks were way up there and pretty good variety. One distinctive broad wing
had broken primary feathers and another had replaced lost feathers with
white ones. A red-shouldered hawk had broken off or bent most of the
primaries just inside the window which eliminated the main field mark.
Did not see a swainson's hawk all day but 2 Mississippi kites were
lingering early in the am.
Merlin perched out Hawkins camp. Peregrine corralled a big starling flock
up in the air and either got one or gave up as the birds went back down
after a bit. Best kestrels day of the fall but not a good kestrel day. The
tame bird from last fall appears to be back on its usual sections of wire
and is still tame. Another kestrel flew along the whole length of Hawkins
Camp and made a pass at every morning dove on the wires.
The local caracara came by with 7 birds in the group.
Turkey vultures were moving but no real kettles yet. But 3 or ten birds are
still kettles. Several nice anhinga flocks, a few white pelicans and 4 wood
storks were up there.
Swallows mainly stayed way out in front of the tower and crossed the bay
out at Robbins Park. Chimney swifts way up there in the pure blue in the pm.
I did the pine trees in town to see if I could find a red-breasted nuthatch
as they are passing through Iowa etc with no luck but mid morning one
tooted not far from the tower. Indigo buntings were the common bird calling
as they went by and a few dickcissels went overhead.
Very nice day at the tower after all the rain and heat etc. Did see my
first love bug of the fall too.
--
Joseph C. Kennedy
on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
