Did the smith point hawk watch Saturday and there were 14 species of hawks
and vultures counted. I missed the early merlin when I was wandering the
local area so only had 13 species.
Birds were late sleeping as they were confused by the time change and it
was after 10am when 3 young of the year turkey vultures showed up who could
be the local 2 broods. One is starting to get a red head and has lost its
white collar.
A peregrine falcon went past the white pelicans
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480654
The wind again defied the weather man and stayed mostly east and then a
little southeast. Out of spite the wind across the bay at Texas City stayed
mostly northish and a north wind prevailed with the flags all across I10 on
the way home. So most of the hawks stayed well out in front of the tower.
The biggest kettle had about 30 vultures and 19 broad-winged hawks plus a
swainson's, cooper's and northern harrier.
Only group of birds had an adult white-tailed hawk and a red-tail that had
a tail almost as white. And again, things really died down after early
afternoon.
The first sandhill cranes of the season were seen but only 3. There were
the biggest flocks of white pelicans that I have had all fall
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480658
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480656
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480655
There were also some very large flocks of white ibis and a few anhingas.
Several larger flocks of white-fronted goose with a single snow goose in 1
flock. There was no rush of early am birds to mark the start of the goose
hunting season like in some years. Heard 1 bluebird and there were a few
indigo buntings.
And the blimp was up across the bay again.
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480772
Out Hawkins camp and Texaco roads, the boat-tailed grackles were still
displaying. I mystery call in a clump of ragweed turned out to be several
marsh wrens a little out of territory. Not many shorebirds out in Robbins
park as there is little oyster harvesting and lots of bank fishermen.
Almost no birds on the reefs off in the bay other than laughing gulls.
There are really lots of butterflies around the edge of the parking lot at
the tower and along some of the roads in the area as well as the remaining
lantana in metropolitan smith point. Many are a little worn like the gulf
fritillary
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480775
and the little checkered skipper
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480779
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480778
But the long-tailed skippers were new and shiny
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480776
and the little skippers
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480780
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480777
And the little yellow ones
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480782
A buckeye tried to keep me from getting pictures of the upper wings by only
popping them open for a second
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480773
But it failed
http://www.pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/164480774
somewhat
Always good stuff around the tower. There was a new kind of dragonfly, a
smaller one with a pinkish gray color.
Swallows continue but most stayed out front like the hawks and alternated
between tree and rough-winged. None sat on the wires out toward the point
and none were at the sewage ponds feeding on midges. A few scissor-tailed
flycatchers with great tails were around but we missed the heavy migration
this year. So no record-setting tail pictures. But maybe during the next
week.
--
Joseph C. Kennedy
on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
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