Twenty birders enjoyed Colorado City hospitality courtesy of our local
birding guide Kyle OâHaver. Kyle is now the Park Superintendent at Lake
Colorado City State Park but you probably remember him from his time at
Estero Llano Grande where he was an active birder.
Many of the group saw at least 100 species for Mitchell County which was
pretty darn good for this transition period between winter and spring. We
had several crowd-pleasing birds.
When we arrived Friday for a couple of hours of afternoon birding at the
park we were treated to winds of 27 mph gusting even higher, but still
managed to see six to eight Rock Wrens all in one group, Western Bluebirds,
and Cassinâs Sparrows singing at the park entrance âa lifer for some.
Fortunately Saturday was much less windy and our visit to the Native
Prairie Association of Texasâ 1100 acre restricted access Maddin Prairie
was fantastic with Common Poorwills calling, Cassinsâs singing, both
Northern Bobwhite and Scaled Quail and the highlight- Burrowing Owls which
have appeared due to NPAT efforts at prairie dog reintroduction. After that
we checked out Lake Champion which has a new lessee who is making park
improvements. There we had snipe, cormorants, a Common Loon and a few
ducks. We stopped by Ruddick Park in town to get the Cackling Goose that
has been there for a couple of years, Eastern Bluebird, and both
goldfinches. Part of the afternoon was spent over at Big Spring State Park
where we worked on our Howard County lists.
Sunday back at the park Kyle made coffee for the group while we scanned the
lake for egrets, herons and flyovers. A Yellow-headed Blackbird perched up
for nice views. Then it was off to a pond that held eight Cinnamon Teal,
Mallards and a lone Ring-necked Duck. The American Golden-Plover at Cherry
Creek was the icing on the cake.
Maddin Prairie is a jewel. In the land of cotton it is a welcome island of
habitat that is being restored to its short-grass prairie roots. While you
canât get on the property anytime, the Native Prairie Association has
several work days and a breeding bird survey coming up in May on Saturday
and Sunday May 20-21. Contact NPAT volunteer Kirsti Harms, kmharms3(at)
gmail.com, for more information âthe birding may happen early and late in
the day with afternoon nap time if it is a hot May. Grasshopper Sparrows
almost certainly guaranteed.
Bottom Line: If you ever are travelling IH 20 West between Sweetwater and
Big Spring take time to check out Colorado City hotspots. BTW, the locals
say Coloraydo City.
A big thanks to Kyle O'Haver whose enthusiasm for birds, the outdoors and
state parks is contagious, and to Kirsti Harms and Pat Merkord of NPAT for
making this weekend a big success.
Jane Tillman
Austin
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