Although not full-on West Texas (we can see it from here!) South Llano River
State Park at Junction has been exceptionally good the past few days. My
complete list for today on ebird. The blinds are still closed but you can stand
beside them or bring a stool/lawn chair and look through the portholes. At
Acorn Blind a picnic table was pulled right up next to the fence that you can
sit on. The policy may change around the 18th. Also the park is limiting on
weekends 100 Day-Use entry passes. Park patrons are reserving Day-Use passes in
advance. During the week very few visitors out there. I birded out there this
morning and tallied 54 species and did not bird along the river. Agarita Blind
has been really good in the mornings. Today I had Nashville Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, MacGillivray Warbler (2, another further up the trail in shin-oak
thicket that I pished out), Swainson's Thrush, and a Least Flycatcher that was
mesmerized by the water feature. Black-capped Vireo are easy at this blind in
the mornings and throughout the day. Lynn Schaeffer had a Lazuli Bunting at the
blind. Also gobs of Painted Buntings at every blind and Acorn also real
reliable for Indigo and sometimes Lazuli, Blue Grosbeak. Golden-cheeked
Warblers are up the Warbler Trail and not difficult to get although less
singing now. I had 5 today with great views of 3. Zone-tailed Hawk also.
For Lora, yes BBNP was always my go-to place for Black-chinned Sparrow---either
Pinnacles or Laguna Meadow Trails. I don't think I have ever recorded that
species anywhere else in west Texas, maybe years ago on western side of Guads,
or area below and west of El Capitan but that area in GNP so closed. I would
agree with Christian and head west to Portal---it is not all that far. I can
make it in one day from Junction. There is a great bird(s) in the Chiricahua's
now----3 Crescent-chested Warblers on the west side of the mountains at the end
of West Turkey Creek Road (Morse Campground). A pair is nest-building, the
other one must be lonely. Easy to get. Plus everything else.
Rhandy J. HeltonJunction, Texas
