Hello all,
Just because it's June and the weather has gotten hotter doesn't mean the
birds have gone into hiding or have moved on. Varied Thrush in Canyon is a
good case in point. I've spend the last 5 days running BBS routes, working
and birding, as time permits, across West Texas and the South Plains and
there was plenty to see and get excited about.
Until my recently adopted Girvin BBS route dropped me in Imperial, Texas,
I had never even known about the incredible oasis that is Imperial
Reservoir. Rarity magnet. Though formerly a privately owned and operated
park, it is now defunct and access is limited to the outside perimeter. The
reservoir is just east of Hwy. 18 between Fort Stockton and Monahans in
Pecos County. I scanned the reservoir and shorelines for nearly 1.5 hours
on Saturday, 17 June, afternoon, in temperatures climbing into the low 100s
and was surprised by what I found and had a hard time walking away (and not
because of the crippling heat). My primary targets were terns, specifically
Arctic, and gulls, and even shorebirds:
Laughing Gull, 2 (ad. and 2nd cycle)
Franklin's Gull, 4
Ring-billed Gull, 6
Least Tern, 2+
Snowy Plover, 24+
Greater Yellowlegs, 3 (S-bound)
There were also several Double-crested Cormorants and a Neotropic.
Red Bluff Reservoir, later that afternoon, was less exciting. I stuck to
the south shore area, entirely in Reeves County, and spent about an hour
trying to tern...err..turn a solitary Least Tern into an Arctic but to no
avail. I also had a small group of 13 Black Terns that made a single pass
across the lake before disappearing to the north. A lone Ring-billed Gull
was hanging around the lake-goers waiting for handouts. That was about it
for water birds. Mildly disappointing. I wish I had more time to explore
but volunteer duties were calling. I soon hurried off to set up the brand
new Pecos BBS route, beginning near Mentone, in 112-113 degree
temperatures. It hit 114-115 by the time I reached Pecos closer to 6 PM.
On Sunday afternoon, 18 June, I made the long run from my work duties near
Garden City to Balmorhea to, once again, search high and low for terns and
gulls. A single Least Tern was good to see but that's where the fun
stopped. Three Northern Pintails, 2 Gadwalls and 1 Am. Wigeon were
notables. Three more southbound Greater Yellowlegs were also noted.
More BBSing and work on Monday, 19 June. A stop at Skeen Playa in Lynn
County yielded a hybrid Glossy x White-faced Ibis among 90 plus
White-faced, loads of Black-necked Stilts (85 by my count), and about a
dozen Snowy Plovers. Young stilts and plovers were encouraging to see at
this location. A mystery shorebird that somehow got away before I could
swing around onto Hwy. 87 South to take a closer look had the vibe of a
Ruff; long-legged, hunch-backed, and relatively short-billed . I even
returned that evening to have another look but nothing. One of many that
get away...
On Tuesday, 20 June, there was more Lynn County work to do. At the FM 1054
x FM 1313 playa I found a drake Wood Duck, one Greater Yellowlegs, and a
brazen Virginia Rail darting out from the cattails onto exposed mud. The
adult Common Gallinule from 31 May did not make an appearance from the
cattails and I assume it may have moved on. Pretty exciting stuff by local
standards.
And, finally, yesterday, 21 June, after sampling the much-dreaded Tenmile
BBS route near Lamesa I was on my way home. Thanks to a relatively dry
spring, I only had soft sand to deal with this year, so that was much
appreciated. I suppose my best bird on the route was a singing
Black-throated Sparrow.
On my way back to Austin I made a quick stop at O.C. Fisher Reservoir at
San Angelo State Park. Again, searching for vagrant waterbirds. There were
no fewer than 6 Least Terns, presumably nesting on the caliche island near
the middle of the reservoir, and at least 3 Ring-billed Gulls. Perhaps the
biggest surprise was an adult Osprey, adding to a rash of summer season
sightings across west-central Texas.
Texas has so much to offer. We are truly blessed.
Good birding!
Justin Bosler
Austin, TX
--
[image: photo]
*Justin Bosler*
Wildlife Biologist
512-534-9651 | justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx
Austin, TX 78735
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