[texbirds] Zone-tailed Hawk in Junction

From: "Rhandy Helton" <rjhelton@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:38:20 -0500
With Fort Worth Audubon coming to town this weekend I spent the morning 
scouting for some target species, one of which was Zone-tailed Hawk. I hadn't 
yet observed one this year so I headed out southwest of town toward Telegraph 
on H377 (state park, Bailey Creek Canyon and every other canyon toward 
Telegraph) and back and all I observed were Turkey & Black Vultures, 1 sharpie 
and a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks but no Zone-tailed Hawk. I drove 15 miles 
back to town disappointed with that and my son was at the house eating lunch 
and gazing out the window and he says "Dad, a black looking hawk just flew 
across the window with white bars in its tail"--I go outside and a Zone-tailed 
Hawk  soaring not 50' over my house which is on H377 here in town. Go figure. I 
always tell visiting birders that I see the Zone-tailed Hawk right over 
Junction more than any other place. I think they like to eat the town 
squirrels, small kitties (there is plenty of them!) or pick off an occasional 
Barn Swallow. 
Other birds today:

Junction Tennis Center I had great looks at 2, possible 3, Bullock's Orioles. 
Other birds included good number of Clay-colored Sparrows (more coming 
everyday), Vermilion Flycatcher and increasing numbers of Scissortail 
Flycatchers, Bell's Vireo et al. 

At South Llano River State Park 6-7 Black-capped Vireo (including active nest, 
but I'll never tell but might show you!), Black & White Warbler (3), 
Golden-cheeked Warbler (heard 5 different birds but I don't bother chasing 
them), Hutton's Vireo right on the trail and singing constantly, Ash-throated 
Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo and number of other species including FOS Painted 
Bunting at Agarita Blind. 

At Junction Sale Barn on H83N I had 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds (20 in a flock 
earlier in week), 1 Pyrrhuloxia, 1 Scott's Oriole and a nice, close Canyon Wren.

At Junction Wastewater Facility you can see Baird's Sandpiper almost any day in 
good numbers, also Least Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper. Up until yesterday 3 
American Golden Plover were present--they departed. The furtherest pond from 
the entrance is the best. 

RE: BCVI nest. It is at an intersection of two trails in the park. This weekend 
probably 100 or more park visitors will walk 10' from the nest and they will 
never know it. The birds keep on doing their business. I will strictly 
supervise any viewing or picture taking. 

Rhandy J. Helton
Junction, Tx. 
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[texbirds] Zone-tailed Hawk in Junction

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