[texbirds] sod field birding: Cameron & Hidalgo Co.'s (05/23/12)
- From: "Rex Stanford" <calidris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TEXBIRDS" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 22:36:47 -0500
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Today (Wednesday, 05/23/12) we birded sod fields in both Cameron (Weaver
Road and La Feria ) and Hidalgo(Progreso) Counties.
CAMERON COUNTY - Weaver Road (ca. 12:00 noon - 12:30 PM): On the north-most
of the three sod fields on the west side of Weaver Road we once again--see
our posting of 05/21/12 re.our visit there on 05/20/12--found substantially
late BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS (11), which is two more than we had found on
05/20/12. Additionally, we found PECTORAL SANDPIPER (5, on the second of the
three fields) and KILLDEER (2). Those wishing directions to this site can
obtain them from our posting of 05/21/12.
CAMERON COUNTY - La Feria sod fields: (ca. 6:20 - 6:30 PM): PECTORAL
SANDPIPER (est. 10-12 widely dispersed); LESSER YELLOWLEGS (6); AND
BLACK-NECKED STILT (several, but widespread and not actually counted).
HIDALGO COUNTY - Progreso sod fields (ca. 7:00 - 7:20 PM): WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPER (est. 12-15, seen both on the field and when they took flight);
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (est. 60); LESSER YELLOWLEGS (est. 30); GREATER
YELLOWLEGS (est. 12); BLACK-NECKED STILT (several, but not actually
counted); WILSON'S PHALAROPE (3, all females); and KILLDEER (1). Most of
these birds were found on the sod field, which was being flooded this
evening by irrigation, that lies on the east side of the north end of the
traversal road, just before, heading northward, one reaches the levee.
Our personal Bird-of-the-Day Tribute goes to the Buff-breasted Sandpipers on
the sod field along Weaver Road, a delightful surprise at this now
substantially late date. Once again, they were using only the most northern
of the three adjacent sod fields along this road. It very recently--possibly
even today--had been mowed, unlike when we saw them on 05/20/12. Since the
"buffies" seen on 05/20/12 seemed to want short, rather than tall grass,
perhaps this change in habitat was to their advantage. We hope so!
Wishing everyone the best of post-migration birding,
Rex and Birgit Stanford
McAllen, TX
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