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6 Nov Spectacular Moorhens’ fight [Mark B Bartosik ] 6 Nov Edwards County - Dark-morph Red-tailed? [LMarkoff ] 6 Nov South Texas 40 yr.s back [Brush Freeman ] 6 Nov Northern Jacana Today at Choke Canyon SP [Lee Pasquali ] 6 Nov Salineno, Anzalduas, 9/6/09 [Dan Jones ] 6 Nov Anahuac NWR Friday [COLIN SHIELDS ] 6 Nov Western Kingbird at Anahuac NWR today [Bill Wright ] 6 Nov Attwater Refuge today, Lots of savannah sparrows [Joseph Kennedy ] 6 Nov Osprey in Kerrville [James Kessler ] 6 Nov Western Grebe at Dallas's White Rock Lake this a.m. [Betsy Baker ] 6 Nov Monte Cristo Tracts [] 6 Nov Buffalo Bayou CBC: January 2, 2010 [Adam Wood ] 6 Nov Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas Counties October birding summary [Rich Kostecke ] 6 Nov Grapevine Lake, Denton Co. [Steve Glover ] 6 Nov Jacana at Choke Canyon this AM [Brian Bielfelt ] 6 Nov Houston calliope update [Keith Kingdon ] 6 Nov Corpus Christi, TX Hawk Watch (Nov 4-5) catch-up [Patty Waits Beasley ] 6 Nov Smith Point Hawk Watch, Thursday 5 November [John Arvin ] 6 Nov Northern Jacana at Callihan Unit, 75 Acre Pond, Choke Canyon SP (McMullen Co.) afternoon 11/05/09 [Rex Stanford ] 6 Nov Photo Essay of Olmito State Fish Hatchery has been posted ["David T. Dauphin" ] 6 Nov Photo Essay of Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-WBC has been posted ["David T. Dauphin" ] 5 Nov Osprey in Austin [Ronnie Kramer ] 5 Nov Trumpeter and Tundra Swan Watch: Nov. 1, 2009 - May 1, 2010 [Mary Bote ] 5 Nov Palmetto State Park CBC [Dwayne ] 5 Nov Fw: eBird Report - Heart of the Hills Fisheries Ctr. (HOTW 069) , 11/5/09 [JAMES W KESSLER ] 5 Nov Addicks Reservoir/Arthur Storey Park [Carolyn Dill ] 5 Nov Aquarena Springs - Hays CO. [Stephen Ramirez ] 5 Nov Hooded Mergansers, Anhinga at Buescher SP 11/4 [Louise Ridlon ] 5 Nov Bolivar today and the rejuvenating flats [Joseph Kennedy ] 5 Nov ID help for hawk [Bill Wright ] 5 Nov Turkey Creek CBC Dec 19; Beech Creek CBC Dec 22. [] 5 Nov Re: Palo Duro Canyon [Stephanie Barko ] 5 Nov Laredo CBC [Paul Foster ] 5 Nov Northern Jacana 11/5 [Jon McIntyre ] 5 Nov Re: Kleb Woods Bird Walks ["Collins, Fred (Commissioner Pct. 3)" ] 5 Nov Hagerman NWR 11/05/09--"White Goose Project" [craig miller ] 5 Nov Coastal Bend CBCs [Kathy Griffith ] 5 Nov San Antonio CBC [Sheridan Coffey ] 5 Nov Sandhill Cranes flying over Brazos County [Shirley Wilkerson ] 5 Nov Great Kiskadee at Cullinan Park in Sugar Land [Greg Lavaty ] 5 Nov Matagorda County Mad Island Marsh CBC [Brent Ortego ] 5 Nov Guadalupe River Delta CBC [Brent Ortego ] 5 Nov Smith Point Hawk Watch, 4 Nov. [John Arvin ] 5 Nov RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley, November 5, 2009 [Mary Gustafson ] 5 Nov Burrowing Owl, Bee County , early [Jimmy Jackson ] 5 Nov bird job opportunity [John Arvin ] 5 Nov Lake Tawakoni CBC Date requested [Dale Ohl ] 5 Nov Another photo of the Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon State Park [Sheridan Coffey ] 5 Nov Lubbock area late dates for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers [Anthony Flyd ] 5 Nov Peregrine Falcon at Voss/SanFelipe/Houston [dennis shepler ] 5 Nov Four Osprey [dennis shepler ] 5 Nov Re: Cypress Hawk Behavior [Mark B Bartosik ] 5 Nov Re: 2nd Breeding Season discovered [Philip Tanimoto ] 5 Nov Cypress Hawk Behavior ["Mohamed, Jeffrey D" ] 4 Nov Late nesting Roadrunner (?)..Scissortails [Brush Freeman ] 4 Nov Re: "Late" Scissortails [Stephanie Barko ] 4 Nov Wind Energy Panel Discussion [Cecilia Riley ] 4 Nov Re: "Late" Scissortails [David Sarkozi ] 4 Nov Re: "Late" Scissortails [Ted Drozdowski ] 4 Nov "Late" Scissortails [Sheridan Coffey ] 4 Nov Photos of the Northern Jacana [Sheridan Coffey ] 4 Nov Re: SCISSORTAILS [Susan Yost ] 4 Nov Directions to Northern Jacana [JoAnn Andrews ] 4 Nov Re: Colorado County ["Charles W. Easley" ] 4 Nov Re: Nothern Jacana confirmed [Rex Stanford ] 4 Nov - Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC 054) , 11/4/09 [] 4 Nov Heard Museum banding/census report, 11/4/09 [Tom Heath ] 4 Nov Corpus Christi, TX Hawk Watch (Nov 1-3) catch-up [Patty Waits Beasley ] 4 Nov New oline course about bird behavior [Patricia Leonard ] 4 Nov Anhingas in the Texas panhandle ["Fordham, Connie" ] 4 Nov Eastern Hidalgo County ponds, 11/4/09 [Dan Jones ] 4 Nov Nothern Jacana confirmed [Sheridan Coffey ] 4 Nov Re: POSITIVE on the Northern Jacana this morning [Sheridan Coffey ] 4 Nov Re: Colorado County [Oscar Carmona ] 4 Nov Re: Negative on Northern Jacana this morning [David McDonald ] 4 Nov Colorado County [] Subject: Spectacular Moorhens’ fight From: Mark B Bartosik <mbb22222 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:03:47 -0600 Usually bad and good things happen together. A good one was that two Common Moorhens put up a spectacular show in the front of me. A bad one: they did that during a wrong time of the day and I had a bad angle to shoot. Well, we can’t have everything, can we? Here are a few examples: http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/119123818 http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/119123803 http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/119123811 And here is rest of the selection: http://www.pbase.com/mbb/common_moorhens_fighting__utc_november_2009 Mark B Bartosik Houston, Texas http://www.pbase.com/mbb/from_the_field TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Edwards County - Dark-morph Red-tailed? From: LMarkoff <canyoneaglej AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:27:50 -0600 Hi Texbirds, I just returned from a brief, 2-day visit to VR (Vermilion Ranch), our Edwards County place. It is still dry out there, only 3/4" in the rain gauge. My birding time was limited. The lull seems to be waning as more winter birds arrive. Birds were chattier too, so perhaps they are setting up winter territories? Had my FO (first observed) Hermit Thrush. A few numbers for arriving birds...Chipping Sparrows boomed from a count of 2 on my 10/23-26 trip, to 47 on this trip. W. Meadowlark went from 1 to 18, Mockingbirds 1 to 8, Yellow-rumped Warblers 2 to 16, Spotted Towhees 4 to 9, White-eyed Vireo 1 to 5. I haven't yet observed any Orange-crowned Warblers this fall. They usually arrive on VR in October. I was surprised to see a House Wren. Previously our latest has been in October, so this is a new LO (last observed) date. Wind was from the south again. I saw only 2 Turkey Vultures and 5 Black Vultures this visit. Raptors included Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and a thrilling encounter with a female N. Harrier. She came coursing low through a break in the trees. She was only 6-8' off the ground and seemed to be headed right for me as I stood at the side of the clearing, but she followed the path and veered off. My heart racing with excitement, I followed in her direction hoping to get another glimpse of her, but never did. However, looking up, I saw 2 other birds climbing the sky. They were very high up. One was a Red-tailed Hawk, the other hawk baffled me. Its body and under-wing coverts seemed dark-chocolate brown. It was so high that I couldn't detect color any where else, it all seemed light, perhaps white. The shape of the bird looked "Red-tailed" to me. The best I can guess is a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk. I took a few photos, zooming in with my automatic Canon. The bird was high so the photos are blurry, but might be enough for an expert to id it, if interested. Lori Markoff Austin TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: South Texas 40 yr.s back From: Brush Freeman <brushfreeman AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:43:21 -0600 I promised this for DV's B'day! From Audubon Field Notes Vol. 24 No. 3 (Fall/Winter 1969-70)..These pre-1972 records are not yet online. Common Loon at Santa Ana was first refuge record (Dec. 3, '69) 3 Western Grebes were at Laguna Atascosa from Nov. 30 on (recall this was before the split) "Reports of Whistling Swan scame from widely scattered coastal locations, ...Four in Port Isabel..on Dec. 18 (John Arvin)..Small flocks of up to 12 were in the Rockport-Corpus Christi area Jan-Feb. (many observers)...Hunting pressure forced the birds to move frequently. "Three Brant were seen at Laguna Atascosa on Dec. 18" ""Single Red-breasted Geese were were observed at two locations. On Dec 23 one was seen in Kenedy County, eight miles north of Raymondsville, with small Canada and Snow Geese (WHG, JLM, DCP, & JSS)...... "On Feb 17 and again on Feb. 26 one was seen in southern Colorado Co. with small Canada Geese (PP)" "A Common Merganser was seen at Austin on Jan, 12." "Another Whooping Crane joined the record high of 55 at Aransas Nat'l. Refuge in January" "A few Yellow Rails and an occasional Black Rail were observed on the rail tours at Anahuac Nat'l Wildlife Refuge." " A Purple Sandpiper was discovered on the Freeport jetty on Nov. 30 (JS & GWV)" "The immature Little Gull which was recorded on the Southern Travis County Count on Dec. 20 (EBK, JLR & DSi) remained in the area at least through Dec. 27 and was well observed and photographed." "During the winter , Mexican Crows...were widely scattered in flocks of 100 or more in the Brownsville -Laguna Atascosa Refuge -Port Isabel Triangle (John Arvin). An estimated 2300 were present on the refuge for a brief period at the end of January, apparently feeding on grasshoppers and other insects' (MCL), Two were collected and prepared for study skins--presumably the first for the United States." "A Clay-colored Robin was reported without details at Santa Ana Refuge without details on Dec. 28, and on two other occasions (fide WS). The species is a common resident about 200 miles south of the Rio Grande Delta." "A Wood Thrush was discovered at Austin on Jan. 16 and remained all winter (AMW & FSW)" "One Bohemian Waxwing was identified at San Antonio on Jan. 27 (GBH) and 28 (CRB) and one at Corpus Christi on Jan. 31 (JM fide KM); in each instance the birds were with Cedar Waxwings at a bird bath" [from the material this was a big year for Cedar Waxwings in S. Texas.] "Two Evening Grosbeaks were observed at Baytown on Jan. 24." " It was a very good season for Purple Finches at Austin, especially from mid-Jan through Feb.. 1 was observed at Santa Ana on Dec3 (DM); this species has not been known to occur in the Rio Grande Delta." Brush Freeman Utley & Port O'Connor Texas or wherever else I may be TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Northern Jacana Today at Choke Canyon SP From: Lee Pasquali <l.pasquali AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:26:34 -0600 Birders: Since the Texas Parks and Wildlife Park Interpreter, Paul Jaure, that was helping everyone see the Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon SP, said that we could walk all the way around the lake and he joined us, several of us were able to get a very close look at the bird. The Jacana would often fly but stay in the general area because of hawks flying over. He was very comfortable with his location and he should be there for several days. Thanks for your help Paul. I will post photos on Sunday. Good Birding, Lee and Betty Pasquali North San Antonio _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Salineno, Anzalduas, 9/6/09 From: Dan Jones <antshrike1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:53:17 -0600 Spent a fun day birding with Lannois and Jeanine from Albuquerque. We started this cool, foggy morning at Salineno where we had two Gray Hawks, Audubon's and Altamira Orioles and Green and Ringed Kingfishers on the River. We had no luck with Muscovey or Red-billed Pigeons. The Longtons are back manning the feeders for another winter where a Clay-colored Robin put in an appearance. A Say's Phoebe seemed out of place sitting in the tree by the boat ramp. We did not check the dump road. We then headed over to Anzalduas where we failed to find the Tropical Parula by the dam but were instead treated to a circling Zone-tailed Hawk. After some effort we located a Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. Still not very many warblers. Six Sprague's Pipits were flushed in the field by the entrance. One gave us great scope views. We than raced over to Estero Llano Grande State Park where we got two Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, a species hard to find in the Valley this fall. We didn't spend much time there but there were plenty of birds around. The staff can report on all the stuff they have. Dan Jones in Weslaco http://antshrike.blogspot.com/ TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Anahuac NWR Friday From: COLIN SHIELDS <firecrest.uk AT BTINTERNET.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:29:58 -0800 The male and the immature female Vermilion Flycatcher previously reported, seem to have taken up temporary residence near the Visitor Station. Today they were joined by an unexpected Western Kingbird which was showing well in the Butterfly Garden. Snow Geese continue to increase with 1500 on the ground along FM1985 this morning, but the Scissortail Flycatcher migration seems to have come to a sudden end. If one has time to spare in the afternoon, there are thousands of distant ducks and coots along the east side of the road which leads to Frozen Point. There are also a few Snow Geese and White Pelicans thrown in for good measure as well as cormorants, waders and terns to keep one busy (scope definitely needed !!). Next to the Willows, over the fence from the Refuge, there is the unusual site of small numbers of American Avocets, plus shorebirds and stilts. There have been a number of sightings of River Otters around Shoveler Pond and it is pleasing to TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds see some good-sized Alligators around. Colin Shields Anahuac NWR Subject: Western Kingbird at Anahuac NWR today From: Bill Wright <wmewrght AT HAL-PC.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:15:11 -0600 I arrived at the refuge abour 3:40 this afternoon. Colin, the Friends of Anahuac NWR volunteer told me to look for the Western Kingbird on the Williows Trail. Sure enough, it was there. I have uploaded a photo to flickr. Also there are three photos in this set of a Vermillion Flycatcher with a yellow belly in the same tree as the Western Kingbird. I believe Colin said this was a first year female. But my field guide did not show this plumage. Bill Wright Houston, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Attwater Refuge today, Lots of savannah sparrows From: Joseph Kennedy <josephkennedy36 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:14:27 -0600 Went to Attwater Refuge today. Had to wait a bit for the dense fog to lift in order to see birds at more than a few feet but there are a lot of sparrows at the refuge, almost all of them savannah sparrows. The second commonest bird was grasshopper sparrow with a small number of leconte's, vesper, and white crowned. Single swamp and lincoln's. Lots of singing and calling sedge wrens. Several sprague's pipit squeak-squeaked up from the road edges. A group of western meadowlarks was singing from the fences by the parking lot for the pipit trail and others were back in the refuge. I saw one harrier and 1 red-tailed hawk and a caracara. Several phoebes and mockingbirds. The place quieted down by later in the morning and by 10 there were very few birds around. The entrance road had lots of birds feeding in the road and perched on the fences. The fence lines between the pipit trail parking lot and the refuge office had lots of grasshopper sparrows and the vesper sparrows. The cemetary in Eagle Lake was birdless and the boardwalk in the city park had a little group of yellow-rumped warblers and a ruby-crowned kinglet. Plus a great egret and red-shouldered hawk. Several caracara along the roads but only 1 buteo and 1 kestrel. Not a real exciting day but it was great to see large numbers of sparrows even though one had to do a lot of picking to find un-savannahs. It really wasn't sparrow weather. -- Joseph C. Kennedy on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston Josephkennedy36 AT gmail.com TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Osprey in Kerrville From: James Kessler <jkessler AT KTC.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:43:48 -0600 This morning at 10:45 and Osprey was fishing in the Guadalupe River behind Starbuck's on Hwy. 27. Jim Kessler TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Kerrville, TX Subject: Western Grebe at Dallas's White Rock Lake this a.m. From: Betsy Baker <betsy.baker AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:03:53 -0800 Greetings, North Central Texas Birders!   Got the following note from Chris Runk which may interest you:   "Found a Western Grebe early this morning on WR Lake out from E. Lawther (next to the Arboretum). Nice close looks enabled me to rule out Clark's.  Last time this species appeared here (that I know of) was the 2nd week of November 2003. It hung around for a couple of days then and was usually seen out from the dam.      Also, I disturbed a Sprague's Pipit in the bluestem at Winfrey Point, but after it squeaked and circled into the sky, it kept going west over the lake.        Most winter residents are back in the hatchery and are becoming easier to spot as the leaves fall.  Golden-crowned Kinglet is  the bird of the season in there so far- 6 this morning.                    Chris"   See you out there manana! TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Betsy Baker, Dallas Subject: Monte Cristo Tracts From: MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:26:34 EST Hi, all! Made a quick run up Wallace Road this morning and it was Raptor City! A huge flock of Western Meadowlarks went tearing by, followed by a Cooper's Hawk being chased by a Merlin; that was pretty funny! A singing Least Flycatcher and a chirping Yellow Warbler were nice additions. After doing Wallace I snuck a peek at Sapo Lake where there was a mixed flock of Gadwall, Pintail, and Lesser Scaup, and afterwards did a little exploring and found a road that accessed Edinburg Lake, where there was a Ringed Kingfisher, four Canvasbacks, and a Laughing Gull! This looks like a promising place! Pics are posted here: _http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ (http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) Bird List: Data of: Mary Beth Stowe Date: 11-6-09 Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 11-6-09 to 11-6-09 Gadwall Anas strepera Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula Northern Pintail Anas acuta Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Canvasback Aythya valisineria Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway American Kestrel Falco sparverius Merlin Falco columbarius American Coot Fulica americana Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Rock Pigeon Columba livia Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica American Pipit Anthus rubescens House Wren Troglodytes aedon Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Long-billed Thrasher Toxostoma longirostre Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas House Sparrow Passer domesticus White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Dickcissel Spiza americana Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 71 SPECIES Mary Beth Stowe McAllen, TX _www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Buffalo Bayou CBC: January 2, 2010 From: Adam Wood <birdsondabrain AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:06:15 -0600 The Buffalo Bayou CBC is centered at the Houston Audubon's Edith L. Moore Sanctuary. It extends from Memorial Park on the east to beyond Hwy 6 on the west; from the Southwest Freeway at West Belt on the south to FM 529 near Jersey Village on the north. This area includes sizable chunks of excellent habitat: Houston Arboretum, Art Storey Park, Addicks & Barker Reservoirs, Bear Creek Park and Buffalo Bayou. It is possible to see up to 15 species of sparrows on this count, including the elusive Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows. Other "Special Birds" seen over the last five years have been: Hooded Merganser, American Bittern, Solitary Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Common Ground-Dove, Black Phoebe, Couch's Kingbird, Red- breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Eastern Towhee, Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. This count is one of the most popular in Texas; we would like you to join in the fun and help us eclipse the high count of 132 species. There are two ways to participate: (1) Be a Field Observer - Join one of the teams in the field ($5 fee) (2) Be a Feeder/Yard Watcher - Because so much of the Buffalo Bayou CBC area is residential, Feeder Watchers (those who stay at home and observe their feeder, yard and/or neighborhood) are extremely important to the count and greatly increase the efficiency of the count by observing species that otherwise would not be seen, such as hummingbirds. Feeder Watchers don't pay a participation fee and submitting your observations is easy via an on-line data form accessible on the web site. contact co-compilers Michael Williams (preferably by email) or via phone at 832-723-0653 or Adam Wood (birdsondabrain AT earthlink.net), 713-515-1692. Adam Wood Buffalo Bayou Co-Compiler birdsondabrain AT earthlink.net Houston, Tx. TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas Counties October birding summary From: Rich Kostecke <rkost73 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:33:34 -0800 My how the pendulum swings. Cooler, moister fall-like conditions set in within the Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties area during mid-September and continued through October. Cold fronts colliding will Pacific and Gulf moisture produced several significant rain events. As of early November, water levels at Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes were 6’ and 4’ above normal, respectively. Higher water levels effectively wiped out any remaining mudflat habitat, but have shallowly flooded some of the adjacent vegetated flats bordering the lakes, which could create good conditions for waterfowl and rails, as well as songbirds such as wrens, Common Yellowthroats, and sparrows associated with wetland situations. Currently, Lometa Reservoir with its more stable water levels appears to be hosting the best numbers of waterfowl. The fall rains have greened-up the landscape and there has also been a strong response by fall wildflowers. Habitat conditions and seed production appear to be good for a variety of wintering species, but only time will confirm that. October is a transitional month. There were numerous last sightings for several of our breeding species as well as numerous reports of firsts for the season. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Flock over Mother Neff State Park (Coryell) 10 Oct [Heart of Texas Master Naturalists, RKo] – 1st report for the season. GADWALL 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the season. AMERICAN WIGEON – 1st reports for the counties for the season. 4 Cowhouse Creek arm of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 1 Oct [ERu] 5 Training Area 44 ponds, Fort Hood (Coryell) 2 Oct [ERu] MALLARD 2 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 30 Oct [RPi] BLUE-WINGED TEAL – Getting late. 2 Witter Lane ponds, Temple (Bell) 26 Oct [RPi] 6 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 30 Oct [RPi] CANVASBACK 1 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 28 Oct [DHo] – 1st report for the season. REDHEAD 20 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 16 Oct [DHo] – 1st report for the season. RING-NECKED DUCK 8 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the county for the season. RUDDY DUCK 25 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 16 Oct [DHo] – 1st report for the season. 1 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 30 Oct [RPi] – 1st report for the county for the season. COMMON LOON 1 from Stillhouse Hollow Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 31 Oct [GEc] – 1st report for the season. PIED-BILLED GREBE 70+ Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 11 Oct [DHo] – High count. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN 1 Flag Branch (southeastern Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] High count of 337 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 4 Oct [RKo]; smaller numbers reported earlier in the month. As few as 1 and as many as a “large group” Belton Lake (Bell) 8-27 Oct [ERu, RKo, TLAS field trip, SSn, JHa] NEOTROPIC CORMORANT 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 4 Oct [RKo] 18 Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 27 Oct [GEc] 1 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake spillway area (Bell) 24 Oct [RPi] DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT High count of 70 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo]; otherwise only small numbers present on area reservoirs. Several large flocks were observed migrating south during the month, though. PLEGADIS IBIS – All Plegadis ibis are assumedly White-faced unless proven otherwise. 1 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 11 Oct [DHo] 1 over Sunshine Road (Bell) 18 Oct [RPi] ROSEATE SPOONBILL 1 Cowhouse Creek arm of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 8 Oct [ERu] OSPREY 5 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 4 Oct [RKo] – High count. BALD EAGLE 1 adult Sunshine Rd crossing of the Little River (Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] – Flying down river. 1 Lampasas River near Maxdale (Bell) 8 Oct [JCh] 1 adult Cowhouse Creek arm of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 10 Oct [RKo] and 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] SWAINSON’S HAWK Fairly common migrant during the month, particularly over the eastern half of the tri-county area, with the latest report being an immature along Sunshine Rd (Bell) 18 Oct [RPi] FERRUGINOUS HAWK – Although still rare, in my experience, fall overflights are the best way to encounter this species in the tri-county area. 1 over Nolanville Elementary (Bell) 16 Oct [RKo, GEc] MERLIN 1 along Lutheran Church Rd near Bartlett (Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] 1 “Taiga” race Temple Mall area (Bell) 12-13 Oct [RPi] 1 along Elijah Rd, Fort Hood (Coryell) 15 Oct [RKo] 1 “Taiga” race along Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 25 Oct [RPi] 1 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 28 Oct [DHo] SORA 1 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 25 Oct [RPi] – 1st report for the season. AMERICAN COOT 569 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] – High count. 7 Fort Hood (Coryell) 28 [Oct] – 1st report for the count for the fall. SANDHILL CRANE 14 over Temple (Bell) 27 Oct [RPi] 50 over Cedar Creek WMA area, Belton Lake (Bell) 27 Oct [JHa] AMERICAN AVOCET 1 along Elijah Rd, Fort Hood (Coryell) 15 Oct [RKo] LEAST SANDPIPER 4 Wood Rd (southeastern Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER 4 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] 12 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RPi] WILSON’S SNIPE 1 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 25 Oct [RPi] – 2nd report for the season. GULLS & TERNS – Although not totally unexpected, gulls and terns were spotty during the month with few observations and low numbers reported. RING-BILLED GULL 1 Lometa Reservoir (Lampasas) 28 Oct [DHo] – 1st report for the county for the season. FRANKLIN’S GULL 16 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] FORSTER’S TERN 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] 1 Fort Hood (Coryell) 19 Oct [GEc] BURROWING OWL 1 Elijah Road, Fort Hood (Coryell) 28 Oct [GEc] – 1st report for the season. CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW 1 Maxdale area (Bell) 8 Oct [JCh] – Late. COMMON NIGHTHAWK – Latest reports for the month. 1 Phyllis Dr., southwest Copperas Cove (Coryell) 13 Oct [RKo] 1 Temple (Bell) 29 Oct [RPi] CHIMNEY SWIFT – Latest reports for the month. 3 over Phyllis Dr., southwest Copperas Cove (Coryell) 14 Oct [RKo] 1 over Scott and White Hospital, Temple (Bell) 21 Oct [RPi] RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD 1 Rod & Gun Club Loop, Fort Hood Cantonment (Coryell) 1 Oct [ERu] RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Latest reports for the month. 1 Kempner residence (Lampasas) 17 Oct [DCi] 1 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] 1 Temple residence (Bell) 30 Oct [RPi] YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 3 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] 3 Sunshine Road (Bell) 18 Oct [RPi] NORTHERN FLICKER – 1st reports for the season. 2 red-shafted Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] 2 Mother Neff State Park (Coryell) 10 Oct [RKo] PILEATED WOODPECKER 1 Sunshine Rd crossing of the Little River (Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] and 18 Oct [RPi] SAY’S PHOEBE 1 vicinity 53rd Street and Rod & Gun Club, Fort Hood Cantonment (Bell) 23 and 30 Oct [RKo] 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RPi] LEAST FLYCATCHER 3 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER Up to 50+ at roosts at Scott and White in Temple and the Belton McDonald’s (Bell) through 30 Oct [RPi] BELL’S VIREO 1 north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] BLUE-HEADED VIREO – Somewhat sparse so far this fall. 1 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] HORNED LARK 1 Fort Hood (Coryell) 19 Oct [GEc] BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER 1 Gravel Crossing WMA, Lampasas River (Bell) 31 Oct [RKo] – Getting late. ROCK WREN 1 Building 1939, Rod and Gun Club Loop, Fort Hood Cantonment (Bell) 16 Oct [DCi, Becky Peak] 1-2 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18-27 Oct [RKo, Jeff Patterson, RPi, GEc] CANYON WREN Up to 4 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) through 24 Oct [RKo, Jeff Patterson, RPi] HOUSE WREN – Widely distributed and in good numbers during the month; only high counts listed. 20 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] 11 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] 9 Owl Creek WMA, Belton Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RKo] WINTER WREN 2 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the season. SEDGE WREN 1 along Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 30 Oct [RPi] – 1st report for the season. MARSH WREN 1 Slough Pond, Shallowford Rd, Temple (Bell) 25 Oct [RPi] – 1st report for the season. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH 3 and 1 Sunshine Rd (Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] and 18 Oct [RPi], respectively RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET – After a few scattered September sightings, numbers picked up during October. HERMIT THRUSH 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the season. GRAY CATBIRD 2 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] SAGE THRASHER 1 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 23 Oct [Jeff Patterson] BROWN THRASHER 2 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] AMERICAN PIPIT 2 Nolanville Elementary (Bell) 16 Oct [RKo, GEc, TEr] - 1st report for the season. SPRAGUE’S PIPIT 4 West Fort Hood (Bell) 16 Oct [DCi] ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER – 1st reports for the season. 2 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] 3 Cowhouse Creek, Fort Hood (Coryell) 2 Oct [ERu] 18 Gravel Crossing WMA, Lampasas River (Bell) 31 Oct [RKo] – High count. NASHVILLE WARBLER 4 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] 1 Sunshine Rd (Bell) 3 Oct [RKo] 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] 1 Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] and 27 Oct [RKo, Mary Gustafson] 2 Owl Creek WMA, Belton Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RKo] YELLOW WARBLER 2 Cowhouse Creek willows, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER – 1st reports for the season. 3 Nolanville Elementary (Bell) 16 Oct [RKo] 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER 2 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER 2 Cowhouse Creek, Fort Hood (Coryell) 2 Oct [ERu] 1 Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] COMMON YELLOWTHROAT 10 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] – High count. WILSON’S WARBLER 2 Cowhouse Creek willows and north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo] SPOTTED TOWHEE – 1st reports for the season. 5 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] EASTERN TOWHEE 1 Owl Creek WMA, Belton Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RKo] CHIPPING SPARROW – 1st reports for the season. 1 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] 1 Lampasas residence (Lampasas) 25 Oct [DHo] CLAY-COLORED SPARROW 1 north shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 2 Oct [RKo, GEc] 1 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo] 1 Owl Creek WMA, Belton Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RKo] VESPER SPARROW – Numbers steadily increased throughout the month. 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the county for the season. 13 Fort Hood (Coryell) 19 Oct [CEn, et al.] – 1st report for the county for the season. SAVANNAH SPARROW many Highway 580 between Lampasas and Colorado River (Lampasas) 27 Oct [DHo] –1st report for the county for the season. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 18 Oct [RKo] 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] LE CONTE’S SPARROW 1 Union Grove WMA, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 11 Oct [RKo] SONG SPARROW 1+ Chalk Ridge Falls Park, Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell) 23 Oct [Jeff Patterson] – 1st report for the season. LINCOLN’S SPARROW – 1st reports for the season. 3 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] 1 Ogletree Gap Preserve, Copperas Cove (Coryell) 25 Oct [RKo] SWAMP SPARROW 1 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the season. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – 1st reports for the season. 1 Lampasas residence (Lampasas) 12 Oct [Dianna Hodges] 3 south shore of Belton Lake, Fort Hood (Bell) 17 Oct [RKo + TLAS field trip] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – 1st reports for the season. 2 North Fort Hood near Leon River (Coryell) 20 Oct [DCi] 1 Owl Creek WMA, Belton Lake (Bell) 24 Oct [RKo] DARK-EYED JUNCO 1 Fort Hood (Bell) 27 Oct [RKo, Mary Gustafson] – 1st report for the season. PINE SISKIN 1 Fort Hood (Bell) 27 Oct [Mary Gustafson, RKo] – 1st report for the season. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 2 Gravel Crossing WMA, Lampasas River (Bell) 31 Oct [RKo] – 1st report for the season. Observers: CEn = Catherine Engelman, DCi = David Cimprich, DHo = Daniel Hodges, ERu = Eric Runfeldt, GEc = Gil Eckrich, JCh = Jeffrey Cheney, JHa = Jim Hailey, RKo = Rich Kostecke, RPi = Randy Pinkston, SSn = Steve Snyder. WMA = Wildlife Management Area Richard Kostecke, Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy P.O. Box 5190, Fort Hood, Texas 76544-0190 Phone:  254-288-2088  Fax: 254-288-5039 E-mail: rkost73 AT yahoo.com or rkostecke AT tnc.org   TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Grapevine Lake, Denton Co. From: Steve Glover <countylines AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:17:17 -0800 Hi all, This morning I went with Marissa to try and find the LeConte's Sparrow from earlier in the week. It seemed less sparrow-y this morning (as Marissa said it would be) and we didn't find a LeConte's but the birding was good nonetheless. Highlights (to me) included 2 Eastern Towhees (first I have seen this fall), 3 Harris's Sparrows (first of fall), 40 Field Sparrows (just one found earlier in the week), Golden-crowned Kinglet (7), and a flock of 15 Bonaparte's Gulls (also the first for me this fall). Best of all was several flocks of bugling, southbound Sandhill Cranes. Flocks of 90, 70, 100, and 25 flew south along the east side of the lake, quickly piercing Tarrant County airspace. All were noted between 10:30 and 11 a.m. Complete list below Good birding, Steve Glover Keller, TX Location: Grapevine Lake- Dunham Rd. (Denton Co.) Observation date: 11/6/09 Notes: Birded with Marissa Number of species: 50 Mallard 3 American White Pelican 2 Double-crested Cormorant 110 Great Blue Heron 1 Black Vulture 9 Turkey Vulture 4 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 15 Sandhill Crane 285 Killdeer 1 Bonaparte's Gull 15 Franklin's Gull 30 Ring-billed Gull 3 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 Downy Woodpecker 2 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 7 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 6 American Crow 9 Carolina Chickadee 16 Carolina Wren 2 House Wren 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 13 Eastern Bluebird 4 Hermit Thrush 1 American Robin 52 Brown Thrasher 2 American Pipit 2 Cedar Waxwing 2 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Spotted Towhee 8 Eastern Towhee 2 Field Sparrow 40 Fox Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow 11 Lincoln's Sparrow 8 Swamp Sparrow 3 White-throated Sparrow 2 Harris's Sparrow 3 White-crowned Sparrow 7 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 5 Northern Cardinal 18 Red-winged Blackbird 2 House Finch X TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Jacana at Choke Canyon this AM From: Brian Bielfelt <speedyperegrine AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:31:29 -0800 Hello, Several people looking for the Jacana when I arrived this morning. It was very foggy. Aaron Tjelmeland was the first to spot the Jacana at 9:35. It was at distance for the time I was there and a scope was very helpful. Still being seen when I left at 10:10. Regards, Brian Bielfelt, Robstown, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Houston calliope update From: Keith Kingdon <kekingdon AT MSN.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:31:17 -0600 Having not seen the adult female-immature male calliope since Monday (with limited AM viewing time only) and having seen the R/A type selasphorus regularly I was getting anxious about the calliope still being around. But I got great views of the calliope this morning as well as the R/A. No signs of any remaining archilocus. Hope to get photo documentation of the calliope and the tail of the R/A this weekend. Keith Kingdon NW Houston TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Corpus Christi, TX Hawk Watch (Nov 4-5) catch-up From: Patty Waits Beasley <hawks AT CCBIRDING.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:54:20 -0600 11-4 Broad-winged Hawk: 1 Red-tail Hawk: 2 Unid. Buteo: 1 Turkey Vulture: 1014 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 6 Cooper's Hawk: 3 Unid. Accipiter: 4 American Kestrel: 2 Merlin: 1 Osprey: 1 Northern Harrier: 1 Unid. Raptor: 1 Total: 1037 11-5 Red-tail Hawk: 1 Turkey Vulture: 580 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 2 Cooper's Hawk: 6 Unid. Accipiter: 2 American Kestrel: 2 Northern Harrier: 2 Total: 595 ------------------------------------------- Patty Waits Beasley Corpus Christi, Texas USA Webmaster, Texas Hawk Watches Birding on the Central Texas Coast URL: www.ccbirding.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Corpus Christi Hawkwatch is a local non-profit hawk watch support organization, led by Libby Even and Dane Ferrell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The 2009 Fall Hawkwatch runs from August 15 through November 15 on the hawkwatch platform at Hazel Bazemore County Park. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Many thanks to our Sponsors, Hawk Watch International and Swarovski Optiks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All reports, including photographs and videos, are posted on our web site. Drop on by the Texas Hawk Watches web site at http://www.ccbirding.com/ and join our Facebook group (Corpus Christi Hawkwatch). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Season totals to date: 219 ........Black vulture 19632 ......Turkey vulture 250 ........Osprey 183 ........Swallow-tailed kite 6 ..........White-tailed kite 23174 ......Mississippi kite 0 ..........Hook-billed kite 1 ..........Bald eagle 272 ........Northern harrier 1588 .......Sharp-shinned hawk 1041 .......Cooper's hawk 0 ..........Northern goshawk 17 .........Red-shouldered hawk 403370 .....Broad-winged hawk 4789 .......Swainson's hawk 63 .........Red-tailed hawk 2 ..........Ferruginous hawk 18 .........White-tailed hawk 1 ..........Short-tailed hawk 8 ..........Zone-tailed hawk 6 ..........Harris's hawk 0 ..........Rough-legged hawk 0 ..........Common black hawk 3 ..........Golden eagle 865 ........American kestrel 83 .........Merlin 288 ........Peregrine falcon 4 ..........Prairie falcon 2 ..........Aplomado falcon 4 ..........Crested caracara 147 ........Unknown accipiters 153 ........Unknown buteos 18 .........Unknown falcons 0 ..........Unknown eagles 98 .........Unknown raptors ------------------------ 456,305 .... Season total to 11/05 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Smith Point Hawk Watch, Thursday 5 November From: John Arvin <jarvin AT GCBO.ORG> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:11:53 -0600 Results for 5 Nov: Turkey Vulture - 5 Northern Harrier - 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Broad-winged Hawk - 7 Swainson's Hawk - 1 John C. Arvin Research Coordinator Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (979) 480-0999 jarvin AT gcbo.org www.gcbo.org TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Northern Jacana at Callihan Unit, 75 Acre Pond, Choke Canyon SP (McMullen Co.) afternoon 11/05/09 From: Rex Stanford <calidris AT MINDSPRING.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:39:11 -0600 The Northern Jacana reported at the Calliham Unit, 75 Acre Pond, Choke Canyon State Park (McMullen Co.) continued its presence throughout this afternoon (11/05/09), being generally very active, walking about, feeding, and often flying short distances--or simply flapping its wings--exposing the richly yellow flight feathers. We observed it, first, briefly, shortly before 3:00 PM, at a great distance, from the end of the concrete pier beside the parking lot. From late in the afternoon until near sunset, at the suggestion of a very helpful birder who had been watching it at a much closer distance for some time, we moved to where he had been and got much closer and far more extended views . Birders already present on site who have seen this bird may be able to give some helpful advice, as in our experience today, about good location(s) for viewing it. Also present on the lake were several species of ducks, including numerous Ring-necked Ducks and our personal FOS Redheads in smaller numbers. Vermilion flycatchers were easy to see around the pier. By the way, some visitors to this site today told us that the park host--in line with advice on a sign in the area--had said that there are many alligators in this lake, so caution is advised near the lake margins. We saw no alligators today, but we were not looking for them. Those who have experience with this animal know that although they look big and perhaps sluggish, they can move with dazzling speed when they wish. Close approaches should not be made to them, however docile or sleepy they may appear. We also hope that the Jacana will keep its distance from them! Best wishes to all who seek to see this bird. Rex & Birgit Stanford McAllen, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Photo Essay of Olmito State Fish Hatchery has been posted From: "David T. Dauphin" <dauphins AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:09:12 -0600 I have posted a photo essay of the Olmito State Fish Hatchery near Brownsville, Cameron Co. The photo essay may be viewed at http://www.thedauphins.net/id100.html . Jan Dauphin Mission, TX To view my photos or for Valley wildlife info., go to http://www.thedauphins.net TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Photo Essay of Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-WBC has been posted From: "David T. Dauphin" <dauphins AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:01:35 -0600 I have posted a photo essay of the Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-World Birding Center in Harlingen, Cameron Co., in time for Harlingen's Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival http://www.rgvbirdfest.com/ , to be held November 12-15, 2009. Please check out their webpage and try to attend. The photo essay may be viewed at http://www.thedauphins.net/id101.html . Jan Dauphin Mission, TX To view my photos or for Valley wildlife info., go to http://www.thedauphins.net TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Osprey in Austin From: Ronnie Kramer <rlkramer1 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:50:48 -0600 Yesterday on November 4, an osprey was seen fishing in a pond located at the corner of Wells Branch and US 290. The pond is on the property of Applied Materials. The pond is easily viewed from several pull-offs on south bound Wells Branch as you approach US 290. Ronnie Kramer Austin, Texas TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Trumpeter and Tundra Swan Watch: Nov. 1, 2009 - May 1, 2010 From: Mary Bote <mary.bote AT RGV.RR.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:31:25 -0600 Dear Texbirders, The Trumpeter Swan Society would like your help again this winter and this winter they have started a Citizen Science Project to monitor the winter distribution of Trumpeter Swan and to look for potential winter habitat. In Texas in addition to reports on Trumpeter Swan, they would also like reports on Tundra Swan and on Trumpeter/Tundra Swans (where indistinguishable) because these would tell them something about potential Trumpeter Swan habitat. Please read the full information at http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/csp-trumpeter-watch.html Trumpeter/Tundra Swan have been heard or seen in Texas as early as Nov. 6, Nov. 15 and Nov. 21. We hope there will be sightings of Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan in Texas this winter. My dad (Harold H Burgess) and his children are all life members of The Trumpeter Swan Society. Dad twice was the president of The Trumpeter Swan Society for two separated terms. Dad retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to South Texas. In South Texas only once did he see a Trumpeter Swan in South Texas (Falcon Dam) and I think only once did he see a Tundra Swan in South Texas (Laguna Atascosa). Now he is 92 and we don't travel to the northern states anymore to see the Trumpeter Swans or attend the Trumpeter Swan Conferences. Since Dad's friend Keith Arnold told me about texbirds, I have been searching its archive for sightings of Trumpeter and Tundra Swan and I have read with pleasure the emails and photos about those sightings. Dad continues his close relationship with The Trumpeter Swan Society and I have recently volunteered to do internet research for their Outreach Coordinator, Peg Abbott. Mary Bote Weslaco, TX 78596 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Palmetto State Park CBC From: Dwayne <dwayne_rogers AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:25:22 -0600 Texbirders; This is a general announcement to all Texbirders that the Palmetto State Park CBC is scheduled for January 2, 2010 (first Saturday of the year). If you are interested in participating in the count please contact me by email directly (off list) for more information. If there is anyone interested in participating by canoe or kayak there is a small Lake within the count circle called Lake Gonzales (Guadalupe River impoundment) that I would like to cover. I would be very interested in hearing from you. Thanks to all, Dwayne Rogers Pearland, TX Dwayne_rogers AT comcast.net cdwaynerogers AT gmail.com TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Heart of the Hills Fisheries Ctr. (HOTW 069) , 11/5/09 From: JAMES W KESSLER <jkessler AT KTC.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 21:54:00 -0600 This morning from 7:30 to 10:00 Ann Amsbury and I birded the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center (site HOTW 069) near Mountain Home. Although it is not birded very much, this site is one of the best birding locations in Kerr County. Since June we have observed 85 species here. Sunset Cemetery (site HOTW 70) is located adjacent to this site is an excellent location for woodland birds. We are in the process of updating the bird list for both sites, and I would appreciate receiving any information on observations from either or both of these locations. Jim Kessler Kerrville, TX jkessler AT ktc.com Location: Heart of the Hills Fisheries Ctr. (HOTW 069) Observation date: 11/5/09 Number of species: 32 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 6 American Wigeon 1 Blue-winged Teal 4 Northern Pintail 2 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Neotropic Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 6 Black Vulture 120 Turkey Vulture 1 White-winged Dove 3 Mourning Dove 6 Inca Dove 2 Ringed Kingfisher 1 Belted Kingfisher 3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4 Eastern Phoebe 5 Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Carolina Chickadee 3 Black-crested Titmouse 2 Carolina Wren 4 Bewick's Wren 2 Eastern Bluebird 2 Northern Mockingbird 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Chipping Sparrow 20 Northern Cardinal 3 Eastern Meadowlark 60 House Finch 6 Lesser Goldfinch 20 House Sparrow 10 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Addicks Reservoir/Arthur Storey Park From: Carolyn Dill <carolyn_dill AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:39:36 -0800 Off of Eldridge, just before you get to Clay Road, Addicks Reservoir has some nice birds at the far end fields. Past the homes and where the tall bushes on the rightside field were field sparrows. Field further down on the left just before arriving at the water were two sedge wrens. The path is not really maintained, but dried out enough to walk out.   Arthur Storey Park has a single wood stork and osprey with other egrets and cormorants on the big island.   Carolyn Dill TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Houston, Texas Subject: Aquarena Springs - Hays CO. From: Stephen Ramirez <believeinstephen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:18:59 -0600 I went out to Aquarena Springs, San Marcos, Hays County this morning before class for about two hours, it was very productive, the most productive I have had out there in a long time! Here is my list from ebird Species 8 Pied-billed Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 1 Green Heron 50 Black Vulture 30 Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 6 American Coot 20 White-winged Dove 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 Couch's Kingbird 2 Carolina Chickadee 2 Carolina Wren x Marsh Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20 Northern Mockingbird 2 Orange-crowned Warbler 8 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 Northern Cardinal 1 Great-tailed Grackle 4 House Finch Total species reported: 29 Stephen Ramirez San Marcos, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Hooded Mergansers, Anhinga at Buescher SP 11/4 From: Louise Ridlon <flridlon AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:12:21 -0600 Just returned from camping at Buescher SP from Nov. 2-5. Gorgeous weather, quite birdy, mostly the usual suspects except surprises like 3 Hooded Mergansers cruising the lake Wed. morning, an Anhinga perched on a limb at one end of the lake, and about 80 Sandhill Cranes yodeling overhead that afternoon. Also had a group of about 8 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and 2 pairs of Wood Ducks. The lake is high, so shore access and visibility were quite limited. Louise Ridlon Cedar Creek Bastrop County TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Bolivar today and the rejuvenating flats From: Joseph Kennedy <josephkennedy36 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:50:32 -0600 It has been over a year since Ike and half a year since there was a really low tide when I was able to walk down the beach. Pre-Ike you walked down the beach from the bollards on a higher beach where plover roosted and then tended right on a higher tide for an inlet in the sand that you arced around until you reached the marsh grass. A series of bars were exposed as the tide dropped with pools between them and next bar. That pattern is re-emerging as shown by the low tide today. A bar extends from the general area of the bollards down past where the arc started. Other sand areas continue further down toward the old marsh area. A second bar almost showed another 50 yards or so out in the gulf. Lots of birds were on the bar and the islands that extended out toward the jetty. The great mass of birds was around the corner as you start toward the base of the jetty where it is really hard to walk to. Another bar is forming offshore of the beach area before the bollards that gives the birds a place to feed and rest and not be disturbed by beach drivers. This had started to form a little before Ike. Would have taken pictures but forgot that camera. So to summarize. Sand is filling in the area where Ike moved sand inland. Most of the area is still underwater under conditions where there would have been sand pre-Ike but there has been a big improvement since last spring. I had gone looking for the burrowing owl but he was not out and about on the 6 stops I made. Perhaps he was influenced by a peregrine that sat on a fencepost not too far away. Had all the small plovers including a good number of snowy plovers and fewer piping. One banded piping plover from the upper Missouri River. One red knot all gray. Swimming western willets. 2 red-breasted mergansers were my first of the fall. A couple of small scaup flocks went west offshore. The tide was high at the base of the jetty and only larger birds like willets and avocets were out there wading and swimming. The big bunch of shorebirds were too far and muddy for me to slog or rockhop. The peninsula was relatively birdless. Only saw 1 marsh sparrow and a couple of savannahs. 3 phoebes. 2 migrating harriers and a sitting merlin. 1 kestrel crossed from Galveston. No uncommoner gulls or terns. Pit bulls on rollover pass discouraged walking and birds. There had been some very high water and all the sometime shorebird pools were bankfull. Stopped at Tom Bass park on the way home and the resident ross's, blue and white-fronted geese had been joined by some coots and 2 female lesser scaup. -- Joseph C. Kennedy on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston Josephkennedy36 AT gmail.com TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: ID help for hawk From: Bill Wright <wmewrght AT HAL-PC.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:23:07 -0600 Hello Texbirders, I saw a hawk this afternoon on the powerline right-of-way by our house in Houston and was able to take some photos which I have uploaded to flickr. I would like some help to correctly identify this hawk. Thank you. Bill Wright Houston, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Turkey Creek CBC Dec 19; Beech Creek CBC Dec 22. From: johnawhittle AT AOL.COM Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:07:31 -0500 TEXBIRDERS: We have set the dates for the Turkey Creek and Beech Creek CBCs as follows: Turkey Creek: Saturday, December 19, 2009 This count in Hardin and Tyler Counties includes the Turkey Creek and Hickory Creek Savannah Units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. Meet at the Big Thicket Visitor Center on US69 at FM420, about 7 miles north of Kountze at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact Dave Roemer (Dave_Roemer AT nps.gov at 409-951-6820 or John Whittle (johnawhittle AT aol.com) at 409-722-4193 for more information. Beech Creek: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 This count takes places in Tyler and Jasper Counties and includes Steinhagen Lake, the Beech Creek unit of Big Thicket National Preserve and Martin Dies State Park. Meet at the Corps of Engineers Picnic Area on FM92 immediately north of the intersection with FM1746 in Town Bluff at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact Dave Roemer (Dave_Roemer AT nps.gov at 409-951-6820 or John Whittle (johnawhittle AT aol.com) at 409-722-4193 for more information. John A. Whittle Nederland, Texas TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Palo Duro Canyon From: Stephanie Barko <steffercat AT AUSTIN.RR.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:09:17 -0600 Last weekend the following species were observed at Palo Duro Canyon: Canada Goose American Kestrel Wild Turkey Sandhill Crane Golden-fronted Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Least Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee Blue Jay Chihuahuan Raven Black-crested Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Mountain Bluebird Hermit Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco (slate) Chestnut-collared Longspur Northern Cardinal Western Meadowlark House Finch Stephanie Barko & Jim Stoneking Hays County TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Laredo CBC From: Paul Foster <pfoster1 AT STX.RR.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:26:41 -0600 Anyone interested in helping out with the Laredo CBC on Saturday, January 2, please contact Susan Foster at pfoster1 AT stx.rr.com. Our count circle includes private ranches and public lands, much of which is on the Rio Grande. Also, our Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsors a count dinner for participants. Susan Foster Laredo Webb County pfoster1 AT stx.rr.com TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Northern Jacana 11/5 From: Jon McIntyre <mcintyrebirds AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:51:52 -0600 My parents and I found the jacana this morning from 9:30-10am at Choke Canyon State Park. Other birds we saw included Ross's Goose, Olive Sparrow, Verdin, Numerous Long-Billed Thrashers, and Great Horned Owl. Jon McIntyre Port Aransas, TX _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Kleb Woods Bird Walks From: "Collins, Fred (Commissioner Pct. 3)" <Fred_Collins AT HCTX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:40:56 -0600 Wednesday turned up 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets (FOS) and again produced nice looks at Brown-headed Nuthatch. House and Winter Wrens are in residence as are Hermit Thrushes. Join Kendra Saturday. Fred Collins -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of Collins, Fred (Commissioner Pct. 3) Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:08 PM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: [texbirds] Kleb Woods Bird Walks The weather is delightful, the light is spectacular, and the birds are not bad either. Join us for our weekly Wednesday bird walk tomorrow from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. We have been seeing about 40 species per day of late and we are expecting more wintering species each week. Last week we welcomed back two territorial Winter Wrens. We have had good success of late finding Brown-headed Nuthatch for several Wednesday walks in a row. Nutmeg Manikins are erratic but we have found them on a number of recent walks. If you have to work Wednesday, then give our first Saturday of the month bird walk a try. They are led by Kendra Kocab, our staff naturalist. Saturday's walk is 8:00 - 10:00 AM. It is this coming Saturday November 6. Fred Collins (281) 357-5324 Director: Kleb Woods Nature Center Cypress Top Historical Park Commissioner Steve Radack Harris County Precinct 3 www.pct3.hctx.net TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Hagerman NWR 11/05/09--"White Goose Project" From: craig miller <wagtail042000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:10:48 -0800 Texbirders, Visited Hagerman NWR, Grayson Co. today. Water levels are high, some roads are underwater, but should dry out by next week. Waterfowl are arriving-- sightings today included Snow, Ross' & White-fronted Geese. Hundreds of Redheads, a few Common Mergansers , Am. Wigeon, Ruddy Ducks, Canvasback & Bufflehead were present. I stopped counting a huge raft of Franklin's Gulls at 1000+. I stopped at the HQ & a brand new visitors center is to be constructed-- looks like Hagerman will become one of the top visitor -friendly refuges in the system.I observed 2 neck-collared Ross' Geese & reported the codes to the "Canadian White Goose Project" & discovered one was collared on Southampton Island,Nunavut, Canada( north of Hudson's Bay) & the other was collared at Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sancuary, Nunavut, Canada( largest waterfowl sanctuary in the world) both in 2002. If you can read the collar code & color of a collared  Snow or Ross' Goose, just "Google" Canadian White Goose Project-- They can tell you right away on their website where & when the bird was collared.  Craig Miller, McKinney, Collin Co __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds http://mail.yahoo.com Subject: Coastal Bend CBCs From: Kathy Griffith <grifkm AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:50:40 -0600 Houston Audubon has a page for Texas Christimas Bird Counts. Compilers of Coastal Bend CBCs (Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Rockport, Welder Wildlife Refuge, Kingsville) are urged to post their dates, compilers and compilers' contacts to this page. This is a great help to newsletter editors, and to area bird counters. www.houstonaududon.org, click on Christimas Bird Counts Kathy Griffith TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Corpus Christi Subject: San Antonio CBC From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:42:50 -0800 Dear all, the San Antonio Christmas count will be held on Sunday Dec. 20. In spite of being the compiler I will not be present due to a trip to Colombia. The date was set by the SAAudubon board. So I need even more help this year! This is a really fun count and I will be happy to sign you up and get you with a good group. Please email me if you have any interest!  Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.co TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds m/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary Subject: Sandhill Cranes flying over Brazos County From: Shirley Wilkerson <shirleyywilkerson AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:26:03 -0800 Within the past hour, three groups of Sandhill cranes have flown over with their beautiful calls, roughly flying between Hwy 21 East and Kurten Cemetary Rd in Bryan. Shirley Bryan, Brazos County TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Great Kiskadee at Cullinan Park in Sugar Land From: Greg Lavaty <glavaty AT AIRMAIL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:51:57 -0600 This morning I observed a very vocal Great Kiskadee (are there any other kid?) at Cullinan Park in Sugar Land, TX. The bird was calling from the trees near the boardwalk when I arrived about 0745 and flew around the general vicinity of the board walk until I left at about 0830 when it was still in plain view from the boardwalk. Here is a photo of the bird shortly after I arrived. If you click on show map you should get a map showing the location. http://www.pbase.com/image/119087228 I did observe an interesting interaction between the kiskadee and a Red-bellied Woodpecker before I left. The kiskadee had landed on a tree and the woodpecker immediately flew up resulting in the kiskadee raising its crest and flying away. http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/image/119087241 More photos of the kiskadee can be viewed here: http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/new Greg Lavaty Sugar Land, TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Matagorda County Mad Island Marsh CBC From: Brent Ortego <brentortego AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:44:50 -0600 We are making plans for the 17th running of the Mad Island Christmas Bird Count which will be held on Monday, 14 December. Due to great avian diversity, access to lots of private land and great attendance by birders this has become the traditional Number One CBC in the United States for species reported. The count circle has habitats ranging from expansive grasslands, brushlands, ag lands, riparian forest, tidal marshes to Gulf Views. Most of the land accessed is private and generally not available to birding at other times of year. The CBC traditionally produces a custom t-shirt for participants, provides a catered meal and pays participation fees. If you would like to join us making this another great year, contact me at. Brent Ortego Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 361/576-0022 _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Guadalupe River Delta CBC From: Brent Ortego <brentortego AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:39:00 -0600 We are making plans for our 6th running of the Guadalupe River Delta - McFaddin Family Ranches Christmas Bird Count which will be held on Thursday, 17 December this year. This CBC normally competes for national honors. We ended up with 217 species and placed 2nd Nationally last year. This count was designed by Mark Elwonger and I to maximize the number of lingering neotrops we could find on a CBC. It contains 15 miles of the lower end of Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers. It has many miles of waterways, riparian woodlands, marshes, brushlands, and grasslands. One of the exciting aspects of attending the count is to be able to access the private ranches in the McFaddin community. We have access to 3 ranches totalling 14,000 acres. There are also thousands of acres of other land south of these ranches in which we have access. If you would like to view these properties, go to Google Earth and view the land between the Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers near their junction between Green Lake and Tivoli, TX. If you stay until sundown, then the tally will be held at a hunting camp under the liveoaks at night, listening to Barred Owls calling and being served a meal by our local chef. Contact me if you would like to attend. Brent Ortego Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 361/576-0022 _________________________________________________________________ Find the right PC with Windows 7 and Windows Live. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/pc-scout/laptop-set-criteria.aspx?cbid=wl&filt=200,2400,10,19,1,3,1,7,50,650,2,12,0,1000&cat=1,2,3,4,5,6&brands=5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16&addf=4,5,9&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Smith Point Hawk Watch, 4 Nov. From: John Arvin <jarvin AT GCBO.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:35:00 -0600 The season is winding down. No large daily totals are expected from here on, but in past years we have gotten some rare species (i.e. Golden Eagle) in the latter days of the count. Results for Wednesday, Nov. 4: Turkey Vulture - 59 Northern Harrier - 4 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Broad-winged Hawk - 9 Swainson's Hawk - 2 American Kestrel - 4 John C. Arvin Research Coordinator Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (979) 480-0999 jarvin AT gcbo.org www.gcbo.org TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley, November 5, 2009 From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:15:03 -0500 I got permission from the photographer to post the photos of the Masked Ducks and Rose-throated Becard, they can be seen here - http://marybirds.blogspot.com/2009/11/larry-therriens-photos-masked-duck-rose.html Transcript follows. Mary Gustafson Mission, Texas . RBA . * Texas * Lower Rio Grande Valley * November 5, 2009 . + (Details requested by TBRC - Mark.Lockwood AT tpwd.state.tx.us) http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/reviewsp.htm lists Texas review species http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/TBRCform.rtf suggests what to include in details . Our rare bird alert this week includes... . Migration Update . +Masked Duck Bald Eagle Hook-billed Kite Mountain Plover +Rose-throated Becard Rock Wren Tropical Parula Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler +Blue Bunting (possible) . Hotline Number: Texas Parks and Wildlife - Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline number: (956) 584-2731 . To report: rgvbirds AT hotmail.com (preferred) or (956) 584-2731 option 3 . - Transcript . Thank you for calling the Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline sponsored by Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the World Birding Center. This hotline is normally updated Thursdays by 5 PM. Please send observations to Texbirds or to the hotline email address. Thank you to those who sent reports! . This is a general reminder that tapes are not allowed in Texas State Parks and many LRGV birding sites. All State Park visitors must stay on trails. Thank you for not disturbing the wildlife or damaging the vegetation. . Birding site closures: . Frontera Audubon Sanctuary in Weslaco *REVISED* is now closed on Sunday morning, Monday and Tuesday without a prior appointment. Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen is closed on Sunday and Monday; Valley Nature Center in Weslaco is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays. Audubon's Sabal Palm Sanctuary is closed-- *REVISED* - access is restricted to pre-arranged groups until further notice. Audubon is working towards a re-opening early in 2010. Watch their website for additional information. . Rare birds . Two Masked Ducks – one a near full-plumaged male – were photographed at Santa Ana NWR on November 1 and continue to be seen at Cattail Lakes sporadically. They are missed more often than seen, and there are many Ruddy Ducks present. . A female-plumaged Rose-throated Becard was photographed at Bentsen RGV State Park on October 30. . A Blue Bunting female was reported from Bentsen RGV State Park on October 28. Indigo Buntings are in the area. The location was near the start of the Kiskadee Trail. . Migration reports . Winter residents continue to arrive. Ring-necked Ducks are appearing at several sites. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds remain in good numbers across the LRGV. A few Dickcissels remain as always in early November. Groove-billed Anis are getting scarcer as winter approaches. . The Valley from East to West . At Lake Tiocano near La Feria, White-fronted Geese were resting on October 21. Also present were a variety of shorebirds, egrets, herons, and Roseate Spoonbills. . Shorebirds continue at Sugar House Pond with Snowy, Semipalmated, and Black-bellied Plover. Good numbers of more expected species were also present. . A Rufous Hummingbird was photographed in Alamo during the week. . A Rock Wren was an unusual find at the UTPA campus in Edinburg on October 30. . At Estero Llano Grande State Park, Waterfowl are increasing in numbers. A Lark Bunting was an unusual find at Estero Llano Grande on Wednesday October 28. . A Northern Beardless Tyrannulet was found at Frontera Audubon Center in Weslaco, most recently on October 12. They are rare away from the Rio Grande in Hidalgo County. Migrant warblers continue in good numbers at this site. . At Valley Nature Center, Red-crowned Parrots were feeding in the park on Saturday October 24. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak continues to be present at the feeding station. . A Mountain Plover was reported by a single observer from a sod farm on Texas 88 but could not be relocated on Monday November 2. . Also at Santa Ana NWR THREE Hook-billed Kites were seen and photographed on Wednesday November 4. Large flocks of Turkey Vultures and Anhingas were moving south, and Gray Hawks were vocal. A Wood Duck was at Pintail Lakes. . Quinta Mazatlan has Clay-colored Thrushes, migrant warblers, and hummingbirds. . At Anzalduas County Park, a Tropical Parula was found and photographed on November 2, and two Sprague’s Pipits were found in the entrance fields. Sprague’s Pipits were found near Penitas on November 1. . Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association park, Clay-colored Thrush come to the water features and feeders. . At Bentsen Rio Grande State Park in Mission, a Hook-billed Kite was seen soaring over the resaca area on Tuesday October 27. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet can be found within the park, and Gray Hawks are present and vocal. More second hand unverified reports included a Rose-throated Becard at Eagle Pond on October 30 and a Blue Bunting on October 28. This is a TBRC review species. . Mangrove Warbler, a well-marked subspecies of Yellow Warbler that may be distinct enough to warrant full species status, can be seen by contacting the Sealife Center at (956) 299-1957. . Red-crowned Parrots wander widely to feed and to roost and are not always easy to find in the summer, as their locations are more unpredictable. They are most often seen in flight. Red-crowned Parrots are sometimes seen in the areas of Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, and Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. . Green Parakeets are readily seen at Quinta Mazatlan, in the vicinity of Oklahoma Street in Weslaco, and hundreds often stage before going to roost in McAllen on North 10th Street between Violet and Dove in the evening. Both Green Parakeets and Red-crowned Parrots have been seen in Harlingen (near Pendleton Park), Pharr (sometimes at Allen Williams residence on Sam Houston), and Brownsville near Fort Brown. . Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are also heard (and rarely seen) at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in the pre-dawn hours. Remember, the use of tapes is not allowed at Bentsen or many LRGV sites. Always ask before using tapes.Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are at San Miguelito Ranch about 10 miles north of Raymondville, easiest seen February through May. There is a fee to access this site, and prior arrangements are required (Leticia Tijerina, 956-369-3118 or buny55ATaol.com). Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are found on the King Ranch and often at El Canelo, as well. . Salineno is the the traditional site for seeing Red-billed Pigeons and Muscovy Ducks (last reported September 20). . White-collared Seedeater can be found the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the south end of 9th Street and Laredo. Another good site is behind the library at the county park in Zapata. . The Wikibird guide provides birding site information for the Rio Grande Valley at http://wikibird.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Valley_birding_guide . Thanks to Tim Whitehouse for this great service! . Please report sightings to rgvbirdsAThotmail.com (Replace AT with AT ) or (956) 584-2731 option 3. Thanks to everyone who reported their sightings to Texbirds or the compilers! . Mary Gustafson Mission, Texas TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Burrowing Owl, Bee County , early From: Jimmy Jackson <falcojj AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:55:18 -0600 On October 31, 2009 we spotted a Burrowing Owl on a private ranch about 6 miles southeast of Beeville, Tx . The owl was near a culvert on a caliche road. This is one of the earliest sightings in Bee County. Jimmy Jackson Beeville, Tx TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: bird job opportunity From: John Arvin <jarvin AT GCBO.ORG> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:08:04 -0600 The following message is forwarded with permission from the listowner: From: James V. Remsen [mailto:najames AT LSU.edu] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:56 PM To: John Arvin Subject: Fwd: [LABIRD-L] job opp -- LA Winter Bird Atlaser(s) Jan-Feb 2010 JCA -- would you post this on TX bird list for me? Van Begin forwarded message: From: "James V. Remsen" Date: November 3, 2009 2:55:16 PM CST To: LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU Subject: [LABIRD-L] job opp -- LA Winter Bird Atlaser(s) Jan-Feb 2010 Reply-To: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds LABIRD: The Coypu Foundation has funded our grant application to pay 1 or more skilled field observers to do some intensive atlasing for the LA Winter Bird Atlas through the LA Bird Resource Center during this upcoming season (10 Jan - 20 Feb). The goal will be to survey as many remote quads as possible in the biggest gaps in our geographic coverage. If interested in earning 150/day (no expenses covered), send me an email indicating this, and whether you're interested in having all of the contract (36 days of atlasing) or part. Not sure yet how we'll divide it up, or what the official application process will be. Observer(s) will be selected based on birding skills and experience. ***************************** J. V. Remsen Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119 LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 225-578-2855 najamesLSU.edu John C. Arvin Research Coordinator Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (979) 480-0999 jarvin AT gcbo.org www.gcbo.org TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Lake Tawakoni CBC Date requested From: Dale Ohl <lsdolls AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:32:47 -0600 Has the date been determined for the Lake Tawakoni CBC? -- Dale Ohl Van Zandt Co. TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Another photo of the Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon State Park From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:58:52 -0800 Dear all, JoAnn Andrews, who found and photographed the Northern Jacana sent me this photo which she thought might help people with pinpointing the location of the Jacana http://www.flickr.com/photos/sngcanary/4077952552/ Many thanks to JoAnn for finding such a great bird. Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Lubbock area late dates for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers From: Anthony Flyd <terrverts AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:00:21 -0800 During the last decade, we have a      Greetings All: During the last decade, we have a accumulated a few November records of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers lingering on the Southern High Plains. On 27 November 1999 2 were seen near the Tahoka Cemetery (Lynn County); on 8 November 2002 3 were seen in Lubbock (Lubbock County); on 4 November 2009 1 was seen at the TTU Rangeland (Lubbock County). It is too bad that Kent County (our most southeast county) gets relatively as it hosts the largest numbers of Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in our region and would probably be the best place to pin down true 'late dates' for our region. Anthony Hewetson; Lubbock TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Peregrine Falcon at Voss/SanFelipe/Houston From: dennis shepler <dawgler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:20:30 -0600 Howdy Texbirders, Peregrine in West Houston "playing" with the pigeons. NW corner of Voss AT San Felipe. Sweet. Dennis Shepler on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston -- W. Dennis Shepler TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Four Osprey From: dennis shepler <dawgler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:26:04 -0600 Texbirders, Speaking of Ospreys, I have seen three in the past week while driving the 610 Loop, in Houston. Also, one over our school in west Houston, yesterday. Could be the same bird working Buffalo and Braes Bayous. Dennis Harris County -- W. Dennis Shepler TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Cypress Hawk Behavior From: Mark B Bartosik <mbb22222 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:50:34 -0600 Jeff, I saw this hawk behavior usually during very early morning (right after sunrise) when hawk was wet from a dew and was trying to dry out. One example here (this Red-shouldered Hawk did not spread its tail). http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/73329872 Osprey on the other hand, because is getting wet very often can be observed at any time during a day drying itself on perch or ground. http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/99862098 http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/72689417 http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/72689419 Mark B Bartosik Houston, Texas http://www.pbase.com/mbb/from_the_field TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: 2nd Breeding Season discovered From: Philip Tanimoto <pdtanimoto AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:59:06 +0430 Hi all, If anyone can locate a copy of the peer-reviewed article, I'd love a copy. I looked up PNAS and found the current table of contents with abstracts, but there was no such article, and I could not find any reference to an 'online version.' Best regards, Phil =================== Philip D. Tanimoto, Ph.D. Afghanistan PEACE Project Dept. Ecosystem Science & Management Texas A&M University TAMU 2138 College Station, TX 77843 979-845-3359 www.afghanpeace.org -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of David T. Dauphin Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 4:05 PM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: [texbirds] 2nd Breeding Season discovered Some of you may find the following article very interesting: http://cs.birdersworld.com/brdcs/blogs/field_of_view/2009/10/26/researchers- discover-a-second-breeding-season-for-five-migratory-songbirds.aspx David T. Dauphin Mission, TX For Valley wildlife info. go to: http://www.thedauphins.net TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Cypress Hawk Behavior From: "Mohamed, Jeffrey D" <Jeffrey.D.Mohamed AT LONESTAR.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:56:13 -0600 I saw a Cooper's behaving oddly on the CyFair campus yesterday. For several minutes it perched in a tree with its tail and wings fanned out into a semicircle. (Photos on www.jeffincypress.blogspot.com). I've never seen a hawk do this before, although I often see Black and Turkey Vultures perched with wings outstretched. Clearly diving birds like Cormorants and Anhingas spread their wings out to dry, but does anyone know why a hawk would do this? Was it just warming up in the morning sunlight? Jeff Mohamed Cypress TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Late nesting Roadrunner (?)..Scissortails From: Brush Freeman <brushfreeman AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 22:28:19 -0600 Was piddling around in S. Texas today and flushed a Roadrunner from a large stick nest in a mesquite. I thought, nah it can't be nesting in this heat and drought especially in November. I carried on about my business but had to drive by the same tree about 45-50 minutes later and the bird had returned to the nest! Unfortunately the nest was too high up and precarious for me to climb to. I could not see what the contents were if any. The bird did flush again but did not go far. Did not have the time to spend with it but did photo the nest from below. Hmmm....May need to carry a mirror on a cane pole. On the subject of Scissortails , I also counted quite a large gathering near Benavides late this afternoon on wires just west of town. My count was about 62-64 over a couple of miles. Speaking of Benavides, just east of town (about 3/4 mile) the large retaining ponds were full of ducks etc. I only had time for a very brief stop to check the pond nearest the highway and look thru the trees on the fenceline, There were several Least Grebes, Kiskadees and a Black Phoebe very near the ravine that crosses the road on the east side of the ponds. http://picasaweb.google.com/BrushFreeman/WebbCoNov409?authkey=Gv1sRgCO-1zLjImKC2nAE#5400471229782796722 -- Brush Freeman Utley & Port O'Connor Texas or wherever else I may be TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: "Late" Scissortails From: Stephanie Barko <steffercat AT AUSTIN.RR.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 22:12:31 -0600 There's consistently a pair on the wire at the curve on 45 East near the Wildflower Center just inside southern Travis County. Stephanie Barko Hays County ----- Original Message ----- From: Ted Drozdowski To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:18 PM Subject: Re: [texbirds] "Late" Scissortails Hello, As of yesterday, November 3, we still have at least 8 scissortails at the scissortail roost in Midlothian in Ellis County. I suspect this roost to contain around 1500 birds during the peak in September. Every year I seem to wait a little too long before I make a serious effort to count them at dusk. They are all over the place and there are just too many to count. I have, however, counted 250 on one telephone wire. Ted Drozdowski Midlothian, Ellis County --- On Thu, 11/5/09, Sheridan Coffey wrote: From: Sheridan Coffey Subject: [texbirds] "Late" Scissortails To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 2:46 AM Dear all, if you check Texbirds archives you will see this discussion of "late" Scissortails happens almost every fall. Its not at all unusual to see Scissortails in November. I have had them well into December, and even had one at Choke Canyon on January 1 a few years ago. Warren Pulich's book is a bit out of date. When I living in Fort Worth 8 years ago I had a Scissortail at Village Creek Drying Beds at least through the first week of December. Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Wind Energy Panel Discussion From: Cecilia Riley <criley02 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:42:10 -0600 Texbirders, with the real concerns for the possible impacts of wind turbines on birds there is a great need for all of us to become well educated about the rapidly spreading wind farms along our coast and deep into the heart of Texas. Thus with the listowners permission I post here an invitation to a public seminar on the issue. The presentors are top notch people "in the know" so if this is a concern for you (as it should be) make the short drive to Corpus next week and learn all you can. Cecilia M. Riley Gulf Coast Bird Observatory 103 West Hwy. 332 Lake Jackson, TX 77566 www.gcbo.org From: Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program To: criley AT gcbo.org Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 2:01 PM Subject: Updated -- Wind Energy Panel Discussion Good afternoon, Texas A& M University - Corpus Christi will hold a panel discussion on wind energy and wind farms from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Harte Research Conference Room on campus. The Coastal Bend Environmental Panel on Wind Farms is the first in a series designed to share the best available information of the science and engineering behind issues of interest to area residents. Panelists are: Mannti Cummins, wind energy director for American Shoreline Inc., discussing development of wind-generated alternative energy. Glen Webb, an expert on landowner issues and rights, discussing economic property issues associated with wind farms. Kathy Boydston, program leader for wildlife habitat assessment program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, discussing wind energy and wildlife implications from onshore and offshore development. Dr. Robert Benson, Professor of Physics at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and Director of the TEES Center for Bioacoustics, on whether wind farms are safe for migrating birds. John Metz and Alex Tardy, NOAA, National Weather Service, on whether wind farms affect severe weather warning operations. Dawn Whitehead, of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, on regulations and guidance for wind farms. Please share the details of this talk with anyone you think would be interested. Thanks. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program 1305 N. Shoreline Suite 205 Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: "Late" Scissortails From: David Sarkozi <david AT SARKOZI.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:41:50 -0600 If you check the CBC website you'll see that there were 9 counts that had Scissor-tailed Flycatchers last year, and on eBird Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are pretty common through mid November. I'm not sure there really is such a thing as a "late" one, there some around all year rounds in truth. -- David Sarkozi, List Owner Houston, TX (713) 412-4409 twitter ID dsarkozi On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 8:46 PM, Sheridan Coffey wrote: > Dear all, > if you check Texbirds archives you will see this discussion of "late" Scissortails happens almost every fall. Its not at all unusual to see Scissortails in November. I have had them well into December, and even had one at Choke Canyon on January 1 a few years ago. Warren Pulich's book is a bit out of date. When I living in Fort Worth 8 years ago I had a Scissortail at Village Creek Drying Beds at least through the first week of December. > >  Sheridan Coffey > San Antonio, Tx > http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ > www.flickr.com/sngcanary > TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: "Late" Scissortails From: Ted Drozdowski <drozdovekie AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:18:42 -0800 Hello,     As of yesterday, November 3, we still have at least 8 scissortails at the scissortail roost in Midlothian in Ellis County.      I suspect this roost to contain around 1500 birds during the peak in September.  Every year I seem to wait a little too long before I make a serious effort to count them at dusk. They are all over the place and there are just too many to count.  I have, however,  counted 250 on one telephone wire.        Ted Drozdowski     Midlothian, Ellis County --- On Thu, 11/5/09, Sheridan Coffey wrote: From: Sheridan Coffey Subject: [texbirds] "Late" Scissortails To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 2:46 AM Dear all, if you check Texbirds archives you will see this discussion of "late" Scissortails happens almost every fall. Its not at all unusual to see Scissortails in November. I have had them well into December, and even had one at Choke Canyon on January 1 a few years ago. Warren Pulich's book is a bit out of date. When I living in Fort Worth 8 years ago I had a Scissortail at Village Creek Drying Beds at least through the first week of December. Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: "Late" Scissortails From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:46:59 -0800 Dear all, if you check Texbirds archives you will see this discussion of "late" Scissortails happens almost every fall. Its not at all unusual to see Scissortails in November. I have had them well into December, and even had one at Choke Canyon on January 1 a few years ago. Warren Pulich's book is a bit out of date. When I living in Fort Worth 8 years ago I had a Scissortail at Village Creek Drying Beds at least through the first week of December. Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Photos of the Northern Jacana From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:43:48 -0800 Dear all, I have posted the four photos of the Northern Jacana that I received. Here is a link to my photo page. Please note that I did not take these photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sngcanary/sets/72157622736347332/ The bird was seen today. JoAnn told me that it was probably observable from the parking lot. Its not always easy to see. Again, its being seen at Choke Canyon State Park in 75 Acre Lake in the Calliham unit. Be patient in looking for it and please update Texbirds if you find it. Good luck! Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: SCISSORTAILS From: Susan Yost <sdyost AT ASUNNYTEXAS.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:37:14 -0600 I HAD A SINGLE SCISSORTAIL FLYCATCHER IN DENTON CO ON SATURDAY NEAR LAKE LEWISVILLE. WARREN PULICH PUTS THEIR LATEST DEPARTURE AT NOV 13 W/ AN AVERAGE AT NOV. 1. THIS GUY BETTER HURRY AND GO SOUTH! SUE YOST ~^/^~ HIGHLAND VILLAGE DENTON CO. -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of Charles W. Easley Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:29 PM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: Re: [texbirds] Colorado County 3 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on FM 1902 north of Godley on my drive home this evening. My late county date is 11-11-87. Most have departed and these are unusual at best. Charles Easley Cleburne, Texas cwebirds AT cdibb.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Oscar Carmona" To: Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:12 AM Subject: Re: [texbirds] Colorado County I also saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Arlington, Tarrant County on November 3, 2009. It is the only one I have seen around for at least a week. Oscar Carmona, CPRP Parks Superintendent City of Arlington Parks and Recreation 817-459-5498 Office 817-459-6497 Fax Oscar.Carmona AT arlingtontx.gov -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of allenreyer AT AOL.COM Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:29 AM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: [texbirds] Colorado County Yesterday afternoon, I saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher about 8 miles north of Columbus. Seems late for a Scissor-tailed to be hanging around. Al Reyer Columbus, TX & Bellevue, NE TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Directions to Northern Jacana From: JoAnn Andrews <barnowl635 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:18:03 -0500 Choke Canyon State Park Caillham Unit Take road to 75 Acre Lake at end on this road, park in the 1st parking lot on the right and you will see a dirt road. To view the area you need to walk down the dirt service road to the next area of marshy water and look throughout this area. It has been in this same general area since Sunday Nov 1 when first spotted There is a jetty from which I saw the bird by itself Nov 4 9:30-10;30am in the area where the clear water meets the marshy reeds (fire ants at the very end of jetty). It was very active flying and walking until it came within 300 ft of the end of the jetty, then flew from view. But always on the far side of the jetty from the parking lot. So standing on the jetty, with your back to the parking lot you may locate the Jacana from looking left to looking directly across the marsh. I found it easily hides in the grass so unless you see it fly just keep looking left or right of your last sighting and it may appear again. Sunday & Monday I was just past the jetty on the service road itself. From here it appeared to be on the far right side of this marsh area. I found it among ducks Ibis and Egrets for about 20 mins each of these days and then it appeared to just walk out of view into the taller grass. There is a whole section of the lake you can not see from the picnic area near the parking lot. You will need to walk down the dirt road to find it and as with any rare bird you have to be in the right place at the right time. I am no longer camping at the park so won't be there to help you good birding!! Jo Ann Andrews RI _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Colorado County From: "Charles W. Easley" <cwebirds AT CDIBB.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:28:46 -0600 3 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on FM 1902 north of Godley on my drive home this evening. My late county date is 11-11-87. Most have departed and these are unusual at best. Charles Easley Cleburne, Texas cwebirds AT cdibb.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Oscar Carmona" To: Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:12 AM Subject: Re: [texbirds] Colorado County I also saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Arlington, Tarrant County on November 3, 2009. It is the only one I have seen around for at least a week. Oscar Carmona, CPRP Parks Superintendent City of Arlington Parks and Recreation 817-459-5498 Office 817-459-6497 Fax Oscar.Carmona AT arlingtontx.gov -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of allenreyer AT AOL.COM Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:29 AM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: [texbirds] Colorado County Yesterday afternoon, I saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher about 8 miles north of Columbus. Seems late for a Scissor-tailed to be hanging around. Al Reyer Columbus, TX & Bellevue, NE TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Nothern Jacana confirmed From: Rex Stanford <calidris AT MINDSPRING.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:43:36 -0600 Is any information available on where at Choke Canyon it was viewed from this morning and, also of potential value, whether it is the same location where the observer originally found it. I assume it was at 75 acre lake therein, but I am wondering from what viewing locale, reachable through what means, it was found today. Thanks very much for any such information that might be provided. Rex Stanford McAllen, TX ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sheridan Coffey" To: Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:29 PM Subject: [texbirds] Nothern Jacana confirmed Dear all, I have recieved photos of the Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon, which I will pass on to Mark Lockwood. Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: - Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC 054) , 11/4/09 From: imhuck3 AT AOL.COM Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:44:18 -0500 Howdy Texbirders, I haven't posted in a while and as more birders are beginning to come to the valley, thought it might be helpful to let you see what is being seen here at Estero. Below is my ebird report for the day and most of these birds were seen or heard on our Wed. morning bird walk with 13 participants. Best bird of the day for me was a great look at an American Bittern on Dowitcher Lake on the west side of the lake near the boardwalk. Had sitting Common Pauraques in a couple of places and was a lifer for some of the birders. It's getting that time of the year for that "really special bird" to show up from Mexico, so sure would like for you to come on out and help me find it. Even if you don't find a "rarity", I guarantee you won't be disappointed with the variety of birds that can be seen. Birding in the valley is always a pleasure, but spray around the ankles, because if you get out into any grass, there's these little buggars called "chiggers" and they can turn a good day of birding into a bad night for sleeping, if you get my "dig". Sooooo-- Bird for your health, Forget your worries, You'll be happier, Huck Hutchens, Park Host Estero Llano Grande SP Weslaco, Texas -----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org To: imhuck3 AT aol.com Sent: Wed, Nov 4, 2009 4:28 pm Subject: eBird Report - Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC 054) , 11/4/09 Location: Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC 054) bservation date: 11/4/09 umber of species: 73 Fulvous Whistling-Duck 2 adwall X lue-winged Teal X orthern Shoveler X reen-winged Teal X uddy Duck X east Grebe X ied-billed Grebe X merican White Pelican X eotropic Cormorant X nhinga X merican Bittern X reat Blue Heron X reat Egret X nowy Egret X ittle Blue Heron X ricolored Heron X urkey Vulture X sprey X hite-tailed Kite X orthern Harrier X ooper's Hawk X arris's Hawk X ed-shouldered Hawk X ed-tailed Hawk X merican Kestrel X ommon Moorhen X merican Coot X illdeer X lack-necked Stilt X merican Avocet X potted Sandpiper X esser Yellowlegs X east Sandpiper X tilt Sandpiper X ong-billed Dowitcher X ilson's Snipe X ock Pigeon X ourning Dove X nca Dove X ommon Ground-Dove X ommon Pauraque X uff-bellied Hummingbird X uby-throated Hummingbird X inged Kingfisher X elted Kingfisher X reen Kingfisher X olden-fronted Woodpecker X adder-backed Woodpecker X astern Phoebe X ermilion Flycatcher X reat Kiskadee X ouch's Kingbird X cissor-tailed Flycatcher X oggerhead Shrike X hite-eyed Vireo X reen Jay X orthern Rough-winged Swallow X arn Swallow X arolina Wren X ouse Wren X uby-crowned Kinglet X lue-gray Gnatcatcher X orthern Mockingbird X uropean Starling X range-crowned Warbler X ommon Yellowthroat X ilson's Warbler X ed-winged Blackbird X reat-tailed Grackle X rown-headed Cowbird X esser Goldfinch X ouse Sparrow X This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Heard Museum banding/census report, 11/4/09 From: Tom Heath <heathwtom AT NETSCAPE.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:56:04 -0500 The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney, TX Bird Banding & Census Report Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Banding Team: Betty, Blaine, Craig, Denise, Etta Mae, Linda, Marissa, Judy & Tom Total species banded - 13 Total birds banded - 25 Yellow-shafted Flicker - 1 Eastern Phoebe - 1 White-crowned Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Field Sparrow - 2 Slate-colored Junco - 2 Song Sparrow - 3 Fox Sparrow - 4 Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 Myrtle Warbler (Yellow-rumped) - 3 Brown Thrasher - 1 Carolina Chickadee - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 --------------------------- Total species recaptured - 3 Total birds recaptured - 6 Brown Thrasher - 2 Hermit Thrush - 2 Northern Cardinal - 2 --------------------------- Georgette's census Number of species: 47 Wood Duck 3 Double-crested Cormorant 43 Great Blue Heron 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 American Kestrel 2 American Coot 1 Killdeer 2 Rock Pigeon 3 White-winged Dove 13 Mourning Dove 2 Barred Owl 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 6 Eastern Phoebe 5 Blue Jay 6 American Crow 3 Carolina Chickadee 16 Tufted Titmouse 7 Carolina Wren 8 Winter Wren 1 Sedge Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9 Eastern Bluebird 10 Hermit Thrush 2 American Robin 2 Northern Mockingbird 6 Brown Thrasher 3 European Starling 25 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 12 Spotted Towhee 2 Field Sparrow 3 Savannah Sparrow 2 Fox Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow 6 Lincoln's Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 3 White-throated Sparrow 13 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3 Northern Cardinal 15 Red-winged Blackbird 60 House Finch 6 American Goldfinch 2 Tom Heath, Plano TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Corpus Christi, TX Hawk Watch (Nov 1-3) catch-up From: Patty Waits Beasley <hawks AT CCBIRDING.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:43:11 -0600 11-1 Broad-winged Hawk: 4 Red-tail Hawk: 2 Swainson's Hawk: 5 Turkey Vulture: 365 Black Vulture: 11 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 23 Cooper's Hawk: 14 Unid. Accipiter: 2 American Kestrel: 6 Peregrine Falcon: 2 Osprey: 1 Northern Harrier: 11 Total: 446 11-2 Broad-winged Hawk: 2 Red-tail Hawk: 4 Swainson's Hawk: 4 Harris' Hawk: 1 Turkey Vulture: 268 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 12 Cooper's Hawk: 17 Unid. Accipiter: 3 American Kestrel: 4 Osprey: 1 Northern Harrier: 2 Unid. Raptor: 1 Total: 319 11-3 Broad-winged Hawk: 3 Red-tail Hawk: 1 Swainson's Hawk: 2 Red-shouldered Hawk: 1 Turkey Vulture: 303 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 2 Cooper's Hawk: 4 Unid. Accipiter: 1 American Kestrel: 1 Prairie Falcon: 1 Northern Harrier: 4 Total: 323 ------------------------------------------- Patty Waits Beasley Corpus Christi, Texas USA Webmaster, Texas Hawk Watches Birding on the Central Texas Coast URL: www.ccbirding.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Corpus Christi Hawkwatch is a local non-profit hawk watch support organization, led by Libby Even and Dane Ferrell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The 2009 Fall Hawkwatch runs from August 15 through November 15 on the hawkwatch platform at Hazel Bazemore County Park. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Many thanks to our Sponsors, Hawk Watch International and Swarovski Optiks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All reports, including photographs and videos, are posted on our web site. Drop on by the Texas Hawk Watches web site at http://www.ccbirding.com/ and join our Facebook group (Corpus Christi Hawkwatch). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Season totals to date: 219 ........Black vulture 18038 ......Turkey vulture 249 ........Osprey 183 ........Swallow-tailed kite 6 ..........White-tailed kite 23174 ......Mississippi kite 0 ..........Hook-billed kite 1 ..........Bald eagle 269 ........Northern harrier 1580 .......Sharp-shinned hawk 1032 .......Cooper's hawk 0 ..........Northern goshawk 17 .........Red-shouldered hawk 403369 .....Broad-winged hawk 4789 .......Swainson's hawk 60 .........Red-tailed hawk 2 ..........Ferruginous hawk 18 .........White-tailed hawk 1 ..........Short-tailed hawk 8 ..........Zone-tailed hawk 6 ..........Harris's hawk 0 ..........Rough-legged hawk 0 ..........Common black hawk 3 ..........Golden eagle 861 ........American kestrel 82 .........Merlin 288 ........Peregrine falcon 4 ..........Prairie falcon 2 ..........Aplomado falcon 4 ..........Crested caracara 141 ........Unknown accipiters 152 ........Unknown buteos 18 .........Unknown falcons 0 ..........Unknown eagles 97 .........Unknown raptors ------------------------ 454,673 .... Season total to 11/03 TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: New oline course about bird behavior From: Patricia Leonard <pel27 AT CORNELL.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:32:49 -0500 I realize I'm biased because I work for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology(!), but I'm hoping the birders on this listserv might be interested in a brand new online course we're offering on bird behavior. It's called "Investigating Behavior-Courtship and Rivalry in Birds." A small group takes the course at the same time over five weeks. It's full of neat interactive activities including video of dancing birds-of-paradise we just collected in Papua New Guinea. No hard sell here-I just wanted you to know it's out there-the next session starts November 11 and the one after that begins January 6 if you're too busy to do it now. It's offered through eCornell-and you can visit this page to get all the gory details: http://www.ecornell.com/birds. Pass it on! All the best, Patricia Leonard Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca, NY TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Anhingas in the Texas panhandle From: "Fordham, Connie" <cfordham AT MAIL.WTAMU.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:43:59 -0600 On Sunday (11/1/09) Trey Barron reported 2 Anhingas in Friona, Texas. They were found at the RV park in town where there is a pond/playa. This is the same RV park that had the White Ibis earlier this fall. Connie L. Fordham Panhandle Bird Club Amarillo/Canyon , Texas TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Eastern Hidalgo County ponds, 11/4/09 From: Dan Jones <antshrike1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:45:18 -0600 I went out this morning visiting ponds in eastern Hidalgo County in a search for Fulvous Whistling-Ducks. I didn't see a one. But I still saw some good stuff. Sugar House Pond on FM 1425 (Hidalgo) - I had not visitied this pond since summer as it had dried up. Now it's got some water and great mudflats. Best birds were six Black-bellied, one Snowy and 13 Semipalmated Plovers, two Wilson's Phalaropes and a bare-naked Sprague's Pipit standing briefly on the mudflat. He looked uncomfortable and then got the heck out of there. Northern Shoveler 50 Green-winged Teal 100 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 1 Cattle Egret 2 Northern Harrier 1 American Kestrel 1 Black-bellied Plover 6 Snowy Plover 1 Semipalmated Plover 13 Killdeer 3 American Avocet 36 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Western Sandpiper 80 Least Sandpiper 400 Stilt Sandpiper 200 Long-billed Dowitcher 200 Wilson's Phalarope 2 Caspian Tern 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Tree Swallow 40 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Barn Swallow 2 Sprague's Pipit 1 Savannah Sparrow 3 Great-tailed Grackle 40 CR 2500 pond on FM 88 (Willacy) - Quite a few Least Grebes here with a male Mallard and female Ring-necked Duck with the Mottled Ducks. Hargill Playas (Hidalgo) - A little bit of water in both of the playas but only Least Sandpipers and a few Long-billed Curlews. Bucy Road Pond (HIdalgo) - Nice flock of ducks here with three Buffleheads and a Cinnamon Teal and a lonely Eared Grebe. A Peregrine zoomed by. Greater White-fronted Goose 16 American Wigeon 6 Blue-winged Teal 25 Cinnamon Teal 1 Northern Shoveler 50 Northern Pintail 5 Green-winged Teal 80 Bufflehead 3 Ruddy Duck 6 Eared Grebe 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Osprey 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Greater Yellowlegs 3 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Long-billed Curlew 16 Least Sandpiper 20 Common Ground-Dove 2 Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Horned Lark 2 American Pipit 1 Brushline Road Pond (Hidalgo) - 110 Sanhill Cranes here with shovellers and teal and a big bunch of Long-billed Dowitchers. Dan Jones in Weslaco http://antshrike.blogspot.com/ TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Nothern Jacana confirmed From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:29:41 -0800 Dear all, I have recieved photos of the Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon, which I will pass on to Mark Lockwood.  Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: POSITIVE on the Northern Jacana this morning From: Sheridan Coffey <sngcanary AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:08:21 -0800 David, the original obsever told me that she saw the Northern Jacana between 930AM and 1030AM this morning. She has obtained photos, which I have not seen yet. For those who missed my initial email, a Northern Jacana has been reported from Choke Canyon State Park in 75 acre lake, which is located in the Callihan unit.  Sheridan Coffey San Antonio, Tx http://sngcanary1.blogspot.com/ www.flickr.com/sngcanary ________________________________ From: David McDonald To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Sent: Wed, November 4, 2009 11:15:37 AM Subject: Re: [texbirds] Negative on Northern Jacana this morning Hello Texbirders, Has there been any more info on the Jacana - positive or negative? Thanks. David McDonald Friendswod TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds /texbirds Subject: Re: Colorado County From: Oscar Carmona <Oscar.Carmona AT ARLINGTONTX.GOV> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:12:00 -0600 I also saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Arlington, Tarrant County on November 3, 2009. It is the only one I have seen around for at least a week. Oscar Carmona, CPRP Parks Superintendent City of Arlington Parks and Recreation 817-459-5498 Office 817-459-6497 Fax Oscar.Carmona AT arlingtontx.gov -----Original Message----- From: Birding discussion list for Texas [mailto:texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG] On Behalf Of allenreyer AT AOL.COM Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:29 AM To: texbirds AT LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG Subject: [texbirds] Colorado County Yesterday afternoon, I saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher about 8 miles north of Columbus. Seems late for a Scissor-tailed to be hanging around. Al Reyer Columbus, TX & Bellevue, NE TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Re: Negative on Northern Jacana this morning From: David McDonald <davidkmcd AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:15:37 -0600 Hello Texbirders, Has there been any more info on the Jacana - positive or negative? Thanks. David McDonald Friendswod TX TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Subject: Colorado County From: allenreyer AT AOL.COM Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:28:32 -0500 Yesterday afternoon, I saw a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher about 8 miles north of Columbus. Seems late for a Scissor-tailed to be hanging around. Al Reyer Columbus, TX & Bellevue, NE TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds