Pedernales Thanksgiving!

After the fog burned off this morning, and the sun warmed the countryside, I biked Wolf Mountain Trail where one can find scenic glimpses of the surrounding hillsides. All the oak trees still hold their leaves providing brilliant reds among a sea of rich green junipers.

My visit to the park this morning began at the bird blind where a Fox Sparrow added highlight to my day. Down at Hackenburg Creek and the Pedernales River I saw a Winter Wren who delighted in the gnarly broken branches hung up in the bald cypress trees along the river's edge. This is the same place I saw this species last winter and spring. A Green Kingfisher flitted back and forth across the water, only a foot above its surface, in search of small fish.

Most of the bald cypress have dropped their needles leaving a brown soft mat along the shoreline. Water levels along the river are probably at winter lows. The water flowed lazily by with groups of cypress needles marking its flow rate.

I stopped at Jones Springs where the silence was perfect for meditation. Western Scrub Jays, and an occasional Black-crested Titmouse broke the silence as they came by to bathe and drink. Temperatures reached the mid 70's but with no noticeable wind it felt like 80 degrees. A perfect Thanksgiving Day to enjoy some physical exercise and the sites and sounds of wildlife in the park.

Fall Sparrows & Old Settlers' Graveyard

Fall in Texas Hill Country could not be nicer! Today, even with a late start at the bird blind, I found six species of sparrow including the first Dark-eyed Junco of the year. Other species included a Field, Vesper, Lincoln's, Chipping, and the Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Four Pine Siskins and several Orange-crowned Warblers were also noteworthy, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were abuntant in migration today.
I then proceeded to mountain bike across the trammel crossing to the far side of the park where I was in search of an old settlers' graveyard. With a little persistence I found this graveyard near the trail that borders the property with a fence line.
I spent two hours at this cemetery reflecting on the passing of my father one week ago. I came away with no photos for today's journey, only good spirit, love and reverence for all life.

Mountain Biking & Fall Migrants

Cool mornings finally speak of Fall in Texas. To celebrate I biked both the trail across the Pedernales River and the Wolf Mountain Trail. At the river, looking back toward the main campground, I saw a roost of both the Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures. They remained on their perch for the entire hour I biked the river crossing trail. These vultures are probably waiting for a few campers to leave the campgrounds so they can go scavange for food scraps. In the photo above right one can see these vultures above the tree line.

Along the river a male Summer Tanager came down for a close look, after I made a pishing sound. I had heard its call notes and wanted one last look at this colorful bird before it left on migration. The Western Scrub Jays were not only vocal but visually abundant, unlike during the summer months. Migrating Eastern Phoebe's appeared in high and dry locations as well near the water. At the bird blind I saw my first migrant sparrow of the year, a Field Sparrow.

Stopping at Jones Springs, along the Wolf Mountain Trail, I found both a Preying Mantis (photo above right), and a young Anole (photo to the left), hanging out on a flowering composite. Both were hunting food. The Mantis found a bee for a meal.

It was a gorgeous day to be out on the trails at Pedernales Falls State Park, plus I met an interesting outdoor nature enthusiast as well!

Wolf Mountain Biking & the Bird Blind

I arrived at the park just past sun-up and discovered at the Primitive Camp parking lot not a soul had chanced camping overnight with Hurricane Ike bearing down on Houston. I biked under cloudy skies and strong winds along the 7.5 mile Wolf Mountain Trail without crossing paths with anyone except a Fox Squirrel and a few butterflies.
The park is so beautiful under overcast skies when the sun is not zapping water out of every pore of my body on these hot, humid, late Summer days. There really are some nice vistas along the trail, as well as bike balancing acts traversing rock fields along the way. I usually opt to get off my bike and walk through some of these areas.

At the bird blind I found one migrant male Ruby-throated Hummingbird along with the usual resident birds. This blind really is layed out nicely with the water structures at the back of the enclosed feeding area.

Bird Blind & Pedernales River Sitings

This morning I was hoping to see some migrant birds at the bird blind. The only migrant was a juvenile Baltimore Oriole. There has been an albino-crested female Northern Cardinal hanging out at the bird blind since July. Photo to the left.
White-eyed Vireos were singing incessantly both at the bird blind and down by the river.
On the Pedernales River at Hackenburg Creek, I had a Western Cottonmouth Snake swim upstream to me. At 15 feet it picked up my scent and turned around heading down stream again. I was able to get two photos of this snake. An Eastern Phoebe kept me company for the hour I sat by the river with a nice breeze out of the north. Winds spiraling off of Hurricane Gustav.

Pedernales River & Bird Blind

Today myself and a neighbor took a leisurely trek to the Pedernales Falls State Park Bird Blind. In addition, I visited one of my nest box study sites, Hackenburg Creek. Just before turning into the Bird Blind we saw about 10 Feral Pigs rooting around along side the road plus a young fawn prancing around the roadside in play. Behind the bird blind along the walkway I heard the Bell's Vireo. Today was the first time I saw Tufted Titmice as well as the usual Black-crested Titmice. I wonder if juvenile Black-crested Titmice do not always have the black crest. There were more than a dozen Northern Cardinals in family groups eating sunflower seeds as well as the abundant House Finch. One of the juvenile Cardinals appears to have white feathers coming in on its head.
We spent several hours picnicking down at the confluence of Hackenburg Creek and the Pedernales River. There I watched closeup a male Green Kingfisher perch above me. Another individual flew by very quickly, like a bullet. I believe there are at least two pair of Green Kingfishers nesting along the river in the park. A pair of Summer Tanagers later perched above making a burry contact call for over 20 minutes in the big Bald Cypress tree. Turkey Vultures came down to drink from the rivers edge as did two White-tailed Deer.
I see no breeding bird activity taking place at the end of July in the middle of this hot Texas summer. Bird Blind volunteers reported less than half an inch of rain this past week from the recent Dolly Hurricane. Water levels on the Pedernales River remain low.

July Full Moon Birding

On the drive into the park I saw perched two Common Ravens silhouetted against the early morning sky and I heard a Rufous-Crowned Sparrow and a Common Nighthawk singing/calling. A Jack Rabbit greeted me at the Primitive Campground parking lot.

I arrived too late for a "Full Moon" bikeride but I managed to survey Tobacco Creek and East Park Boundary before the heat intensified. There was a noticable absence of songsters today especially during my bikeride along four miles of trail. In fact, there were more contact calls in the woods than anything else. New observations included a Chimney Swift and Cliff Swallows flying along the Pedernales River. This was the first time I did not hear any juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks squawking.

I finished out the morning at the bird blind where there were numerous Northern Cardinals and House Finches. A single Lark Sparrow along with female and juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Painted Buntings were also seen.

Water levels in the river are the lowest I have seen this year. The photo is of the only grassy part of the Wolf Mountain Trail that I ride near the east park boundary. Bird watching at the park appears to be done until Fall Migration begins.

Final Bird Survey of the Year

Rufous-crowned Sparrows were out in force this morning. I heard them singing before sunrise along with Common Nighthawks and Chuck-will's Widows from the Park Office (sunrise photo). A Rufous-crowned Sparrow continues to claim territory above Twin Falls.

I still have a Louisiana Waterthrush on territory along Twin Falls Creek and the nesting Blue Grosbeaks now have fledged young. The other nest I was following is the Acadian Flycatcher nest #2 at Tobacco Creek Seep. There is one nestling which both parents are feeding. I believe this young will be fledged within the week. I also saw one Acadian Flycatcher fledgling from nest #1, along with an adult in the Tobacco Creek drainage.

At nest box #4 early in the morning I watched a Skunk rooting around and finally retire for the day in its den at the lower right base of this Live Oak tree root (photo). Directly after the skunk observation, I heard rustling in the grasses downhill. Two Armadillos were running around the hillside playing. I thought for a moment I was contending with wild pigs.

Throughout the rest of the year I will continue to mountain bike and bird watch at Pedernales Falls State Park. However, I may only be visiting once or twice a month. Stay tuned as I will post any wildlife encounters.

The plant photo is Caster Bean, cultivated in Texas for its oil and as an ornimental. The plant is native to Ethiopia and all parts of the plant are poisoness. It is common along Twin Falls Creek. It grows near the water and can reach 5' tall. It has a cockle bur-like seed.

Summer Bird Songs Waning

My experience with Breeding Bird Censuses are most birds are identified by song. However, as the breeding season progresses I am detecting more birds by visual ID. Today that threshold has been reached. There really were not a lot of birds singing, a product of fledged young and moving family units. White-eyed Vireos continue to be vocal along with a few Painted & Indigo Buntings. Golden-cheeked Warblers have been quiet for two weeks now, yet I still see individuals at Twin Falls.

I did hear for the first time on this survey an Eastern Wood Pewee singing at Tobacco Creek and another bird sited at East Park Boundary. The Acadian Flycatcher nest #2 at Tobacco Creek Seep was still active with a female flying onto the nest as I arrived. By now this bird should have young. The Blue Grosbeak nest at the Twin Falls and Pedernales River location has two 14 day old young in the nest. Photo above right. Both parents were actively feeding them. One Rufous-crowned Sparrow continues to sing at Twin Falls.

I walked upon a Rock Squirrel, near Tobacco Creek. It was in no hurry to hide so I was able to take some photos of it resting on a rock and taking a dust bath. Looks like I have one more week of surveying to follow-up on the two active nests. I hope to be back the Fourth of July.

Webberville Co. Park Nesting Prothonotary

Today I traveled to Webberville County Park for a first hand look at nesting habitat of a Prothonotary Warbler along the Colorado River. I was following up on a Texbirds report by Cullen Hanks of a nesting Prothonotary Warbler at the boat dock. This park has lots of tall Hackberry, Pecan, Cedar Elm, and Box Elder trees, including an abundance of Poison Ivy shrubs and vines. The trees and shrubs form a dense corridor of forest along the rivers edge. I began my search 9:30 A.M. looking over the sign posts, where the bird was reportedly nesting in the vicinity of the boat launch. I soon found out the young had already fledged the nest. I discovered the adult male actively singing NE of the boat launch site up until the time I left at 12 noon.
After about an hour of hearing the bird and only two glimpses of it flying across the river, I finally decided to hike into the forest, into the dense poison ivy underbrush, where I watched the male 25' away along the rivers edge. I observed this bird for an hour preen, sun its black tipped tail feathers, and feed itself and one fledgling, all within 15' of the ground and the waters edge.

Now that I have first hand evidence of Prothonotary Warbler habitat in central Texas I can say there is slim probability this species will nest along the Pedernales River in Pedernales Falls State Park. However, the data I am collecting falls into the category of a Breeding Bird Census which I intend to continue in 2009. I will also continue monitoring the nest boxes.

This year all ten nest boxes I put up at Pedernales Falls State Park, did not attract a single avian nester. However, at my home in Oak Hill I did have a Bewick's Wren nest with a 1-1/4" diameter opening similar to the nest boxes at the park. After contacting Chuck Jones, sanctuary manager at the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary, where a Prothonotary successfully nested last year, I learned the nest box opening should be 1-1/2" not the 1-1/4" I designed for.

So next year I plan to change the cavity entrance to 1-1/2" on all ten nest boxes. The only downfall for providing a larger entrance is this will allow the Brown-headed Cowbird to enter and lay its eggs. This years surveys I have reported the presence of cowbirds at all nest box locations.

To better identify this research project I will be changing the name of my blog site in 2009 to Pedernales BBC, (Breeding Bird Census) or something similar. Some of the nest boxes I intend to relocate lower to the river. If you have suggestions regarding this study please contact me at andres.susan@gmail.com.

Photos provided are of the sign posts at Webberville County Park. At this time I am not sure which post the Prothonotary Warbler actually nested in. All the posts have no cap on the top of the pole which is apparently where the bird entered and built its nest.

Birding the Summer Solstice

A waning gibbous moon and Jupiter greeted me on my drive to Pedernales Falls State Park this morning. At 5:30 A.M. at the primitive campground parking lot a pair of Screech Owls were calling. I biked the Wolf Mountain Trail to one of my survey sites following my moon shadow. There were quite a few Chuck-will's Widows calling and a few Common Nighthawks. At one point I startled a Chuck Will's Widow from a perch over hanging the trail. It took flight and flew five feet above me for about fifty feet. I had an avian escort flying silently like an over sized butterfly.
The dawn bird chorus at Tobacco Creek was so complete today it was hard to discern all but the loudest singing birds.
Acadian Flycatcher nest #2 is still active with an adult sitting tight at the Tobacco Creek Seep. Today is the first day I did not hear any Golden-cheeked Warblers sing, however I did see one individual along Twin Falls Creek. I suspect the nesting season may soon be over for this species.
There is a female Green Kingfisher hanging around Twin Falls. This individual could be nesting somewhere on the steep sloped ridges. The Blue Grosbeak nest at Twin Falls and the Pedernales River has two nestlings about six days old. (Photo to right)
I still hear a male Northern Parula warbler singing at Hackenburg Creek. I also heard for the first time there an Acadian Flycatcher singing its characteristic "Pizza" song!
The Summer Solstice is here (photo above) and breeding birds continue to take advantage of the long days in spite of the heat.

Blue Grosbeaks & Buntings

Blue Grosbeaks, Painted Buntings and Indigo Buntings were the most common songsters in the park today as summer brought nearly 100 degree temperatures. Today I found male Blue Grosbeaks singing at three sites. The Twin Falls & Pedernales River Blue Grosbeak nest still has the female sitting on two eggs. The song of this species is similar to the Painted Bunting but hoarser. Rufous-crowned Sparrows continue to be heard along Wolf Mountain Trail and one was recorded on the bluff at Twin Falls this morning.

Walking into Tobacco Creek I passed the Acadian Flycatcher nest #1. It appears the single nestling fledged. I heard the male singing in the draw. At Tobacco Creek Seep I discovered a second active Acadian Flycatcher nest. This nest is located on the same pecan tree limb overhanging the seep that the Black-chinned Hummmingbird nest was on. The hummingbird nest was predated on by a squirrel over a month ago. I watched the female Acadian Flycatcher fly into a leafy area so after my survey I investigated and found the female on the nest. Acadian Flycatcher nests appear to be located on the lower canopy of mature trees, thus quite visible, although they are the same size as the abundant ball mosses.

The seep at Tobacco Creek continues to bring fresh water dripping off old logs, (photo to the left). Today Red-eyed Vireo, Carolina Chickadees, the Acadian Flycatcher and Painted Buntings frequented this seep. The photo above is one of the easier climbs down to the Pedernales River at Tobacco Creek.

Bell's Vireo & Brown-headed Cowbird Egg

After verifying which egg was the Brown-headed Cowbird's I returned today to remove it from the Blue Grosbeak's nest. The cowbird's egg, pictured here, has speckling on it, and lucky for me the grosbeak's eggs are pale blue/white, an easy distinction in this case. Cowbird nestlings typically out-compete their smaller nest mates for food. This species has increased it's numbers in North America thanks to forest clearing creating more edge for it to search out host nests. So wherever there are threatened species nesting, cowbirds are being actively trapped and nests monitored to remove these eggs.

I started out this morning at the Bird Blind where I saw all the usual nesters, however, in the scrubby patch of land adjacent to the trail I heard a Bell's Vireo. Its song matched my recordings, very fast and bubbly like a House Wren. Later two Bell's Vireos came to the oak tree along the open edge of the bird blind. This is a new species for me in the park. It likes shrublands that include willows and streamsides.

I also verified that the Lark Sparrows are tending young in the nest. Viewing the nest from below, it is rather camouflaged to the human eye.

Acadian Flycatchers & Coral Snake

Overcast skies made today's survey more bearable. As summer settles in it appears the Acadian Flycatchers decided to move in as well. What I thought was one male on territory at Tobacco Creek turned out to be two, one at Tobacco Creek and the other at the Seep. I discovered an Acadian Flycatcher nest 25 feet up in a mature Hackberry tree along the Tobacco Creek ravine. It appears to be made of fine roots and is easy to mistake for a ball of moss hanging on tree branches. I saw the male feed one, almost grown, nestling. At East Park Boundary I found another male Acadian singing for the first time there.
On my hike into East Park Boundary I startled a Coral Snake along the side of the path. I watched it slither under a rock. The Coral Snake is very colorful and shiny. This is the second venomous snake I have found at Pedernales Falls State Park, the first being a Western Cottonmouth. I have yet to see a Rattle Snake here. At the mouth of Twin Falls Creek I took this photo of the Blue Grosbeak nest. The smaller speckled egg was laid by a Brown-headed Cowbird, a brood parasite.

Today I wrote up my notes at Pedernales Falls parking lot. There I watched fledged Cliff Swallows perch on a utility line. I also discovered a Lark Sparrow nest in the lowest most branch of a juniper tree near the restrooms. The parents did not tarry at the nest when delivering food. I do not know whether this behavior is normal or because of frequent human disturbance.

The photo above is a bat I found laying dead on the trail to Twin Falls. I guess this bat to be the Mexican Free-tail. One final note, I heard several Rufous-crowned Sparrows singing along the Wolf Mountain Trail. It appears these fellows enjoy the start of summer also.

Lazy Summer Day & Breeding Birds

Six A.M. 67 degrees with overcast skies as I biked to East Park Boundary. I wish I camped overnight as it would have been perfect sleeping weather out here. The Common Nighthawks were doing their display dive.
Though many birds have fledged young, like the year round residents, there are a fair number of late migrants who are still on eggs or feeding nestlings at this time. I saw a Summer Tanager Thursday carry a large white grub away to the nest. Today I saw a female Golden-cheeked Warbler eating insects rather urgently. I believe she left the nest with eggs to fuel herself.
There are three vireo species nesting along the river: the White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo. The White-eyed Vireo arrived a couple weeks earlier than the other two species so one can see and hear many family groups moving around. The Yellow-throated Vireo really likes to hang out in the Bald Cypress trees along the river. Painted Bunting males on territory can be heard just about everywhere in the park, and Indigo Buntings can be found in lesser numbers along the river. The Blue Grosbeak female was adding her finishing touches to the nest I found on Thursday.
The Acadian Flycatcher finally made its appearance to the Tobacco Creek Seep half way through my survey there. It sang and made a twittering sound while flicking its wings. I believe this male has a mate sitting on eggs somewhere. This individual has been sited here the entire month of May.
The flower photo is the Twisted Leaf Yucca which is blooming abundantly throughout the Hill Country right now. I added the second Yucca photo to show when the blooms fall off of the tall flowering stalk they get impaled on the pointed leaves below. At the end of every survey I settle down to writeup my field notes. When my last site is Hackenburg Creek I take advantage of the Bald Cypress shade along the river.

Nesting Blue Grosbeaks & Nest Box Updates

Today was a treat being out at the park surveying breeding birds during the week. The campground and trails were quite peaceful with few visitors. Once again I had Common Nighthawks active through mid morning. The highlight was finding a pair of Blue Grosbeaks building a nest near the Pedernales River and Twin Falls Creek. This male is a first year bird with only a blue head.
I found the Rufous-crowned Sparrow for the second week in a row along Wolf Mountain Trail at the location pictured with my mountain bike. This sparrow has a beautiful song. The flowering Yucca is a Twisted leaf Yucca in bloom and visible along many roads in the Texas hill country.
Today I opened each nest box to see what critters were occupying them. They almost all turned out to be in the Insect order, other than one Arachnid.
A wasp species was found in six nest boxes, three boxes were entirely empty, three had the Organ-Pipe Mud Dauber Wasp, and one had Cock Roaches. The Mud Dauber is docile. It paralyzes a spider, places it in a vertical mud cylinder, then lays an egg never to return to the nest.
The Acadian Flycatcher is still present at Tobacco Creek. There are four species of warbler nesting along the river at nest box sites, the Louisiana Waterthrush, Black & White Warbler, Northern Parula, and Golden-cheeked Warbler. Water levels in the Pedernales River continue to drop from lack of rain. I snapped this photo, a tranquil river scene from East Park Boundary.

Tobacco Creek Seep

Summer heat and lack of rain have lowered the water levels in the Pedernales River. Bee Creek crossing on Wolf Mountain Trail usually has water but for the first time this year it is dry.
I arrived at Hackenburg Creek by 6:20 AM. Only four bird species were singing. By 8 AM I arrived at the Tobacco Creek Seep nest box 5. In the bird world this is the corner station, only instead of gasoline, water is being served. I saw the following families: White-eyed Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, and the Louisiana Waterthrush (2 adults and 1 fledgling) come for drinks. I also saw a beautiful male Golden-cheeked Warbler come down to bathe.
I was also greeted by a male Acadian Flycatcher singing loudly: PEET-ssah. This species hawks insects from the middle canopy so seeing it on territory is relatively easy. I was surprised to hear a Great-crested Flycatcher at site 6. On my bikeride today I stopped to identify, visual and audio, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow. At East Park Boundary I had a fledgling Louisiana Waterthrush approach within 20 feet of me. It was rather curious. The Green Kingfisher gave me a fleeting glance as it bolted upstream. I also saw an Orchard Oriole singing atop a cypress tree along the Pedernales River and a new born fawn could be heard crying for its mother across the river.
At my final nest box site #4, I saw a male and female Blue Grosbeak. This guy was a first year male with blue mostly confined to its head. To finish the day I cooled off in the Pedernales River like many other people did.
On my hikes today I noticed a new creature to contend with, this huge spider who spins its web across trails. Lucky for me I have a birder's eye.

Yellow-billed Cuckoos & More Fledglings

At 6:30 A.M. on my walk into Twin Falls I heard a Chuck-will's Widow calling near the campgrounds. Along Twin Falls Creek the Louisiana Waterthrush was singing constantly, signaling this pair is still nesting. I watched a Raccoon crawl down a sapling along the cliff adjacent to Twin Falls. It saw me and was running away. At nest box 3 I watched a Broad-winged Hawk briefly land in the Sycamore tree where I was standing.

I actually saw the first Yellow-billed Cuckoo Saturday morning at the main office, and today I heard this species in two locations in the park.

Nine thirty in the morning a Common Nighthawk was flying the skies over Wolf Mountain calling. It is unusual to have this species flying during the day but it is breeding season and these guys came back a little late this year.

The fledglings of the day were three Louisiana Waterthrushes one found at East Park Boundary and two at Tobacco Creek. They were very vocal following adults along the edge of the Pedernales River and Tobacco Creek locations. Also, for the third week in a row at Tobacco Creek, I found the Acadian Flycatcher on territory. No new nests have been found but there are plenty more fledglings added to the ranks of life along the Pedernales River.
The sunrise photo was taken at Twin Falls Creek and the Rock Squirrel at Tobacco Creek. To the left are Black Vultures in their usual roost adjacent to the campgrounds.

Home Schoolers Birding & Navigating

This morning I devoted to teaching Home Schooled Students the basics of bird identification and navigation skills using a compass. At 6:30 A.M. I arrived at the bird blind to fill the various feeders.
Four children arrived at the blind just after 8 A.M. Our Avian friends provided a nice mix of species for viewing. The children learned Northern Cardinals have a crest that sometimes is not raised. Another bird made its bold entrance the Western Scrub Jay. Black-chinned Hummingbirds were numerous at the two sugar water feeders.
The bird blind provided a new view of birds to these children. Even the parents were amazed at how "up-close" the birds were. The children enjoyed the striking facial pattern of the Carolina Chickadee. Black-crested Titmice and a female Painted Bunting were viewed by all. Some children even spotted Yellow Warblers which were feeding in the Mesquite tree above the bird baths. A male and female Brown-headed Cowbird arrived just before we left. The children learned this species is a brood parasite laying its eggs in other birds nests.
On the walk out we stopped by the Chimney Swift Tower to learn about this species special nesting and perching requirements, as well as food preferences. The park now has two Chimney Swift Towers. You can learn how to build your own tower by clicking on this Chimney Swift Tower link.
The morning ended with a Compass Transect Course where the children walked chains in different directions. They also recorded the number of chains between two park roads which will provide some math exercises later on in class.
We finished the morning by hiking down to the Falls to view the impressive rock formations. Thank you Perry, Micah, Malcom and Christian for joining me on this adventure at Pedernales Falls State Park, and thanks to Louis Larrey for help with the transects and to the parents for rising so early! I believe a few children will return to the bird blind and maybe even start a Life List.

Mothers Day Morning Bird Blind

Most holidays I like to visit a favorite park to observe Nature. Today I visited the Bird Blind at the park. This blind is really a great place to see birds up close. It did not appear the park received the downpour that SW Austin did last night. So many of the birds were enjoying a bath this morning.

A small flock of warblers took advantage of the drip water baths and mister. There were 4 Yellow Warblers, a Wilson's and an Orange-crowned Warbler. I had the best look ever of an Ash-throated Flycatcher. I also saw my first Gray Catbird of the season. Three Lark Sparrows were the only sparrow species reported this morning. They have a striking facial pattern.

I later walked down to the river near the Falls. Soaring west along the river were two juvenile Red-tailed Hawks. One was carrying a Rock Squirrel in its talons. Back at the bird blind again I discovered this Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly inside the blind and released it. Lucky for this species it is distasteful to birds.

Nighthawks, Fledglings & Acadian Flycatcher

Six thirty AM I was greeted by a Gray Fox at the Primitive Camp parking lot. Biking on Wolf Mountain Trail I had at least 8 Common Nighthawks combing the skies catching insects and two Chuck-will's Widows calling. Overcast skies kept these dawn and dusk birds active.

Tobacco Creek is where I began my surveys today. At nest box 5, where there is a seep running down the steep embankment, I watched for 45 minutes an Acadian Flycatcher. The Black-chinned Hummingbird female was tending her nest but not sitting on it. I assume air temperatures were warm enough for her not to be keeping the eggs warm today.

Today many fledglings were begging for food. I found a fledgling Black and White Warbler feeding in its characteristic way of climbing along the trunk of the tree. Blue gray Gnatcatchers and Canyon Wren fledglings were also noted. Carolina Chickadees were traveling around in family groups as well.

Louisiana Waterthrushes appear to be nesting at three locations on my survey route. Each male was singing non-stop during my 20 minute survey time. Temperatures reached 95 degrees today. I see most birds start nesting in April to beat the heat. Hiking and biking under such heat really is exhausting.

All along the forest floor Wood Satyr Butterflies could be seen flying around. These butterflies will lay eggs on grass species for their larvae to feed on.

Todays photos include a Green Anole hunting insects around nest box 3 at Twin Falls Creek. This lizard can change color to match its background. I have already found the anole inside nest boxes. A Diamond Back Water Snake was seen perusing the shoreline at East Park Boundary. I saw two snakes each 3 feet long. These snakes are not poisoness. Finally, I took a photo of this American Rubyspot Damselfly on the Pedernales River where the water moves swiftly.

Breeding Bird Season At Pedernales

It was a gorgeous day at the park as evidenced by the many visitors to the Falls and the hiking trails. All the deciduous trees appear to be fully leafed out now so there are plenty of caterpillars to go around. Just about every bird I could get my binoculars on was dining on a caterpillar.

Highlights of the day were an Acadian Flycatcher at Tobacco Creek, an Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat at East Park Boundary, and a Great-crested Flycatcher at Hackenburg Creek.

Northern Waterthrushes appear to be paired and breeding at three locations on my study route. Carolina Chickadees already have fledged young. The female White-eyed Vireo was sitting tight on her nest, and there was no activity at the Black-chinned Hummingbird nest.

I don't hear the song of Summer Tanagers anymore, however, they are present in pairs at all my study sites. Now that they are paired they are using a contact call.

Ovenbirds are a unique warbler that nest on the ground. They have a very distinctive song. They repeat "teacher, teacher, teacher" very loadly. I have found Ovenbird nests in Northern Michigan. They are domed, made of grass, and have a side entrance.

I finally discovered the Rock Squirrels which hang out around the steep rocky slopes along the Pedernales River. They are mostly black with lighter spots on the rump. This is a cool looking ground squirrel as compared to the arboreal Fox Squirrel, the more common squirrel of this area.

The butterfly photo above I believe to be a Little Wood Satyr butterfly.

Western Cottonmouth & Birds Building Nests

My first survey of the morning was at Twin Falls where a Western Cottonmouth Snake made an appearance swimming around the middle of the pool at 7:20 AM. It was just over a foot long, black with lighter rings of color. Its body was very thick in the middle and its head was triangular shaped and noticeably wider than its neck. This venomous snake swam leisurely in circles. A man from San Antonio and myself viewed this snake from the overlook with binoculars. The park manager says the Western Cottonmouth is somewhat common in the park around water.
Bird wise, it is the height of nesting season for birds in Central Texas. A White-eyed Vireo had 4 eggs in the nest at Tobacco Creek. I “pisshhed” in a female Golden-cheeked Warbler at East Park Boundary with nest material in her bill, and I saw a female Summer Tanager collecting cobwebs. A female Black & White Warbler was observed flying away with a caterpillar at Tobacco Creek, and finally, I found a Black-chinned Hummingbird nest above the seep at Tobacco Creek. The female was adding her final touches to an already lichen laden nest. In the photo above you can see the nest, without bird, protruding from a broken off limb.
There is still no activity at any of the ten nest boxes. However migrants are still moving through as evidenced by the many Nashville Warblers heard and seen. Several Northern Parulas are still present and two new arrivals for the year were a Warbling Vireo and a Swainson's Thrush. I also watched and tried to photograph a Lark Sparrow from the Primitive Campground Parking Lot up on the hill. The photo to the right is a Lace Hedgehog Cactus correctly identified by Irwin Lightstone, president of the North Texas Cactus & Succulent Society. The Hedgehog Cactus is a small cactus species found in rocky open areas within the park.
The Pedernales River is 106 miles long originating 25 miles SE of Junction, Texas. It drains an area of the Edwards Plateau running west to east and empties into Lake Travis 10 miles west of Austin. With the volume of water the river moves, many natural and man-made materials get washed into it. Pictured here is a lounge chair pad hung up on a branch along a fast flowing portion of the Pedernales. Just a few weeks earlier I found a drowned dog hung up on the same stick. The Earth's rivers readily show how much humans have impacted the natural environment.