The bird blind was a bit slower this morning but the highlight there was a Fox Sparrow. After leaving the blind I hiked down to the Pedernales River from the campgrounds and put up nest boxes 3 & 4. Nest box 4 faces east toward the river and is on a very tall 3 foot diameter live oak on the forest edge. This tree had fresh raccoon scats at its base. It will be interesting to see how the predator guard holds up should a bird decide to nest in this box. Nest box 3 is attached to a 2' diameter sycamore tree about half way up Twin Falls Creek.
I also viewed nest boxes 1 & 2 and found no bird activity there. On my hike in along the creek I saw a pair of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and heard Carolina Chickadees singing. Carolina Chickadees are also cavity nesters that may potentially nest in these nest boxes. Two Common Ravens flew overhead heading down stream along with the usual soaring Turkey and Black Vultures. Today was the third week in a row I sited Eastern Bluebirds, near the park entrance.
Prothonotary Warbler Occurrence In Texas
Central Texas draws the western line for the Prothonotary Warbler range. This species occupies much of eastern North America up to the southern boarder of Ontario Canada.
Prothonotarys' nest in natural cavities but also readily use nest boxes located on or near water. Flooded swamps represent ideal habitat but they will also nest along rivers or small bodies of water.
In May 2007 I saw a brightly colored male Prothonotary Warbler at Pedernales Falls State Park bird blind. After some research I learned male birds have been seen building nests in neighboring counties to Blanco County. Further research revealed a pair of Prothonotary Warblers successfully nested at Heard Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas.
In December 2007 I decided to undertake a nest box study at the park. January through February 2008 I hiked the entire Pedernales River and tributaries within park boundaries, in an effort to choose the best sites. Habitat selection proved a challenge do to high flood levels along the river.
Five sights were eventually selected where two nest boxes each were placed. Most boxes were attached to trees however two were attached to metal poles. These boxes were monitored from March through June 2008 on a weekly basis. A Breeding Bird Study was conducted at each nestbox location in 2008 and will be continued in 2009.
Prothonotarys' nest in natural cavities but also readily use nest boxes located on or near water. Flooded swamps represent ideal habitat but they will also nest along rivers or small bodies of water.
In May 2007 I saw a brightly colored male Prothonotary Warbler at Pedernales Falls State Park bird blind. After some research I learned male birds have been seen building nests in neighboring counties to Blanco County. Further research revealed a pair of Prothonotary Warblers successfully nested at Heard Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas.
In December 2007 I decided to undertake a nest box study at the park. January through February 2008 I hiked the entire Pedernales River and tributaries within park boundaries, in an effort to choose the best sites. Habitat selection proved a challenge do to high flood levels along the river.
Five sights were eventually selected where two nest boxes each were placed. Most boxes were attached to trees however two were attached to metal poles. These boxes were monitored from March through June 2008 on a weekly basis. A Breeding Bird Study was conducted at each nestbox location in 2008 and will be continued in 2009.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment