Ten nest boxes were built, with the help of Louis Larrey, of picket fence cedar and a 1-1/4" diameter opening. All but one box have predator guards added around the box entrance. Two nest boxes were attached to metal fence poles for placement at the Twin Falls site. All other boxes were attached to large shade trees. Each nest box has a number burned into the front of the box identifying it.
Saturday, February 16, 2008, nest boxes 7 & 8 were put up at the Hackenburg Creek site. Near the mouth of this creek a grove of mature Cedar Elm trees grow up on a terrace from the Pedernales River. To these trees volunteers Louis Larrey and Christian Carr attached the boxes. We then hiked up the creek in search of potential pools to place more nest boxes. The section of the creek we hiked was a ravine probably too narrow and steep for Prothonotary's. We ran out of time exploring further up stream as thunder and rain became eminent. We just made it back to the car before it down poured.
Sunday, February 17, 2008 Mikael Behrens helped me carry tools over 1/4 mile to the Twin Falls site where he pounded into the ground metal poles adjacent to the two large pools. Attached to these poles are nest boxes 1 & 2. Both of these boxes will be visible from the platform found along the Nature Trail accessed from the campgrounds. On our hike out we noted raccoon tracks along the creek. We also discovered a Hermit Thrush making an alarm or call note. We were lucky to get a visual on this one. This species is often seen during the winter months in Texas. It has a beautiful flute like song.
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.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment