Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Northern Parula & Spring Migration

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.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Northern Parula & Spring Migration

Today's nest box surveys turned up no activity in the boxes, however, spring bird migration has definitely begun in the Hill Country. I began my survey at Hackenburg Creek where a Northern Parula warbler sang for fifteen minutes. White-eyed Vireos have shown up in numbers at all sites, as well as, two Yellow-throated Vireos. Last week's Louisiana Waterthrush was still present at Twin Falls plus another individual has setup territory on Tobacco Creek. For those seeking out Golden-cheeked Warblers I have heard them singing throughout the park.
In all, I saw six species of warblers including the Nashville Warbler and Black & White Warbler. Black-chinned Hummingbirds were sited at the flowers of Red Buckeye shrubs as were a multitude of

butterflies.
On my return bike ride back along Wolf Mountain Trail I captured a picture of these two industrious Dung Beetles moving a brood ball made of dung. This ball will eventually be buried where the female will lay a single egg inside of

it. Both adults and larvae eat dung.
A final note about spring - the leaves are fast emerging on deciduous trees. In a week it will be much more difficult viewing and identifying migrating birds.