Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Yellow-billed Cuckoos & More Fledglings

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.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

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 Nightha wk 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 Lou isiana 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.