Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Birding the Summer Solstice

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, June 21, 2008

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.