Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: July Full Moon Birding

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, July 19, 2008

July Full Moon Birding

On the drive into the park I saw perched two Common Ravens silhouetted against the early morning sky and I heard a Rufous-Crowned Sparrow and a Common Nighthawk singing/calling. A Jack Rabbit greeted me at the Primitive Campground parking lot.

I arrived too late for a "Full Moon" bikeride but I managed to survey Tobacco Creek and East Park Boundary before the heat intensified. There was a noticable absence of songsters today especially during my bikeride along four miles of trail. In fact, there were more contact calls in the woods than anything else. New observations included a Chimney Swift and Cliff Swallows flying along the Pedernales River. This was the first time I did not hear any juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks squawking.

I finished out the morning at the bird blind where there were numerous Northern Cardinals and House Finches. A single Lark Sparrow along with female and juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Painted Buntings were also seen.

Water levels in the river are the lowest I have seen this year. The photo is of the only grassy part of the Wolf Mountain Trail that I ride near the east park boundary. Bird watching at the park appears to be done until Fall Migration begins.