Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Mountain Biking & Fall Migrants

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, September 21, 2008

Mountain Biking & Fall Migrants

Cool mornings finally speak of Fall in Texas. To celebrate I biked both the trail across the Pedernales River and the Wolf Mountain Trail. At the river, looking back toward the main campground, I saw a roost of both the Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures. They remained on their perch for the entire hour I biked the river crossing trail. These vultures are probably waiting for a few campers to leave the campgrounds so they can go scavange for food scraps. In the photo above right one can see these vultures above the tree line.

Along the river a male Summer Tanager came down for a close look, after I made a pishing sound. I had heard its call notes and wanted one last look at this colorful bird before it left on migration. The Western Scrub Jays were not only vocal but visually abundant, unlike during the

summer months. Migrating Eastern Phoebe's appeared in high and dry locations as well near the water. At the bird blind I saw my first migrant sparrow of the year, a Field Sparrow.

Stopping at Jones Springs, along the

Wolf Mountain Trail, I found both a Preying Mantis (photo above right), and a young Anole (photo to the left), hanging out on a flowering composite. Both were hunting food. The Mantis found a bee for a meal.