Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Pipeline Trail & Bird Blind

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, February 8, 2009

Pipeline Trail & Bird Blind

February is my free month before starting the second year of a Breeding Bird Survey at Pedernales Falls State Park. So this month I am taking the opportunity to do some strength training with a 30 pound backpack on for a May ascent of Mt. Shasta in Northern California. This training involves hiking the pipeline right of way. The park manager says this is the most rigorous hike on the property. It is almost 2 miles long and goes through a series of three hills. All in all, it is quite the workout and having telescoping hiking poles really helps stabilize oneself in steep loose rocky terrain. We actually hiked past the distant horizon shown in the photo photo above.
At the bird blind there were no new arrivals only the usual year-round residents, and one fox sparrow, a white-throated, several Lincoln's, and several House sparrows, plus a Dark-eyed Junco, a few Pine Siskins, as well as Lesser and American goldfinches. Down at Hackenberg Creek I spotted Ruby-crowned Kinglets, several Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Spotted Sandpiper. Overcast skies graced this day along with strong winds at the park but temperatures did reach the 70's. Not bad at all for a February day!